Fave song poll

[Roman]

I already posted a poll like this to Yesfans ratings, but let's have it here once again for completness. So, what's your fave song on Union, if there's one (or two, or three...)?

[Angkor WHO??]

I remember falling asleep in the middle of this album the first time I heard it. I was awakened by the strange voice speaking Cambodian poetry.
And I remember saying out loud, Angkor Wot? Angkor What? Angkor WHO? Angkor who the hell is this? Angkor where the hell am I? Angkor why am I drooling all over myself?
It was one of those defining moments...

[grasshopper]

The little Cambodian girl they found in NYC to read that bit in Cambodian really added more to that song than could possibly be accomplished with any musical instruments. Was a great touch.

[vad]

The More We Live, Let Go is the best song I've ever heard come out of the YesWest lineup. The lyrics just build and build to this release, on top of a simple but catchy song structure. I don't remember the rest of it, though. I haven't had a copy in years, and so far haven't been inclined yet to replace it for just this song.

[Q]

If vad dug Union's "The More We Live," there is also the Squire/Sherwood version on their "Conspiracy" album released a couple of years ago. Worth checking out

[Flo]

I listened to Union yesterday in order to vote. I don't know if I am being biased by what I read in Chris Welsh's book regarding this album and by Yes fans' posts but I find it difficult to make a choice. I would say : The more we live and Angkor Wat but I'm not that much convinced.

[Joedude]

I've listened to both versions of "The More We Live" and much prefer the Union version to the Squire/Sherwood one.

[mrgone3]

So far the votes are for Angkor Wat and The More We Live.I must agree in that order.I wished that Jon and Rick worked with AW a teensy bit more.Not overbake it,but a beefier keyboard intro.the poetry is stunning like the YES of old.With the Cambodian language,it seemed like you knew what she was saying.And the startling entrance to Dangerous Fit! JOE :keyboard::guitar::band::drummer::keyboard::angel: UNION!

[Westmont272]

i like this album because it reminds me of my senoir year in high school and what happen afterward. Dangerous was my fav. I like the bass beats in it. i like i could have waited forever, reminded me when my girlfriend went off to th army and i told her that when she left.
saving m heart for you was a song i listened to whenever i came back to my home town from a trip. i love the city of houston. without hope...is ,my song when i think about the drama in my life. this album was the first time i realized that Yes had so many members both past and present. I thought that the 90125 line up was there from the begining ...LOL. When i realize that i bought all the Yes music i could get my hands on. I love Yes!!!!!

[Q]

I know "Shock to the System" isn't the biggest hit in the Yes canon, but I would argue that in the Union live shows, it marked a moment of real cooperation between the Troopers and Generators. (Whether the Trooper fans care to admit it or not, the song itself was an ABWH attempt at 'rocking out' YesWest style)

I'm not nuts about the tune, but I'm nuts about the way the Union band played it ...

Q

[RobAdams]

I love the instrumental intro to SILENT TALKING. I'd love to see this song live.

[grasshopper]

I see that Miracle of Life is now in 2nd. I think it's great that the generators worked out a classic epic syle song that almost fits the Yes style that their famous for in past years. I still think it has all the essentials of being rated most highly.

[headrott]

Take the water to the mountain. This is a great song. I guess it's aimed towards big Jon fans. That would be me. Some other great songs are Silent Talking!! And, Miracle of life. This (in my opinion) is the best Trevor song done with YES. This album is not that bad of an album. I don't know why yes fans give it such a bad time? I would certainly take Union over Big Generator and OYE and possibly even 90125 and The Ladder. But that's me I guess.

Greg

[Mr. Holland]

"Shock to the System" gets me out of my chair every time I hear it. I really love Yes's more complex songs, but to me they are more appreciated when now and again a more sinple "rocker" is played. Love it on the Union tour and wouldn't mind if they picked it up for a tour in the near future......

[Dale Cleary]

I like it too. Very much as a matter of fact.

[ycantibu]

I dunno, that guitar bit in Shock to the System irks me somewhat.

[arrel]

To be honest, in my playing through all the albums in order this week, I have to confess that I wasn't looking forward to getting to UNION. I'd listened to it only once before, albeit hurriedly and without a lot of involvement, but I couldn't remember anything really reaching out and grabbing my attention.

This time through didn't do much to alter my overall perception of the disc, but I found myself really enjoying "Masquerade".

I'd have to say that the disc sort of peaks at tracks 8-10, with the middle track, "The More We Live.." being the piece-de-resistance for me.

So, I guess, for once, I'm with the majority. ;)

[magnificator]

I voted for The More We Live, but it's so hard to choose one. Second would be Shock to the System....but as I always say...each album tells a complete story....and that story gives us all a vision....and we each look at it differently....but perhaps we can see the same end.

[Faceintheplace]

"The More We Give" is my favorite, but I also like "I Would Have Waited Forever", "Shock to the System" and "Miracle of Life" (especially the intro.) I used to enjoy "Without Hope..." off this album, until I heard an alternate longer version and I heard how butchered the "Union" version was. "Without Hope..." and "The More We Give" might have worked well live, but I don't see Yes ever playiing them live now. Steve's solo piece is nice on this album too. He played it during his solo set when I saw Yes in Toronto in '97.

[Cerberus]

Had to vote for "With Out Hope". (A wonderful A.A./N.A. song you ask me)

Lost my true love of 6 years. Turned her on to YES.
Wish I had her back...

"Saving My Heart" is somthing im still doing for her & always will.. So that would be a vote also..

"I Would Have Waited Forever". This is somthing I use to love. I Waited for 15 years for her to "Come Into My Life" & look forward to just SEEING her again. Its been almost 2 years. So theres another vote...

Untill that day comes (& I hope it will) "Give and Take" is what Im really faced with...

LIFE..
MUSIC..
LOVE..
ALL IS ONE..

Im going to cry now..

Nice poll.....

[yesyadda]

Before my wife had our child we made a cassette of various songs, Native American, Chant, Wolf songs, and of course Yes. I put 3 songs from Union on the tape; The more we live, Take the water, and Angor Wat. We played this tape continuosly while she was in labor and after our daughter was born. I think of that day whenever I hear these songs. I found the translation to the poem in Angkor Wat and we recited it during the baptism. Groovy stuff.

[Dafty Boy]

I've never really rated this album at all. It seemed a poor follow-up to ABWH and the noisy solo-obsessed tour which accompanied it didn't help.
There are some quality moments, though. Top of the list has to be Masquerade. At last, a Steve Howe solo returns to a Yes album.
After that it was always The More We Live.
I still prefer Turbulence!!

[Gabriel]

I think this album is horribly bashed; for me, its a fantastic album with some great songs, and mine are;

I would have waited forever
Shock to the system
Lift me up
Miracle of life
The more we live

[cinderella]

Being a Trevor Rabin devotee, I'd have to say Saving My Heart and Lift Me Up.

[Gabriel]

I listened to this album again the other day'; I still think that 'The More We Live' and 'Lift me Up' are the best cuts on the album...both tracks are so moving [to met at least] in their own special way. The More We Live is hautingly beautiful!

[the'YES'kid]

I love Union. It was my first Yes album. Is because of Union I became a Yes fan.

I don't blame those who dislike this album. Most fans dislike it, the band hates it, Rick calls it "Onion" because it makes him cry , etc.

First of all, as it was my first, I had no other Yes album to compare it. So I didn't know what was the Yes standard at that time.

I voted for "I Would Have Waited Forever" as my difinitely fav. It's my 2nd fav Yes song after Close to the Edge. Here's my complete list:

I love:
1. I Would Have Waited Forever
2. Lift Me Up
3. Miracle of Life
4. Shock to the System
5. Without Hope...
6. The More We Live
7. Dangerous
8. Holding On
9. Masquerade
10. Give and Take

like them a bit:
11. Saving my Heart
12. Silent Taking
13. Angor Wat
14. Evensong

dislike:
15. Take the Water to the Mountain

[Gabriel]

Its great to see a fellow Yesfan that really enjoys the Union album as much as I do.

I agree with your list completely although I must say, I do like Take the Water to the Mountain alot. Shame its in your dislike column. Is it because the song is so short? Just curious to know your opinion on this mate.

[umgekehrt]

There is no song in Union that I don't like. Not a single song.

[SallyKhatru]

Samé here
I just listened to that album yesterday and I have to say I really love it. Not as an album maybe but every single song to me is really nice. What a pity it was such a mess recording/producing it. I would love to know what it would have become if it had been treated more carefully.
LOve the line from Holding on: "Your time is just beginning". That's my favourite moment of the album.
Give and Take - the bonus track is really cool as well.
I also like TTWTTM. Also love the version on We make Believe

[the'YES'kid]

Its great to see a fellow Yesfan that really enjoys the Union album as much as I do.

I agree with your list completely although I must say, I do like Take the Water to the Mountain alot. Shame its in your dislike column. Is it because the song is so short? Just curious to know your opinion on this mate.

I think it's because it's very slow. There are other slow songs in the album, but at some point they have this section where they speed up.

"The More We Live" is slow, but it has 3 (or more) diffrent vocals, Chris' part is just him (which you don't in much songs) and .....it gives me goose bumps, while "Take the Water...." sound more like a Jon solo song.

------------------

and Yes, it's great to find some people here that love that album as much as I do (or more). That's the album I try to collect the most thing from.

Because it was my first album, it has a very special meaning to me and brings back great memories. Is a very alive album,very refreshing. It's like waking up in the morning and splashing your face with cold water and then having a cup of coffee.

[the'YES'kid]

Samé here
I just listened to that album yesterday and I have to say I really love it. Not as an album maybe but every single song to me is really nice. What a pity it was such a mess recording/producing it. I would love to know what it would have become if it had been treated more carefully.
LOve the line from Holding on: "Your time is just beginning". That's my favourite moment of the album.
Give and Take - the bonus track is really cool as well.
I also like TTWTTM. Also love the version on We make Believe

Hello Sally, the bootleg I have is called "The Perfect Union" which I believe has some tracks from "We Make Believe" too.

Anyways, most of the demos are........well just demos, but I have been blown away with 2 of the demos for "Without Hope You Cannot Start the Day". There are 3. a very prematurus demo where it's basically trying out lyrics or rehearsing and 2 other GREAT demos.
I love both as much as the album version.

[Gabriel]

I think it's because it's very slow. There are other slow songs in the album, but at some point they have this section where they speed up.

"The More We Live" is slow, but it has 3 (or more) diffrent vocals, Chris' part is just him (which you don't in much songs) and .....it gives me goose bumps, while "Take the Water...." sound more like a Jon solo song.

I can understand that mate; very interesting point I think. And I think your words on describing the album as it being like water splashed on your face in the morning are very true; its extremely refreshing and in your face.


I must admit, I didnt know there were so many Union lovers as the ones who posted in the last day or so after me; Its great! ;)

[SallyKhatru]

It's refreshing to talk about Union in a nice way. That doesn't happen very often:-) Appreciate that here, guys.
Reniet, sounds good with all the demos and stuff. I don't really collect everything around the albums, just don't find the time and money for that, but I enjoy listening demo stuff and things I somehow came upon.
Seems Union for you is what The Ladder is for me - first Yes album ever.
I was quite suspicious listening to Union for the first time as I probably was with all YES albums when I listened to them for the first time.
But definitely Union is refreshing and energetic. Saving my Heart, Lift Me Up and Miracle of life make me dance across the field when I hear them:-)

[the'YES'kid]

...Saving my Heart, Lift Me Up and Miracle of life make me dance across the field when I hear them:-)

The first time I visited www.forgottenyesterdays.com I was in shock when I saw the setlist for the Talk tour and found out they didn't play any of their YesWest songs on Union.

[Gabriel]

The first time I visited www.forgottenyesterdays.com I was in shock when I saw the setlist for the Talk tour and found out they didn't play any of their YesWest songs on Union.

I know exactly what you mean; just goes to show what the band felt was important to play and what wasnt! The only time any Union material was played live was on the Union tour, with the exception of Masquerade which was done on some later tours but thats it! I would have thought Lift Me Up would have been done on the Talk tour at least. Same with Tormato; hardly any songs were carried over to the next tour, let alone in years to come!

[pianozach]

This album is underated. Poor little bastard album.

I like all the songs, unlike the playlist for, say, GftO, ABWH, OYE, or BG

I voted for my two favorites: "Miracle of Life" AND "Agkor Wat." !!

[Bill Mocarsky]

I like "The More We Live". It represents the era that it came out. It's connected with the Rabin era but is more Squire influenced.

[overState2004]

I't a bit ..er New Age, as opposed to the usually trademark Anderson mysticism---but all in all not a bad CD at all, and less of a blunder than Tormato. I will say that Dangerous is a horrendous attempt to be "with it", but I might learn different.

However, if anyone likes that vein of sound, then I might recomend the older BT cd's or better yet Sasha and Digweed. More examples of what Brits do to music that makes it feel like heaven when heard right.

[yes_angel]

A very very special album to me! I voted for all the songs on Union!! (if only I could have)

[ELLIS]

I love Shock To The System, Angkor Wat, Dangerous, and Take the Water.

Is it true that most of the guitar work was recorded with Jimmy Haun? Amazing guitarist.

[Rob.E]

I think union is probably the most underrated Yes album ever!!
My favourite is Masquerade (because im a guitar player!!)
my other highlights include
Saving my heart
Miracle of life
Lift me up
Shock to the system

[Yesgalaxy]

Greatest Tour and album combo in my opon, the tour had everyone and the stage was awesome, the more we live was such a deep Yes track I loved it.

[daryl]

I voted for The More We Live (Let Go) and was surprised it was in the lead. I always can hear some of Sherwoods vocals left in the song but he was given no credit for appearing on the album. Same for Roger Hodgsens vocals seemingly left in on Walls from Talk.

[new_sum_do_solve_ay]

I remember falling asleep in the middle of this album the first time I heard it. I was awakened by the strange voice speaking Cambodian poetry.
And I remember saying out loud, Angkor Wot? Angkor What? Angkor WHO? Angkor who the hell is this? Angkor where the hell am I? Angkor why am I drooling all over myself?
It was one of those defining moments...

Great song, but I am more interested in the real Angkor Wat than the song. I vote for Lift Me Up!! This totally smokes... Chris and Trevor combine for a huge impact here.

...but as for Angkor Wat... such an amazing place. When little Anna Leonowens (most recently portrayed by Jodie Foster) went to Siam to teach English, this place was already legendary. Rumor has it that Princess is planning on yet another remake... but she is going to teach the natives about Trevor Horn... I'm going to open up a thread about Angkor Wat...

[rgfudd99]

I'll have to vote for Masquerade. It's a good song (except that it's too short) and I'm a Steve Howe fan plus this seems like the only track that I can be sure he was actually playing on.

[abwh63]

First time I heard it "Without hope you" As well as Saving my heart,I would have Waited Forever!

[luckeydoug1]

This past weekend I heard Trevor's version of Miracle of Life on his 90124 CD for the first time. This alone was enough for me to buy Union. One heck of a rock anthem, this Miracle of Life! There are many other excellent songs on this CD but Miracle of Life is my favorite.

[Roadkill]

Masquerade is the best tune on this album (the least expensive to record too!). I do like The More We Live, though. The combination of Jon and Chris's voice, the lyrics, the bombast...really good.

But it's an album of two halves, and neither of them is particularly appealing.

[robin chun]

Silent Talking

[Ash]

Hi all,
I have a soft spot for 'Take the Water ...' Nice lyric.
I've put it on a compilation CD to listen to at work, it sits very well between 'Nine Voices' and 'Vultures in the City'. There seem to be some thematic links there in the lyrics.....?
Or is it just me....?

All best wishes.
ash

[Scooty]

Jeez..if one has to wade through the poo that is Union...

I still adore Lift Me Up and Miracle Of Life..

[flep]

Shock to the system.

I love the ending to this song. Absolutely beautiful.

[cvp18]

"Lift Me Up" is my favorite on Union. just love Trevor's vocals here.

carol

[Purple Wolfhound]

Shock To The System

[90125yes]

shock to the system

it was also great live on the tour