*****
For a fair portion of the overall Yes fanbase (some might even say most) the absence of ARW activity in 2019 isn't entirely devastating, as Official Yes (also sometimes referred to as Continuity Yes) has now begun the annual Summer tour, which this year is billed as The Royal Affair Tour (as opposed to Yestival in years past), a four-tier bill also starring Asia, John Lodge of The Moody Blues and Carl Palmer's ELP Legacy featuring Arthur Brown. As has been illustrated by the premiere performance, this means a fair amount of cross-pollination between the acts, as both Carl Palmer and Geoff Downes are pulling double duty performance-wise, and there have been a few guest appearances.
Why am I writing about Official Yes, you may well ask? Because their new setlist (significantly revised from previous) features a surprise selection in that they are acknowledging YesWest once more and not with the song you might think.
It's "Rhythm of Love" and from a historical perspective not an entirely obscure choice, given that Steve Howe has played it on various tours. Steve and Alan have been thoroughly versed in this particular song over the years, and Billy Sherwood somewhat as well. It makes sense in terms of considering if they're not going to play "Owner" then they should play a YesWest song equally as lively, one might say.
The above video is an audience recording, sure, and so therefore not the best quality, but this rendition just falls flat for me. And that's not even because Steve's playing on it. For example, when the Classic lineup performed it in 2004 I think they did a good job of underscoring the song's appeal while also playing it their way.
The above video is an audience recording, sure, and so therefore not the best quality, but this rendition just falls flat for me. And that's not even because Steve's playing on it. For example, when the Classic lineup performed it in 2004 I think they did a good job of underscoring the song's appeal while also playing it their way.
I suppose I feel like if you're going to perform a part of the canon you don't normally play for the purposes of being inclusive, while it is certainly expedient to choose songs you already know, you really should pick selections you believe you are capable of conveying the proper emotional impression in your performance. When ARW included RoL in their setlist it not only seemed logical because it's Trevor's song (in large part) and it was a song the principles had played together in '91-92 but also because they seemed to know that fans were desiring a particular YesWest brand of dynamism. But having Official Yes pick such a song feels more like duty than desire.
Now this version is a bit rough (from that trainwreck of a first week on the road) but it's exciting as befits the YesWest aesthetic. And that is what I'm here for.
