Album Review: Jon Anderson and the Band Geeks — Live: Perpetual Change

In progressive music fandom circles, a popular pastime is debating the merits of various Yes lineups. A lively argument is sure to ensue among progheads when the question is raised: What is and is not Yes? Rather than re-litigate that entire discussion here, wasting precious 0s ans 1s, I’ll simply bring things up to recent times by noting that not-too-many years back, there was a group calling itself ARW. At least initially, it was. Then – in a somewhat provocative move, they changed their name to Yes featuring ARW. The letters, of course, stood for (Jon) Anderson, (Trevor) Rabin and (Rick) Wakeman. Supported by a top rhythm section, that trio toured to acclaim and much enjoyment among dedicated Yes fans. Their repertoire consisted solely of Yes music from years gone by, and in their time together they recorded no new music.

Simultaneously, a group calling itself Yes continued to tour, and even released some new music. Led by Steve Howe, the “real” Yes featured the band’s most well-known guitarist; he had been with the band since 1970 (except from 1983 to 1990, and except from 1992 to 1995). All other members of Yes during the period we’re discussing (roughly 2015 onward) had joined after Howe, in some cases 35 years after.

[Writer stops, looks at the 200-plus words already written.] Yikes; I promised I wouldn’t get into the weeds, yet I did. Suffice to say that Jon Anderson has every bit as much right to tour a set featuring classic Yes music as does the “official” group. And he has the right to release a live album. This, he has done. Recorded with the superb yet awfully-named Band Geeks, he has brought Live: Perpetual Change to the world.

A quick look at the set list spread across two CDs (and a video DVD) reveals ten epic songs, exactly ten of which Anderson had a hand in writing, and exactly ten on which his vocals adorn the original, definitive studio versions.

Another question that a long-suffering Yes fan might pose is: Does the world need another album full of live readings of Yes classics? When the singer on the recordings is 79 years old (Anderson’s age at the time of the May 2023 shows documented here), there’s a good argument that yes (so to speak), audio proof that He’s Still Got It is welcome.

The contents of Live – Perpetual Change make it clear that indeed he does. The superlative playing of the Band Geeks captures both the technical mastery and the spirit of the original versions, played with enthusiasm and commitment. The performances are note-perfect, yet they breathe, feeling genuine rather than like museum pieces. “Heart of the Sunrise” is particularly breathtaking, with even the tiniest sonic details faithfully attended to. The Mellotron even sounds like a Mellotron! One of the few tweaks made to the original arrangements is to add synthesizer on the “Würm” coda of “Starship Trooper.” (Tony Kaye wouldn’t lay hands on a Moog back in the day.) It works.

And then there’s Anderson himself. The story around his last (final?) departure from Yes held that some respiratory issues made it difficult for him to sing. Any such challenges are far in the past; it’s no hyperbole to say that as he approached his 80^th birthday for these dates, Anderson’s voice is every bit the equal of, say, 1972 Anderson. To note the remarkable nature of that fact is to be surprised and delighted.

The song selection on Live – Perpetual Change is beyond criticism: most all of the “peak period” Yes classics are here, unsullied by 90125-era material (fine enough as it is, but lacking the classic Yes sound and character). Nothing from the somewhat ponderous Tales of Topographic Oceans, either. If there’s any criticism at all of this set – and truly, there isn’t – it might have been a nice bonus to hear a live version of “Shine On,” from Anderson’s 2024 True album with his new band. But in keeping with the Yes-centric nature of this set, it’s not included.

The booklet is nice enough, with track info and a few color photos. The design is clearly meant to evoke memories of Yes’ 1970s album art, but carefully executed in a way that shouldn’t elicit objections from Roger Dean’s legal representatives. Ultimately, listeners will come for the music, and for those so inclined, Live – Perpetual Change is a wonderful musical document.