Fave song poll

[Roman]

What's your fave song on ABWH?

[ANTIOCH]

It flows so smoothly , and the video was GREAT too!

[bjm0rwo]

Order of the Universe.Whenever I listen to this tape I can never wait until this track comes on.To me this one rocks out and Anderson's vocals have a force that propels and urges the song onward.

[WhiteKnight]

Originally posted by bjm0rwo
Order of the Universe.Whenever I listen to this tape I can never wait until this track comes on.To me this one rocks out and Anderson's vocals have a force that propels and urges the song onward.

Have you heard the live version on An Evening? Possibly better than the studio version, so energetic!

:running:

WK

[RobAdams]

I love the ABWH album as it is, but in a way wish Chris had been a part of this. Wish it were really a Yes album, but it's not. Without Chris or Jon, it's not Yes in my heart. I suspect that a legality also confirms something in this area. Does Chris own the Yes name or is it owned by Chris and Jon jointly? I've mentioned before in other posts the curious Arista catalog number 90126 for ABWH (at least in US if not elsewhere too). What's up with that? Seems to be a snub toward Chris, Trevor, Tony and Alan.
Yes personalities cast aside, I rate ABWH highly. Only one track seems to rub me the wrong way, TEAKBOIS. Is Bobby Dread really Bob Marley? Is TEAKBOIS just a tribute to reggae music in general? The song starts out okay, but the middle part that sounds like 'On Broadway' is dumb. The rest of the album is very good. The material is strong enough that I can forgive Bill Bruford's overuse of electronic drums. I don't care for the electronic drum sound personally. I can also overlook the use of outside musicians. Tony Levin deserved his name to be included in the band's name. It was already a long name anyway, and he really was just as important to the sound as Jon, Bill, Rick and Steve. THEMES and FIST OF FIRE open the set beautifully. At once you know you're in for a very Classic Yes-like experience. The next track BROTHER OF MINE confirms that the first two segued tracks weren't just a red herring. BIRTHRIGHT is another favorite of mine. By the time I got this far on my first listen I decided that had this been a real Yes album with Chris on bass, this would have been the best Yes album since GOING FOR THE ONE. If you haven't heard it yet, check it out. I'd be surprised if anyone posting here hasn't heard this yet. Jon, Steve, Bill and Tony Levin steal the show on this great album. Rick has a few good moments, but I can't tell if it's him or the session guy also on keys here. I find it hard to believe they felt the need for an extra keyboardist with Rick on board. It's a bit corny in a way, but I like part two of QUARTET where Jon makes lyrical references to many classic Yes songs like Gates, LDR, South Side and Awaken. Any Yes fan who hates this album must be extremely difficult to please. The album's quieter moments THE MEETING, and LET'S PRETEND are also excellent. I like THE MEETING better, but that's my opinion. I love sharing my thoughts on these things Yes with everyone here. No Yes fans at work to share with. :(

[Flo]

I like Quartet with its quotes from old Yes songs. Whenever I listen to that one I feel happy.

[crazedyesfan]

i like the meeting, let's pretend, and order of the universe. i also like the extended version of i'm alive, which i don't think is on the ABWH album.

[Joedude]

My favorite from the first listening has been Birthright. It was even better on "An Evening..." All elements of Yes.. OK, ABWH soar and rock on this tune.

[mrgone3]

Chris does have the rights to that name,YES!Birthright is the best track on here.Jon really got some good poetry going on it.And the band is solid.I like The Meeting also.Some of Rick's most pretty keyboards.Actually he does well all the way through.And I was glad to see Rick and Bill together in concert.Order of the Universe had a good music qualiy to it,but Jon's lyrics were lame.And Teakbois did not fit except for the melodic middle part.On Broadway?Quartet is very nice.The opening themes is like old Olias stuff,but by Rick.Fist of Fire sounds strong,but is somewhat weak overall.Brother of Mine has its moments,but many of them are just dopey.Let's Pretend is a very nice exit.I have a CD of ABWH on now.I play it over and over. JOE

[R'tanys]

A fantastic piece of work. I would love to hear Chris perform on these pieces as much as I would love to hear Jon sing some Drama material. Birthright is far and away my favorite tune from this album. Somewhat subdued and understated in the beginning, but by the climax, this piece just crackles with energy!
I agree it's even better on "An Evening..."

[Mr. Holland]

Voted for "order". Yes (I don't care that Chris wasn't on it, to me it's still Yes) really rocks here and I don't think I've heard Jon's voice as powerfull on any other Yes track.

[BrianD]

A difficult choice but I went for Themes. However Birthright on the live album is awesome.

[TrevorHowe]

Now I know I may get kicked in the balls for this one but honestly this is the album I hate the most this record is the most annoying pile of crap ever especially Tekebosis or whatever. The song I voted for is the one i don enjoy listening to the is Order Of the Universe.

[Dafty Boy]

Sorry Trevor, but I love this album. It is so fresh and exciting, yet also rooted in Yes music of the past.
The mixing allows each instrument to shine. And Bill Bruford is a fantastic drummer!
Only down side and it is a big one, is the lack of Chris Squire, which would make it truly awesome. Some twisting bass-lines and backing vocals would make it a classic.
Fave song; Brother of Mine, but Themes and Fist of Fire really set out the mission statement.

[headrott]

I too think this is a great album! I like every song on it including Teakbois. My favorite though is Quartet. This song is (as Flo said) great because it makes you feel happy. Both lyrically and musically you can't do much better than this from ABWH.

Greg

[SonicDeath10]

i voted fist of fire. i love the keyboards on that song.

[SonicDeath10]

everybody hates teakobis!

[TTT]

While I like the quotes and nods to earlier material in Quartet, it is OrderOTUniverse which moves me the most on this album

[gt76yesman]

I love the whole album, it is better than some albums put out under the name YES. :meteo2:

Fist of Fire is smoking, Rick rocks, Brother of Mine and Order of the Universe are hot.

I might be the only one, but I really like Teakbois, actually, I see it did get a vote.
More ABWH, just add S

Glendo

[Full Tilt Boogie]

I'll have to give this another airing: I bought some time ago and can only remember Brother of Mine! Some revision required me thinks!

[Thoughtbecontact]

The live shows from this album were excellent, probably better than the album itself and some of the versions of Classic Yes material that they did were different and very interesting. I have an excellent soundboard from that tour which I play often--and BTW Bren, why are you up posting so late--or is it early. It's something like 5:30 a.m. where you are.

[Full Tilt Boogie]

The live shows from this album were excellent, probably better than the album itself and some of the versions of Classic Yes material that they did were different and very interesting. I have an excellent soundboard from that tour which I play often--and BTW Bren, why are you up posting so late--or is it early. It's something like 5:30 a.m. where you are.

Thanks for the tip mate - I may just be in touch for a 'weed'? Or 'Potting Plant', or whatever they're called here? :D Err...that's weed, for the listening to, of course and not err....smoking, you understand? :D

Why am I still up at 0-dark-30 in the morning?? Dude, you don't wanna know my schedule!

[SonicDeath10]

While I like the quotes and nods to earlier material in Quartet, it is OrderOTUniverse which moves me the most on this album i always thought the quotes were pretty cheesy. :crybby:
but isn't jon anderson always cheesy?

[soulsearcher]

my fave is "the meeting" off of the album, so sweet and pure. listening to it under the stars at the garden state arts center, lying there on the grass with a million stars above..but almost too great to take was listening to ABWH playing CTTE while i lay dreaming on that same lawn. wow.

don't think that i didn't miss chris sorely...because i definitely did.

and yes, chris is tied to the name "yes", as steve is tied to roger dean..hense album cover nirvana when steve is present.

[soulsearcher]

and BTW trevorhowe, perhaps you should take the time to correctly state the name of songs you wish to trash.

it would be the yesly thing to do.

[jcraig]

I just listened to this today and I still have trouble with the whole thing. I mean, due to the fact there were so many musicians on this thing it's hard to pick the ones I like. It seemed everyone who was at the LA studio had something to do with it except for the guys themselves. The guest list reads like a whos who of the session world. A couple of guys from the American band TOTO played on it. Rick says the producer was in a hurry and recorded the music without the correct sound that Rick had wanted to use. Shame on Jonathen Elias for this blunder in production history. This was on its way to being a great project but the record company and producer went another direction.

[SonicDeath10]

about chris not being on the album: it's weird because they could have done a lot more with tony levin than they did. it almost seems like tehy mixed him out!

[Full Tilt Boogie]

I'll have to give this another airing: I bought some time ago and can only remember Brother of Mine! Some revision required me thinks!


And, with said homework duly completed - this album is absolutely FANTASTIC!! Indeed, one might easily run out of superlatives to decribe it!! There isn't one bad track on it! I'm now going to listen to the live 'An Evening of Yes Music Plus' just to hear some of these song live again - a feat which they carry-off without dropping a note! Full sound, great rhythms-n-beats and Anderson on top form!

Highly recommended! :D

[Full Tilt Boogie]

The live shows from this album were excellent, probably better than the album itself and some of the versions of Classic Yes material that they did were different and very interesting. I have an excellent soundboard from that tour which I play often--and BTW Bren, why are you up posting so late--or is it early. It's something like 5:30 a.m. where you are.


Glad I caught ya! Do you still have 'weeds' of the live ABWH concerts? I'll PM you.

Thanks in advance.

[SonicDeath10]

i got ABWH really cheap for like 5 bucks. it's a pretty good album. a bit classicist, but with some progression like the caribean beat of teakobis. and some pop elements.

[Ryan]

this is really strange, but last night I dreamed I got this cd, and I dreamed that I listened to it with my mom. I've never listened to music in a dream before. maybe this because I was thinking of getting it.

[SonicDeath10]

how did it sound? :)

[Ryan]

well, its kind of hard to remember. What I do remember is that I didn't want my mom to listen to it with me because i was afraid it would be bad and it would make her not like yes. I faintly remeber some parts of some songs, but not very well. I'm gonna have to buy it now. I'm so curious to know how it really sounds.

[SonicDeath10]

very keyboard heavy. steve's guitar is a bit subdued in general. can't hear the bass to well, they seemed to have mixed it down. sucks since it's tony levin.

[SonicDeath10]

also electronic drumming. a bit like bill's work with crimson.

[BigGenerator]

"Order of the universe" is my favourite song of ABHW;it's a strong song,it's full of energy,that's all what I like about Yes style

[jcraig]

Teakobis, Rick really shines here. If he played on it.

[Amy]

I picked The Meeting with Let's Pretend a close second.
I also like Brother of Mine.
The rest of the album just frustrates me.

[Mind Driver]

The live shows from this album were excellent, probably better than the album itself and some of the versions of Classic Yes material that they did were different and very interesting. I have an excellent soundboard from that tour which I play often.

Agree totally about the live performance by ABWH. I was in Atlanta at an open ampitheatre.....Jon came out on stage and started singing "Nu Somme Du Soleil" without anyone there with him.....then Rick came out and joined him. They finished it - just the two of them - then the concert commenced. Magic!

[Gabriel]

My favourites from this album are definatly Themes, Brother of Mine, Birthright and Order of the Universe. The others are also good, but lacking that special factor. I found Quartet a tadd cheesy to be honest, although its still a great song cause its by Jon!

[RABARKS]

I just listened to this today and I still have trouble with the whole thing. I mean, due to the fact there were so many musicians on this thing it's hard to pick the ones I like. It seemed everyone who was at the LA studio had something to do with it except for the guys themselves. The guest list reads like a whos who of the session world. A couple of guys from the American band TOTO played on it. Rick says the producer was in a hurry and recorded the music without the correct sound that Rick had wanted to use. Shame on Jonathen Elias for this blunder in production history. This was on its way to being a great project but the record company and producer went another direction.

That's a very good point. I think it's a sign of weakness calling in all these extras. If the band is really together and tight, there's no need for such things. Nevertheless it's a very good album and if Drama-Yes is Yes, then so is ABWH. In my private Yes collection I've named it The Meeting (Quartet was a little too obvious) and put the Yes logo on it. Favourite songs: Quartet,
Fist Of Fire, Let's Pretend. :headset:

[True Believer]

I love this album - Brother of Mine gets my vote although I love Themes and Quartet too

[Joe]

Nice album in total, for what was going on at the time for YES & ABWH

[Faceintheplace]

I like Themes, Birthright, Brother of Mine and Order of the Universe off ABWH best. Quartet/ I'm Alive is nice but I like the video/ single version alot better.

[ThePatman]

The Meeting

I have to stop what I'm doing and listen. :headset:

[rolloq]

Fist of fire is my favourite why? dunno it just grab me.

rolloq

[djcub]

Vultures (In the City), the b-side of Brother of Mine. If anyone has this, I have GOT TO HAVE IT AGAN!!!!

[new_sum_do_solve_ay]

There are NO raspberries here! Arguably among the best album in the bands history. Personally this album was the first to come out after I was introduced to the band's 70s material. After you pig out on a half dozen albums of stuff you are excited about you start to itch for new material. Well there ya go, ABWH came out next: without Trevor and without Chris you might have thought there might be less power here. But this is shown to be totally false from the machine gun intro to Themes. This caught my attention and kept it throughout from the very first listen.

I had to vote for Order of the Universe. This is the thematic subject matter that I have always liked so much and what makes Yes unique. They are so universal. This is the side of Yes we loved on Tales. Plus I like the keyboard intro it sound like the 70s TV show "In Search of..." with Leonard Nimoy.

My other close second would be The Meeting. Since this is a reunion album, we got excited that Steve and Jon would be matching up again: the creative energy of Tales can be heard clearly. In my Tales post I talked about the Leaves of Green duet with Jon and Steve. I think the meeting pairs Jon and Rick in an even superior musical moment. I can't vote for this as the best song, but I would say this is their highest and greatest musical moment. I know there had been some hard feelings with Rick in the 70s and here we see his talent showcased without being drowned out by the band. The piano IS more versatile than the guitar, but lacks some of the punch, and it often takes a back seat. These lyrics are also stellar. Five stars in every way.

[rgfudd99]

Order of the Universe gets my vote. I think this album sounds more like a Yes album than than Union or Big Generator. The tour was fantastic too!

[overlook]

I like this album as well. I have heard it said that it was originally a J A solo album and the record company pushed him into using the other three. Does anyone Know if this is true or not.( can't imagine JA being pushed into anything he didn't want to do, can you?)

[Mostly Harmless]

I love The Meeting.

[new_sum_do_solve_ay]

Yes, its a real gem amongst all their music.

[Scooty]

Too bad it isn't a Yes album....

[pianozach]

Themes, Birthright, and Order.

A fantastic piece of work. I would love to hear Chris perform on these pieces as much as I would love to hear Jon sing some Drama material.

Here, here! Could these two pop into the studio and lay down bass lines and vocal to these two albums? I'd buy it!

Too bad it isn't a Yes album....

Um, well, technically, no, but it's got a real Yes vibe to it, and it's the next best thing to being a Yes album.

Funny, I love ABWH and Drama, in spite of the glaring absence of a key member on each.

But using the rationale that Chris or Jon being MIA keeps it from being a Yes album, does that also negate the Yes status of 90125, BG and Talk (and the first two albums) because Steve isn't on them? Magnification or Relayer because Rick's not on them?

[Whitefish]

"Themes". It just floored me the first time I heard it and still does. Picks up right where they left off of from Close To The Edge with this line-up, minus Chris. It is not Yes! It is Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe!

[flep]

I went with Fist of Fire. But it was a very hard choice