YES - THE NEW DIRECTOR'S CUT

This 2-DVD is released because of the 35th anniversary of the band (1968-2003) during the 2003 tour in the UK in a socalled "new director's cut" (like with famous movies) but I prefer to rename it in the 30th anniversary of the triple live LP Yessongs (1973-2003) because to me this 2-DVD looks like a kind of Yessongs Plus. I have seen Yes during their 2004 tour in The Netherlands (that concert was similar to the two concerts on this 2-DVD) and I was delighted about all enthousiastic Yes members and the many new arrangements of the classic Yes compositions during the tours in 2003 and 2004. On these two DVD's you can enjoy great camerawork that captured the great Yes spirit on stage and how inspired Yes delivers the new arrangements.

The Birmingham gig (16 songs): an excellent and extended Steve Howe solo and pleasant modern keyboard work in Siberian Khatru, a flashy synthesizer solo in the powerful rendition of Don'Kill The Whale, a spectacular Gibson electric guitar/Minimoog synthesizer duel in South Side Of The Sky, exciting Minimoog flights, beautiful classical orchestrations and wonderful work on the Fender twin-steel guitar in And You And I, a virtuosic solo spot by Steve Howe on the acoustic guitar (including the inevitable Clap), an even more virtuosic performance solo spot by Rick Wakeman featuring dazzling runs on the Minimoog and digital keyboards (sensational church-organ sound on the GEM keyboard), a great break with bass solo play, accompanied by a lush strings-sound in Heart Of The Sunrise, a blend of guitar flageolets, distorted bass and subtle drums in Long Distance Runaround and a breathtaking version of Awaken with sparkling piano, majestic church organ, Chris Squire on his triple-neck and Howe on the Fender Telecaster, a standing ovation!

The Glastonbury Festival gig (11 songs): A famous progrock band on an open air festival, that doesn't happen very often and hoew colourful they looked: Steve Howe in a jellow suit, Jon in purple clothes and Chris with a pink blouse, a very coloured progrock band, like the average reggae band! The sound is not optimal (Rick Wakeman sounds a bit far away in the mix and the camerawork suffers a little bit from waving banners) and the lightshow is minimal but Yes plays an inspired gig, it's interesting to compare this Yes gig with the Birmingham concert.

Most of the compositions on this 2-DVD are introduced by Yes members with interesting and funny stories, from Steve Howe with Mr. Gibson to Rick Wakeman with his own big limousine and marching band with beautiful girls to Jon with his praise for the band during the years. For me it was very pleasant to hear these stories but on the other hand it also can be a bit disturbing if you want to enjoy the entire concerts.

My conclusion: for sure Yes is the most prolific symphonic rock dinosaur concerning DVD releases but I doubt or many Yes fans are waiting for this DVD (for example if you already own Songs For Tsongas) but in general the Yes fans have good jobs and are often willing to buy every DVD release, it's up to your need to buy all Yes DVD material.

Thanks Jim 'Hammond' Garten, you know why

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