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Customer Reviews of Yes - Symphonic Live

First the latter ... when I first saw that YES was touring with an orchestra, I immeadiately dis-missed it. I had bought "Symphonic Music of Yes" a few months back & while it was nice, I wasn't terribly impressed. So I took a pass when a friend asked me to see the show, which caused him to not go as well.

Flash ahead a few months & the DVD's release. I picked it up, hoping for an improvement over the "House Of Yes" which I also own. And from the first strains of "Close To The Edge" it is clear I was getting all that and more. It is, without a doubt, the best Concert DVD I have yet seen - both visually & musically. The picture s so clear, you'll swear you're there on stage. And the sound is so much an improvement over their previous DVD releases, it's like comparing a CD to a gramaphone. It is THAT startling. Add to that, the incredible set list, and the orchestra, and this is THE DVD to see for YES fans, both casual & hardcore.

Now then, where I tend to disagree with the other reviwewers here. First - Tom Brislin. I'll be the first to admit that I am a HUGE Wakeman fan, and I might be overly rough on other keyoard players because of that, but he HACKED the solos on "Close to the Edge." And seeing as that was the FIRST SONG of the show, I was soured on him from that point on. Luckily, the orchestra filled in enough throughout that it was mostly a non-issue. And I'll admit, he did a better job than Igor did on "House of Yes,"
but that's it. Second - I LIKED the new material, especially "Don't Go." Is it as good as their early stuff ? No. But that doesn't make it BAD.

One final note, and a somewhat politically in-correct one. I have never before seen an Orchestra with THAT MANY attractive women ! I certainly don't remember ANY of the girls in my High Scool Symphony looking like that.

The enhancement of an orchestra
This is my favorite of the Yes DVDs I own (also having Keys to Ascension and House of Yes). The sound quality is phenomenal. The audience is respectful but enthusiastic. I think reviewers here have said plenty.

I just want to comment then on the orchestra. I did see this concert live in Philadelphia at an outdoor show, with good seats. I really had a hard time hearing the orchestral parts and found that it didn't really enhance their sound at all. Listening to this concert on this DVD, I hear the contribution that the orchestra truly made.

My favorite parts include, for one, the end of the "I Get Up, I Get Down" section of "Close to the Edge". The orchestra just soars with Brislin's organ and Anderson's ethereal vocals, and it gives me chills to hear it. Anytime I listen to the original now, I hear that orchestral part. Another great moment occurs in "Ritual". The middle percussive section is breathtaking with not only four of the band members belting out percussives but the orchestra with the staccato strings.

Finally, "Gates of Delirium" just becomes all out WAR in the middle as the band and the orchestra battle out a section that can easily become a muddled mess, but turns into a complex and glorious war.

If you do not own another Yes DVD, get this one.

Yessymphonic
This is a great DVD. It is such an unbelievable experience. The orchestra is amazing. The animation is really cool too. The only problem I have with this is the first actual yes song on it, close to the edge. Dont get me wrong, this is my favorite yes song, but when they play it live, they slow it down a lot. I think it sounds better on CD. But dont worry, you can still enjoy the song and other great songs like: And you and I, magnification, ritual (great stage performance), soon, Long distance runaround, I've seen all good people and more. It also includes a steve howe solo section where he plays: Lute Concerto in D major (by Vivaldi, arranged by Steve) and Mood for a Day