Recorded on the Magnification tour early in the new millennium, this is the audio companion to the DVD release from a few years back. Honestly, considering the shape the members of Yes are in these days and the fact that their shows aren’t quite as entertaining as they were twenty years go, this is really all you need. The band is backed by a full orchestra on this live recording but, in all honesty, you really can’t tell the majority of the time simply because longtime fans have been hearing this in their heads for decades. It’s a very, very natural fit, particularly on songs like “The Gates of Delirium” and “Your Move” (which is hidden inside “I’ve Seen All Good People”).
The highlights here will depend on your personal favorite Yes albums. I tend to enjoy the eighties and nineties better as fans Yes album goes, but to many fans that’s simple sacrilege. “Roundabout,” “Long Distance Runaround,” “Magnification,” and the absolutely jaw dropping melding of “Your Move” with “I’ve Seen All Good People” are easily my picks for the album’s most inspiring but there are plenty of moments to choose from. This is a great set list, a great recording, and a great performance by one of the few names that you can expect absolute excellence from each and every time they release something new. Don’t miss out on Symphonic Live if you are a fan of rock, progressive, or jazz music. If you are already a Yes fan than you should take heed because this is certainly one of their better live releases. Maybe even the best non-studio album in their rich catalog.
Reviewed by Mark Fisher
