Classic Artists: Yes<\/i> is a music DVD only in the very loosest sense of the word. It doesn\u2019t, in fact, include a complete performance of so much as one single song from the prog-rock giants (unless you count lip-synching music videos, which I certainly hope you don\u2019t).<\/p>\n
Rather, it\u2019s a David Frost-ish documentary of Yes, a three-hour plus film interpolating live performance snippets with clips of interviews with most (if not all) of the major figures from the band\u2019s colorful and complicated 40-year history.<\/p>\n
Yes is a group that surely merits such treatment, both on account of their tenure and impact, and because of the sheer sweep and melodrama of the tale of this ever-evolving band. And this is a suitably impressive package.<\/p>\n
The first of this set\u2019s two DVDs features the entire 204-minute main program, which is a treat for any serious fan — and let\u2019s face it, who else is going to be interested in this package? The interview footage is taken from new and exclusive interviews with not just the current \u201cClassic\u201d lineup of Jon Anderson, Chris Squire, Steve Howe, Alan White and Rick Wakeman, but also founding members Bill Bruford and Peter Banks, Drama<\/i> cohorts Geoff Downes and Trevor Horn, Fragile<\/i> and Close To The Edge<\/i> co-producer Eddie Offord, roadie-cum-internationally renowned staging director Michael Tait, logo creator, album cover artist and stage designer Roger Dean, prog-rock contemporary Keith Emerson and a sprinkling of other band associates. Holding things together and serving as de facto narrator is music journalist and Yes biographer Chris Welch, whose affection for and insight into the band and its music helps guide the long twisting path traveled by this film. <\/p>\n