All Classic Yes fans will want to see this, as it is one of two live performances recorded in the last five years. Through a career that now spans five decades, the legend of Yes brings both magic and prowess to even the smallest of stages, as evidenced in this perfomance recorded in Montreux (2003). The intimate camera work and high quality sound bring the viewer to the front row without actually having been there.
The first song, "Siberian Khatru" carried a slower-than-normal tempo and there seemed to be a faint lack of cohesion in the opening first minutes of the "mix" which disappeared rapidly. The venue that this was recorded at reminded me of the small, intimate setting of Yes at The House of Blues, which was also an exceptional performance.
Anytime that Jon Anderson, Rick Wakeman, Steve Howe, Chris Squire and Alan White take the stage, they prove with ease that their virtuosity has not diminished with age. As each song progresses with Jon Anderson hitting the highs, and Chris Squire/Steve Howe offering backing vocals, the magic of the original studio releases is easily recreated. Their live musicianship and enthusiasm for playing onstage convey the innovative creativity that they bring forth; suddenly, we're transported back in time to when these songs were first released.
The acoustic interlude by Steve Howe, Rick Wakeman's solo and Chris Squire's "The Fish" make this worth five stars alone. |