The amazing Yes at their highest musical and artistic level. Clearly one of their very best songs. Like "Awaken", this incredible journey from start to finish almost transcends words... Thanks for watching! 🥰
Yes never takes you over the cliff without a safe landing. Sometimes it ends and you feel like what the what🥰. And always the spiritual journey. Masterful. Thank you for your reaction!
Wakeman is the absolute GOAT, but what Moraz does on this album is world class too. This is an immaculate album in my book. The Gates of Delirium grips me every time.
Timely. Timeless. Mystical. I once arrived late to an outdoor Yes concert in Charlotte, only to witness the war scene from my car in a horrible lightning storm. It was meant to be. A few years later, my bestie invited me to New York for his birthday on September 6, 2001. On the 8th, we saw Yes perform this at Radio City Music Hall. My flight out on the 10th was cancelled due to a horrible lightning storm. The next morning the twin towers became the gates of delirium. The music, and Jon's radiant healing baraka, helped me to be a source of calm in a chaotic world. Yes, and my I Ching, which I presciently carried with me. Sadly my bestie just died this September. He worked for Bloomberg and had rushed in to report on it, only to be covered in dust, death and darkness. May he rest in peace at long last.
@@retroreactions.... It's the fire you have to walk through in order to become wondrous. Charmed to find you here as well, in the realm of the wondrous, which is the basic nature of your show so far. Thanks for your uplifting words and spirit. Peace on earth!
I'll never forget the first time I heard this either. I was floored and knew these guys were on another level from their peers. It was actually the live version on the YesShows live album. Would love to see you react to that live version, which many of us consider THE Definitive performance of "The Gates Of Delirium". They elevate it to a whole new level and 10,000 fans erupt accordingly.
Glad you discovered one of Yes's greatest achievements. Really hard to say that it's their absolute finest considering their multitude of long, majestic journeys, but this one is definitely special. But it's not just one of their best, " Gates " is truly one of the elite, epic prog tunes of all time. Thanks for the review.
Awesome reaction! If this isn't my favorite prog epic of all time, it's at least in the conversation. Between this and the Yesshows version, I've listened to this more times than I can count, and it never stops blowing me away. The rest of the album is great too (again, in the conversation for favorite album of all time). Rick Wakeman is second only to Keith Emerson among my favorite keyboardists, but Patrick Moraz was the perfect fit for this album. I wouldn't change a thing.
OMG. You haven't sailed the Topographic Oceans yet. Double album. 4 epic songs. One per side. The rest is up to you. Tales From Topographic Oceans, 1974.
Hopefully, You hear Gates another 1000 times, like I have...It just gets more beautiful and profound with time...Yes opens dormant or neglected areas of the psyche, They shine light into the dark crevasses of the mind. Good health and Happiness to you and yours and all that love music.
Sadly so appropriate and a timely reminder of the horror and futility of war with devastating imagery completely and utterly recreated sonically, brilliantly. This is especially blessed and divine musicianship and creativity. From being grounded then dragged into the thick muddy depth of hell before being propelled into the clouds towards the hopeful heavens of an enlightened future. WITHOUT YES how would ever know how far reaching music can lift you! What a gift to have been raised on them.
That glorious chaos where it always feels to me like they've opened some cosmic gate and are directly channeling the universe's primal, stormy wavelength... 😊 completely takes me somewhere. Gates is one of my top favorite YES epics. Great reaction!
What a great summary and fantastic description of this sensational Album, Brandon. What a wonderful Album this is, one of the very best to rank alongside all the other ‘YES’ 70’s Epic Masterpieces. I saw this Album performed Live on the ‘Relayer’ Tour, in 1975, at my hometown venue, ‘The De Montfort Hall’, in the UK, age 19. And it was played to perfection as always and sounded just as we heard it now, from the Studio Album. Just as I had been 2 years before, at the same venue, for the ‘TFTO’ Tour, we were blown away. Absolutely Sensational. The only difference to 2 years previously, was obviously Patrick Moraz playing Keyboards on this Album, as Rick Wakeman had left. But what a fabulous job Patrick did, he was brilliant on this, his only Yes Album. Glad you love yet another’YES’ masterpiece, Brandon. You still have so much more to come. A great Reaction, thanks. 🎶❤️🎶
This is so different from their previous and subsequent albums but so amazing. I can't even wrap my head around how they even came up with all these ideas for what is an extraordinarily complex piece of music. I think it's not "Tales From Topographic Oceans" (or any part of it), not "Close to the Edge", not "Awaken", but this piece which is their pinnacle of creation. Even though the latter two may sound calmer or more heavenly in parts, and definitely more classical in parts, and are undoubtedly some of the greatest pieces of rock music ever written and performed.
Alan knocked the rack of auto parts over by accident, but I saw it used in live performances, including ritual....cant help thinking it was Rick who added the frying pan to it
Being "Relayer" my favourite Yes album, I love each song for different reasons. "The Gates Of Delirium" is a tour de force, a long song that feels really short because it is so devourable, allow me the expression. It has the highs and the lows, the mellow and the savage, all mixed up together in a perfect receipe. "Sound Chaser" is jazz rock of sorts, pure joy for the rhythmic cells in your body. "To Be Over" is emotional transcending of the soul. "Close......" is close up there, silly pun intended. And then a lot of Yes work is of course absolutely amazing, but if I had to pick an album for the desert island thing, it´d be this one, hands down.
This is an absolutely epic work, one of the most complex and sophisticated progressive rock songs ever created, and at the time it came out in 1974 it was faaaaar ahead of its time, both musically and expressively. No one had heard anything like the Relayer album when it arrived - I first heard it around five years later, aged thirteen, I liked it but also sensed just how different it was, and it took years for me to really understand and explain for myself what made it so special and peculiar. It's not enough to say that this is a superb evocation of war in music - what's really great is how it goes in depth with this subject and explores the experience of living through a war, both for those who end up fallen, for their families and for those who survive. A great track and as relevant and compelling today as fifty years ago.
Hi, long time since I reacted, but could not pass this masterpiece& again one of my memories for a very long time especially the last part, I would play this over& over again. So glad you got to this at last 👍
Hello! Thank you so much for stopping by. I'm happy to hear what this song means to you. It was such a beautiful experience for me, especially like you said that end section!
Thank you so much. That's always part of the fun. Though they are not discussing heaven and hell directly, those are 2 obvious metaphors to me for war and peace. And the "gate" pic I couldn't pass up! Thanks for watching..
If you've not heard their rendition of Simon & Garfunkel's "America," you really should. They've also done other covers: Stephen Still's "Everydays", Ritchie Haven's "No OpportunityNeeded, No ExperienceNecessary" and The Beatle's "Every Little Thing". They do awesome covers.
Ah this one is for me the peak, clearly above CTTE (don't blame me). Who else could play this epic with so much maestria ? And yes I don't miss Wakeman here, Moraz is simply genius ! Thanks for sharing your emotions Brandon ! Love ya human !
What's simply amazing is these guys could not only pull this off live but make it even more awesome than the studio! Being a bass player, I just love listening to Chris Squire on this. He's all over that neck! Steve Howe uses a lot of pedal steel here, especially during the "Soon" section at the end. Pedal steel is usually the exclusive domain of Country and Western, but Steve somehow makes it work beautifully in a Rock scenario. The rest of the album is well worth checking out as well. Excellent reaction, my friend. Peace, Calm & Light to you too.
I bought this album the did came out in 1974 when I was 14 years old. What an album. I thought it was best listened to on the headphones like you did. They came to my city in 1975 and 1976 and I saw both tours. It had a major effect on me as a teenager. It still does to this day.Thank you for the excellent review. Maybe the best one I've ever seen.
Hey Brandon. You have some prog royalty here with this track. One of the finest Yes tracks. Behind Close to the Edge but not behind anything else imo. This takes some listening to and some down time afterwards. Just the best. Fabulous track. Thanks again. Dave ✅✅
Thanks for reacting to this amazing masterpiece! So much talent in this band, as a keyboard player, both Rick and Patrick astound me and have inspired me. They are quite different yet both top players! Take good care all~
Another beautiful reaction Brandon to this masterpiece of masterpieces! Another magnificent work that will accompany you through this life journey as it has done for many of us. Incredibly they take it to even greater levels live. My favourites are the version with Patrick on Yesshows & the version with orchestra on the Symphonic Yes DVD, phenomenal! Also if you haven't already check out the remainder of Relayer, "Sound chaser" & "To be over" both outstanding pieces completing one of the greatest prog albums in history, all the best.
Top 3 Yes Songs for me and probably top 10 of all time favourites. The Soon section is one of the most beautiful sections of prog ever written.😊That was clearly an audio work out for you but so worth it! Also just a mention for your background edit. Brilliant and shows you really care about your own craft. Nice one!
Yup, you were right! And I did shed a couple of tears and watery eyes as you predicted (I never know if they are visible to my viewers) 🙂 The ending of this one definitely reminded me of parts of Awaken..thanks bud
@@retroreactions.... Imagine if you had done the reaction with makeup like in the Echo & the Bunnymen video - "The Killing Moon", even a 5 month old baby would realize that you were crying LOL
Thanks Brandon. I was aware of this work as I heard a lot about, but sadly never listened to it properly, I remember something about some difficult dissonances. I never were a real Yes fan (but Genesis) so I took the train with you, perhaps you will help me liking Yes 😇, so I liked it a lot, this is a grandiose Epic. I felt that the band were at a high level symbiosis here. The Ending were very beautiful soothing, like "Awaken". I heard the solo works by Patrick Moraz before because I aways were after keyboard masters, also captivating, specifically in the 70's. Gratitude 🙏
To remember the days with single song album sides!! This is truly a masterpiece, I never saw this in its entirety live, but many times I’ve seen the “Soon” portion of the song. Still a LOT of Yes to explore my friend! I love these long epic songs as well.
Supercool concept...someone told me Topographic does this 4 times! Oh yes, I forgot that I read Soon was released separately. That part alone is masterpiece territory. You got that right- I just perused their discography. I've just scratched the surface!! Guess I will have to continue this channel till I'm at least 78!
@@retroreactions.... Yes, this is a groundbreaking masterpiece for sure, and back in the seventies no one had heard anything quite like it (at least not on this level of skill, chops, vision and groove, which makes the difference!). It was at least ten years ahead of its time, and when other bands were beginning to delve into the same terrain they were not so much prog rock bands but metal and alternative/industrial rock acts - Die Krupps, Einstúrzende Neubauten (when I first heard some songs from their album Halber Mensch /Half Man/ in 1987 I could see the parallels at once, though I'm not saying they must have heard Gates), early Nick Cave, early Metallica... Jon Anderson cited Tolstoy's "War and Peace" as an inspiration for the war scenario here, but I think there are also other more modern wars behind this one: Britain during WW2 of course, but perhaps even more the Vietnam War which was fresh in the minds of everybody at the time - if the awareness of Vietnam is behind this I would say the song is painting if from the side of the Vietnamese people and the FNL (misnomered as Viet Cong by the American media). But it's an essential part of the vision of this epic that it doesn't try to gloss over how war can brutalize even those who have a morally fair reason to fight. Jon sounds really angry, hectoring and vehement during the first ten minutes here - and some of the lyrics sound rather questionable if they would be meant to evoke sympathy: "Our Gods awake in thunderstorms, and guide the Leader's hands in Paths of Glory to the Cause!". I mean, "No more Mr Nice Guy", right? It would be easy to paint the war leader as unhinged and dangerous here, and I can assure you that I was really puzzled early on about this track: is it satire or is it meant to be an idol portrait? Neither, I suppose - it takes on the complexity of history itself.
Hello. Great info and analysis here. Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment! When so much historical concepts are combined with such brilliant musicianship, you get this result, the very best that music can be....
Another absolute classic that I've not listened to for many moons. Your reviews make me want to rifle through my collection and rediscover so many beautiful pieces from all those years ago. Fantastic stuff. ❤️
Yes packed so much complexity into their masterpieces, with so much going on, they depended upon Eddy Offord, sound engineer, & the rest of the band's diligence & patience in perfecting the mix to make it all come together in a way that didn't sound like a muddle. In their best work, I found that if you just hug onto Chris' bass line, you are then served up with the rest of the band's contributions _in their time_ & in the proper order. I always loved that, cuz I loved Chris' talent & the way he dominated their sound in their Uber-Classic Period. He does just that again in The Gates Of Delirium, which I consider to be equal to Close To The Edge as their two greatest musical achievements. (While I've always liked Awaken, I don't consider it to be All That like many YES fans do, I think primarily because Chris' role is played down a bit, thus my favorite part of the YES Sound was somewhat missing. I mean he was there, but it was more like he was just accompanying the others' inspirations than leading the compositional direction.)
Many thanks, Brandon. You just made my week! "The Gates Of Delirium" (as well as the album "Relayer", 1974): A Masterpiece. Psychedelic sound and a backdrop of muffled screams of delirium tremens (inevitable when war imposes itself by force on the mind which only wants peace). Everything is there. A gem so much criticized when it was released, among other things because a certain Swiss named Patrick Moraz (classical music lover, trained at the Conservatory and a fan of the work of Igor Stravinsky) had been chosen to replace the prodigious Rick Wakeman (in my opinion, the greatest keyboard player; closely followed by Keith Emerson and Tony Banks) who had left the band. Treason! Before even listening, people were saying of Moraz that he couldn't have the level. How numerous were the columnists who almost called for a boycott of the complete album "Relayer", claiming that we no longer recognized the magnificence of YES' creativity; that the long master composition "TGOD" was a jumble, an aggregate of jams, of studio drafts without scope. In short, that the album was not worthy of being included alongside "Fragile", "Close To The Edge", "Tales From Topografic Oceans"... and not even "Going For The One" and "Drama". However, Patrick Moraz was one of the great architects (composition, orchestration and arrangements) of the masterpiece that is the album “Relayer”. In addition, his keyboard playing was clearly extraordinary. Nothing to calm Wakeman's "fanatical" admirers. Also, the composition "TGOD" fills our ears with all the exceptional bassist talent of Chris Squire. Its strings make everything vibrate deeply! Also note the prompt finale in soft reduction (violin section), typical of symphonic classical music. Today, "Relayer" is considered among the three greatest YES albums and the composition "The Gates Of Delirium" as one of the most incredible of the great period of progrock (and I agree with this). Moraz only stayed with YES for two years; after which, he was immediately recruited by the group THE MOODY BLUES. This is all the harm that happens to you when you don't have the level!!! Thanks again.
An album that I have to let go of in order to really immerse myself and enjoy it to the fullest, something I wasn't quite able to do when it came out in 1974. For me it has long been a masterpiece, while Close To The Edge is the album for every hour, to catch up, to relax, to drive... . Please continue with Relayer; I would be very happy to receive information and comments. A big thank you to everyone!!! P.S. I'm still torn about Tales.
Ah, to hear this album for the first time again! Wonderful reaction to "Gates" and I look forward to you checking out "Sound Chaser" and "To Be Over." If you have a chance once you've listened to the classic recording a few times, look for the Steven Wilson remix from 2014 I think. He stays true to the spirit of the original yet gives it a clarity where you can hear so much of the subtleties that got lost in the heavy compression required in the mid 70s music production process. What's truly insane though is that they performed the entire album live and though the recordings of those performances aren't great, they reveal a brilliance matched only by a few of their peers. It is a journey and sometimes a frightening one, but well worth the trip. Keep up the great work!
I've always loved your wallpapers, Brandon, but this time you've outdone yourself with the transition from Hell's Gate to Heaven's Gate. Great! "Delirium" would be my favorite Yes song if it weren't for that chaotic middle section. I know it's related to the theme of "War and Peace", but it's a little bit an annoying "noise" to my ears. That's why I often skipped the middle part. Up to the staccato drums and the wonderful keyboard riff from Moraz. But of course, I watched your reaction video in its entirety. The final sequence, however, is one of the most beautiful things that has been written in music. It's hard to find anything more emotional and beguiling in music. Richard Wagner wrote a few things along these lines. When I heard the coda of "Delirium" for the first time I was close to tears. I think that's the case for many people. These two wonderful little melodies that Howe plays on his guitar and repeats a few times and above them the angelic voice of Jon Anderson...simply unique in the way they emotionally move you. They did something similar on side 4 of "Tales From Topographic Oceans", "The Ritual - Nou Sommes Du Soleil".
Good one B. but too much chaos for me. OMG Brandon, I'm still exploring Spock's Beard and have just had a revelation. I knew there were gems, but 'The Kindness of Strangers' (1998) is an immense body of work. Better even than 'Snow'... I thought my discovery days were over, but musically this is life-changing! Let me know if you are aware but I doubt, it 'cos it would have featured prominently.
Yes! How cool is that? Too bad my wall is my green screen...otherwise I'd be putting up all my new and old favorite albums as a backdrop! Happy Monday 😀
Hi Renee ur 1rst and ur 2nd. same to me, guess which one is my third.. sadly Brandon is not paying too much attention to this one, he is afraid that his videos will be blocked... you guessed which one I'm talking about ? LOL
Only one place left to go from here: Topographic Oceans…….bite that bullet. Oh, and if you want to try more Moraz: The Story of I, a great album melding so many different musical episodes and styles into a single piece over 2 sides of vinyl.
I love the fact that you loved the music, but I wasn't going to mention my noticing what seemed to be you interacting with a device during the song until you said you had taken notes. I don't know about other people, but when I watch a reactor to Yes I want their attention to be fully focused on the music. Some reactors talk over the music and pause it, but you don't, which makes it even more annoying when you look like you looking at something during the song. Why don't you make a seperate video for your analysis, and edit it onto the end of the song reaction, then you can give the song your full attention.
Hello. Well, I feel I am giving the song the full attention even when I'm writing notes. Currently I don't even look at the pad 75% of the time I'm writing. I see your point, probably very few if any reactors have my format, but that's how I've done it from the start. It's tempting to listen a second time off camera and write all my notes, but I feel that's cheating, as I want to give a reaction based on only 1 listen. Anyways, I appreciate any watch time you gave if you choose not to return.. ✌
The amazing Yes at their highest musical and artistic level. Clearly one of their very best songs. Like "Awaken", this incredible journey from start to finish almost transcends words... Thanks for watching! 🥰
Genius level musicianship. Thanks for the reaction!!!
You're welcome and thank you!
Chris's bass work throughout this piece is award worthy....as is most of his bass playing. RIP Mr. Squire.
Yes! He and Steve were really the stars in this one for me....thanks
His work was just awesome
90% of the album was recorded in his basement, his home studio! (this was not revealed until the Rhino CD reissue thirty years later)
All of Chris Squire's(RIP) Bass Playing is Extraordinary and Incredible. Miss Him ❤
I love how YES's music makes people think and feel with such depth, intensity and emotion
Yess!!
Yes never takes you over the cliff without a safe landing. Sometimes it ends and you feel like what the what🥰. And always the spiritual journey. Masterful.
Thank you for your reaction!
So true there! You're welcome and thanks for watching..🙂
So thankful I got to see them live in 2002. It was epic!! ❤️Lineup was: Anderson, Howe, Wakeman, Squire & White
Once you've passed the "Gates of delirium", there's no coming back!!!
🙂
Wakeman is the absolute GOAT, but what Moraz does on this album is world class too. This is an immaculate album in my book. The Gates of Delirium grips me every time.
Moraz was perfect for this album, but Im glad he was sacked after it...he just didnt fit
Saw them w/Moraz in Denver, Gentle Giant opened with a stunning set. Whole concert was fire🔥👍👍👍
Nice!
Timely. Timeless. Mystical. I once arrived late to an outdoor Yes concert in Charlotte, only to witness the war scene from my car in a horrible lightning storm. It was meant to be. A few years later, my bestie invited me to New York for his birthday on September 6, 2001. On the 8th, we saw Yes perform this at Radio City Music Hall. My flight out on the 10th was cancelled due to a horrible lightning storm. The next morning the twin towers became the gates of delirium. The music, and Jon's radiant healing baraka, helped me to be a source of calm in a chaotic world. Yes, and my I Ching, which I presciently carried with me. Sadly my bestie just died this September. He worked for Bloomberg and had rushed in to report on it, only to be covered in dust, death and darkness. May he rest in peace at long last.
Wow, thanks for sharing those intense and personal memories. You have a new angel looking out for you... 💙
@@retroreactions.... It's the fire you have to walk through in order to become wondrous. Charmed to find you here as well, in the realm of the wondrous, which is the basic nature of your show so far. Thanks for your uplifting words and spirit. Peace on earth!
🎶❤️🎶
"To Be Over", and "Sound Chaser" are both Masterpieces as well. This is one of THOSE albums. Flawless
Cool, will add your votes for those to the list, thank you!
Flawless album like Close to the Edge is.🤩
@@retroreactions.... add my votes too
ok!
This is such a masterful album indeed. This is one of the absolute highlights in prog. In music, period.
I'm a Yes freak! I'll admit it. Listen to their music everyday! I like all the member line ups! ❤️🎶
Ha, nice! Can't blame you 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by today!
Me too Brother Freak, everyday!🤩
@@TigerMtnKing I'm a chick 🤣
Apologies Sister Freak, I don't know any women who love YES.🤩@@rhondamcewananderson3968
Another YES freak present and accounted for! 💚💚💚
This is my favourite yes track and album.
My favourite Yes track, from my favourite Yes album :)
Perfect! Thanks....
Steve Howe is outstanding on this song.... as are Chris, Alan, and Patrick.
Perfect work of art!!
I'll never forget the first time I heard this either. I was floored and knew these guys were on another level from their peers. It was actually the live version on the YesShows live album. Would love to see you react to that live version, which many of us consider THE Definitive performance of "The Gates Of Delirium". They elevate it to a whole new level and 10,000 fans erupt accordingly.
Great to know, thanks!
I saw the Relayer concert at the Montreal Forum
Awesome! Can't even imagine the energy from them in person!!
Glad you discovered one of Yes's greatest achievements. Really hard to say that it's their absolute finest considering their multitude of long, majestic journeys, but this one is definitely special. But it's not just one of their best, " Gates " is truly one of the elite, epic prog tunes of all time. Thanks for the review.
Me as well! Yes, I have a long road of Yes discovery still. You're welcome and thanks for stopping by!
Amazing track and always a go to for me
Nice...
Awesome reaction! If this isn't my favorite prog epic of all time, it's at least in the conversation. Between this and the Yesshows version, I've listened to this more times than I can count, and it never stops blowing me away.
The rest of the album is great too (again, in the conversation for favorite album of all time). Rick Wakeman is second only to Keith Emerson among my favorite keyboardists, but Patrick Moraz was the perfect fit for this album. I wouldn't change a thing.
Thank you! So glad this is a perfect album for you...
OMG. You haven't sailed the Topographic Oceans yet. Double album. 4 epic songs. One per side. The rest is up to you. Tales From Topographic Oceans, 1974.
Nope! I'm thinking Kleenex may be required as I pack for this ocean trip.. 🙂
Hopefully, You hear Gates another 1000 times, like I have...It just gets more beautiful and profound with time...Yes opens dormant or neglected areas of the psyche, They shine light into the dark crevasses of the mind. Good health and Happiness to you and yours and all that love music.
Great to know....Next time should be lying in bed in a dark room! Let my mind travel....peace and blessings to you!
Sadly so appropriate and a timely reminder of the horror and futility of war with devastating imagery completely and utterly recreated sonically, brilliantly. This is especially blessed and divine musicianship and creativity. From being grounded then dragged into the thick muddy depth of hell before being propelled into the clouds towards the hopeful heavens of an enlightened future. WITHOUT YES how would ever know how far reaching music can lift you! What a gift to have been raised on them.
Lovely commentary. Thanks so much for watching!
That glorious chaos where it always feels to me like they've opened some cosmic gate and are directly channeling the universe's primal, stormy wavelength... 😊 completely takes me somewhere. Gates is one of my top favorite YES epics. Great reaction!
Great description! Thanks for watching and for the compliment!
I know. So amazing as to be almost beyond description.
Right? What a wonderful experience for me today... thanks for tuning in!
What a great summary and fantastic description of this sensational Album, Brandon.
What a wonderful Album this is, one of the very best to rank alongside all the other ‘YES’ 70’s Epic Masterpieces.
I saw this Album performed Live on the ‘Relayer’ Tour, in 1975, at my hometown venue, ‘The De Montfort Hall’, in the UK, age 19. And it was played to perfection as always and sounded just as we heard it now, from the Studio Album.
Just as I had been 2 years before, at the same venue, for the ‘TFTO’ Tour, we were blown away. Absolutely Sensational.
The only difference to 2 years previously, was obviously Patrick Moraz playing Keyboards on this Album, as Rick Wakeman had left. But what a fabulous job Patrick did, he was brilliant on this, his only Yes Album. Glad you love yet another’YES’ masterpiece, Brandon. You still have so much more to come. A great Reaction, thanks.
🎶❤️🎶
Thank you Eddie! So cool you were there. Yes, long Yes journey ahead still....thank you for watching!!
@@retroreactions.... 👍🏼 🎶❤️🎶
Chris Squire....."nuff said
Thanks for watching!
You made it possible for me to hear Gates for the first time.... again. Sharing the experience is everything to me.
Awesome!! Glad you enjoyed...I clearly did as well 🙂
This is so different from their previous and subsequent albums but so amazing. I can't even wrap my head around how they even came up with all these ideas for what is an extraordinarily complex piece of music. I think it's not "Tales From Topographic Oceans" (or any part of it), not "Close to the Edge", not "Awaken", but this piece which is their pinnacle of creation. Even though the latter two may sound calmer or more heavenly in parts, and definitely more classical in parts, and are undoubtedly some of the greatest pieces of rock music ever written and performed.
Well said! Thanks so much for watching...
Alan knocked the rack of auto parts over by accident, but I saw it used in live performances, including ritual....cant help thinking it was Rick who added the frying pan to it
What they all said. Thanks, Brandon!
You're welcome my friend...
The greatest band of them all.
👍
They really were. Are. Will always be.
Next time notice Chris' bass harmonics for the first two minutes while Steve pulls out the melodies. Remarkable.
OK. Thanks for watching!
Nail. On. Head. Brandon you get it, superb first reaction. YES…”…our reason to be here.”
Thanks my friend...appreciate you stopping by...
Being "Relayer" my favourite Yes album, I love each song for different reasons. "The Gates Of Delirium" is a tour de force, a long song that feels really short because it is so devourable, allow me the expression. It has the highs and the lows, the mellow and the savage, all mixed up together in a perfect receipe. "Sound Chaser" is jazz rock of sorts, pure joy for the rhythmic cells in your body. "To Be Over" is emotional transcending of the soul. "Close......" is close up there, silly pun intended. And then a lot of Yes work is of course absolutely amazing, but if I had to pick an album for the desert island thing, it´d be this one, hands down.
Great insight, thanks for tuning in!
PERFECT TIMING.
Yes... 🙏 Thanks for watching!
This is an absolutely epic work, one of the most complex and sophisticated progressive rock songs ever created, and at the time it came out in 1974 it was faaaaar ahead of its time, both musically and expressively. No one had heard anything like the Relayer album when it arrived - I first heard it around five years later, aged thirteen, I liked it but also sensed just how different it was, and it took years for me to really understand and explain for myself what made it so special and peculiar. It's not enough to say that this is a superb evocation of war in music - what's really great is how it goes in depth with this subject and explores the experience of living through a war, both for those who end up fallen, for their families and for those who survive. A great track and as relevant and compelling today as fifty years ago.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
More relevant and compelling every day.
Came for Chris Squire(RIP), stayed for the rest of the band, a superb composition, but, that is what Yes does
Yes, another day at the office for them I suspect. Tons more for me to discover...too bad I can't have a Yes only subchannel 🙂
Hi, long time since I reacted, but could not pass this masterpiece& again one of my memories for a very long time especially the last part, I would play this over& over again.
So glad you got to this at last 👍
Hello! Thank you so much for stopping by. I'm happy to hear what this song means to you. It was such a beautiful experience for me, especially like you said that end section!
I appreciate your effort to match the background images with the tone of the music!
Thank you so much. That's always part of the fun. Though they are not discussing heaven and hell directly, those are 2 obvious metaphors to me for war and peace. And the "gate" pic I couldn't pass up! Thanks for watching..
If you've not heard their rendition of Simon & Garfunkel's "America," you really should. They've also done other covers: Stephen Still's "Everydays", Ritchie Haven's "No OpportunityNeeded, No ExperienceNecessary" and The Beatle's "Every Little Thing". They do awesome covers.
Your Music Mirrors Your Mind
The lyrics right before describes action in the war sounds.
What a song. Thanks so much for watching!
Ah this one is for me the peak, clearly above CTTE (don't blame me). Who else could play this epic with so much maestria ? And yes I don't miss Wakeman here, Moraz is simply genius ! Thanks for sharing your emotions Brandon ! Love ya human !
Hey there! I can clearly see why you'd adore this work of art. You're very welcome.... much peace and love to you!
G.O.D.
Hello. Thanks for being first today! What an incredible work of art.... 🥇
I'm glad to see you come back to great Prog. One of the best songs of the genre. IMHO The best.
Can't argue with that assessment!
What's simply amazing is these guys could not only pull this off live but make it even more awesome than the studio! Being a bass player, I just love listening to Chris Squire on this. He's all over that neck! Steve Howe uses a lot of pedal steel here, especially during the "Soon" section at the end. Pedal steel is usually the exclusive domain of Country and Western, but Steve somehow makes it work beautifully in a Rock scenario. The rest of the album is well worth checking out as well. Excellent reaction, my friend. Peace, Calm & Light to you too.
Chris is stellar here. Was a dream to hear him in this one! Long Yes journey ahead! Thank you so much..
I bought this album the did came out in 1974 when I was 14 years old. What an album. I thought it was best listened to on the headphones like you did. They came to my city in 1975 and 1976 and I saw both tours. It had a major effect on me as a teenager. It still does to this day.Thank you for the excellent review. Maybe the best one I've ever seen.
YES!❤
Hey Brandon. You have some prog royalty here with this track. One of the finest Yes tracks. Behind Close to the Edge but not behind anything else imo. This takes some listening to and some down time afterwards. Just the best. Fabulous track. Thanks again. Dave ✅✅
Yes, and to think they have more epics that I've yet to hear! Mind-blowing....
The background you used is perfect for the end part!😳
Thanks! Yes, super calming, the b/g and the music. Thanks for stopping by!
Nice reaction. Thanks.
A Masterpiece!!!
YES! Super apparent to me already. Mindblowing to know they have more like this that I haven't heard. Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks for reacting to this amazing masterpiece! So much talent in this band, as a keyboard player, both Rick and Patrick astound me and have inspired me. They are quite different yet both top players! Take good care all~
Hi Bela. What a great channel this is. Brandon plays some great stuff. Really like the channel. Take care. All the best. Dave✅✅
@@TheAlbumReviewchannel Hi Dave good to see ya! Brandon really gets it! Best to all~
You're welcome and thanks for watching!!
Thank you both so much for the kind words...
Another beautiful reaction Brandon to this masterpiece of masterpieces! Another magnificent work that will accompany you through this life journey as it has done for many of us. Incredibly they take it to even greater levels live. My favourites are the version with Patrick on Yesshows & the version with orchestra on the Symphonic Yes DVD, phenomenal! Also if you haven't already check out the remainder of Relayer, "Sound chaser" & "To be over" both outstanding pieces completing one of the greatest prog albums in history, all the best.
Thank you SO much for all your support and kindness...
Got to see this performed twice live and it was as good as the studio version
I can imagine. Very lucky! I'm sure I will either watch on my own or react to a live version eventually. Thanks!
The Live, Gates of Delirium, from the Yesshows Album, from Cobo Arena, Out-Shines,...significantly, even the Live Studio Version's Magnificence.
Wow, great to know!
Top 3 Yes Songs for me and probably top 10 of all time favourites. The Soon section is one of the most beautiful sections of prog ever written.😊That was clearly an audio work out for you but so worth it! Also just a mention for your background edit. Brilliant and shows you really care about your own craft. Nice one!
Such a pleasure anytime I hear Yes, especially the huge ones like this! Thanks for acknowledging the backgrounds..🙂
ABSOLUTE, MEGA masterpiece Brandon, Awaken is my number 1 Yes song ever, but Gates is very close.
Yup, you were right! And I did shed a couple of tears and watery eyes as you predicted (I never know if they are visible to my viewers) 🙂 The ending of this one definitely reminded me of parts of Awaken..thanks bud
@@retroreactions.... Imagine if you had done the reaction with makeup like in the Echo & the Bunnymen video - "The Killing Moon", even a 5 month old baby would realize that you were crying LOL
LMAO! And I'd be crying worse than that baby! 👶
Perfect time for this epic about the horrors of war.
...Problem is: It's ALWAYS the perfect time.
Thanks Brandon. I was aware of this work as I heard a lot about, but sadly never listened to it properly, I remember something about some difficult dissonances. I never were a real Yes fan (but Genesis) so I took the train with you, perhaps you will help me liking Yes 😇, so I liked it a lot, this is a grandiose Epic. I felt that the band were at a high level symbiosis here. The Ending were very beautiful soothing, like "Awaken". I heard the solo works by Patrick Moraz before because I aways were after keyboard masters, also captivating, specifically in the 70's. Gratitude 🙏
Great! So happy you took the trip and loved it! Thank you so much for all your support and comments lately. I am so grateful!!
To remember the days with single song album sides!! This is truly a masterpiece, I never saw this in its entirety live, but many times I’ve seen the “Soon” portion of the song. Still a LOT of Yes to explore my friend! I love these long epic songs as well.
Supercool concept...someone told me Topographic does this 4 times! Oh yes, I forgot that I read Soon was released separately. That part alone is masterpiece territory. You got that right- I just perused their discography. I've just scratched the surface!! Guess I will have to continue this channel till I'm at least 78!
@@retroreactions.... Yes, this is a groundbreaking masterpiece for sure, and back in the seventies no one had heard anything quite like it (at least not on this level of skill, chops, vision and groove, which makes the difference!). It was at least ten years ahead of its time, and when other bands were beginning to delve into the same terrain they were not so much prog rock bands but metal and alternative/industrial rock acts - Die Krupps, Einstúrzende Neubauten (when I first heard some songs from their album Halber Mensch /Half Man/ in 1987 I could see the parallels at once, though I'm not saying they must have heard Gates), early Nick Cave, early Metallica...
Jon Anderson cited Tolstoy's "War and Peace" as an inspiration for the war scenario here, but I think there are also other more modern wars behind this one: Britain during WW2 of course, but perhaps even more the Vietnam War which was fresh in the minds of everybody at the time - if the awareness of Vietnam is behind this I would say the song is painting if from the side of the Vietnamese people and the FNL (misnomered as Viet Cong by the American media). But it's an essential part of the vision of this epic that it doesn't try to gloss over how war can brutalize even those who have a morally fair reason to fight. Jon sounds really angry, hectoring and vehement during the first ten minutes here - and some of the lyrics sound rather questionable if they would be meant to evoke sympathy: "Our Gods awake in thunderstorms, and guide the Leader's hands in Paths of Glory to the Cause!". I mean, "No more Mr Nice Guy", right? It would be easy to paint the war leader as unhinged and dangerous here, and I can assure you that I was really puzzled early on about this track: is it satire or is it meant to be an idol portrait? Neither, I suppose - it takes on the complexity of history itself.
Hello. Great info and analysis here. Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment! When so much historical concepts are combined with such brilliant musicianship, you get this result, the very best that music can be....
Great reaction
Thanks and thank you for watching Stephen!
Another absolute classic that I've not listened to for many moons. Your reviews make me want to rifle through my collection and rediscover so many beautiful pieces from all those years ago. Fantastic stuff. ❤️
Hi Andy. Thanks so much for tuning in. I think that sounds like a great plan!! The very best music. Peace...
Tremendous ❤
Thanks for getting here. Lining this up for after the school run🎉🎉
Awesome thanks bud!
Excellent.
Yes! Thank you so much for watching...
One of YES's most epic masterpieces! Make sure you listen to the two masterpieces on side two, 'Sound Chaser' and 'To Be Over'.🤩
For sure! I will add your votes for those 2 songs. Thanks for watching!
The thing is there are dozens of YES masterpieces, it's going to take a while to get through them all.🤩@@retroreactions....
A 30 year goal for my channel? 😀
@@retroreactions.... not 30 years to hear them all but you'll be listening to them for the next 30 years, at least.🤩
Yes. Yesphreaques are usually lifers.❤
Yes packed so much complexity into their masterpieces, with so much going on, they depended upon Eddy Offord, sound engineer, & the rest of the band's diligence & patience in perfecting the mix to make it all come together in a way that didn't sound like a muddle. In their best work, I found that if you just hug onto Chris' bass line, you are then served up with the rest of the band's contributions _in their time_ & in the proper order. I always loved that, cuz I loved Chris' talent & the way he dominated their sound in their Uber-Classic Period. He does just that again in The Gates Of Delirium, which I consider to be equal to Close To The Edge as their two greatest musical achievements.
(While I've always liked Awaken, I don't consider it to be All That like many YES fans do, I think primarily because Chris' role is played down a bit, thus my favorite part of the YES Sound was somewhat missing. I mean he was there, but it was more like he was just accompanying the others' inspirations than leading the compositional direction.)
Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts!
Many thanks, Brandon. You just made my week! "The Gates Of Delirium" (as well as the album "Relayer", 1974): A Masterpiece. Psychedelic sound and a backdrop of muffled screams of delirium tremens (inevitable when war imposes itself by force on the mind which only wants peace). Everything is there. A gem so much criticized when it was released, among other things because a certain Swiss named Patrick Moraz (classical music lover, trained at the Conservatory and a fan of the work of Igor Stravinsky) had been chosen to replace the prodigious Rick Wakeman (in my opinion, the greatest keyboard player; closely followed by Keith Emerson and Tony Banks) who had left the band. Treason! Before even listening, people were saying of Moraz that he couldn't have the level. How numerous were the columnists who almost called for a boycott of the complete album "Relayer", claiming that we no longer recognized the magnificence of YES' creativity; that the long master composition "TGOD" was a jumble, an aggregate of jams, of studio drafts without scope. In short, that the album was not worthy of being included alongside "Fragile", "Close To The Edge", "Tales From Topografic Oceans"... and not even "Going For The One" and "Drama".
However, Patrick Moraz was one of the great architects (composition, orchestration and arrangements) of the masterpiece that is the album “Relayer”. In addition, his keyboard playing was clearly extraordinary. Nothing to calm Wakeman's "fanatical" admirers. Also, the composition "TGOD" fills our ears with all the exceptional bassist talent of Chris Squire. Its strings make everything vibrate deeply! Also note the prompt finale in soft reduction (violin section), typical of symphonic classical music.
Today, "Relayer" is considered among the three greatest YES albums and the composition "The Gates Of Delirium" as one of the most incredible of the great period of progrock (and I agree with this).
Moraz only stayed with YES for two years; after which, he was immediately recruited by the group THE MOODY BLUES. This is all the harm that happens to you when you don't have the level!!! Thanks again.
That's great to hear!! Some of the best bass work I've ever heard on a song! You're very welcome. Your support is mind-blowing 🙂
IF you said this song was the greatest achievement of the rock era, you would not be crazy.
True statement!
☮️❤️😎
Thanks so much for watching!
An album that I have to let go of in order to really immerse myself and enjoy it to the fullest, something I wasn't quite able to do when it came out in 1974. For me it has long been a masterpiece, while Close To The Edge is the album for every hour, to catch up, to relax, to drive... .
Please continue with Relayer; I would be very happy to receive information and comments.
A big thank you to everyone!!! P.S. I'm still torn about Tales.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
That’s just about the point of Tales. It’s not all fun and games.
Ah, to hear this album for the first time again! Wonderful reaction to "Gates" and I look forward to you checking out "Sound Chaser" and "To Be Over." If you have a chance once you've listened to the classic recording a few times, look for the Steven Wilson remix from 2014 I think. He stays true to the spirit of the original yet gives it a clarity where you can hear so much of the subtleties that got lost in the heavy compression required in the mid 70s music production process. What's truly insane though is that they performed the entire album live and though the recordings of those performances aren't great, they reveal a brilliance matched only by a few of their peers. It is a journey and sometimes a frightening one, but well worth the trip. Keep up the great work!
Thank you! Adding your votes for those 2 songs. Thanks for watching and for the suggestions. Appreciate your compliment too 🙂
I've always loved your wallpapers, Brandon, but this time you've outdone yourself with the transition from Hell's Gate to Heaven's Gate. Great!
"Delirium" would be my favorite Yes song if it weren't for that chaotic middle section. I know it's related to the theme of "War and Peace", but it's a little bit an annoying "noise" to my ears. That's why I often skipped the middle part. Up to the staccato drums and the wonderful keyboard riff from Moraz. But of course, I watched your reaction video in its entirety. The final sequence, however, is one of the most beautiful things that has been written in music. It's hard to find anything more emotional and beguiling in music. Richard Wagner wrote a few things along these lines. When I heard the coda of "Delirium" for the first time I was close to tears. I think that's the case for many people. These two wonderful little melodies that Howe plays on his guitar and repeats a few times and above them the angelic voice of Jon Anderson...simply unique in the way they emotionally move you. They did something similar on side 4 of "Tales From Topographic Oceans", "The Ritual - Nou Sommes Du Soleil".
So glad you liked the backgrounds. These were 2 of my favorites! Great analysis, thanks!
I’m at Soon. I noticed the backdrop change. Nice touch 🎉❤
Thanks! I loved both images and wanted to transition VERY slowly on this one....
I’m a creature of habit. Watching and experiencing this yet again. ❤🎉😂
my best video reactions because the art is uninterrupted. then we get the full reaction afterwards -- best way to do it.
Thanks, glad you enjoyed...
Do yourself a favor and listen to the live version off of 'Yesshows" it's even better than the studio version!
Good one B. but too much chaos for me. OMG Brandon, I'm still exploring Spock's Beard and have just had a revelation. I knew there were gems, but 'The Kindness of Strangers' (1998) is an immense body of work. Better even than 'Snow'... I thought my discovery days were over, but musically this is life-changing! Let me know if you are aware but I doubt, it 'cos it would have featured prominently.
Outstanding music!! My second favorite band. I have this album hanging on my wall.
Yes! How cool is that? Too bad my wall is my green screen...otherwise I'd be putting up all my new and old favorite albums as a backdrop! Happy Monday 😀
Happy Monday Brandon!! Thank you, for all the time and effort you put into making all these wonderful videos. 😄
You're so welcome! Much more spookiness this week! 🧛♂️
Wonderful!!👻🎃🙂
Hi Renee ur 1rst and ur 2nd. same to me, guess which one is my third.. sadly Brandon is not paying too much attention to this one, he is afraid that his videos will be blocked... you guessed which one I'm talking about ? LOL
I was a dumba$$ 12 YO kid in 1970 and found this album in our record collection and it change my perception on music and life but I am still a dumba$$
Only one place left to go from here: Topographic Oceans…….bite that bullet. Oh, and if you want to try more Moraz: The Story of I, a great album melding so many different musical episodes and styles into a single piece over 2 sides of vinyl.
Much music to discover!! Thanks
To call this a masterpiece hardly does it justice. Where Close to the Edge is green, this album is dark purple.
Cheers to that! 5 legends creating the highest tier of art....Thanks for tuning in!
Excellent, in-depth review! FYI - Gates of Delirium is Jon Anderson's title for GOD :)
Thank you so much! Ah, that makes sense. Appreciate you watching!
I think this song is as good as Close to the Edge.
Totally agree! Thanks
A pile of auto parts at a concert... accident? I saw this live in 76, it's part of the song.
Nice!
Can you react to paranoid eyes by Pink Floyd
Hello. I am planning to react to their entire discography on my channel, so I will definitely be reacting to that one...thanks
There is for me only 1 i can say: there is music.....and there is YES . normies can´t even understand the difference... YES SIR !
I still can't play the bass part properly.
It sounds a tad complicated! 🙂 Chris the legend. Thanks for watching..
Looks like you're yawning in the thumbnail. You might want to fix that.
Yea was supposed to be jawdrop but I think the eyes closed made it unclear..thanks
When you grow up listening music like that you can’t understand why people like pseudo music like rap and hip pop. It’s jut decadence
Hi there. I hear ya... I mean just the 400 or so songs I've discovered here on this channel are a gold mine!!!
I love the fact that you loved the music, but I wasn't going to mention my noticing what seemed to be you interacting with a device during the song until you said you had taken notes.
I don't know about other people, but when I watch a reactor to Yes I want their attention to be fully focused on the music.
Some reactors talk over the music and pause it, but you don't, which makes it even more annoying when you look like you looking at something during the song.
Why don't you make a seperate video for your analysis, and edit it onto the end of the song reaction, then you can give the song your full attention.
Hello. Well, I feel I am giving the song the full attention even when I'm writing notes. Currently I don't even look at the pad 75% of the time I'm writing. I see your point, probably very few if any reactors have my format, but that's how I've done it from the start. It's tempting to listen a second time off camera and write all my notes, but I feel that's cheating, as I want to give a reaction based on only 1 listen. Anyways, I appreciate any watch time you gave if you choose not to return.. ✌