Favorite Union Song?

[blitzjg]

I'm curious as to other people's reactions to this album, and their favorite song.

From what I understand, not many Yes fans are fans of this album, I however was recently introduced and was mesmorized by many of ballads, rhythms, and melodies that this collaboration produced.

I think a lot of the lyrics, Like in most Yes songs are very meaningful and present a perspective we would be lucky other people would have on life, let alone ourselves.

I have to admit I find myself easily pleased with even, music others would consider poor and/or disgraceful, so that may be why I can appreciate this as beautiful Yes music.

[cinderella]

Without a doubt or any hesitation....


The More We Live - Let Go

[Dantalion Rides Again]

Lately it's been "Holding On". I have to admit that I like singling that song out, because I feel it's overlooked & underrated.

The other songs that I might actually like better than "Holding On" without even knowing it:

I Would Have Waited Forever
The More We Live - Let Go
Take The Water To The Mountain

[Lifeseeker66]

Shock to the System

Followed closely by Dangerous, Holding On...

Obviously liked the ABWH stuff....

[CybrKhatru]

The More We Live, without a doubt.

I also love:
Miracle of Life
Shock to the System
Lift Me Up

[cinderella]

I also like Lift Me Up.


Shock To The System however, is one song by Yes I just can't bear to listen to.
It grates on my nerves.

[CybrKhatru]

I always thought "Shock" was ABWH's attempt to write a "City of Love" type song....musically speaking, that is!

[yesyadda]

I checked More we Live. Angkor Wat is also an all time favorite. I cry whenever I listen to it.

[kmcpro615]

Union is unfairly maligned. I feel that most of the "faithful" judge it based on the snide comments made by band members who were disgruntled over it. Reading Henry Potts' interview with Jonathan Elias, gives a revealing look into the disfunctionality that was Yes at that particular point in time and gives some plausibility for the disgruntledness...but the fact remains is that the producer can only work with what you give him to work with. I personally think it's an excellent album and that Elias did a great job. The guys in the band that were pissed off should have showed up ready to work....and since they weren't, then they should have kept their mouths shut.

KMCc:)

www.myspace.com/kurtmichaels1

[pianozach]

I checked More we Live. Angkor Wat is also an all time favorite. I cry whenever I listen to it.

I think Miracle of Life is fabulous, but Angkor Wat runs a very close second. I think the poetry at the end was an inspired choice.

Union is unfairly maligned. I feel that most of the "faithful" judge it based on the snide comments made by band members who were disgruntled over it. Reading Henry Potts' interview with Jonathan Elias, gives a revealing look into the disfunctionality that was Yes at that particular point in time and gives some plausibility for the disgruntledness...but the fact remains is that the producer can only work with what you give him to work with. I personally think it's an excellent album and that Elias did a great job. The guys in the band that were pissed off should have showed up ready to work....and since they weren't, then they should have kept their mouths shut.

KMCc:)

www.myspace.com/kurtmichaels1

Agreed. Union is one of my favorite Yes albums to listen to, but we seem to be in the minority on this. It's quite a long album as well, and there's only a couple of songs that I think do not reach the heights of the others, but I'll keep that to myself right now.

When I first heard the album I was not aware of the behind-the-scenes drama and maneuvering that had gone on to get it produced. I envisioned a big happy Yes family collaborating on a top-notch album, with plans for many others in the same vein.

Instead, the follow up was Talk, which, at the moment, is my favorite Yes album. It's been in the car CD changer for a couple of months now.

Imagine my surprise, though when Talk and Live ABWH are released in the same year, with the follow-up being Keys to Ascension the following year.

[kirk]

Hands down, TMWL- Let Go. Classic.

K

[kmcpro615]

[FONT="Comic Sans MS"]

Union is one of my favorite Yes albums to listen to, but we seem to be in the minority on this.

I have no problem with being in the minority on this issue. Anybody that needs approval from the "majority" to validate what they enjoy listening to is a sheeple moron......

KMCc:)

www.myspace.com/kurtmichaels1

[thistle15]

The Miracle of Life

[SilentTalking]

Shock To The System is my favourite. JA on top form vocally, catchy and rocking as hell, and some great lyrics.

I only really rate the AWBH tracks on this album.

[blitzjg]

I only really rate the AWBH tracks on this album.

What do you mean by that?

[miguelbass]

The More We Live - Let Go

Miguel

[yes372]

Voted for Miracle of Life, but I like Holding On alot too.
All of the Yeswest tracks are fairly strong though.

[Faceintheplace]

My overall favorite is The More We Give Let Go but I also really like Holding On, I Would Have Waited Forever (the extended version especially) and early versions of Without Hope that are on bootlegs with the middle 8 cut from the album version.

[blitzjg]

What is this extended version?

[Faceintheplace]

It's included on the In a Word Yes boxed set.

[blitzjg]

What makes the extended version better? it's already over 6 minutes long

[SilverShoes]

It only allowed one choice, so I went with I Would Have Waited Forever. I wanted to add Shock To The System, Masquerade, and Miracle Of Life (the only good songs on the album), but as I said I couldn't.

[blitzjg]

Well what should I have done? Gave an option for 2-3 votes? That some what defeats the purpose

[Faceintheplace]

What makes the extended version better? it's already over 6 minutes long

More guitar parts in the mix and it comes to a full ending rather than fading out.

[Jackaranda]

Lift Me Up and The More We Live are, imho, the only decent songs to be heard on Union. It's the worst Yes album ever, again, imo.

[Jackaranda]

Shock to the System was Ok live.....

[GLee2112]

I love Miracle of Life. I like the YesWest tunes and also enjoy Masquerade and I Would Have Waited Forever.

[Senor Mono]

I voted for Lift Me Up

but a close 2nd would be The More We Live-Let Go

and Tony smokes on Holding On!

[SilentTalking]

What do you mean by that?

If you go to page 4 of your CD booklet the credits will tell you which songs originated from the ABWH sessions and which were Rabin-led 'Yes' recordings (without Anderson, ahem) that JA added vocals to at the last minute so they could be credibly called Yes (unlike the awful "Love Conquers All" on the YesYears boxset).

While I think most of the Rabin songs are OK, (like much of BG and 90125) I don't see them as being really worthy of the Yes name - apparently they were meant for his solo album but Arista insisted on including them on the LP, believing they would be more radio-friendly (this was still a big factor in those days)

[Jackaranda]

I voted for Lift Me Up

but a close 2nd would be The More We Live-Let Go

and Tony smokes on Holding On!

I don't think that's Tony.

[blitzjg]

And by smoke you are talking about how well the guitar is done?

[Wakey's #1 Fan]

I have some favourite songs on Union, but my number 1 is Holding On! Great lyrics and melody and especially Jon's voice makes it to one of my favourite Yes tracks.

[AmyK]

My Favorite: Miracle of Life
Second Favorite: The More We Live - Let Go


*Serendipity Alert*!, I just rescued a copy of Union today from the flea market (Cheap, but not a free market :)

I played it at home here, laughed, cried, danced around and sang along - the entire album. Union was the Yes wildcard album for me going from my least favorite to one of my favorites upon each new listen.

[Sergey Lenkov]

Hi from Moscow! "Union" is my favourite Yes album. Well, truely it's a kind of Jon Anderson Project, still the music is beautiful. I like nearly all songs - including "Shock to the System", but I voted for "Angkor Wat". IMHO, it's the most mystical song by Yes.

[Dantalion Rides Again]

Hi & welcome to Yesfans!

Be ready, lots of folks don't like Union ... but I personally love it. It was the upcoming album when I became a fan, and I don't care what they say about it, I love that album.

[Sergey Lenkov]

Well, it's their problems.
Let's be objective - it was the last album of Yes in the charts - it means that listeners liked it more than all their after 1991 production.
Now you they could say whatever they want - but this game is done and the result is obvious.
"Open Your Eyes" or "Ladder" - though main line-up of Yes was present - they are much weaker. "Union" sounds more close to classic Yes than these albums (of course there were good songs also).
So if there were involved many session musicians, and Jimmy Haun played main guitar parts instead of Steve Howe - what's the problem?
I like the music and I like this polished theatrical sound created by Jonathan Elias and Jon Anderson.
In 1972 Yes should record "Close to the Edge", but in 1991 - it was senceless. "Union" - that is how Yes should sound in 1991.
Truely it was the first Yes album which I understood and it helped me to understand their classic albums.

[luckeydoug1]

This album contains three of my most favorite Yes songs so it is a very difficult decision to pick one:

Miracle of Life
Lift Me Up
The More We Live / Let Go

I actually prefer the original version of The More We Live/Let Go and performed by Conspiracy with Billy Sherwood handling the lead vocals.

So... Miracle of Life gets the vote, just slightly over Lift Me Up.

[Meng]

I Would Have Waited Forever.

Honorary mentions to Without Hope, the first part of which IMO is one of the most beautiful Yessongs, and Angkor Wat - more like an Anderson solo track but I'm mystified why this seems to be so reviled in Yes fandom.

Overall I prefer the ABWH tracks.

[90125yes]

shock to the system by a mile

take elias off and all the extra production and session people then the whole album would have been better

[GLee2112]

s
take elias off and all the extra production and session people then the whole album would have been better

take all that off and there wouldn't really be an album at all!

[blitzjg]

Interesting thoughts, a controversial album to be assured.

[HOTsunrise]

My favorite would be "Silent Talking". I thought it was pretty cool that "Lift Me Up" got some pretty good airtime on MTV.

[BigGeneratorBoy]

Truely it was the first Yes album which I understood and it helped me to understand their classic albums.

This is totally true for myself; when I first heard 'Union' there was an instant connection that spoke to me and helped me to get deeper with other Yes albums.

I voted for Miracle of Life but I had to struggle between it, Lift Me Up and Saving My Heart. I have a special spot for Saving My Heart though; it makes me feel loved.

Also, where is the song Give & Take on the poll? It's the last song on the album... at least on mine... hmmm, I'll have to see what's up with that...

Peace :D

[Andersonic]

Union was important to me when I discovered Yes music, it's dear to me. I chose Silent Talking...up tempo...

"Silent Talking, in the system...bring me to this...beautiful world"

[orpheus]

Union seems to me to not be about one song. I like the way the songs all kind of blend in to each other. It gives the album kind of a cohesive feel, which is ironic because many feel this is the most incohesive Yes album made.

If I had to pick a favorite I'd pick Silent Talking because I like the outro

[90125yes]

shock to the system is my best by far

if the original YES musicians were left to it without Elias's session players - then it would have been even better



i would give anything for any of those YES players to make a record today

,, one of the things making Rick cry in 2008 no doubt

about as painful as peeling an Onion hey Rick

[Blind_Fate]

Where the hell is Give & Take!?

[ladybugjt68]

Angkor Wat ....such a beauty !!!

[BlueEagle]

Tough call. ANGKOR WAT is a biggie, SHOCK is a knockout rocker and MASQUERADE is a winner but I give the nod to MIRACLE OF LIFE- A tour de force. These four more than make up for the rest of drek on there.
This of course assumes that I even like this studio "collage". They should have tossed the "database" and just recorded to UNION tour and sold THAT record- it least it would have been honest.

[cod4]

I actually love "Saving My Heart" but judging by the poll I am a voice in the wilderness. "Masquerade" classic Steve Howe. "Shock To The System" is a classic rocker but I agree there is some dross on there...

[TOBYSGRAPHICGOKART]

Onion definitely isn't their finest moment and I hardly ever listen to it.
If I really had to choose one,it would possibly be Angkor Wat.

[harty]

i should give this album more of a listen. By what I've read...I'm missing quite an album.
For me....angkor wat...when you hear songs like this, you know what this band called YES is truly about. No other out there. For me...a song like Angkor shows why they only had two chart hits.

[satyam]

Without a doubt or any hesitation....


The More We Live - Let Go

Fully agree with you there Cindy

[vampire524]

The More We Live - Let Go
although to be honest I do prefer the Conspiracy version much more!!!!

2. Miracle of Life

And my kids are yelling at me for Saving my Heart ( I have no idea why but they love that song?!)

[rabinmovies]

lift me up and saving my heart

[rabinmovies]

worst songs
Angkor Watt
give and take

[Sharp on Attack]

I can't vote here since my favorite song is on the European release only : Give and Take
I love it when two riffs or melodies are first introduced separately in a song only to be played on top of one another in the end : In this case the Give an Take ending with the dual guitar interplay is a fine example of what I'm talking about.
Congratulations to the guitarist, Mister Ho...umm I mean Mister Haun.

[Gemini]

"Battle Hymn of the Republic"

[Write a punch line]

shock to the system is my best by far

if the original YES musicians were left to it without Elias's session players - then it would have been even better



i would give anything for any of those YES players to make a record today

,, one of the things making Rick cry in 2008 no doubt

about as painful as peeling an Onion hey Rick


As a dork for Yes (as we all are) I can tell you that this album would not exist if it were not for Elias's studio guys.

Whether that would be better is debatable.

[crotale2112]

My favorite would be "Silent Talking".
Yeah man... I love that song. It has always been on my list of songs I would love to hear live.

I still hope jon anderson is STILL singing in the system...

I pray jon anderson is STILL "always dreaming" and will forever sing to this beautiful world...

beautiful world....<TABLE border=0 width=53><TBODY><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD>http://www.thisbeautifulworld.com/Assets/frontpage3.jpg</TD></TR><TR><TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

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[90125yes]

As a dork for Yes (as we all are) I can tell you that this album would not exist if it were not for Elias's studio guys.

Whether that would be better is debatable.

---

then ABWH ii would have been far better

[Kristiina]

I however was recently introduced and was mesmorized by many of ballads, rhythms, and melodies that this collaboration produced.

I think a lot of the lyrics, Like in most Yes songs are very meaningful and present a perspective we would be lucky other people would have on life, let alone ourselves.



I share your feelings and thoughts on this...
I also found this album only quite recently, and it gets dearer and closer by every listening. The More We Live is a song that touches me the most - it´s been years since any song made me cry, but this one really does, it´s filled with beauty, delicious harmonies and the lyrics are simply perfect!

[Sharp on Attack]

So I hesitated long enough. Silent Talking gets my vote.
Overall ABWHaun tracks lead the way. All the Rabin tracks sound like throwaway songs to me, More-Let Go saves YEswest from a blank score.

[luna65]

Of the YesWest material, I think "Miracle Of Life" is the one best-realized, even from the demo version. I love "Lift Me Up" but I agree with Trevor that "Saving My Heart" shouldn't have been included - it really is better suited to its' original collaboration between Trevor and Roger Hodgson. And "The More We Live - Let Go" is also a great song, it shows how well Billy and Chris write together.