Performed & recorded in Amsterdam back in 2001, Symphonic Live is the presentation of Yes with the European Festival Orchestra conducted by William Keitel. Hot on the heels of their Magnification album released that year, Yes and the orchestra dive into the band's classic cuts as well as a few selections from that album. Now, with the advances in high-definition technology, you can enjoy this concert on your Blu-ray player & home theater system in crystal clear quality.
The setlist is a fairly predictable collection of Yes favorites, with a few surprises such as "Gates of Delirium" and "Ritual", from the Relayer and Tales From Topographic Oceans albums. In fact, much of Symphonic Live is filled with epics, as along with those two extended cuts you also get "Close to the Edge", "Starship Trooper", "And You and I" and "Long Distance Runaround". Toss in the obvious singles "Roundabout", "Owner of a Lonely Heart", and "I've Seen All Good People" and you have for the most part a Yes set that really hasn't changed all that much in two decades, but played splendidly as always. The addition of the orchestra adds a nice touch, never overwhelming the band at any point. For this show, alongside Jon Anderson, Steve Howe, Chris Squire, and Alan White, you have guest Tom Brislin on keyboards, who does a fine job throughout. Though the album Magnification was looked at pretty favorably back when it was originally released, the songs don't seem to hold up well a decade later, and they are easily the weakest tracks here, and come across fairly bland.
The visual presentation on the Blu-ray is very good, perhaps not as stunning as other Eagle Rock releases in recent memory, but still very solid. I was expecting a little more sonic clarity and 'oomph' from the audio, but it's not that much of an upgrade on the existing CD or DVD releases. However, it still sounds very good. Throw in a bonus documentary and video clip, and you have a very attractive high-definition reissue of an enjoyable Yes concert from 2001, perfect for those looking to upgrade their old DVD release.
Track Listing
1. Overture
2. Close To The Edge
3. Long Distance Runaround
4. Don't Go
5. In The Presence Of
6. Gates of Delirium
7. Steve Howe Guitar Solo
-- Lute Concerto In D Major, 2nd Movement
-- Mood For A Day
8. Starship Trooper
9. Magnification
10. And You And I
11. Ritual
12. I've Seen All Good People
13. Owner Of A Lonely Heart
14. Roundabout
Bonus Features-'Dreamtime' Documentary & "Don't Go" video
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