SYMPHONIC LIVE

Yes is a band with a very big, symphonic sound. After all, this is one of the handful of bands who put symphonic back into music again. They re-connected the music business again with the likes of Ludwig Van Beethoven, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Johan Sebastian Bach. Not to mention both Richard Wagner Sr and Jr.

So why the heck do they record versions of their songs with a symphony orchestra ?

It is stupid and that is proven again and again on this album. The symphonic orchestra parts is added like strawberry jam here and there to pieces of fish & chips. Strawberry jam and fish never goes together and the tastes clashes like fire and water. That is exactly what this is. A big fog and a big mess. All the Yes songs has enough textures as it is. Why add something that destroys them ?

Ah, the hunt for respectability. Make a recording of your original songs with a full symphony orchestra and you get respected. Not by me, that is. I have yet to find a remotely acceptable album with this recipe. This album is not too bad. It is bad when the symphony orchestra rolls over Yes and creates a thick fog of the sound. The subtle use of symphonic instruments on The Gates Of Delirium saves this album's bacon. The rest of this album is best forgotten.

When will the music world learn that strawberry jam does not work with fish & chips ? Probably never. Next up is Sex Pistols and the London Philarmonic Orchestra.

2 starss

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