Yesspeak (2003) User Reviews

For fans only

[rjackson7 · 6/10 · 17 April 2005]

This doco falls so far short of what it could have been. If this is the 35th anniversary celebration, why not talk to Peter Banks, Bruford, Kaye or Rabin? Why just focus on current members and one tour? The narrative by Roger Daltry so "Wow! Can you believe it? Whoo hoo!" that only fans will connect with it. A non fan will probably be left checking his or her watch, especially when they are left with hours of talking heads from old guys who seem very boring and uninspiring when they are not on stage.

Yes, they are candid. Yes, they form the greatest band ever, but does this doco reveal anything that a Yesfan doesn't already know, or anything a non-fan will care to hear? OK, Rick thinks Trevor Horn is the greatest producer ever; Jon clearly sings the line "Cos HIS time is time in time with your time..." But in all, the interviews are tiresome and uninspired. Ask yourself the question: "After watching it once, will you ever put it on again?" If not, why bother? The biggest let down of all, of course, is the audio only concert. Please - a 2 DVD set, and no filming of the concert? Even the audio is not worth it, since the concert has been chopped down into a series of songs, with no continuity at all, so it just feels like a session, not a concert with an audience being connected with at all. I was so disappointed, since I had seen this tour in Sydney, and would have loved to have the concert in full.

Yes fans like me will buy this, watch it once, and then file it away just so they can say they have it. No one else will bother, and they'll have made the right decision. If you want to SEE Yes, buy Yes Symphonic Live (and even then, throw out disc 2). It is an infinitely more worthy offering for 1 reason: They filmed a concert and put it on a DVD. Let the music tell the story, that's how Yesmusic should be.

An insight into the world of YES

[Scaramouche2004 · 5 September 2004]

YES to me are the ultimate in progressive music. Their music is so uplifting, that it has helped me through some of the worst chapters in my life and and is still as inspirational to me now, as it ever was.

Since their formation in 1968, they have been responsible for nineteen of the greatest albums in music history and with an impressive array of members including, Rick Wakeman, Patrick Moraz, Trever Rabin and Trever Horn, it is hardly surprising that many consider them to be the most musically talented band ever.

Jon Anderson, Chris Squire, Steve Howe, Alan White and Rick Wakeman, are frank and open as they talk about life within the group, their humble beginnings in England and their rise to fame and the obstacles faced along the way.

Yesspeak is in many ways a remake and/or sequel to 1991's Yesyears which charted their success in documentary style with rare concert footage from all of their past tours mixed with interviews with band members past and present. Yesspeak goes over a lot of the ground already covered in Yesyears but updates us on what the band has done since and has more in depth interviews with the band. It is very much a product of today with the emphasis going to who YES are rather than who they were. What they are doing rather than what they have done. Where they are going rather than where they have been.

Narrated by Roger 'The Who' Daltry, it gives fans an opportunity to follow YES around on tour and glimpse into their interaction back stage. It also gives us rare insight into their private lives, visiting them at their homes.

An added treat is the bonus disc featuring live versions of some of their greatest achievements, all taken from the current tour.

Over the years YES have become somewhat of a cult band with staunch allegiance offered by their followers. To be a YES fan is to belong to a fraternity where membership is honored and cherished. Its a special feeling to hold in your heart, that this band...our band has made and will continue to make beautiful music to inspire and uplift us for as long as they can continue.

This may be a bit hard to swallow for people who are new to this music genre, but for die hard prog fans and YES worshipers worldwide this is pure gold in DVD form.