ALTHOUGH there is another version of Yes on the road headed by Steve Howe, celebrating their 50th anniversary, The Barbican in York played host to what many believe to be the definitive version of Yes.

This includes original singer Jon Anderson and uber legendary keyboard player Rick Wakeman along with guitar genius Trevor Rabin from the more streamlined 90125 era of Yes. A second 50th anniversary celebration from a slightly different angle was therefore the order of the day.

With a foot in both the classic era of 70's Yes and the more modern 80's version meant that the setlist had a much broader wealth of material to draw from and that indeed was one of the big plus points from tonight`s show.

Mixing the sharper more direct material from the Rabin era including Hold On and a burst of rampant fret work that saw Rabin step up to the microphone for a delicious take on Changes, saw Yes at their most potent. A seriously killer moment in the set that also saw Rhythm of Love feature some tight harmonising from Anderson, Rabin and bassist Iain Hornall.

Yes, however are known for their huge sprawling epics and they delivered on that score, big time. Heart of Sunrise with its sinister, foreboding atmosphere, bubbling bass line and staccato drumming from Lou Molino III, set the bed rock for Anderson to again prove his worth as one of Prog rocks finest vocalists with a truly stunning performance.

A flurry of piano from the cape wearing Wakeman heralded one of Prog Rock`s most fabled tunes, Awaken, a monstrous epic that has been known to make grown men weep in adulation particular during Wakeman`s grandiose church organ overlain with choral effects during the song`s mid-section. This was Prog Rock at its absolute pinnacle.

It wasn`t all about the epics though. Unknown to many, Yes have a few shorter, sharper cuts in their arsenal with All Good People even bringing a few ladies to their feet dancing.

It`s not a bad thing to be able to call on a Number 1 hit single and Owner of A Lonely Heart with its iconic riff, brought the whole hall to their feet before Rabin and a keytar wielding Wakeman headed out into the audience for a musical meet and greet. Who said Prog Rock can`t be fun?

For a 50th anniversary show this was pretty much unbeatable. A thrilling mix of vintage Yes mixed with Rabin`s modern era worked perfectly to create a fitting tribute to half a century of music from Prog Rock royalty.

Mick Burgess