Live Close to the Edge?

I guess there are 2... perhaps 3 options. First, the one on the Yessongs DVD, which is, sadly, a very underwhelming DVD because of it's low sound/visual quality and the short set-list, but has the classic (or almost classic) line-up of the band on it's heyday. Perhaps for a better performance (or at least recording) of the song, you could get the ABWH live DVD, with a still rather young band and with Bruford on drums (but without Squire); I don't remember well if there is a DVD of ABWH with Tony Levin on bass (there's a CD, that's for sure), but you might want to check that out before buying the more regular DVD which has some other bass player (from Bruford's own band, if I remember correctly). And then there's my very favourite version of the song... the one on the Symphonic DVD... the orchestra really adds a lot to the song, specially on the part originally played with the organ... sadly, this version doesn't feature Wakeman, which is a down (nor Bruford, of course)... but the performance is still really brilliant and wonderful (this concert also features a brilliant version of Gates of Delirium, by the way, easily my very favourite one, even over the original with Patrick Moraz).

Dellinger wrote: I guess there are 2... perhaps 3 options. First, the one on the Yessongs DVD, which is, sadly, a very underwhelming DVD because of it's low sound/visual quality and the short set-list, but has the classic (or almost classic) line-up of the band on it's heyday. Perhaps for a better performance (or at least recording) of the song, you could get the ABWH live DVD, with a still rather young band and with Bruford on drums (but without Squire); I don't remember well if there is a DVD of ABWH with Tony Levin on bass (there's a CD, that's for sure), but you might want to check that out before buying the more regular DVD which has some other bass player (from Bruford's own band, if I remember correctly). And then there's my very favourite version of the song... the one on the Symphonic DVD... the orchestra really adds a lot to the song, specially on the part originally played with the organ... sadly, this version doesn't feature Wakeman, which is a down (nor Bruford, of course)... but the performance is still really brilliant and wonderful (this concert also features a brilliant version of Gates of Delirium, by the way, easily my very favourite one, even over the original with Patrick Moraz).

I have Yes live at QPR (1975)...Good version, but NOT visually stunning  Avoid that one.

Yessongs is not very good at all. I'm surprised they even released it. That said, the best ones are always the bootleg records, but if you want high quality, just go with ABWH.

Saw the ABWH show in '89 at Los Angeles' Greek Theater, and Jeff Berlin was apparently a quick study-he filled in quite nicely, but that was no surprise because I enjoy his work with Bill Bruford. I think Tony Levin was the right man for post-'74 Crimso, but his take on the earlier classics done live in the two Crimso shows I saw him play were over the top and a little annoying (Red, for example). And what makes the Symphonic Music of Yes CD that more special is Bruford's performance on it. A key asset for that album. Anyway, my vote goes for the Yessongs album's And You And I, even if it has the newly acquired Alan White playing on it instead of the recently departed Bruford. A classic Yes era caught live.

Dellinger wrote: I guess there are 2... perhaps 3 options. First, the one on the Yessongs DVD, which is, sadly, a very underwhelming DVD because of it's low sound/visual quality and the short set-list, but has the classic (or almost classic) line-up of the band on it's heyday. Perhaps for a better performance (or at least recording) of the song, you could get the ABWH live DVD, with a still rather young band and with Bruford on drums (but without Squire); I don't remember well if there is a DVD of ABWH with Tony Levin on bass (there's a CD, that's for sure), but you might want to check that out before buying the more regular DVD which has some other bass player (from Bruford's own band, if I remember correctly). And then there's my very favourite version of the song... the one on the Symphonic DVD... the orchestra really adds a lot to the song, specially on the part originally played with the organ... sadly, this version doesn't feature Wakeman, which is a down (nor Bruford, of course)... but the performance is still really brilliant and wonderful (this concert also features a brilliant version of Gates of Delirium, by the way, easily my very favourite one, even over the original with Patrick Moraz).