Classical Composer Reacts to The Revealing Science of God (Yes) | The Daily Doug (Episode 259)
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- čas přidán 4. 11. 2021
- #Yes #YesReaction #TheRevealingScienceOfGod
In this episode of #TheDailyDoug, I'm listening to the entire first side of the landmark 1973 Yes album Tales from Topographic Oceans. The song, The Revealing Science of God, took me for quite a ride. I loved the spaciousness and pacing of this 20-minute classic. Yes is a band that plays with so much musical color...very unique! Come along for the ride!
Reference Video: • The Revealing Science ...
(that is a reference to part 1)
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My mates and I used to sing the opening section of this on the bus on the way to school. We were weird but happy.
what a great activity, i wish I could do that
I know all the words to that 'chant' too...Its an awesome invocation!
Haha that is brilliant
@@ThePrion23 Me too!
Wish I'd gone to a school that even knew who Yes was, let alone know the lyrics to Revealing...
Tales is a difficult album to digest, but once you get into it, it doesn't leave you anymore. It's one of those amazing work of arts that needs time but it's really original and unique.
Yeah but if you see Revealing and Ritual live you are in for life!
Honey, I was a teenager when I first heard it and I became mesmerized by it and it was the album that opened a dimensional door to me at such a young age. Instead of me digesting it, it digested me.
@@soniaalvarez1584 Same here. I first listened to it the year it came out thanks to a good friend of mine. Had it on vinyl for years, then on CD and now in MP3. My favorite Yes album.
MP3...get FLAC file....its the dogs bollocks
@@jameshoey303 I agree wholeheartedly but my problem is that iTunes doesn't support FLAC.
I think topographic oceans is really an underrated concept album
i agree
Probably because it’s not really a concept album :) it’s a thematic album based on 4 interlocking themes.
A masterpiece
The Best!
It's hugely devisive amongst the fan base.
The opening "chant" movement just might be the most beautifully brilliant thing you'll ever hear in rock music.
The chant is the only part i skip. Unnecessary
@@marinhrabric6162 never skip music like this its not right in my eyes
"right into it"
This is not rock music, this is pure beauty.
@marinhrabric6162 your comment is unnecessary 😒
I can still remember buying this album just on the shelves here at about 5pm Friday, 7th December 1973. I was so surprised seeing a new Yes album and such amazing artwork. I knew the staff member at the counter as she was my neighbour and her son was one of my best friends. I asked if I could listen to it and instead of just hearing the required 20 minutes i listened to the album all the way through all 4 sides. Still love, love, love it all!
I too bought the album the day that it was released in the record shop (unheard) and rush home to play it over snd over again.
It moved me as a 17-year-old and still does.
Thanks for the memories
My story is similar , and I still love the album too.
I still remember the dreams there!
I still remember the times we said,
Goodbye!
I was Christmas shopping with mom at JC Penney about the same time when she gifted me with this album.
Back then there wasn't much media coverage of rock bands and albums would suddenly appear.
You're gonna love The Remembering. Such kudos for Chris' harmonies- so hard to harmonize with Jon and his amazing voice. Yes always leaves you happy. 😊
The Remembering is like Awaken, And You and I tied together having a heart piercingly, movingly giving experience
TFTO, for me is just the most incredible work of art. It will forever be my favourite music ever produced. Every track is a masterpiece.
I can't say it's better than Close to the Edge, but gosh I love this album
Siberian Khatru!
The part in the middle of the song is hypnosis.
The water dripping,
I get up, I get down.
Both are like watching the clock.
Then the hypnotic suggestions, the part about the lady that you can clearly see.
I can say that XD
Close to the edge is a masterpiece
@@nathanbaker5013 even if it had only " And you and I" alone, that would even make it a masterpiece.
This composition is one of the most amazing, mesmerizing pieces ever recorded by anyone in the history of humankind. I love how they take their time. They never rush. They always carry their message across and every part is played in full, exactly how it should be played. It's not overblown in the least. It's like a symphony containing many parts which all fit perfectly. I won't even comment on the musicianship. It's out-of-this-world good on all early Yes albums.
And it's one of those rare occasions when Doug can't add value through his comments. Not because he is bad. He is good. But you can't add value to perfection.
After almost 50 years that synth solo near the end still gives me chills. Such a beautiful song.
Yes for me this is the best synth solo ever heard
Seeing this live is unbelievable!
You know Wakeman was a burned-out prodigy like Yehudi Menuin on violin. But, man, can that bloke PLAY! Classical's loss was rock's gain. Yowza!
It's one of my favorite Wakeman solos... and the sort of horse-riding power groove it's set up over... truly genius. And the section leading to the solo makes it even more exciting!
That was technology in talented hands, nowadays technology drives the music not talent
Rick Wakeman's solo is one of the most monumental keyboard solos in prog history.. it influenced many keyboard player that followed
I still can't get over the fact that he plays all the synth parts on Sabbath Bloody Sabbath namely who are you and Sabra Cadabra which I found out just recently.
@@mikekruszynski8719 I heard that he recorded that because Sabbath went to record at the same studio as they were recording this very record.
@@enkiitu my favorite part of this story is that apparently yes had all sorts of atmospheric props evoking nature in the studio, including a cutout cow. Long story short: Sabbath vandalized the cow. Lol
Fuckin right on…i love The Revealing Science of God but for me it all leads up to Wakeys unbelievable Moog solo that as you said, is as good a keyboard solo as you will ever hear in your life….unless of course you listen to his first three solo albums which are sublime ❤️❤️❤️
That and The Remembering are among the prettiest songs they have ever done. The themes are absurdly simple, but are executed in the most unconventional way. Bought it the day it came out, and listened to it all the way through ten times in a row in one sitting, discovering new details each time.
Turn of the century is it for me. Gets me every time I hear it. So beautiful. Hauntingly so.
I agree - their "epic" tracks on other albums might have more coherence and "rock" more, I think arising from the whole band being involved where as this was a Jon and Steve collaboration which the band then joined, but Topographic has so many beautiful melodies drifting through.
I am pleased to see quite a few people on here calling out sides one and two, where more of those melodies are. For some reason "Ritual" became section they would perform live in later years and is often praised as the least flawed, but I was always far more fascinated by the opening three sides.
@@paultrouskie1825 “to be over” does it for me.
@@raypolakovic1290 Siberian Kahtru!
Here's hoping that Jon Anderson will see this and come on with you the way Annie Haslam did when you reacted to her music. Here's hoping.
Actually ran into Rick Wakeman a few weeks ago as he lives here in the Suffolk area. What a lovely guy - we were walking our dog and we talked dogs as he quietly rescues dogs with a charity that he set up. I recall that he in the past has said of Jon’s lyrics that it was pointless asking him what they mean as even he doesn’t understand them. So I suppose, like early Bowie when he used to cut up newspaper text and randomly assemble them, it is as you say using his voice like an instrument with words painting pictures that we aren’t meant to try to fully make sense of just enjoy the overall effect.
Glad to see Rick getting a bit of exercise. Would like to see him stay around a bit longer.
@@danburnes722 - His tribute to Keith Emerson (he played Emerson's "Trilogy") had me in tears.
For sure his lyrics are not sharp and clear and distinct. Rather: diffuse, pastel-like, but warm and compassionate and affirmative. And very fitting for the name of the band!
I read in a comment section on another channel some perceptive person describe Jon as a impressionist ( lyrically speaking) and I think that's as close as we can get to understanding his lyrics.
His Lyrics come from another dimension.
I loved how you told us about the 5 pause points - and then, when they came, you couldn’t wait to get on to hear what came next. My friends at the time simply didn’t “get”this album at all. Their loss.
for some reason very few people in my country listen to yes - almost a whole country dont get yes at all
And where's that, Henning?
@@grijzeharrie Denmark
My entire town didn't get Yes at all. I once got told they were Satanic because of this album!
@@lisagulick4144 Yep, only Satan would make a double album with one track per side! 😅🤣😂
For me, much of The Revealing Science of God and most all of Tales From Topographic Oceans, for that matter, sounds like a soundtrack for Life --- my life, your life, everyone's life, the life of the earth and the universe even.
Alan White is a criminally underrated drummer!
I’m so blessed to have gotten to meet him. RIP Alan
Underrated by whom?
That word itself is incredibly overused yet never used correctly
Its because some people focus only on the technic that Bruford brings on Heart Of Sunrise or CTTE.. and he was indeed more technical.. but Alan has the soul Yes needed to work as one! And you can see that on Tales and Relayer
RIP Alan White
I love Jon Anderson and Yes since the 4th grade in 1970. The music sounds just as good or even better in 2021.
To your comments of this wonderful piece and the practice of loving our mother earth, I believe that is where Jon is beckoning us all. His interest and practice in eastern religions leads him to (gently) persuade us to look inside ourselves and ultimately understand our interconnection with all things we encounter in this life, to make a better existence here for all, and with luck a more beautiful existence beyond this. Love this music.
Thanks for bringing this back to me. The beautiful harmonies. Crazy transitions. Alan White was so underrated.
I must have waited all my week for this…moment moment moment 🎵
This is my favorite incarnation of this magical organization. From day one I have adored them, pushing fifty years. Steve and Chris, and of course, Rick, are just chemically perfect. Not to be forgotten, Alan White rocks. Literally. Jon, well, what can be said about the little leprechaun ☘️. It’s magical, no matter how you look at it. Doug, I don’t know if you’ve ventured out, but there are several others that do this, and it seems as though they ALL love YES! And, why not?!!
What a beautiful thing to hear this song/side again after way too long. I had almost forgotten how magical it is. Thank you for reminding me...
My first YES concert in February 1974 at Cornell university in upstate NY. I was a 22 year old violin major. Started the spiritual journey that's lasted all these years.
That blistering synth solo near the end with the band rocking out in 3/4 (or maybe 6/8) never fails to raise goosebumps. It's probably one of the most expressive synth solos I've ever heard, yet it can just about peal paint off the walls. Not bad for a so called airy mystical band. They rocked when they wanted to.
Probably my favorite synth solo ever. Perfect in every way. So short, though, but if it had been stretched out it would have lost something I'm thinking. Always leave 'em wanting more...
And the last couple minutes of Ritual (and many of the live versions are even better).
Rick Wakeman openly states that he doesn't like Tales and yet his contribution is huge. That solo still makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
As a strange coincidence, before coming here and watching this, I was watching a BBC 4 documentary from 2003 on you tube about the history of prog rock. In it is an interview with Jon Anderson where he mentions Rick struggling to play this solo as it is on the album and asking him to learn it. This continued throughout a tour in the late 70's with Jon constantly mentioning it to the point where, much to Jons' surprise and disappointment, Rick decided to leave the band.
Following the band accents I would notate the time signatures in this section as: | 4/4 | 5/4 | 3/4 | 3/4 | with those 4 measures repeating. Of course other interpretations are possible as well.
The switch in drummers from Bill Bruford to Alan White (which started on the live Yessongs album before Tales) was no step down. As talented as Bruford was and continued to be in King Crimson, his solo work, and UK, White fit in perfectly for this album. I actually couldn't imagine this album without White. My favorite Yes album of all! And the best album to pair with cannabis.
I actually prefer White’s playing on a lot of the Fragile/CttE material on Yessongs to Bruford’s on the albums.
@@johnbriggsmusic thank you someone else finally 🙏
The story has it that Bruford quit right before a tour, and White had to learn everything up to that point in 3 days.
@@johnbriggsmusic This is kind of in line with Bruford’s own feelings towards leaving the band - iirc he felt too limited in creativity in what Yes was asking of him. idk much about drums, but often I feel Yes was a better fit for White than Bruford, just based on subjective differences in stuff like their approach to drumming or whatever
I prefer White too. Say what you want about technical virtuosity, White held Yes together better. They had better group feel, swagger, and soul with him. My three favorite Yes albums are his first three.
I keep coming back to this album after 45 years and it is still my favourite. Yes album of all time.
I’ve been a fan of this album for many, many years, but the Steven Wilson remixes makes this album sound as fresh and full as it never has before. It adds new life to the music and especially when you listen through headphones, it actually feels like Yes are playing live, right there in your own living room. It gives me goosebumps. Wonderful stuff.
Agree and I believe the improved sound is most readily apparent when you hear the drums. No coincidence Dougeroo was struck by them. Alan Whites!
I think side three, The Ancient, is one of the finest fusion tracks ever recorded. But the whole album is one of my favorite Yes records, even after listening to it for over 45 years. Wait - a bong and a Yes album review? Doug has my dream job! A lot of Yes listeners talk about their musicianship but I think their greatest attribute is their ability to write and arrange. Lots of bands can play complicated songs, but few can write arrangements like this. Howe, Anderson and Squire (RIP) are masters at this. Just brilliant.
The live version of "Ritual, Nous Somme du Soleil" off the YesShows album is certainly worth a listen.
Back in the '80s I had a half-hour drive out to the theater where I used to rehearse and perform. I had a 60-minute cassette that had that live "Ritual" on one side and ELP's live "Tarkus" on the other. One song getting there and one song getting back. And that was MY ritual!
That version of Ritual alone makes Yesshows worth buying.
The version on Symphonic Yes is pretty awesome too
@@stevenmcgowan8344 Plus a phenomenal rendition of Gates of Delirium - bonus!
@@lisagulick4144 yes, that version of GoD is my current favorite. Jon’s voice is amazing
I received this album as a Christmas present, probably around 1974.
Since I was already familiar with Yes and especially Close To The Edge, Tales was just another indication to me that Yes had launched themselves to legendary status.
My favourite track from Yes by a just a smigeon from The Gates of Delirium and Close to the edge. Hope you enjoy it as much as I have for over. 45 years
I’ve only listed to this song like 5 times, but I already know this is gonna be one of my favorite songs from Yes. It’s absolutely amazing
Continually blown away by Jon Anderson’s gorgeous vocal quality. That 2nd repeat of “glory to sons / of all fighters past” is so beautiful.
My favorite Yes song ever.! So glad you’re doing this one.
@@lesblatnyak5947 wish I had the opportunity to see it live. I saw them once, but they didn’t play this.
"My favorite Yes song ever.!" Same here!
This was my first Yes album. I think I bought it on vinyl when I was in my mid teens, the same time as ELP's Brain Salad Surgery. I remember playing it on the huge home console "stereo". Looking back, man it had crappy sound, but there I was, lying on the ground with my head as close to the console as possible between the two speakers (no headphone jack - I fixed that later much to my parents concern). I remember having a mystical experience at that time without any chemical assistance. Glorious.
Other than the strange rhythms on the bass lines that made me want to take up bass guitar (and play a Rickenbacker), the thing that I enjoyed most were the cricket rhythms (synthesizer). It was so rhythmically complex, with the repetition of themes that echoed classical music I loved, that I was just drawn in. I still get taken to a special place every time I listen to this track, even 48 years later. It's aural magic for me.
The first two sides are my some of my favorite Yes pieces. The second two are a more difficult to access and require a little more work to appreciate. It did take a long time to really appreciate side three for what it is.
My second favorite Yes piece is "Awaken" off of the "Going for the One" LP, closely followed by the entire "Drama" LP. Yeah, I'll take heat for Drama, but it's far better than a lot of people have claimed. Least favorite is anything on the "Tormoto" LP. Contractual obligation LP, fer sure.
Fun fact: Black Sabbath were in the another part of the studio at the same time recording Sabbath Bloody Sabbath. Rick skipped out when he got annoyed and crashed the Black Sabbath sessions. He can be heard playing keys on "Sabbra Cadabra". He initially refused payment for his contribution, but ended up accepting a case of beer for his work.
Need a review on Sabbath Bloody Sabbath and Sabotage
Those were days
I still can't understand how punkies said this was self-indulgent. It's one of the best rock pieces of all time. Delicate, furious and challenging.
Mainstream media manipulation and deliberate industry engineering.... look into the works of Sage of Quay , Neil Sanders and Mark Devlin.
I never understood the whole idea of "self-indulgence" as a negative thing. Like... you're writing music right? Who are you indulging? Strangers? Why?! To sell? Well, sure. But I rather listen to beautiful music written by people who indulged themselves by doing whatever the F they wanted.
I do think this album is a slight step down from where they were quality-wise before but this is actually one of their least pretentious albums. It's a band taking their time, taking in the scenery, and enjoying the journey.
Hell I don't get the whole punk vs. prog dichotomy...I like both, both are valid expressions and art forms, and both scratch different itches and speak to different aspects of life. It's all music...it's all a part of being human...sometimes you need to be lofty and spiritual, and sometimes you need to get pissed off and throw shit because the world is a shitshow and society is full of shit. It's all valid...
@@TheB3Nut Yep, both are legitimate expressions, but punk music wasn't born to be "art". And the critics who loved punk were the ones to write history and dismiss prog. That was the reason why Yes wasn't inducted into Hall of Fame until very late.
Isn't that delicious! Saw this played live - absolutely mind-blowing, people dancing in the aisles, and it's been my all time favourite album for over 40 years. Blessings be upon you Doug for critiqueing this and I hope you can find time to listen to the rest sometime (next three Fridays sorted?). Though I always struggled a bit with The Ancient, as a whole there is some of the most beautiful, transcendent music ever created on this album.
Amazing choice Doug! This record blew my mind when I was in my early teens. Started to play guitar more seriously after hear Howe's guitar licks from this song.
My heart broke when the song started without the long intro to the original track. For me, the whole album begins in those seconds, it grows and grows until the moment where you started the song! it was a pity...
Not me... when I heard the remaster with the longer intro I felt it was a tedious buildup, nope... I prefer the immediate vocal opening of the original 1973 album... but, that's just me 😉
@@hurdygurdyguy1 what version(s) have the intro?? Neither version (regular or deluxe edition) has the intro.
I’ve been listening to TFTO for 50 years and I’d be very curious to hear that longer intro
czcams.com/video/WGEIzcsxodU/video.html@@kevvymac
the other way is more spiritual, so to speak, it's a more suitable intro to all the music that will come after.@@hurdygurdyguy1
This is one of my favourite albums - up there with Lamb Lies Down on Broadway [another double album]. There are so many layers to the music and the complexity adds to its appeal. The complexity is not done for the sake of complexity or pomposity, but to enrich the mood. I agree with what you said about Yes's lyrics and I would liken them to the shapes and distortions of a Picasso painting: you can look at part of a face say and say, there's something I don't get about that... but the colour, shapes and the way it is assembled makes sense and enjoyable - its art. Great analysis. [BTW - you have to listen to Rick Wakeman's 6 Wives of King Henry VIII - at least one song to understand his use of the mellotron and other synths. ]
That's what I thought!!! He has to listen to Six Wives!!!
Funny you mentioned Lamb and Topographic, they are my favourite albums from both Groups.
@@TheCactusjack1 Funny how it's also my favorite albums from my two favorite bands. We must have the same ears
Excellent pick, Doug. It’s wonderful hearing this through your lens and witnessing your genuine enthusiasm for this classic piece…a masterpiece from this lineup. And, Mr. Wilson’s treatment of this music is brilliantly done.
Thanks very much! 🙏🏻
Early March, 2023 and I'm laid up in the hospital. It's about 1:00AM and I can't sleep. So I search thru my phone and find "Revealing..." and start playing it.
Eventually my nurse comes in and says "Listening to YES I see" I asked her how she knew and she said her brother was seven years older than her and he played them all the time.
There's still hope for the younger generations.
Dear Daily Doug (this is my personal reference to you, lol), I enjoy your channels more than ever. Thank you for bringing such a positive vibe. I love how you help undemonize the herbal complements! You have inspired my public persona on my videos and online lessons with your spontaneous, laid back style. You are the only reaction channel I feel like listening and following. You reveal many layers of musical richness this world has. Rock on!
I Agree!
Another exceptional reaction. Your enthusiasm is infectious. I've been a Yes fan since 1972 (Close to the Edge). I'm also a major Camel fan and would love you to react to the full Snow Goose album!
Great album, that Snow Goose!
This is a GREAT re-mix. I'm hearing stuff on this mix that I never heard on the vinyl release back in 1973. Forever my favorite band.
My favorite album of all time. 💚💛 The songs and the Artwork of Roger Dean make me crazy.
Mini moog in the beginning...☺️ My favorite Yes song
My first ever Yes concert - "blind" would you believe - was Tales at the Greens Playhouse (later the Apollo) in Glasgow late '72 I think. It made such a huge impression, Tales became my long time favourite Yes album. Sorry, but as great as Close to the Edge is, that first exposure to Yes has always been my favourite. However, I never did really take to The Ancients on side 3. And I did get pretty tired of Ritual which seemed to be played at every concert with that interminable drum solo. But the first two parts, particularly the Remembering, still get me a bit emotional. Why they were rarely played still puzzles me.
Are you sure it was '72? Bevause TFTO wasn't released until December if '73.
I was at the world Premier of Topographic Oceans, at the Bournemouth Winter Gardens, 16th November, 1973.
Close to the Edge (played in reverse order), followed by all 4 movements of TFTO. Encores were Roundabout and Heart of the Sunrise.
I totally agree about side 1 and 2. 3 I can tAke, not so much 4.
But Close to the Edge would have to be played in the last 30 minutes of my life, so that I could die totally contended and move on to wherever…
@@Jack-D-Ripper I understand what you mean. I had the same thought about "Awaken", from Going For The One.
My first Yes concert was at the Apollo Glasgow 🏴 1977 with support from Scottish singer Donovan.
I so loved this album back when it was released, and particularly this amazing composition. I remember seeing one of their reunion tours years back and saying “well, the only thing they could do to make this night more magical is to play the Revealing Science of God”, never believing they’d actually dedicate that amount of time, but they did and I was floored! But then I saw Jon Anderson solo at BB Kings in New York maybe 10 years ago and I jokingly said to my friend “wow, I really hope he plays the Revealing Science of God. And somewhat later in the show, Jon switched from the Guitar to the Piano and very quietly began the opening strands of this beautiful achievement in the Yes repertoire. Jon is such an amazing soul.
Dr. Doug, I like to think of the four sides of TFTO as a symphony in four parts. The movements are not necessarily the traditional movements, but the overarching theme of the Hindu texts ties it all together.
Yes, listening to the entire thing in one go on virgin ears can be a bit much, but once you're familiar with the piece, the four movements all flow in to and compliment each other.
Indeed...💙💙
Can you imagine seeing this in it's entirety at The Rainbow Theatre in 1973? I did. The album hadn't been released yet so no one in the audience had heard it. As this piece kicked off a giant illuminated beetle like thing above Alan White's drum kit slowly opened it's wings and an oscillator reflecting the music was projected onto the creatures wings. It was just too much brilliance for this 21 year old to take in. Now 71, I am still listening to this masterpiece.
The Revealing Science Of God es una Obra de Arte, Inigualable, Masterpiece!! El Rock Progresivo en su total Esplendor!! Una Maravilla de Tema!! 😍😍♥️♥️
This is absolutely my favorite album of all time. Thanks for reviewing.
Yes of the 70s are a pinnacle of human musical achievement. Punk was a reaction to music having reached such a high level, and reset the terms (for better or worse).
Punk was a flash in the musical(!?) toilet pan that was flushed long ago. And here we are, nearly 50 years later still listening to these prog masterpieces.
There has never been a more reasonable thing to do than hit the bong to listen to The Revealing Science of God.
My first prog rock album was Yes' Tales from Topographic Oceans, back in early 2008, and it's still to this day on of my favorite albums. I love it so much. It's my go-to album (and yes, I always listen to it front-to-back) to get my spirits up.
Doug, only a true Yes fan could see that Jon isn't just writing lyrics to fit the music. Jon had made a facetious comment to that extent but it was tongue in cheek, in a very short time you know what saying. I love your excitement when listening, they came together as five different geniuses, but melded into one sound. You've gone from Fragile to Relayer and found that pure beauty of Yes! Love your Genisis reactions too! Good man my friend!
Tales from Topographic Oceans is in my opinion the best Progressive Rock album of all time.
I don't know about that, but top 20 for sure, if not top ten.
@@bojiden
Being a huge YES fan from before Tales was released this album has played an important part in my life and was what I listened to the day I learned of my mom's passing 48 years ago this month. It helped me through that and still does to this day. So thanks for doing this Doug, it helps soothe that emotional pain to this day when I listen. I saw them play MSG during this tour a few weeks before mom passed.
Bravo ! He GETS it 👏😊
I can tell you're not a guitar player because Steve's work doesn't seem to grab your attention very much.
More like it's a facet in the music only.
For me, as a Guitarist, I am always riveted by his phrasing, unorthodox composition, his choices in chord voicings, and his dual octave runs, cause you sure can tell Howe was influenced by players like Chet Atkins, Carl Perkins, & Wes Montgomery, as his style is not your typical blues scale rock oriented technique. I've learned so much by studying his playing that I would never have gotten from all those linear Rock God players. Howe was a fully blossomed & fluid player, like a sonic representation of a flower. Not only that, but his tone was also very unique, how he achieved that quiet but mildly distorted subtle smoulder, as if his instrument was glowing red ready to catch on fire, and was quite a difficult trick to copy, because he exclusively used rare vintage amps and pedals, not to mention Guitars that had such unique pedigree and personalities of their own. I asked a tech in a music store once: how can I achieve the Steve Howe Sound? He laughed and said, 'well first you gotta spend several thousands of dollars' 🤣 Stubborn ass bit of a snob he is, LOL I've met him, but ya gotta give it up for the man cause he is a classic Superhero Master Sensei of the Guitar no doubt. So much so, that his genius is easy to overlook if you're distracted by what the other virtuoso musicians in YES are doing, because he knew how to blend in so well.
Howe shattered trendy paradigms and opened up the entire spectrum of what is possible in rock music.
Now if you get through Side 3- the Ancient, and your brain doesn't suffer a meltdown, your ears will explain a bit of what I've babbled on about 🤪
No doubt Chet and Django were huge influences on Steve. I agree with you that he doesn't fully 'get' Steve. There is no other like him and his approach to the instrument. Very non-traditional for a rock guitarist who could rock with anyone. IMO his most intense work his live solo on Yours from Yes Songs. Oddly enough for the movie they chose a different performance.
@@johnnicholson8345 wow we see things exactly alike. Yes could have been way more mainstream if they hadn't ruined the movie with that embarrassing performance on Yours is no Disgrace.
That song, and Perpetual Change from the Yessongs album, showcase Steve at his most explosive & creative moments much Love bro ✌
@@kennethenos2716 I'd kick the producer of that movie if I could. The spacey amoeba bullshit during close to the edge is infuriating.
You might find something of interest in this guy's site : Francisco Diaz czcams.com/channels/HVIuwkcYZFJDIagomDyWcQ.html
I am really looking forward to this one, in my all time top 3, at this moment my 1, I just love this sung Intro
I am so happy that you love this as much as I do! I just love Jon's lyrics! I think that they resonate with everyone who listens to them in their own different ways, they mean something different to each individual! Does that make sense?! I want to thank you because I listen to these tracks in a whole new way! Listening to Chris's deep, rich sounds that I might not have before & Steve, Rick and Alan too!! You're a revelation, thank you and more YES please!! 👍🥰
Excellent Doug, and your thoughts on Jon's words are spot on. It's as much the sound of the words rather as their meaning. The abiding optimism of his intent is, however, an inspiration. Always fascinated in your interpretations. Thanks so much!
From an era where creativity, artistry, and talent were recognized and appreciated. I love this album, not my favorite from Yes, but its a masterpiece.
The lyrics are really meant to paint pictures in your mind, and to evoke emotions.
In an interview Jon Anderson admitted even he doesn't know what the words mean. If the author doesn't know then the words are meaningless.
You don't really appreciate Yes until you've heard it for the 500th time and realize you will never get tired of it.
When this record appears, I was disappointed, expecting "Close to the Edge" to be continued.
So for about 50 years I didn't hear to it.
But now you teached me to hear it with other ears. What a great record!
Thanks to you one more time!
One of my favorite songs of all time . Thanx for doing this . It's great to see someone hear this for the first time as I did when it came out and I was 14. I was blown away as a kid.
You need to read the liner notes on the album. The four songs are based footnotes from the autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda that describes four bodies of Hindu texts about a specific field of knowledge, collectively named shastras: the śruti, smriti, puranas, and tantras. If you can follow that? :-) My favorite post talk of this album was other bands saying they wanted to produce their own "Tales" album -- the band doing a project they wanted and not worrying about reaction.
According to Bill Bruford's autobiography, King Crimson percussionist Jamie Muir introduced Jon Anderson to Yogananda's book during a conversation at Bruford's wedding reception in mid-'73 ... so Jon had only recently been introduced to the shastras when he decided to write about them!
Wakeman slagged it off at the time, didn’t like it, and I remember the arseholes in the music media stating this album was one of the reasons we got punk, as prog was disappearing up its own arse…and yet here we are still marvelling at master musicians educating us. How lucky I feel to have been a teenager in the 70s, and thank my older brother for taking me to their concerts, yes album, close to the edge, tales, and relayer, saw em all live……..
Was waiting for someone to mention this book.
I too have blown a lot of bong bowls listening to yes...it’s a requirement to fully groove on their epic catalogue.
Just an extraordinary piece of music that enables the soul and light-energy to soar freely without restriction. Beautiful. Thanks Doug….puff puff
‘That big bodacious bass contrasted with Jon’s melodic voice (which is an instrument in and of itself), where else you gonna get that?’
The answer is nowhere. The INCOMPARABLE Chris Squire is the essence of their sound. It’s always an individual’s opinion when we talk about GOAT’s; there’s so many talented musicians in the history of music BUT, more than any other instrument, when we’re talking bass players, there’s Chris Squire and then there’s everyone else! Sorry Geddy, Billy & Les, he’s just on another level.
I absolutely LOVE when you review anything from Yes…. you’re an interesting dude, Doug! Certainly an accomplished composer but, a regular guy too. Would love to puff one with you & listen to a Yes album of my choice. Cheers, Sir
At 14:30, yes it is a Mellotron. There is a well known story about Rick Wakeman sending his roadie out for a curry during a performance of this. He ate the curry with one hand and played keys with the other, and Jon Anderson said: "I smell curry!" At 6:00 it is a Minimoog you are hearing.
True story. Manchester Free Trade Hall, 1973. I was in the audience and wondered what the strange smell wafting over us was!
Rick gives a nice telling of the curry incident in one of his books. He is a very natural story teller.
They were in their 20s when they wrote this...
Jon is one of a kind and despite their attempts cannot be replaced
@@garystocker9450 Rick too
I don’t listen to TFTO often because the experience is so emotional that it’s worth the wait. A beautiful album full of incredible melodies and selfless playing towards a musical concept almost no one is willing to try anymore.
The days when an album cover helped color the listening experience.
This one does not disappoint and is a timeless mini- masterpiece.
Chris Squire Was A Bloody Beast On Bass...
The Steven Wilson Remix cuts off the first say two minutes, where the Introit of Jons Voice ist slowly built up by sounds of waves, guitars and keys. Worth listening to. that little part was not included in the record I bought in 1973. Got to know it some ten years ago and I liked it immediately. It made more sense to me. And thank you so much for your wonderful thoughts about positivity. Reminds me of Nightswish´s verse: It´s hard to light a candle - easy to curse the dark instead.
There IS a version of the Steven Wilson Remix that includes that 2 minutes. It's a shame it's not the one he used. ...But yeah, that 2 minutes is sublime and a damn shame they had to cut it so the song could fit onto an album side.
@@LockeTheCole ah thank you. I did not know about that
With All Due Respect To The Genius Steven Wilson...He Butchered That Nearly 2 Minute Intro...
Nope, my preference was the original 1973 lp release.. when I got the later remix with the added 2 minutes of tedious, boring atmospheric primordial ocean sounds I rolled my eyes, "and this is better why?!" *yawn*
I’ve been subscribed since before your Close To The Edge video and requested this in the comments of that how am I only just now seeing this 6 months later?! This might be my favorite Yes song and this IS my favorite Yes album
Hell yeah, that's the first time I've seen the pipe man. I knew you were cool. 🤣👍 That was a great listen. I loved the resolution.
So glad to see someone enjoying this beautiful piece of music. I hope you're going to do all four sides! I still listen to this pretty regularly. The problem with stopping, though, even if there are "preapproved" stops. For me it's like the final moments of Mahler's 3rd. It builds and builds and builds to huge crescendo, then stops and hangs on a quiet, fragile chord. I you stop at the crescendo, the quiet chord loses its impact, I think. But, you either stop or you talk over the music, so it's a tough call.
After Topographic, please look for "Om Mani Padme Um" by Mandalaband. It's an obscure 70's prog rock epic that needs to be heard more. I think you'll love it!
The drums sound that way because they were recorded at Morgan Studios in London. Any album I've heard recorded there, has an incredibly roomy, heavy, serious drum sound.
And Chris Squire rules.
Chris Squire DOES rule. But this is not one of his most interesting bass parts, IMO. At least not by choice. It's just that this particular composition didn't leave a lot of space for him to contribute anything distinctive. The situation improves for him on the other three sides.
@@yes_head I think that's a fair assessment. He definitely stands out on The Remembering and Ritual. And his bass lines on The Ancient are pretty WTF
I like the remix. The original had some problems. This effected White's drums as well.
@@David-iv6je Only problems I ever have with 1970's era Yes albums are Steve Howe's guitar tones after The Yes Album up until Drama, and some of Rick Wakeman's sound choices.
@@DrTomoculus Oh really? I would have picked after CttE. I really love his crunchy Gibson hollow body sound you find on the "Big Three" Yes records (Yes album, Fragile, Edge). But he switched to over-processed solid body guitars and lost a lot of ground in tone, at least for me. His tone on "The Ancient" from Tales really grates on me. Plus, the song was desperately in need of editorial oversight: Howe's soloing just drones on in parts. Somebody just needed to say "No! Too much." But I imagine How and Anderson being obsessed about a song per side.
But that's true for any band. Endless scrutiny decades later can make me say "what were they thinking?" But the truth is they created a tone of remarkable music. If not all of it is perfect, so be it! Did anybody else do anything similar? Nope. They couldn't.
Hitting a bong before listening to this is peak 70s and the best way to listen to it for the first time :)
As I've aged I've been drawn more and more into TFTO. Highly underrated album. Such beautiful songs, beautiful phrasing.
Same with 'Going For The One'. Absolute perfection.
RSOG is my all time favourite Yes track...just beautiful, complex and interesting...
Bass and voices colours are the central line of the soul of Yes, i think. ^^
I have a radio show with my husband , we played The Revealing Science of God . And it went over wonderfully . Even I was suprised . It's a great piece of music.
I leave you to your own devices for two short weeks and come back to find you doing bong rips to Yes. Well done, sir! From one oldster to another, all the best.
Thank you!
Tales from Topographic Oceans" is an epic tales by YES.
The production of the album was extended from the original conceptual stage to two records due to the record standard of 20 minutes per side.
And unlike "Close to the Edge" and "Relayer," the entire album is structured as a single story.
It is truly a symphony and rock opera by YES.
Therefore, there may be moments when it feels redundant.
However, without this album, the next album "Relayer" would not exist.
This is a great album with historical value for YES.
Please listen to all four tracks! I look forward to your thoughts!
Yes, it needs to be heard as a single 4 movement piece, the third movement in particular doesn’t stand well on its own ( probably why so many people don’t like it) but works as part of the overall journey arc. There is also motivic integration throughout the 4 movements, which is quite complex, after years of listening I am still hearing new links.
80 Epic Minutes Of Classic Yes...
If you listen to all 4 pieces of "...Topographic..." at once you'll hear recurring musical motifs that move through all of them.
especially in Ritual which features themes from all the previous songs
Both The Ancient and Ritual also call back to pieces from Close to the Edge (Siberian Khatru on the former, title track on the latter).
I've always considered this to be a prog symphony, so recurring themes make sense!
@@lisagulick4144 Even Chris Squire calls back to Close to the Edge on his solo album, at the very end of Safe (Canon Song)! Highly recommend any Yes fan give it a listen.
My favorite part is the end of the 2nd movement.
@@Acujeremy Beautiful! I, too, love that closing part of "The Remembering." "And I do think very well..." Guitar hit! Echo, echo, echo.
Jon Anderson has a deep understanding of Alchemical Process. He is a Beautiful Soul that knows exactly who he is and a very gifted singer and songwriter. Jon knows exactly what he is saying. Spiritual indeed! My favorite band and my favorite male singer! ♥️♥️♥️
After I discovered Yes with their first few albums back in the 70's, this thing comes along (TFTO) and I found myself laying down on the floor, with my headphones on, listening to the entire album. It was as if I was in rocket travelling deep into the universe. Getting lost in that most wonderful creation is an incredible experience each and every time.
For me, the closest to Chris Squires' bass is Jonas Reingold in The Flower Kings. One of the times that I saw the Flower Kings in London, Chris Squires was in attendance. It was an awesome gig.
I don't know Reingold (something to look up with Apple Music, I think...), but you could also try Gary Strater of Starcastle or Jon Camp of Renaissance.
I know him well. He used my bass on part of one of their tours. He will be back in the states soon with Hackett and we'll get together then. Jonas certainly was influenced by Chris as I was but he's got a heavy Jazz backgound as well. Sorry to see Tomas unable to play with them anymore. My favorite lineup in the Stardust/Flower Power era with Daniel backing them. Love their stuff up until Paradox/Adam and Eve and felt they dropped off subsequent to those albums.
@@AnOldGreyDog If you like Yes you owe it to yourself to dive into The Flower Kings. 4 albums to start with in no particular order would be Rainmaker, Stardust We Are, Space Revolver and Flower Power.
@@johnnicholson8345 thanks. I'll do that.
Jonas is on bass in Steve Hackett's current band -- and he's bloody great!!!
This song is about genetic evolution and death, and how death is our teacher. Glory to sons of all fighters past, who protected their offspring. As we danced from the ocean is about our distant ancestors coming out of the ocean millions of years ago. This album has a lot of references to the progression of time and culture, but in this song it's like evolution of animals, some developing the ability to fly etc.
But I am super hyped that you really like the music!!! This album is a treasure trove of experimental sounds and the soundcapes are pretty sweet.
Yes does well with herbal supplement, such things have been scientifically proven for decades.
I have similar thoughts. I have pasted her my reply to an earlier comment about concept: Seems to me it can be interpreted as and feels like a journey of (self?) discovery in an arc over 4 movements: seeking; personal memory; race memory; self realisation. I don’t know what the composers of the piece in the band have said about any concept apart from Jon’s religious reference (which I’m not familiar with but wonder if it might fit my interpretation) so I might be off beam, but after many years of listening this is how it seems to me. Musical motifs are certainly integrated throughout the four movements.
@@nigelcraik2429 Pretty much!! And also "progress" is important, as the musical motif of short melodies repeating and getting longer and longer mirrors the progress of these various areas!
The repetition and building of a melody is perhaps most obvious on side 3, where it represents civilizations which progressed further than those before, adding on to the melody, but then ending and fading away, as so many ancient civilizations did.
Thanks for reviewing the very album that literally , literally changed my outlook on music and my life goals . I went from the Beatles , Chicago , and Rod Stewart & Faces , to Yes and Rick Wakeman and Chris Squire . I am a beginning bass guitar student at 63 years of age , and am gathering as much learning material about Chris’ style as possible . I was introduced to The Revealing Science Of God back in 1976 , so watching you react to the various changes in time signature , key , etc; is always a hoot for me .
Chicago However~Is Very Much Closer To Prog Rock Than Beatles & Rod Stewart...
more than a rock song, this is a symphonic piece taken with patience on the making and to this day it still amazes me how a group of 20' something young men decided to compóse, perform such pieces
Amigo parabéns pelo excelente trabalho, gostaria muito de ver um episódio sobre "Jon Anderson - Olias Of Sunhillow (1976)" uma verdadeira obra-prima, magnífica, esplêndida.
Rick Waksman’s take on this album and how the original idea for it came about is interesting and funny to say the least.Back in the day you could have grand visions and create concept albums and record producers didn’t scoff at it but simply released it and let the public decide the good and bad.The seventies was a great time to be alive and a great time for music
Yes, albums like this one, Dark Side or The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway would have been much harder to get a go-ahead for from the record company today (unless you're Dream Theater or some such guys and have the position to do just about whatever you want).
"Endless Dream" from Yes, 1994 album Talk, is a great prog track from the Trevor Rabin era of the band..
Doug, I saw this tour February 1974 as Yes was using a Quadraphonic sound system meaning sound was bouncing back and forth between PA columns in the front and back of the colosseum. This double album was very ambitious to unload on the ears of all attendee's. From memory sides 1 and 2 were more appreciated than sides 3 and 4. The concert was very enjoyable as they performed all of Close To The Edge and Tails. I think I caught the best years of Yes live.