LoreleiProgFestival2017-6

THE LORELEI PROG FESTIVAL,

ST GOARSHAUSEN,

GERMANY,

JULY 2017

[6]

Feature links:

THE LORELEI PROG ROCK FESTIVAL, ST. GOARSHAUSEN, GERMANY - 2017 - [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]

YES featuring ARW

My brief comments (for what it's worth):

YES featuring ARW - [Yes is the most enduring, ambitious and virtuosic progressive band in rock history. When the band were inducted into the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame on 7th April, 2018, eight musicians were selected as having played the most significant part in the band's illustrious history, these being Jon Anderson, Bill Bruford, Steve Howe, Tony Kaye, Trevor Rabin, Chris Squire, Rick Wakeman and Alan White. Following the passing of legendary bass guitarist Chris Squire as a member of the official YES, the mantle was taken over by one-time member Billy Sherwood. This was also the catalyst of the formation of Anderson-Rabin-Wakeman (ARW), amended to YES featuring ARW prior to the Lorelei Night of the Prog appearance. Much has been written and speculated regarding the acrimonious relationship between members of the respective bands, which has transmitted to the respective groups of fans, resulting in some particularly spiteful, vicious behaviour on social media by so-called fans.

I had never imagined that I would one day witness an incarnation of YES gracing the stage at Lorelei. I had already seen ARW perform in London the year before, so this event was a second experience. Having seen a frail Jon Anderson appear for the first time at the 2009 Tribute to Freedom concert in Bratislava after a debilitating illness, it is quite remarkable that this amazing singer is still performing at the age of 73, a testimony to his resilience and spirit. The setlist combines classic 70's-era YES music with Trevor Rabin's more commercial-orientated compositions from the 80's. The band are clearly on a high and enjoy one another's company immensely. Much of the classic-era pieces are reworked, Awaken being a prime example.

Their setlist for the Lorelei event. Intro (Orchestral arrangement of "Perpetual Change Theme"), Cinema, Perpetual Change, Hold On, I've Seen All Good People, Drum Solo, Lift Me Up, And You and I, Rhythm of Love, Heart of the Sunrise, Changes, Long Distance Runaround, The Fish (Schindleria Praematurus), Awaken, (including Fryderyk Chopin snippet), Owner of a Lonely Heart (with intro of "Make it Easy") & Encore: Roundabout.

Band lne-up: Jon Anderson - voacls, harp, percussion, Trevor Rabin - guitars, Rick Wakeman - keyboards, with supporting roles in Lee Pomeroy - bass & Lou Molino - drums.]