The Union Tour Live dvd is available

[Terry Shea]

from this site:

http://www.musiccdvideo.com/view/6710.html

NTSC all regions format

This is the edited (2 hours) Mountainview, CA show.

I paid $27.10 which included shipping charges from St Petersburg, Russia. It took about 10 days to receive it. Sound and video are excellent. Menu is written in Japanese (not the song titles) so you have to mess around with the options a little unless you can read Japanese.

[brotherofmine]

This doesn't look right I'm sure the front cover is wrong. Could it be a pirated copy?

[Terry Shea]

This doesn't look right I'm sure the front cover is wrong. Could it be a pirated copy?
I don't know. It's put out by VAP Inc., Japan 2000, 1992 and it has the copying prohibitions listed on the back cover as well as the dvd itself.

[BrianD]

This is obviously a pirated DVD - the fact is that Yes have never officially released this stuff. You may find that it is actually available for trade here.

[fovman]

Do you want to pirate Yes?

[Terry Shea]

This is obviously a pirated DVD - the fact is that Yes have never officially released this stuff. You may find that it is actually available for trade here.
I have to disagree. I've read in Yesworld and several other sources (including this forum I believe) that there was an official Japanese release on VAP, which is what is printed on the packaging of this dvd.

If I mistakenly bought a pirated dvd then I'm sorry, but I don't understand where you're coming from on this issue at all. If there was, as you say, no official release, then what are members here doing with copies? Would not their copies also be pirated? If there was no official release then how would buying a copy hurt the band, since there would be no official release that this would be taking revenue from? Please explain.

[Terry Shea]

I've been checking the previous threads on this and there are several references to the Japanese version of the Mountainview show being an official release. In fact, the thread at the link below states that it shouldn't be weeded or traded since it is an official release:

http://yesfans.com/showthread.php?t=13399&goto=nextoldest

[gathernear]

Russia? It's a boot...

[Terry Shea]

Russia? It's a boot...
How do you know that it's a boot, and if there was no official release, what does it matter if it is a boot?

[rememberer]

Possibly BrianD is confusing the Mountainview show with the Denver 5/9/91 show, as I've done a number of times. You would probably find the Denver show going around the Trading Room here, which is where I got my copy.

It is real possible to get pirated copies of out-of-print official shows, the ABWH dvd is a good example. I don't think it's been in print for some time and real copies seem to command at least several hundred dollars, but cheap pirated copies (including mine, sorry) seem to abound. It looks like a real Japanese import item but on closer inspection both the cover printing and the playback are notably cheesy.

Also some of the smaller on-line music places that carry listings for others seem to get a lot of bootlegs and pirated copies listed, so that may be a bit of a caution especially if they have lots of stuff that looks "too good to be true".

The shipping from St. Petersburg, Russia might worry me a bit. Seem to be Russian sellers associated with some of the pirated copies of things I've seen on E-Bay.

Not sure what to otherwise think about the Union DVD with the Mountainview show. Amazon has a listing for it http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007OC05M/, which really makes me suspect it was a legitimate release, but they don't seem to show it as currently available. Anyone know for show how to tell a genuine official copy from a bogus one? I'm not really sure which my copy is, come to think of it. It would be nice if this is the real deal.

If there was no official release then how would buying a copy hurt the band, since there would be no official release that this would be taking revenue from? Please explain.

LOL, I wish I knew that one. There are things I wish bands were cooler about so we'd all be less at the mercy of bootleggers - but I know that Yes has been remarkably gracious about these things, and if there's anything that bugs them, I try to steer clear, it's the least I could do.

Or consider who would be profitting if not the artist. Every bootlegger I've ever run across doesn't have the decency to inform you of what you are actually getting - imagine buying your first (misadvertised) boot expecting official quality and getting a B- audience recording - and a number of them seem to be infamous for ripping off people in trades just to get the shows they're charging as much as 40 bucks for a copy of, that cost them ten cents to crank out.

[BrianD]

I've been checking the previous threads on this and there are several references to the Japanese version of the Mountainview show being an official release. In fact, the thread at the link below states that it shouldn't be weeded or traded since it is an official release:

http://yesfans.com/showthread.php?t=13399&goto=nextoldest

Nightliner is the resident expert on this topic so I accept his opinions on that thread. But it is a grey area - how 'official' the release is could be argued back and forth.

You need to ask the question - if this is officially condoned by Yes why was it never released in any country besides Japan?

[BrianD]

Possibly BrianD is confusing the Mountainview show with the Denver 5/9/91 show, as I've done a number of times. You would probably find the Denver show going around the Trading Room here, which is where I got my copy.

.

I think that you are right about that on that score

[brotherofmine]

[SIZE=1]
Not sure what to otherwise think about the Union DVD with the Mountainview show. Amazon has a listing for it http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007OC05M/, which really makes me suspect it was a legitimate release, but they don't seem to show it as currently available. Anyone know for show how to tell a genuine official copy from a bogus one? I'm not really sure which my copy is, come to think of it. It would be nice if this is the real deal.


Yes rememberer the picture of the front cover you have is the correct cover for the DVD. The one Terry has is different. I am not 100% clear on my facts here but this is how I think the situation is. I think the concert was originally shown on Japanese TV and the TV have the rights to sell the DVD, which has a limited production, but it was intended for the Japanese market only. However they do not however have the rights to use the Roger Dean artwork so that is why the Union logo is not on the front of 'official' Japanese DVD.
Terry's copy therefore would seem to be a copy of the original DVD with the Russian distributors using their own front cover to make it look original.
There are a lot of copies of this on e Bay as well as for the ABWH DVD, out of print material often is copied this way. Incedently ABWH 'An Evening Of Yes Music Plus' was also originally broadcast on TV and was a limited edition. DVD and CD or Video and CD.

[InverYes]

It's my understanding that the Denver show is tradeable here but the Mountainview show isn't.

[YesJen357]

Yes Inveryes, that is the case. We definitely cannot trade the DVD of the 'Union' Mountainview 8/8/91 show. That has always been strictly enforced.
I once requested the audio of that concert as a trade and got a nasty rebuke, presumably because someone (they know who they are) thought I was asking for the video.
However, I've always wondered why the ban on trading the DVD is in place. Perhaps someone could explain this one, as a result of this thread?

[brotherofmine]

However, I've always wondered why the ban on trading the DVD is in place. Perhaps someone could explain this one, as a result of this thread?
It's a commercial release...it's not 'official' in the sense that the band agreed to release it as an official DVd but I think the band must have given their permission for it to be released and hence receive some form of royalty from it, I think is a similar situation with 'An Evening Of Yes Music Plus'

[gathernear]

How do you know that it's a boot, and if there was no official release, what does it matter if it is a boot?

If you want to pay money for a bootleg, that's your business.

[prem895]

This is obviously a pirated DVD - the fact is that Yes have never officially released this stuff. You may find that it is actually available for trade here.
Brian is 100% right. Don't buy that from this rip-off company. You can get it here gratis. We do this so we can keep theives who have no interest in the band from making illegal money from their work

[Terry Shea]

Okay, now I'm really confused. I either have a pirated dvd or I don't that can either be traded here or not. I seem to be getting a different answer from everyone. I can't believe a pirated dvd could sound this good and have video quality this good. In fact I wish their more recent dvd releases sounded and looked anywhere near this good. That's not to knock the sound or video on Yessymphonic or Tsongas, this is just better.

[relayeire]

I've had the laser disc - read that again - laser disc of Union Tour Live for like 5 years... it's a legit release, but it was only out in Japan... pro-shot, editing and sound... only problem is, at just 2 hours it's obviously cut down...

I also have QPR, Live In Philly, KTA, ABWH live and others on laser, again all are legit, just from a Japanese source...

[milestownyes]

This doesn't look right I'm sure the front cover is wrong. Could it be a pirated copy?
Probably anything out of Russia is pirated. They're notorious for it.

[wolfhound]

Well... I just ordered it.

[Terry Shea]

Probably anything out of Russia is pirated. They're notorious for it.
You know, I almost asked (facetiously) if that was the reason. I'm surprised no one has said that buying from Russia supports communism!

[wolfhound]

You know, I almost asked (facetiously) if that was the reason. I'm surprised no one has said that buying from Russia supports communism!
LOL. Nah, I think it's just a neo-fascist state now, but it looks like a good DVD !

[wolfhound]

I think "Lift Me Up" is one title that's not included on this DVD.
I'm not too upset by that.

Are there any others missing on the DVD that they played?

[CybrKhatru]

LOL. Nah, I think it's just a neo-fascist state now, but it looks like a good DVD !


LOL..

Now you guys have me curious about ordering this one too.

Honestly...I don't understand the "grey market" thing. If something is legal in Japan, or Russia, or Italy....but not legal in the U.S....until we get such products released in our home countries, do we not have the right to purchase 'em? And IS this DVD really a "grey area" issue? Does that also apply to the Brazilian ABWH DVDs too?

Color me confused...


---Matt

[wolfhound]

LOL..

Now you guys have me curious about ordering this one too.

Honestly...I don't understand the "grey market" thing. If something is legal in Japan, or Russia, or Italy....but not legal in the U.S....until we get such products released in our home countries, do we not have the right to purchase 'em? And IS this DVD really a "grey area" issue? Does that also apply to the Brazilian ABWH DVDs too?

Color me confused...


---Matt
Me too. I don't understand any of these legal questions.

My only concern is giving my credit card number to someone overseas. Even though I've done that before, I'm still a tad uneasy. But.....

I've wanted a Union DVD for a loooong time. My one experience with weeding here... well... I guess that fell through. So, I went for this DVD.

[Terry Shea]

I think "Lift Me Up" is one title that's not included on this DVD.
I'm not too upset by that.

Are there any others missing on the DVD that they played?
The dvd was edited down to 2 hours. Here's the dvd setlist:

1. Intro / Firebird Suite
2. Yours Is No Disgrace
3. Rhythm Of Love
4. Heart Of The Sunrise
5. Clap
6. Owner Of The Lonely Heart
7. I’ve Seen All good People
8. Solly’s Beard
9. Saving My Heart
10. The Fish / Amazing Grace
11. Rick Wakeman Solo
12. Awaken
13. Roundabout

And You and I, Shock To The System, the drum duet and I believe Long Distance Runaround were also edited out. There may have been another song or 2 that I can't reacall off the top of my head. The drum duet was awesome. That's why I'm still looking for either the complete show or the Denver show.

[Terry Shea]

Me too. I don't understand any of these legal questions.

My only concern is giving my credit card number to someone overseas. Even though I've done that before, I'm still a tad uneasy. But.....

I've wanted a Union DVD for a loooong time. My one experience with weeding here... well... I guess that fell through. So, I went for this DVD.
I didn't have any problems and received excellent service. It was sent registered mail. They said it would take about 10 days to ship and I received it exactly 10 days after ordering it.

[CybrKhatru]

The dvd was edited down to 2 hours. Here's the dvd setlist:

1. Intro / Firebird Suite
2. Yours Is No Disgrace
3. Rhythm Of Love
4. Heart Of The Sunrise
5. Clap
6. Owner Of The Lonely Heart
7. I’ve Seen All good People
8. Solly’s Beard
9. Saving My Heart
10. The Fish / Amazing Grace
11. Rick Wakeman Solo
12. Awaken
13. Roundabout

And You and I, Shock To The System, the drum duet and I believe Long Distance Runaround were also edited out. There may have been another song or 2 that I can't reacall off the top of my head. The drum duet was awesome. That's why I'm still looking for either the complete show or the Denver show.

If I remember setlists correctly (thank you Forgotten Yesterdays, and what remains of my ragged memory...I saw the Costa Mesa show which was a couple days before this one) Changes would have also been in the set. Also, I believe Long Distance was only performed on the first leg, replaced by Saving My Heart.....a curious substitution for sure! Terry, I agree w.you-- it is a shame this show was edited.

Somewhere I have a VHS of the LA Forum show from the previous leg. Too bad the picture is so bad--overly bright and jumpy. I MUST dub the audio at least....it was a great show!!

--Matt

[gathernear]

Was this show ever on laser disc? That could be the source material for this DVD.

[CybrKhatru]

Was this show ever on laser disc? That could be the source material for this DVD.

Yes, it was. The VHS copy I have is from Laser Disc.

--Matt

[InverYes]

Just keep an eye on it Terry.

I bought Symphonic and House of Blues DVD's from China. All looked kosher, bristling with copyrights, trade marks, the lot. If I remember right each DVD cost me $0.01 - that's right one cent. Even with postage it came to about $10.00 for two DVD's.

Apparently over time, they become unplayable. Hasn't happened yet but I'm assured it will.

You'll also notice you can buy Russian releases of Yes albums which are sold in pairs - ebay is full of them. Very official looking but apparently sound dreadful.

There isn't a grey area on what can be traded on the site.

Denver yes, Mountain View no.

Whether or not what you bought is a pirate copy - who knows - see if it has self destructed in a month or two.

By the way I should have noticed the clue on that Symphonic DVD I bought. The picture of "the band" amidst all the Chinese sleeve notes is actually a picture of Roy Orbison!!

[jimmygtr]

...
Apparently over time, they become unplayable. Hasn't happened yet but I'm assured it will....!

IT WILL....This is EXACTLY what happened to the Mountainview show I had.

[wolfhound]

Apparently over time, they become unplayable. Hasn't happened yet but I'm assured it will.
The quality of the disc itself ? Isn't that the only thing which would make it unplayable over time?

[relayeire]

Was this show ever on laser disc? That could be the source material for this DVD.

indeed... I have many of the Yes videos on laser, including this show... see my post above... #20

[InverYes]

The quality of the disc itself ? Isn't that the only thing which would make it unplayable over time?

Not sure exactly. Allegedly they go out of sync first of and then won't play at all. Mind you at 1 cent each I'm not going to complain.

[relayeire]

The quality of the disc itself ? Isn't that the only thing which would make it unplayable over time?

the US version of HOB became unplayable after a time, too... many of us here have no doubt bought more than one copy... my Steely Dan and Eagles DVDs are starting to get twitchy, too... all are American versions...

[wolfhound]

I didn't have any problems and received excellent service. It was sent registered mail. They said it would take about 10 days to ship and I received it exactly 10 days after ordering it.
That sounds excellent ! I need some new YES for this summer. This will definitely help.

I saw Union twice. Once at the LA Forum, and the other at Costa Mesa. The first was one of my favorite concerts.

I'm t:bncy:tally excited about receiving this DVD !

[CybrKhatru]

That sounds excellent ! I need some new YES for this summer. This will definitely help.

I saw Union twice. Once at the LA Forum, and the other at Costa Mesa. The first was one of my favorite concerts.

I'm t:bncy:tally excited about receiving this DVD !

Sounds like you and me were at the same two shows, Wolfhound!

We really ought to invest in this DVD too...for now the VHS copy will have to suffice!

[Jackaranda]

They have listed on that site, "Yes Live 1994 Vol 1" and "Yes Live 1994 Vol 2". These are actually the 1989 ABWH concert.

[wolfhound]

Sounds like you and me were at the same two shows, Wolfhound!

We really ought to invest in this DVD too...for now the VHS copy will have to suffice!
Those were 2 great shows, weren't they?

I've read that Peter Banks showed up at the LA Forum that night, fully expecting to be allowed to jam on the finale. I guess he was relegated to sitting at the bar instead.

I was really puffed up about myself after seeing those concerts - so proud I talked some of my family and friends into joining me for those shows. Even though the Dead and Van Halen were their favorite bands, I know they were knocked out by Yes. It was grrrrrrrreat !

[YesJen357]

Terry Shea is correct about the quality of the Union Tour Live from Mountainview.
It is actually far superior to probably all but 'Symphonic.'
The tiny exception being one camera had vibration caused by the bass speakers. And then there's Trevor's guitar problem during 'Saving My Heart.' But even then, it is still my favourite YES concert DVD.
There is a story floating around here that Trevor commissioned the filming but these minor glitches led to the show not being officially released. The video 'fell' into the hands of some unsavoury character who arranged it's unofficial release on the Japenese market without any YES approval.

[YesJen357]

And to the Japanese market as well...............oopps!

[wolfhound]

Terry Shea is correct about the quality of the Union Tour Live from Mountainview.
It is actually far superior to probably all but 'Symphonic.'
The tiny exception being one camera had vibration caused by the bass speakers. And then there's Trevor's guitar problem during 'Saving My Heart.' But even then, it is still my favourite YES concert DVD.
There is a story floating around here that Trevor commissioned the filming but these minor glitches led to the show not being officially released. The video 'fell' into the hands of some unsavoury character who arranged it's unofficial release on the Japenese market without any YES approval.
Mine should come by Tuesday. I'm really looking forward to that ! ! !

[MrZuLu]

Mine should come by Tuesday. I'm really looking forward to that ! ! !
I am eagerly waiting for your review!

[Yes.2]

Wow. I'm hard as a rock just thinking about it.

[nightliner]

The cover they show is different than the cover of the aforementioned laserdisc or the videotape. I scanned the cover of my laserdisc and tried to attach it, but its too big. The setlist is the same however.

The laserdisc was released in Japan in 1999 by Vap Inc. The same company that released the dvd a couple of years ago. So apparently someone associated with the band gave them the rights to do the laserdisc, vhs, and ultimately the dvd. Thus it is official and untradeable here. Since it only came out in Japan and is now out of print, puts it in the "grey area". Its official but not readily available.

It would appear that whoever this is in Russia is selling bootleg copies of the Japanese release, with possibly a different cover. In any event it is a bootleg. Since my laserdisc player doesn't work anymore, I'm tempted to order one of these myself...but I'll never admit it in open company. ;)

[wolfhound]

I ordered one two weeks ago. Still no sign of it.

[wolfhound]

I ordered one two weeks ago. Still no sign of it.
The guy answered my email within a few minutes which was cool. He said that since it was sent from Russia, it could take 3 or 4 more days to arrive.

That's cool by me. Wolfie want Yes dvd ! ! !


Edit To Update: And while I'm babbling:

When YES plays a concert here - say at Maryland Heights - there are cameramen capturing the performance, and it's shown on the big screens.

Yesterday, I emailed a friend who is one of those cameramen. I asked him if the camerawork is saved on videotape, and, if so, who owns it. He said it depends, but he believes YES has total control over what happens with their footage.

Since many Yes concerts are taped, why doesn't the group sell DVDs of all those concerts. I'd buy them ! It would be a great source of extra income for the dudes.

_

[nightliner]

A year or so ago we were weeding dvd's of shows from the Spectrum and the Capital Center for some of the 80's shows. They were the inhouse videos. The quality was all right for a "bootleg", but I doubt many would be good enough for the band to bother releasing officially. Most of them wouldn't have enough camera angles.

[wolfhound]

The DVD arrived ! :bncy: I love this concert !

Except for one camera that vibrates to Chris' bass (which is no problem for me), the video is clear. I feel I could almost biopsy the growth on Steve's face. ( sorry :)

I'm just listening to it now for the 2nd time.

If these guys aren't having a great time, then they're great actors.

In this concert, Chris' solo is fantastic. He seemed to struggle a bit when they played the LA Forum on this tour, but he's totally fluid in this concert.

Steve is delightful on The Clap. Trevor's acoustic piece is amazing. I'd forgotten about how Chris and Jon introduced Trevor for that. :lmao:

Rick's solo is just ungodly. His work throughout is remarkable.

"Awaken" is a marvel.

My favorite thing to watch is how 2 sticks of dynamite (Howe & Rabin) work so well together without casualties.

Trevor's guitar doesn't work for the lead on "Saving My Heart", but I notice Steve jumps in a bit with a tasty guitar part. Oh yeah, and the bag-headed thugs are great !

For me, it took 2 weeks and a couple of days to arrive. Maybe its because I'm in the middle of the country (dunno, for sure) It's well worth the wait. The seller responded almost immediately, in an email, about my concerns that it didn't arrive in exactly 10 days. lol I appreciate that.

[ProtoDewd]

In 30 years of being a fan of these guys, going to every tour that I could catch, my all time favorite was and still is the Union tour. Having 8 very influential members of the band on the stage at the same time has to be the ultimate Yes experiance. The sound that night was just awesome. Not one passage was butchered by a performer that didn't know how it was supposed to be played. Dual lead guitars and drums/percussion was amazing.

Here it is 15 years later and the video has yet to be released anywhere except Japan?

Just this month Rush re-released their first 3 concert videos on DVD and even Pink Floyd relented and re-released Pulse on DVD. With bonus extras, even!

So what the hell is wrong with my all time favorite band refusing to do anything about this? Is our only choice to accept bootleg garbage with foreign titles/packaging?

So sad.

[andyouandi]

i have been looking for the ABWH DVD for Years (as well as the union tour). Why don't they just make the "officail releases" again. I have the ABWH Show that i taped right from pay per view but a DVD copy would be nice! I guess i will have to start seaching for DVD's!

[YesJen357]

Here it is 15 years later and the video has yet to be released anywhere except Japan?



So what the hell is wrong with my all time favorite band refusing to do anything about this? Is our only choice to accept bootleg garbage with foreign titles/packaging?

So sad.
Yes, it is sad, - Knowing how good this show is, it would surely be a winner in the sales department. If 9012Live has recently been able to hit the shelves, why not this one?

[Mihalis]

Hello,

I have also found this DVD here : http://www.rareconcertdvds.com/
This seems to be a 2-DVD edition...and the cover is diferent from the one in http://www.musiccdvideo.com/view/6710.html...

[allpurechance]

This was such a great tour.An Event!

Hopefully they're holding this one back for future release.

For where else could you ever see Bill Bruford and Alan White collaborate on a drum solo(that would later become Mind Drive!)???

Where else could you see Steve Howe and Trevor Rabin on one stage, Rick Wakeman and Tony Kaye...?!?!

Only here.Only the Union Tour.

It was Stupendous is what it was.

[nightliner]

The "official" Japanese release was a single disc dvd, so I'd say the 2 disc version is more of a bootleg than the single disc version.

[Mihalis]

Did anyone here ever shopped at http://www.rareconcertdvds.com/?