Topographic Drama: Live Across America

I always loved Drama but not the vocals so much. Davison makes it so much better. He is amazing.

Probably one of the best live sets the current line-up has released with Jon Davison, also an amazing return for Billy Sherwood and Jay fills in on a few tracks. The biggest highlight is Drama being performed from start to finish. While it sounds crisp, it’s apparent Jon Davison struggles with some of Horn’s vocal parts. Certain ones he really shines, but then gets rigid and stiff. He nails Anderson’s vocal parts as usual. Another slight issue is the slow tempo for “Machine Messiah”, it loses some momentum in the beginning with the slow drumming. Don’t be distracted, it does pick right back up. You can feel Steve Howe is really commanding the band, which helps tremendously as his parts are flawless as usual. Geoff has really gotten all these Yes songs down in his playing. He’s not Wakeman, but his interpretation is pretty soothing and sweet. Last, but not least, Billy Sherwood. He flawlessly plays, and sings, Chris’ parts to perfection and his presence in this position gives the feeling he’s still with us... along with Billy. This is a once in a lifetime live album, especially with Drama recorded in full, a must have for any true Yes enthusiast and fan.

I saw Yes perform this concert in North Carolina in February of last year. They looked polished and engaged. One of the positive elements of this recording is that, for the live performance of Drama, Jon Davison has a wider range and better voice than Trevor Horn's, adding depth to the vocals that were not in the original studio recording. It is true that the Topographic sides do not add a whole lot to the recording but It is interesting to hear this slightly updated version of Yes perform them. One note about another review: Room34 remarks that this is little more than a high quality cover band. Steve Howe has been with the band for 47 years, Alan White 45 years, Geoff Downes performed on the original Drama album 38 years ago, and Billy Sherwood was with the band for five years in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The only newcomer is Jon Davison. This is manifestly not a cover band.

My main quibble is this: if this is the new Yes line-up, why not re-vamp the old standards and make them their own? Now THAT would be exciting. On the other hand, maybe the re-vamping is slowing everything down without adding anything else. NOT for me.

No original members of Yes are left. Only 3 of the 5 who recorded Drama are in this lineup, and by the time Drama was recorded, there was only 1 original member, who is now dead (and coincidentally not in this lineup). This is basically a high-quality Yes cover band. These recordings add nothing to the originals, but lose a lot. Don't waste your money on this. Buy the original albums instead.

More fake YES. Eat up suckers.

Sounds pretty good to me.

I've listened to this entire album about 7 times already. This a great live album which every real fan of Yes must own. Yes has never let me down and this album is no exeption to that. This album features an exicitng setlist which was played flawlessly by these prog legends. This marks the first official live release for many of these songs. It is also the first ever Yes release without the late Chris Squire. Squire's own self-chosen replacement, Billy Sherwood, really shines on this album. The current lineup continues the Yes legacy extremely well. VIVA YES!!!! (FYI: This album contains recordings from February of this year at several shows and features Steve Howe on guitar, Alan White on drums, Geoff Downes on keyboards, Jon Davison on lead vocals and Billy Sherwood on bass with ex-Asia drummer Jay Schellen on additional drums.)

Despite the absence of Chris, this live album has its musical gems.Ritual sounded great and I cranked up the volume super loud for the best result. Billy Sherwood does the tunes with passion and class.No Anderson,No Wakeman No Squire but the tunes are played with passion and feeling.Im a huge Geoff Downes fan, not only is he the nicest guy you can ever meet in person, he smokes the keys throughout the CD.

Really? They had to pre-release "Roundabout" to create excitement for this recording?