SYMPHONIC LIVE

The album and DVD that still surprises me. I did not have great expectations when Magnification was released and I found myself really enjoying it. I really thought YES was done since nothing since the 90's held my attention all the way through an album. Each album had a really good song or two , but previous two albums. The Ladder and Open Your Eyes were both uneven at best. Magnification was a return to excellence for me.

When the Symphonic Live tour DVD came out plus an orchestra was playing and very prominent like the Magnification album, I had to give it a try. YES did incorporate the very animated and talented Tom Brislin on keys that the the prior album did not. An excellent choice! Anyway they played the new songs and tackled some of their great songs from days passed. The arrangements where very well done and incorporated very well. Many times, the orchestra is drowned out but not here. They are even given plenty of video time. YES swung for the fences and knocked it out of the park, especially tackling the 20+ minute versions of The Gates of Delirum and Rituals.

An excellent concert DVD - 5 stars