Thursday 17 September 2015

PALA: Yes affirms progressive rock stance

The 1970s progressive rock era was about lyrics with deep thoughts, lengthy musical showcases that were not about trying to be popular and an instrumental showcase at live shows.

One band of that era, Yes, performs Saturday, Sept. 5, at Pala Casino, Spa and Resort with Toto.

“Songs have different applications, and different bands use different kind of sounds,” keyboardist Geoff Downes said in a recent telephone interview. “Yes music is very much focused on a lot of core instruments like piano and organ. Yes is very much about masters on their instruments so you stick to the musical roots.”

The band’s current line-up consists of Downes, singer Jon Davison, guitarist Steve Howe, drummer Alan White and bassist Billy Sherwood.

Among the classic Yes songs are “I’ve Seen All Good People: Your Move,” “Roundabout,” “It Can Happen” and the Billboard Number One hit “Owner of a Lonely Heart.” It’s the catalog that Downes believes keeps people coming to the shows.

“It’s the depth of the music because you are talking 40-45 years of music that has all these different elements and style,” he said. “Coming throughout that period was almost a broad style of music, and I think that’s a reason it has stood the test of time. It has transformed over the years, but it always sounds like the same band.”

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