MONTREUX 2003 (DVD)
Yes
•Symphonic Prog
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DVD/Video, released in 2007 Songs / Tracks Listing 1. Siberian Khatru - Jon Anderson / vocals Eagle Vision PGM-EREDV -627 Thanks to gimsom for the additionand to SouthSideoftheSky for the last updates Edit this entry |
Buy YES Montreux 2003 (DVD) Music
![]() | Fragile (Expanded & Remastered) Elektra Catalog Group 2003 | $5.32 $4.31 (used) |
![]() | Tales From Topographic Oceans: Expanded Edition 3 CD+1 Blu-ray Blu-ray Panegyric 2016 | $26.16 $30.05 (used) |
![]() | Ultimate Yes: 35th Anniversary Collection (3CD, Digi-Pak) Elektra Catalog Group 2004 | $18.01 $11.95 (used) |
![]() | Fragile: Expanded / Remixed Panegyric 2015 | $18.18 $18.17 (used) |
![]() | The Yes Album Remastered Rhino Records 2003 | $16.56 $5.99 (used) |
![]() | Close To The Edge (Expanded & Remastered) Elektra Catalog Group 2003 | $6.28 $4.23 (used) |
![]() | Relayer Panegyric 2014 | $18.40 $18.39 (used) |
![]() | Yes (Expanded & Remastered) Rhino Records / Elektra 2003 | $5.48 $2.78 (used) |

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YES Montreux 2003 (DVD) ratings distribution
(136 ratings)
Essential: a masterpiece of progressive rock music(35%)
Excellent addition to any prog rock music collection(50%)
Good, but non-essential (13%)
Collectors/fans only (1%)
Poor. Only for completionists (1%)
YES Montreux 2003 (DVD) reviews
Showing all collaborators reviews and last reviews preview | Show all reviews/ratings
Collaborators/Experts Reviews
PROG REVIEWER

Interesting, after all... you can add another half star at least!!
PROG REVIEWER

Over 2 hours long, the set has many highlights. The newer stuff is scarce and well chosen: 'Magnification', 'In the Presence Of' (which is actually beutiful) and 'Show Me' which Jon began writing in 1972 and finished in 2003. Not bad at all. Simple and touchy but not too sweet. From the classic era it's Fragile that gets most air; almost the whole album is played. Seldom heard 'South Side of the Sky' works brilliantly, and 'The Fish' is a show-off for Chris Squire's bass and Alan White's drums. They throw in some 'Tempus Fugit' and 'Silent Wings of Freedom'. Squire is a real master of bass guitar as a solo instrument! Steve Howe's acoustic guitar solo performance is built on 'To Be Over' and 'The Clap'. I wonder how many different guitars he plays on the show in total. With his grey hair and bony face he looks like a guru - and indeed plays like a guitar guru. Wakeman's solo medley is his usual virtuoso stuff and fits just fine to the set.
For me the absence of some seminal tracks is no fault at all. Instead it's refreshing to have a different set in various DVD's. The classic Yes highlights include 'And You And I', 'Heart of the Sunrise' and - mmmmm!!! - 'Awaken', here maybe in its best recorded live form. This may be among the best concert DVD's I've seen lately. 4,5 stars, but I round it down because I think the direction focuses a bit too much on Jon and has very little panoramic view (typical for concert films of today).
PROG REVIEWER

The set-list is almost the same as when I saw them playing in my city in December 8th, 2002, with the exception of "And You and I" (they played here "Close to the Edge" instead), "To Be Over" (Howe played here "Leaves of Green" from "The Ancient" instead), and in my city they also played "Starship Trooper" as the first Encore. So, this DVD brings me very good memories from that 2002 concert.
Despite the fact that I like more the set-list from the "Keys to Ascension" DVD (being more varied, in my opinion), this DVD is very good, despite including more songs from the "Fragile" album, which, to be honest, it is not one of my favourite albums from YES. But it was good to listen to "We Have Heaven" (which includes the use of some tapes to help the band to sing the vocals) and the complete version of "South Side of the Sky" (being the first tour on which Wakeman played the piano instrumental section, and the band also played and sang the next section of this song with both sections of the song never played on tour before). In 1971-72 (with Wakeman) and in 1975 (with Moraz) the band only played short versions of this song."Don`t Kill the Whale" wasn`t played since their 1978-79 tours, and it also was good to hear it again, with the additon (like "South Side of the Sky") of guitar/keyboards solos at the end of both songs. Howe also plays an almost complete (but instrumental) acoustic guitar solo version of "To Be Over" in a very good arrangement, with this song not being played by the band since their 1974-75 and 1976 tours with Moraz on keyboards."Heart of the Sunrise" also wasn`t played by the band on tour since 1991-92. "The Fish" also includes bass and drums parts of songs from "Drama" ("Tempus Fugit") and "Tormato" ("On the Silent Wings of Freedom"; why the band didn`t play the whole song?).
The version of "Awaken" included in this DVD is very good, but a bit different that the version included in the "Keys to Ascension" DVD, with this 2003 version including some improvisations and different playing by Wakeman in some parts of the song. I have to say that the main reason to go to see them playing in concert in my city in 2002 was to listen to "Awaken", which is my favourite song from YES, and it wasn`t played by them here in their 1998 and 1999 tours. The other reason was to see YES with Wakeman on keyboards, because in 1998 and 1999 the band didn`t include him in the line-up, with Igor Khoroshev being the keyboard player (doing in those concerts a very good job, in my opinion).
Two songs drom the "Magnification" album are included: the title track and the very good song called "In the Presence of", with Wakeman reading scores while playing on keyboards the orchestral arrangements of these songs (he didn`t play on that album, with Alan White playing a bit of piano on that album). White said in one interview that "In the Presence of " was a song which was mostly composed by him.
I think that this is a very good concert DVD, most "honest" than the "Keys in Ascension" DVD in the sense of not really having overdubs, with the band recorded "as they played in concert". Particularly, Anderson looks tired and making some big efforts to reach the high tones in some songs, but he also looks very happy, really having fun. The band looks particularly very "inspired" while playing "Awaken", with all the musicians closing their eyes while playing! They obviously look older than in previous tours, but they still play very well as individual musicians and as a band.
The quality of the audio and video in this DVD is very good. In ontrast to the "Keys to Ascension" DVD, the band is presented without additional visuals and effects. But I like both DVDs, and in my opinion both are good companion to each other.
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator

SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator

With their matured ages of the members, I consider that this live concert has proven that they still rock their songs almost exactly the same with their original compositions and in fact in some songs are better played here than the original studio version. One of the examples is "Don't Kill The Whale" from Tormato album which sounds to me different than original version but it has great live vibes. Jon seems to sing so hard in his high register notes and Rick Wakeman plays his keyboards in great maneuvers bit different from the original one. Another example is "Southside of The Sky" - the classic from legendary "Fragile" album. Again, wakeman does some improvisations from the original version.
"Awaken" is something that I had been waiting for to see the differences with other versions of "Keys to Asenscion" and Live From The House of Blues where Igor Koroschev replaced Wakeman in keyboard. All the three versions are different and I love them all. The version that Igor played was quite similar with studio one but the overall performance was different because of a bit of improvisation by Wakeman as well as Jon.
I expected that Rick Wakeman played "To Be Over" . but I was a bit disappointed because it's basically Steve Howe solo. Nevermind, Steve's guitar solo here is great. But I just wanted to see whether or not Mr Wakeman is willing to play Mr Moraz' composition. Unfortunately not.
Overall, this DVD is really entertaining for those of you who have loved the band or for those newbie. It's an excellent addition to any prog music collection. Keep on proggin' .!
Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW (i-Rock! Music Community)
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Symphonic Team

This DVD is excellent, though not as good as 'Tsongas Anniversary Concert'. The concert is captured in all its glory featuring some of Yes' best material. The best lineup of Yes play their greatest songs and it is a truly wonderful and remarkable achievement that they can sing and play so well at this late stage of their exceptional career.
Highlights include 'Siberian Khatru', 'South Side Of The Sky', 'And You And I', 'Rick Wakeman Solo Medley', 'Heart Of The Sunrise', 'Long Distance Runaround', 'Awaken', 'I've Seen All Good People' and 'Roundabout'. They are all sublimely played and a pleasure to watch these masters at their craft. I could have done without the environmental - save the whales, trees, bees - twaddle from Anderson, but he's doing what he loves. Selling the songs.
The concert clocks in at 2 hours 18 minutes and is a wonderful captivating and memorable Montreux event. Not a masterpiece but still worth serious consideration for Yes and symphonic prog fans alike, from the masters of prog.
PROG REVIEWER

SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Eclectic Prog Team

PROG REVIEWER

This show captures the classic line-up at their recent best. The set list is enjoyable, although with some odd choices (not odd as in uncommon; I'd welcome that. Odd as in not very fitting) such as 'Don't Kill the Whale' and 'Awaken', which NEVER works live because of the overdubbs on the studio version. It's good overall though, and there are no REALLY long pieces so the concert flows well. Wakeman is especially enjoying himself here, rocking the classics with a retrospective look on his face. Squire too, is particularly energetic. It's only Jon who makes a mistake, not in his singing, but by bringing along his apparently unreliable MIDI guitar, which fails to make a sound at all.
Highlights include the rare gem 'South Side of the Sky', with extended dueling from Howe and Wakeman. Also, 'And You And I', although played on many tours, is especially beatutiful on this night. Sound-wise, everything is modestly mixed with a clean seperation between instruments, which works well on every song but 'Awaken'. And the filming is neccesaryily simple; no silly camera tricks here. So, a good buy, but it isn't needed if you own the Yes-Speak concert(s) because the line-up and set-list are identical.
Latest members reviews
Their best line up: classic Yes. The tour was very good. The show was very well filmed.
Focussed on Steve and Rick, but a very good DVD for our collection. You must buy it.
Sure.So many years ago from "Fragile" but there is the same spirit, quality and music. The
best group ever.
... (read more)
Report this review (#122438) | Posted by jagp20 | Wednesday, May 16, 2007 | Review Permanlink
Agree with previous reviews but I have experienced some difficulty with the sound
quality on my copy of the DVD. Sound fades in and out and occasionally is "bass
heavy" and then "bass light". Quality of the DVD aside, a good set with a
representative selection from across their career. Tsongas
... (read more)
Report this review (#122431) | Posted by Billymac | Wednesday, May 16, 2007 | Review Permanlink
So the band finally officially released this one. Good call. It shows the band on
their Full Circle/35th anniversary tour in '03. As far as I know it was filmed for a
Television broadcast.
This DVD has a rather dismal track list. No sign of Close to the Edge, Ritual, or
Gates of Delirium. Some
... (read more)
Report this review (#115619) | Posted by OGTL | Monday, March 19, 2007 | Review Permanlink
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