For me, Tales is the gift that keeps on giving. I still find new things to love about even though I first got to know it nearly 50 years ago. The Ancient is perhaps the 'trickiest' piece to get through, but the listener is rewarded for sticking with the jarring guitars in the first section when the 'Leaves of Green' section begins. It is, always has been, and always will be a highlight of Steve Howe's repertoire.
50 years later, I appreciate it even more. The Ancient is my favorite of the album. Live, it was freaking amazing. There is a live track that has a drum/timpani(Squire playing them)/group play that is pretty wild. I think you'd enjoy that. I think even Wakeman came around to appreciating it!
Hi. I never thought you would dig this😂 This is the hardest piece to get into for me (and maybe Soundchaser from Relayer). Ritual is the best crafted song on this album. One of their best epics (truly epic) in my opinion. The live version on Yesshows along with the live version of Gates Of Delirium from the same album completely changed my perception of music.
The most extreme Yes of all Yes music is to me the finest music ever written or recorded in all music history. The first rock symphony that only Yes can make. A few years later, Mike Oldfield created the 2nd rock symphony titled Incantations. Mike must have thought "if Yes can do it, I can do it by myself."
This is pretty well known, but while Yes were recording Tales, Black Sabbath was recording Sabbath Bloody Sabbath In an adjacent studio, so working alcoholic Rick spent a lot of time drinking and playing darts with the Sabbath guys. He even guested on their album!
The intro reminds me of some King Crimson improvs from this same general time period. It's harder to love the whole piece, but I got there eventually. There's a lot (too much?) going on in this track in particular.
HAIL YES!!! All I can say is that I LOVE IT. Takes me exactly where the Theme said it would especially the changes leading up to the deeply Trippy surreal "SUN" Trance-like Chant section. I know some can't handle this side LOL! TOO BAD! I think it's BRILLIANT! Always love "howe' Steve pushed his Psychedelic nature to the limit! That Funky Tribal Fusion polyrhythmic bass, drum & keys Intro! WOW!!! With all the amazing work Rick provides I never understood his complaints, but I am happy & actually surprised you "GET IT". The "Leaves of Green" pastoral sweet calm acoustic section was simply needed to bring us back to Earth & dial down the electricity. All precursors to the amazing RELAYER!!! so thank goodness Rick bailed, and we got the one of a kind YES with Patrick Moraz!!! 70's YES were always YES but never predictable nor stagnant!
Tales from Topographic Oceans, and here in particular Record 2, Side 3 (The Ancient - Giants under the sun) and side 4 (Ritual - Nous sommes du Soleil) are the greatest Pieces of music which 'Yes ever composed, not to forget 'The Revealing Science of God' - Dance of the Dawn' (Side 1 - Record 1). But especially 'The Ancient - Giants under the Sun' is, in my opinion, the most groundbreaking masterpiece of Yes entire career. 'The Ancient' is one of the best works ever in the history of Progressive Rock. Never again did the band venture further into new musical territory than in this piece, neither before nor after. For example, the Guitarscales of Steve Howe in this piece Are so strange and unusual, that, when you close your eyes, you almost believe you can see it - the ancient people built their Pyramids. This Impression is particularly supported musically here through the wonderfully complex Percussion playing of Alan White (oh, what a great debut of this man on the sixth Studiorecord of this phenomenal band) and the great and complex keyboardsounds (simply insane, here, especially the weird, absolute complex playing of the Organ) of Rick Wakeman, in rhythmically offset contrast to Steve Howe's Guitarscales and Alan White's Percussionwork, just great, and, towards the end of the piece, the absolutely magnificent one, which goes into the dephts of the soul, that goes deep to the heart - the beautyful ending and one of Steve Howe's absolutely mastercompositions, the wonderful 'Leaves of Green' - and one of the best acoustic guitar parts in the entire music history. It couldn't be better! Conclusion: Who simply ignores 'Tales from Topographic Oceans', he didn't understand the depth of this Album, and also didn't understand the depth of the music of this unique Band. Who didn't like 'Tales from Topographic Oceans' has grasped neither the message nor the beauty of this music and will probably not to be able to understand the musically Universe of YES. This Album is an absolute breathtaking. It is unique. When will this finally be understood? Perhaps someday, but probably never! ☺ Kind regards Heinz (Munich/Germany). 🌳🌲🌷⚘🌱✨
I have been listening to this album since 1980. Only recently has this track emerged as my favorite of the 4 sides of the album. Steve Howe's playing on this side is some of his best.
"Leaves of Green" was the bone Yes would throw to fans of this album side, when they played live. It's sometimes included in Steve's solo spot up to this day.
From what you have said about the instrumental parts of The Ancient, I'm thinking you might like the next album Relayer. Yes managed to step up another gear with Relayer and the songs The Gates of Delirium (another highlight of the entire prog-rock genre - I'll leave it at that, else I'll never stop gushing over it) and particularly, Sound Chaser. I always felt Side 3 of TFTO's The Ancient was a bit of a nod to Bill Bruford's leaving Yes for King Crimson. A bit like Yes saying 'We can do the weird percussive stuff too'. I love this track, and kinda nuts that Yes making this kind of music in 1973 resulted in a January 1974 number one album in the UK and a number 6 album in the US album charts. Nuts 😵💫
Howe: "Side three, 'The Ancient,' went from almost avant-garde rock to kind of a classical approach... The first section’s mad, and then leading into the 'Leaves of Green' section I play an extended passage on the classical guitar. I think that’s a very challenging idea for a band to have taken on. It’s almost musical deception. Think about the first ten minutes of that track: you wouldn’t expect that you’re going to hear something rock, then classical guitar, and then a song. Of course, then we give in to temptation, and come back with the angular stuff to close the piece. You thought we were going to let you off lightly with all that nice stuff"
Side 4 Ritual is the powerhouse of the album but this Side 3 The Ancient is the best as they went all out to create an atmosphere exactly matching the title (job well done) of something out there and different. Glad you get it especially first time, I only got it about the third time of hearing.
I don't remember this...Wakeman seems to keep the cohesion of this tune. Cool percussive grooves and fills. I agree with J. on this, the layering interplay is deceptively synergistic. OMG, those classical lines by Steve, blew me away! That Rameriz nylon sounds great...not super enthused by the slide on this tune, but overall, The Ancient is fantastic IMO.
As for Mr Wakeman, I don’t remember his statement about him “having nothing to offer “ but,in general, I definitely remember him saying he thought it was the “wrong direction “ for the band to be taking. Go figure…I wonder what he thought about it in later years. I liked the album, but I was extremely stoned back in my teenage years!
"The Ancient" is easily in my Top 5 favorite Yes tracks. Nothing else they ever did touches it for weirdness ("Sound Chaser" from 'Relayer' is probably second place, Justin). It's the kind of thing this band was put on Earth to create. The opening is reminiscent of "Close to the Edge", but even more abstract. Jon Anderson was a huge proponent of the idea of 'world music' long before it was a thing (although it was around this time that it was gaining popularity), which really gets funneled into this track. The lyrics, all the percussion, Steve's guitar... Speaking of Steve's guitar, now you see why so many of us in the 70's just couldn't get all that excited by people like Jimmy Page. By the way Justin, if you like this you'll probably also dig King Crimson's "Lark's Tongues in Aspic Pt 1", also from 1973. You may want to check it out on this channel because a) it's King Crimson, and b) it's Bill Bruford's first album with KC. Just beware that Fripp hunts down unauthorized KC music on YT like a shark, but it usually takes a while for him to find new violators. 😀
Many elements in this are closer to experimental music than progressive rock - and the thing about experiments is, that not all of them lead to interesting results.
When I first listened to this for the first time I really don't like it. But over the years it has grown on me. Hang in there. You have great views and opinions on the work.
Definitely my favourite from this album - everything flowed nicely, no odd transitions.This was a track more suited for White than Bruford, he really shines on this. And don't worry about Wakeman leaving cause Moraz was the perfect, absolutely perfect, fit for Relayer.
I once knew a guy who told the story about how when he and some buddies went to see Yes on the 'Relayer' tour, by the time the show was over they were looking at each other and going "Rick who?" 😄
@@yes_head And here's a bit of trivia that you might or might not know - even tho Wakeman gets all the credit for Awaken, that track was Moraz's Brain child. He said that he did a lot of the writing on it before the shady dealings of the record label contributed his expulsion of the band. Wakeman did a great job on that particular track, but in general, I think Going For the One would have been a much better album with Moraz.
@@JustinPanariello you'll have to listen to this albums multiple times to catch them all. Even each piece of this album is a call back to riffs in themselves. Siberian Kathru, Heart Of The Sunrise, Close To The Edge, The Clap, Mood For A Day etc... Including references towards their future album Relayer. This is an album you must listen to many times with an open mind and open soul to understand properly.
So, you're saying that other than Jon Anderson, everyone else is great on this? I see. Just wanted to clear that up. 😆I'm just teasing, of course. But I am pleasantly surprised that you seem to be enjoying this magnum opus. "The Ancient" is the least accessible of the four movements, so it should be smooth sailing through "Ritual". 👌
While Howe's use of the pedal steel guitar to get microtones is a cool idea.... unfortunately I think it sounds pretty crappy for most of this. Microtonal music isn't easy to write, and one instrument doing microtones while the others aren't.... ain't so good. But there are some real nice moments on this tune. Leaves of Green and Howe's classical guitar solo piece are very nice.
My third favourite track. I might watch your reaction to track four, but I do not like it, putting it in a distant fourth on the album. Ironically, Rick Wakeman did some of his finest work on "Toby's Graphic Go-Kart", and especially on this track.
Definitely the most prog of the three so far but I was just never into it. The leaves of green section is good but overall I’m not a big fan of the song and never really listen to it any longer.
I don't dig it. Seems like a cacophony o' Jazz or something. Not Yes to me. Almost like a disorganized jam. Like the acoustic music. The last song had a nice melody and beauty to it. To each his/ her own.
Whoever is advising you on your thumbnails is doing you a disservice service. Music reaction fans crave authenticity. Sharing the same clickbait marketing strategy as everyone else makes us question your sincerity.
your not gonna get a more authentic no bs don't care what others think reaction than me. I'm not saying im best at thumbnails but if ppl don't click they dont see the video anyways, clicking comes first. Also sometimes my thumbnails are trolls lol.
For me, Tales is the gift that keeps on giving. I still find new things to love about even though I first got to know it nearly 50 years ago. The Ancient is perhaps the 'trickiest' piece to get through, but the listener is rewarded for sticking with the jarring guitars in the first section when the 'Leaves of Green' section begins. It is, always has been, and always will be a highlight of Steve Howe's repertoire.
50 years later, I appreciate it even more. The Ancient is my favorite of the album. Live, it was freaking amazing. There is a live track that has a drum/timpani(Squire playing them)/group play that is pretty wild. I think you'd enjoy that. I think even Wakeman came around to appreciating it!
Hi. I never thought you would dig this😂 This is the hardest piece to get into for me (and maybe Soundchaser from Relayer). Ritual is the best crafted song on this album. One of their best epics (truly epic) in my opinion. The live version on Yesshows along with the live version of Gates Of Delirium from the same album completely changed my perception of music.
Over the years, Gates of Delirium has edged to the top of my Yes list ❤
The hardest part of the album. But rejoice! The best awaits ❤
When they tell you that Stravinsky is one of their muses, one should expect "Interesting" music to result.
Thank you. I have not heard this song in 20+ years.
No bull$#*t, simply YES at their finest!👍😎
🤩
The most extreme Yes of all Yes music is to me the finest music ever written or recorded in all music history. The first rock symphony that only Yes can make. A few years later, Mike Oldfield created the 2nd rock symphony titled Incantations. Mike must have thought "if Yes can do it, I can do it by myself."
The tune sounds young, but I feel Ancient
This is Yes at their most experimental.
This is pretty well known, but while Yes were recording Tales, Black Sabbath was recording Sabbath Bloody Sabbath In an adjacent studio, so working alcoholic Rick spent a lot of time drinking and playing darts with the Sabbath guys. He even guested on their album!
The musical range of Yes is beyond the casual Pop listener.
The intro reminds me of some King Crimson improvs from this same general time period. It's harder to love the whole piece, but I got there eventually. There's a lot (too much?) going on in this track in particular.
I was reminded of the German prog rock of the era.
Too long.. no kidding.. all 4 songs should have been condensed into a 37 minute album
Well observed. It grows on you over the years.
HAIL YES!!! All I can say is that I LOVE IT. Takes me exactly where the Theme said it would especially the changes leading up to the deeply Trippy surreal "SUN" Trance-like Chant section. I know some can't handle this side LOL! TOO BAD! I think it's BRILLIANT! Always love "howe' Steve pushed his Psychedelic nature to the limit! That Funky Tribal Fusion polyrhythmic bass, drum & keys Intro! WOW!!! With all the amazing work Rick provides I never understood his complaints, but I am happy & actually surprised you "GET IT". The "Leaves of Green" pastoral sweet calm acoustic section was simply needed to bring us back to Earth & dial down the electricity. All precursors to the amazing RELAYER!!! so thank goodness Rick bailed, and we got the one of a kind YES with Patrick Moraz!!! 70's YES were always YES but never predictable nor stagnant!
Justin, I'm with you on Rick Wakemen's fantastic work on this is super great.
I always enjoy your comments.. good to see that people get different things ,or nothing, from a piece of music.
Thank Justin... this bands means a ko to me. Almost 64 now. Remember the first concert..Jon said . Thanks for waiting 20 years..
Tales from Topographic Oceans, and here in particular Record 2, Side 3 (The Ancient - Giants under the sun) and side 4 (Ritual - Nous sommes du Soleil) are the greatest Pieces of music which 'Yes ever composed, not to forget 'The Revealing Science of God' - Dance of the Dawn' (Side 1 - Record 1). But especially 'The Ancient - Giants under the Sun' is, in my opinion, the most groundbreaking masterpiece of Yes entire career. 'The Ancient' is one of the best works ever in the history of Progressive Rock. Never again did the band venture further into new musical territory than in this piece, neither before nor after. For example, the Guitarscales of Steve Howe in this piece Are so strange and unusual, that, when you close your eyes, you almost believe you can see it - the ancient people built their Pyramids.
This Impression is particularly supported musically here through the wonderfully complex Percussion playing of Alan White (oh, what a great debut of this man on the sixth Studiorecord of this phenomenal band) and the great and complex keyboardsounds (simply insane, here, especially the weird, absolute complex playing of the Organ) of Rick Wakeman, in rhythmically offset contrast to Steve Howe's Guitarscales and Alan White's Percussionwork, just great, and, towards the end of the piece, the absolutely magnificent one, which goes into the dephts of the soul, that goes deep to the heart - the beautyful ending and one of Steve Howe's absolutely mastercompositions, the wonderful 'Leaves of Green' - and one of the best acoustic guitar parts in the entire music history. It couldn't be better!
Conclusion: Who simply ignores 'Tales from Topographic Oceans', he didn't understand the depth of this Album, and also didn't understand the depth of the music of this unique Band. Who didn't like 'Tales from Topographic Oceans' has grasped neither the message nor the beauty of this music and will probably not to be able to understand the musically Universe of YES.
This Album is an absolute breathtaking. It is unique. When will this finally be understood? Perhaps someday, but probably never! ☺ Kind regards Heinz (Munich/Germany). 🌳🌲🌷⚘🌱✨
Comparing Howe's work on this to previous albums shows the many styles he had up his sleeve. Genius sense of harmony, scales and modes!
I love this too, the first time I heard it. Musically very interesting.
A test of endurance.
This was my first listen to this as well. I’m with you on this one.
Yes at their most experimental and brilliant it is too !
That Steve Howe guitar lick you recognized was from “Siberian Khatru”.
Ladies and gentlemen YES the greatest show on earth. I knew you would dig it. Like Miles Davis meets Mozart ✨️🎶✨️
Glad you picked up on that strange 'camp fire' song after Steve Howe's awesome guitar.
I have been listening to this album since 1980. Only recently has this track emerged as my favorite of the 4 sides of the album. Steve Howe's playing on this side is some of his best.
Ancient is beatiful. Every movement is related to 4 moments of our life.great album
I get the impression for this one that they entered the studio one morning and said "let's just smoke pot for 4 hours and see what happens"
I like side 3. I get why some don't, but I think it's great 😊
Thanks for reaction sir! Feel Howe and White add tons here. And Leaves of Green is the reward for Jon lovers. 😊
"Leaves of Green" was the bone Yes would throw to fans of this album side, when they played live. It's sometimes included in Steve's solo spot up to this day.
From what you have said about the instrumental parts of The Ancient, I'm thinking you might like the next album Relayer. Yes managed to step up another gear with Relayer and the songs The Gates of Delirium (another highlight of the entire prog-rock genre - I'll leave it at that, else I'll never stop gushing over it) and particularly, Sound Chaser.
I always felt Side 3 of TFTO's The Ancient was a bit of a nod to Bill Bruford's leaving Yes for King Crimson. A bit like Yes saying 'We can do the weird percussive stuff too'. I love this track, and kinda nuts that Yes making this kind of music in 1973 resulted in a January 1974 number one album in the UK and a number 6 album in the US album charts. Nuts 😵💫
Simply genius!🤩
Howe: "Side three, 'The Ancient,' went from almost avant-garde rock to kind of a classical approach... The first section’s mad, and then leading into the 'Leaves of Green' section I play an extended passage on the classical guitar. I think that’s a very challenging idea for a band to have taken on. It’s almost musical deception. Think about the first ten minutes of that track: you wouldn’t expect that you’re going to hear something rock, then classical guitar, and then a song. Of course, then we give in to temptation, and come back with the angular stuff to close the piece. You thought we were going to let you off lightly with all that nice stuff"
Chris Squire always used a harmomised Rickenbauer bass guitar, hence the effect you`re hearing.
I believe Yes' "most experimental" album is Relayer but in a good way. Thank you for forging on with this great band!
This is becoming the "YES" channel
did queen last week lol Toby Keith, Ren, George Strait, Free, Heart the week before lol
He just did a bunch of other shit for it seems like at least a month. Back to Yes is exactly where I want to be. So much greatest left to do...
@@kennethmckinney2532 when there is more Queen to do?
Side 4 Ritual is the powerhouse of the album but this Side 3 The Ancient is the best as they went all out to create an atmosphere exactly matching the title (job well done) of something out there and different. Glad you get it especially first time, I only got it about the third time of hearing.
This is the most difficult of the three but it’s AMAZING!!!!
I don't remember this...Wakeman seems to keep the cohesion of this tune. Cool percussive grooves and fills. I agree with J. on this, the layering interplay is deceptively synergistic. OMG, those classical lines by Steve, blew me away! That Rameriz nylon sounds great...not super enthused by the slide on this tune, but overall, The Ancient is fantastic IMO.
IMHO the hardest album side of Yes repertoire to catch on to but its a grower long term.
As for Mr Wakeman, I don’t remember his statement about him “having nothing to offer “ but,in general, I definitely remember him saying he thought it was the “wrong direction “ for the band to be taking. Go figure…I wonder what he thought about it in later years. I liked the album, but I was extremely stoned back in my teenage years!
"The Ancient" is easily in my Top 5 favorite Yes tracks. Nothing else they ever did touches it for weirdness ("Sound Chaser" from 'Relayer' is probably second place, Justin). It's the kind of thing this band was put on Earth to create. The opening is reminiscent of "Close to the Edge", but even more abstract. Jon Anderson was a huge proponent of the idea of 'world music' long before it was a thing (although it was around this time that it was gaining popularity), which really gets funneled into this track. The lyrics, all the percussion, Steve's guitar... Speaking of Steve's guitar, now you see why so many of us in the 70's just couldn't get all that excited by people like Jimmy Page. By the way Justin, if you like this you'll probably also dig King Crimson's "Lark's Tongues in Aspic Pt 1", also from 1973. You may want to check it out on this channel because a) it's King Crimson, and b) it's Bill Bruford's first album with KC. Just beware that Fripp hunts down unauthorized KC music on YT like a shark, but it usually takes a while for him to find new violators. 😀
Sound Chaser is up there for me - mostly it’s Pat on the jazzy keys ❤
À mon avis c’est la plus expérimental qu’ils ont fait. La dernière partie est sublime Steve est phénoménal
Meine volle Zustimmung. Ich sehe das auch so wie sie. 🌳🌲🌷⚘🌱✨
Many elements in this are closer to experimental music than progressive rock - and the thing about experiments is, that not all of them lead to interesting results.
I do like Steve's acoustic stuff on this track. That's about it.
😎
Ready for ritual
When I first listened to this for the first time I really don't like it. But over the years it has grown on me. Hang in there. You have great views and opinions on the work.
It's rare to encounter a Jon Anderson critic.
Definitely my favourite from this album - everything flowed nicely, no odd transitions.This was a track more suited for White than Bruford, he really shines on this. And don't worry about Wakeman leaving cause Moraz was the perfect, absolutely perfect, fit for Relayer.
I once knew a guy who told the story about how when he and some buddies went to see Yes on the 'Relayer' tour, by the time the show was over they were looking at each other and going "Rick who?" 😄
@@yes_head And here's a bit of trivia that you might or might not know - even tho Wakeman gets all the credit for Awaken, that track was Moraz's Brain child. He said that he did a lot of the writing on it before the shady dealings of the record label contributed his expulsion of the band. Wakeman did a great job on that particular track, but in general, I think Going For the One would have been a much better album with Moraz.
There are easter eggs all over this album.
i love Easter!
@@JustinPanariello you'll have to listen to this albums multiple times to catch them all. Even each piece of this album is a call back to riffs in themselves.
Siberian Kathru, Heart Of The Sunrise, Close To The Edge, The Clap, Mood For A Day etc...
Including references towards their future album Relayer.
This is an album you must listen to many times with an open mind and open soul to understand properly.
So, you're saying that other than Jon Anderson, everyone else is great on this? I see. Just wanted to clear that up. 😆I'm just teasing, of course. But I am pleasantly surprised that you seem to be enjoying this magnum opus. "The Ancient" is the least accessible of the four movements, so it should be smooth sailing through "Ritual". 👌
This album might have made a better CD to eliminate the side-length limitations.
While Howe's use of the pedal steel guitar to get microtones is a cool idea.... unfortunately I think it sounds pretty crappy for most of this. Microtonal music isn't easy to write, and one instrument doing microtones while the others aren't.... ain't so good. But there are some real nice moments on this tune. Leaves of Green and Howe's classical guitar solo piece are very nice.
Still think Bill Bruford would have done it better than Alan? 😋
Bet your favorite will ritual. Could bet lots of moneey
My third favourite track. I might watch your reaction to track four, but I do not like it, putting it in a distant fourth on the album.
Ironically, Rick Wakeman did some of his finest work on "Toby's Graphic Go-Kart", and especially on this track.
Definitely the most prog of the three so far but I was just never into it. The leaves of green section is good but overall I’m not a big fan of the song and never really listen to it any longer.
YES lost me with this song. Sounds more like they gave instuments to a bunch of children and told them to make sounds. Still love classic YES most.
I don't dig it. Seems like a cacophony o' Jazz or something. Not Yes to me. Almost like a disorganized jam. Like the acoustic music. The last song had a nice melody and beauty to it. To each his/ her own.
Whoever is advising you on your thumbnails is doing you a disservice service.
Music reaction fans crave authenticity.
Sharing the same clickbait marketing strategy as everyone else makes us question your sincerity.
your not gonna get a more authentic no bs don't care what others think reaction than me. I'm not saying im best at thumbnails but if ppl don't click they dont see the video anyways, clicking comes first. Also sometimes my thumbnails are trolls lol.
Huh?