Awaken!

The rendition of Awaken on this disc truly takes me places...
Anybody else?

~DL.

[Original_Shifty]

Isn't it a wonderful song?

I enjoy that version quite a bit, but you know, in all honesty, any version of Awaken is amazing. I still have memories of the version from the Union Tour. That might be because it was the first time I heard it live, though.

[Yes Oz]

Awaken for me is very close to the best Yes have produced. The particular version I consider the bset is from HOB. the keyboard/harp section in the middle is from the top shelve ofYes moments. You can close your eyes and drift to another world while listening to that. I dream of hearing that played live when they come to Oz in 2002.

[vad]

I would have been happy to finally have an official live version of RSoG, except that Jon blows one of my favorite lines (sheltered with our passion/clearly, to be home). You can hear how the backing vocals are cut out, which just makes it even more obvious. It ruins it for me, since I know that song so well. I like Rick's playing on that song when you can hear it, which I can't hear enough, except on his solo, which wasn't as compelling to me as the studio version.

Be The One is a nice track, but I don't like That, That Is at all. Jon sounds so silly sinning about crack houses, and there is no musical coherence at all between the parts.

[Yes Rocks]

Awaken on KTA is probably my favorite version of any live song ever produced by Yes! I think it just sounds so majestic! (and at the volume I listen to it at, the neighbors probably think so too!)
I think it's a great sounding version.

Paul

[RobAdams]

My best friend just got himself a great sounding stereo system and he wanted me to help him because he couldn't figure out how to run the lines between the EQ , CD player, cassette deck and receiver. This is his first CD player, so I brought MAGNIFICATION and KEYS TO ASCENSION with me. I played MAGNIFICATION while I tested the limits of the stereo's power. My friend really enjoyed it.

Then I put KEYS TO ASCENSION on. My friend and I were talking about Paul Simon songs on our ride to his house, so I skipped to AMERICA and fiddled with the EQ. His house must have been bouncing like in a cartoon! I had that loud and crispy clear. My friend decided to turn all the lights off. This is something he enjoys while listening to music. It sounds a bit strange but the darkness seemed to heighten the intensity of the music. ONWARD was quite good to hear loud and in the dark, but the next track AWAKEN was stunning. Several passages gave me those "shivvers of joy". I realised then that this song has a spiritual power that touches me inside in ways that no other Yes song ever has. It's an anthem that screams out that being alive is incredibly fantastic. In the pitch black I could hear my friend let out a couple of "wows" during the harp / organ section. When the song and CD ended he turned the lights back on. I was blown away by the song. I felt like I was in a trance. He had this big beaming smile on his face, and he said "I want a CD with that song on it. Where do we have to go?" It being midnight already our only options were Walmart and Kmart. Kmart had only 1 Yes CD - MAGNIFICATION. We went to Walmart. They had GOING FOR THE ONE, MAGNIFICATION, CLASSIC YES and the EXTENDED VERSIONS cd. I told him "You have a choice. You can get the original studio version of AWAKEN, or you can get the same version we just listened to for 7.99" He decided upon the live one. Then at the last minute he picked up MAGNIFICATION as well. "I love the orchestra on this" he said, "so I may as well get this one too."

My friend, by the way, suffers from depression. AWAKEN gave him a peaceful smile I have never seen from him before. This says something about the song, doesn't it?

Now, about my comission....

[Q]

Riff,

This version of "Awaken" is fantastic - Rick and Jon are just incredible here.

I think "Awaken" is a masterpiece, but (and I'm probably the odd man out here) I cannot hear ANY rendition of it without hearing the ghost of Pat Moraz ...

Q

[Alysoun]

Awaken is a perfect work, from the first piano notes to the last trickle of the last note.

Not only is it good to listen to in a darkened room with your eyes closed but also under the headphones. Total sensory environment -- utter pefection and bliss -- complete transendance -- not much like it out there (well, Renaissance the Song of Scheherezade also does that for me as well)

"There's no doubt, no doubt," Awaken is one of those rare and precious works that can make you sob for happiness and make you laugh for sadness. So much of the Yes canon will remain timeless and this one will be in the top 3 for me.

Have a good one.

Allison

[Insane Teacher]

I think that Awaken is my favorite Yes song. I expect that we will be hearing it this summer even though they already have it on the House of Blues DVD. I think we will see it live again so people will get to see and hear Rick Wakeman playing it.

I fell in love with it on the HOB disc. My only criticism is that you can't hear the synthesized choir during the climax of the song after the harp instrumental. I always thought that made the studio version so powerful and emotional. So, I think we will hear Rick give Awaken a whirl this summer.

I still have not purchased Keys 1 so I have not heard the Keys version. I purchase Yes albums slowly so I can give them a good listen and so I have something to look forward to.

[headrott]

The rendition of Awaken on this disc truly takes me places...
Anybody else?

~DL.

Yes! Actually being there was amazing! This was the best rendition of any song they did from the SLO concerts (IMO)! Great version!

Greg

[1yesfan]

Union tour version of Awaken are the best ones out there I think.

[jcostello]

Riff,

This version of "Awaken" is fantastic - Rick and Jon are just incredible here.

I think "Awaken" is a masterpiece, but (and I'm probably the odd man out here) I cannot hear ANY rendition of it without hearing the ghost of Pat Moraz ...

Q

Why? He's not on the original studio version (or the "Keys" one, unless he snuck into the studio, deleted Rick's part and added his own), and he isn't dead, he's just resting. Although, I'd like to hear what he would do with it.

John Crazed Yesfan

[Gabriel]

I have only heard Awaken live on a Union show [Denver to be exact] and it completely blew me away; totally magnificent and much better than the studio version I thought, for the simple reason all the sounds were much more noticable; Rick and Bill/Alans playing were alot louder and the part at the end after Jon sings 'and you were standing close to me' the lovely choir like sound Rick plays was just fantastic. Please tell me that the version on this Keys album is just as good?! Since i'm planning on getting them in a week or so.

[stevepenn]

It is a perfect song in every way. My signature says it all about my love for this tune.

Heaven.

[Timmo]

Why? He's not on the original studio version (or the "Keys" one, unless he snuck into the studio, deleted Rick's part and added his own), and he isn't dead, he's just resting. Although, I'd like to hear what he would do with it.

John Crazed YesfanMoraz wrote the "master of images" section before being squeezed out of the band for Wakey's return.

TIM
Venice, CA

[custom55]

There was a recent thread on 'spacey YES music' and I thought Awaken! should have been one of the selections.

Brilliant piece of music.

[Sheerah]

Dang, one of these days I am going to have to get this CD for myself.

[Scooty]

My absolute, complete, total, 100% bestests, favoritist, Yessong EVER

:)

Scoot

Although I do believe the Union version was the most powerful live..KTA is a damn close second

[YesfanAndy]

I wholeheartedly agree with the first poster.. This version of "Awaken" is truly special. I get a natural high when listening to this version. Every time

[Gabriel]

Having finally heard the song on this album, I can honestly say its probably the best version of the song i've ever heard. The climax is different to the Union tour version I have [with the sort of choir singing at the end being absent; only way I can describe the sound since I dont have a clue about the keyboards rick uses!] but it was still magnificent!