Yes: 9012 Live

This is a great performance by this incarnation of Yes. Although I was disappointed by the abbreviated version of "The Fish." However, the old movie clips interspersed throughout were totally stupid and random. Unless there is some connection between Yes, 90125 and these old movies that I don't know about, all they did was detract from the songs. I suspect Soderbergh used them because they were public domain, but in reality, they were public so lame! I couldn't believe that during Rabin's monumental solo near the end they were putting these inane clips of a lady ironing. I really wish they would put out a just the music version of 9012Live so we wouldn't have to sit through the rest of the garbage!

This film, along with STOP MAKING SENSE, is one of the great 1980's concert films. Yes is at the top of there game here. The highlights are "Cinema", "It Can Happen", and "Starship Trooper". The involvement of CHARLEX, who did the same sort of graphics for The Car's "You might Think" video, was a smart choice. Having seen Yes 5 times, there stage shows and persona are not very captivating, and could easily bore someone, visually.

A great film by Soderberg and Yes.

This is a brilliant concert film. The music is incredible, especially Trevor Rabin. The film clips and effects are great too. They fit in well with the concert and are unusual. My only complaint is that it is not long enough. I highly recommend this video to Yes and Trevor Rabin fans.

I also have seen Yes five times (at least) and keep going back not only because of their technical virtuosity, but because their stage show is second to none. They ARE rather visually captivating, employing often stunning effects and robotics, rear-screen projection, complex lighting designs, and other remarkably innovative tricks. As showmen, Yes are quite full of personality. Of course, the movie is worth seeing--sine qua non for a Yes fan, but is only the next best thing. The addition of CGI is certainly an interesting feature and the fact that this is Steve Soderbergh's acclaimed mainstream directorial debut is hard to ignore, but, after all, it's not Yes live.

For those who never cared for YES's music, this video probably won't make them fans of the band. For those (like myself) who live for their music, it's awesome! YES disbanded in 1981 and reformed in 1983 with three long time core members (Anderson, Squire, and White) one original member (keyboard wiz Tony Kaye) forced out of the band early on, and a new kid from South Africa (Trevor Rabin), and this group of musicians put out a YES album (90125) that not only won over past skeptical critics, but youngsters who had never heard of the band. The 90125 album not only sold over 5 million copies, but kept the band touring for over 20 months around the world to sold out shows everywhere. The musical also attracted a young Steve Soderburg, who was recently out of film school. He approached YES with the idea of filming a whole concert and then adding all kinds of avant-garde doodles around the edges, that makes the film seem like one continuous music video! Even to this day (21 years later) this film stands out as not only a great music experience, but a hilarious film event as well. Great job to YES, and Soderburg!!