Big Generator

[RandyC]

I've been listening to "Big Generator" for the past few days (after quite some time) & forgot how good it is.
"Final Eyes" & "I'm Running" (IMO) are excellent tracks!
Does anyone know why Rhino did not "remaster" this with added
bonus tracks?
What are your opinions on this album?

[Frumious B]

Considering that Big Generator was the first Yes record I ever heard and I'm still listening to the band today then I have to figure that the album has at least enough "Yesness" on it to have reeled me in. If I had thought it was dreadful then I probably wouldn't have gotten anything else by the band. I wish that it had been included in the remasters series. It sounds a little dingy alongside those remastered discs, especially if I listen to Yes in shuffle mode on my Nomad.

[luckeydoug1]

90125

[Joedude]

Although one theory that has been put forward as to why this album was not remastered is that there was not enough available extra material, based on the extra material I have heard I would have to call shenanigans on that. I tend to believe the theory that Rhino didn't think it would sell well enough. I have read that much of the remastering of this album had already been completed.
I agree. You don't have to have that much new material for a reissue. Rhino should have a bit more faith than what they're showing.

[Andrea YouAndI]

I love Big G from start to finish, most of the time even Holy Lamb. Some of my favorite ever Yes tunes are on there: Rhythm of Love, Love Will Find a Way, Final Eyes, I'm Running. Absolutely underrated, and definitely worth the time it took to make it. When I want to listen to Yes but also dance, this is probably their best album in that aspect! :headset: No, I'm not saying it's their BEST album, just their most danceable.

And I almost forgot to mention the "Love Will..." video. Boy was that a lot of fun!

[GODSPEED]

I have mixed reactions to this album.
I like the music although it was hard to follow up 90125.
I had front row tickets to a show when they cancelled it.
So everytime I listen to this I think of how great it would have been to see them perform this album in concert and bummed at the same time.

[zenslinger]

I had front row tickets to a show when they cancelled it.



Me, too! Jacksonville, Florida?

[YesJen357]

I love the album.
It is interesting to note the band member comments about how difficult an album it was to record.....This is clearly a case of 'ignorance is bliss' for me, because none of the controversy comes across in the music.
It is a special album for me because as much music does; it takes me back to where I was 'at' when I first heard it. There are very fond memories that come flooding back to the sounds of 'L.W.F.a.W. and S.H-A.L. etc.
If and when a 'remaster' is released....I'll be there for it!

[aardvarkascent]

Hey, where is the love for Holy Lamb? I can't believe that everyone on here hates Holy Lamb! It's actually one of my favorite songs of all time!

When the single of "Love Will Find a Way" came out, before the actual BG album, the B-side was Holy Lamb. I was thrilled to hear new Yes music after waiting 4 years after 90125. Although I love "Love Will Find a Way" now, at the time it was disappointing because it didn't sound like Yes.

And Holy Lamb sounded like Yes! A glimmer of past glories, something to look forward to. As simple as it is, is reminds me of the end section of "Ritual" or even "Leaves of Green." And it's a beautiful, optimistic, unashamedly emotional song. Jon's voice is clear as a bell and reaches an amazing climax here.

Give Holy Lamb some love!

[pedro skychaser]

well bruce,i'm not a composer but am a bit of a controlFreak! i love holyLamb esp --the end which should've been extended with some serious jammin'...
bringBack the Lamb for 7-7-07!

[NobodyImportant]

Hey, where is the love for Holy Lamb? I can't believe that everyone on here hates Holy Lamb! It's actually one of my favorite songs of all time!

When the single of "Love Will Find a Way" came out, before the actual BG album, the B-side was Holy Lamb. I was thrilled to hear new Yes music after waiting 4 years after 90125. Although I love "Love Will Find a Way" now, at the time it was disappointing because it didn't sound like Yes.

And Holy Lamb sounded like Yes! A glimmer of past glories, something to look forward to. As simple as it is, is reminds me of the end section of "Ritual" or even "Leaves of Green." And it's a beautiful, optimistic, unashamedly emotional song. Jon's voice is clear as a bell and reaches an amazing climax here.

Give Holy Lamb some love!

I like "Holy Lamb." That "Love Will Find A Way" cassette single was my first Yes purchase. "Holy Lamb" took a few listens to click, but then I really liked it, and have liked it ever since. Sadly, though, it took roughly 15 years after that for me to really get into Yes, but at least now I've finally realized how great they are.

:git[1]: :drummer: :rightG:

[BrianD]

To me this album has aged much better than 90125, Union or Talk from that era.

I'm Running was always a favourite as is Shoot High, Aim Low.

I enjoyed hearing Rhythm of Love on the last tour - light but fun.

[Andrea YouAndI]

Hey, where is the love for Holy Lamb? I can't believe that everyone on here hates Holy Lamb! It's actually one of my favorite songs of all time!

I always pay attention to songs about world peace and saving nature. I really do like "Holy Lamb"--I also really like "Take the Water to the Mountain" from Union. Trevor Rabin has a couple solo songs like that too: "Can't Look Away." My family supports the National Wildlife Federation, Humane Society, and all those amazing organizations, so songs like "Holy Lamb" become our sort of theme. This Christmas I've decided to do something I've never done on my own before, and donate to the Rainforest Fund and Heifer International, two charities that Trevor supports (but I'm sure Jon would too).

If there's any reason I down "Holy Lamb" as a song, it's because of its placement on the Big G album. I just think they could've rearranged the tracks to end with a rocker, a more conclusive song, instead. The "Holy Lamb" lyrics are great, but the fade-out ending, which seems to end too soon, leaves me feeling as if there should be more there. It should be in the middle of the album IMO. Other than that it's a wonderful piece.

[aardvarkascent]

Well, I agree that Holy Lamb could go on longer. I think of it as the "Soon" after slight madness of "Running."

When I saw Yes on the BG tour, Holy Lamb segued into Wurm, and that certainly was a jam! But it seemed like an odd choice.

[RandyC]

Hey, where is the love for Holy Lamb? I can't believe that everyone on here hates Holy Lamb! It's actually one of my favorite songs of all time!

I love Holy Lamb, It is excellent!

[cinderella]

I love Big Generator.
My favorites songs from it include:

Love Will Find a Way
Final Eyes
Holy Lamb
Rhythm of Love
Big Generator
Shoot High Aim Low

[Awakened by the Gates]

I love Big Generator.
My favorites songs from it include:

Love Will Find a Way
Final Eyes
Holy Lamb
Rhythm of Love
Big Generator
Shoot High Aim Low

What about 'I'm Running'?!:argue2: :stick: :hitwithro

[cinderella]

LOL! Sorry, I guess I'm about the only one on earth that doesn't like this song. And 'doesn't like' is an understatement. :winknudge

[NobodyImportant]

The "Holy Lamb" lyrics are great, but the fade-out ending, which seems to end too soon, leaves me feeling as if there should be more there.

I can definitely agree with it ending too soon. I just listened to Big Generator again a couple days ago at work, and when Holy Lamb ended it seemed like there should have been more.

[Andrea YouAndI]

I love Big Generator.
My favorites songs from it include:

Love Will Find a Way
Final Eyes
Holy Lamb
Rhythm of Love
Big Generator
Shoot High Aim Low

Gee Cin, that's every track except "I'm Running" and "Almost Like Love," two of MY favorites on Big G. :lmao: Doesn't anybody else think "Almost Like Love" is an awesome, fun rocker? I can't believe how fast Jon sings it! Also one of Trevor's best guitar solos IMO.

[Purple Wolfhound]

Holy Lamb ends Big Generator on a spiritually high note - not unlike some previous classic Yes albums - Going For The One with Awaken immediately comes to mind. A glorious ending to a so-so album and perfectly matched, imo, with I'm Running.

[Dantalion Rides Again]

Hey, where is the love for Holy Lamb? I can't believe that everyone on here hates Holy Lamb! It's actually one of my favorite songs of all time!

When the single of "Love Will Find a Way" came out, before the actual BG album, the B-side was Holy Lamb. I was thrilled to hear new Yes music after waiting 4 years after 90125. Although I love "Love Will Find a Way" now, at the time it was disappointing because it didn't sound like Yes.

And Holy Lamb sounded like Yes! A glimmer of past glories, something to look forward to. As simple as it is, is reminds me of the end section of "Ritual" or even "Leaves of Green." And it's a beautiful, optimistic, unashamedly emotional song. Jon's voice is clear as a bell and reaches an amazing climax here.

Give Holy Lamb some love!
Ahhhh.. The sigh of happiness that comes with reading Yesfans in the morning and finding love for BG, Holy Lamb.

:D

EXCELLENT description of Holy Lamb there, aardvarkascent! Exactly how I feel about it. Why be disappointed that it fades out so early? It is what it is.
Possibly my favorite track on the album, really.

And BrianD, I'm right with you. This is my favorite Yes album from say, Drama to OYE. I like it more than Keys, Drama, ABWH (which I used to like more!) ... just a fantastic album that's aged really well.

In order to appreciate BG though, you gotta be willing to forget about what it ISN'T.

[RABARKS]

Gee Cin, that's every track except "I'm Running" and "Almost Like Love," two of MY favorites on Big G. :lmao: Doesn't anybody else think "Almost Like Love" is an awesome, fun rocker? I can't believe how fast Jon sings it! Also one of Trevor's best guitar solos IMO.

I've said it before, probably even in this very thread, but I do like Almost Like Love. I agree with your comments. Not only Trevor's solo is great, but the rest of his guitarwork sounds great too: Trevor doing a very nice Motown thing, here. And what about Alan? I haven't heard him this perky and jumpy eversince!

[rmig68]

Good album. Sometimes I like it, some times I don't. Depends on my mood. Anyway, it's 200X better than the crud they've been putting out for the last 10 years.

[Andrea YouAndI]

I've said it before, probably even in this very thread, but I do like Almost Like Love. I agree with your comments. Not only Trevor's solo is great, but the rest of his guitarwork sounds great too: Trevor doing a very nice Motown thing, here. And what about Alan? I haven't heard him this perky and jumpy eversince!

Oh yeah...White rules! I always think of Big G and Talk as two of the best "drummer" albums ever. He gets pretty loud and raucous on "Silent Spring" (from Endless Dream) and "State of Play" too...


rmig68 wrote:
Good album. Sometimes I like it, some times I don't. Depends on my mood. Anyway, it's 200X better than the crud they've been putting out for the last 10 years.

So are you saying I'm good not having anything later than Keys to Ascension II? ;) (Uh oh, I'm in trouble again...)

[YesfanAndy]

I agree w/ most about this album. Although I do have to be in the right mood to hear it. ROL, LWFA, Shoot High Aim Low, Holy Lamb, Final Eyes.

I agree with Chris' statement on the album; that it should have came out at least a year before it actually appeared in stores (1987). If it came out in late 85' or 86' I think it would've done alot better.

[NobodyImportant]

Anyway, it's 200X better than the crud they've been putting out for the last 10 years.

Do you seriously think that everything they've released in the past 10 years has been crud? Even "Mind Drive"?

Oh well, to each his own. Variety is the spice of life, they say......

[cinderella]

Doesn't anybody else think "Almost Like Love" is an awesome, fun rocker? I can't believe how fast Jon sings it! Also one of Trevor's best guitar solos IMO.

Trevor hated Almost Like Love.

Trevor said Almost Like Love was Chris Squire's "baby" and that it didn't work for him. He compared it to Sussudio. Trevor said that Yes was orchestral not Soul Train, and the song shouldn't have gone on the album.

Chris came up with a riff and insisted it be on the album. Trevor compared it to "polishing a vase while the building falls down around it." Chris Squire kept saying "but this riff" and Trevor said, "Yeah, but Chris, the song around it sucks."


This story comes from the book Yes Stories : Yes In Their Own Words by Tim Morse

[NobodyImportant]

Trevor hated Almost Like Love.

That's a shame. It's a good song.

[Andrea YouAndI]

I feel the same way. I've resolved to not let the opinions of the band members get in the way of my liking a song. It's just too picky to think of it that way. I know a couple Yes members weren't very fond of the entire Union album either, but there are some gems on there that shouldn't be forgotten.

Joe Perry hated "Dream On"...yet that was the song that put Aerosmith on the map. :D

[DesertCat]

LOL. That's funny hearing Trevor's comments about Almost Like Love. It's one of the only songs on the album that I never warmed to, no offense to those that like it.

At the same time it kind of reminds me of Sting talking about "Every Breath You Take". I think it was in a Rolling Stone interview where he said he was appalled that people loved this "evil f***ing song" and that some people somehow interpreted its message as positive and made it their relationship song. His later song "If you love somebody set them free" was meant to atone for it. In the end, though, "Every Breath" was the Police's biggest hit ever. :D

[rmig68]

Do you seriously think that everything they've released in the past 10 years has been crud? Even "Mind Drive"?

Oh well, to each his own. Variety is the spice of life, they say......

To be quite honest, to me you could barely put together a good album from what they've put out the last 10 years. Yeah, I like Mind Drive, Homeworld, Magnification (the song). Way too many "Soft as a Dove" and disco island type songs for me. I have to break Yes up into 2 categories. The "love" era 68-90 or so, (Tormato notwithstanding), and the "hate" era. Basically, everything after that, although they've been particularly bad in the last 10 years. I liked a good deal of "Talk" however.

Whatever it is about them in the last 10 years grates on me to no end. Even their live performances are getting a little "uneventful." I know they are old and I will always deepley love their early stuff but when I have to factor that type of "feeling sorry for" thinking to music, then, well, uh...

Let's just say they were once great. I mean really great. Now they can't even make just the British Rock Hall. That, I believe is a result of the last 10 years of bad music.

[rmig68]

I've liked Yes through a lot of eras. While I like Steve Howe better than Rabin, both are/were equally dazzling. Lord knows Yes has gotten me through good and bad times more than I can say. They are practically sacred to me.

I have to say though, they've really let me down and I'll admit, I'm pissed off about what they've done to themselves. It makes me mad, ok?, I'll admit it.

[Frumious B]

If it's almost like "love" then does that mean that it's a whole lot like "I really sorta dig you in a fairly fond sense"?

[Andrea YouAndI]

If it's almost like "love" then does that mean that it's a whole lot like "I really sorta dig you in a fairly fond sense"?
:dog:
Information leading to confusion...

[JB86]

hmmm. I like Big Generator a fair amount...my favourite song is probably Rhythm of Love- I liked the version they played during the 1988 tour which is on "The Word is Live", very exciting intro. Final Eyes is also a firm favourite.