YesSongs (Video) On DVD

[Dragonfly]

My copy of the YesSongs video is the original laserdisc release - with NO chapter search. That means that any newer version would be an upgrade for me.

What I want to know is how the sound quality is on the DVD? The tour wasn't recorded all that well in the first place, so I don't know how much improvement one could expect.

Any reviews?

Dragonfly :fly:

P.S. Are there any extras included on the DVD?

[leetj]

The DVD has roughly half of the material on the Yessongs album. The DVD does have chapters you can skip to. I was a little disappointed that YIND was so different compared to the album, especially Steve's guitar solo in the middle section. It was much shorter on the DVD. The album version is arguably one of the best live (and intense) guitar riffs ever recorded. The other tunes (to my ears) sound nearly identical to those on the album. Also Starship was truncated quite a bit as we heard Wurm during the credits. At the very end I enjoyed the footage of the guitar solo bit with Steve on that 2-neck beast. Have not seen him tour with that one recently. Overall its still nice to have the recording though, to see them in the early 70's. Though the recording quality is not as good as most recent DVD's (Symphonic for example) it is a must for any Yes fan. Anybody else feel the same about YIND?

[nightliner]

It sounds like its the same as the original vhs/laserdisc, just with the addition of the chapter stops.

Thanks for the review. I think I'll keep my laserdisc and hope for a better release in the future.

Welcome to the site, btw.

[Dragonfly]

Originally posted by nightliner It sounds like its the same as the original vhs/laserdisc...I think I'll keep my laserdisc and hope for a better release in the future.I think I'll buy the DVD eventually, if only for the chapter stops. It was re-released on laserdisc with chapters, but I never got around to buying one.

The sound quality on this just isn't very good. Never was. The album version is better and I have the re-mastered (CD) version of that. It was an improvement. But for the video, much like the QPR disaster, I think I'll wait a little longer.

Dragonfly :fly:

[PO]

It is what it is. This was a theater release like any movie. Don't expect to see a different version of Gone with the Wind either.

It was recorded the way it was. Do we want 5.1 surround for The Wizard of Oz? Do we want to colorize The Maltese Falcon?

As for the soundtrack (CD) being different than the movie, that is common. Personally I don't care for extended jamming anyway. It's never the same twice. It could be that the best recording was used for the CD and the best footage for the movie. Makes sense.

I like Al Jolson with that vintage Victrola sound. Yessongs was early 70's. Both are authentic.

[tardistraveler]

Well said, paostby! I would like to have the DVD version to upgrade my VHS! True, it doesn't have the quality of YesSymphonic - but it is a snapshot of their '70's concerts, and is wonderful in its own right. Bootleg concerts don't have great sound quality either, but at least give you a taste of what it was like to be there. That is what YesSongs does for me.

[BrianD]

Apart from the snippets on Yesyears, its been over 25 years since I saw Yessongs at the movies. I remember thinking that it did a pretty good job at capturing the essence of that tour from my memories of seeing them play around that time. My only grievance was that it was too short!

[tardistraveler]

Yes, at the time - before the days of video - was just cool to see Yes any way we could! I was so excited about the movie being released - went to see it the first weekend it was out! It was my cousin's 18th birthday, and we made a night of it - went to see the movie, then had drinks afterwards (yes, the drinking age in TN at the time was 18!)

[Danz]

Is there a differance between the U.S. release and other releases of yessongs dvd? Like the brazil one.
i mean with the sound quality. .. .....

I like yessongs alot, I even think that Yours is no disgrace on the video is a better version than on the yessongs album. Shorter? i dont think so... not much though.

[THEGOLDENCAT]

Actually GONE WITH THE WIND is in 5.1 ( I know as I have it!! ) So why can't this be put into 5.1????? Too lazy???