Symphonic Live Explained

Symphonic Live
Type:	video
Longtype:	/ live album
Artist:	Yes
Cover:	YesSymphonicLive.jpg
Released:	18 June 2002 (DVD, 1 CD) 2003 (1 CD) 2009 (2 CD) 2011 (Blu-ray)
Recorded:	22 November 2001
Venue:	Heineken Music Hall, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Genre:	Progressive rock, symphonic rock
Length:	194:00 (DVD): 76:43 (single CD)
Producer:	Perry Joseph
Director:	Aubrey Powell
Prev Title:	Magnification
Prev Year:	2001
Year:	2002
Next Title:	Yesspeak
Next Year:	2004

Symphonic Live is a video and live album by the English progressive rock band Yes, released on DVD and a single CD on 18 June 2002 by Eagle Vision and subsequently on two CDs and on Blu-ray by Eagle Records. The album documents the group's performance at the Heineken Music Hall in Amsterdam on 22 November 2001 during their Yessymphonic Tour, supporting their nineteenth studio album Magnification, which also featured an orchestra. The tour featured Yes performing on stage with an orchestra; Symphonic Live features the European Festival Orchestra conducted by Wilheilm Keitel.

Keyboardist Rick Wakeman was invited by the band to perform at this concert, but this did not happen because of scheduling conflicts. In his place was Tom Brislin.

Reception

Alan Ranta of PopMatters gave Symphonic Live a mixed review, saying that "by the time they recorded this concert in 2001, their age had begun to show" and that "Symphonic Live is a solid set, but it won’t be converting a new generation of fans". In a review for AllMusic, Bret Adams gave the album 3.5 stars out of five and wrote that it "takes some time to settle into a groove, but it eventually does" and that "the sweeping musical twists and turns are simply stunning, and they are skillfully executed by both Yes and the orchestra".

Since the band was playing very well together in the filmed shows, guitarist Steve Howe believes that Symphonic Live is "possibly the best Yes DVD available".^[1]

Track listing

CD (2 disc)

Disc one

1. "Overture"
2. "Close To The Edge"

I. "The Solid Time of Change"

II. "Total Mass Retain"

III. "I Get Up, I Get Down"

IV. "Seasons of Man"

1. "Long Distance Runaround"
2. "Don't Go"
3. "In The Presence Of"

I. "Deeper"

II. "Death of Ego"

III. "True Beginner"

IV. "Turn Around and Remember"

1. "The Gates of Delirium"
2. "Steve Howe Guitar Solo"

I. Lute Concerto in D, 2nd Movement

II. "Mood for a Day"

Disc two

1. "Starship Trooper"

I. "Life Seeker"

II. "Disillusion"

III. "Würm"

1. "Magnification"
2. "And You and I"

I. "Cord of Life"

II. "Eclipse" (Anderson, Bruford, Squire)

III. "The Preacher, The Teacher"

IV. "Apocalypse"

1. "Ritual (Nous Sommes du Soleil)"
2. "I've Seen All Good People"

I. "Your Move"

II. "All Good People"

1. "Owner of a Lonely Heart"
2. "Roundabout"

Personnel

Yes

• Jon Anderson – vocals, acoustic guitar, percussion
• Steve Howe – guitars, lap steel guitar, backing vocals
• Chris Squire – bass guitar, backing vocals, harmonica, percussion
• Alan White – drums, backing vocals, piano

Additional musicians

• Tom Brislin – keyboards, backing vocals, percussion
• European Festival Orchestra
• Wilhelm Keitel – conductor

Production

• Perry Joseph – producer
• Aubrey Powell – director
• Bob Cesca – cover art and package design
• Geoff Kempin – executive producer
• Terry Shand – executive producer
• Jordan Berliant – co-executive producer
• John Gaydon – production executive

Notes and References

1. Book: Howe, Steve. Steve Howe

   . Steve Howe. All My Yesterdays. 221. 2021. Omnibus Press. 9781785581793.