Yes: The Royal Affair Tour - Live From Las Vegas

In 2019, after completing their Yes50 tour, the Howe/White/Downes/Davison/Sherwood/Schellen lineup of Yes hit the road on a package tour with John Lodge and Carl Palmer which was dubbed the Royal Affair Tour. This jaunt saw the band eschew the full-album sets for another cross-section from the catalogue. They stick to mostly classics here, but with a few random dark-horses.

In fact, that album kicks off with one - "No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed". This song, originally by Richie Havens, was first recorded by Yes in 1970 for their second album, Time And A Word. While Steve Howe appeared on the cover of that album, and performed this on the subsequent tour, he was not actually on the album recording. Neither was anyone else in this lineup of Yes. That doesn't matter, however. They absolutely nail this song. Jon Davison sounds great and the tempo is way up. 

And it stays the same way for "Tempus Fugit", which comes next. Originally from Drama, this is a song that has only enjoyed life on stage during the post-Anderson era of the band. This is another one that benefits from Jay Schellen on drums, as does the smokin' version of "Going For The One" which comes next. While it is sad that Alan White's playing time is reduced to just a few songs, it is nice to hear the tempos flying once again.

Next up is the obligatory "I've Seen All Good People", which is every bit as lovely as always. By this point, this lineup had been playing together for three years and were very well rehearsed. The "All Good People" jam on this version is just pure fire. 

 "Siberian Khatru" is always one of the best openers, so it is weird to hear it played so late in the set. That said, I think it benefits from being set back a bit. That way the band is well warmed up and hs n excuse to be sluggish. For decades, the tempo of this song has gradually decreased, possibly from its set placement (and possibly from those involved), but this take, which features Jay Schellen on drums, is every bit as jaunty as the original Close To The Edge version. As I always must, I have to commend Billy Sherwood, for being able to fill Squire's shoes so ably. He especially crushes it during the jam, which features some wickedly tasty guitar runs, courtesy of Steve Howe. 

This album continues on side three with Chris Squire's exquisite "Onward", which is played in tribute to their fallen leader. This particular version, however, seems a bit off. A bit stiff. I think it's just the arrangement. Not sure. It was nice. I miss Chris.

Moving on is the band's classic arrangement of Paul Simon's "America". This is one of those things where I love the studio version and think it's the coolest thing ever, but I don't necessarily need to hear it played live. They've never quite done it justice on stage. Least of all here, where the tempo ebbs and flows, and Steve Howe's timing is not always on point. Perhaps I am being too hard but I just feel like set list space is too valuable to waste. Then again, it's not my band so they can play what they want and I am just glad there is still a Yes That said, the jam in the middle of this is pretty funky and cool. 

At this point, Alan White gets behind the kit for a cover of "Imagine" that features Jon Davison trading verses with John Lodge. Shortly before he joined Yes, Alan was the drummer in the Plastic Ono Band, and he played on the original session. It is really weird to hear this song in this context, as there is really nothing that a band like Yes can add to a song like this, so it's pretty straightforward. Which is not to say it's a bad thing. Steve Howe plays a pretty amazing solo, and it is fun to hear Alan playing on it, so it's cool. Sometimes it's fun to get a curveball instead of the same old hits.

Speaking of those, however, we now reach side four - otherwise known as the encore. Alan White remains on the drum kit, with Jay Schellen on percussion, as the band rips through "Roundabout" and "Starship Trooper", two of the most classic of classic Yes songs. It is great to hear him play, and he sounds great. Both of these are songs that every lineup of Yes has played, at pretty much every show, hundreds and hundreds of times. That is more than evident in these super well oiled takes. 

That is all that is presented here. Apparently "Gates Of Delirium" was also performed at the show but left off the album because of the impending Relayer tour, which is my guess. You know we will be getting a live album from that tour as well. And it will be great. 

May we now stop and revel at Roger Dean's cover art? This is one of his best. He doesn't do a lot of night scenes - Tales From Topographic Oceans and what else? That might be it. This is a cool twist. 

All in all, this is a decent set. The whole "package tour" thing cost the band a lot of set time so they had to cram a lot in. Lots of classics and a few cool ones from left-field. There were parts that were a bit ragged and there were parts (and a great many of them) that were otherworldly. Definitely far more of the latter. 

This leads us now to the point we've been aiming for this entire time - the brand new album, The Quest. Stay tuned for my thoughts in real time. I am very excited and will be going in with the most open of minds.