On The Silent Wings Of Freedom

[RobAdams]

How do you feel about this song?

[BredYes]

I hope they will add this tune to their setlist. Rick and Chris are brilliant on this song. I think this song could bring some fresh air between the known classics, because they did not play it for 23 years.

[Jeffrae]

I had to choose it was Amazing..

Reasoning.. I don't LOVE the song..

and I can't say it is "Pretty Good"

So its Amazing..

Jeff

[illusion]

I can't stand it, sorry. Completely overrated. Possibly the worst song on the album.

Now I've done it!

[YESYOUANDI]

It's pretty typical of the album Tormato-----It aint up to the classic Yes standard----It does not cut that old mustard for me!!!
Sorry to some---Cheers to all.

[rhammill]

I had to go with I love it. As it appears on Tormato it is a pretty good song, but live it is amazing. They really need to reproduce (not just remaster) Tormato...

Randy

[purple wolf]

HOW CAN ANYONE CLAIM TO BE A YES FAN AND NOT LOVE THIS SONG . THE BASS GUITAR WORK ON THIS SONG IS SOME OF CHRIS'S BEST EVER ,ITS ALSO SOME OF THE MOST INOVATIVE BASS GUITAR WORK I HAVE EVER HEARD !!!STEVES GUITAR ON THIS SONG IS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING AND COMBINED WITH RICK"S KEY BOARDS YOU HAVE CLASSIC YES AT ITS BEST .THIS MAY BE THE MOST KICK"N SOMG SINCE YOUR"S IS NO DISGRACE . I REALLY HOPE THEY PLAY THIS SONG ON TOUR HAVING HEARD SEVERAL BOOT VERSIONS OF THIS SONG (THIS SONG IS AWESOME LIVE )

[Yesgrrrl]

I LOVE THIS ALBUM......and I think OtSWoF is a freakin incredible song! No......it isn't the best produced one...but I am talking musicianship and talent. Every song had a different personality, a different feel to it. Madrigal is amazing, Onward (I am a sucker for the sappy songs) but I have to say this is my fav on the album...it totally ROCKS! The drum solo, in it's day, kicked major ass.... ; )

"On the darkest night so painful
Do you hunger for love midst the torture of being one"

*THUD*

[purple wolf]

DITTO YESGURL

[yessongs72]

Megga Ditto's to Purple Wolf and Yes Grrrl!! I agree with the both of you about this song! I hope it's the first song of the next tours encore, followed by Starship Trooper! By the way, no wonder they don't play in Great Brittain that much, I wouldn't play where you didn't like OTSWOF! lol

[Yes Oz]

I hadn't listen to this track for some years. then i saw the recent reviews about "?" being included in the recent tour and other's saying why not "Silent wings of freedom".

Well I listen to this the other day and realised what a fantastic track this is (along with "Whales").

I hope they perform both on next years tour to Oz.

[smatt]

Yes Oz, I had to edit out the minor spoiler in your last post here. Sorry!

[Dale Cleary]

OZ!!!!!!!

Ooh yeah what a song

[Byroan]

Love it- I want to hear a live version of it. Un-fortuneatley, It doesn't sound like they'll make a NorthWest pass on the second leg. It's funny when someone says a song like that is over-rated. Damb these are tough fans. There is so little progressive music out there (atleast in my estimation), it seems strange to snub one's nose a such a cool song. It's like -if every song isn't Gates of Delerium then it sucks. I was reading the reviews of the tour, and people were going off on America like it was the worst piece of music ever written. I hate to think about it, but one day we might long for the days we got to hear America (or dare I say it...Roundabout!)

[YYY]

I've made unflattering comments about certain YES recordings in the passed but I've never criticized any song I've seen LIVE. Hearing YES Live is such a gift. They could play anything and I'd probably love it. I haven't brought "The Ladder" because I am not completely impressed by many of the songs but when I saw them at the 'House of Blues' every song was marvelous.

[Bob Biggs]

Footprints and Homeworld are almost perfect Yessongs. Gotta rate them up there with Close to the Edge and Awaken. Would like to see Footprints done live (seen homeworld on Live from HOB).Would also like to see On the Silent Wings of Freedom live and Machine Messiah.

[Bob Biggs]

Footprints and Homeworld are almost perfect Yessongs. Gotta rate them up there with Close to the Edge and Awaken. Would like to see Footprints done live (seen homeworld on Live from HOB).Would also like to see On the Silent Wings of Freedom live and Machine Messiah.

[Dale Cleary]

New language from The Ladder.
I'd love to see that song live.
YYY check out The ladder, it really is a very good record.

[Jackaranda]

I think Chris' idea and bass line and the lyrics are superb. Steve's guitar fits perfectly, in great taste to the song. What kills it for me is the production (Tormato was horribly produced), and some downright obnoxious keyboard playing by Wakeman. His solo at the end of the song may be the worst thing he ever put on a Yes album.

Like so much of Tormato, it should have been a lot better...Jack.

[YYY]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Dale Cleary
[B]New language from The Ladder.
I'd love to see that song live.
YYY check out The ladder, it really is a very good record.
____________________________________________

Dale, I have listened to 'The LAD" several times from day one.
I do like songs like "Homeworld" but overall it doesn't live up to my expectations. The songs are good but not great and unfortunately my expectations of YES are very high.

OTSWOF isn't amazing but I like it alot. The style is very typical of YES. It wasn't groundbreaking nor was it off-base. Its was very much what I expected of YES when I first heard it. I think its one of the top 4 songs from Tormato.

[Cerberus]

I love it! Anything Jon sings is wonderful... He could sing nursery rymes & make them sound magical.:angel:

[Chefgolf]

Need a new rating.... Outstanding is actually my vote

[CelestiaLover]

Purple Wolf, Yesgrrrl & all others who could NOT have said it better {please 4give me 4 not mentioning all by name}:

OMG! U hit it right ON when U said that! ;)

I'm in a most SERIOUS "YESphase" right now listening 2 ONLY YESmusic in prep f/4 upcoming Yesshows in the next week + {which'll B my 5th this year & 22nd 2 date}. "OtSWoF" happens 2 B 1 of the very songs on my homemade "YES" CDs that I play & overplay & overplay & overplay b/c the song is just SO friggin' inCREDIBLE! My opinion anyway! 'Keep tellin' my husband that, if they were gonna choose a tune off of "Tormato," I wish [in lieu of] "DKtW" that they'd brought back "WINGS!" A most definitive showcasing indeed on ALL instrumentation & voice as it sends chills up my spine with each & every listening!

I'd love to hear "The Ladder" {first cut} done live ~ what a KICK@$$ of a song! And "YES" ~ ANYTHING that Jon sings is GREAT!!! I also think that "DRAMA" should either be re-recorded with Jon's vocals and Rick's keyboarding {not that Geoff wasn't a good keyboardist}, but...... OR ~ they should do "Drama ~ LIVE!" "YES" KICKS on LIVE recordings! Those songs are WAY too good to be forgotten, and just because they were done without Jon doesn't mean they should be thrown in the closen. Shoot! Chris Steve and Alan were on that project. Let's not forget they are more than 50% of the band. Bring those kick-@$$ songs back with JON'S beautiful voice and Rick's powerful fingerwork!

SO....that's my vote!

I'm all PSYCHED babee! Just bought the tix 2 those 2 other shows 2day {2nd night in Philly 3rd row & the D.C. show ~ 1st row}. 1st night in Philly is 4th row. LOTS of driving, man but it's worth it every bit!

WHO WANTS 2 MEET/GREET B4 &/OR AFTER ~ EITHER CITY PARTICULARLY ROCHESTER which I'm also going 2??? ;)

((( yessmiles )))
*~sonya~*

[Dances w/PURPLE]

I love reading your posts. Full of emoticons and energy. I can imagine you in a mosh pit easy.

[the'YES'kid]

It was nice that at one point of my Yeslive i got a bit tired of listening to the "hits" (I've seen all good people, starship trooper, and you and i, roundabout, etc, etc) and started to look for the dark side of Yes, started to look for those forgotten songs, like Machine Mesiah, The Prophet, South Side of the Sky and off course ON THE SILENT WINGS OF FREEDOM. Actually, if there's something I like about this currrent tour is the variety of rare songs and songs that haven't been played in a long while.:evil2:

[CelestiaLover]

:D THANK U, D :D

I appreciate ur saying that! My husband says I'd get squashed in a pit ((( butt ))) ~ we'll just C about that, huh? Hmmmm... good thing the 3 pitts I'm in on Fri, Sat & next Toosdee are the ORCH pit and not the Mosh pit, huh? haHAha! :D Wouldn't wanna get stomped on, eh? oOoH! or WORSE! The ARM pit! HAhaHA! Now THAT would be REALLY bad! :nono: He doesn't know what he's talkin' about anyway! Him small town boy! Me CITY GIRL! ;)

xo

[yesrocks]

what an amazing song<< and Chris did some of this in his solo 2002 tour

[Faceintheplace]

It certainly is the best cut on "Tormato." I especially like the blissed out middle section. However, I own an alternate take I likemuch better. I wish its sound quality was higher because its a big improvement over the album version. But yes, its a very good song. Chris included its riff in the White/Fish medley at the concert I saw last Sunday. It sounded great. Hopefully next time they'll do the whole song because from what I got to hear, they do it much better now than in '78.

[Silent_wings]

I love that Song.

'nuff said

[CelestiaLover]

I SECOND that emotion, L;) VE!!!

Sheer BEAUTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[therifferoo]

It has such a beautiful feeling of smooth motion...like soaring...flying....

[Earl Grey]

Still one of those YES songs that I will pull the CD out for the express purpose of hearing that one song...

Usually YES is a complete-fabric thing for me... I don't want to hear just one song.

When I do, it's always this one. One of my very very favorites.
A work unto itself. And NOTHING like it.

[BrianD]

A great song but in particular those opening chords are just hypnotic. Love to see it live.

[george bertha]

I think OTSWOF is a pretty good song , even if it's on Tormato which I consider one of Yes' weakest albums. To me it seems like the boys had a contractual obligation to fulfill with the record company and they just "threw it together".

[Dr Yes]

Played live OTSWOF is absolutely killer. On the record mind you it's well . . . not . . .

That for me reduced it's rating by one bracket, from Amazing to LOVE IT.

Same ol' same ol' as others have said. It's the cheesy production and in particular Wakeman's "Bontempi" keyboard years which mar the studio version.

[BruceE]

I'm going to put my 2 cents in, ok? In 1978, remember 1978? I do. I saw Yes play "OTSWOF"at least 6 or 8times live. It was wonderful to see them play it and hear how the song spread out.I remember they experimented a bit with it. All Yes is better played live. We all know that. They had fun playing it too. It still holds up when I listen to the old" live tapes" The "In The Round" setting worked wonders for their stage presence. I 'm fond of Tormato, still after all these years. During that time I feel they played their best. Rick even agreed to play a Huge bit of "Gates Of Dilerium". Come on you guys, we older fans were druling at the bit from the "Tormato" shows. Apparently, Rick & Jon were not that excited, at least not for long. We were though... Best to all the YESFANS!

[george bertha]

Hey Bruce E., I've been a Yes fan since 1972, I still think "Tormato" is Yes' weakest album.

[Mr. Holland]

Originally posted by BredYes
I hope they will add this tune to their setlist. Rick and Chris are brilliant on this song. I think this song could bring some fresh air between the known classics, because they did not play it for 23 years.

Agreeing all the way with my fellow Dutchman, apart from the fact that I don't think Rick and Chris, but Alan and Chris are briliant on this track, it is really the rhythm section that makes this thrack stand out!

[Robert Shupe]

Well, I voted Amazing.

Tormato was the first Yes album I owned. So, On The Silent Wings Of Freedom was this powerful climax to the my dive into full feature Yes. We all have our Yes first momemts. That feeling of discovery was just so amazing all those many years ago.

It is number # 1 on what track I would like to see live that I have not seen already.

'On the back of a forty second screamdown'

Robert Shupe

[9012-=LIVE]

I put OK because i hate that weak Birotron solo at the end, from a man who used such instruments as a polymoog, Mellotron and Hammond and then using that, :nono:

[Insane Teacher]

Tormato was a huge disappointment for me when I purchased it in 1978. But, I am not sure how I would react to it now. My turntable no longer works so I can't play the LP. Since I disliked Tormato in the 1970s, I have never purchased it as a CD.

Should I reconsider?

[Dantalion Rides Again]

Hi Insane Teacher. My first impression of Tormato was a great one, and I think first impressions have a lot to do with your lasting impressions of albums. The ones I was disappointed at first are still somewhat difficult, you know?

But having said that, I still think Tormato is a great record. I don't think it's their worst at all. In fact, I chose my Yesfans ID from Future Times, which along with Rejoice makes a much better "epic" than OTSWoF for me. I love that tune. Also, until In A Word came out I felt that the whole album was so overlooked and underrated by the band and the fans alike.

Take a look at Yesyears - they only put two songs on it. "Don't Kill The Whale" and OTSWoF.

Is Tormato worth reconsidering? Well if you ask me, OTSWoF and "Don't Kill The Whale" are the two weakest numbers on the album, yet everyone seems to like them. I like 'em too.

[I voted "Love It" in this poll, just not totally amazing. The reason it isn't is that I think Jon's melody and delivery aren't as perfectly smooth as usual. You know, it just seems a little awkward in places, but whatever. It's still awesome.]

But I have to say there are some great tracks elsewhere on Tormato. The chorus of "Release Release" is really moving, lyrically. And for those who need their Yes tracks to rock, this one does the job. Inventive rhythms and great melodies. "Madrigal" and "Circus of Heaven" are very pleasant and uplifting. Fun to sing along with too - especially "Circus of Heaven". And as I said, "Future Times/Rejoice" is probably my favorite on there.

I'll take Tormato over Drama, and maybe even over another '70s album or two.

[Insane Teacher]

Hey. Kevin. You make a good case for reconsidering Tormato. Based on your comments I may give it another go. Thanks.

[Dantalion Rides Again]

You're most welcome. I'm still new here, so it's a bit of a shock to be thanked for going on and on about a Yes album. You don't get that at home! ;)

[R'tanys]

Love this piece. Chris teased us at the Minneapolis show by incorporating his intro to this piece into "Fish" and I thought for a minute that they were going to play the whole thing. Hopefully, I'll get to see it live soon.

[bender]

Silent Wings is pretty cool but am I correct in saying some Yes fans dont like this albums?

Tormato is fantastic! Silents Wings, Future Times (the best), Release Release, Madrigal! What more could you want.

[Earl Grey]

Future Times for 30 minutes.

That's it!

HAHA!

And it could've been... A lot of good stuff in Future Times/Rejoice... An epic in the works!
~~~~~~~

Still, those four minutes and five seconds are timeless.
An amazing thing!

And 'The Silent Wings Of Freedom' drives against the winds of time like truth and beauty, beauty struggling to be heard in a an augenblick of capture.

Everything framed in that shallow disco-punk moment. And it flew into the sun.

And truth and beauty prevailed.

Just as we do now.



Earl:yesbird:

[David Momberg]

So glad to see this song and the tormato album as a whole get some well deserved recognition. I agree with whoever wrote that they can't wait to hear a new re-mixed/mastered, and if possible reproduced version of Tormato. Some of the most intricate and well played songs ever by the band. Just incredibly hard to reproduce live, that's why the only ones you ever hear live are "Circus of Heaven", "Onward", and "Don't kill the Whale", the simplest and weakest cuts. If you doubt how powerful this song can be live, get a copy of the wembley Pool Oct.28,1978 show-Chris absolutely RULES!!! The only thing that could be better-a totally tight live version of "Release,Release"!!!

[Earl Grey]

Oh how that version rocks! Listened to it just the other day!

Silent Wings Of Freedom is one of the greatest Yessongs of all time. I never tire of it, I always have to listen to it twice in a row: once is never enough!!!

:yesbird:

[David Momberg]

So true Earl! I always have to listen to "Release,Release" twice. So is that like "Release,Release,Release,Release" Ha-ha. I also love what you wrote earlier about Future Times/Rejoice-the arrangement on that and Rick's work especially is just incredible. and I love Chris' work on the whole album. And i can't wait to hear the upcoming remix of "Arriving UFO"! By the way can you tell I love this freaking album!!!! the more I read critical reviews of it, and things like "their worst album"-it just pumps me up. Later,Tormato lover!!!

[CelestiaLover]

TWICE ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

I think I find myself leaning more towards eight (8).
Ya know ~ number 8 on the CD (sooooooooo) ... ;)
'Course if hubby's nearby I quit at two or three (lol)
Nice 2 know i'm not alone to adore "tormato!"
Truly one of the many greatest Yes albums indeed!
silent wings ... yes!!!
ha ha
It was actually "my first" (bought it newly released).

PEACE, EVERYBODY!!! :D

*~sonya~*

[Earl Grey]

Great to see you! Missed ya!

8 times through eh?! I could do that easily as well. 2X would be the bare minimum as far as Silent Wings Of Freedom goes for me...

I still think it would have made a fantastic 'epic': Silent Wings should last at the very least, 18 minutes or so, don't you think?

Earlie:yesbird:

[CelestiaLover]

Hey There Earl! Thanx Friend! That makes me smile .. Can't tell you howe much I've missed you all!

YES! Wings is everything you just said ... I almost feel like jumping up right now and getting it ~ it's in the car right now, though ... :crybby: ! haha Maybe someday CS will honour my request to perform the whole, bad@$$ tune instead of just incorporating it into that sweet solo of his. It's all good, though! But I think I would actually take on wings of my own if I heard them start playing that live at a show! Howe about you? haha

*~sonya~*
:D

[Suzy]

I love this song and wish it was on the setlist - I would love this to turn into a Chris Squire bass solo!!

[R'tanys]

I love Tormato! It's my second favorite album.

[Earl Grey]

I love this song and wish it was on the setlist - I would love this to turn into a Chris Squire bass solo!!

That would be a great place for Chris and Alan to do their 'WhiteFish' duo!
Long Distance Runaround/The Fish is always great to hear, but it would be fun to hear something different from The Fish next tour...

I, as well, am hoping to hear Silent Wings next year.
It's one of those musts, you know?
It may be my all time favorite Yessong.

Good to see you Suzy! Great thoughts all!

Earlie:yesbird:

[DaveJB]

I've been listening to disk 3 of Yesyears while driving to work. I've been enjoying anew OtSWoF for Chris' great bass work. I'd really enjoy hearing this in concert (hint, hint guys! ;) )

[Scooty]

I agree whole heartedly..On The silent wings Of freedom Is definitely in my top 5 Yessongs...it would be wonderful to hear them play that live..maybe Ill beg Chris at The meet and greet..LOL..wait must keep time short ask for a quick snapshot with him or Silent Wings on the next tour...hmmmmmm

[Silent_wings]

I really want to hear them play this song.
Bet you guys never would have guessed that huh. ;)

[Earl Grey]

I really want to hear them play this song.
Bet you guys never would have guessed that huh. ;)

Now why in the world would you want to hear that song in particular? I just can't figure out the association there... :ele:

[C0ops]

Humm i really enjoy this song....its not a masterpeice but it would defenetly be enjoyable in concert if they play it.....any reason why this song in perticuar was chose for this poll?

[NoQuarter]

I think OTSWOF is amazing. This is one song I can't wait to hear live on this upcoming tour. Chris is incredible on this track.

[Silent_wings]

Welcome to Yesfans NoQuarter

I can see you have excellent taste in Yes songs. :D
I can't wait to hear it either.

[NoQuarter]

Welcome to Yesfans NoQuarter

I can see you have excellent taste in Yes songs. :D
I can't wait to hear it either.


Silentwings, you have excellent taste yourself. I hope we get to enjoy this masterpiece at a show. I'm crossing my fingers.

[Earl Grey]

Oh well...

We had REALLY (I mean, it was pretty much written in stone) good info that OTSWOF would be in the set list... But strangely, it was dropped from the set list, along with a couple other songs.

But who knows? Other than 'Mind Drive' OTSWOF seems to be one of the most requested on Yesfan 'wish lists'. And the band does tend to add and remove songs for the second half of their tours...

I'm still hoping to hear it, and one never knows (I don't have any inside info on it being added though. Just hopin' is all!).

:yesbird:

[BrianD]

I was surprised that it wasn't played - but even more surprised that there was nothing from Tormato.

I hope it might get resurrected for Europe.

[Scooty]

Im pretty damn sure Chris wants to play it...but it just didnt make the final cut..it should..it really should make the setlist...here's hoping it makes it for the fall!!
Scott

[Mr. Holland]

I do hope they play it, but on a next tour. The reason for that is that there also a lot of fans who have allready seen them with the current set list. A lot of those people probably would also have loved to see/hear OTSWOF. It would be a bit "cheatish" to those fans if for instance YIND was dropped now and they would start playing OTSWOF. IMO they should continue a certain set list thoughout a whole tour. Only exception being when they find out after the first few gigs, that a certain songs really doesn't work......

[Scooty]

Well, that's the crux of the biscuit...who wants to play what?? what is working and what is not?? Chris has ideas on what he wants to play..Jon has his, steve has his..ya know?? so its all about the art of comprimise...I have it from good authority that Chris wants to "rock" a little more...but ya know?? Im dying to hear OTSWOF..If it happens far out..if it doesn't ..then I was just too damn young to catch it in 78-79

Scott

[Timmo]

One of the best things they ever did. Bar none.

CHRIS ROCKS! (As opposed to Chris Rock).

TIM
Venice, CA

[Orbert]

I've been listening to disk 3 of Yesyears while driving to work.
Disc 3 is my favorite from that box, and it lived in my CD changer for a long time, largely because of "Silent Wings", but also because it goes right into the two Drama tunes really well. There are a lot of great songs on that disc. Now it makes this weird scratchy, echoey sound that drives me nuts, so I had to take it out. Is this what it sounds like when you wear out a CD? Serious question. Is it even possible? I've never done it before.

Anyways, "Silent Wings" is amazing!

Orbert

[Guy]

I think it is a great song, one of my favorites on Tormato. It could have been mixed better, though. And Ricks sounds are kind of squeeky and cheesy (squeeky cheese?). For these reasons, I have always thought that if they did it in concert now, they could improve on it a lot.

Guy

[ndselwood]

IMHO "silent wings" is the best song on Tormato; unfortunately it is such a mediocre album that even though the song stands out like a beacon, its simply not up to the standards set by songs on CTTE, GFTO or even TFTO.

Wonder what it would sound like live or if they re-recorded it now with the passion that seemed to be missing when Tormato was released ?

All the best to all,

Nigel

[luckyseven]

There are some gems on Tormato, and this is one of the best. Still surprised they haven't pulled this one out again. If they can take on Gates again, surely they can OTSWOF?

[Gabriel]

I personally think this is the best song off Tormato and I love it!

[Scooty]

LOVE THIS FARGIN SONG!!!!!!! Now I gotta play it..LOL..Chris' masterpiece!!

Scott

[tranceofdances]

otswof is the jewel of tormato if there is a jewel there. it's the only reason i bought the album, cause i heard it on the yesyears boxset 1st. i love the way release,release starts, but then it goes into that "poppy" sound that they were seemingly into at that time, and for what reason i will never know. maybe it was the production, and maybe the guys just wanted to get away from what they had been doing. i mean otswof doesn't stand up to songs like starship, and siberian which are in the same time frame as far as song times are concerned, but i love the feel to the song, especially chris and steve's playing. everyone has to remember that this was the end of an "era" so to speak, and if i remember correctly, jon said that they were tired and had used up each others energy, and no one had any respect for each anymore at that point.
jason
"drifting endlessly by the breeze, to be over"

[Grover]

Excellent musical ideas. I'm not crazy about the lyrics.

I prefer Release Release or Future Times Rejoice as songs, but they don't have some of the instrumental creativity of OTSWOF.

[Leo C]

Great intro! The rest would be ok if they had come up with a better "chorus" (la-la-la-la-la-la....)

[brotherofmine]

I think "Silent wings" is a song that stands out on "Tormato" on which overall I believe was a pretty ordinary album, compared to the usual Yes standards. However I think SWOF is definately worth playing live and would be a great song to add to the set.

[Ronboy]

OTSWOF - a great song and i'm surprised by some of the negative comments regarding Tormato.
How some people can say I don't like an album is beyond me as that means that they do not like any songs on it!?
Does the variation in YES music not make them special and really good to listen to? How many other bands do you hear where all the songs sound the same or very similar?

Variety and quality with YES - long may it continue.

[Gabriel]

I know what you mean mate. I must confess, I was one of the people who said I didnt like Tormato that much but now I've really warmed to it and must say its one of my favourite albums by Yes although to be honest I do like them all [although Magnification needs afew more listens I think]

OTSWOF is a fantastic song and I love Chris's bass at the start; memorable tune!

[Orbert]

OTSWOF - a great song and i'm surprised by some of the negative comments regarding Tormato.
How some people can say I don't like an album is beyond me as that means that they do not like any songs on it!?
Does the variation in YES music not make them special and really good to listen to? How many other bands do you hear where all the songs sound the same or very similar?

Variety and quality with YES - long may it continue.
I understand what you're saying, Ronboy. But it seems to me that not liking an album does not necessarily mean not liking any songs on it. There seem to be at least a few people who like particular songs off of Tormato but find the album lacking overall. I'm one of those. "Silent Wings" is one of my all-time favorite Yes tunes, but Tormato is probably one of my least favorite Yes albums. I think you can like certain songs off an album that otherwise doesn't cut it, in your eyes, just as there can be certain songs you really dislike off albums you think are otherwise great.

Diversity is good. And if that also means varying quality, then that would by definition mean that some will be ranked lower than others. I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing. You can truly love a band without gushing over every single thing they do. Tormato came out at an interesting time in Yes history as well as in the music scene in general, and is widely regarded at the very least as a very inconsistent Yes album. Again, not necessarily a bad thing. There was a lot of flux at the time, Yes was trying to find some footing, find something they were comfortable with. Overall, I think Tormato is okay but not great, but remember that even "bad Yes" is better than most any other music.

Orbert

[Gabriel]

ut remember that even "bad Yes" is better than most any other music

That is so true my friend; try telling that to my brother!

[rambiss]

Hi,
IMHO Silent Wings has one of the most incredible bass leads I have ever heard. Lead bass to open a song - who has ever done that? Especially if you have access to alternate live shows from that tour. Radical bass playing only topped by the bass playing in Ritual me thinks!

I still love Tormato because it was the In the Round tour - 10th Anniversary tour. Wow. Just saw the 35th tour 2x - Wow. Peace.

[Symbol]

Amazing... great song and even better showcase for Chris.

[Scooty]

Amazing... great song and even better showcase for Chris.


And I still can't figure it out on Bass!!

Love this track..I so wish they would play it sometime soon

Scoot

[Earl Grey]

Silent Wings Of Freedom is one of the finest.

They didn't have Eddie Offord to produce this grouping of starry hosts, no splicing of notes into mock-evolution.

YES had to grow OTSWOF from scratch...

Homegrown.

All parts learned in sequence.

Recorded nearly 'live'.

OTSWOF may be the most representative of YES of all Yessongs.

Inclusive of all the best of past and future times, Silent Wings is an artisan-piece.

There is nothing like it, before or after it's own inception.

A rare bird, Silent Wings.

:ele:

[Gabriel]

According to the site 'Forgotten Yesturdays' they played Silent Wings the other night at thier lastest gig in a medley of Long Distance Runaround/Whitefish/Silent Wings of Freedom.

I dont suppose this was anything but the bass solo at the start? Still, a nice change!

[Mr. Holland]

According to the site 'Forgotten Yesturdays' they played Silent Wings the other night at thier lastest gig in a medley of Long Distance Runaround/Whitefish/Silent Wings of Freedom.

I dont suppose this was anything but the bass solo at the start? Still, a nice change!

Well not really a change, Gabriel. Chris's solo (together with Alan), that he has been doing for many years now (started during the 90125 tour), is called "Whitefish" and always exists of pieces from the fish/OTSWOF/tempus fugit and a lot of times (also full circle tour 2003 and union tour for example) follows Long Distance Runaround, probably because on Fragile the Fish also follows LDR.
So it is really more of a case of going back to old and familiar then to a fresh and nice change.
Personally I'm glad that he dropped this routine for the bigger part of this years tour. I prefer it when he builds up a solo within a song, like he did in Ritual. I personally think the whitefish routine is a bit beaten to death, if I'm allowed to say that......

It would however be nice if Yes would perform the whole of OTSWOF with an improve bass solo from Chris as an intro....

[Gabriel]

Oh sorry man, I should have worded it better; I already knew that they did Whitefish on other tours as i've heard it myself from a boot from the 2003 tour. When I said change, I meant change for this tour but after what you said, it seems like it has been beaten to death! A well, being a newbie still I guess anything like that is a nice surprise ;)

It would be great indeed if they did play the whole song...or anything from Tormato for that matter.

[C0ops]

"I love it"...I find nothing wrong with Chris's bass tone infact I enjoy his bass in this song, Let us hope we hear this one on the second leg...that would be cool

[brotherofmine]

I really love "Silent wings", my big bug bear is that I have never seen them play it live. In Fact:
Q. Has anyone ever seen Yes perform "Silent Wings" Live ?

[C0ops]

well it has been played 174 times live...although I will assume at least half were the whitefish version

[Timmo]

I really love "Silent wings", my big bug bear is that I have never seen them play it live. In Fact:
Q. Has anyone ever seen Yes perform "Silent Wings" Live ?1st leg of the "Tormato" tour in 1978 at the Spectrum in Philly.

We're due. Fork "Whitefish." Steve's guitar on this tune is trancendent.... as good as Chris' bass intro.

TIM
Venice, CA

[sparky]

Absolutely brilliant song - and one of the strongest on Tormato! I have nothing bad to say about this song - and if I was FORCED to do so it would be that I find the loose improvisational intro with the bass guitar a bit unecessary. (I´d probably get shot for saying that - don´t get me wrong - I love Chris´ bassmanship and he´s the best in the world, but I think that I´d rather hear that on live versions rather on the studio song version).

[RatFishes2]

Absolutely brilliant song - and one of the strongest on Tormato! I have nothing bad to say about this song - and if I was FORCED to do so it would be that I find the loose improvisational intro with the bass guitar a bit unecessary. (I´d probably get shot for saying that - don´t get me wrong - I love Chris´ bassmanship and he´s the best in the world, but I think that I´d rather hear that on live versions rather on the studio song version).


....signed confused


no offense taken

[umgekehrt]

The second best song in Tormato after Release Release

[Timmo]

Absolutely brilliant song - and one of the strongest on Tormato! I have nothing bad to say about this song - and if I was FORCED to do so it would be that I find the loose improvisational intro with the bass guitar a bit unecessary. (I´d probably get shot for saying that - don´t get me wrong - I love Chris´ bassmanship and he´s the best in the world, but I think that I´d rather hear that on live versions rather on the studio song version).Most of Tormato, to me, works better live. And I love the studio versions!

That chunky phat bass intro is DA BOMB in my opinion, studio or live.

[brotherofmine]

....signed confused


no offense taken
LOL..Sparky..bet you didn't expect Mr. Squire to read and comment on your post.
I guess we don't really know who might be reading our post Jon or Rick or Alan or Chris or Steve.Shouldn't stop us being honest though..as long as it's respectful.

[umgekehrt]

LOL..Sparky..bet you didn't expect Mr. Squire to read and comment on your post.
I guess we don't really know who might be reading our post Jon or Rick or Alan or Chris or Steve.Shouldn't stop us being honest though..as long as it's respectful.
Wow, after Chris responded, now Jon?

I mean... Tony.

[justyes]

It's OK, but personally I think Onward is better and Arriving UFO or Circus Heaven are far in front of the rest Tormato songs.

[VanDerGraaf]

I never tire of this song! I think it has a lot of good energy, despite the state of play between the group members at the time. Chris's sound is beautiful, few seem to comment on the soft halo around the sound of the bass on this track- guess the snarl of the Mutron draws us in first- but the shimmer at the edge of the sound is definitely there. I really like the drive of Alan too on this.
Jon i feel compliments the rushing and soaring energies well, with an impassioned call to individuality- at least that's how it feels to me.
Perhaps Steve and Rick don't match the other three here but really the only quibble is Rick's solo- the tone is wrong for the song, and the execution is not great by Rick's usual standards. Sounds more like a run-through, not a finished solo.
But really- the song kicks ass!
Live- well i wish expletives were allowed on here, because the live version deserves positive use of the damn things! Just AMAZING energy displayed on the contemporary tour versions of this tune. Chris's wah effect sounding more raspy and aggressive and Alan coming across with manic levels of energy. Despite this enhanced craziness the syncronisation of the two seems superior to the studio version...

I would love to hear it live. Period.
I liked the excerpts in Whitefish but felt the bass sound wasnt quite there- didn't snarl in the right way, the wah seemed muted and clean in comparison to the old live versions. I may be wrong, but it sounded like the bass sound Chris used for Magnification live. Part of what i loved about Silent Wings was the mixture of grit and beauty in the bass sound- i want to hear it again!
God, who am i to be complaining? It was really cool just to hear the theme ring out once more.

This song would kill live if the guys find a way through to do it again- and will sound a lot less tired than something like Siberian Khatru resurrected again.

Oh and before i stop going on i think Tormato is a lot better than most people give it credit for. Not perfect but really interesting.

I'll shut up now....

[rickweber]

Everyone has different likes & dislikes, It's good to here our fellow Yes fans appreciate the music on Tormato. It suffered a bit in the production dept, but I enjoy the whole album. I don't regard Silent Wings as their best work, but it is a nice track. I voted "pretty good". Tormato got me through the two years it took for Drama to come around. For me, Tormato sort of went to the back burner after Drama.

[Amy]

I love it!
Another one of those baffling moments.
I didn't appreciate this song until I heard it live on the Wembley disc.

[Bryan G]

HOW CAN ANYONE CLAIM TO BE A YES FAN AND NOT LOVE THIS SONG .
That's what I wanted to say.
IMO a Yes fan thinks Yes is the best music ever, no other group is in their class (it's like there is 2 kinds of music in the world, YES and the rest). Also loves all the music (some more than others, and maybe a couple songs it's more of like than love), mainly would never not like or hate a Yes song.
everyone I introduced to Yes feels that way I do, I was shocked when I Joined this forum and seen what people were saying about Yes songs.

[yesmandroc]

I can't stand it, sorry. Completely overrated. Possibly the worst song on the album.

Now I've done it!

You're totally right. There's a cute little bass solo in the beginning and we're supposed to wet ourselves? Ha!

Just kidding. It's not quite as bad a Onward. Tormato should have been just six songs.

[allgoodyes]

"On The Silent Wings Of Freedom" is one of the great Yes rock songs. The complexity of this song and the tight yet flowing entry of the guitar pieces creates many different senses of movement throughout this rock masterpiece. The final frenetic jam by Steve Howe, Rick Wakeman and Chris Squire at the end of the song makes me smile with amazement every time I hear it!

[Whitefish]

I voted "pretty good song". It is nice and has its moments, but for me is not an absolute favorite.


It was the best song to end that era of Yes before the line-up changes. You can hear on that whole album that the band is running out of ideas has different directions it is going in (Jon & Rick vs. Steve, Chris & Alan) and lacks direction and focus. However, it is still good.

[Timmo]

One of the best Yesjams ever.

Up there with CTTE and Relayer. That good.

But with a foreshadowing of the 80s yes rocking sound.

Amazing bass from Chris and an amazing howe solo.

It doesn't get much better than this, yesfans.

[Scooty]

I couldn't agree more Timmo!

What an incredible piece of music this is..

One of my all time favorite bass performances from Chris..and that tone...wow..

I've always felt that Jon's vocals are slightly lacking on this take...they should have pushed a little harder for his performance. I think this is the song where we see Chris, Alan and Steve coming to the forefront and wanting to severly rock out...

I adore this track. Please bring it back next time Yes tours?? Pretty please??

[Olias of Sunhillow]

I was never too crazy for Tormato. It is not that i dislike the album or that it is the worst music i ever hearded, but for some reason i don't play it so much. When i bought it my first reaction was: This is one of the ugliest covers i ever saw! Listening to the album i thought it's ok untill i first hearded OTSWOF. With this song YES made it all good again. What a great song this is!!!

[allpurechance]

I couldn't agree more Timmo!

What an incredible piece of music this is..

One of my all time favorite bass performances from Chris..and that tone...wow..

I've always felt that Jon's vocals are slightly lacking on this take...they should have pushed a little harder for his performance. I think this is the song where we see Chris, Alan and Steve coming to the forefront and wanting to severly rock out...

I adore this track. Please bring it back next time Yes tours?? Pretty please??

...I was just thinking about this the other day,Scoot!lol---(ok,I've been doing too much thinking lately...lmaoooOOOOO...it ain't too good for me!-no-!-),this song was one of those times where you can just feel that it's possible that the principles may be playing together three decades hence...!...you can FEEL the potential for the kind of power they would and have and...STILL DO!...demonstrate live!...

...the first hint that I have encountered,of the above...more accurately the first hint of the true power inherent in the present form of the band(which possibly helped to bring about the present situation where the principles ARE still playing together!)is on The Remembering,late in the song,where suddenly the band's sound goes 'dry'(effects-wise),and they just SLAM!As you said,Steve,Alan & Chris,just wanting to rock out!Jon is right down with 'em,too,though,this time!This is the passage where Jon shouts for an "ALTERNATE VIEW!!!"...and an "ALTERNATE TUNE!!!"...and winds up simply declaring,at the top of his lungs,yet somehow still sweetly/sadly,heart-rendingly..."SURELY!...SURELY!..."

...that same inherent power is all over Relayer,and on Awaken from Going For The One,parts of Turn Of The Century,and,there on Tormato on Silent Wings,and even Release,Release...which I feel,over the years,has gotten kind of an unfair rap,and shows the exuberance they still possessed at that time;in spite of things which were going on,which they were experiencing-were right in the middle of...

...it is that same power that we have felt since then,that we feel now,when we go to see them perform...that innate sense Yes has,which you can feel palpably live...it kinda goes..."There will come a point,during THIS show!...where we will THUMP you,UPSIDE the head!(lmaoOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoo)-with a song you may or may NOT know,or better yet,a song that you THINK you know!It doesn't even have to be a thumpin' kinda song,ya know?lmaoOOOOOO---it might be something gentle,something lovely that does it,but it all amounts to the same thing,the same effect-blown minds!!...and highly satisfied paying customers in attendance!!...have I made clear my opinion of Yes as an in performance entity yet?...!

[Scooty]

this song was one of those times where you can just feel that it's possible that the principles may be playing together three decades hence...!...you can FEEL the potential for the kind of power they would and have and...STILL DO!...demonstrate live!...




TRUE DAT!!!!
That's all I have to say..Frank is very, very right.

[allpurechance]

TRUE DAT!!!!
That's all I have to say..Frank is very, very right.


...lmaoOOOOOOOOOoo,Scoot---------I,however could go ON and ON about this!(do ya get that feeling?lmaoooOOOO)

...my concert reviews on the Yesworld site have(almost!)always contained,either in conclusion,or somewhere in the body of the(otherwise unreadable,I'm sure,LOL!)text,the phrase:


..."This is The Finest Live Band On The Planet..."-and even,sometimes,followed by the modifier..."Period!"...lmaooOOOOOOOOOOOooo(ok,NOW have I made it clear what I think of Yes as an in performance entity?!?!...)

...did I mention to you,Scoot,that after seeing the (so-called)classic lineup live(late 2002),my eldest son(whose musical tastes are evolving so interestingly!),when asked(I asked him,'course!),declared Whitefish to be his favorite part of the night?(gawd,I love that boy!...)

[yessongs72]

In addition to the great masterfull playing of Chris just making that Rick sound so sweet and Wakeman with his Keys,I also agree that Jon's vocals are strong as ever for OTSWOF and needed so for this musical masterpiece by Yes. The one intrigal part most seem to over look is from beginning to end is also the playing od the "Master" on the lead Mr Steve Howe. Just listen to this song it kicks butt and takes names beginning to end. I hope is they ever tour again Yes will add this to their set list and leave off Roundabout and other over played songs.

OTSWOF,most definatly one of the most if not the most under rated Yes song. This does not include Drama-OYE which I do donot consider Yes music.

[Scooty]

OTSWOF,most definatly one of the most if not the most under rated Yes song. This does not include Drama-OYE which I do donot consider Yes music.

Agreed that OTSWOF is most definitely the most under rated Yessong in the cannon..

But!! Don, Bro' the hatred for Drama must end...

It's a brilliant album, admit it...and you'll feel much better ;)

[Timmo]

Drama blows.

"I am a Camera."

Great rhythm section doth not make a great album.

Still, another great source for live material. Like Talk and Tormato.

[Earl Grey]

Hunter S Thompson killed himself.

So strange, Smatt, Ivy and I were watching 'Fear & Loathing In Las Vegas' last night, afterwards we jabbered of Gonzo-Journalism, and the importance of the indomitable Jester in the society of the damned... Damn.

I'd like to dedicate this song to Hunter: 'On The Silent Wings Of Freedom'.

I will not say 'Rest In Peace': Hunter would hate to rest.

May HST work in peace. Off in some counter-culture heaven. Smoking a joint, listening to On The Silent Wings Of Freedom on Gabriel's own boom-box.

uRlIeG

*Peter Gabriel? :ele:

[Scooty]

OMG!!!
EG, I just read this story...
Damn...thats all I can get out right now but...Damn....


OTSWOF playing NOW on the ole jukebox!!

[Timmo]

Only the good die young.

[yesmandroc]

Agreed that OTSWOF is most definitely the most under rated Yessong in the cannon..



What do you mean, underrated? The only people that don't like it are me and,like, one other person!

[Scooty]

What do you mean, underrated? The only people that don't like it are me and,like, one other person!

Ok, how's underperformed since 1979 ;)

[inside_out]

Give me the Whole band anyday. On the silent wings lacks the whole. I know you need bass. It's all over the place in this band. Don't miss it.

[Timmo]

It's pure, utter fantasticness.

[sherriff_johnbrown]

OtSWoF is an awesome song!

Wow, how have I never seen this poll?

[Timmo]

I love Steve's guitar solo in the opening. One of his best.

[yesmandroc]

I would like Silent Wings if it weren't for the instrumental silliness in the beginning. Jon does good work in that song.

[Scooty]

I would like Silent Wings if it weren't for the instrumental silliness in the beginning. Jon does good work in that song.


Instrumental silliness??????

It's the highlight of the song for me.
And quite frankly Ive always felt Jon's vocals on that should have required one more take, cause he wasn't nailing it on that one. Live, he was stellar..

[yesmandroc]

I've never seen it live (except for the bit in Whitefish). I have the Wembley show and it doesn't amuse me there, either. Perhaps if I saw it live I would understand all the hooplah.

[Amy]

Instrumental silliness??????

It's the highlight of the song for me.
Yup!! I put the Wembley disc on....and it stopped me in my tracks.

Yesmandroc.....I can't believe you still don't like the song after hearing it on the Wembley disc.

[Silent_wings]

I love it
but I guess you guys could figure that one out :D

[Deliriumyes]

The intenseness of Chris' bass combined with Jon's vocals...need I say more?

[Earl Grey]

Yup!! I put the Wembley disc on....and it stopped me in my tracks.

Yesmandroc.....I can't believe you still don't like the song after hearing it on the Wembley disc.

Yeah, that's an amazing version of the song Amy. Love it!
My favorite version of the song is from the same tour at the LA Forum (And it's not just because I was there, I swear! :ele:).
They played the song with such spirit, edge and vitality...
The night of that concert was when I fell in love with the song...

Anyhow, OTSWoF is definitely one of my top 3 favorite Yessongs, and it may be my favorite of all time. Nothing else sounds like it in this world.

urlie:yesbird:

[Earl Grey]

...bye the way.

I recently had the chance to ask Chris right up-front: "Chris, when are you guys going to play Silent Wings Of Freedom again, huh? huh? huh!?" :ele:

No direct answer, alas.

Let's keep putting that bug in his ear! SILENT WINGS next Yestour!

urlie:yesbird:

[Amy]

That song really comes alive on that disc. It would be awesome to hear it live. Hearing Ritual live was just amazing. It's almost disappointing to hear it on Tales now. Well, not really. I still love it.

[Earl Grey]

That song really comes alive on that disc. It would be awesome to hear it live. Hearing Ritual live was just amazing. It's almost disappointing to hear it on Tales now. Well, not really. I still love it.

BLASPHEMY!

;) :ele:

I figure, the guys seem to give us at least one big 'surprise' song per tour...

It's time for YES to revisit OTSWoF. It would bring the house down like nothing else. It WOULD be a moment.

Here's hoping!

urlie:yesbird:

[yesmandroc]

[QUOTE=Earl GreyLet's keep putting that bug in his ear! SILENT WINGS next Yestour!

urlie:yesbird:[/QUOTE]

Good enough time to go to the bathroom as any.

[smatt]

...bye the way.

I recently had the chance to ask Chris right up-front: "Chris, when are you guys going to play Silent Wings Of Freedom again, huh? huh? huh!?" :ele:

No direct answer, alas.

Let's keep putting that bug in his ear! SILENT WINGS next Yestour!

urlie:yesbird:


Jeeez Earlie, if drop that name anymore there's going to a hole in the floor........ OK, well I guess I do it to :lol:


Seems that was discussed before the last tour and it was axed for some reason or other. I believe it was Jon, not wanting to beat up his voice. It just wouldn't sound right if the brought it down a key. I very vaguely rememeber this conversation in a San Diego hotel room last spring.......

[The Whale]

wembley is hot!, but I didn't need it to know that this song is bad @$$.

[inside_out]

...bye the way.

I recently had the chance to ask Chris right up-front: "Chris, when are you guys going to play Silent Wings Of Freedom again, huh? huh? huh!?" :ele:

No direct answer, alas.

Let's keep putting that bug in his ear! SILENT WINGS next Yestour!

urlie:yesbird:

Chris would love to play that song. He wants to and is more that willing However.........Jon simply must agree. When He does they'll play it. Until then..................

[Yes_Fan_4_Life26]

Alan's drumming on this track is the most energetic since Sound Chaser and Anne of Cleves

[pedro skychaser]

BEST USE OF CHURCHBELL IN ROCK HISTORY....better than acdc,asia etc...oh and the bass bit at the start is none too shabby..

[cjreyes]

I said amazing! This has always been one of my favorites. It rocks like a son of a bit@#. I got to see Alan and Chris do a little during Whitefish in 2002. That just left me wanting more. This track, Future Times/Rejoice and maybe even Arriving UFO would be great to hear on some upcoming tours.

[Garyw]

Jon tells a story about this song which is one of my favorites. The band went into the offices of the head man at Atlantic records and they played him OTSWOF. He loved it and asked if the whole album sounded like this and they replied that it did. Unfortunately they new it didn't, but there is some other quality work on Tormato nonetheless IMHO.

Gary

[muff]

I cant understand how any Yes fan couldn,t love this track,

I was lucky to be at the Wembley show where it was played, it has everything you could want from Chris' fantastic bass line to Jon's vocals, and everything in between

its one of those tracks you just cannot sit still, imho

love it, but I,m biased, I love em all, :winknudge

oh, I had to vote amazing, :rcking:

[relayeire]

another one of those great "lead bass" tunes (The Fish, Ritual, Sound Chaser, Tempus Fugit) that made us all love Chris' playing so much... he just takes over, and Rick and Steve add flourishes around him... love that long, dramatic lead in to the first verse... excellent!

[chopper7]

Good song, great bass playing. The whole Tormato album gets slagged off on a prog-rock site I visit a lot, but I've never understood why. I like it.

[MrZuLu]

Amazing!

[Silent_wings]

Well I think so :D

[Australian]

I really like it. Lots of people seem to automatically label everything past 1977 from Yes to be bad. "Tormato" as a whole is a good album, It’s just different but is still as enjoyable as any Yes album. Plus is has "Don't Kill the Whale!"

[soundchaser77]

I love the song! And I think it be nice if they played that on hopely there next tour. That be fun to see!

[Earl Grey]

It's one of my top 3 Yessongs.

Nexttour, it is a must. It's the 'South Side Of The Sky' of 2007.

Mark that.

EG

[IDOLIZEYES]

I agree that if another tour ever happens, OTSWOF must certainly be one of the featured songs of the list. Chris obviously had so much influence, and fun for that matter, in the production of that piece of music! It is surely a "YES CLASSIC"......:rightG:

[Jackaranda]

Brotherhood of Man on the CIRCA: CD has a moment or two that will remind one of OTSWF.

[yessound_chaser81]

I love this song, especially the lyrics...very moving...beautiful....

[yesyadda]

Ba dadda do da do da buuuuuuuuuuuuuhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh........
BOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGGGGG.......

[relayerjim]

On the Silent Wings of Freedom..
It's the last song from the Trooper era.
It closed the book in style, its a great song!
On to new things.......

[pedro skychaser]

like raising the flag on iwajima(sic) 6 roadies will manfully raise the church bell for rick to boing it 6 times ..."the wingers BELIEVE 08 -its never too late.."

[Wakey's #1 Fan]

I love it, it's my favourite song on Tormato.

[Jackaranda]

Nina's gonna turn on me for saying this, but Rick just ruined Tormato for me, including OTSWF. Rick's the greatest, no doubt, but his playing on that album makes it almost unlistenable for me. I wish there was some way to just cut him out of the mix and listen to the others without him.

[Wakey's #1 Fan]

Nina's gonna turn on me for saying this, but Rick just ruined Tormato for me, including OTSWF. Rick's the greatest, no doubt, but his playing on that album makes it almost unlistenable for me. I wish there was some way to just cut him out of the mix and listen to the others without him. if my friend would say this, than this would happen -> :chairshot
but don't worry, I won't be angry with you.

[Yes.2]

:dog:

[Stever]

I went with pretty good song. It's a solid journeyman effort from the boys. Very nice bass line. Chris must have had a blast with this one. Not enough happening in it from a melodic or intensity standpoint, but just because I'm a spoiled Yes brat.

It's probably brilliant when compared with your average Toto song or something like that, but when compared to themselves, (Heart of the Sunrise, Close to the Edge, Sound Chaser, Changes etc.), it was just a'ight for me, dogg.

[Silent_wings]

I love it when this thread comes up :D

Maybe we'll hear it this tour.

[mageestout]

I do dig this song. We all know TORMATO is a different type of YES LP; with Rick's tinny key sound, bad sound production, lyrics about UFO's, chimed in crowds and the ah hem...wonderful cover....

OTSWOF is a great tune - not quite 1971-74 standards - but a great tune. Also a fun tune to see live because it gives Chris a chance to shine. Being a guitarist I obviously love to see guitarists do their thing but I like it even more when the bass man gets to solo (when it's done properly - which Chris knows how to do). The pedals & effects he uses on the bass are a perfect sound for the song.

I would say it's in the top 3 for that LP - along with ONWARD (yep, a wedding song for me) and CIRCUS OF...ahhhhhh!!! sorry.... RELEASE RELEASE (even with the piped in crowd the song just rocks and Alan kicks tushie)

[SilverShoes]

When I saw them at Radio City Music Hall, and Chris broke into the Silent Wings riff during Whitefish, I kept hoping Jon, Rick and Steve would come out and they'd go into the song proper, but they didn't.

[Meng]

Always disliked the first 30 seconds-or-so - White's drumming sounds really feeble (or perhaps it's the production?). But then he settles down and it turns into one of the better songs on a meh album.

[TOBYSGRAPHICGOKART]

I voted for I Love It.

[rikensquire]

It was the album that was a great idea, but as far as running with it, NO. As far as I can tell, from those in my circles, only bass players openly like it. If you like the traditional-guitars out in front with the vocals- you guys in rhythm section need to keep low and make us look good-then it's over before it began. Some people can't accept it, when the game of chess has unusual players out of their usual circumstances.
http://www.uncrate.com/men/images/2006/05/lego-chess-set.jpg

[bjlevine]

The jam at the beginning is great. On youtube there is a video of the recording session that has some great moments. My only complaint is that the song could've been extended into a big epic (the slow middle section is way too short) and the chorus is a little weak. As for Rick, it seems like he was happy to just go with the Polymoog on this album, and his parts suffer somewhat from it.

Its a great song for what it is, it just could have been a lot more.

I have this idea that I'm trying to sell to my bandmates right now of doing a Tormato medley (Future Times/Rejoice, Madrigal, Onward, On the Silent Wings, reprise Rejoice) with all the songs blending together. I'm playing around with Audacity to see if the idea actually works.

[HOTsunrise]

Strange. I couldnt listen to it 10 years ago. Now I love it.

[Billy Sherwood HQ]

I'm going with "Amazing"... for me that's the coolest Squire bass playing ever. Anyone only need listen to a few bars of my latest solo CD "At The Speed Of Life..." CD to know I love that bass sound too !! I had the pleasure of playing a bit of it live with CIRCA: in the YES medley "Chronological Journey" check it out...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efWQBJqbgOA&feature=related

I used to beg the band to play it live while I was in YES... I could never get them too...

One of my favorite {among so many} YES creations. :appl[1]: :appl[1]:

[Scooty]

I'm going with "Amazing"... for me that's the coolest Squire bass playing ever. Anyone only need listen to a few bars of my latest solo CD "At The Speed Of Life..." CD to know I love that bass sound too !! I had the pleasure of playing a bit of it live with CIRCA: in the YES medley "Chronological Journey" check it out...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efWQBJqbgOA&feature=related

I used to beg the band to play it live while I was in YES... I could never get them too...

One of my favorite {among so many} YES creations. :appl[1]: :appl[1]:

Right there with ya!!
And now I have the tools for that wonderful sound as well, thanks to your advice!! :thumbs:

[smatt]

This song has always had my heart.... While "77" was my first Yes show, I was nyl 10 at the time... And although I'd been exposed to Yes and other Dirty Hippy things for years, Tormato was when I really started paying attention.... And man,the sound of the bass on that song has always sent me into a trance. It's so damned unique..... Not sure why they never wanted to do it live after 78/79....... But I sure wish they would've :smurf:

[mike on the goldie]

Billy did they ever indicate why they didn't want to perform it live?

Chris did the bass intro part at the Montreux concert, which was great except it would've been even better if the whole group had then launched into the song!

[Billy Sherwood HQ]

Billy did they ever indicate why they didn't want to perform it live?

Chris did the bass intro part at the Montreux concert, which was great except it would've been even better if the whole group had then launched into the song!

It would have required re-learning it lol... there's where it ended.

[smatt]

It would have required re-learning it lol... there's where it ended.


:eeek: And THAT would've required them to actually be in a room together for a longer period of time than was absolutely neccesary "gasp"

I can see it though, as at least to me it seems that the song barely works, and if the band doesn't hit it just right it could be really, really bad..... So the process to get it right might've been a long one.....

Nevertheless a great song! :clap:

[somissound]

It would have required re-learning it lol... there's where it ended.

:eeek: And THAT would've required them to actually be in a room together for a longer period of time than was absolutely neccesary "gasp"

Nevertheless a great song! :clap:

Seems like they have re-learned a bunch on the HSW tour...

Great bass sound, but the song after a while, kind of wanders around lost looking for a producer... imo:aaa[1]:

But Yes, some great playing and tones!

I prefer Future Times and Arriving UFO for my Tormato adventures :headset:

[tarkus57]

Silent Wings of Freedom was wonderful in the Yesshows 78-79 In the Round Shows. Chris Squire showcasing the Rickenbacker Bass on the top pedestal of the rotating stage - swinging it like weapon side to side, throwing down like the hammer of the gods, then arcing toward the heavens - in motion and in sound...... with Alan backing him up on a set of North Drums - and then Steve joining with the heaven-reaching riff... didn't want the vocal to ever kick in. Been waiting 30 years to see / hear that again. The keyboards are too frilly on the end of the song and cut off the balls it starts off with........ but what can you do. Jon's vocals flew like they did years later on " Brother of Mine."

[9012-jive]

Like so much of Tormato, it should have been a lot better...Jack.

:appl[1]:

This is my view. I put 'just OK.' They had lost something at this point. I am not sure what. The only thing I revisit requently today is Don't Kill the Whale.

[bjlevine]

I'm not sure how I feel about this song. I love most of it, but I find the chorus a bit weak, and I think it could have been extended into something truly classic.

[90125yes]

great song

having just received a tormato dvd of the tormato tour it was great live as well

how come yes don't play it live that often ?

[90125yes]

Originally Posted by jackgowen http://www.yesfans.com/bluefusion/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.yesfans.com/showthread.php?p=68008#post68008)

Like so much of Tormato, it should have been a lot better...Jack.

________

did you see my thread on re mixing it ?

[bjlevine]

Great video of the recording sessions. It seems to me that that they left some of the best takes out of the final mix.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5KQIaHFma4

[Roadkill]

I love it! One of the best things about Tormato (an album which, for me, when it's good it's very good and when it's bad it's very bad). This song really drives along and has a great rhythm track (natch) and creates a really strong atmosphere. Not knowing an awful lot about their live work, did they not play this song very often on tour? A shame if they didn't.

[luvyesmusic]

I love this song for many reasons but most importantly, being the last song on Tormato, it was almost guaranteed to put me to sleep before the song ended on many occasions when I had the headphones on in bed. Same thing can be said of Iron Maiden's album, Piece of Mind. Tranquility during chaos. Great sleeps indeed. :-)

[Scooty]

I hate this fukcing song...












PSYCHE!!

It is in my top 10 all time greatest Yes masterpieces.
It came on my Ipod when I was working out last week and it really really got me going. You try airbassing and running at the same time....it's not easy ;)

[90125yes]

i love , just love silent wings of freedom

one of the best , very best YES songs

[rphheather]

This is one of my Yes favorites as well. Seems to be underrated IMO. Bass totally kicks A$$ !


I really mean one of my favorite songs period.

(All Yes songs are on an entirely different plane in my book)

[90125yes]

.. if the production on tormato was better it would lift SWOF even higher

[yesyadda]

Ba dadda do da do da buuuuuuuuuuuuuhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh........
BOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGGGGG.......

Ba dodda do da da do daaaaaaaaaaaaaa............
PAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNGGGGGG..............

Dada do ladda do badda ba ba da da daaaaaaaaa...............

Hmmmm Hmmmm......

Bum bum bum bum bum bum bum bum.........

TWAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGGGGG.........

[AmyK]

Nina's gonna turn on me for saying this, but Rick just ruined Tormato for me, including OTSWF. Rick's the greatest, no doubt, but his playing on that album makes it almost unlistenable for me. I wish there was some way to just cut him out of the mix and listen to the others without him.

I can see what you mean. I still like OTSWF, but its the keyboard just before the final verses and the final 45 seconds of this song, What keyboard is this? Yikes...

Fade that critter to the background :)

[relayeire]

I can see what you mean. I still like OTSWF, but its the keyboard just before the final verses and the final 45 seconds of this song, What keyboard is this? Yikes...

Fade that critter to the background :)

that's the Polymoog... it's been maligned in general, as well as the sound on this album... took me some getting used to, as it's probably Rick's main instrument on the album - especially because it was my second Yes album, after Fragile, and it sounded very different...

[Scooty]

Ba dodda do da da do daaaaaaaaaaaaaa............
PAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNGGGGGG..............

Dada do ladda do badda ba ba da da daaaaaaaaa...............

Hmmmm Hmmmm......

Bum bum bum bum bum bum bum bum.........

TWAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGGGGG.........

Why do I totally get this? :lmao:
Gar, come by sometime and listen to me play this with my basspod that Billy so wonderfully set to play the exact tone of this bass line. I have OTSWOF nailed! ;)

[yesyadda]

Why do I totally get this? :lmao:
Gar, come by sometime and listen to me play this with my basspod that Billy so wonderfully set to play the exact tone of this bass line. I have OTSWOF nailed! ;)

Sweeet! I would dig the hell out of it. :thumbs:

As old as this thread is, I realized I only had the one post. I wasn't sure what to make of Tormato when I first heard it, but when OTSW of F kicked in I knew we had a winner. I've ruined a couple of car speakers over this song. :D

[smatt]

Ba dodda do da da do daaaaaaaaaaaaaa............
PAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNGGGGGG..............

Dada do ladda do badda ba ba da da daaaaaaaaa...............

Hmmmm Hmmmm......

Bum bum bum bum bum bum bum bum.........

TWAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGGGGG.........


Best post I've read in a long time here! :rightG:

[90125yes]

Originally Posted by Jackaranda http://www.yesfans.com/bluefusion/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.yesfans.com/showthread.php?p=1271397#post1271397)
Nina's gonna turn on me for saying this, but Rick just ruined Tormato for me, including OTSWF. Rick's the greatest, no doubt, but his playing on that album makes it almost unlistenable for me. I wish there was some way to just cut him out of the mix and listen to the others without him.

------

the production in general is bad

rick has said that

but if you can play better ......

his playing is still fantastic


come on !!

[90125yes]

Originally Posted by yesyadda http://www.yesfans.com/bluefusion/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.yesfans.com/showthread.php?p=1771908#post1771908)
Ba dodda do da da do daaaaaaaaaaaaaa............
PAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNGGGGGG..............

Dada do ladda do badda ba ba da da daaaaaaaaa...............

Hmmmm Hmmmm......

Bum bum bum bum bum bum bum bum.........

TWAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGGGGG.........

-----

i think it is your longing for new yes music !!!

the frustration gets to us all

[Ceasar's Palace]

Sure; it's weird and strange. But that's the kind of band Yes is,
and that's what we love. Well, I do, anyway.
I love everything about it, the bit in the middle with the churchbells, the end, including Ricks solo, everything.
And what's that about bad production? I prefer it above the wishywashy sound of GFTO... Or is that blasphemy?
:headset:

[90125yes]

Sure; it's weird and strange. But that's the kind of band Yes is,
and that's what we love. Well, I do, anyway.
I love everything about it, the bit in the middle with the churchbells, the end, including Ricks solo, everything.
And what's that about bad production? I prefer it above the wishywashy sound of GFTO... Or is that blasphemy?
:headset:

----

agreed after all these years we would not want the sound to change

although there is no wishywashy sound on GFTO

[JB86]

Dislike it, sorry...

[90125yes]

Dislike it, sorry...

---

is that because you came to YES during the Rabin years ??

[90125yes]

Dislike it, sorry...

---

well it is better than YESWEST


and it depends when you came to like YES music