Yes
Peter Frampton
Mohegan Sun
Uncasville, Connecticut
June 16, 2010
Tony Pijar
Peter Frampton and Yes were big news in the US back in the 70s, so I suppose it’s not unexpected that the two are touring together for the first time since 1976. The casino was sold out, much to my surprise.
Frampton, touring on the back of his latest release, “Thank you Mr. Churchill”, opened the co-headlining show with an old Humble Pie song “Nothing up my Sleeve.” Sure, he looks like my grandfather, but man can he still rip it up on his trusty black Les Paul. His set combined classic rock radio hits such as “Show me the Way”, “Signed, Sealed and Delivered”, “Baby, I Love your Way, and “Do you Feel like we do”. Additionally, we got smatterings from “Thank you Mr. Churchill” (including the blistering title track), and a splendid cover of Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun.”
Prog grandfathers, Yes, came on to the stage to “Firebird Suite” and were simply stunning throughout. Vets Alan White, Chris Squire and the incomparable Steve Howe were accompanied by Rick Wakeman’s son Oliver on keys, and let me tell you, he gave his dad a run for his money – a chip off the ol’ block! Benoit David, who has replaced Jon Anderson (line-up changes are nothing new for Yes), sounds like his predecessor. “Tempus Fugit” and “Yours is no Disgrace” were dusted off and clearly demonstrated the band’s collective and individual talents; the musicianship was staggering. Howe and Squire, the old pros that they are, in top form. Howe looks like a professor and Squire is larger than life onstage. “Perpetual Change” and “And you and I” were, jointly, twenty minutes of prog glory, and Howe’s solo spot was genius. “Close to the Edge”, “I’ve Seen all Good People” and “Roundabout” closed out an excellent show. A great, but somewhat paradoxical show of talents.
