Favorite ABWH Song?

[blitzjg]

Once again, I am interested in people's reactions, thoughts, and favorite song, of yet another, IMO underated Yes album.

Yes, I called it a Yes album, the lack of Mr. Chris Squire is noticed, as the songs have a much softer sound to them, as the bassist used, albeit talented, not as much as Chris is given much less to do, which I clearly think really fits the album and its songs.

The melodies of each song blend marvelously with Jon's voice, and the lyrics become deep and meaningful as Jon talks about the Aboriginiesi n Birthright, and praises friendship and love the the accompanying songs.

And the Opening song has outstanding piano (of which I am still trying to find sheet music for as I would love to play).

[YesCarolinita]

Seems many do not like this poll. This was a tough one for me personally-especially since I haven't listened to this CD in some time. I love Chris Squire too-so Squire not being on this one is tough to vote on. I love Wakey-coiud listen to him forever. I guess you can easily see which song I chose since I am alone in responding.

[Steve Mahoney]

Birthright

[DWStraile]

Fist of Fire it is. I love it. Wakeman at his best. The Meeting is obviously a favorite as well and probably second.

[brianos]

I voted for Brother of Mine - just love that moment when the vocal line "Nothing can come between us" holds for a sec and then Jon comes back with "So...." Themes would be my 2nd vote, followed by Fist of Fire.

[milestownyes]

Order Of The Universe. I have to rock.

[YesHut]

I was only able to pick one, but I do enjoy Teakbois, but I did pick Order of the Universe. Teakbois is a non Yes like song, but up-beat a has a very playfull feel to it, I like it. Order is more like a Yes song, and builds with structure. I like it a lil more, but not by much.

[blitzjg]

Yeah I can't not agree with anyone of your posts about any of the songs, so I guess I should have left more votes per person.

[pianozach]

Order of the Universe.

Milestownyes is correct: It rocks!

[tormatotork]

The Meeting. Reminds me of Boston '89

[Jackaranda]

Did they actually do a good one?




Ok ok....Brother of Mine.

[oliasdoug]

Order of the Universe.

Milestownyes is correct: It rocks!

^^^^^What they said.^^^^^

Not surprised that "Teakbois" hasn't gotten any votes yet. [Doug makes a very obvious "gag me with a spork" gesture.]

[nitrus]

Can't vote, there are several big big classics for me to choose from.

But hey, I love Teakbois! [Nitrus grabs the spork and symbolically gags Doug! :-D]

[blitzjg]

Yeah Teakbois always cheers me up!

[90125yes]

pleased to see abwh upgraded to a yes line up

the meeting is the best abwh track by a mile - about man's search to find christ as their saviour . well i am a christian - so that suites me mighty fine. the track incidently was a reworking from rick wakeman,s family album

[90125yes]

... it i want to be really clever i could also say shock to the system

[Mostly Harmless]

I voted for Let's Pretend. I think it's a great track that gets overlooked.

[pianozach]

Order of the Universe.

Milestownyes is correct: It rocks!

Now that I think about it, I really like Birthright as well

[chipperoo]

The Meeting and Quartet (tie)

[soul warrior]

I gotta go with 'Themes", afterall it is where my User name comes from :-)
I do love much of the music from that CD including: Quartet, Birthright, Meeting and Fist of Fire.

[Andersonic]

Birthright!! Yes should do it!

[Enlighten]

It would have to be either Themes or Fist of Fire. Wakeman really burns on Fist of Fire and Themes was really a good attempt at Yes sounding modern and current for that particular time.

[Lifeseeker66]

Interesting! Six people voted for Quartet and nobody owned up to it! I guess I'll be the first....

I loved this track because it was so "in your face" Yes, what with all of the references to lyrics and track names of Yes. I think this was Jon's thumbing his nose at Yes West... I loved it then and I love it now.

[rmig68]

It was always between "Birthright" and "Themes," but after listening to "Quartet" a little while back, I'm giving the nod to it. Yeah, it's a little mellow for me, but there's something about the mood of it that goes a little deeper.

I still consider this the last really good "Yes" album.

So rich and diverse. So much mood and melody. So fast at times, and yet it slows and mellows nicely in places. It rocks at times and is also symphonic. Complex and yet warm too.

Where else can you get such a variety of music? From hard rocker to aboriginal to calypso and just about everything else in between.

There is no doubt, to me, that the boys gave a little extra for this one. (even if Howe avoided the caribbean sun and sent in his parts)

...and unlike The Ladder (whose cover art was terrible), I think Roger Dean's "Blue Desert" is amongst his finest work, making the whole package (including the great ABWH font) a nice conceptual theme, like Tales and Relayer.

...and like those albums, when "Yes" is really on, they take you into that other world.

http://teacherweb.com/LA/JHMS/JBUSH/BlueDesert1024x768.jpg

[maninthemoon]

It was always between "Birthright" and "Themes," but after listening to "Quartet" a little while back, I'm giving the nod to it. Yeah, it's a little mellow for me, but there's something about the mood of it that goes a little deeper.

I still consider this the last really good "Yes" album.

So rich and diverse. So much mood and melody. So fast at times, and yet it slows and mellows nicely in places. It rocks at times and is also symphonic. Complex and yet warm too.

Where else can you get such a variety of music? From hard rocker to aboriginal to calypso and just about everything else in between.

There is no doubt, to me, that the boys gave a little extra for this one. (even if Howe avoided the caribbean sun and sent in his parts)

...and unlike The Ladder (whose cover art was terrible), I think Roger Dean's "Blue Desert" is amongst his finest work, making the whole package (including the great ABWH font) a nice conceptual theme, like Tales and Relayer.

...and like those albums, when "Yes" is really on, they take you into that other world.

I agree whole-heartedly. I voted Quartet as well.

[TOBYSGRAPHICGOKART]

Close run thing but I went for Order of the Universe.

Of the two "non-Yes" Yes albums,I prefer ABWH over Trauma.

[rmig68]

I agree whole-heartedly. I voted Quartet as well.

I had a metal-head friend of mine when I lived in Phoenix and surprisingly he not only owned "ABWH," but he loved "Quartet," which I thought was cool and a bit unexpected.

[maninthemoon]

I had a metal-head friend of mine when I lived in Phoenix and surprisingly he not only owned "ABWH," but he loved "Quartet," which I thought was cool and a bit unexpected.

That is cool. Of my friends of my youth who hated Yes, they seemed to tolerate Drama the most (more macho). Boy did they give me a hard time the first time I played Circus of Heaven. From then on, Yes to them was all "Unicorns and Fairies".

[Lifeseeker66]

That is cool. Of my friends of my youth who hated Yes, they seemed to tolerate Drama the most (more macho). Boy did they give me a hard time the first time I played Circus of Heaven. From then on, Yes to them was all "Unicorns and Fairies".

BIG MISTAKE.... Metal-heads should be started on "On the Silent Wings of Freedom" from the Tormato album... then "Release, Release", DKTW, FT/R, then by this time, they may be drunk enough or otherwise won over to appreciate COH

[rmig68]

That is cool. Of my friends of my youth who hated Yes, they seemed to tolerate Drama the most (more macho). Boy did they give me a hard time the first time I played Circus of Heaven. From then on, Yes to them was all "Unicorns and Fairies".


I remember a friend of mine when we were kids, used to love the part in "The Revealing Science of God" where Rick does his synth solo. It was the funniest God-damned thing you'd ever want to see. Even as kids (probably 11-12) this guy was big (you know the type; could grow a beard in like, 6th grade.) and burly.

I'd crank it on my fathers stereo and as the music built up, my friend (Jay) would look like a boxer and shake his head and jump up and down in preperation for the adrenaline release. Then when Rick "kicked it" he'd jump all over the room, boxing and kicking in the air.

That was priceless.

He was never a huge Yes fan, but he did love certain parts.

[Lifeseeker66]

He was never a huge Yes fan, but he did love certain parts.

Good thing, or the house might have been destroyed from the sounds of it....

[rmig68]

Good thing, or the house might have been destroyed from the sounds of it....


I can just see the headline:

"House Severely Damaged as Youth Goes on Demonic-Music Rampage"

or

"Possessed Youth Says Yes to Violence"

or

"Why Little Johnny Hates"

[Lifeseeker66]

I can just see the headline:

"House Vandalized as Youth Goes on Demonic-Music Rampage"

or

"Possessed Youth Says Yes to Violence"

or

"Why Little Johnny Hates"

Hear Yes play...
See Johnny destroy.

[blitzjg]

I could never enjoy Let's Pretend

[CloseToTheHedge]

This was kinda difficult. Picking the top 3's easy, so far I find the trio of Birthright, Order Of The Universe and Brother of Mine my favourite by far compared to the rest of the album. Probably in that order too.

My biggest problem with this album, the synth sounds... have introduced my face and palm to each other more times than is necessary. I guess this is unfair considering that I'm a product of recent times.
But most of it really sounds tons better live! I could hurl the studio version of Teakbois out of infinite windows until my arm falls off, whereas I actually quite like the middle bit when Anderson sings it live as part of his solo. Themes is more enjoyable too, and I actually enjoyed The Meeting on Tsongas.

In the end I picked Birthright because I like how it sounds (the synth is largely contained in one section, and it's not bad either), it feels musically nicer - and it's not hard to beat Brother of Mine and Order of the Universe in terms of lyrical quality... I particularly love the rhythm in live recordings, plus the last "by their birthright".

However, you're more likely to catch me making funny movements to Order Of The Universe ("Sick reasoning" to the "the order of the universe") and Brother of Mine*. ("I can't believe we're ready to/run another (x3)")


*95% of the time it's probably a live version. I can't stand the studio version of Brother of Mine, I listen to it only when I want to start giggling for 5 minutes on end imagining that goofy music video with... with B.. B-Bruford in the... m...makeuppffffstsahahahahaHAHAHAsnortchucklecough Sorry, I'm still new to this.

[Wakey's #1 Fan]

my vote goes to Birthright, I don't know why, but this track really rocks! I also love Themes, Teakbois, Brother of mine, Fist of Fire and Order of the Universe...but I can't vote for all of those.

[yarstruly]

Quartet for me

[harty]

I choose 'The Meeting'
For me, with the numberous keyboardists that Jon has sung with, Rick makes the best music with Jon.
After waiting for too long for something new, during the YESWest saga days, when I heard this song, I fell in love with it.

[90125yes]

this is a such a great record - so many good tracks to choose from

in the end i vote for THE MEETING which is a reworking of a track from rick off his family album

it is about Mans search to find Christ his saviour and as i am a christian it works mighty fine with me

[HOTsunrise]

I love Fist of Fire. The Meeting is my 2nd fave.

[90125yes]

The meeting wins every time - every time

[Mrs. Ann Adams]

I like Quartet, specially the 2nd part. Sounds a lot like the Beatles in a way.

[astral_stardust]

I voted Fist of Fire

I feel sad for Teakbois though; it's the only song with zero votes :frown:

[somissound]

Birthright is amazing...

Themes and Quartet are great too...

Brother of Mine is great, until the "Long Lost Brother of Mine" section loses me.

[Dramato]

I voted Fist of Fire

I feel sad for Teakbois though; it's the only song with zero votes :frown:


Don't feel sorry for ol' Teakbois--he got to be in the live acoustic medley with "Time and a Word" and "Owner of a Lonely Heart" back on the '89 tour. He retired to St. Croix right after that.

[90125yes]

___________________

post by jackaranda

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<HR style="COLOR: transparent" SIZE=1><!-- / icon and title --><!-- message -->Did they actually do a good one?




Ok ok....Brother of Mine.
<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->__________________
Jack

Support Circa!

------

actually Jackaranda ABWH is 100 times better than any of YES west's stuff and Circa !!!
<!-- / sig -->

[90125yes]

ABWH - Fantastic music

oh YES

[90125yes]

meeting

[Sharp on Attack]

Each song has some good moments. it's the sound and the production that bothers me. A less sugar-coated version of Quartet would be a classic.

[Sharp on Attack]

Forgot to add that Brother of Mine starts really well but the ending is soooooo cheesy.

[relayeire]

Brother O' Mine!

[Purple Wolfhound]

Themes or Order Of The Universe - preferably the live versions, though.

[90125yes]

the meeting
but the others are great too

[Stever]

It's kind of a bizarre little album. More a collection of snippets of things that may have eventually been fleshed out into full Yessongs, given a patient environment, (and a touch of the Fish, of course). My favorite snippets are the ones appearing in the highly frustrating "Quartet". I went with Birthright. It's an oustanding, stand on it's own piece with a beginning, middle and end, and would have been quite at home on a Yes album. I've often wished they'd play it as part of the live act these days, to be honest. Great stuff from each of the musicians. Nobody's slacking off in that bit at all. It's dynamic. It has something to say, and it's pretty hard edged, showing off Steve's rougher side in the guitar line., while having a gentleness as well. It made it to several of my mix tapes back in the day.

Another really good tunes was Vultures, which didn't appear on the album for some reason.

Brother of mine was almost a masterpiece, but is too repetitious in it's lyrics and themes. Beautiful piece. Needs to be about 2 minutes shorter, or have 2 of the minutes be a bit more of a bridge. Something. The first time I heard it, I was enthralled, but it wore on me quickly. Admittedly, I over played it. i had the single before the album even came out.

[yesman1955]

PICK ONE??????

PICK ONE???

THIS ALBUM WAS ANOTHER THAT BLASTED ME AWAY!

Teakbois was the weakest to me.

[Blind_Fate]

What ever happened to Vultures In The City being in the poll?..Even though is wasnt on the Original album..but still...

[Imperatrix]

Birthright and The Meeting are tied.

...but I don't like The Meeting's lyrics. Cheezola.

As far as live performances, the greatest thing I saw ABWH do was the Levin/Broof jam at Great Woods. :D

[ladybugjt68]

The Meeting...I even used it in my wedding video......and of course it played at the reception......I made a dedication to 6 couples there that were married in the last year and that was the song...so beautiful !!!!

[John Khatru]

my vote went to Brother Of Mine...

given it's 20th anniversary, ABWH has gotten a fair amount of play in my iPod/iTunes this summer.... I actually happen to like all of the songs.. even the Calypso-Prog Teakbois... and the shorter ballads of The Meeting and Let's Pretend..

Themes, Birthright, Order Of The Universe and Fist Of Fire are the other standouts from the albums

[90125yes]

The Meeting...I even used it in my wedding video......and of course it played at the reception......I made a dedication to 6 couples there that were married in the last year and that was the song...so beautiful !!!!

---

we played the meeting at our wedding

:beerchugr:

[soulshiner]

Personally, "Fist of Fire" and "Birthright" really stand out with interesting music and really strong lyrics.

[90125yes]

all the ABWH songs on Union are great too