Songs from Tsongas DVD

by **Coalesce** » Wed Nov 17, 2004 10:01 pm

According to Amazon, the DVD will be released on February 22nd, 2005, instead of December 7th, 2004, in the US, as was listed the day before yesterday.

Once again, someone's asleep at the switch. Can someone in management EVER explain the endless delays in every one of Yes' products the past few years? What's the point of releasing a release date when they never come to pass?

Michael

by **The Ancient** » Sat Nov 20, 2004 3:32 am

This is what I asked Santa Claus for...now what?

by **Coalesce** » Sat Nov 20, 2004 1:40 pm

I was all set to buy 4 copies of this DVD--1 for me and three for friends/relatives.

Since Crazy Eddie had his "Christmas in July" sales years ago, it looks like we'll be having "Christmas in February" here.

Michael

by **The Ancient** » Sat Nov 20, 2004 1:55 pm

...well there's this certain YesTalker and I won't mention his name but his initials are The Ancient and his birthday is on February 19.

by **Coalesce** » Sun Nov 21, 2004 1:27 pm

Fast-forward to The Ancient's house on February 22nd, where we hear this lovely song:

"Have a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year; Let's hope it's a good one, without any fear..."

quickly followed by:

"Happy Birthday to Me, Happy Birthday to Me, Happy Birthday to Me, Happy Birthday to Me..."

Michael

by **geoff feakes** » Mon Jan 10, 2005 3:05 pm

The latest update on Yesworld states that this DVD will contain "selections" from the Summer 2004 tour.
The word 'selections' I find rather ominous. It suggests to me that we will not be getting the full show. I just hope that it's not another hotch-potch mixture, of music and talk along the lines of 'Yesspeak'.
With the release date only 4 weeks away, I'm suprised that there is still no informaton on the track listings.

by **topographic_drama1980** » Tue Jan 11, 2005 12:34 am

geoff feakes wrote:The latest update on Yesworld states that this DVD will contain "selections" from the Summer 2004 tour.
The word 'selections' I find rather ominous. It suggests to me that we will not be getting the full show. I just hope that it's not another hotch-potch mixture, of music and talk along the lines of 'Yesspeak'.
With the release date only 4 weeks away, I'm suprised that there is still no informaton on the track listings.

From what I heard it's gonna be the full concert. At least I hope it still's gonna be.

by **Coalesce** » Tue Jan 11, 2005 6:51 pm

And now there's another report of the DVD being delayed until April 12th or so.

Thankfully, I'm not holding my breath.

Michael

by **Dr_Yes** » Wed Jan 12, 2005 10:56 am

Coalesce wrote:And now there's another report of the DVD being delayed until April 12th or so.

Thankfully, I'm not holding my breath.

Michael

At least you've still got a release date! The rest of us have been thrown into limbo by yet another shoddy performance from the Yes marketing/management asylum.

by **happytheman** » Tue May 03, 2005 7:57 am

I just recieved yet "another" update as to this release AUG 8th!! This is getting absurd!

by **topographic_drama1980** » Tue May 03, 2005 5:00 pm

I'm not even gonna break my balls for this one. I'll just get it when it comes out, IF it comes out, that is.

by **topographic_drama1980** » Tue May 03, 2005 5:01 pm

I must say whoever's doing the managing and marketing for this band is doing a rather shitty job. It's pissing all of us off!!!

by **IWas Sam** » Wed May 04, 2005 5:07 pm

I had pre-ordered this back in December from Amazon. I cancelled it today. To hell with it. Crappy management! :mad:

by **topographic_drama1980** » Thu May 05, 2005 2:51 am

Hell, for we know, Jon's solo DVD will probably get pushed way back as well. What the fuck is going on here?!!!!!

by **topographic_drama1980** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 7:58 pm

I just bought this DVD last night and I must say that this is the BEST live document of Yes yet!!! Everything about it is magnificent!!! The lighting, the stage set, the playing, the acoustic set, EVERYTHING IS AWESOME!!! This is the best concert DVD made by Yes and it actually shows the FULL SHOW, unlike the House Of Yes or Live In Philly '79, Yessongs, this is the full nearly 3-hour show!!! The big highlights for me were the acoustic set, Ritual, Sweet Dreams, pretty much everything. If no one has this DVD yet, what are you waiting for?!!!!! Get this as soon as possible!!!!!! Believe me, it was well worth the wait!!!!! :cool:

by **yesman90125** » Thu Aug 11, 2005 12:28 am

topographic_drama1980 wrote:I just bought this DVD last night and I must say that this is the BEST live document of Yes yet!!! Everything about it is magnificent!!! The lighting, the stage set, the playing, the acoustic set, EVERYTHING IS AWESOME!!! This is the best concert DVD made by Yes and it actually shows the FULL SHOW, unlike the House Of Yes or Live In Philly '79, Yessongs, this is the full nearly 3-hour show!!! The big highlights for me were the acoustic set, Ritual, Sweet Dreams, pretty much everything. If no one has this DVD yet, what are you waiting for?!!!!! Get this as soon as possible!!!!!! Believe me, it was well worth the wait!!!!!

I got the DVD for christmas and it arrived yesterday

it is a phenomonal DVD

Go buy this NOW!!!!!!!!!!

its in my hot little hands
finnally!

by **guilddigger** » Thu Aug 11, 2005 4:19 pm

i got this wonderful dvd for my birthday and have played it a couple of times by now. it is just as how i remembered the concert from the second row, right in front of rick.
it has clear picture with many close-ups of the guys and a good sound. the only thing that annoys me from time to time is that jon is mixed just a tiny bit louder than the band, sometimes making it hard to hear all the music.
another thing is that the bonus material promised with interviews of the members, backstage footage et al is only a short interview with roger dean and jon plus a few comments from rick.
other than that it is a most enjoyable dvd, definitely a must-have!

by **GearSmith** » Thu Aug 11, 2005 4:29 pm

I bought it last night and watched a few tracks. So far, I am underwhelmed. To be fair, I plan to spend more time with this over the weekend, but I am comparing this Tsongas show to the show in San Diego from the same tour and the comparison is not favorable for Tsongas.

"Rhythm of Love" is not one of my favorite Yes songs, but I was really impressed with this one in San Diego. Steve just freakin' wailed on the solo. The Tsongas version was simply not good. I feel the same about South Side. The band seemed out of sync in places and Steve was way too low in the mix in important places.

I know I am new to this board, posting-wise: I've lurked over the years. But I am not new to Yes. I am extremely supportive of the group and my comments above are not meant to imply dissatisfaction with the boys. I am just disappointed because I know how good they really are and I feel that for one reason or another, their true greatness has never been caught live.

Videos from their prime are crippled by the lack of good fidelity and the most recent offerings have other problems. Slow tempo (e.g. CTTE never seems to capture the true frenetic nature of the opening on the studio version), mixing issues (for one reason or another, most live versions skew the mix so that one person or another is left out), etc. I dunno, maybe their music is too nuanced to capture correctly in live settings.

Sorry to be negative, it is just frustrating that my favorite group seems to have this problem with their live recorded legacy. I think they are better live than in the studio, typically. IMO, it has just never been captured correctly.

by **coalescestudionyc** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 10:32 pm

I'm with Yesman91025 and topographic_drama1980 on this: Songs From Tsongas is the best Yes DVD available. Keys To Ascension was disappointing, Live at the House of Blues was really good but I didn't feel the scope of a Yes show on the DVD, the Symphonc DVD sounded too pristine, too clinical to my ears (it also didn't help that the audience was doing their best imitation of an oil painting), and the live portion of Yesspeak sounded too compressed to me. Earlier this year, I also bought on eBay the Lugano, Swiitzerland 2004 Yes show and up until I saw this DVD, I thought that one and the Union 1991 DVDs were the best Yes ever looked and sounded. Not only did it sound great, but I loved how the stage translated to the screen. If this turns out to be their last live DVD (providing that they don't tour any more, which I hope they do!), then this should be considered the definitive Yes live DVD.

Michael

P.S.

I had to re-register under a slightly different name. I was formerly Coalesce, but am now Coalescestudionyc. I'm not going through a Prince-like transformation, I just couldn't remember my old password to change it to the new one.

by **thesage** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 3:30 am

I was able to pick up a copy on a recent OS trip and I would say that generally speaking this is an excellent DVD which captures YES towards the end of their career- sorry folks just the simple truth. Most tracks are played with suprising gusto, although the slightly slower tempo is noticeable, as are the occassional bum note. Whilst I really enjoyed the acoustic set, I would have liked the full version of wonderous stories, mind you it has suprising charm as an acoustic piece. I think owner sits much better with this line up as an acoustic piece, which brings me to the low point of the DVD ( for me)- thats Rythymn of Love- As much as I like Steve Howe, I have to say that he simply doesn't play the track with the same aggressive approach as Trevor- and whilst Steve in many ways is a much more romantic stylist, who tend to go for "cleaner" sounds, this track needed a much richer distortion with a lot more aggressive playing- otherwise a very good DVD_ is it their best--- no- I would argue ABWH Evening of Yes music is by far the best concert footage available followed by Union.

by **Terry Shea** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 10:37 pm

I wish I could find a store around here that carries it. I've been looking everywhere for a week and a half now.

by **Gary** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 4:34 pm

Terry Shea wrote:I wish I could find a store around here that carries it. I've been looking everywhere for a week and a half now.

Terry, I've been buying everything off of Amazon.com

Everything is usually a few dollars cheaper than the stores, no tax, and if buy $25 or more (usually only 2 items) shipping is free. Arrives within a week.

by **yestalker** » Sun Sep 04, 2005 4:23 am

This was worth the extremely long wait!!!!!!!!!!!!! These guys never seem to disappoint. I saw them the nite before they filmed this, at the Mohegun Sun Casino in Connecticut ,and they played with the same vigor and intensity that they did the nite before. Although, I would have to say that the crowd seemed more into the nite I saw them. The filming and the editing are top notch. The sound and the picture are dynamite. Great setlist, highlighted by the better than average light show, Roger Deans blow up dolls, and the awesome acoustic set. They are always looking to give the fans something different (Masterworks Tour, Synphonic Tour). These guys are so frigging tight, it is scary. To those who are so damn critical of these guys, tell me who does it better. Peace :icon_drin

by **EricBliss12345** » Sun Sep 04, 2005 8:58 pm

Finally, we have a definitive concert document of the band.

There is no perfect Yesshow available. Yessongs is marred by an abbreviated setlist (actually, it's just very much pruned down) and bad sound, QPR is marred by an incredibly bad sound mix on the first half, Live In Philadelphia is also unfortunately short and covers previously covered ground, 90125 is just a document of an analomy in their career, and anything released from Keys To Ascension on varies from poor to overproffessionally boring.

Something clicked on this particular tour. On the previous one (the 2002 outing) I was convinced that the band was completely washed up. That show was so bad that I was hoping they'd break up to prevent any future embarassments.

However, the stars were aligned for this outing, which was the best Yes concert I'd ever seen. I put on the DVD, hoping the show wasn't so great because I was so obliterated, and was ecstatic to see that it was just as great as I almost remembered it.

The DVD is actually better becuase there's no asshole sitting on my far right complaining miserably about me getting up out of my seat so frequently.

The guys were just on fire. Steve's guitar, unlike anything from the 90's onward, is ballsy and firey, Squires bass sounds as fat as his gut, and Alan remembered how to play the fuckin' drums. Jon somehow sounds even more immaculate than usual, and Rick is as fleet-fingered as he was in the 70s. His tinkly keyboard sounds still kinda suck, but everything came together so wonderfully that they don't bother me much. The minimoog solos forgive a lot of that! lol

But jeeze, I don't know where the band pulled this performance from, but they really upped the ante for this show. The duel between the guitar and moog on "South Side Of The Sky" is really something to behold, and like I've said before, the one two punch of "Going For The ONe" and "Sweet Dreams" were satisfying enough that they could have ended the show there!

The dean stage looks especially wonderful on film. I think one of the problems I've had with Yes live or on video in the past 15 years is the fact that Yes are, for the most part, extremely boring to watch, and the extra visuals really make everything more exciting and make the whole program really come to life, especially on the drum choir on "Ritual" and really enhance the threatening mood of an incredibly executed "Mind Drive."

I kind of skipped through the acoustic stuff, it's nice but not terribly exciting. If anything, it's some of the best intermission music you could ask for.

"Yours Is No Disgrace" is the closet they've come to sounding like the vintage 70's incarnation in quite a while! Steve really tears it up on this one!

I haven't seen the whole thing yet, which I've been soaking up for the last couple days, but I saw it in person so I know it's gonna rule. I can't wait to see "Starship Trooper" which they didn't play in Philly.

Excellent, and the most perfect live document of the band released to date. Yeah the drums could be louder, but who gives a fuck. Just buy it and enjoy the living shit out of it!

by **happytheman** » Sun Sep 04, 2005 10:05 pm

GearSmith wrote:I bought it last night and watched a few tracks. So far, I am underwhelmed. To be fair, I plan to spend more time with this over the weekend, but I am comparing this Tsongas show to the show in San Diego from the same tour and the comparison is not favorable for Tsongas.

"Rhythm of Love" is not one of my favorite Yes songs, but I was really impressed with this one in San Diego. Steve just freakin' wailed on the solo. The Tsongas version was simply not good. I feel the same about South Side. The band seemed out of sync in places and Steve was way too low in the mix in important places.

I know I am new to this board, posting-wise: I've lurked over the years. But I am not new to Yes. I am extremely supportive of the group and my comments above are not meant to imply dissatisfaction with the boys. I am just disappointed because I know how good they really are and I feel that for one reason or another, their true greatness has never been caught live.

Videos from their prime are crippled by the lack of good fidelity and the most recent offerings have other problems. Slow tempo (e.g. CTTE never seems to capture the true frenetic nature of the opening on the studio version), mixing issues (for one reason or another, most live versions skew the mix so that one person or another is left out), etc. I dunno, maybe their music is too nuanced to capture correctly in live settings.

Sorry to be negative, it is just frustrating that my favorite group seems to have this problem with their live recorded legacy. I think they are better live than in the studio, typically. IMO, it has just never been captured correctly.

I just got my copy yesterday so this afternoon I put on the Mind Drive SSOTS etc. to start off with just to see what the fuss was all about and I concure with Eric, the solo trade off with Rick was enough for me to say "ok Yes can still rock in sync" but I must say that Jon on the opening of Mind Drive does seem to "strain" a bit with his vocals. What happened to the "I let the music flow through me" he was digging deep. And (mind you this is all I have seen so far) his "reading the lines" was well so "not Jon". I am looking forward to watching the rest of it at some point this week. Hopefully Ritual rocks.

by **topographic_drama1980** » Thu Sep 08, 2005 9:49 am

I can answer that plain and simple: Yes, Ritual fucking rocks!!!!!!!!!! I wish the whole interlude could've been just a bit louder and a bit longer, but I don't care, because it was awesome! I liked this version of it better than Yessymphonic's version of it. Plus, those roto-toms look absolutely awesome!!!!!!!!

by **topographic_drama1980** » Thu Sep 08, 2005 9:51 am

The main thing I still wish is that Mind Drive had been played in its entirety, uninterrupted, but hey, at least they finally played some damn Key-era material, even a little footprint of, uh, Footprints. :jestera:

by **Terry Shea** » Sun Sep 18, 2005 3:49 pm

GearSmith wrote:I bought it last night and watched a few tracks. So far, I am underwhelmed. To be fair, I plan to spend more time with this over the weekend, but I am comparing this Tsongas show to the show in San Diego from the same tour and the comparison is not favorable for Tsongas.

"Rhythm of Love" is not one of my favorite Yes songs, but I was really impressed with this one in San Diego. Steve just freakin' wailed on the solo. The Tsongas version was simply not good. I feel the same about South Side. The band seemed out of sync in places and Steve was way too low in the mix in important places.

I know I am new to this board, posting-wise: I've lurked over the years. But I am not new to Yes. I am extremely supportive of the group and my comments above are not meant to imply dissatisfaction with the boys. I am just disappointed because I know how good they really are and I feel that for one reason or another, their true greatness has never been caught live.

Videos from their prime are crippled by the lack of good fidelity and the most recent offerings have other problems. Slow tempo (e.g. CTTE never seems to capture the true frenetic nature of the opening on the studio version), mixing issues (for one reason or another, most live versions skew the mix so that one person or another is left out), etc. I dunno, maybe their music is too nuanced to capture correctly in live settings.

Sorry to be negative, it is just frustrating that my favorite group seems to have this problem with their live recorded legacy. I think they are better live than in the studio, typically. IMO, it has just never been captured correctly.

Well I finally got myself a copy and have watched it twice now. Whoever mixed the surround sound should be shot! I haven't listened to the regular mix yet so I don't know if it's any better, but Steve is way, way, way too low in the surround sound mix through much if not most of the dvd, especially on South Side, Yours Is No Disgrace and Starship Trooper (Wurm). The surround sound enhanced bass note solo Steve plays in the first part of Yours Is No Disgrace does not come across well at all. I've heard him play it live several times and he's supposed to blow everyone else away, but on this mix it's barely audible. The same with Chris on Ritual. He's being drowned out by Rick through at least the first half of his solo. I have to keep adjusting the volume throughout out the dvd. The percussion section at the end does not come across very well either. There are a few places where the instrumental mix is fine and then Jon comes in and overpowers everything with his voice. That's not natural. Jon does not have an overpowering voice! Other places will sound fine for a while and then it sounds like someone unplugged an amp or 2 as the sound just drops right out. I noticed this on Rhythm Of Love. I don't believe any of these problems were caused by the band itself, I think it's a direct result of the person mixing the audio on the dvd doing an absolutely terrible job. One would think with all the delays in getting the dvd out the sound mixer would have had time to get the mix right.

But at least the cameras are focused on the person playing the solo most of the time and there aren't a lot of annoying special effects. Maybe some day we'll get a Yes dvd where every facet of it is solid, a complete package, but i think time for that is running out and this may have been our last chance.

by **Greenglade's Frog** » Sat Oct 08, 2005 12:24 am

This was OK, pretty fun. Watched some songs, skipped around to get an overall feel for it. $19 for a double DVD, couldn't pass it up.
I suppose if I had a home theater system and turned it up real loud and had a little party it would be better.
Going for The One- pretty good. Jon has a different attack. Steve's slide guitar is interesting. Better version on Keys to Ascension, but that was dubbed or re-constructed, no?
Sweet Dreams- nice to have some really vintage stuff. Steve gets in some good guitar work at the end.
Mind Drive- Finally, a new tune. Interesting.
YIND- watched sections. Still better on Yessongs.
The Meeting- very good Wakeman piano solo
The entire unplugged section-Well, I can learn to appreciate it. Really, casual. Steve's guitar sounds light as a feather in parts. "Owner" , as acoustic version???
Second Initial- cool ragtime solo guitar.
Haven't heard all of Ritual and the rest of the DVD yet.

In any case, I'd recommend that one buy Keys to Ascension and [color=#006400]Yessongs before this one.[/color]

by **Greenglade's Frog** » Sun Oct 09, 2005 6:29 pm

I like this more on second viewing.
Mind Drive was good.
AGP YMove was ok, but the AGP was sort of lackluster guitar-wise.

Songs from Tsongas DVD

Songs from Tsongas DVD

SFS The Best Yes DVD?--

A Fantastic Piece of Work

Incredible!

I got it few days ago

Second viewing

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