THE ROYAL AFFAIR TOUR: LIVE IN LAS VEGAS

This set was recorded during the concert played by Yes with their current official line-up at the Hard Rock Hotel of Las Vegas in July, 2019, featuring classics from their mature period, such as "Roundabout" and "Starship Trooper", some of their early material, like "No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed" (a song of the great Richie Havens, actually), and also some samples of their late seventies output, like "Tempus Fugit".

The opener is as powerful and cinematic as it has to be every time the name "Yes" is involved: the twin drummers really work together and supply every bit of the rhythmic soundness we are accustomed to expect from this band. Jon Davidson makes a very decent job, and, even when he never come to actually hit the high notes of the other Jon, he has some of their own (listen to "Going for the One", for instance). Now, to be fair, the band doesn't sound so tight and intense as in days of former glory, particularly if one compares this take on "Siberian Khatru" with those found in, let's say, "Progeny", but, who are to blame for passing time?, these people do a hell of a job anyway.

There's a special moment for covers in the concert: first comes a Paul Simon song very well-rooted in the band's history, "America" and after that, the great premiere of the evening with Lennon's "Imagine", guesting John Lodge of Moody Blues fame in bass and sharing vocals with Davidson. A nice simple moment (with immense magic added by Steve Howe's guitar), and a real treat to be thankful for. I guess this wouldn't have been out of place in an album like "Tormato".