Palmer, David - Symphonic Music Of Yes CD (Mega Blowout Sale)
SKU
VCP7206192.2
“Originally released in 1993, this album pitches the weight of the London Philharmonic Orchestra on a selection of Yes classics, with the involvement of Yes alumni Jon Anderson, Steve Howe and Bill Bruford, under the auspices of arranger David Palmer.”
“One of the many side projects that internal bickering, contractual obligations and a downright sense of adventure have produced in the long history of Yes, Symphonic Music of Yes (SMOY) is certainly a curate's egg among curates' eggs. A blending of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the English Chamber Orchestra, the London Community Gospel Choir, two fifths of the then - 1993 - manifestation of Yes, an ex Yes man, Bill Bruford plus Tim Harries on bass and David Palmer on keys this could quite easily have resulted in a pompous, inflated and grandiose cacophony of sound. Instead it is actually very good, most of the tracks have benefitted from an artistic rethink and the various orchestral/ group combos seem to work.
Opener, Roundabout, has the full orchestral treatment (produced and engineered by Alan Parsons) with Jon Anderson's vocals adding power and maturity that Fragile's original version lacked. Likewise, Close To The Edge also benefits from the string and brass treatment with Bruford's drumming reawakening the old debate about whether or not Alan White was the better drummer. The lack of vocals, surprisingly, is hardly missed. Again there are no vocals on Wonderous Stories, Heart of The Sunrise or Starship Trooper and yet Steve Howe's battery of guitars, mandolins etc coupled with strong orchestral arrangements and very competent fills from Messrs. Bruford, Harries and Palmer add joy, life and energy in good measures. Another vocal less track, Owner Of A Lonely Heart, on the other hand lacks direction and ambition. Possibly the original was just too good to better. Stand out mentions go to a delightful version of I've Seen All Good People with Anderson and the Gospel Choir gelling like a strong, vocal cocktail and a serenely beautiful Soon complete with spoken lyrics by none other than Steve Howe.
As mentioned earlier SMOY could have been a total disaster, many Yes aficionados dismissed it as yet another money spinner and many more snubbed it as not being a true Yes album. Having followed the band since 1972 (and still proud to call myself a prog rocker 40 years later) SMOY is one of those albums I will play when the mood for something novel is needed. It ticks all the right boxes in that area.”-Graeme Wright
- LabelVoiceprint
- UPC805772061927
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