SYMPHONIC LIVE (DVD)

Yes

Symphonic Prog

4.59 | 354 ratings

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progkidjoel
Prog Reviewer

Perhaps the best ever prog concert.

Review by ProgKidJoel

Yes' SYMPHONIC LIVE is, put simply, THE ultimate prog rock concert. Orchestra in full, entire reconstructions of what I consider to be the best ever prog tracks, and some awesome playing by guys in their late 50's. So what's not to like? Very little! The lack of Wakeman may disappoint some die-hard fans, although I myself, a self admitted Yes fanboy, couldn't have been more impressed by Brislin's playing. He truly does the tracks justice, as do the new arrangements, and I can't think of any complaints as far as the playing goes.

The setlist is fantastic, featuring some of the proggiest, some of the poppiest, and some of the best latest. Particular standouts are CttE, which is always awesome to hear, especially live, Gates Of Delirium, which is played a lot less live by the band than I would have hoped, and Starship Trooper, which features a nearly all-orchestral instrumentation.

The band plays perfectly, but the real stars of this show are the orchestra - It takes guts to do what they did, and they did it with absolutely no flaws. Even during the truly intense prog sections of Gates Of Delirium, the orchestra never slip up, and continue to thrill and re-invent at true masterpiece with every trumpet note and violin squeal. I rarely find myself so thrilled by performances of songs, but this is a real exception - Seeing the tracks reinvented like this shines a whole new light on the older tracks, and reinvigorates the new'uns.

The playing is brilliant - No slip ups whatsoever, and every note has just as much, if not more, heart and soul within it than it did on the originals. When a band can do what they did in 1972 better in 2002, you know they're something truly extraordinary, and this stands as a testament.

Easy 5 star! -Joel

progkidjoel | 5/5 | 2009-5-17

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