Yes - Symphonic Live

In this case, we love when they play! This is an accomplishment that will be appreciated in the highest way by real YES fans. Not just the bands performance, which is professional and powerful (Steve Howe shows his refined spirit and superb ability, despite the criticisms from some on here), but Tom Brislin the highly capable (and high strung) keyboardist along with Wilhelm Keitel and his orchestra take the songs to a very fine space. There is quite a mutual lovefest going on between the grateful fans and the musicians. Energy is pouring forth in both directions, as it should be when the atmosphere is this charged. Many of the long reviews below go in to appropriate detail and give the song by song highlights, and there are many! I have to say, it gets annoying when some people focus on form (or image) over substance and criticize Howe's demeanor (this is the same guy here we all know and love - he's all about the music, not show) or gripe that they think his guitar tone sounds wimpy (as if ANY of the detractors could touch the sounds he creates - his tone is spot-on for the occasion...his judgment seems good to me). Jon is Jon...his voice, song-writing ability and spiritual presence inpire many of us, he sounds as good as ever. If every singer had to have a super-cool, strutting stage presence to look like the perfect rock star, and screeched the obligatory Metallica death growl, how boring would that be? I don't have any idea how someone can be a YES fan and still be hung-up by Jon's voice or spirituality...this is fundamental to the YES magic, get over it! Saying that Squire seems to be imbibing??? What a load of crap - he obviously is there, that night, to lend his uncompromising musical ability and perfectionism to this event and pulls it off with a soaring performance, as usual! Other YES events with Squire missing ARE missing something fundamental - HIM! How many musicians perform under the influence of something? Why would his supposed use of anything even bring a comment? I wouldn't be surprised if someone decided they didn't like it because Chris Squire's pants are too tight or shoes too big! I might as well give kudos to Alan White's great and meditative performance as well. He is very in tune with the orchestra throughout. I know! Many of you go on and on how Dream Theater's drummer is way more impressive, or this or that new band shows YES a thing or two...like YES fans care??? They are not YES! This band does it's own unique and powerful thing, if others don't feel it or get it, go listen to Guns 'n' Roses. Let's give credit where it is due as they say and THANK YES FOR GOING TO THIS HUGE EFFORT to please the fans and take their wonderful songs higher with this very interesting arrangement. I have no doubt that lovers of this sort of prog-rock will be very content with this great dvd. Maybe the rest of the catalogue can be brought into the fold for a few other Symphonic YES cds (this music is very adaptable to further orchestration). The sound and production are very nice, and the camera highlights individuals at the right moments for the most part - I can't get enough! If you love this band, JUST GET IT, it is an excellent and inspiring event (and YES I'm thrilled that Gates of Delerium and Ritual made it on here, more of Topographic would have been even better). Lift a glass to the band, THEY ROCK!! P.S. I got the limited edition with the extra 75 minute cd included...NICE EXTRA!

Yes - Symphonic Live is a videotaped presentation of a wonderful 2001 Yes concert in it's entirety at the intimate Heineken Music Hall in Amsterdam. The European Festival Orchestra provides the symphonics, and their stimulating sound complements Yes' music in no less than perfect form. What a night this was for the Yes fans who were there!And what a concert DVD this is!The picture and sound quality on this is as good as I've ever seen, and everything else about this concert DVD is just as good. No, wait... Perfect! This is perfect! The members of the band all look healthy and inspired, and they're playing their music as well as they ever have. The lineup for the this show includes:Jon AndersonChris SquireSteve HoweAlan WhiteTom BrislinThe lightly-bearded Anderson's vocal performance is excellent, and his between-song stage banter is interesting and gracious. Guitarists will enjoy watching Steve Howe expertly play a wide range of stringed instruments including a flat steel and classical guitars. Chris Squire energetically moves all over the stage while playing his mighty bass, and a fit-looking Alan White works his drum kit with a friendly smile on his face for most of the night. And Tom Brislin? He's the young and very capable keyboardist who's jumps and animated arm motions add even more enthusiasm and showmanship to the production.The professional multi-colored lightshow includes fog and animation, and the effect is captivating at times. There are many different camera angles used, and sometimes it even feels as if you're right on the stage.The European Festival Orchestra musicians are young, mostly female and very attractive. They get plenty of camera time, and it's fun to watch them lip-synch the lyrics and bob their heads in time with the music. They even worked out some choreography to go along with a few of the songs. Their sound adds plenty to the concert and everybody seems to be having a great time, especially the appreciative audience.The music is mostly from the classic Yes years, but they also perform songs from their symphonic studio album, Magnification, which was new at the time. They open the show with Close To The Edge, and it sounds just as great as it always has. It's hard to single out just one highlight from this show of many highlights. For me, it's And You And I, but Starship Trooper, The Gates Of Delirium and Ritual are all fantastic, too. Steve Howe does a classical guitar solo that includes Mood For A Day, and that's also enjoyable. The show closes with Roundabout, and the girls in the orchestra set down their instruments and dance in a chorus line on the stage behind the band. It's a lot of fun, and the apparently surprised Yesmen love it.Yes - Symphonic Live is a remarkable Yes visual experience. The song selection includes the classics and fan favorites that you would expect, and the performance is masterful and very professional. The feeling you get from watching this is the same feeling you get when listening to Yes' music or seeing one of their concerts. Perfectly Yes.