THE SYMPHONIC MUSIC OF YES (SAMPLER)

This disk was sent by RCA to record stores, to use for in-store play to promote "the Symphonic Music of Yes" album. The album itself looked promising, having Jon Anderson, Steve Howe and Bill Bruford playing there respective roles along with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. The arrangements were done by David (now Dee) Palmer (of Jethro Tull fame), and the recording was produced by Alan Parsons. All that pedigree would indicate that the album would be much better than it actually turned out.

On this short set, there are two versions of Roundabout. The first is the full CD recording, which strangely cuts out the middle of the song, replacing it with a replay of Howe's guitar intro. The "single edit" cuts the song down even more.

The orchestration on I've Seen All Good People is almost laughable. It sounds as if a marching band was playing along with Yes.

Only Mood For A Day fares well here. Palmer adds some nice strings to Howe's famous guitar solo piece, and it turns out quite beautiful.