My ex's brother purchased the album at a yard sale when he was 15 (1984) for $1. First time he listened to it, I asked him what he thought. "Relaxing. Meditative."
Those who think it pretentious and bloated are simply impatient and unwilling to invest in spending time really listening. If they prefer 1min 30secs of the Ramones then that is their prerogative but that’s all they get 1 min 30 secs, I love this and therefore can float away in bliss for 20 mins they would have to listen to the Ramones on repeat 13 times to get the same effect which really would be boring.
YES- is exploring the human being of who we are and where we came from, YES takes us out into the universe to be opened minded, we are not from this world. YES is a trip. I LOVE YES!
Most rock bands just wrote rock songs. YES wrote amazing complex pieces of music that explore life and the human condition. Love your comment. Spot on.
Steve Howe thinks he did some of his finest guitar work on this album. Daniel, Yes takes your soul on many wonderful places! Has for me since ‘75, when I was your age.
So happy to see you get so much happiness out of this song !!! Music is a personal choice; you love what you love ! Carry on happily, my friend, on your journey through some really great tunes ! ✌❤🌻😷🎶
This song seems to continue a theme in Jon's work that there was a time that we were more in tune with the spiritual, that "God" was revealed to us and we knew Him. And then we fell away, and forgot the song, forgot the wonders. But we are all waiting for the moment when we remember (the second track on the album). This song to me has always embodied the sense of revelation/enlightenment coming in the form of a slowly opening flower (as opposed to Satori - sudden enlightenment). To me that's why this song has slow passages, faster sections, tension, build-up and then just amazingly beautiful passages; as we learn, and consider, and observe, the universe opens to us and we begin to see and comprehend. It's a process, and not a quick one. I used to sit and mediate to these four songs, they're really good for contemplation. You've got the right mind-set and appreciation for what they are doing. Very cool to see in another generation.
This is my favorite album of all time. But you know what, I would not have said that 5 years ago. "Going For The One" was my longstanding favorite Yes album for close to three decades and "Tales From Topographic Oceans" would not have even been in my top 10. Something clicked, though, a few years ago and I realized that I had fallen in love with everything about this album hard, even though I had been listening to it for close to four decades already. The cover, the music, the lyrics, the whole story - it's a thing of beauty. Part of the glory of Yes music is that is just grows and blossoms over time. Loved your reaction. Just wait until you get to "Ritual". Enjoy the journey.
Yeah Tales is some of the greatest “creeper” ever. Makes me feel bad for the people that gave up on it after one hearing. Or two. Or ten, hundred. Thousand. I never gave up on Tales and all it’s done is give me some great, great music to last a lifetime.
We now return to our regularly scheduled programming...Epic, epic, epic. Beautiful shirt, beautiful analysis, legendary group and song. THIS music is the soul of your channel. Thanks, my man Daniel.
Part two: "The Remembering," was my roommate's favourite movement. Part three, "The Ancient,(reminds me of H.P. Lovecraft), the strangest, and hard to listen to, with a great classical guitar conclusion. Side four, "Ritual," was the most popular, and they played this part often in concert. I saw them play the whole thing in February, 1974, in Madison Square Garden, New York City.
I'm a 62 year old throwback stuck somewhere between 1973 - 1975. Since this album was released, it was, and remains, my all-time favorite, and in particular, "Dance of the Dawn". Each and every time listen to it, it a very moving experience. I'm am so blessed this album is also a favorite of my twin sons (themselves quite accomplished musician). Thank you, young man! Through people like you, the power and glory of this music shall surely endure!
I don't comment much on TH-cam but ... I'd never say Tales from Topographic Oceans is Yes' best album, but it's probably my favorite. I would've been thirteen or fourteen when it came out, and though I did hear chunks of it on the radio, I never really "got it" until I saw them live in 1975, the Relayer tour, which climaxed with side four of Tales -- The Ritual. And yeah, it was a proper climax. I was sold. The next day I bought the album. It was the beginning of summer and it quickly became my summer album of that year ... and many since. I get that it's too much for many people, that the whole notion of a four sided rock album comprised of only four songs, each pursuing a different aspect of a unified concept -- no less than the meaning of life itself (or something like that -- words ultimately fail but that's okay, we have the music). Anyway, I get that lots of folks just don't have the time or interest for all that. The real trouble, I suppose, comes with the middle two pieces (sides two and three of the original vinyl) -- The Remembering and The Ancient. Both are very challenging listening, the sound of a band whose previous album had been called Close to the Edge throwing themselves willfully over that edge. And beautifully, ecstatically, viscerally so. The Remembering is the more peaceful of the two (though it has its tough moments) and The Ancient the more violent (though it also has its sweet moments). And by the time they've played out, we really are a long way from home. Deep into a journey that only The Ritual could resolve. Which it does.
I think some people neglected to listen to what was here because Wakeman complained about the album , and then quit for a while . But thats just silly . Do fans avoid Crosby, Stills and Nash albums because they quarreled more often than they got along ?
The first studio album for drummer Alan White. White joined 10 days before the Close to the Edge tour when Bill Bruford quit to join King Crimson. White first appeared on the live album, Yessongs.
I read he had 3 days to practice before they went on tour. No clue how he learned all the music for the tour, let alone how he learned CttE in just 3 days, with no rehearsals. I still question if what I read was true.
Me Too. MSG NYC. A Year earlier, about 16yrs old, I discovered the GTR Genius of Howe. To watch him play for the first time was great for me. Almost 50 years later its even better. I tell him "Thanks" every chance I get.
Many YES fans love roundabout, seen all good people, 90125 etc. More easier listening YES, this is different and not for everyone one. Every time you listen to this song you will hear something new. It is a epic piece of art!! Just keep listening, the music should not die with the boomers. It needs to carry on.
@@karelvandervelden8819 hear hear! It was this song that got me hooked about 3 years ago. It took a few times before I really fell in love with it but it had something special and magical about the sound of this album!
@@MistinIndia Quality in art is timeless. I sometimes admire very old music or contemporary stuff. I think the sincerity of the makers of this piece make it convincing. It maybe a bit over the top and excentric but so was Strawinsky. (the rite of spring)
For me this is the quintessential progressive rock song. It moves seamlessly through so many themes. The musicianship is amazing as always with Rick Wakeman getting a greater share of the action and as you say it is almost entirely uplifting in feel, despite some of it seemingly looking back and chastising for losing the wonder of how good things can be it always holds out the potential for things to be good again. The vocals in the opening are outstanding. It is my personal favourite Yes song so it was a delight to listen with you over my breakfast.
I have never shared these songs with anyone. most folks just can not sit still this long, or hate the music because they do not understand it... I bought the Double LP Album when it came out... took a while to feel comfortable with it except this first song.
First time I saw Yes I was amazed at Jon's presence on stage . Turned to my wife at one point and said " he's an angel ". I am not that religious a guy , but , Jon's spirituality brings it out of you . If you are feeling the music . The lyrics can be confusing but not once you start feeling the music .IMHO
@@rickfuller5747 "Jon Anderson is the only person I know trying to save people on this planet, while living on another one" -- Rick Wakeman something like that : )
He's so angelic you could imagine him in glow. I saw him solo in small club in New York. They had tables not seats. Our table was against the stage right next to his wife. He had it. He sang to her and talked to her. It was an acoustic show. You left there feeling enlightened. He spoke a Lot to the audience and sang Yes and some of his solo music. Very intimate show...it was great.
I like about half of it. Saw Yes perform the whole damn thing at the Philly Spectrum on the tour for the double album and found much of it boring. Rick Wakeman didn't like it much either and was gone soon after the tour. I still consider myself a Yes fan as very few bands don't have a misstep now and again.
I’m not a Yes fan, but I remember discovering this album in my mid teens and being blown away by it. It still gives me goosebumps, so many discordant harmonies. I love it!
I consider myself a die-hard Yes fan, but somehow I missed this entire album 40 years ago! Thank you so much for reacting to this one! You have inspired me to take a deep dive into it! Beautiful reaction, Daniel! Probably the best 43 minutes of my day today! As I've said before your love of Yes inspires me and gives me hope for the future! 💜
Love the whole album! I learned a played the bass parts just for fun back in the day. I never get tired of listening to it! Just think of how much energy and inspiration went into this whole album! It's almost like a lifetime's work!
@@michaelmcneely9169 My second favorite is Awaken and then Heart of the Sunrise, but I love Roundabout and South Side of the Sky too. How do you feel about CttE?
@@Lightmane "Relayer" was actually one of my favorite yes albums, but I still didn't get "Tales". "Close to the Edge " was okay. I think my favorite overall was "Fragile". I didn't really like the later, poppier albums either.
This is one of the most esoteric works of Yes ... Anderson was exploring Buddhism and ancient Chinese philosophy, metaphysics, etc. It is a concept album and little commercial by Yes, but very difficult to understand and at the same time it is wonderful. Greetings from Argentina !
I might add here, If you want to hear what I consider the most insane guitar solo/drum, bass, electric part I have ever heard "Yours Is No Disgrace" from Yessongs still drops my jaw after all these years, and 100's of listens, it has never lost any of its potency.
BRAVE! Such a trip. Fantastic job, Daniel. I love the more lyrical parts/masterful arrangements and despise the overly-trippy ad-libbed syncopated parts, it's like a crash course in all things "Yes" in a single song.
Loved the album from the first listen. I know, it's not for everyone, but definitely for me. So many beautiful themes and hooks, and as you perfectly put it, pictures for the head. As for the album cover, the artist, Roger Dean swears it was not intentional but, when placed beside the cover of the follow up album, "Relayer," it seems to line up perfectly.
Another epic journey into magical musical mysticism with Yes :-) This whole double album is just 4 tracks long and man but you should see the stage set that Roger Dean designed for when they toured this! Can you imagine seeing this whole album performed live? Talk about epic! Another great reaction Daniel - already looking forward to the next one :-)
This is very much what I’ve been wanting to say about what I believe! A few happy tears of joy to go along with my morning, today! Thank you, kind sir.
I forgot to tell you one other very important thing about this album. The album cover is bigger than what you saw. It opens up, so you've got the front and back as one big pic and the inside as one big pic. Google it. There's fish too. Best album cover I've ever seen.
I was listening/watching to random “Godspell” videos when I hit refresh and this popped up. Can never resist a yes reaction. This is their most ambitious and vilified album. Still even mediocre yes is exceptional for anyone else.
Loved this initially just because you had the guts to even attempt this. I will comment more later. It is later now and all done. You have done amazingly well and are now part of a very unique group of people. As others have said not even all Yes fan like this piece of music. I am not sure whether to congratulate and welcome you to this group or give condolences. lol. Thank you so much Daniel. Please, please, please explore the live version of Ashes Are Burning from Carnegie Hall by Renaissance. Let me know if and when you are ready for this epic piece of music as well.
Annie's vocals at the end of that live performance still boggle my mind. Daniel, Stephanie and I became friends on Andy & Alex's channel. The way I was talking about YES, she swore we were related, lol
Very happy to see that Yes has reached a younger generation, and even happier that this young man has an appreciation for the positivity and spirituality that Yes invokes. Admittedly, Yes is an acquired taste, especially this album, but is by far my favorite Yes album.
I bought this album when it came out while I was visiting my grandparents in Dannebrog Nebraska from a store in Grand Island. I listened to it on their little record player and it was absolutely revalatory for me! It became a staple for me and, to this day, the opening sung note of this song serves as a pinpoint for my relative pitch since Jon's first note is A 440. The whole album is a journey worth taking.
The original release began with Jon's first words "Dawn of light..." instead of all the ocean sounds and stuff. This was my first Yes album and the one that got me totally hooked on them during the dawn of my obsession with prog. I think it's a musical masterpiece. And it's very gratifying to see you getting it and deriving so much from it.
Daniel, the look on your face as this piece of music played reminded me of me at 16 when I brought this album home and dropped the needle on the vinyl. I was a huge Yes fan before this album came out and had heard rumors of the follow-up to Close to the edge which itself was unbelievable and as I sat listening to The Revealing Science of God for the first time Jon Anderson's beautiful soaring voice and the music the band laid down behind his voice just mesmerized me. It became one of those musical experiences in life that lives in me and will live in me until I die. You have given me hope that young people like yourself have found that same feeling. Best review on this piece yet! Congrats.
If you like the keyboards and synthesizers on this you really should check out some of Rick Wakeman's solo albums like "The Six Wives of Henry VIII" and "Journey To the Centre of the Earth". Great channel by the way. Peace....Steve
One of my favorite albums ever, but I understand the hate - four songs on a double album is indulgent, and only one portion of one song got any rock radio airplay in 1973. There was no Roundabout-esque single. You had to be all-in with Yes to love this album, and I was and am.
Regarding yes music being positive (mostly, anyway), it’s right there is the band name. The positive affirmative particle. It’s ultimately one of the reasons they chose that name.
There's a reason they called themselves Yes! You hit the nail on the head with the observation that they are looking outward to the beauty of God's creation, as revealed through science. Everything was created by God, including our 'science'. It's just that He has made so much more for us to discover and our science can't keep up. I foresee a day when we finally realize that God is real and loves us, hopefully soon!
By the way...let’s see you be the very first to react to the masterpiece on this album, “Ritual- Nous Sommes Du Soliel” It’s such an amazing spiritual experience for me, that I have actually felt as if all the angels have enveloped me in love, by the end of it. I’d be very interested to see how it reaches YOUR soul, or not.
Hola , me encanto verte escuchar y gozar de esta bella musica de YES , y me gusta ver un joven de hoy 2022 emocionarse tal como yo en 1975 , aun los escucho y me emocionan , musica voces letras , un cumulo de belleza de musica que ya creo no se hara .....me da mucha energia y convencimiento que hubo un momento de la vida que existio gente talentosa que nos dio un sueño de años haciendo musica de gran nivel que involucra sentimientos , sueños , libertad , amor , comunidad . humanidad . Gracias a estos señores destacados y genios , estan en mi corazon .Te felicito por tener muy buen gusto .
Have no clue, I know Owner of a lonely heart, but surprise me! I recognize the voice of the singer, still had to look it up. Jon Anderson, who later collaborated with one the synthesizer geniuses Vangelis.
I would recommend checking All Good People or Roundabout to see their incredible progginess but also more conventional awesome song style. This one here is a bit of a deep dive (people told me that was the case for this whole album:)
Oh I am very sorry for you, You were exposed to an 80s pop band that wasn't intended to be YES, but Jon climbed onboard and they used the name. The REAL YES was at their absolute peak powers between 1971 and 1977. Most agree that the albums The Yes Album, Fragile, and Close to the Edge, are the holy trinity of their epic progressive rock phase. But this release has so much beauty in it that was often overlooked and RELAYER, their follow up after this was another cornerstone. More millenials must be exposed to YES, there is hope ,exuberance and innocence in their sound...the world REALLY needs this..
Love Vangelis and I love what Jon and Vangelis created. Wonderful music, for sure. Have you seen the yt video where Jon talks about the first time he met Vangelis? It's hilarious.
Great to see you get this on first listen. I did too at a similar age and couldn't understand why others couldn't. I know every note, nuance and word and never tire of it. Anderson took much of his musical inspiration from Sibelius, and this music has a very symphonic structure rather than a pop or rock foundation, although it draws on those instruments, rhythms and sounds. It was slated by some for daring to be so ambitious. Many critics at the time also hated that it explored explicitly religious/philosophical themes.They thought this has no place in rock and roll. Who says? It works for me. (P.s. I don't agree with all of Anderson's New Age views, especially those he now promotes, but I can still appreciate and enjoy a work of artistic genius).
Ok on a completely different genre of music Coven has a song from a 1970's movie Billy Jack. It is called One Tin Soldier Walked Away. It is very timely in it's message. I think you would like it
A few comments: :) This is an album after their huge lift with first "The Yes Album", then "Fragile" and at last "Close to the edge". These albums in a row are completely describing the evolution of symphonic rock, created by Yes. But from there, at the top of the genre created by them, they had to discover new paths. And that's what creative bands should do. First new experiment was "Tales from Topographic Oceans". It was a not kind of like "Yes-album" but a search for a new, even more complex, sound. Bill Bruford stopped being the drummer: music too tight without space. Alan White came in. Rick Wakeman didn't like this path of Yes: Patrick Moraz came in (album: Relayer. Also lots of criticism but again a development of Yes). If there is one band, trying to make music because of its beauty and trying it to bring on a higher or new level: YES!
Really enjoy how you analyze the lyrics, so insightful, and imaginative! I've been listening to this for 40+ years, and still do. Beautiful album. Boggles my mind that someone could compose something like Tales. Thanks for doing this.
Rick Wakeman was doing incredible solo albums during this time. I think you would adore Journey To The Center Of The Earth ( It was recorded live in concert). Also The Myths And Legends Of King Arthur And The Knights Of The Round Table. Like Days of Future Passed, these are best ad a whole album experience.
Just wait. The Remembering has always been my favorite, but Tales is all good! ❤️ Chris' harmonies stand out. Imagine how hard it had to be to sing harmony with Jon AND play bass like he does! Every member of the band is highlighted separately and together here. I love watching your joy as you listen! You're lucky to have the lyrics to b pull up. They were inside the album but in teeny tiny print, so hard to read. But so worth it! The themes intertwine and insert memory all through the piece.
Absolutely amazing, I haven't heard this for years and sounds even more incredible,, it's one of those tracks I can imagine being classed as a masterpiece in centuries to come.
わたしは日本人ながらYESを好きになり、その魅力に惹かれて毎日のようにYESを聴いてます。その中でもこのアルバムは特に好きなアルバムです。何回も何回も繰り返して聴いていますが、その全貌を掴みきれない、まさに海のように深いアルバムです。 この曲をリアクションしていただき、ありがとうございました！ Even though I'm Japanese, I've fallen in love with YES, and I listen to them almost every day because of their appeal. Among them, this album is one of my favorites. I've listened to it over and over again, but I can't get the full picture, it's truly an album as deep as the ocean. Thank you so much for reacting to this song!
I LOVE this album (s). Next up : The Remembering-High the Memory, is a very Favorite Personal Yes song of mine! I hope you enjoy it! It has, in my opinion, some of the Finest Singing and harmonies the band has ever done! The Revealing Science of God is an Epic Masterpiece. BTW: I think what he meant by "Rape the forests" was the previous line" getting over over-hanging trees" I think he means for the Trees to overtake (rape) the forests. I always wished he would have used "raid' instead of "rape". Some people may misinterpret that lyric as something darker and negative.
This is one of my most cherished songs. I was a casual YES fan when this came out, I was 15 yrs old. I would put on headphones and close my eyes to listen. On about the 5th time, I was familiar enough to know the entire song. I was transported to another beautiful world. I would tear up every time, the emotions from this song are somehow so powerful and beautiful and reassuring. Then YES became my favorite band. God/Nature reveals it's self. Love it! Glad to see this young man discover this incredible masterpiece.
33:08 "I feel like I could write a book just about those words and still not know what the hell I'm talking about" YES. That about sums it up quite nicely, I'd say.
The Revealing Science of God can be seen as an ever-opening flower in which simple truths emerge examining the complexities and magic of the past and how we should not forget the song that has been left to us to hear. The knowledge of God is a search, constant and clear. Dawn of light lying between a silence and sold sources, Chased amid fusions of wonder, in moments hardly seen forgotten, Coloured in pastures of chance dancing leaves cast spells of challenge, Amused but real in thought, we fled from the sea whole. Dawn of thought transfered through moments of days underseaarching earth Revelaing corridors of time provoking memories, disjointed but with purpose, Craving penetrations offer links with the self instructors sharp And tender love as we took to the air, a picture of distance. Dawn of our power we amuse redescending as fast as misused Expression, as only to teach love as to reveal passion chasing Late into corners, and we danced from the ocean. Dawn of love sent within us colours of awakening among the many Won't to follow, only tunes of a different age. As the links span our endless caresses for the freedom of life everlasting. Talk to the sunlight caller Soft summer mover distance mine. Called out a tune but I never saw the face Heard but not replaced I ventured to talk, but I never lost my place Cast out a spell rendered for the light of day Lost in lights array I ventured to see, as the sound began to play What happened to this song we once knew so well Signed promise for moments caught within the spell I must have waited all my life for this Moment moment The future poised with the splendour just begun The light we were as one And crowded through the curtains of liquid into sun And for a moment when our world had filled the skies Magic turned our eyes To feast on the treasure set for our strange device What happened to wonders we once knew so well Did we forget what happened surely we can tell We must have waited all our lives for this Moment moment moment Starlight, movement, reasons Release forward Tallest rainbow Sun shower seasons Life flower reasons They move fast, they tell me, But I just can't believe that I can feel it There's someone to tell you, Amid the challenge we look around in unison with you Getting over overhanging trees Let them rape the forest Thoughts would send our fusion Clearly to be home Getting over wars we do not mean Or so it seems so clearly Sheltered with our passion Clearly to be home They move fast, they tell me, But I just can't believe they really mean to There's someone, to tell you, And I just can't believe our song will leave you Skyline teacher Warland seeker Send out poison Cast iron leader And through the rhythm of moving slowly Sent through the rhythm work out the story Move over glory to sons of old fighters past. Young christians see if from the beginning Old people feel it, that's what they're saying. Move over glory to sons of old fighters past. They move fast, they tell me, But I just can't believe they really mean to. There's someone, to tell you Acourse towards a universal season. Getting over overhanging trees Let them rape the forest They might stand and leave them Clearly to be home Getting over wars we do not mean We charm the movement suffers Call out all our memories Clearly to be home We've moved fast We need love A part we offer is our only freedom What happened to this song we once knew so well Signed promise for moments caught within the spell We must have waited all our lives for this Moment moment Past present movers moments we'll process the future, but only through him we know send flowered rainbows Apiece apart chased flowers of the dark and lights of songs to follow and show all we feel for and know of Cast round You seekers of the truth accepting that reason will relive and breath and hope and chase and love For you and you and you.
Thank you for posting this. Are these the correct lyrics? Not sure if the ones Daniel used were correct or not. Just curious If these are correct, then Daniel might wanna pin this : )
Congratulations on undertaking this massive review. You have jumped into the deep end to not only listen to this work but also review and do an analysis on a first reaction. As a Yes fan I really got into this double album more than any other but it took time. At first I considered it inferior to Close to the Edge but later when it grew on me it became my favorite Yes work. A true masterpiece. So give it time and a chance to work it's magic it only gets better, better and better. I find more than any other Yes LP (or any other music) this music at various times comes back and plays in my head even if I have not heard it for over a year or two, then I pull it out and revisit the Topographic Oceans. I am sure the music critics in the 70s canned this work because they did not take the time and effort to listen to it, they wanted a 2 to 4 minute song. This song needs you to invest time and thinking and that is a the problem most people only want to invest a few minutes without thought. This song is way too deep for those types. Thank you for doing this. I really appreciate and enjoyed your reaction. I am sure there is no way anyone will ever make a work like this again.
Some of these pieces ramble and are padded out alot. Not as solid as Close to the Edge, but it is worth being patient to discover some treasures throughout that are pure beauty. The fourth and last epic RITUAL is astounding. But I have to admit, this first movement, " The Revealing Science.." everytime I hear it, I fall in love again...The 'glory to sons of old fighters past' section is so smoooth and so hip,
They Move Fast, They Tell Me, speaks of spiritual beings, that they need love, and that all each of us can do is offer up our own part in the drama. The Remembering ties into themes from this song, and is equally a Masterpiece, The Ancient will blow you away, and Ritual is also Great.
A great, different, mellow, perhaps ponderous composition by Jon and Steve. Just think of what was playing on the Radio when this came out. This was unlike anything at the time and it really freaked people out. But I love it.
I love what you said about Christianity being the closest to what your spirituality is aligned with. There was no pushing of your religious beliefs in that statement, which I find happens so frequently in many of today’s Christians. It’s such a turnoff when that happens, which is, from what I gather, against everything it’s supposed to stand for.I’m not a religious person, but I like to consider my beliefs to be firmly along the lines of spiritual purposes. Yin/yang, karma, our will vs. God’s will, nature and man’s consequences on it... however it can be defined, but it is absolutely evident there is a force greater than us working in our lives. I tend to view religion as groups that have become so much of man’s will, to the point of creating wars. How is that a good thing? People will always need something tangible and written to define their Gods. Which, while it can be can be great to read and hear of each definition of their Gods and how they came to fruition, can also breed blind trust to the point of zealousness. Whew. Sorry to get so esoteric here, but maybe hearing this beautiful music in my ears as I was writing it sent those words through my fingers to type this. See? There truly is a God and it is evident that God exists in the music we love so much. And in love we share in this way, and in gorgeous music like that of Yes. Thanks for this, Daniel...I got my shot of spirituality for the day! x
@@trammix thank you so much! I had forgotten that I even wrote this...it was good to re-read my own thoughts and get another needed shot of spirituality today! 🙏
Oh, how wonderful to see your reaction to this. I'm saddened notification for this never came, and I didn't see it until late. I'm going to have to pause it, and finish it tomorrow. Sweet dreams, all!
As an old man who’s been listening to YES since the beginning & it’s awesome that a young man like yourself truly getting it. Thank you your words are truly awesome it’s so great to hear a youngster like yourself really getting it, great job!!! YES IS BES!!!
I really enjoy your attempts at dissecting the Yes lyrics and like many (me included) kinda end up just going with the flow. The beauty is we can all make our own story up. As an aside, Steve Howe, is a great one for taking licks from one group/album into other works. Listen to Nether Street by Bodast and you'll see what I mean. Also at around 17.10 in your video there's a guitar lick that reappears in The Nature of the Sea from Beginnings his solo album. Have fun!
Thanks, Daniel, that's a fascinating reaction and it's interesting to get your take on the music. I especially love that you get the positivity of the music. The album is one of my highlights of the prog rock era but it unquestionably divided opinion among Yes fans. I loved it from first hearing and had similar reactions to you here. Some critics called the album "pretentious" but I don't think so. For me, what's wrong in massive scope of ambition, creativity, taking risks, breaking rules, doing something that had never been attempted previously? The different soundscapes certainly take you on a trip. Yes created something unique with this album. I personally don't believe that there's a weak point in the whole 1 hour 20 minutes of music. It's all gloriously beautiful. Best wishes from England.
I've been waiting for you to review Tales From Topographic Oceans. Thank you so much for listening to this. Watching someone discover something so wonderful, is just so satisfying. I love this album and hope you listen to the rest. It is so great.
Ha!!!!! You did it again !! That's my favorite Yes album! And yes there's something different and it's not the overpower of the keyboards ..it is Mr.Alan White on drums (new guy) Anyway bro keep on going. Cheers.
You describe perfectly to me, just what you are feeling. You Love them, so enjoy. The first time I heard this Album was 'Live' at Leicester 'De Montfort Hall', UK, in its entirety, 26th Nov' 1973. As a 17 year old. Imagine that. It was less than 2 weeks before it was officially released in Dec' '73. I remember reading in the Music Papers I used to have, ‘Sounds’ and the ‘NME’, they said it was a big gamble that ‘Yes’ were taking, playing the whole Album Live, as some of the earliest Shows on the ‘TFTO’ Tour were pre the Album coming out. So, as a 17 year old, there with my friends, standing right at the front, near the Stage, we were mesmerised, watching and listening, open mouthed in amazement, so close to our Musical Heroes. Almost within touching distance of Jon, Chris, Rick, Steve and Alan. It was mind blowing, scintillating to see. I’ll never forget that night. The Roger Dean style Images we all had on previous Album sleeves and the Posters all over my bedroom walls, had come to life, on Stage, before our eyes! And we were blown away at the performance and the musical sounds from ‘TFTO’! It was incredible. We were also lucky enough to get the whole of the ‘Close To The Edge’ Album too that night! With ‘Roundabout’ as a encore. What a Show that was! When I bought the ‘TFTO’ Album, just a couple of weeks later, I took it home and had a extra special smile on my face. Because, I knew what was coming! Incredible. And I’ve always Loved it. I still get goosebumps at the Opening Section of ‘The Revealing Science Of God’, as Jon’s voice comes in and the Music builds up to that amazing Crescendo! Fabulous. Awesome. Mind blowing! Just my own personal feelings. Like I said, enjoy. 🎶❤️🎶
This Song, Starship Trooper, Changes, Heart of The Sunrise and Ritual (Nous Sommes Du Soleil) are easily in my Top 5 of their impressive catalog. I'm glad you did this one
YOU ABSOLUTELY GET IT! I saw this LIVE and at the time there was nothing to compare this too accept Close to the edge or Prog pre 1973 so I was absolutely emotionally devastated by this incredibly passionate heartfelt experience of Existence put to record. It was truly a groundbreaking journey. But its a pleasure to see that you understand the essence of YES and appreciating RSOG is a wonderful step bc I cant understand how ANYONE WOULDNT BE BLOWN AWAY BY IT. Now I cant wait until you get to Sides 2 & 3. Then we'll see how much hardcore YES you can handle!. NOTE: If you haven't yet now it's time to listen to more from the roots of YES with Banks & Kaye off the 1st two albums
Just discovered your channel. I am almost 70 and Yes is and always will be my favourite band. It is so nice to see that young people are finding and appreciating them. Some Yes fans did think this album was pretentious and I do think it is a little self indulgent. Jon (Anderson) even said at the time that it was a passion project they did more for themselves than for fans. Doing it live meant that they had to eliminate a lot of their more popular pieces due to time constraints and hard core fans of their previous catalogue were not happy. They eventually only played the most popular side which is side 4, "Ritual". I saw them live 5 times over the years and continue to listen to them almost daily. If you haven't, I would recommend listening to "Relayer". I think it is their best album and the highlight is "Gate of Delirium" which segues into "Soon". Brilliant. Anyway thanks and I will continue to follow. Keep up the fantastic work.
I loved your breakdown of Jon's lyrics. That's probably the hardest part about reacting to Yes music and you did it as well as anyone I've ever seen. Also, that "different quality" you noticed about Tales comes from a few places: For starters, they took the same amount of ideas they would normally deliver in 9 minutes and pushed it out to 22 minutes. That expansiveness was in earlier songs like "And You And I", but in smaller boxes. Tales demands that you have patience, chill out and let the music wash over you. It takes longer to get to where it wants to go, but the rewards are usually worth it. Secondly, this was very much a project where Jon and Steve did the initial heavy lifting (Steve also contributes a lot of the key backing vocals, which is new.) The other band members contributed, but not at the same level as past albums. Chris in particular usually has a more important role in the music, whereas here he's content to be a support player (which bothers some.) You sort of expect that from Alan since this is his first album with Yes. And then there's Rick. It doesn't need to be repeated how unhappy Rick was with Tales, but he actually has more feature moments than Chris does IMO. Also, I'm not surprised this music hits you since you consider yourself a Christian. I would urge you to explore Jon's solo output for more in that area. As my sister -- who is a Christian -- puts it, Jon has always been a "seeker."
@@MikeCarvin Agreed. A magnum opus which many Yes fans found to be too long. Just not "Roundabout." But it needs more attention, like classical music. Makes me think of Beethoven, because of the dynamics, actually, but I get the Mahler idea.There wasn't any single from this one.
Sir, Just discovered your channel. Such a delight! Me at your age "...more of a story. An experience." Agreed. Kindred joy! Love your heartfelt analyses, emotions, and wonderment/respect for Jon's words. Here is to our shared discovery!
If you think Tales has mixed reviews, Tormato is almost universally panned. The shame of it is, there's a framework for great songs but construction and recording was really bad! Loss of Eddie Offord's production killed it. Onward, the Squire song left off of "Fish out of Water" is the highlight.
I'm just tearing up from nostalgia (and such well-written, well-performed piece). I'm only 30. But at your age, I felt that way, too. It is just .... brilliant.
Yeah, this band brings on the waterworks for me a lot. That's a huge reason they've been my favorite band for over three decades. No art form moves me like music, and no music moves me like Yes. Jon Anderson and Chris Squire will forever be the heart and soul of Yes.
This was my first album that I bought way back in 1974 and it started my love of their music and my admiration of Jon Anderson. Thank you for your ‘first reaction’ which I really enjoyed!
What ever the criticism by those who disregard Tales, it still surpassed most music produced during the year it came out. Or even since, IMO. Looking forward to your reactions for the other three 'movements'.
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"Tales" is an acquired taste, even for some YES fans but I think it is a masterpiece and listen to it often. It is great live.
My ex's brother purchased the album at a yard sale when he was 15 (1984) for $1. First time he listened to it, I asked him what he thought. "Relaxing. Meditative."
Yes, they absolutely nail it live.
I agree with you, Robert. It's full of very beautiful music.
I like this album much more now than I did back in the seventies.
It takes a little effort getting into it, but once you're there you get completely lost in it.
Yes, are a cerebral group of musicians. They are smart, and bright, and extremely creative. They're not pretentious.
Those who think it pretentious and bloated are simply impatient and unwilling to invest in spending time really listening. If they prefer 1min 30secs of the Ramones then that is their prerogative but that’s all they get 1 min 30 secs, I love this and therefore can float away in bliss for 20 mins they would have to listen to the Ramones on repeat 13 times to get the same effect which really would be boring.
And no drunken druggies
tnhare a progrisive rock band lol cearbal wtf
@@michaelhogan6770 LOL. Yes? Plenty of back stage spliffs with the guys, except Wakeman who was an alcoholic and disapproved of weed.
Tales From Topographic Oceans is my favorite album of all time!!!
Well said, Scot
YES- is exploring the human being of who we are and where we came from, YES takes us out into the universe to be opened minded, we are not from this world. YES is a trip. I LOVE YES!
You are 100% correct!
Most rock bands just wrote rock songs. YES wrote amazing complex pieces of music that explore life and the human condition. Love your comment. Spot on.
Was about to comment, but you said it all !
Steve Howe thinks he did some of his finest guitar work on this album. Daniel, Yes takes your soul on many wonderful places! Has for me since ‘75, when I was your age.
So happy to see you get so much happiness out of this song !!! Music is a personal choice; you love what you love ! Carry on happily, my friend, on your journey through some really great tunes ! ✌❤🌻😷🎶
Yea. THE song I’ve wanted you to dive into, but dare not ask. Here we go.
Here we go!:)
This song seems to continue a theme in Jon's work that there was a time that we were more in tune with the spiritual, that "God" was revealed to us and we knew Him. And then we fell away, and forgot the song, forgot the wonders. But we are all waiting for the moment when we remember (the second track on the album).
This song to me has always embodied the sense of revelation/enlightenment coming in the form of a slowly opening flower (as opposed to Satori - sudden enlightenment). To me that's why this song has slow passages, faster sections, tension, build-up and then just amazingly beautiful passages; as we learn, and consider, and observe, the universe opens to us and we begin to see and comprehend. It's a process, and not a quick one.
I used to sit and mediate to these four songs, they're really good for contemplation.
You've got the right mind-set and appreciation for what they are doing. Very cool to see in another generation.
The “ever-opening flower” referred to in Parallels.
Cool - the remastered version with the long lead in.
Over 500,000 preorders for this album before its release. The more you listen to this, the better it gets. YES. A positive word, very positive band.
This is my favorite album of all time. But you know what, I would not have said that 5 years ago. "Going For The One" was my longstanding favorite Yes album for close to three decades and "Tales From Topographic Oceans" would not have even been in my top 10. Something clicked, though, a few years ago and I realized that I had fallen in love with everything about this album hard, even though I had been listening to it for close to four decades already. The cover, the music, the lyrics, the whole story - it's a thing of beauty. Part of the glory of Yes music is that is just grows and blossoms over time.
Loved your reaction. Just wait until you get to "Ritual". Enjoy the journey.
Yeah Tales is some of the greatest “creeper” ever. Makes me feel bad for the people that gave up on it after one hearing. Or two. Or ten, hundred. Thousand.
I never gave up on Tales and all it’s done is give me some great, great music to last a lifetime.
We now return to our regularly scheduled programming...Epic, epic, epic. Beautiful shirt, beautiful analysis, legendary group and song. THIS music is the soul of your channel. Thanks, my man Daniel.
You win TH-cam today!
Part two: "The Remembering," was my roommate's favourite movement. Part three, "The Ancient,(reminds me of H.P. Lovecraft), the strangest, and hard to listen to, with a great classical guitar conclusion. Side four, "Ritual," was the most popular, and they played this part often in concert. I saw them play the whole thing in February, 1974, in Madison Square Garden, New York City.
I'm a 62 year old throwback stuck somewhere between 1973 - 1975. Since this album was released, it was, and remains, my all-time favorite, and in particular, "Dance of the Dawn". Each and every time listen to it, it a very moving experience. I'm am so blessed this album is also a favorite of my twin sons (themselves quite accomplished musician). Thank you, young man! Through people like you, the power and glory of this music shall surely endure!
I don't comment much on TH-cam but ...
I'd never say Tales from Topographic Oceans is Yes' best album, but it's probably my favorite. I would've been thirteen or fourteen when it came out, and though I did hear chunks of it on the radio, I never really "got it" until I saw them live in 1975, the Relayer tour, which climaxed with side four of Tales -- The Ritual. And yeah, it was a proper climax. I was sold.
The next day I bought the album. It was the beginning of summer and it quickly became my summer album of that year ... and many since. I get that it's too much for many people, that the whole notion of a four sided rock album comprised of only four songs, each pursuing a different aspect of a unified concept -- no less than the meaning of life itself (or something like that -- words ultimately fail but that's okay, we have the music). Anyway, I get that lots of folks just don't have the time or interest for all that.
The real trouble, I suppose, comes with the middle two pieces (sides two and three of the original vinyl) -- The Remembering and The Ancient. Both are very challenging listening, the sound of a band whose previous album had been called Close to the Edge throwing themselves willfully over that edge. And beautifully, ecstatically, viscerally so. The Remembering is the more peaceful of the two (though it has its tough moments) and The Ancient the more violent (though it also has its sweet moments). And by the time they've played out, we really are a long way from home. Deep into a journey that only The Ritual could resolve.
Which it does.
I love this story!❤
when someone calls music pretensious, it means it is outside of their comfort zone, and they are uncomfortable challenging themselves
I think some people neglected to listen to what was here because Wakeman complained about the album , and then quit for a while . But thats just silly . Do fans avoid Crosby, Stills and Nash albums because they quarreled more often than they got along ?
The first studio album for drummer Alan White. White joined 10 days before the Close to the Edge tour when Bill Bruford quit to join King Crimson. White first appeared on the live album, Yessongs.
I read he had 3 days to practice before they went on tour. No clue how he learned all the music for the tour, let alone how he learned CttE in just 3 days, with no rehearsals. I still question if what I read was true.
My guess would be he didn’t audition on a whim, and crammed/practiced 24/7.
i saw this tour. they played this full album, then the whole close to the edge album. encored with roundabout
I saw that show in Pittsburgh. 3 hours. Took me a week to come down.
Me Too. MSG NYC. A Year earlier, about 16yrs old, I discovered the GTR Genius of Howe. To watch him play for the first time was great for me. Almost 50 years later its even better. I tell him "Thanks" every chance I get.
Many YES fans love roundabout, seen all good people, 90125 etc. More easier listening YES, this is different and not for everyone one. Every time you listen to this song you will hear something new. It is a epic piece of art!! Just keep listening, the music should not die with the boomers. It needs to carry on.
It will
@@karelvandervelden8819 hear hear! It was this song that got me hooked about 3 years ago. It took a few times before I really fell in love with it but it had something special and magical about the sound of this album!
@@MistinIndia Quality in art is timeless. I sometimes admire very old music or contemporary stuff. I think the sincerity of the makers of this piece make it convincing.
It maybe a bit over the top and excentric but so was Strawinsky. (the rite of spring)
For me this is the quintessential progressive rock song. It moves seamlessly through so many themes. The musicianship is amazing as always with Rick Wakeman getting a greater share of the action and as you say it is almost entirely uplifting in feel, despite some of it seemingly looking back and chastising for losing the wonder of how good things can be it always holds out the potential for things to be good again. The vocals in the opening are outstanding. It is my personal favourite Yes song so it was a delight to listen with you over my breakfast.
I have never shared these songs with anyone. most folks just can not sit still this long, or hate the music because they do not understand it... I bought the Double LP Album when it came out... took a while to feel comfortable with it except this first song.
It's an amazing composition for 5 musicians
Seeing them do this live is a "Spiritual Experience" Jon just is the embodiment of peace and love... It just flows from him.
🌹🌹Masterpiece🌹🌹
Yes, Jon is a very special man.
First time I saw Yes I was amazed at Jon's presence on stage . Turned to my wife at one point and said " he's an angel ". I am not that religious a guy , but , Jon's spirituality brings it out of you . If you are feeling the music . The lyrics can be confusing but not once you start feeling the music .IMHO
@@rickfuller5747 "Jon Anderson is the only person I know trying to save people on this planet, while living on another one"
-- Rick Wakeman
something like that : )
@@rickfuller5747 So true
He's so angelic you could imagine him in glow. I saw him solo in small club in New York. They had tables not seats. Our table was against the stage right next to his wife. He had it. He sang to her and talked to her. It was an acoustic show. You left there feeling enlightened. He spoke a Lot to the audience and sang Yes and some of his solo music. Very intimate show...it was great.
Great to see you reviewing such amazing and timeless music. Not easy thing to do, 20 minutes long and lots of things going on. Good job amigo!!
ONLY Yes fans like this album. Joyfully. It’s just a tale. And this reaction was 42 minutes of love for you and you and you and you.....
Ahhh..I see what ya did 🍻..u seeker of the truth,you hahaha
I like about half of it. Saw Yes perform the whole damn thing at the Philly Spectrum on the tour for the double album and found much of it boring. Rick Wakeman didn't like it much either and was gone soon after the tour. I still
consider myself a Yes fan as very few bands don't have a misstep now and again.
I’m not a Yes fan, but I remember discovering this album in my mid teens and being blown away by it. It still gives me goosebumps, so many discordant harmonies. I love it!
Not all yes fans like this album . I like every thing from drama and before.
I consider myself a die-hard Yes fan, but somehow I missed this entire album 40 years ago! Thank you so much for reacting to this one! You have inspired me to take a deep dive into it!
Beautiful reaction, Daniel! Probably the best 43 minutes of my day today! As I've said before your love of Yes inspires me and gives me hope for the future! 💜
Love the whole album! I learned a played the bass parts just for fun back in the day. I never get tired of listening to it!
Just think of how much energy and inspiration went into this whole album! It's almost like a lifetime's work!
The people who don't like this think Owner of a Broken Heart is Yes's best song. That's the truth.
Close to the Edge is my favorite. How about you?
Actually, Roundabout. My second choice would be Sound Chaser or South Side of the Sky.
@@michaelmcneely9169 My second favorite is Awaken and then Heart of the Sunrise, but I love Roundabout and South Side of the Sky too. How do you feel about CttE?
@@Lightmane "Relayer" was actually one of my favorite yes albums, but I still didn't get "Tales". "Close to the Edge " was okay. I think my favorite overall was "Fragile". I didn't really like the later, poppier albums either.
@@michaelmcneely9169 CttE is Close to the Edge. You just referred to what is considered by many to be the greatest Prog Rock album as ok. Yikes.
This is one of the most esoteric works of Yes ... Anderson was exploring Buddhism and ancient Chinese philosophy, metaphysics, etc.
It is a concept album and little commercial by Yes, but very difficult to understand and at the same time it is wonderful.
Greetings from Argentina !
I might add here, If you want to hear what I consider the most insane guitar solo/drum, bass, electric part I have ever heard "Yours Is No Disgrace" from Yessongs still drops my jaw
after all these years, and 100's of listens, it has never lost any of its potency.
BRAVE! Such a trip. Fantastic job, Daniel. I love the more lyrical parts/masterful arrangements and despise the overly-trippy ad-libbed syncopated parts, it's like a crash course in all things "Yes" in a single song.
Loved the album from the first listen. I know, it's not for everyone, but definitely for me. So many beautiful themes and hooks, and as you perfectly put it, pictures for the head. As for the album cover, the artist, Roger Dean swears it was not intentional but, when placed beside the cover of the follow up album, "Relayer," it seems to line up perfectly.
Another epic journey into magical musical mysticism with Yes :-) This whole double album is just 4 tracks long and man but you should see the stage set that Roger Dean designed for when they toured this! Can you imagine seeing this whole album performed live? Talk about epic! Another great reaction Daniel - already looking forward to the next one :-)
This is very much what I’ve been wanting to say about what I believe! A few happy tears of joy to go along with my morning, today! Thank you, kind sir.
I forgot to tell you one other very important thing about this album. The album cover is bigger than what you saw. It opens up, so you've got the front and back as one big pic and the inside as one big pic. Google it. There's fish too. Best album cover I've ever seen.
I was listening/watching to random “Godspell” videos when I hit refresh and this popped up. Can never resist a yes reaction. This is their most ambitious and vilified album. Still even mediocre yes is exceptional for anyone else.
Now that puts it in proper context ! AGREE
Loved this initially just because you had the guts to even attempt this. I will comment more later. It is later now and all done. You have done amazingly well and are now part of a very unique group of people. As others have said not even all Yes fan like this piece of music. I am not sure whether to congratulate and welcome you to this group or give condolences. lol. Thank you so much Daniel. Please, please, please explore the live version of Ashes Are Burning from Carnegie Hall by Renaissance. Let me know if and when you are ready for this epic piece of music as well.
Annie's vocals at the end of that live performance still boggle my mind.
Daniel, Stephanie and I became friends on Andy & Alex's channel. The way I was talking about YES, she swore we were related, lol
Daniel here is the link to the song I requested. Strap yourself in to your chair young man. th-cam.com/video/BG5VgmSuzPU/w-d-xo.html
Very happy to see that Yes has reached a younger generation, and even happier that this young man has an appreciation for the positivity and spirituality that Yes invokes. Admittedly, Yes is an acquired taste, especially this album, but is by far my favorite Yes album.
I bought this album when it came out while I was visiting my grandparents in Dannebrog Nebraska from a store in Grand Island. I listened to it on their little record player and it was absolutely revalatory for me! It became a staple for me and, to this day, the opening sung note of this song serves as a pinpoint for my relative pitch since Jon's first note is A 440. The whole album is a journey worth taking.
The original release began with Jon's first words "Dawn of light..." instead of all the ocean sounds and stuff. This was my first Yes album and the one that got me totally hooked on them during the dawn of my obsession with prog. I think it's a musical masterpiece. And it's very gratifying to see you getting it and deriving so much from it.
Daniel, the look on your face as this piece of music played reminded me of me at 16 when I brought this album home and dropped the needle on the vinyl. I was a huge Yes fan before this album came out and had heard rumors of the follow-up to Close to the edge which itself was unbelievable and as I sat listening to The Revealing Science of God for the first time Jon Anderson's beautiful soaring voice and the music the band laid down behind his voice just mesmerized me. It became one of those musical experiences in life that lives in me and will live in me until I die. You have given me hope that young people like yourself have found that same feeling. Best review on this piece yet! Congrats.
To me, the best period of Yes, and their best album. This song is surreal.
🎶 What happened to wonders we once knew so well.
It's better live. Keys to Ascension is my choice.
If you like the keyboards and synthesizers on this you really should check out some of Rick Wakeman's solo albums like "The Six Wives of Henry VIII" and "Journey To the Centre of the Earth". Great channel by the way. Peace....Steve
Daniel ! you are the first person in all youtube that reacts to this song of YES! all over the world ! Did you know ?
I did not, that's exciting:)
Justjp will review Tales when he, Justin, reaches 13k Subscribers. At 15k he reviews Genesis' Lamb.
That's amazing! I've never had to nerve to ask anyone to do it, this was such a treat.
others have done the whole album before
Well, no. Tre Narcisse did a TH-cam reaction to Side 1, but I gather it was deleted in their purge.
One of my favorite albums ever, but I understand the hate - four songs on a double album is indulgent, and only one portion of one song got any rock radio airplay in 1973. There was no Roundabout-esque single. You had to be all-in with Yes to love this album, and I was and am.
Regarding yes music being positive (mostly, anyway), it’s right there is the band name. The positive affirmative particle. It’s ultimately one of the reasons they chose that name.
Took me a few years to get it! Love it now. Can't wait for the rest of it.
There's a reason they called themselves Yes! You hit the nail on the head with the observation that they are looking outward to the beauty of God's creation, as revealed through science. Everything was created by God, including our 'science'. It's just that He has made so much more for us to discover and our science can't keep up. I foresee a day when we finally realize that God is real and loves us, hopefully soon!
You are addicted to Yes, and can never go back.
By the way...let’s see you be the very first to react to the masterpiece on this album, “Ritual- Nous Sommes Du Soliel” It’s such an amazing spiritual experience for me, that I have actually felt as if all the angels have enveloped me in love, by the end of it. I’d be very interested to see how it reaches YOUR soul, or not.
Hola , me encanto verte escuchar y gozar de esta bella musica de YES , y me gusta ver un joven de hoy 2022 emocionarse tal como yo en 1975 , aun los escucho y me emocionan , musica voces letras , un cumulo de belleza de musica que ya creo no se hara .....me da mucha energia y convencimiento que hubo un momento de la vida que existio gente talentosa que nos dio un sueño de años haciendo musica de gran nivel que involucra sentimientos , sueños , libertad , amor , comunidad . humanidad . Gracias a estos señores destacados y genios , estan en mi corazon .Te felicito por tener muy buen gusto .
Amazing reaction, there are three more corners to this masterpiece, the last track is undescribable, pure genius.
Have no clue, I know Owner of a lonely heart, but surprise me! I recognize the voice of the singer, still had to look it up. Jon Anderson, who later collaborated with one the synthesizer geniuses Vangelis.
I would recommend checking All Good People or Roundabout to see their incredible progginess but also more conventional awesome song style. This one here is a bit of a deep dive (people told me that was the case for this whole album:)
@@DiconDissectionalReactions I will. Thanks man, I really do watch what you suggest. 👍
@@ateszonnebeld1069 I appreciate it, thank you for all your kind words over the past while:)
Oh I am very sorry for you, You were exposed to an 80s pop band that wasn't intended to be YES, but Jon climbed onboard and they used the name.
The REAL YES was at their absolute peak powers between 1971 and 1977. Most agree that the albums The Yes Album, Fragile, and Close to the Edge, are the holy trinity of their epic progressive rock phase. But this release has so much beauty in it that was often overlooked and RELAYER, their follow up after this was another cornerstone. More millenials must be exposed to YES, there is hope ,exuberance and innocence in their sound...the world REALLY needs this..
Love Vangelis and I love what Jon and Vangelis created. Wonderful music, for sure. Have you seen the yt video where Jon talks about the first time he met Vangelis? It's hilarious.
Great to see you get this on first listen. I did too at a similar age and couldn't understand why others couldn't. I know every note, nuance and word and never tire of it. Anderson took much of his musical inspiration from Sibelius, and this music has a very symphonic structure rather than a pop or rock foundation, although it draws on those instruments, rhythms and sounds. It was slated by some for daring to be so ambitious. Many critics at the time also hated that it explored explicitly religious/philosophical themes.They thought this has no place in rock and roll. Who says? It works for me. (P.s. I don't agree with all of Anderson's New Age views, especially those he now promotes, but I can still appreciate and enjoy a work of artistic genius).
Ok on a completely different genre of music Coven has a song from a 1970's movie Billy Jack. It is called One Tin Soldier Walked Away. It is very timely in it's message. I think you would like it
This music was too advanced for many of their fans. I was as old as you when it came out
and was astonished how pop music of this style evolved.
This is a great album, and your insights are spot on!
A few comments: :)
This is an album after their huge lift with first "The Yes Album", then "Fragile" and at last "Close to the edge". These albums in a row are completely describing the evolution of symphonic rock, created by Yes. But from there, at the top of the genre created by them, they had to discover new paths. And that's what creative bands should do. First new experiment was "Tales from Topographic Oceans". It was a not kind of like "Yes-album" but a search for a new, even more complex, sound. Bill Bruford stopped being the drummer: music too tight without space. Alan White came in. Rick Wakeman didn't like this path of Yes: Patrick Moraz came in (album: Relayer. Also lots of criticism but again a development of Yes).
If there is one band, trying to make music because of its beauty and trying it to bring on a higher or new level: YES!
Thank you for doing this... I'm looking forward to the other three.
Really enjoy how you analyze the lyrics, so insightful, and imaginative! I've been listening to this for 40+ years, and still do. Beautiful album. Boggles my mind that someone could compose something like Tales. Thanks for doing this.
Rick Wakeman was doing incredible solo albums during this time.
I think you would adore Journey To The Center Of The Earth ( It was recorded live in concert).
Also The Myths And Legends Of King Arthur And The Knights Of The Round Table.
Like Days of Future Passed, these are best ad a whole album experience.
Just wait. The Remembering has always been my favorite, but Tales is all good! ❤️ Chris' harmonies stand out. Imagine how hard it had to be to sing harmony with Jon AND play bass like he does! Every member of the band is highlighted separately and together here. I love watching your joy as you listen! You're lucky to have the lyrics to b pull up. They were inside the album but in teeny tiny print, so hard to read. But so worth it! The themes intertwine and insert memory all through the piece.
Absolutely amazing, I haven't heard this for years and sounds even more incredible,, it's one of those tracks I can imagine being classed as a masterpiece in centuries to come.
わたしは日本人ながらYESを好きになり、その魅力に惹かれて毎日のようにYESを聴いてます。その中でもこのアルバムは特に好きなアルバムです。何回も何回も繰り返して聴いていますが、その全貌を掴みきれない、まさに海のように深いアルバムです。
この曲をリアクションしていただき、ありがとうございました！
Even though I'm Japanese, I've fallen in love with YES, and I listen to them almost every day because of their appeal. Among them, this album is one of my favorites. I've listened to it over and over again, but I can't get the full picture, it's truly an album as deep as the ocean.
Thank you so much for reacting to this song!
I LOVE this album (s). Next up : The Remembering-High the Memory, is a very Favorite Personal Yes song of mine! I hope you enjoy it! It has, in my opinion, some of the Finest Singing and harmonies the band has ever done! The Revealing Science of God is an Epic Masterpiece. BTW: I think what he meant by "Rape the forests" was the previous line" getting over over-hanging trees" I think he means for the Trees to overtake (rape) the forests. I always wished he would have used "raid' instead of "rape". Some people may misinterpret that lyric as something darker and negative.
hi, what is the spiritual meaning of "let them rape the forest"?
This is one of my most cherished songs. I was a casual YES fan when this came out, I was 15 yrs old. I would put on headphones and close my eyes to listen. On about the 5th time, I was familiar enough to know the entire song. I was transported to another beautiful world. I would tear up every time, the emotions from this song are somehow so powerful and beautiful and reassuring. Then YES became my favorite band. God/Nature reveals it's self. Love it! Glad to see this young man discover this incredible masterpiece.
33:08 "I feel like I could write a book just about those words and still not know what the hell I'm talking about"
YES. That about sums it up quite nicely, I'd say.
The Revealing Science of God can be seen as an ever-opening
flower in which simple truths emerge examining the complexities and
magic of the past and how we should not forget the song that has
been left to us to hear. The knowledge of God is a search, constant
and clear.
Dawn of light lying between a silence and sold sources,
Chased amid fusions of wonder, in moments hardly seen forgotten,
Coloured in pastures of chance dancing leaves cast spells of challenge,
Amused but real in thought, we fled from the sea whole.
Dawn of thought transfered through moments of days underseaarching earth
Revelaing corridors of time provoking memories, disjointed but with purpose,
Craving penetrations offer links with the self instructors sharp
And tender love as we took to the air, a picture of distance.
Dawn of our power we amuse redescending as fast as misused
Expression, as only to teach love as to reveal passion chasing
Late into corners, and we danced from the ocean.
Dawn of love sent within us colours of awakening among the many
Won't to follow, only tunes of a different age.
As the links span our endless caresses for the freedom of life everlasting.
Talk to the sunlight caller
Soft summer mover distance mine.
Called out a tune but I never saw the face
Heard but not replaced
I ventured to talk, but I never lost my place
Cast out a spell rendered for the light of day
Lost in lights array
I ventured to see, as the sound began to play
What happened to this song we once knew so well
Signed promise for moments caught within the spell
I must have waited all my life for this
Moment moment
The future poised with the splendour just begun
The light we were as one
And crowded through the curtains of liquid into sun
And for a moment when our world had filled the skies
Magic turned our eyes
To feast on the treasure set for our strange device
What happened to wonders we once knew so well
Did we forget what happened surely we can tell
We must have waited all our lives for this
Moment moment moment
Starlight, movement, reasons
Release forward
Tallest rainbow
Sun shower seasons
Life flower reasons
They move fast, they tell me,
But I just can't believe that I can feel it
There's someone to tell you,
Amid the challenge we look around in unison with you
Getting over overhanging trees
Let them rape the forest
Thoughts would send our fusion
Clearly to be home
Getting over wars we do not mean
Or so it seems so clearly
Sheltered with our passion
Clearly to be home
They move fast, they tell me,
But I just can't believe they really mean to
There's someone, to tell you,
And I just can't believe our song will leave you
Skyline teacher
Warland seeker
Send out poison
Cast iron leader
And through the rhythm of moving slowly
Sent through the rhythm work out the story
Move over glory to sons of old fighters past.
Young christians see if from the beginning
Old people feel it, that's what they're saying.
Move over glory to sons of old fighters past.
They move fast, they tell me,
But I just can't believe they really mean to.
There's someone, to tell you
Acourse towards a universal season.
Getting over overhanging trees
Let them rape the forest
They might stand and leave them
Clearly to be home
Getting over wars we do not mean
We charm the movement suffers
Call out all our memories
Clearly to be home
We've moved fast
We need love
A part we offer is our only freedom
What happened to this song we once knew so well
Signed promise for moments caught within the spell
We must have waited all our lives for this
Moment moment
Past present movers moments we'll process the future, but only
through him we know send flowered rainbows
Apiece apart chased flowers of the dark and lights of songs to
follow and show all we feel for and know of
Cast round
You seekers of the truth accepting that reason will relive and
breath and hope and chase and love
For you and you and you.
Thank you for posting this. Are these the correct lyrics? Not sure if the ones Daniel used were correct or not. Just curious
If these are correct, then Daniel might wanna pin this : )
Congratulations on undertaking this massive review. You have jumped into the deep end to not only listen to this work but also review and do an analysis on a first reaction. As a Yes fan I really got into this double album more than any other but it took time. At first I considered it inferior to Close to the Edge but later when it grew on me it became my favorite Yes work. A true masterpiece. So give it time and a chance to work it's magic it only gets better, better and better. I find more than any other Yes LP (or any other music) this music at various times comes back and plays in my head even if I have not heard it for over a year or two, then I pull it out and revisit the Topographic Oceans. I am sure the music critics in the 70s canned this work because they did not take the time and effort to listen to it, they wanted a 2 to 4 minute song. This song needs you to invest time and thinking and that is a the problem most people only want to invest a few minutes without thought. This song is way too deep for those types. Thank you for doing this. I really appreciate and enjoyed your reaction. I am sure there is no way anyone will ever make a work like this again.
I was luck to listen to the best yes as they were released!
Some of these pieces ramble and are padded out alot. Not as solid as Close to the Edge, but it is worth being patient to discover some treasures throughout that are pure beauty. The fourth and last epic RITUAL is astounding. But I have to admit, this first movement, " The Revealing Science.." everytime I hear it, I fall in love again...The 'glory to sons of old fighters past' section is so smoooth and so hip,
They Move Fast, They Tell Me, speaks of spiritual beings, that they need love, and that all each of us can do is offer up our own part in the drama. The Remembering ties into themes
from this song, and is equally a Masterpiece, The Ancient will blow you away, and Ritual is also Great.
A great, different, mellow, perhaps ponderous composition by Jon and Steve.
Just think of what was playing on the Radio when this came out.
This was unlike anything at the time and it really freaked people out.
But I love it.
I can't wait to see you react to the rest of this Album! I suspect you'll enjoy it a lot
I love what you said about Christianity being the closest to what your spirituality is aligned with. There was no pushing of your religious beliefs in that statement, which I find happens so frequently in many of today’s Christians. It’s such a turnoff when that happens, which is, from what I gather, against everything it’s supposed to stand for.I’m not a religious person, but I like to consider my beliefs to be firmly along the lines of spiritual purposes. Yin/yang, karma, our will vs. God’s will, nature and man’s consequences on it... however it can be defined, but it is absolutely evident there is a force greater than us working in our lives. I tend to view religion as groups that have become so much of man’s will, to the point of creating wars. How is that a good thing? People will always need something tangible and written to define their Gods. Which, while it can be can be great to read and hear of each definition of their Gods and how they came to fruition, can also breed blind trust to the point of zealousness. Whew. Sorry to get so esoteric here, but maybe hearing this beautiful music in my ears as I was writing it sent those words through my fingers to type this. See? There truly is a God and it is evident that God exists in the music we love so much. And in love we share in this way, and in gorgeous music like that of Yes. Thanks for this, Daniel...I got my shot of spirituality for the day! x
Very well said.
@@trammix thank you so much! I had forgotten that I even wrote this...it was good to re-read my own thoughts and get another needed shot of spirituality today! 🙏
Yes moves you with the music while painting a masterpiece. From warmth to chaos to beautiful pictures of bliss
WHOA! I didn't see this one coming. Guess I know what I'll be doing for the next 43 minutes : )
Another one is coming tonight I think you'll like Lightmane:)
@@DiconDissectionalReactions are you trying to pass JustJP and Andy & Alex as my favorite reaction channel? : )
@@Lightmane I mean... Your favorites are your own:) But if I can, then why not? Heheh...
@@Lightmane He passed them for me a long time ago...
@@daveking9393 I like all 3 of them for different reasons
Oh, how wonderful to see your reaction to this.
I'm saddened notification for this never came, and I didn't see it until late. I'm going to have to pause it, and finish it tomorrow.
Sweet dreams, all!
As an old man who’s been listening to YES since the beginning & it’s awesome that a young man like yourself truly getting it. Thank you your words are truly awesome it’s so great to hear a youngster like yourself really getting it, great job!!! YES IS BES!!!
I really enjoy your attempts at dissecting the Yes lyrics and like many (me included) kinda end up just going with the flow. The beauty is we can all make our own story up.
As an aside, Steve Howe, is a great one for taking licks from one group/album into other works. Listen to Nether Street by Bodast and you'll see what I mean. Also at around 17.10 in your video there's a guitar lick that reappears in The Nature of the Sea from Beginnings his solo album.
Have fun!
I bought this album on the day it came out. It still sounds great.
Can't wait for your reaction to the rest of Topographic Oceans
Thanks, Daniel, that's a fascinating reaction and it's interesting to get your take on the music. I especially love that you get the positivity of the music. The album is one of my highlights of the prog rock era but it unquestionably divided opinion among Yes fans. I loved it from first hearing and had similar reactions to you here. Some critics called the album "pretentious" but I don't think so. For me, what's wrong in massive scope of ambition, creativity, taking risks, breaking rules, doing something that had never been attempted previously? The different soundscapes certainly take you on a trip. Yes created something unique with this album. I personally don't believe that there's a weak point in the whole 1 hour 20 minutes of music. It's all gloriously beautiful.
Best wishes from England.
I've been waiting for you to review Tales From Topographic Oceans. Thank you so much for listening to this. Watching someone discover something so wonderful, is just so satisfying. I love this album and hope you listen to the rest. It is so great.
This album is often referred to as the bellwether of progressive rock. This influenced Dream Theater, Rush and Metallica among many others.
Ha!!!!!
You did it again !! That's my favorite Yes album!
And yes there's something different and it's not the overpower of the keyboards ..it is Mr.Alan White on drums (new guy)
Anyway bro keep on going.
Cheers.
You describe perfectly to me, just what you are feeling. You Love them, so enjoy.
The first time I heard this Album was 'Live' at Leicester 'De Montfort Hall', UK, in its entirety, 26th Nov' 1973. As a 17 year old. Imagine that.
It was less than 2 weeks before it was officially released in Dec' '73.
I remember reading in the Music Papers I used to have, ‘Sounds’ and the ‘NME’, they said it was a big gamble that ‘Yes’ were taking, playing the whole Album Live, as some of the earliest Shows on the ‘TFTO’ Tour were pre the Album coming out.
So, as a 17 year old, there with my friends, standing right at the front, near the Stage, we were mesmerised, watching and listening, open mouthed in amazement, so close to our Musical Heroes. Almost within touching distance of Jon, Chris, Rick, Steve and Alan.
It was mind blowing, scintillating to see. I’ll never forget that night.
The Roger Dean style Images we all had on previous Album sleeves and the Posters all over my bedroom walls, had come to life, on Stage, before our eyes! And we were blown away at the performance and the musical sounds from ‘TFTO’!
It was incredible. We were also lucky enough to get the whole of the ‘Close To The Edge’ Album too that night! With ‘Roundabout’ as a encore.
What a Show that was! When I bought the ‘TFTO’ Album, just a couple of weeks later, I took it home and had a extra special smile on my face.
Because, I knew what was coming! Incredible.
And I’ve always Loved it. I still get goosebumps at the Opening Section of ‘The Revealing Science Of God’, as Jon’s voice comes in and the Music builds up to that amazing Crescendo! Fabulous. Awesome. Mind blowing!
Just my own personal feelings. Like I said, enjoy. 🎶❤️🎶
This Song, Starship Trooper, Changes, Heart of The Sunrise and Ritual (Nous Sommes Du Soleil) are easily in my Top 5 of their impressive catalog. I'm glad you did this one
YOU ABSOLUTELY GET IT! I saw this LIVE and at the time there was nothing to compare this too accept Close to the edge or Prog pre 1973 so I was absolutely emotionally devastated by this incredibly passionate heartfelt experience of Existence put to record. It was truly a groundbreaking journey. But its a pleasure to see that you understand the essence of YES and appreciating RSOG is a wonderful step bc I cant understand how ANYONE WOULDNT BE BLOWN AWAY BY IT. Now I cant wait until you get to Sides 2 & 3. Then we'll see how much hardcore YES you can handle!. NOTE: If you haven't yet now it's time to listen to more from the roots of YES with Banks & Kaye off the 1st two albums
Just discovered your channel. I am almost 70 and Yes is and always will be my favourite band. It is so nice to see that young people are finding and appreciating them. Some Yes fans did think this album was pretentious and I do think it is a little self indulgent. Jon (Anderson) even said at the time that it was a passion project they did more for themselves than for fans. Doing it live meant that they had to eliminate a lot of their more popular pieces due to time constraints and hard core fans of their previous catalogue were not happy. They eventually only played the most popular side which is side 4, "Ritual". I saw them live 5 times over the years and continue to listen to them almost daily. If you haven't, I would recommend listening to "Relayer". I think it is their best album and the highlight is "Gate of Delirium" which segues into "Soon". Brilliant. Anyway thanks and I will continue to follow. Keep up the fantastic work.
I loved your breakdown of Jon's lyrics. That's probably the hardest part about reacting to Yes music and you did it as well as anyone I've ever seen. Also, that "different quality" you noticed about Tales comes from a few places: For starters, they took the same amount of ideas they would normally deliver in 9 minutes and pushed it out to 22 minutes. That expansiveness was in earlier songs like "And You And I", but in smaller boxes. Tales demands that you have patience, chill out and let the music wash over you. It takes longer to get to where it wants to go, but the rewards are usually worth it. Secondly, this was very much a project where Jon and Steve did the initial heavy lifting (Steve also contributes a lot of the key backing vocals, which is new.) The other band members contributed, but not at the same level as past albums. Chris in particular usually has a more important role in the music, whereas here he's content to be a support player (which bothers some.) You sort of expect that from Alan since this is his first album with Yes. And then there's Rick. It doesn't need to be repeated how unhappy Rick was with Tales, but he actually has more feature moments than Chris does IMO. Also, I'm not surprised this music hits you since you consider yourself a Christian. I would urge you to explore Jon's solo output for more in that area. As my sister -- who is a Christian -- puts it, Jon has always been a "seeker."
Long form, like four symphonies in a row. My favourite is "The Ancient," side three.
More like a gargantuan 4-movement symphony that lasts 80 minutes. Like Mahler and Bruckner's.
@@MikeCarvin Agreed. A magnum opus which many Yes fans found to be too long. Just not "Roundabout." But it needs more attention, like classical music. Makes me think of Beethoven, because of the dynamics, actually, but I get the Mahler idea.There wasn't any single from this one.
Sir,
Just discovered your channel. Such a delight! Me at your age "...more of a story. An experience." Agreed. Kindred joy! Love your heartfelt analyses, emotions, and wonderment/respect for Jon's words. Here is to our shared discovery!
Try reacting to On The Silent Wings of Freedom, Onward, Future Times/Rejoice on Tormato
If you think Tales has mixed reviews, Tormato is almost universally panned.
The shame of it is, there's a framework for great songs but construction and recording was really bad! Loss of Eddie Offord's production killed it. Onward, the Squire song left off of "Fish out of Water" is the highlight.
I'm just tearing up from nostalgia (and such well-written, well-performed piece). I'm only 30. But at your age, I felt that way, too. It is just .... brilliant.
Yeah, this band brings on the waterworks for me a lot. That's a huge reason they've been my favorite band for over three decades. No art form moves me like music, and no music moves me like Yes. Jon Anderson and Chris Squire will forever be the heart and soul of Yes.
This was my first album that I bought way back in 1974 and it started my love of their music and my admiration of Jon Anderson. Thank you for your ‘first reaction’ which I really enjoyed!
What ever the criticism by those who disregard Tales, it still surpassed most music produced during the year it came out. Or even since, IMO. Looking forward to your reactions for the other three 'movements'.