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It’s been 40 years since Yes first formed. This documentary
celebrates the band’s music and history. Featuring interviews
with journalists Chris Welch and the band members themselves,
this two disc set allows the band to tell their own story
discussing the shifting personnel, the fights but most importantly
the music. Interestingly, the most pivotal member of the
band has always been bass player Chris Squire who has been
the only member that has been in every incarnation of the
group. ***
The original line up of Squire, guitarist Peter Banks,
singer Jon Anderson (the trio were the three key members
in establishing the first original line up of the band),
drummer Bill Bruford and keyboardist Tony Kaye (curiously
the only original member who isn’t interviewed for this
documentary). As most fans are aware Jack Barrie the manager
of the La Chasse Club and Marquee was pivotal in the formation
of Yes; he knew all the key members and first introduced
Anderson to Squire. Anderson joined Squire’s current band
Mabel Greer’s Toy Shop before regrouping under a new name.
Peter Banks came up with the band’s name (he had it in mind
years before the formation of the band). Bruford at first
thought that the group was going to be a jazz band but was
happy just to be in ANY band so really didn’t care. ***
Steve Howe was invited to join the band after Peter
Banks was asked to leave when it appeared that his vision
of the band didn’t quite match with Anderson and Squire’s.
Bruford puts things into perspective—Anderson saw the band
as having a revolving door policy finding better players
if they needed it. Steve Howe was invited into the band
after Anderson saw him playing at the Speakeasy. ---
Image & Sound:
The documentary was shot on high definition videotape
and looks outstanding. The older footage which is drawn
from a variety of sources and time periods looks anywhere
from good to so-so. The older footage has been cleaned up
as much as possible and the stills all look extremely good
(which has been used to illustrate much of their early history).
*** Audio, likewise, varies a bit depending upon the source
material but sounds quite good overall.
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