JON ANDERSON & THE BAND GEEKS: LIVE - PERPETUAL CHANGE

Jon Anderson & The Band Geeks "Live ? Perpetual Change", released 14 March 2025 I've pent some time with this album. Here is my review and song by song grade. It should be noted that YES are my favorite band, going on well over four decades. I have seen them 20 times in various incarnations. At this point I would classify myself as an unharsh YES snob. So, keep that in mind. Also, I enjoy all eras and factions of YES, both past and present. Some eras and lineups I enjoy more than others, but the more the merrier as far as I am concerned.

First, this live album is excellent. Doubtful a YES fan wouldn't find much to enjoy. This is a GREAT band that Anderson has surrounded himself around. World class.

Second, a criticism of Jon. The material on this album comprises only YES songs, and from the years 1971 through 1977, with nothing before or after. I know this is what most consider the crème de la crème of the band's output, and it is my favorite era for them as well, but there are decades of amazing music from both YES and Jon outside of YES. So, being in a position to dictate mostly what is played, why is he so restrictive on what gets performed? Why ignore so many gems from over the years? The criticisms of the Steve Howe led YES are understood by me, but one thing you cannot peg on Steve is a myopic approach to setlists. He has dug deep into the Peter Banks era, given a few nods to the Trevor Rabin era, and does not ignore the 90s and early 2000s era of YES when putting shows together. With his YES you know there will be fun surprises in their concerts. I hope Jon maybe digs a little deeper if he continues to tour with the Band Geeks for a while.

Third, some praise for Jon. Dude sounds amazing. I couldn't believe the power he is getting at his age. His timbre has changed over the years, but this was amongst the best he has ever sound in parts.

Ok, now the songs. 1) Yours Is No Disgrace: A+ 2) Perpetual Change: B-; one of my favorite songs, and this was enjoyable; but, the middle instrumental syncopated section didn't really flow well. It sounded more like a woodshed where the band was still trying to get their timing right. They finish it off in great form, though. 3) Close To The Edge: A+; this fired on all cylinders. Really great live version. 4) Heart Of The Sunrise: a surprising A+ from me. I'll explain ? initially I decided I would not give this greater than an A- simply because of so many special Chris Squire performances being etched into my memory, and this would not be Chris. But, it sounded like bass player Richie Castellano was possessed by Chris on this song with Chris then telling him to take that spirit and make it his own. And that he did. Wow. 5) Starship Trooper: B+; a fine performance, but nothing special. Not the same energy as the others. Would rather they played something obscure, like "The Prophet" or "Magnification". The keyboard solo on "Wurm" is awesome, though. 6) Awaken: A; Admittedly, I am not real big on live versions of "Awaken". I enjoy watching the band play it live more than listening to live versions. The studio version just has some magic to it and is so perfectly performed and produced. Nonetheless, these guys really nailed it, and most importantly they did not ritard the climax after the "Masters" section. YES always made the mistake of slowing that part down before coming in big, but that only lessen its impact. It works so well in the studio version because it's played in time. The Band Geeks played it in time. Bravo, and thank you. 7) And You And I: A-; seems maybe the mix was off a tad. Not sure. 8 ) I've Seen All Good People: A- 9) The Gates Of Delirium: A-; Why were the keyboards so low in the mix in parts? Anyway, my only beef with this is what Jon has been doing since the year 2000 ? he sings the "Choose and renounce.." and "Words cause our banner.." lines too high instead of following his original melody. As a singer myself I get it ? it feels good to blast something out a bit differently; but, one must always remember the most important melodic juxtapositions and follow them, and he doesn't here, which dampens the mood. So, this was riding on a B+ until "Soon", which is probably the best version of that section I have heard since the Detroit 1976 Cobo Hall performance on 'YesShows'. It is truly immaculate. Got chills at the end. 10) Roundabout: yeah, whatever+

Aside from some mixing issues here and there this is a solidly produced album. Highly recommend!

P.S. Fourth, I haven't watched the DVD yet.

I just listened Yes 50 live, and compare the songs that are the same, "Close to the edge", "Awaken", "Yours is no disgrace", "Rounabout" and "Starship trooper". And the observation is, Jon Anderson and the band Geeks are going back to something that is right. Ok, it's not Yes, but the interpretation is amazing, made with energy and precision.

I feel that this interpretation of the Yes catalogue disqualifies the current Yes, yes it's clear. With Yes 50, the keyboards of Geoff Downes don't work, especially "Close to the edge" and "Awaken" The dynamic within the songs are quite lame, and sometimes they don't play well together. Steve Howe seems to struggle with his own part. And the singer Jon Davison struggles, and delivers some inadequate parts

To me, it was important to have this in mind. Jon Anderson and The Band Geeks is not Yes, but their interpretation of the Yes catalogue goes back to what is was. The energy, the complexity of composition is in front of us. To me, it's an interpretation of Yes, but close to Yes. They try to duplicate the sounds of the studio albums, and the avantage is that they understand how the composition is written. The musicians are amazing, and the keyboardist Chris Clark doesn't suffer the comparison with Rick Wakeman (what Geoff Downes does). The choice of the sounds, with Robert Kipp are more accurate than the current Yes. And the bass, delivered by Richie Castellano is just amazing, big, and gives a good rendition of what Chris Squire was to the band, an extraordinary locomotive.

Jon Anderson and the band Geeks delivers something right to the Yes heritage. Not to mention that Jon Anderson has still a wonderful voice.

So if you're a Yes fan, you will love this. And I will always thank The Band Geeks to give us the opportunity to listen to Jon's voice again, at 80 ! They worked so well, they are the new interpreter of Yes music, like all these people in Classical music.

(written by a french guy, pardon my English)

Which should we prefer? The 2020s tribute band which happens to call itself 'Yes' (starring Steve Howe), or Jon Anderson's version of the same, which claims to be 'keeping the "true Yes" flag flying'? Based on this double album, and on what I've heard and seen of (fairly) recent Yes (i.e. mainly live clips on YouTube, and the LIVE FROM LYON album), I wouldn't hesitate to award the palm to J.A. and the Band Geeks. It's true that a title like LIVE - PERPETUAL CHANGE smacks of hubris; it reminds me of Tomasi Di Lampedusa's famous statement (in his novel THE LEOPARD) 'If we want things to stay as they are, things will have to change.' But for an old Yes fan like me it's wonderful to witness Jon's resurrection - and his current band isn't half bad either.

It's true that there are a few misses. The first ten minutes or so of 'Close to the Edge' sag surprisingly, with Jon sounding tired and hoarse in the 'I get up, I get down' section. But this comes after two truly sprightly performances (of 'Yours is no Disgrace' and 'Perpetual Change'), and during the remainder of the set Jon never lets us down - quite the contrary. Moreover, the 'Close to the Edge' climax is nicely done; having two expert keyboardists clearly helps! The opening of 'Starship Trooper' is another slight disappointment. Throughout the set, the Band Geeks generally replicate the original studio versions of the tunes (not failing to add pretty little touches of their own) - but where's that prominent Hammond organ we so sorely needed?

Still, there's so much to rejoice over... I don't want to sound like a sourpuss... 'Awaken' and 'The Gates of Delirium', two of the highlights in the Yes canon, are carried off with great aplomb. In my view, lead guitarist Andy Graziano actually outshines Steve Howe here, clearly benefitting from a (relatively) youthful attack, which Howe has lacked for many a year. My 'deluxe edition' of the album came with a DVD of the gig, and it's heartening to see with how much respect and pure joy those Band Geeks tackle all the Yes material.

So do you NEED this album? Hmmm, while I cannot call it 'essential', I believe admirers of classic Yes will derive a great deal of pleasure from it. In European classical music, it's common for symphony orchestras to churn out recordings of Beethoven symphonies - and the like - long after the original composer has died, and every year, specialist periodicals will be analysing the latest recordings, pointing out where - for example - the Gothenburg Symphony anno 2025 have the edge over the Berlin Philharmonic anno 1962. Similarly, it's a great deal of fun to check out how the Band Geeks have mastered all those classic Yes compositions. And at the same time I find it uplifting to hear a 79-year old Jon Anderson (mercifully still alive!) pour his heart and soul into his lead vocals. So unless you're a J.A. hater, I definitely suggest you give PERPETUAL CHANGE a try.

Recorded during the 'YES Epics and Classics' tour in May 2023 (Illinois, USA) as a result of the collaboration between Jon Anderson and The Band Geeks led by Richie Castellano, "Live - Perpetual Change" (2025) is a tribute to the most representative symphonic period of the legendary Yes.

Very respectful of the forms and avoiding 'creative' experiments, the band focuses on the setlist of 1973's "Yessongs", except for "Siberian Khatru" and "Long Distance Runaround / The Fish", replaced instead by the masterful "Awaken" and "Gates of Delirium", with a very solid group performance and with Jon Anderson's voice still in great form more than five decades later.

Without taking sharp turns and following a safe path, the band recreates as faithfully as possible songs like "Yours is No Disgrace", "Perpetual Change", "Close to the Edge", "Starship Trooper" (Chris Clark's keyboards and Andy Graziano's guitars in the final section are superb), or "Heart of the Sunrise" (very good bass by Castellano), which seem to be taken from some seventies concert, and even the acoustic parts of "And You and I" and "Roundabout" with their clean and immaculate guitars, seem to surpass several live versions of those songs performed by Yes in the 2000's...

Something that could have been better? While it was a tour focused on the music of Yes, perhaps including some previews of the excellent album "True" to be released by Jon Anderson in 2024, such as the very progressive "Counties and Countries" or "Once upon a Dream", would have given it an extra touch of freshness and novelty.

But without a doubt "Live - Perpetual Change" is a very good live album, which reaffirms in Jon Anderson's voice the greatness of Yes, and a new and very appreciable opportunity to reconnect with progressive rock itself.

4 stars