From the opening staccato attack of “Perpetual Change,” through “Hold On” and “Lift Me Up,” to stellar reads on “Heart Of The Sunrise” and a beautiful version of “The Meeting,” to the elongated gorgeous mess that was “Awaken,” to a truncated “Roundabout” ARW (that’s Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin and Rick Wakeman) delighted the Montclair, N.J. brethren who had waited a long time for this particular line-up to show up.

Augmented by bassist Lee Pomeroy and force-of-rumbling-nature drummer Lou Molino III, the boys from old Yes and newer Yes meshed well, even despite the low “wah” sound that always, unfortunately emanates through the rafters of The Wellmont. Rabin, a great guitarist, and composer, never will mine the nuances of Steve Howe’s playing, this particularly showed on “And You And I” and “Roundabout,” where Rabin’s heavier touch kept things down a bit, but from the press I have read about the joining of this trio (and creating an album soon-to-be-released), Wakeman has wanted to play with Rabin since the long ago massive ego Yes “Union” tour and Jon Anderson, the only original member of Yes still alive, seems to be pleased as punch to be fronting a band again, making this music, and sounding so great.

Anderson really came off the best of the night, those higher than high yes vocals still sailing over the music clear as a bell. A solid night of long songs and expert playing and hearing Yes classics; not so bad, really.