SYMPHONIC LIVE (DVD)

As happens so often with albums (or in this case DVD's) the recent average of this release is exactly what it's worth to me. I just witnessed the full thing again and contemplated my rating thoroughly and it will have to be some 4,5 and that's what is got so far (4,46). Leaves the problem for the final rating but first of course let's go through this great live DVD.

Yes must have thought: let's start with the highlight. The first real song they play here is the super classic Close to the Edge. Even though the men get a little bit rusty after all those years and I have to get used to this nowadays status of the band members, I can only say: terrific performance. It's always a thrill to hear this great song but to see it played live by the band after 30 years still in an almost perfect way, it's really incredible, shivers down the spine, I can say no less. Jon Anderson makes a funny impression sometimes with his gestures, I mean I'm not a Yes fanboy so I'm not really into the band compared to the die heart fans so I'm not even sure what kind of person Jon is, but as the concert goes on, I find him more and more sympathetic. From time to time he applauds the fans in the Amsterdam concert hall as they applaud him. It's as if he is saying: isn't it a miracle that we're all still here together after these many many years of playing and touring. And so it is, the people in the audience are almost the same age as the band members I estimate and here they are gathered in this great venue, life has been kind to them and both musicians (including the orchestra !) and audience are having the time of their lives. A great experience. After the famous epic, two more average songs to calm things down before In the Presence of of their latest album Magnification takes its turn. Second great performance so far, a wonderful song. But after this it's peak time: Gates of Delirium ! The execution of this second super epic is even more perfect than Close to the Edge. Both songs compete within me for a long time about which is the ultimate best, it's very tough but on this live DVD Gates is the winner. The steel play of Howe is absolutely amazing. And after this Howe gets the opportunity to show more of his great class on an acoustic guitar. Breathtaking stuff, rightly so rewarded by the crowd and also admiring words from Anderson by the way.

After these highlights we have had the best of the concert but that's only logical. Yet there is enough to enjoy like Starship Trooper, And you and I and an impressive performance of Ritual. Last three songs are on itself dispensable for me but it has to be said: they gave the opportunity to the crowd to enjoy in another way, more like in a dance and enjoy way. In this way they pleased about everybody that was a witness of the great concert. But to most the real pleasure was being a witness ...

4 stars in the end because the set list wasn't the very best you can think of. If they would have played Awaken and Heart of the Sunrise as well, it would probably have been perfect. Still, the effort on Gates of Delirium made me have serious doubts about giving the full 5. A must have for every Yes fan and probably every prog fan.