ARW Andersson, Rabin, Wakeman Yeah S/NY, Usa 2016

ARW (Anderson, Rabin, Wakeman) is a hot topic for its latest YES music by the true originator, Jon Anderson. The latest and best live album is here. We have been reporting on live albums since the first day of the new project, “ORLANDO 2016 (Amity 364)”, and this is the fourth. This work is an audience album containing the “Buffalo performance on November 2, 2016”. The biggest point this time is the superb sound, but let’s start by looking at the positioning of the concert.・Wallingford performance “WALLINGFORD 2016” on October 21st ・Huntington performance on October 22nd ・Montclair performance on October 24th ・Red Bank performance on October 26th ・Atlantic City performance on October 28th ・Akron performance on October 29th ・Pittsburgh performance on October 30th ・New York performance on November 1st ・Buffalo performance on November 2nd [This work] The above is the journey from “WALLINGFORD 2016” reported last time to this work. The Wallingford performance was the 10th performance of the tour, and this work is the 18th performance. The North American tour currently in progress is scheduled for a total of 36 performances, so it’s just the halfway point. As I mentioned earlier, the greatest thing about this work is the amazing sound. This is the fourth introduction, but this work is definitely the best. The musical tones and singing voices are worthy of being called “like a sound board”, and if the core is extremely thick, the clarity is outstanding. The heavy bass, which tends to be a weakness in audience recordings, is also glossy, and the bass is transmitted to the walls of the venue, and the drums are vivid even to the smallest hits. In particular, this ARW is the key to freshness, with the rhythm section, which is supposed to be a support, and the powerful and free rhythm work can be heard in detail. Of course, the three main characters are also super clear. Among the past YES men, Trevor Rabin & Rick Wakeman’s incredible beauty combines brilliance and technique. From the fine guitar picking to the touch of the electric piano, every sound is poured into your ears. Although I don’t know the detailed recording position, the sound is full of directness and has a wonderful balance, so it’s perfect, as if it were an official work. ARW may release an official live album someday, but it sounds like it’s ahead of that. Even though it is so perfect, this work is definitely a hit with the audience. It is not a flaw but a beauty, and the venue acoustics, which are very faintly covered, are very beautiful. To be honest, if you just listen to it for a little while, you might think, “Is there any reverberation?”, but the acoustics that faintly wrap around the core of the musical sound further enhance the “beauty of the sound”. The vocals are particularly prominent. John’s unique voice pours down, and the chorus creates a fantastic YES world. I don’t know how many times I’ve written that “YES music suits the audience,” but that flavor is definitely alive in this work. Furthermore, the audience plays a part in the sound. In America, it is not uncommon to hear venues where people talk even during the performance, but the cheers in this work are amazing, with a concentration that keeps you listening closely. After each song is played, a huge ovation (typical of America) erupts as if remembering, and then I am finally surprised that there were so many spectators. Thanks to the audience who kept so quiet, we could enjoy high quality sound, and it was amazing how the performance drew out the audience’s concentration. The latest “YES Music Evening” is drawn with that quality. This is already amazing. We have written about the fresh charm of the live albums so far, but this work also adds “Changes” which has never been added before. It is a hit single from “90125”, but this one is also ARW style. Rabin takes the main vocals and plays technical guitar, and Rick’s obbligato decorates it brilliantly. Many YES songs have been reborn so far, but a new superb version has been born. After that “Changes”, John talks about his memories with Chris Squire. “Long Distance Runaround” begins to sing while thinking of his ally who created a group of masterpieces together and made his mark on rock history. After all, he is YES. The rhythm section, keyboards, and guitars each add their own new flavor to the ensemble, and this voice remains motionless, a mark of a true originator. This work is truly YES. The original YES’s Japan tour is finally approaching. Alan White’s return has also been reported, and expectations are only rising. In the fall of 2016, another YES was born, playing exquisite YES songs. As a band with a career that has changed so much, it would be rude to argue about which one is the real deal, but it is the competition that makes them shine. This is the best piece to enjoy the “now” of the two YES bands side by side. Live at University At Buffalo Center for the Arts, Buffalo, NY. USA 2nd November 2016 TRULY PERFECT/ULTIMATE SOUND Disc 1(66:31) 1. Symphonic Music (Perpetual Change Theme) 2. Cinema 3. Perpetual Change 4. Hold On 5. I’ve Seen All Good People 6. Drum Solo 7. Lift Me Up 8. And You And I 9. Rhythm Of Love 10. Heart Of The Sunrise Disc 2(71:30) 1. Jon & Rick MC 2. Changes 3. Long Distance Runaround 4. The Fish (Schindleria Praematurus) 5. The Meeting 6. Awaken 7. Make It Easy 8. Owner Of A Lonely Heart 9. Roundabout Jon Anderson – lead vocals Trevor Rabin – guitars Rick Wakeman – keyboards Lee Pomeroy – bass Lou Molino III – drums