Yes - Greatest Video Hits DVD

This Greatest Video Hits compilation collects a dozen tracks from the Yes discography along with their accompanying promo videos. Hardly comprehensive, the selection does at least chart a fascinating period in the band's history, from the classic line-up of 1977's Going for the One album and their biggest hit of the decade, "Wonderous Stories", to their mid-80s transatlantic incarnation with tracks from 90125 (the ubiquitous "Owner of a Lonely Heart") and The Big Generator. Yes were never an especially photogenic bunch, and on the evidence of these videos not comfortable... in front of the camera unless simply standing playing their instruments--quite rightly the music was always the most important thing with this group. Most striking here are not the rather unimaginative visuals but the various fashion disasters: their collaboration with Buggles Geoff Downes and Trevor Horn on the Drama album yielded some fantastic music--"Tempus Fugit" and "Into the Lens" are here--but the same cannot be said for the band's appearance. Later performances with Trevor Rabin uncomfortably attempt to transform the group from a bunch of gawky musos into slick US-style rockers. Oddly, perhaps the most satisfying video is the period costume piece for "Madrigal" (from Tormato), featuring Rick Wakeman seated at his harpsichord in full 18th-century regalia. Short introductions to each song are provided by band members, filmed during their 1991 Union tour. On the DVD: Yes Greatest Video Hits is disappointingly presented in NTSC format, with bog-standard 4:3 picture. Sound is basic stereo. There are no extra features. --Mark Walker [show more]

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