Following the outstanding success of their 2019 American tour, YES will release a new live album, THE ROYAL AFFAIR TOUR, LIVE FROM LAS VEGAS, through BMG Records. The release date of the album is October 30, but it will be available exclusively through the YES Store starting October 2. Formats are: CD digi sleeve with a 12-page booklet; 2LP gatefold with 12″ booklet; and digital.
All YES concert tours are special events for their legions of fans, and “The Royal Affair Tour” was no exception, conceived as a wonderful celebration of the best of British progressive music. Guests on the tour were Asia (with YES keyboardist Geoff Downes and a special appearance by Steve Howe), John Lodge of The Moody Blues and Carl Palmer’s ELP Legacy featuring Arthur Brown.
Of THE ROYAL AFFAIR TOUR album, Alan White says: “The Royal Affair tour album, being released in October, is a welcome new chapter in the wide expanse of YES live recordings. I hope you enjoy it.”
Guitarist Steve Howe adds: “Having the opportunity to bring together the band members in the development of a well-refined set of songs that captures the band’s true potential is simply an honor for me.”
The show features many classic tracks across the period 1970-1980. The set opened with “No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed,” the Richie Havens cover from YES’ second album Time And A Word (1970). “Tempus Fugit” was taken from Drama (1980), Geoff Downes’ first as a member of YES, while “Going For The One,” “I’ve Seen All Good People” and “Siberian Khatru” are from some of YES’ iconic mid-70s albums. The set included a rare live performance of YES’ cover of Paul Simon’s “America”and John Lodge shared vocals on YES’ cover of John Lennon’s “Imagine.” Soon-to-be YES drummer Alan White played on the original studio recording.
“The Royal Affair Tour” live set and album, recorded at the Hard Rock Hotel, Las Vegas, in July 2019, reaches a climax with two of the best-loved YES tracks, “Roundabout” and “Starship Trooper,” always a high note on which to close the set.
YES are Steve Howe (guitar) who joined in 1970; Alan White, drums since 1972; Geoff Downes (keyboards) who first joined in 1980; vocalist since 2011 Jon Davison; and Billy Sherwood, who played guitar/keyboards in the 1990s and was the late Chris Squire’s choice to take over bass/vocals in 2015, also played with Asia on this tour. Jay Schellen played additional drums.
“The Royal Affair Tour” also featured an exhibition of original art by Roger Dean whose artwork is synonymous having designed the iconic YES logo and the band’s best-loved album covers. Roger Dean recently painted THE ROYAL AFFAIR TOUR album artwork live on Facebook while also fielding questions from fans.
The Royal Affair Tour – Live in Las Vegas track listing:
1. No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed
2. Tempus Fugit
3. Going For The One
4. I’ve Seen All Good People
5. Siberian Khatru
6. Onward
7. America
8. Imagine
9. Roundabout
10. Starship Trooper
