Kevin Mulryne, Yes Music Podcast founder and Something Else! contributor, says the band’s forthcoming live project isn’t a must-buy even for completest fans – who he estimates to be about five percent of the total group.
It’s not that The Royal Affair Tour: Live in Las Vegas is a bad album – but do we really need another version of “Roundabout“?
My music library has at least 29 (!) versions of this song. That’s not counting the ones on Yes’ multi-disc Progeny box set. Here’s a look back at a handful of those performances:
YES – THE ROYAL AFFAIR: LIVE IN LAS VEGAS (2020): Yes’ current lineup has included “Roundabout” in every concert. Featuring keyboardist Geoff Downes, bassist Billy Sherwood, singer Jon Davison, guitarist Steve Howe and drummer Alan White, this update doesn’t deviate too much from prior versions on the song. Davison delivers an excellent vocal, though Sherwood’s back-up singing isn’t up to his usual standards. Steve Howe adds almost-perfect acoustic and electric noodling. Now in his third live album appearance since rejoining the band after the untimely death of mentor Chris Squire, Sherwood handles the bass so well that you don’t wish Geddy Lee was playing it. Only the lagging pace and low bass mix detract from the performance. Of course, I’d rather have this band perform “Gates of Delirium” than this song.
YES FEATURING ARW – LIVE AT THE APOLLO (2018) Stadium rock at its most bombastic? The song and the band power through this classic like a third-rate cover band with ace guitarist Trevor Rabin attempting to make the iconic guitar parts his own. The result is a shortened and ham-fisted version of “Roundabout” which leans too heavily on Rabin’s whammy bar. Jon Anderson’s vocals are excellent and Rick Wakeman recreates most of his Moog and Hammond sounds, but drummer Lou Morlino III is too prominent in the mix. Even a subtle bass echo of “Close to the Edge” during the coda can’t keep this from feeling like just another cover. More irritating is the fake audience noise.
YES – HOUSE OF YES: LIVE AT THE HOUSE OF BLUES (2000): Taken from the 1999 tour, this bulked-up lineup features the classic-era members with Igor Khoroshev taking Rick Wakeman’s spot and Billy Sherwood, in his first tenure with the band, on rhythm guitar. Forgoing the acoustic guitar intro, Yes proceeds with a full-throttled attack on “Roundabout.” Steve Howe’s electric playing is perfect, as always. Sherwood provides growling licks here and there to provide some kick. Perhaps the highlight of this version are Khoroshev’s organ and synth solos, which rival the perfection of the original’s.
YES – IN THE PRESENT: LIVE AT LYON (2011): Recently rereleased with the excellent From a Page, In The Present documents a Dec. 1, 2009 show which featured Jon Anderson’s temporary (then permanent) replacement Benoit David and Rick Wakeman’s son Oliver Wakeman. David, though now all but written out of Yes history, handles himself with a passion and acumen worthy of the position. The harmonies with Chris Squire are spot on, and Alan White is a locomotive driving the song forward. Oliver Wakeman does not rely on his father’s synthesizer voicings, but his choices work well to make this version of “Roundabout” one of the better ones from the last 20 years.
YES – THE ULTIMATE YES: 35th ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION (2003): Going acoustic, the classic version of Yes attempts to create something new out of this old war horse – and they succeed. Rick Wakeman, with just piano responsibilities, is in his element. His parts flow effortlessly with Steve Howe’s six-string guitar. Alan White provides a bluesy minimalist shuffle which provides a pocket not often heard in a song from the world’s greatest progressive rock band. Chris Squire also gets in the act with a bluesy and effectively simple bass part which belies Jon Anderson’s vocals. Maybe this sounds like a pub-band version of “Roundabout,” but it’s thoroughly enjoyable.
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