Yes: Classic Artists
|
List Price: Our Price: $11.02 You Save: $8.96 (45%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $5.98 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
Movie Reviews of Yes: Classic Artists
Movie Review: WONDROUS (AND LONG-WINDED) STORIES
Summary: 4 Stars
One thing you could never accuse Yes of is restraint. The same band that gave us double albums consisting of four song titles has now released their `authorized' biography, and it is almost as overwhelmingly self-indulgent as "Tales of Topographic Oceans" - but I wouldn't want it any other way. I loved Yes in the `70s. They were such a unique animal that they stood apart from virtually anything else on the scene at that time, and to be sure, no other band ever really approached their combination of intelligence and overkill. The Roger Dean-designed cover for this package promises something extraordinary, as if the old band had somehow turned back the time machine to the days of their classic era. Of course, that would be impossible, but there are elements of this collection that revive old sentiments for the band most responsible for creating `progressive rock'.
Except for background and severely edited bits, the first disk contains virtually no music at all. Instead, the disk rambles on for three and one-half hours of interviews with virtually every bandmember. You could play "The Yes Album" six times in the amount of time it takes to view the interviews on disk one. "Gone With the Wind" is concise in comparison, but the interviews are nonetheless fascinating. Once you get past the visual image of how each member has aged (Chris Squire was almost unrecognizable to me), it becomes apparent that 200+ minutes of interviews is appropriate for a band known for its bombast and sprawling vision. Each member is extraordinarily honest and candid in their recollections, and amusing as well. The video is edited extremely well, switching from person to person with a continuity that allows us to see various aspects of the same story. It is wonderful to see each member speak with candor, and fans will get to know each bandmember in ways that were previously impossible.
As if that weren't enough, a second disk contains an additional hour or so of edited interview footage, which is complete overkill. Comparatively, the music content is paltry, with three vintage videos (that are hilarious in retrospect) and some low-tech, extraneous rehearsal footage dating from 1996. In short, the entire package revolves around whether or not you care to hear the bandmembers recount the convoluted story of one of rock and roll's most tumultuous bands. It is long (and long-winded), but it is also a wondrous story. B+ Tom Ryan
Movie Review: Almost 5 stars
Summary: 4 Stars
Although I only gave this four stars , this is one of the best yes documentaries since Yesyears. This goes to their complete history and leaves off where Yesyears ended in 1991. I was so glad to see Peter Banks , Trevor Horn and Geoff Downes on this one as well as the other classic members of Yes. But it was sad to not see Tony Kaye and only one footage of Trevor Rabin about his leaving the band in 95. The real interesting interview on the 2nd disc is the bonus one of Peter Banks , who was supposed to be a sit in guest on the "Union" tour until he claims that Steve Howe said he could not join. It happened to be a a concert at the L.A. Forum that I had attended being a die hard Yes fan. Of course like the Moody Blues dvd, There are only Three full music videos. I was not surprised by this , nor was I surprised that one on the videos was Wonderous Stories. But I was pleased that that with the other two being Tempus Fugit , and the full length wersion of Owner of a lonely Heart , I would had hope that the black and white footage from the beat club in 1969 , and the old footage of Yours is no disgrace was included. In spite of this I do think that this is a great successor to Yesyears and is a must for true Yes fans.Movie Review: No music but some nice and revealing interviews
Summary: 4 Stars
The production of this is on par with the Moody Blues and Cream bio-pics from CA. However, I just didn't find this as satisfying because I think it goes on a little too long. I would have liked to have seen some tighter editing. The extra unused footage could easily have become special features.
If you're a hard core fan you will have heard much of this, but you might find a few new tidbits. The lack of a new interview with Trevor Rabin or any with Pat Moraz is more than offset by the inclusion of Tait, Offord and others close to the band over the years. Bill Bruford, Chris Squire and Steve Howe are generally the most entertaining and most willing to share details. A better picture of the inner workings of the band are presented here than other documentaries.
I still think YesYears is the best documentary on Yes, but this one definitely fills in a lot of holes and is easily the second best by a long way.
Worth getting...
Movie Review: Great, but not for casual fans
Summary: 4 Stars
Do NOT think that this is a performance DVD. This is the history of YES, as told by the band members and other participants. There are over 3 hours of interviews, clips and photos. The interviews are all new, and the clips have not been seen in years, if ever. Many of the stories have been told before, but some are being heard for the first time on this DVD
It was interesting to see and hear from some of the former members such as Peter Banks and Trevor Horn. Other people in the background such as Eddie Offord and Mike Tait also add their points of view. They give a different perspective on events than had been told previously.
In the extended interviews on the 2nd disk, it would have been better if the interviewer had been mic'd. It's difficult to hear the questions being asked of the subject.
I really enjoyed this, but even as a long time hardcore fan, I could not sit through this in it's entirety without a break.
Movie Review: Warning: Only For Hardcore YES Fans!!!!!
Summary: 4 Stars
Five and a half hours of great interviews with a few videos and other treats. The interviews cover all Yes albums in chronological order, all the way through Magnification. Almost everyone is interviewed but sadly not Patrick Moraz and a few others. Most die-hard Yes fans will already know some of the information given but all will walk away with knowledge they never had before. I only wish everyone spoke as clearly as Bill Bruford.