Synopsis
The DVD in this set is concert featuring Yes performing both new songs and greatest hits,accompanied by an orchestra. Obviously, if you’re not already a Yes fan, this will not be ofparticular interest. I will say that I’m not hugely aware of the difference the presence of anorchestra makes for many of these songs, given the wall of sound that they already consist of.
Audio
The audio is the most important aspect of this disc, and it comes in t…ree tracks: 2.0, 5.1 andDTS. The result is mixed. In 5.1 and DTS, the surround is rather indiscriminate: the instrumentsblast through with just as much volume from the rear speakers as from the front. The mix makesrather more sense in 2.0. However, the sound of the vocals is much richer in 5.1 and DTS, eventhough there is too much surround on Jon Anderson’s voice too.
Video
The picture is 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen, which is appropriate to the sweeping feel someof the shots are clearly going for (especially animation, about which more below). The coloursare decent, but depends a bit on the lighting of the concert stage. The shots of the band areactually a bit washed out by the lights, and the orchestra looks better on film.
Special Features
The principle extra is the second disc, which is a CD of the concert (though only about halfthe length of the DVD). On the DVD itself, there is a multi-angle feature that allows you toswitch between concert footage or animation at various moments. Said animation is mostly CGIlandscapes (looking like dashed-off copies of the climax to 2001: A Space Odyssey). Themenu’s main page is animated and scored.
Closing Thoughts
I’m surprised, given Yes’s proclivities, that they got beaten to this sort of release byMetallica, but the inevitable has finally arrived.
Special Features List
- Live CD
- Multi-Angle Animation Option
