ABWH at Fifteen [Archive] - Yesfans.com: Founded 4/01

10-21-2004, 02:59 AM

It dawned on me that 15 years have elapsed since the release of Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe. I feel that, while this may not be the best ever by this group of guys (a group whose not best still tends to be extremely good), I feel that it is good music that has stood the test of time. It also finds its way into my CD player every so often and is a positive listening experience every time. I wonder what others think.

brotherofmine

10-21-2004, 08:10 AM

For me, I am maybe one of the minority to consider this as one of the best albums alongside Union, and I do consider it a Yes album, it is all in name. There is also "An Evening of Yes Music Plus" which I consider the band at the peak of their form. Everyone without exception were smoking on that album and to me it is the best work Rick Wakeman has contributed to an album. But look live and Bill Bruford stunning with his computerised drum kit, Jon at his singing best, Steve fantastic guitar licks and enjoying himself.
There a very happy feel throughout the album with a Latin/South American feel to the album. This album will take some beating.
My favourite track..go on take a guess..Yes..Brother Of Mine!

Bill Mocarsky

10-21-2004, 08:36 AM

I think ABWH was a creative time for this group. To me, ABWH to Union is like Going for the One to Tormato.

Orbert

10-21-2004, 01:45 PM

It's hard for me to be objective about this one. I was pre-internet, working 3 jobs, and way out of touch with the music scene at the time, though vaguely aware of this "other band" out there calling themselves Yes, with someone named Trevor on guitar and lead vocals! Ugh.

Then in a rare trip to the record store, there was ABWH, and I nearly cried with joy. My guys were back, in everything but name! And I knew immediately why it was titled the way it was; they obviously couldn't call it "Yes" while that other band was still out there.

I'm still not a big fan of the South American feel of some of the songs (or Latin or whatever it is), but there's still enough good stuff on there to make it worth my time to put it in the player once in a while, which I still do.

Orbert

Paul Adams

10-21-2004, 04:18 PM

lida

10-24-2004, 05:39 PM

Great album.
Love the video in the big dream
Beautifull clips, and footage of the concert.
come tp think of it, that concert was my first yes experience.
I was struck by lightning, no words to describe it.
There was magic in teh air, and I think everyone felt it.

Ronboy

10-25-2004, 06:37 AM

A cool album - I love it

The real pity is that ABWH II was sacrificed & the tracks thrown into the unfortunate "Union" album. ho-hum

Perhaps ABWH II should be disentangled from "Union" & all its over production & given a release!

All in favor...
Paul,

My thoughts too.

I love the album and, yes, Union was very unfortunate and for me a weak album (together with Open Your Eyes).
I was only playing ABWH the week-end and there is some great material on the CD. Can't believe it is 15 years old, mind you some of the early YES material will be 40 years old soon!!

YES - Great Band, Great Musicians, Great Material, Just Great.

Ronboy

Andersonic

10-25-2004, 11:45 AM

on the 3rd of november I will celebrate the fact that I saw ABWH, my first encounter with the live energy of YesMagic, just months after the album introduced me into this realm of fantasy we know as Yes.

I love the album, despite Squire not being there, he wouldn't have liked all the songs I'm very sure anyway.

Deano

11-01-2004, 09:36 AM

I still really rate this one and thought the live shows were great too

Jackaranda

11-01-2004, 08:07 PM

I liked Brother of Mine. That's the only song that ABWH ever did (including Union) that I ever liked.

Scooty

11-19-2004, 02:15 AM

ABWH hasnt aged well in 15 years...
I listened to it for the first time in awhile last week, for old times sake..and it doesnt stand up...its dated..which Yesmusic as a whole really isnt. It is timeless for the most part..

Im not a huge fan of this album..the tour was phenomenal!!!
but I missed Chris (big surprise)...but if he was there I guess it could have been YES...

Scoot

umgekehrt

11-19-2004, 02:36 AM

ABWH is an album full of magic. The epics work great and the overall mood is very positive. It's the first modern Yes album.

Awakened by the Gates

11-20-2004, 05:18 AM

A great album by a great group of musicians no matter what name they perform under. No dull moments - as if there ever are!

There is a boot of the sessions which is different to the album released - well worth getting as well!

'I'm Alive' begs the question: 'what came first' - delivered in Jon's inimitable style.

lida

11-20-2004, 09:00 AM

Squire*Fan725

11-20-2004, 04:36 PM

I enjoyed this album to an extent..After all, Jon, Rick, Steve and Bill play wonderfully on it...However, it's missing a certain someone.....

brotherofmine

11-20-2004, 04:45 PM

Bouit ABWH does anyone know how or where to purchase the video ??
My old recorder ate it, and I can't find a new copy anywhere.
There seems to be a box with the concert and the video.
I would like both but am mostly interested in the video "in the big dream"
Hi Lida, there is ABWH 'An evening Of Yes Music Plus' which I think is still available (Amazon may still have it). But I think I'm not sure that 'In the Big Dream' is a boot. I think it was produced in South America.

SonicDeath10

01-06-2005, 11:40 PM

i love the album. i wish levin's bass playing was mixed higher because he's one amazing bass player. i also wish steve's guitar was mixed higher, but these songs are amazingly catchy. and fist of fire has some amazingly firey keyboard work from wakeman... i haven't listened to this one as much, but i'd have to say it's the best thing to be around around that time... imagine if yeswest had done an album... actually, maybe that would have been good too, as the best songs on union are ironically Yeswest. not the best Yes album but it has some great songs, that were VERy improved on an evening of yes music.

Max Webster

01-21-2005, 06:04 AM

ABWH was like an oasis in a desert for me.

Prior to its release, I was going through a period where I felt Yes had perhaps run its course in terms of producing new albums that excited me.
I wasn't a big fan of Big Generator or Talk and I only passively liked off-shoots like Asia and GTR.

ABWH came out during this period and it knocked me off my feet. I thought: Wow! I loved it and a large part of that credit goes to Wakeman who I thought shined on this album.

Of all the Yes albums that followed Drama, ABWH stands as my favourite.

rabinmovies

01-21-2005, 11:47 AM

ABWH came out when i was 17. Loved it when it first came out. I still like themes, fist of fire, brother of mine, i'm alive and the order theme. But i must say that i much preferred Rabin's Can't look away album just months after the ABWH release.

wolfhound

01-21-2005, 02:58 PM

ABWH is a breath of fresh air. I love Birthright. If I go on a fishing trip, I like to put it on cassette or CD.
I saw them at the Santa Barbara County Bowl. Jeff Berlin replaced Tony Levin on bass. Amazing to see a musician reading sheet music while playing Yes material. I liked how he played. Still, as with any concert I go to, no matter who it is, I always want to ask: Where's Chris?

yarstruly

02-07-2005, 01:10 PM

Bouit ABWH does anyone know how or where to purchase the video ??
My old recorder ate it, and I can't find a new copy anywhere.
There seems to be a box with the concert and the video.
I would like both but am mostly interested in the video "in the big dream"
http://half.ebay.com/search/search.jsp?nthTime=1&product=music&keyword=Anderson+Bruford+Wakeman+Howe&x=9&y=8

Here ya go...In the Big Dream is NOT a boot...I bought it years ago in a legitimate music retailer...It is just out of print...Part documentary, part videos...not very long, but excellent....

cactus jon

02-07-2005, 01:15 PM

I like ABWH very much. I can't help but wonder if YES would not have continued making brilliant epic songs had ABWH continued and gotten Squire back into the mix. Trevor Rabies (sic) could have had his Ciniema, and we would have 3 more YES albums.

Deliriumyes

02-07-2005, 01:53 PM

Andy56

02-07-2005, 03:22 PM

I only recently (12 months ago) brought this album and I have to say I play it a lot.
"The Meeting" is probably one of the most beautiful songs ever written anywhere by anyone. I'm an old softy.

yesman1955

02-08-2005, 05:53 AM

ABWH was a refeshing experience. I thought the YES was gone only to find this album my world was renewed.

yesman1955

02-08-2005, 05:55 AM

Can you imagine the ORDER OF THE UNIVERSE? In America at Mcdonald's it is a Quarter Pounder with cheese with the soda and fries SUPERSIZED!

Orbert

02-08-2005, 01:03 PM

Can you imagine the ORDER OF THE UNIVERSE? In America at Mcdonald's it is a Quarter Pounder with cheese with the soda and fries SUPERSIZED!
But in France, it's a Royale with Cheese.

gt76yesman

02-08-2005, 05:48 PM

Still love this album. I need to go put it on right now.

Teakbois!

02-16-2005, 03:40 PM

Has anyone ever noticed Geoff Downes getting writing credit on Brother of Mine?

Orbert

02-16-2005, 07:18 PM

Has anyone ever noticed Geoff Downes getting writing credit on Brother of Mine?
Maybe one of the "movements" grew out of something they were messing around with during the Drama era, and Geoff got credit. That's just a guess, though.

Deliriumyes

03-06-2005, 10:28 PM

I'm listening to it as I type. This album restored my faith in Yes. I knew as soon as I heard ABWH that Yes was, indeed, back. I drove my neighbors crazy for months when I first bought the disc. It is on my desert island ten list.

plodder

07-06-2006, 09:35 AM

I like it.

CybrKhatru

06-29-2008, 07:36 PM

Maybe one of the "movements" grew out of something they were messing around with during the Drama era, and Geoff got credit. That's just a guess, though.

Could it have been a Steve Howe fragment left over from the GTR period? Downes was involved in that album too....

(BTW, I still like it too!)

Senor Mono

06-29-2008, 07:47 PM

Birthright is a gem.

luvyesmusic

06-29-2008, 08:23 PM

Where has the time gone?

Steve Mahoney

06-29-2008, 08:54 PM

It still works for me.

mageestout

06-30-2008, 10:56 AM

Ironic that this is a thread since I just listened to the ABWH for the first time in a LONG time. When it came out I was in college & played it in my dormroom constantly.

Has it aged well? Hmmm.... well.... overall it does have a very dated sound. I would have to say that some of the music is dated but is still good music. Things like THE MEETING & LET's PRETEND seem almost timeless. I enjoy TEBEKOIS (spelling?) but it is very dated, and sounds like it would be from a Jon solo LP (a la City Of Angels). Actually a chunk of the music is VERY Jon solo-ish. In some areas I feel Steve should be doing some signature licks and Rick should be doing something "more creative". I could be wrong but I don't think Bill did anything special on the LP although I do love the double foot pedals at the end of ORDER OF THE UNIVERSE.

Dated usually always deals with the technology- especially keyboards and guitar sounds. You can use a basic guitar sound and piano on a composition and it sounds timeless but if you use a fairlight keyboard and an envelope fold effect on the guitar it sounds like 1982.

I really enjoy the LP but think the guys could have put a little more into it - or am i judging it as a YES project? That is a debate this site has already tackled but when you listen to ABWH you really miss Chris's vocals. Vocal-wise Jon is carrying the load - although in some areas there's some female choir like voices (many Jon's??) which could have done with the Jon-Chris-Steve blend.

Once of the best things about the LP is the photo of the lads. It looks as if Rick has just said something funny (as always), Jon is cracking up, Steve is smiling at the comment but inside wishing he said it and Bill is just sitting there looking very English and thinking to himself...I left Crimson for this!!! It captures their personalities perfectly.

Mostly Harmless

06-30-2008, 12:44 PM

Lifeseeker66

06-30-2008, 01:07 PM

I absolutely love this album. I still listen to it frequently. Themes, Quartet, Order of the Universe: All incredible "Yes" songs. The only song that I don't really like is Brother of Mine, but only because it got beat to death by radio play at the time. I saw both the early and late portions of the tour, and they were both very much yes shows. If Teakbois can't get you out of your seat, check your pulse.

I'm listening to it as I type. This album restored my faith in Yes. I knew as soon as I heard ABWH that Yes was, indeed, back. I drove my neighbors crazy for months when I first bought the disc. It is on my desert island ten list.

I have to echo the sentiments of my good Yes buddy, Karen. My words exactly "restored my faith in Yes", "Yes was indeed, back". That about sums it up for me too. I was growing tired of the Yes West lineup (not that all of it was bad, but until Endless Dream they still hadn't really done an epic yet). This to me was a return to the style that I had loved. The "down your throat, who gives a damn how long it is, we're going to play how we want to play" Yes.

Karen, it's a good thing we didn't have the same neighbors, they would have never gotten a rest from ABWH at the time. We were probably at the same shows at the Good Ole Spectrum, as I saw the early and late concerts as well!

harty

06-30-2008, 01:40 PM

restored my faith....well said indeed.
For me I had become a Yes fan during Tormato. Then the Yes members started changing all over the place. I longed to want to see the original band again. Then the ABWH album came out. It was sooo YES. Finally I felt a YES sound was alive again. Rabin be done. There awere so many YES style endings on the album. So refreshing, so restoring. Then the tour included Levin for Squire. I could live with that. I so wanted another album. Union just was overdone. That tour had a lot for it. But the album and continued direction were not the same as the ABWH. Were did that ABWH direction go????

Scooty

07-01-2008, 01:58 AM

It hasn't dated well, at all...frigin' late 80's production.

And of course (you'd expect nothing less from me) it lacks Chris' punch.

The stuff that stands up are the mellower tracks, Let's Pretend, The Meeting...Birthright is killer.

Teakbois is an embarrasement
Order Of The Universe is Jon at his cheesiest
Fist of Fire gives me a headache
Quartet is so twee it makes me throw up a little in my mouth everytime I hear it.

I've always LOVED Brother Of Mine though...always.

Orbert

07-01-2008, 02:04 PM

I don't think I understand the concept of music aging well, or not aging well. For me it is never an issue. When I put on music from the 80's, it sounds like it did back in the 80's. I have experienced similar effects with music from the 70's, 90's, and even the 60's. I don't see how something sounding like it came from a certain era automatically makes it worse, unless you personally have bad memories associated with that era or something.

I mean, I listen to Beethoven and rock out. I don't go "Man, this sounds like it's hundreds of years old!"

90125yes

10-03-2008, 07:25 AM

fantastic line up and record

should be renamed YES

it harks back to the classic sound - it knocks spots off any of the YES WEST material and was the catalyst for YES to return to the roots of the classic lineup

90125yes

10-03-2008, 07:27 AM

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width="60%">post bt scooty

Re: ABWH at Fifteen
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<HR style="COLOR: #d1d1e1" SIZE=1>It hasn't dated well, at all...frigin' late 80's production.

And of course (you'd expect nothing less from me) it lacks Chris' punch.

The stuff that stands up are the mellower tracks, Let's Pretend, The Meeting...Birthright is killer.

Teakbois is an embarrasement
Order Of The Universe is Jon at his cheesiest
Fist of Fire gives me a headache
Quartet is so twee it makes me throw up a little in my mouth everytime I hear it.

I've always LOVED Brother Of Mine though...always.

___________

at least it has aged better than chris !!!

Meng

10-17-2008, 04:11 AM

Not a great album, but better than ok.

Teakbois is horrible. I prefer the recent live version of The Meeting when Jon (for whatever reason) dropped "Lord" from the lyric making it much more ambiguous. I love Themes, Fist Of Fire and particularly Order Theme, but I've always been mystified about the love most people seem to have for Brother, which I think is ok but nothing more.

Overall - 7 out of 10, and better than both 90125 and Generator.

CloseToTheHedge

10-17-2008, 04:45 AM

This album is almost exactly as old as me! If it was released June 1989 (and "conceived/made" before then) as Wikipedia says...

I don't think I've aged well at all ;) but to be entirely pompous I'd like to think I aged better than this album.

Well, one issue is that some of the songs are simply cheesy sounding, which wouldn't redeem them were they done in the 70s or 90s, but the other I think is as others mentioned... 80's production.
Having said this, I actually LIKE many other 80s things that should sound dated like a-ha's Take on Me and all those other synth-packed hits. But many things sound awfully out of place in this album. I don't know whether to blame Wakeman being out of touch with modern synths at the time or production engineers or what.
Some of the 80s problems are improved much on live performances IMO; in fact that's all I listen to for the songs on this album, there's the excellent official release and some really good boots with Tony Levin...

Brother of Mine is a bit of a guilty pleasure, the first time I listened to it it was 50% "what is this ----" and 50% "this is shamefully catchy". I didn't vote it out of that ongoing elimination poll because I can't deny that I think many Tormato tracks are worse. ;) BoM reminds me of my childhood; I have a strange feeling I've seen that embarassing music video for it once upon a time long ago...

On the other hand, I think Drama - made a stunning 9 years earlier - sonically (?) aged much better despite the keyboard sounds being a product of their generation. Except for that one bit near the end of Machine Messiah, it still grates on me every time I hear it.

edit: of course, it sounds ridiculous for me to say it's "aged" or whatever seeing I couldn't possibly have heard it when it came out, but I'm just judging it against all the other music I've heard from that era. I just find ABWH the album very unlistenable, that's all. :(