fav epic

[sirsmooth61]

fav epic, my pick is awaken, a given!

[1yesfan]

I go with Awaken because is had such a WOW effect on me when i first heard it live in 91. Gates comes real close after that!

[Wolfgang Franz]

Hard to decide:

Awaken: is the musical definition of life by itself - seen and heard it "on stage" three times (76 / 90 / 00) everytime a great emotional event - the words - the music - genious!!!

Close to the edge: was my " entry" to YES `73 - maybe the beginning "definition" of YES-music (of course in combination with "And You And I" and some others)

Ritual: great song, gigantic climax; but has to be seen and heard in combination of the other "Tales-songs", looking forward to hear it a second time in november in Frankfurt, after 28 years........

Gates: never heard it "live on stage" - being already exited for the first time (like a virgin???!?
;-))))) )

I choosed AWAKEN - it touched my heart!

[Original_Shifty]

I have a real problem deciding on this one. So I'm going to split the question up. (Call it sitting on the "can't decide" fence.)

Of the four studio versions, I love Awaken. What a beautiful melody, and the keyboard work is wonderful. I love listening to this song on my stereo, with my huge over-sized headphones. The soft break with triangle/harp/wood winds gives me goose bumps everytime. So that is my favourite studio work.

However, now that I've seen Ritual and Gates live @ Masterworks and Symphonic, (Awaken was awesome on the Union Tour nonetheless) here I'll have to go with Gates of Delirium. I can barely contain myself in my seat. It is so full of Energy. I can't describe what it does to me to have all of that build up and climax of sheer madness (which live with the symphony feels like we're going to experience a train wreck ((which may not be all that bad)), and tail off into Soon and Steve's steel pedal work w/ Jon's voice. Sigh!!! 'nuff said. That is my favourite live work.

[Aragorn]

CTTE is by far and away my top Yes epic. It was the first epic I became acquainted with. A classic Yes tune. It started it all. Classic bass lines in this song, the church organ is Great, I get up I get down...............

Gates comes in at a close second. Seeing this one live, WOW.

[1yesfan]

I would think if you guys/gals had a copy of the Webcast of the MW tour, you may not, you would move Gates or Delerium waaay up to the top of your fav tunes. I have always loved the Union tour version of Awaken, but having Gates and Del on CD also, it is a hard one to call. Depends on my mood I guess.

[Earl Grey]

It was the FIRST. It evades definition. It would be my desert Isle track. It's often the unbidden soundtrack in my head, but unlike other pieces of music, I don't mind it when I 'can't get it out of my head'. I have never seen a YESHOW where I thought, 'Oh no. Not THAT again, yet I've heard it a million times, and will hear it a million more. Always surprising, abstract yet accessable. My all time favorite epic in all genres of music. As great as anything by Beethoven, to me (And I LOVE Beethoven). That's all.....

I don't know, I've always considered Tales to be their greatest epic. I can't really separate Ritual from the rest as it is an integral part of the whole. It's really different from Close to the Edge or Awaken or Gates as they are truely separate songs, separate from the rest of the album. Ritual only fully makes sense in context of the other 3 sides. It's wonderful by itself, but it's magical and transformative when accompanied by the other 3 sides.

That's one reason why I can't imagine Yes playing only one part of it. They need to play it all, each time. I'm not asking too much.


Only tunes of a different age...

[ronw]

This is a tough one for me. I love all four so much. I have to say Ritual on this tour was the best live, it was unreal and just exausted me , Gates was a close second. I must go with CTTE though as something I listen to on a daily basis sometimes numerous time a day or should I say night seeing as I work nights and am able to listen to YES the entire 8 hours I am there. Awaken is wonderful too. This was an excellent poll question, I'm going to have to go listen to all 4 now and then some.

[OzTales]

I don't know, I've always considered Tales to be their greatest epic.

Tales is the epic of epics. Perhaps thats why its not included on the list but being represented by Ritual. I am choosing the pedantic as well and vote CTTE, but I would have voted for RSOG, at the risk of being contradictory cause I just like it so much.
I noticed also that the Poll is Fav Epics as opposed to Fav Yes Epics. I like it.
Steve
.. between silence and soul sources ..

[wolfehollow]

They all rock, cant choose!

[Dragonfly]

I'm surprised you only included those few. It's my opinion that all four sides of Tales could be considered "epic" at least in proportion. Certainly "The Revealing Science of God" is on par with its 4th-side partner as full works. What about "That, That Is", "Mind Drive", "Endless Dream"? Not epics?

Even if all of the above choices were available my struggle would still be between "Close to the Edge" and "The Gates of Delirium". My vote went for "Gates" but "Edge" is an extremely close second.

Dragonfly:yesbird:

I second 1yesfan's notion that the UNION tour version of "Awaken" is the best. I'm so glad it's now available on video.

[deelovesyes]

i also chose ritual because of seeing it live

it just puts me in awe to see.
no other words can explain it for me

dee

[Earl Grey]

The thing that struck me was that you mentioned how it was "A thing of awe to see." "See."
...and we're talking about music here, which isn't a 'visual' art form.

But 'Ritual' is a RITUAL! Something that is nearly banished from our modern culture, and strikes a primal chord within us: to see YES on those drums, to feel the intensity pounding through the soles of one's feet...

You are so right Dee. Ritual is a thing of awe to see! My favorite moment of the Yesymphonic Show.
:yesbird:

[Dragonfly]

Earl, you said a mouthful. Ritual is the only "real" function of every relgion (in this not-so-humble athiest's opinion). Ritual is a very important social function. It offers an important way to bring people together and get individuals in touch with themselves. [It's just too bad that these religions - which are based on falsehoods - have such political clout. But that's a gripe for a different thread!]

I met up with YesMama at Konocti (where YesCapade was held this year) who, along with her partner, make Yes tours their summer vacation. They see about 7 or 8 shows in a row. She said, "That's our church". They attend this "church of Yes" once a year (when the band tour) and they're good for the remainder.

Now THAT'S what I call a meaningful ritual!!;)

Dragonfly:yesbird:

"As clearer companions shall call to be near you. They move around tell me that move around surely sing. As they don't seem to matter at all. At all. At all."

[Blokeski]

For me...
1) Gates of Delirium
2) Awaken
3) Ritual
4) Close to the Edge

REASON!!!

1) Gates: I think it is the battle sequence alone that does it for me (as a bass player) - Chris Squire's bass work in this sequence is absolutely immaculate, and the "soon" sequence is haunting to the soul. Can't wait to see them do this on Dec 13th in Manchester!

2) Awaken: I would say that this is probably the single best piece of music that Yes have ever done - the reason for it being second - for me it never really kicks in like Gates does - although I'm sure the intention was meant for it to have an ethereal quality rather than a "train wreck" quality - BEAUTIFUL song though :)

3) Ritual: Again for me it never really lifts itself like the previous two - although again Chris Squire's bass solo is a wonder to hear! Saw them do RSOG in Liverpool in 1998 and waiting to enjoy part four soon enough!

4) CTTE: I may get hate mail for this, but I have never really rated this song (well not as much as the other three - sorry folks!) just because it is long, doesn't mean that it is necessarily great (in my eyes obviously) - Bill Bruford REALLY shines on this track and his drum work on this is the best I have EVER heard - bar none.


Hope to get some non-insulting replies and constructive talk from my responses...

Blokeski 8)

[Dragonfly]

Blokeski, you good-for-nothing, dim-witted, malodorous, layabout! Don't you have even the slightest clue???

:bash: :fmad: :mad: :stand: :silly: :evil2: :nono:

There, now you don't have to worry about getting slammed by anyone else. (Glad to help!:D )

You make a good point about "Close to the Edge" but I have to disagree. I think there are momemnts on "Edge", and "Awaken" that get just as disonant as "Gates" does. But neither of them sustain it for nearly as long. "Gates" (also my favorite) is a big challenge to non-Yes fans (and even for some Yes fans) particularly for the battle sequence You And I both love so much.

Personally, my favorite moment (moment, moment), which got the hairs on the back of my neck to stand up when seeing it live, is during the opening sequence. That whole build up of Steve's flurry of guitar notes over the temple-bells-like quality of the Chris's base string harmonics and the busy-little-swarm-of-insects of Patrick's keyboards is just spine tingling!

Dragonfly:yesbird:

[Blokeski]

Glad to get some insults!
Also, glad to see that somebody kind of agrees with me about Gates - and guess what? I am going to (hopefully) see three out of these four epics being played in December!!! I don't mind not seeing Awaken as I saw them do it on the Union tour in Birmingham and in Sheffield on the Ladder tour so I am fully Awakened.

[chrisloeb]

Close To The Edge is the original epic - it has all the ingredients you can get, from the complex beginning and catching "I get up, I get down" chorus, from the meditative middle section right to Wakeman's dramatic Organ/Moog interplay and Hammond Solo and into the grand finale. It can't get better.

I liked Ritual on the Live at Q.P.R. Video - great version there, I liked Awaken on the Union Tour (DVD) and I've never witnessed anything more stunning than The Gates Of Delirium on the current Tour. Fantastic.
So Gates must be very "Close" on second place...

[Aragorn]

I see that when considering these choices, most people have factored in seeing it live to make their decision. By that criteria, I would have to say CTTE. Unfortunately I have not seen Awaken live yet which may or may not have swayed my decision. Although Gates was quite an event to see live, with everybody staying very busy during that one (Jon banging on various drums and gongs was interesting to see).

Going by the studio album, despite the sound quality, I would choose Gates. It did take me a long time to get into this song, but I kept listening, and finally the brilliance of it shone through. Same goes for the other two songs that followed it! :smksml:

[Earl Grey]

I've noticed 'Gates' exclusion on the past couple of song-lists posted from overseas.
Hope that isn't the shape of things to come, as 'Gates' is such a live moment...No one but YES could pull that one off (in fact, YES had a little trouble with it here, last time!).

Awaken IS one of the best epics live (Jon mentioned it as one of his faves). Now Brislin will have to learn 'Wakey's' parts: should prove to be interesting.....

[Aragorn]

Hey Captain! I noticed this disturbing omission as well. I think Perpetual Change was left out a couple of times also. That was one of the best songs (apart from epics) on this tour I thought because of how Steve really went off on it. I hope they do not drop Gates or PC! I want to see Gates the second time around (or third of you count Masterworks :D ).

Hey, remember awhile back on Steve's online chat where he said he will continue his Solo tour on the west US coast next year? That's something else to look forward to! I wonder if he will venture To Be Over as on Natural Timbere?:guitar: :damack:

Wouldn't that be nice!

[Aragorn]

Yes, it would be very Sweet. That would be worth a trip to hear! I saw him last time around on the east coast, wouldn't mind catching the show again. To Be Over would be a great bonus! :mmm:

[Earl Grey]

....Which is 'Steve's' favorite venue out here.....

Maybe I'll make my 'friend' some "interesting' brownies, so as to assure a decent seat, if things should go 'accordingly'!!!!!!!!!

...Bye the way, I would offer the same perk to anyone who might have an, "Err".......
'....interesting' "recording" of "Howishness" from days past.

...Not to say that I would do anything 'unsavory' here.

I'm Just thinking.

("Think. Think.")


Oh, Nevermind!

Earl. HAHA! :ele:

[Robert Shupe]

Tough call. I went with Close To The Edge. My first Yes epic to hear. Plus, I am not sure we would have the others without CTTE. Tough call as Gates is nipping at her heels.

Robert Shupe

[Yes Oz]

For me it depends on my mood at the time when I am listening to their music. For instance at the moment I can't stop playing Awaken (HOB version), in particular the organ/harp section. Close your eyes and listen to that and I feel like I'm in another world.

Now only yesterday I finally got the Relayer CD. Only had the LP previously and my turntable has been out of action for years, then with all the talk of recent times re "Gates" I am now getting that back into my system. So as time pases so my "favorite" changes.

[bjm0rwo]

I've stayed away from this thread because of the difficulty in choosing an epic.After much thought I am going to say Revealing Science of God.The opening chant and crescendo into the main theme to me is truly heavenly.When I first listened to it (on that old 8 track) I was tranformed from my room and taken somewhere else for @ 23 mins.And no stimulants! Great epic and the other 3 remaining ones aren't too shabby either.

[bjm0rwo]

Am I supposed to pick from the list? If so I'll choose Gates.

[OzTales]

bmjorwo
I'm with you
RSOG
Who care if its not on the list. They can chant all they like.
We need more chants
Hands up who wants more chants!!!!!

[David Momberg]

I love them all but "Awaken" is still the only Yes song that effects me emotionally every time I hear it-esp. the ending. It is just a perfectly constructed piece of music. I just hate that I've never ssen it live, unless they did it on the "Going For the One tour" in "77 in Memphis-I don't remember-was a wild teenager then. I go thru different phases but "Awaken" still keeps that special spot. In fact, I think th "going for the one" album runs a very close second to CTTE for best album!!!

[Earl Grey]

Yeah.... I wonder how much of those shows I forget from having done a bit too much herbage back then! Guess it was just par for the course, and part of the overall experience (was I wearing overalls? Oh yeah! The faded ones with the YES patch on the butt!).

They would have certainly done Awaken that show, though: GFTO was the Album Awaken was on, so.......

I remember JON doing the harp-bit in the middle. I was surprised, as I didn't know he was playing it on the album: I remember that about Awaken in '77!

I used to pine for those halcyon years, but now that MAGNIFICATION is new, I'm excited for what lies ahead!

All good things for those who wait! :ele:

[bjm0rwo]

I do remember,depite the large amount of herbage I use to imbibe in,them doing Awaken in the GFTO tour at least in Philly.I remember they also opened the concert with Parallels.Howe came running out,literally,and tore into this one.I don't think we'll see that ever again.Howe running I mean.He still can tear into songs.

[Earl Grey]

...nope! But 'tear into' he can!

Funny how Jimmy Page looks sort-of 'dated' playing the old 'ZEP' songs nowdays, but Steve still looks appropo playing the old & new.

Apples and Airships, but there's only one HOWE! Class Act.
:ele:

[Rogo]

Originally posted by Earl Grey
Now Brislin will have to learn 'Wakey's' parts: should prove to be interesting.....
Judging by the SLO live video, seems ol' Wakeup didn't really bother to learn them himself, so shouldn't be a problem

[Earl Grey]

...Wakey did get a little sloppy there: With all the time spent 'sweetening' the tracks in the studio later, Wakey should've had the chance to fix things up...
Oh well: The 'Keys' albums worked in getting me back into YES though, so I'm glad they were there!

:ele:

[Rogo]

Which epic is my favourite? Favourites come and go, don't they...

If we don't narrow the field to Yes epics (in which case I would vote for Awaken, as their one REALLY successful attempt), I would say my favourite must be "A passion play" by Jethro Tull. It refreshes parts Yes cannot reach. A close second is Awaken, and third place goes to "Supper's ready" by Genesis. These three have pretty much furnished my soul for the last 20+ years...

[Yes Oz]

Awaken. I have been delaying posting on this tread because I wanted to be dead set certain of my no 1. I have listen to them all several times over the last week or so and Awaken wastn't my initial first choice, Ritual was. But what makes me lean towards Awaken is the piano beginning, the organ/harp duet in the middle and jons singing to finish. I believe it was Jon who said (something like this)...."Awaken is everything he could imagine a group of talented musicians producing". Got to say I agreed with those thoughts. It is the best of a very great bunch.

[SEYYES]

..had to go w/"Close" here...the epic to begin and end all..pure inspiration...what an intro!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[brismike]

I voted for CTTE. Was the first Yes song I ever heard. I was 17 years old and liked bands like Black Sabbath.

I looked at the cover and thought hmmm this looks cool. 18½ minutes later I was transfixed. I was actually too scared to play side 2 of the vinyl in case it was no good and side one was a fluke!!

Anyway I wasn't disapointed of course and from that day on my life changed.

CTTE absolutely blew me away, it was awesome. It is a masterpiece of progressive rock music and is the yardstick that all others should be judged by.

Mike Bentley from sunny & hot Brisbane in the land downunder.

[YYY]

I'm getting in late on this one so I'll just add my 2 cents worth all at once.....

..after reading the list, I (like many others) wondered where were all the other epics. I think a new epic list should be created to include ALL of "TALES", especially "RSOG". How could that be left out. And maybe even "Heart of the Sunrise"., which was one of their longest songs before CTTE.....

....Nevertheless "Close to the Edge" has to be number one. I can't ignore the time and context of when I first heard these epics and "CTTE" was the originaaaal. No YES fan of the pre-CTTE era could have imagined what they were about to experience prior to its release. So context always matters to me when judging Yes's music. I still get ch-ch- ch-chills thinking about the first time I heard the intro to CTTE. We were using some medicimal maryjane and I vividly remember my friend saying" "What the hell are they doing NOWWWW. Oh my GOD".

RSOG is simply stunning. My 'Spiritual Love Meter' goes up to the top everytime during the intro when the first sythesizer melody begins to play. And the lyrics are right on target. Who says that 'Jon's words are hard to understand'. "RSOG" does just that....reveals the science of God and the lyrics are so clear to me.

Ritual! WoW once again! from those 'first beautiful notes' of the intro as Steve begins to play his first lines, I get this immediate chemical reaction in the chakras of my forehead ( my 3rd eye).

To be honest "Awaken" - a beautiful great indeed yet it is lower on my list than the others because of it lack of complexity compared to the other mentioned above. It structure is quite simple compared to the others. Its a mind blowing & lush epic that floats primarily in the clouds but without as many valleys and canyons.

YYY that was my original thought about this poll--that Tales IS the epic, not Ritual. To me it is one song. That's one way that it differs from Close to the Edge. Though it would be nice to hear the entirety of Close to the Edge all the time, it is not necessary for the full appreciation of Close to the Edge--the song. Each piece can stand alone.

With Tales, one piece without the other is not the full experience that is Tales. They are dependent upon each other to give you the big picture--the wide view of the expanse. The heavens opening up before your very eyes.

And regarding Awaken, I could not agree more. That has been my contention all along. I got quite a bit of flack when I brought up the points you made about Awaken. Lovely, though lacking in depth.

[Earl Grey]

I posted a long time ago (Back in the days of the Trilobite) that TALES FROM TOPOGRAPHIC OCEANS was one song.

And it STILL is.
This is why it should be contained on one CD: YES needs to re-edit so there aren't any fades (I remember the long lost interview in, what? Trouser Press? Creem Magazine?, where Jon said that his one regret was that TALES couldn't go on without interuption.
Well Jon: here's your chance).

I'm positive they could fit it all neatly on one CD, and when we are one we will perpetuate this song of love..... ergo.

Earl :frankie:- :fan:

[RobAdams]

My favorite Yes epic is an unbreakable tie between Close To The Edge and Gates Of Delirium. As far as epics of all the music I like, here's a list of my 20 fav. epics, off the top of my head. These are in no particular order....
1 Close To The Edge -Yes
2 Gates Of Delirium - Yes
3 Awaken - Yes
4 And You And I - Yes
5 You Never Give Me Your Money > Sun King> Mean Mr. Mustard>
Polythene Pam > Bathroom Window - The Beatles
6 That's It For The Other One - Grateful Dead
7 Supper's Ready - Genesis
8 Funeral For A Friend / Love Lies Bleeding -Elton John
9 The Musical Box -Genesis
10 Echoes -Pink Floyd
11 In The Dead Of Night -UK
12 Thick As A Brick -Jethro Tull
13 Ashes Are Burning -Reinassance
14 Inca Roads -Frank Zappa
15 Man-erg - Van Der Graaf Generator
16 Starless -King Crimson
17 Tarkus - Emerson Lake & Palmer
18 Help On The Way>Slipknot>Franklin's Tower -Grateful Dead
19 Sunrise > Hijack> Home > Have You Seen The Stars Tonite?>
XM > Starship - Paul Kantner / Jefferson Starship
20 Desolation Row - Bob Dylan

Of course, this is just for 30 Jan 2002
33 YEARS AGO TODAY:
The Beatles performed on the roof of their Apple Records headquarters on Saville Row on London's West End. Few could actually see them high up on the roof, but this was to become the last time the Beatles ever performed together in public. Must play my bootleg ROOFTOP CONCERT cd today...PEACE

[brismike]

Originally posted by Earl Grey
I posted a long time ago (Back in the days of the Trilobite) that TALES FROM TOPOGRAPHIC OCEANS was one song.

And it STILL is.
This is why it should be contained on one CD: YES needs to re-edit so there aren't any fades (I remember the long lost interview in, what? Trouser Press? Creem Magazine?, where Jon said that his one regret was that TALES couldn't go on without interuption.
Well Jon: here's your chance).

I'm positive they could fit it all neatly on one CD, and when we are one we will perpetuate this song of love..... ergo.

Earl :frankie:- :fan:

Hi Earl - I totaly agree with your coment about Tales should be on 1 CD. And guess what? - I have got a copy of it cut that way. It is the Russian release of TFTO on the CD Max label. It is squeezed onto an 80 minute CD somehow. It dosen't sound like anything is dropped or cut at all. And it is beautiful the way all 4 tracks segue into each other. I got my copy on Ebay at a fairly expensive price but it was worth it..

Mike

Originally posted by Earl Grey
And it STILL is.
This is why it should be contained on one CD: YES needs to re-edit so there aren't any fades (I remember the long lost interview in, what? Trouser Press? Creem Magazine?, where Jon said that his one regret was that TALES couldn't go on without interuption.
I'm positive they could fit it all neatly on one CD

Originally posted by brismike

Hi Earl - I totaly agree with your coment about Tales should be on 1 CD. And guess what? - I have got a copy of it cut that way. It is the Russian release of TFTO on the CD Max label. It is squeezed onto an 80 minute CD somehow. It dosen't sound like anything is dropped or cut at all. And it is beautiful the way all 4 tracks segue into each other. Mike

The idea is worrisome to me--one CD--unless they made Cds that accepted more data. I'd have to hear it to believe it. I would not want even one note removed. I know Jon has made statements to the contrary but I still don't believe it should change. I think that Jon was affected by all the criticism that the album received and just wanted to compromise so it would not be so badly thought of. Did you guys see how elated Jon was when he spoke (during this tour) of how much Janeee loved Tales? He was clearly delighted. I think he knows how wonderful it is but wants to forward his music and may think that it will be acceptable to more if it were abbreviated. Well Jon, you don't have to do it for me. I love it just the way it is. If there is an example of brilliance in this life, Tales is it.

[Earl Grey]

Thanx brismike: I'll have to check it out... If they didn't edit anything out, than that would be the PERFECT format!
...agree with Pat here on 'no edits' for TALES (Could you imagine the uproar from fans if they DID edit TALES: would be comprable to the 'NEW COKE' fiasco in the fan's eyes!).

i-andi : great music choices: a lot of your favorite songs segue into each other (like The Beatles Medley). Interesting.
Desolation Row: one of my faves, which leads me to ask: did you get your Nom De plume "i-and-i" as a cross-reference between And You And I, and Bob Dylan's song: i-and-i ?
Clever.

"i-and-i : one says to the other, noone sees my face and lives..."

See you guys!
Earl

[Balrog]

Close to the Edge is my favorite epic with " Gates" in second. It was a photo finish!!!

[Devotee]

This piece is quintessential yes, indeed probably my fav piece of music ever, by anyone. The intro is awesome, the melodius bass, the beat, and then the la la's..........ah! the lyric content is about passionate love on MANY levels. The mood goes from foreplay to climax with ease, and then there's the sweet drifting off to sleep followed by the best musical ending of any of their epics (IMO).
Saw it live in '74 as a young innocent. Saw it several times last summer w/orchestra and was blown away. Learned to play it on bass ages ago, and actually wore a hole in my first vinyl copy! No problem for me deciding here.

[RobAdams]

How could I have forgotten FZ?

Frank's epic works:

KING KONG (from UNCLE MEAT)
BIG SWIFTY (from WAKA / JAWAKA)
DON'T EAT THE YELLOW SNOW > NANOOK RUBS IT > SAINT
ALFONZO'S PANCAKE BREAKFAST > FATHER O'BLIVION
(from APOSTROPHE, but you should check it out on
YOU CAN'T DO THAT ON STAGE ANYMORE Volume One)

For YES, I love them so much that even FIVE PERCENT FOR NOTHING is an epic!!!!!!!

[Flo]

Close to the edge ! this song is on the verge of perfection.

[Earl Grey]

Close To The Edge gives me chills...

Every single note.

Still crazy about it after all these years. The best I think!

:yesbird: Earl Grey

[RobAdams]

Close To The Edge
Awaken
Gates Of Delirium

Think these are my favorite 3 YES epics, in order. CLOSE TO THE EDGE is absolutely the one track that remains undeniably perfect. The studio version is my favorite, mainly because of Jon's overdubbed vocals. Also, the live versions are exciting, but the quiet passages are stunning without the audience noise.

[Earl Grey]

The vocals are some of the most amazing voices to ever grace a recorded work...

I love the tape-loop that opens the door on that world... chills again! You just know something profound is about to happen: and it does!

Steve's sitar work throughout...

The way it ends, with the echo-ey sounds and textures... When I heard it the first time I thought it was like the feeling you get at the end of the Disneyland ride 'The Pirates Of The Caribbean'! I remember that, and it was a long long time ago... another band would've utilized a tape loop of crickets chirping, frogs croaking, rain falling...something more predictable to evoke those feelings.
YES used all those mysterious creakings and sweet bass meanderings at the end... It winds up feeling 'familiar' yet other-worldly. And NEVER predictable. Nothing else in the history of recorded sound to compare it to.

The organ swells during 'I Get Up/ I Get Down...

My favorite Epic of YESDOM, and so, my favorite song 'period'! The most wonderful of all wonderstuff.

An easy choice for me, although next in line would have to be Gates Of Delerium. A close second!

Yipes: late for work again, and it's all YES' fault! Hiho Hiho... :D

:ele:

[RobAdams]

Always thought the organ swells were incredible WITHOUT the drums, as opposed to the live CTTE.

[Gabriel]

All absolutely stunning pieces of music but Awaken gets my vote; on a spiritual level that song takes the lead over the others.

Utter brilliance.

[Mr. Holland]

All absolutely stunning pieces of music but Awaken gets my vote; on a spiritual level that song takes the lead over the others.

Utter brilliance.

Exactly!!!

[sunburstbasser]

Gates for me.

[hailhail]

First point RITUAL is not an epic its part of one
Point two AWAKEN is not an epic its not a side of an lp long

Now we get to the meat(sic)
I have to go for GATES here and I do not know why but I do know I love it more than CLOSE TO THE EDGE and I love that .

Glad to see "RobAdams" found some room for Van Der Graaf on his list
hope you seen or heard the come back tour 10/10

Sorry to offend some of yous but I believe an epic must stand all on its own and not have or need other songs around it.Otherwise where are Heart of the Sunrise,Starship Trooper, And you and I,Perpetual Change,Yours is no disgrace,On the silent wings of freedom et al on this list

Just one YES fans opinion

[cjreyes]

I'll take Awaken this time, TYVM.

[bike]

"Gates" is the peak, the best they ever did. Big credit to "Ritual" as well for being the best piece on Tales.

[Wakey's #1 Fan]

Wow, this is a really old poll...
...Awaken is my favourite epic, of course.

[Bob Barker.]

wow tough to call. i chose gates of delierum over close to the edge though.

[TOBYSGRAPHICGOKART]

Gates Of Delirium (of course). 10/10
Close To The Edge. 9.99/10
Awaken. 9.98/10

It's that close.

I'd have included RSOG ahead of Ritual in this poll. 9.97/10

[Jackaranda]

I've always said Gates, but on any given day it could be RSOG or CTTE or Awaken...depends on the mood.