Search - Yes - Yessongs on DVD

Yes' performances outshine the faint sound quality.

Samhot | Star Land | 06/06/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This set here captures Yes in fine form, as they were performing songs to support their 1972 release _Close To The Edge_. As many reviewers have stated, the sound quality is quite faint, which can be inexcusable to many viewers, but the performances are top-notch, and on the whole, is worthwhile for the Yes fan.The six performances on here are for: "Your Move/I've Seen All Good People," "The Clap," "And You And I," "Close To The Edge," "Jingle Bells/Hallelujah/Roundabout" and "Yours Is No Disgrace" as an encore."Your Move.." is quite a nice performance as vocalist Jon Anderson is using his ethereal upper-register, and Steve Howe is playing mind-blowing material on his guitar (though in the first half, he plays what looks like a mandolin.) The vocal harmonies exchanged by Jon Anderson, bassist Chris Squire and Steve are nice as well. I also liked watching keyboardist Rick Wakeman clapping his hands during the handclapping section. "The Clap" is an extraordinary workout by Steve Howe. It was nice watching the close-ups on the fretboard, and watching Steve's amazing technique and virtuosity. Elsewhere, hearing and seeing this live performance of "Close To The Edge" was quite refreshing, and sits quite nicely with the studio version. The opening was melodic and mesmerizing, although there were some parts in the beginning where you couldn't see the bandmembers, due to some of the art collages. This may annoy some viewers as this appears in other places during the performance, particularly during the third movement, "I Get Up, I Get Down." It was almost like magic witnessing Rick Wakeman, wearing his glowing silver cape, playing that soaring synthesizer lead before the crashing rhythm section jumps in to close out that third movement. And, for more Rick Wakeman, he continues his magic on the "Jingle Bells/Hallelujah/Roundabout" medley. The first two parts feature Rick on the keyboards alone. First, he starts with a fairly reverent version of "Jingle Bells," then all of a sudden, it turns into a funked-up, bluesy piece, with the audience members clapping along. Then comes his interpretation of "Hallelujah," which was magnificently done, as he plays a synthesizer with his left hand, and what I think is a mellotron with his right hand simultaneously. It's unbelievable how he could get orchestral/choiral effects out of his instrument. But, of course, that may as well have been the technology at the time. But, in any event, it was nice to watch what many non-prog rock fans would simply call silliness and indulgence. And to end it all, there's an energetic version of "Roundabout." The encore was lots of fun as well, which was the fiery live version of "Yours Is No Disgrace."To end this horribly written review, I'll just say that this should be owned by Yes fans, especially for fans who wish they could have seen the band play live in their 1970s period. Despite the slightly lacking sound quality, this still shouldn't be ignored, as the performances are excellent."

Not one for showing off your DVD player, but good for fans!

Samhot | 07/02/1999

(3 out of 5 stars)

"The value of this DVD of the group, shot in December 1972 at London's Rainbow Theatre, depends entirely on your perspective -- Yes music fan or technophile.While it is true that the audio (uncompressed 48k 16-bit PCM) is barely above bootleg quality and the video is grainy and contains some ticks and scratches, this movie captures the group in their prime and is valuable to those interested in the early 70's period -- especially those of us that were too young to see them live. The camera work is good and captures, in colorful, moody closeups, each band member doing their thing. At several points in some of the songs ('Close To The Edge' in particular) images of microbial life are introduced, enhancing the organic qualities of the music.The musical performance is excellent with especially good guitar work from Steve Howe. While certainly not a candidate for showing off your new DVD player to your friends, Yessongs is a valuable document of the group in the early 70's."

"Yes at their Best" Live.

Mike | Philadelphia, PA, USA | 07/20/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Recorded live at the Rainbow Theatre December 1972. This brilliant performance became a really great video for any true fan of the earlier forms of Yes (and not for the people who like their 80's stuff like "Owner Of A Lonely Heart"). First the video starts out with some moving artwork from the great Roger Dean to the music of the middle instrumental section of the studio version of "Close To The Edge". Then after the title shows up, the band goes right into "I've Seen All Good People". The way it's played is great but Rick Wakeman's organ crescendo at the end of the first half doesn't compare to that of organ great Tony Kaye on the studio recording.After that is a nice version of "The Clap" with just Steve Howe and his Martin 0014 Acosutic Guitar.Then some tunes from their latest studio album (at the time), first comes "And You And I" where they skip Steve Howe's 12-String acoustic guitar intro (but uses a white Gibson EDS-1275 SG Double-Neck Guitar for the other parts that do require 12-String Guitar) but do an alternate beginning (and a more revelatory one at that). Then comes "Close To The Edge" Yes's 6th Longest song though clocking in at 18:40...Anyway enough with Yes's longest tunes, back to Close To The Edge, through out the song at different times there are clips of underwater microscopic life which in my opinion should have been left out, and just showed the band play. The song is very close to the original studio version, except the end where they drop it a step from F to E flat (I guess because Jon Anderson's voice couldn't take the pressure he put on it like on the album).Anyway a little stage chatter and Anderson kissing his microphone he introduces Rick Wakeman to do his "Excerpts From The Six Wives Of Henry The VIII". Though he plays the song by himself, he has Alan White smash cymbals and a couple drums to accompany the classical crescendos of Handel's "The Messiah" and (if you can believe it) "Jingle Bells" (but understand it was December of 1972 when this video was recorded so it was appropiate).Then comes "Roundabout", I'd prefer the studio version over this, because the band just wasn't able to capture the same kind of magic onstage that was in the studio recording, like Chris Squire's ascending bass riff was dull, Steve Howe had to play his solo introduction on his Gibson ES-5 Switchmaster Electric Guitar instead of his Martin 0014 Acoustic Guitar, and Rick Wakeman's organ had a bit less shine then on the original recording. It was OK but they could have improved on it a bit.Then comes "Yours Is No Disgrace", a better recording than the original. A nice pop-ish intro, and Steve has a nice unaccompanied solo in the middle (except for Alan White with a little bit of Phased High Hat and Chris Squire shoving in Fuzzy Bass Notes in at times). The only drawback is that after Steves Solo was over they skipped the middle section (ya know; "Death Defying, Mutilated, Army's Gather Near"), but instead right into the end just because they were running short on time. But altogether an electrifying performance.Then the end credits with the last 2 minutes of Starship Trooper, Steve with his Double Neck Guitar, Chris with Fuzzed Bass, Jon at the mellotron next to Alan, while Rick does an amazing Moog Solo.A very fine performance for Yes at probably the peak of their fame in 1972-73. Get the video if you want, but be warned once you watch, you will be hooked."

Yes is just touring on this show

goin4the1@aol.com | Ventnor NJ | 09/22/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It is obvious that this video was not planned. If you read any yes books they say they came in and just recorded one of our Yesshows. This is it. Yes at their best in 73. They are not trying to impress anyone like on MTV, they are playing a concert. This movie captures Yes the way they were before they got real big and started touring Stadiums. A real Treasure to have. The sound and picture is ok, but it was 1973. Enjoy the moment for what it was, a Yesshow in 1973. Rob S."