The Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif., continues demonstrating that they provide some of the best musical entertainment on tour today. This was proven again on Friday, June 26, when they featured a double-dose of hard-hitting progressive rock ‘n’ roll with the English bands Asia and Yes.
Asia and Yes, with a combined musical history of almost 70 years, wowed and pleased the crowd with many well-know favorites everyone would recognize, as well as some newer works. It was hard to tell who in the crowd enjoyed the shows more — the younger concert goers who weren’t even born when these rockers were putting out Top Ten hits, or the more mature audience who sang along with the lyrics as they did when they first saw these bands many years ago.
Asia and Yes are two tightly knit bands with an entwined history including a long list of the “Who’s Who” of rock ‘n’ roll. The band’s Indio appearance was their first U.S. show together before the tour ends later this summer.
Asia opened the night with the foot-stomping, hand-waving audience on their feet with their first song, “Wildest Dreams.” Lead singer and bassist John Wetton, formerly of King Crimson, had many in the audience giving a standing ovation with his powerful vocals by the end of their second song, “You’re Leaving Now.” Keyboardist Geoff Downes, also a one-time Yes member, made his keyboard scream with a crowd favorite, “Video Killed The Radio Star,” (which was the first number played on MTV) almost as if his keyboards were singing the lyrics. Steve Howe, who not only played numerous guitars all night long with both bands, pulled out a Fender mandolin for “Don’t Cry,” demonstrating his musical genius and stamina.
If the energy by then wasn’t high enough, Asia turned it up several more notches with an Emerson Lake & Palmer instrumental, “Fanfare For The Common Man.” Carl Palmer of ELP fame gave a mind-blowing drum solo that threatened to leave his Ludwig drum set shattered in pieces. His solo ignited a fireball punch that showed all that Asia can still demand a rousing standing ovation. Asia ended their one-hour set with the crowd standing and singing along to the legendary, “Heat Of The Moment.”
As the younger concertgoers held up their cell phones, a few of their elders held up their Bic lighters. But the night wasn’t over yet at Fantasy Springs.
The English progressive rock band Yes, formed in 1968 London, was next up on the big stage, and the crowd was on their feet. Yes members through the years have been with or worked some of the most famous names in rock history, and their experiences combined to put on a show not to be missed.
Yes was quick to jump into the 1971 hit, “I’ve Seen All Good People;” the crowd seemed to know every word to this perennial favorite. Chris Squire, the original band bassist, was on fire and seemed to love every minute of entertaining the eager crowd.
Alan White, the Yes drummer since 1972 and original “Astral Traveller,” led an impressive drum solo with a light show to match the song by the same name. The band demonstrated their signature style of tones and tempos in an excellent rendition of “And You And I,” a 10-minute, four-section ballad from the 1972 “Close To The Edge” album.
Missing from the band, as veteran Yes fans noted, was Jon Anderson, lead singer since 1968. Anderson is resting after a sever asthma attack but will possibly rejoin the tour later this year. Anderson will be happy to know, as the audience confirmed, that Canadian Benoit David helped replicate the Yes sound without missing a beat with his striking lead vocals, as well as guitar and percussion talents.
Another bright spot of which any father would be proud was the extraordinary talent 37-year-old Oliver Wakeman displayed on the keyboards, replacing the position his father, Rick Wakeman, had as a longtime Yes keyboardist. Oliver Wakeman obviously had a good teacher and good genes evidenced with his talented golden fingers working those boards throughout the show.
Steve Howe charmed the audience with his acoustic, sometimes folksy guitar solo, “Mood For A Day,” from their 2009 release, “Symphonic Live.” Again, playing earlier in the evening with Asia, I understand why John Wetton epitomized Howe as, “The new James Brown ... The hardest working man in show biz!” His impressive solo earned him another standing ovation.
The band wasted no time before jumping into the ‘83 favorite, “Owner Of A Lonely Heart,” followed by, “Machine Messiah,” from their 1980 “Drama” album. The entire audience was immediately on their feet again, clapping, dancing and singing along to the ‘73 classic “Roundabout.”
The audience wasn’t going to let the night slip away without an encore. After an almost two-hour concert, the crowd was left smiling and satisfied after the band came back and graced the concert goers with the uniquely Yes, “Starship Trooper.”
The evening’s crowd, young and old, enjoyed the concerts equally. After the concert, Rancho Mirage residents Robbinn Trowbridge and his brother, Hap, declared, “Yes was excellent! They did real good tonight. And, Asia ... what else can you say? There’s no better way to see both bands than together!”
Friday, June 26, 2009
Asia and Yes are two tightly knit bands with an entwined history including a long list of the “Who’s Who” of rock ‘n’ roll. The band’s Indio appearance was their first U.S. show together before the tour ends later this summer. 
If the energy by then wasn’t high enough, Asia turned it up several more notches with an Emerson Lake & Palmer instrumental, “Fanfare For The Common Man.” Carl Palmer of ELP fame gave a mind-blowing drum solo that threatened to leave his Ludwig drum set shattered in pieces. His solo ignited a fireball punch that showed all that Asia can still demand a rousing standing ovation. Asia ended their one-hour set with the crowd standing and singing along to the legendary, “Heat Of The Moment.”
Another bright spot of which any father would be proud was the extraordinary talent 37-year-old Oliver Wakeman displayed on the keyboards, replacing the position his father, Rick Wakeman, had as a longtime Yes keyboardist. Oliver Wakeman obviously had a good teacher and good genes evidenced with his talented golden fingers working those boards throughout the show.