Yes - Yessongs (1973): Amazon.ca: Steve Howe, Jon Anderson, Alan White, Chris Squire, Rick Wakeman, Anthony Stern, Brian Grainger, Ian McMillan, Richard Stanley, Peter Neal, Philip Howe, Brian Lane, David Speechley: DVD

Product Description

From Amazon.com

Yes was on tour to promote the recent release of Close to the Edge when this energetic performance was captured on 16-millimeter film in London's Rainbow Theatre in December 1972. Although this DVD was mastered from a ragged print (with plenty of scratches evident throughout), this is actually the better of the two Yes discs available (the other--Live in Philadelphia--has an even murkier transfer from videotape), with marginally better sound quality and a 75-minute performance that finds the band at the height of their "early years" popularity. The lineup is the same as that of the 1979 performance in Philadelphia (Jon Anderson, Steve Howe, Chris Squire, Alan White, Rick Wakeman), but this concert is by a much younger, much more ambitious band that was still forging its formidable prog-rock identity. As a result this is the more valuable of the two Yes performances on DVD--a tighter, sharper, more satisfying look at the band at the peak of their creativity. It's also worth noting that they allowed room for solo improvisations (such as Howe's playful rendition of "The Clap" and Wakeman's excerpts from "The Six Wives of Henry VIII"), but as a group they remained intimately faithful to their studio recordings. And although even die-hard fans will grumble about the film's murky quality (which DVD can do nothing to improve), camera access was adequate for this show and each member of the band is given adequate screen time to demonstrate his instrumental virtuosity--particularly Howe, whose guitar work here is nothing short of amazing. While it's unfortunate that both DVDs featuring live Yes music leave much to be desired, this disc is definitely worth owning if you've ever wanted to see the giants of '70s prog-rock at the top of their game. --Jeff Shannon

Video Details

Experience the pure power of Yes on their 1973 world tour, featuring the classic lineup of Jon Anderson, Steve Howe, Chris Squire, Rick Wakeman and Alan White. London's Rainbow Theatre reverberates with the energy of the legendary rock group as they perform many of their signature mood pieces from the "Fragile" and "Close to the Edge" albums. You haven't seen this classic rock group until you see them live. Songs: Your Move/I've Seen All Good People, The Clap, And You and I, Close to the Edge, The Six Wives of Henry VIII [excerpt], Roundabout, Yours is No Disgrace, Starship Trooper [excerpt].

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39 Reviews

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3.1 out of 5 stars (39 customer reviews)

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Essential Yes, Jan 28 2004

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"charlesreview" (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Yes - Yessongs (1973) (DVD)

I remember going to see this concert in the theater when I was merely 12 years old. I was so captivated by the tight orchestration that the band provided, I went to see it almost on a daily basis (summer time) while it played. From there I collected what Yes had recorded by that time (Close to the Edge, Time and a Word etc..). A very tough sell to friends at that time as they were not a "radio based" group, but Yes certainly proved that there was much more to rock than what was being portrayed on the radio which offered such limited access due to music length.

I have to say that the line-up for this concert is what I truly consider to be Yes. Rick Wakeman simply cannot be touched and the same holds true for Steve Howe and Alan White. Which on a side note, Alan did join the group while the tour was on the road and he filled in without flaw.

I had the pleasure of seeing Yes in 1979 (the round stage) and again in 1984. By far the most compelling show was the '79 show which opened with Siberian Katru and went straight into Heart of the Sunrise (same as the CD version of this tour). Granted that there is not mega effects (like say Pink Floyd's Pulse), but we have to remember that this was the early 70's.

For true Yes fans, this is the DVD to own. Trust me on this. If you like Yes, you will truly appreciate this DVD.

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars The Best of 70's Prog, July 12 2007

By

Andrew Hopkinson "andrew@tdg.ca" (Guelph, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: Yes - Yessongs (1973) (DVD)

I just watched this movie because I am a big Yes fan and I have heard the recording of Yessongs. I was a little disapointed by a few things, but not by the sound or picture quality as others are. They are actually fine for the time, although Howe's guitar is a little loud. The reason that people complain about the sound is that it is not a soundboard recording (as far as I can tell) but it sounds like it was an "open air" recording. My main complaint about this is that you lose some low end, Chris Squire is not represented nearly as much as he should be.

My other complaint is the lack of material from "Fragile", which is one of the greatest albums ever recorded, prog or no prog. Frankly the material from Closer to the Edge, while being obviously impressive technically, lacks the emotional resonance of Fragile.

Some people have commented on Wakeman's solo effort. I would much rather have heard Heart of the Sunrise or Southside of the Sky, but being a keyboardist myself and amassing a small array of keyboards, it's amazing to see "The Wizard" controlling all those fantastic 70's keyboards, minimoogs (2!) mellotrons, B3 Organs and grand pianos. Unbelievable. Nowadays you can put all those sounds in a few digital emulators, but it doesn't look as impressive. I would only say that Wakeman's cape is rather rediculous, but boy can he play those keys! All the musicians in Yes were virtuosos and made a band of such incredible abilities that sometimes it overwhelms you. The different with Yes and other prog bands of the era was the emotional quality of the music, even though they can't help showing off, they still try and serve the song for the most part. This is essential, otherwise you just have 5 musicians wanking off for a few hours, and that's just boring.

I also didn't have any problems with the visual "interludes", they were short and actually kind of cool, the sparking glitter ball reflecting on the audience looked like birds in flight, which suited the audio tracks. I also dig the little parameceums and organisms.

So all in all pretty good, but more from Fragile would have me happier.

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4.0 out of 5 stars The Music is STELLAR, but...., May 23 2004

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James in Portland (Maine, should be part of Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Yes - Yessongs (1973) (DVD)

If you're a fan of the music or the album, the DVD is worthwhile.
Unfortunately, the photography and the editing look like they were done by a drunken high school student.
When Steve Howe is flying through Yours is No Disgrace, we get to see Chris Squire's boots. Also featured are several close-ups of Rick Wakeman's sequins. Not to mention the overdone, smeared out effects which produce spiffy colours and little else.
Hard to tell that Alan White was part of the band from the movie.
One can only hope (pray, actually) that the original film is in a locker somewhere, waiting to be re-edited by someone who understands the usefulness of split-screen when presenting a band of virtuosos.
Mr. Howe??? Please protect your legacy. Arrange for a proper edit of this wonderful concert. I'd buy it again, if I could actually watch you play.

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Most recent customer reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Yes as its best
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Published on Jan 1 2004 by Riku Simonen

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant unabashed artistry
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Published on Aug 31 2003 by eigthof12