Yes: Classic Artists
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Movie Reviews of Yes: Classic Artists
Movie Review: Finally, some new Yes Material
Summary: 5 Stars
I've now revised my original review after watching both the interviews and supplemental material. This is a great documentary of Yes and comparable to YesYears, the documentary filmed back in 1991.
What makes this documentary unique is that we have many more individuals related to the Yes organization through the years including Mike Tate, Roy Clair (Sound Systems), Eddie Offord, Phil Carson, and a few of Yes's former managers (Except Brian Lane of course). Peter Banks, original guitarist of Yes is featured here as well. Bill Bruford is back again as well as all current members of Yes.
This appears to be a British Production and very well done indeed. The video generally interviews current and former members during each stage of development of Yes's Career. Many of the same stories are told again, such as Bruford's account of early Yes travel when they drove themselves to the gigs then driving asleep at the wheel on the way back which led him to arrange alternate travel.
Peter Banks for the first time recounts his firing from the band on video. Steve Howe talks about his feelings on the 80's version of YES in detail and difficulty dealing with the dual guitar role on the Union Tour. Chris Welch, Biographer of Yes and former Melody Maker writer recounts many memories of the band. I don't really consider him an authority on YES exclusively, but he was more or less responsible for helping them gain exposure in England. Since I've heard many of the same re-counting from most of the bandmembers, I enjoyed the blunt honesty of producer Eddie Offord and Mike Tate since they were closest to the organization during that time.
Missing from the DVD are again, Patrick Moraz, Former Manager Brian Lane, however Trevor Horn, Geoff Downes are on here and give very detailed accounts of the recordings of Drama. Trevor talks about touring with Yes in the 80's as well as the production of 90125 in which he was the producer.
Supplemental Material is excellent, and there is also a small interview with Keith Emerson as he recounts a story of being asked to join Yes.
There were some good moments where Mike Tate told the story of how Yes obtained their first decent PA system from IRON BUTTERFLY. They generally signed over all publishing rights to obtain this. Insane. Bill Bruford on the other hand was told to give half his royalities to Alan White when he wanted to leave the band, due to Brian Lane. This was brought up in Chris Welch's biography of Yes.
I have in the past recommended that each current and former bandmember should write a detailed account of their own Yes Story including an in- depth look at Yes's song construction process as well as studio work. Biographers have tried this but I believe they continually fail. Chris Welch, Biographer of Yes "Close To the Edge", story of Yes for example in his video comments here, gives his negative criticism of such albums as Tales from Topographic Oceans and even the Relayer Album which were still two of Yes's most underrated work yet are still masterpieces, so I could not agree with some of his comments. I believe Chris Welch's over-exposure in this documentary actually hurts it, but I am not taking off points here because there are still many other views.
Overall, an excellent addition to the YES DVD collection and I recommend it highly.
Movie Review: "It was a Hippie Trippie Time"
Summary: 5 Stars
Gosh, it was great to finally have this released in the USA, I think all YES fans will find this of interest. At over 338 minutes, I did watch most of it in one sitting, there are extensive new interviews with the main Classic YES band members, including Bill. I thought that Michael, Eddie,Roy and the Dean brothers had the best take on the band. Jon Brewer as a director was just OK. Jon Anderson should never be back lit like that ever again in an interview! Having Rick in a yellow dressing room under florescent lights completely washed him out, Alan and Geoff seemed to be slumped down into wing back chairs, if I had been director none of this would have happened! Chris, Steve, Bill and Peter seemed to be lit better, although the settings were at times very dated. Great to hear from Trevor Rabin and Trevor Horn was very interesting.
YES is a musical and visual feast, I wish the interviews had been better directed from that stand point, and Chris Welch had asked questions not addressed in his book, where was Paul Silviera and Jim Halley?
The NYC rehearshing footage was fun, Rick and Chris seemed in great spirits. I would recommend this double DVD Doc. to any YES music fan, just have some friends over and make it an event. Now that we have finally got 3 Ships offically released, Swiss Choir ( fantastic by the way) Circa, a New Asia CD, Steve and Rick seem to always be putting out material, and Jon touring Canada in March, the boys are up and running. Just a quick note to the management of YES, don't screw up this opportunity to Celebrate the bands 40th, get Michael Tate back on board, Clair Sound, Eddie if only to mix a live taping and give the Deans some real money, take a look at the ABWH stage set, it has not been the same or as good since!
YES deserve the best, and that includes a healthy marketing budget.
Oh back to the it Now! YES right now, let's show the management how many YES fans there really are out here, but please guys new music when you can......
Movie Review: Overall, Fantastic
Summary: 5 Stars
Yes is my favorite band and the interviews are so in depth and well done I think I know just about everything now. Very well put together and well done in terms of quality of product and packaging. My only regrets are that not all the members are interviewed and I dont know why.
There may be simple reasons why but I would have liked to hear from Tony Kaye or Trevor Rabin for instance. Also I dont remember Patrick Moraz either since it has been awhile now since I watched the DVD.
The rehearsal footage is ok but the sound is not the greatest but still, I enjoyed it. Hope they release the Going For The One and Tormato rehearsal footage I have seen on YouTube one day with better quality of image and sound.
The part I really did not like is the photo section which moves so fast you can hardly get a chance to take in the images which are great. You have to watch them several times or pause them with great precision.
Movie Review: another good video story
Summary: 5 Stars
Actually, I was struggling between putting 4 or 5 stars... the thing is that indeed as some may say there is indeed a lot of talking on this DVD and not much music or video material... though there are some interesting pictures on it, that is for sure... still I am giving it 5 stars because it is very interesting to hear the story of the group development not only from Yes members but also from other people strongly connected to their fate... besides for the first time you will get to hear commentaries of Peter Banks, Eddie Offord, and Drama members Trevor Horn and Geoff Downes... also there is a couple of interviews with Keith Emerson... though Tony Kaye was left out, Trevor Rabin appears only in a small speech... no Patrick Moraz again... but still, this DVD is very interesting... if you're a hardcore fan, than definitely buy it.. if not.. I am still sure you will like it.Movie Review: AN EXCELLENT PRODUCTION
Summary: 5 Stars
DVD arrived yesterday, and I settled in last night to watch it. I thought it was a well-produced, excellently scripted documentary. It's an interesting story to say the least, especially for Yes fans, of all the behind the scenes goings on of a legendary rock band, the reasons for management changes, personnel line ups, etc. I thought this DVD did a great job of pulling everything together in a chronological, straight forward manner. Cool to hear interviews from various engineers,producers, and record executives as well as the band members themselves. This is a must have for YES fans, but even if you only have an interest in how a couple of guys can start off from floor sweeping to becoming megastars of rock, you've got to get this DVD!