SYMPHONIC LIVE (DVD)

After 2 years of getting into the prog power trio that is Genesis,King Crimson,and Yes (through my dad's old vinyl's) I came across this DVD on Amazon.My heart immediately started racing through my stomach. But it wasn't until 5 months later that they restocked on this item and I was able to buy it.Oh...my...God,I had no clue what I was in for.

The first time I watched it I was alone. I did not remember what the set list was so I was in for a treat when they opened with CTTE.Although I would have to say that this song starts off rather slow compared to the original studio song, it does however speed up though as the song progresses.Other than that,holy Henry Cow!This song is truly OVERWHELMING!

What is so amazing about this tour is that the orchestra that Yes hires to perform with does their job so well that they never overwhelm the band.But they never remain in the shadows either,they simply implement their force of symphony gracefully in with the playing of the band,therefore there is no musical wall of mess going in this DVD ever.This was an obstacle that so many bands before had tried and failed at with an orchestra like say ELP. But YES tramples this obstacle with prefect ease.You could tell that Jon and the rest actually spent a great amount of time practicing with the orchestra and collaborating on where and when the orchestra should play and what instruments should be used at that precise timing.This is how the band and the orchestra together have become so effective in this DVD.Trust me,buy this and see what I mean.And in case you are wondering,the orchestra doesn't perform only on the songs Owner of a Lonely Heart,Roundabout,and a partial half of I've Seen All Good People.

On next after CTTE comes a few old classics such as Long Distance Runaround and also newer songs such as Don't Go and In the Presence Of.Then comes one of the two biggest giants of the DVD,Gates of Delirium.Yes,the Gates of Delirium song is played in full by both the band and orchestra.Just watching this part myself makes me wish that I was actually there at the concert because sometimes I still can't believe what I'm hearing.It is the way that the orchestra is so effectively emerged with the music of Yes that it's as if Yes was meant to play with an orchestra the whole time,that it was pure destiny.The song is kept in all of its beauty and so much more.But the last giant on this DVD was the one that truly made the biggest possible expression on me that a song could ever make.It is Ritual.Please keep in mind that I am a big fan of the "Tales" album even though most would consider it a little too much or a little dragging a times.I wholeheartedly agree,but it wasn't until after I gave that album about a billion more chances that I finally "got it".So when Ritaul came around on this DVD I almost couldn't believe it.The song is played in its entirety with the orchestra but also has an extended bass solo by Squire in the middle.Not that the solo is awesome,but coming from a highly influential bass player such as this person,one can realize how his playing could have such a profound effect on so many people after him,including Les Claypool.

Back to the point,Ritual is by FAR the pinnacle of this concert.I simply cannot imagine how this part would not leave at least some impression on the viewer.This song is downright beautiful.After watching the dvd in its entirety I showed this to my dad and he still can't get enough of this DVD.I showed this to my roommate in college who had never heard of YES and the rest folks is history.If you are a fan of YES,this DVD just isn't for collectors,it is a MUST-HAVE!You will lap this up in a heartbeat.I strongly urge you to buy this album,your money will be well spent.

And for people wondering if this DVD is also available in CD form,it is...well,sort of.The DVD I bought was a special 2-disc edition that included a CD of the music on it,but it only included Close to the Edge,Long Distance Runaround,Don't Go,and In the Presence Of.I really don't know why they didn't record the rest of the songs on CD as well.But that's the only way I know that you can find this concert on DVD.Of course you could rip the audio from the DVD but that's a whole different story.

For this DVD,I give this 4.5 stars.