Yes: Symphonic Live

Yes: Symphonic Live is a live concert film featuring the legendary British prog rock band, Yes. The movie was recorded during their 2001 Symphonic Tour, which saw the band performing with a full orchestra in a number of different venues across the United States.

The film features the classic Yes line-up of Jon Anderson (vocals), Steve Howe (guitar), Chris Squire (bass), Alan White (drums), and Tom Brislin (keyboards), along with the European Festival Orchestra conducted by Wilhelm Keitel. The concert is split into two halves, with the first half featuring a selection of Yes classics performed by the band on their own, and the second half featuring the same songs performed with full orchestral accompaniment.

The concert opens with "Overture", an instrumental piece that combines elements of several Yes songs and serves as a kind of prelude to the rest of the set. This is followed by "Close to the Edge", a sprawling epic from the band's 1972 album of the same name. The performance is tight and powerful, with Anderson's soaring vocals and Howe's intricate guitar work taking center stage.

Other classic Yes songs featured in the first half of the set include "Long Distance Runaround", "Don't Go", "In the Presence Of", "Roundabout", and "Owner of a Lonely Heart". The band is in fine form throughout, with Squire's bass lines anchoring the music and White's drumming providing a steady rhythm. Howe's guitar playing is especially noteworthy, with his effortless virtuosity on display in every song.

After a brief intermission, the orchestra takes the stage and the band launches into "Going for the One", a deep cut from their 1977 album of the same name. The addition of the orchestra adds a new dimension to the song, with strings and horns filling out the sound and adding a sense of grandeur.

The rest of the second half features similarly epic versions of classic Yes songs, including "I've Seen All Good People", "Starship Trooper", and "Yours Is No Disgrace". The orchestra adds a new depth and complexity to the music, with sweeping string sections and dramatic horn lines enhancing the already complex arrangements.

The concert closes with "Roundabout", one of Yes' most famous and beloved songs. The orchestra once again adds a new dimension to the music, with a soaring string section accompanying Anderson's emotive vocals and Howe's signature guitar riffs.

Throughout the film, the camera work is excellent, with multiple angles capturing the action on stage and giving viewers a sense of the scale and complexity of the performance. The sound quality is also top-notch, with the orchestra and band blending seamlessly to create a rich and full sound.

Overall, Yes: Symphonic Live is a must-see for fans of Yes and prog rock in general. The combination of the band's impeccable musicianship and the orchestra's lush arrangements make for a truly unforgettable experience that showcases the very best of both worlds.