Yes - Songs from Tsongas - 35th Anniversary Concert [DVD]

One of my fondest Yes memories is watching from the 14th row at Madison Square Garden circa 1977 (it was the Going For the One tour) as the band rocked out. And back then they truly were all about rock...albeit prog rock, but indeed it was about rock. Jon Anderson sang like an angel. Rick Wakeman returned to his rightful place in the band (replacing a fair Patrick Moraz) and hid behind long flowing blonde hair as he literally almost rocked his keyboards off the stage at one point. And Steve Howe, Chris Squire and Alan White pumped out their intricate, precisely played melodies. All woven together to absolutely knock The Garden audience out of their seats. Literally. Everyone stood on their seats throughout the whole show.Flash forward to May 2004 where the boys are together to shoot a DVD during their 35th Anniversary tour. Well, seems that the guys have aged a bit from 1977 to 2004 (almost 30 years!!!), but certainly you'd never know it from listening to the musical performances in Songs from Tsongas. Jon Anderson's vocals sound superb. He hits every note (in the '77 show that I saw he had an unforgettable mis-step in Roundabout); Howe and Squire play their instruments precisely and their back up vocals sound as if you're listening to the studio versions; Wakeman and White are also as precise as the studio versions of their setlist. And that setlist is as follows:Disc 1 (65:17)1. Intro/Firebird suite2. Going for the one3. Sweet dreams4. Your move/I've seen all good people5. Mind drive Part 1 and 26. South side of the sky7. Turn of the century8. My eyes/Mind drive part 39. Yours is no disgraceDisc 2 (85:14)1. The meeting room/The meeting2. Long distance runaround3. Wonderous stories4. Time is time5. Rounabout6. Show me7. Owner of a lonely heart8. Second initial9. Rhythm of love10. And you and I11. Ritual12. Every little thing13. Starship trooperTotal Time: 150:31. Now that's a nice dose! The picture is crystal clear, and you have a choice between Dolby or DTS 5.1; it sounded very, very good. The DVD quality lends a nice effect of being in the front row of the show instead of simply sitting in front of the TV.It took away from the live effect a bit for me, but I skipped around to the pre-1980s stuff first, then I watched the whole show again the next evening. I was really glad that I did that, because there was a lot of material that (I couldn't believe that) I didn't even know from the 1980 forward period. The new and newer stuff is a nice bonus and "nice to have", but the pre-1980 stuff is why I bought the disk, it's performed precisely and it's "need to have" for Yes fans of that era.Yes fans need to hit the buy button now!P.S. - Warning: For those fans that were teenagers or older in the 70s, this DVD will make you feel your age! The Yes in my mind were the Yes from 1977. Silly, I know. But it was a shock in this DVD for me to see Steve Howe looking like the Cryptkeeper (he still rocked though). And an aged Rick Wakeman literally just stood there behind his keyboards like a zombie completely, emotionlessly still through each song (didn't take away from his awesome renditions).

This DVD is an extraordinary masterpiece, exemplary of the Yes phenomenon that has captured the progressive rock world for the last 37 years. The classic lineup of Jon Anderson, Rick Wakeman, Steve Howe, Chris Squire and Alan White returns in this live performance recorded in Boston, MA in 2004.Performing on a stage designed by Roger Dean (who has also created much of the artwork on Yes album covers), Yes traverses from classic stage setup to a special "unplugged" set, back to the original. This versatility and prowess demonstrates why Yes is one of the few bands that doesn't need "bells and whistles" onstage and instead, relies on the sheer virtuosity of their craft. The band's odd time-signatures, flowing bass lines and lightning-fast guitar riffs are accompanied by Rick Wakeman's legendary performance on keyboards; Wakeman is no less than mesmerizing. Together, they are anchored by Alan White, who provides a solid and flawless backing on drums/percussion.While the band members may have aged chronologically, they are still as tight-knit a group musically as they were when they originally created this music. One can simply close one's eyes while watching this and not be able to tell the difference between the music emanating from the DVD and the Yes of "yesterday". Jon Anderson's vocal performance is stellar and he is one of the few lead vocalists that has not lost his ability to reach the higher end of the spectrum. Of noteworthy mention is the backing vocal section of Chris Squire and Steve Howe; it is this unique harmonic unity that has kept Yes at a rare forefront for the past 37 years.Overall, the video and sound quality are excellent. I recommend watching this in 5.1, as the "live" performance will be definitely be more robust.This is both for old and new Yes fans, as well as those interested in seeing "live" superior musicianship, firsthand.**Update: 2/21/2007 -- I think it's a disservice to Yes, Amazon and prospective buyers of this product for reviewers to watch this DVD objectively, and expect to see Yes appearing unchanged from 1979, as several have. As a prime example of this, it's unfair to take shots at Alan White and say that his playing is not what it used to be, 25 years ago. I saw his drumming in this as well as "House of Yes -- Live at the House of Blues (1999)" and frankly, I thought his playing was excellent in both. Likewise, for Steve Howe, Jon Anderson and Chris Squire.The band members of Yes and older bands are human beings as well as artists; they are not superhuman and they age just like the rest of us. Musical performance should be judged in proportion to this DVD; not how others wish to perceive them. They are very remarkable musicians and I saw absolutely nothing wrong with their abilities.

This is one of the best video concerts of YES! The sound recording and video is great. The cameras showed all the players throughout the performance. Enjoy this jewel of a video.

This is the best show embossed Yes. The band was epic moment, knit, and rely on the genius of great musicians like Jon, Howe, Squire and Wakeman, supplementing with White on drums. The best line-up. The repertoire very well chosen reviving great classics in more acoustic versions and other latest music of excellent quality as well. Who likes progressive rock can not do without this work and even for those who enjoy a good band with elaborate songs, quality musicians and the wonderful voice of Jon with the proper intensity. In addition, there is a part of the show made the Lugano Festival which continues with the same quality and the nearest versions of those studio. It is more than three-hour show. Excellent, fabulous. Note 9.5.

Yes never disappoints, and this wonderful concert is just another proof of that.

Great item and speedy delivery

No YES Fan can have overlooked this. Dig Yes?? geddid now.Karl.

OK it's a memorable concert but the picture is certainly not Blue Ray quality.