OK. Now what's your LEAST favorite movement from Tales?

[Scheming Demon]

For some reason, I believe that Ritual goes downhill after the first five minutes come to a close. Sue me.

[RobAdams]

My least favorite part of TFTO is THE REVEALING SCIENCE OF GOD...but I must add that I love RSOG. It's just that the other 3 "sides" hit me harder.

[PO]

Can't help you, guys. For me it's liking picking my least favorite child!

Tales was a big part of my musical awakening, so a bit like my musical childhood. I loved those years of being that toddler with this kind of music coming out.

[leqin]

I haven't found it yet, but if I do then I will tell you :rolleyes:

[Thoughtbecontact]

Looks like I'm the first one to g out on a limb here. For me, it's The Ancient. I have difficulty with the discordant parts--they just drive me up a wall. I also have a problem with some of the percussion. It's just odd, not to my taste. It's almost what my husband and I would have called "broken glassa music" when we were in college.

Now there are parts of The Ancient that I find have incredible beauty, particularly Steve's guitarwork. But if I am not in the right mood, I can't get past the discordancy and I end up skipping over the piece.

[Dragonfly]

I really hate to vote for anything but I picked "The Remembering High The Memory" because I play it the least. It’s a very beautiful song, but stretched a bit thin.

I have a strong dislike for much of Steve’s slide-guitar work on “The Ancient” Giants Under The Sun, but the rest of the piece is truly brilliant. Even for Yes!

I’ve always enjoyed the first and last sides and feel lucky that, for someone who didn’t see Yes until the late ‘80s, I’ve seen half of TALES, live! Thanks guys!!! (Now let's hear the other two. :) )

Dragonfly :fly:

P.S. This is bound to be a fun thread. Mine was the fourth vote cast. When I saw the results, each side had received one vote! What were the odds of that?

[tardistraveler]

Well, I broke the tie. Like Dragonfly, I hated to vote for anything, because I listen to all of Tales as an epic unit, and it is my second favorite Yes album (first being CTTE).

Also, like Dragonfly, I chose The Remembering as my least favorite piece. Compared to the others, it tends to be a little slow, although it does have some beautiful passages.

And Dragonfly - I've seen ALL of Tales performed live! Back in 1974!

[Joedude]

I wish I could say that this album is a favorite of mine, but to be quite honest, it never has. The Ancient is definitely one of my least favorite Yes tunes/moments.

I will say that RSOG has grown on me since I heard it on the KTA CD.

[gathernear]

The end:1loudspkr :1loudspkr

[illusion]

I love them all.

[Thoughtbecontact]

Originally posted by tardistraveler

And Dragonfly - I've seen ALL of Tales performed live! Back in 1974!

Brag, brag, brag!

[Dantalion Rides Again]

Tales is up there for me - one of the really cool Yes albums, and I really do like all of it. But I'm with TBC and Dragonfly on this one and have to go with the Ancient.

[illusion]

Originally posted by Dragonfly

P.S. This is bound to be a fun thread. Mine was the fourth vote cast. When I saw the results, each side had received one vote! What were the odds of that?

If an equal number of people like each track the least, then the odds are 29 to 3.

I can't pick one that I like the lest. I tried, I really did, but I now love the whole thing. Never used to. But do now.

[Thoughtbecontact]

You know Illusion,
I may end up liking them all almost equally one day too. Peter has been badgering me about giving the Ancient a chance, so I've been listening to a weed that we both have of the Tales tour and I like the version of that song better on the weed than I do live. The studio version is so harsh and sterile and that's why I have problems with it, but the live version has much more feeling.

[bdyescall]

The part in between each song!!-----The rest of it me likes!!!

[Bluetailfly]

because I can't listen to anything else... I just have to wait awhile until I can listen again. I probably should get a whole CD of the Intro for Dance Of The Dawn. The ambient wash could clean my brain and prepare me for another go around.
But honestly, I couldn't vote. My favorie pieces keep changing. at first listem it was RSOG, then The Ancient. I know TBC that this is not your favorite, but I find the strangeness of it intruiging, like these Giants are kind of alien from humans. At first I thought High The memory was too slow and meandering, but it has so many beautiful parts that it later becam my favorite. Right now I am into Ritual the most. It builds momentunm throughout, and then at the end with The Fly Away Home part there is such a release of tension that I feel trully wonderful. And then I can't listen to any more music for a while ;)

[Phat Khatru]

Haven't found it yet. I guess I'll just have to give it another few hundred listens.

[Dr Yes]

I have to go with The Remembering too. I find it the least interesting and the least focused track of the four. Whilst I agree that The Ancient is hard to listen to, both for being discordent and for having difficult polyrhythms/time signatures going on, I find it one of the most interesting of all their works!

I think Steve's work here is incredibly off the wall but totally relevant, whereas Wakeman's keyboard work on side two is just too lethargic. Also, the whole 'leaves of green segment' is a beauty in itself, which is IMO far better than anything from The Remembering.

[SonicDeath10]

the ancient. steve's ugly ugly guitar solo in the beginning starts to bother me after awhile, although the rest of it is great. the remembering sometimes is a bit too relaxing for me.

[doctor_how]

I'm pretty new to this album, and so far The Remembering is kinda dull. My favorite is RSOG.

[OzzieYes]

The last note on Ritual......................coz it means that wonderful experience of listning to Tales is at an end.

[BrianD]

The Remembering is the side that I feel is really 'padded'. It could easily have had 5 minutes cut - then it would have been really good.

However, the MSG recording of the Tales show demonstrated ways that parts of it could be improved.

[Nautilus]

Ritual is too hit-or-miss for my tastes -- compared to the other 3 that is.

[yarstruly]

I went with the Ancient, at least up until the "Leaves of Green" section...

[Rogo]

The Ancient is my favourite on this album. I love the fact that Yes can reach this level of noise and obscurity and still make sense, unlike a lot of jazz music that went off in similar directions in the 60's and 70's, which I really can't listen to. Second is RSOG, for being so human and so deep and huge.

My least favourite is The Remembering, for plodding and stopping, and losing momentum in places. Especially the Out In The City bit is pedestrian to a degree hardly to be believed from a band like Yes. But then again, this side contains one of the best moments in Yes history: the Relayer/Fail Safe Now section, with the instrumental bit after! But it's too much bits and pieces.

[leqin]

For me it is the last note in 'Ritual' - it is awful and ghastly and just about the worst thing that I have ever heard and... and it is diametrically opposed towards what I consider to be a moment of pure unadulterated genius and sublime inspiration and thats the very first note in 'The Revealing Science of God'

[ELLIS]

The Remembering, because it drags on a bit too long.

[Timmo]

For me it is the last note in 'Ritual' - it is awful and ghastly and just about the worst thing that I have ever heard and... and it is diametrically opposed towards what I consider to be a moment of pure unadulterated genius and sublime inspiration and thats the very first note in 'The Revealing Science of God'

That last note is one of my favorite parts of the whole CD!

[headrott]

Had to go with "The Remembering". But, picking a "least favorite" off the best album ever recorded is nealry impossible! If I was absolutely forced to do so, it would be "The Rememebring". This in no way means I don't like the song, but (like others have stated in this thread) it's a little too drawn out and needed to be re-arranged. I am still glad to have it as it is though, and would never change it (at this point).

Greg

[SonicDeath10]

i like the remembering: it was the first movement i heard from tales: it was the song that got me wary of the album. don't get me wrong, it's a good song, but it's drawn out: the ending is fantastic, however.

[Timmo]

i like the remembering: it was the first movement i heard from tales: it was the song that got me wary of the album. don't get me wrong, it's a good song, but it's drawn out: the ending is fantastic, however.

What he said. It's my favorite movement. Yes it's drawn out, but I think they all are.

My least favorite has to be "The Ancient."

[BlueEagle]

What you said too, Muscla.
I like the percussion on the Ancient but the dissonant guitar makes me want to claw my eyes out

:dog:

[SonicDeath10]

the guitar in ancient isn't too bad but it gets drawn out way way too much.

[Timmo]

What you said too, Muscla.
I like the percussion on the Ancient but the dissonant guitar makes me want to claw my eyes out

:dog:

It's not the dissonance I don't like...my favorite Yes album by a mile is "Relayer," and one of my favorite songs of all time is King Crimson's "Red."

"The Ancient" just bores me. It doesn't have that amazing soaring moment that the other three movements have.

TIM
Venice, CA

[SonicDeath10]

there is a certain "thrown together" feeling to the ancient as well.

[Ryan]

I can't stand the ancient. It doesn't flow very well if you you know what I mean. And even if it did flow better I still don't think I would like it very much. Otherwise, a great album.

[BrianD]

I didn't like The Ancient too much until about 5-10 years ago. It has grown on me, especially since I started to listen to Miles Davis a lot. Listen to B'itches Brew that came out in 1967 and you will hear a similar approach from Miles Davis. The dissonance with the various unusual sounds to represent different cultures builds to a crescendo relieved by the beautiful Leaves of Green.

No other Yes song is quite like The Ancient - they were really striving to explore their musical boundaries in 1974. The live version is even better.

This song repays you in triplicate if you give it a chance. It will never bore you.

[Scheming Demon]

After my very first listen to Tales, "The Ancient" was definitely my least favorite. Subsequently, "The Ancient" has grown on me with it's unpredictability and endurance, while "Ritual" got tired really really fast. I think "Ritual" should have ended after the first 5 minutes! LoL

[About The Round]

THE REVEALING SCIENCE OF GOD

Great melodies, great sets of ideas who gets the listener right into the mood of topographic oceans.

Still there is a bleakness, a lack of agression and tempo is too slow. They are trying to ad the orchestral feeling by removing the bass and drums from the foreground and giving the other instruments more space. A sidestep from the sucess of Fragile for instance. The moment of upbeat keyboard-solo around fifteen minutes are coming in too late and mereley gives a notion of what could have been if this unsettled atmosphere where presented earlier.

Abridged with five minutes this would have been one of the highest steeples in the tower of Yes.

THE REMEMBERING
Here are a collection of bits and pieces that for certain is the most hauntingly beautiful that Yes ever has done. I have fallen in love with the sonority of the deep-sea mellotron that occurs and gives this peace the scope that is needed.
(Still I regard this as the weakest part)
This is the recital piece. And with too mutch repetition the piece never evolves to meet the very centre of gravity in topographic oceans:

THE ANCIENT
Pagean orchestral thunder and lightening with a splendid lunatic guitar solo. This is cinema at its best. The Nadir of topograpic oceans that lets the fantasy spin around the imaginary of the gatefold cover.

The trouble here is the ending who never satisfy in its lack of conclution. Instead a quirky bridge leads into Leaves of Green, a classic "innocent", Andersonian song that is fine but untimely in it´s precence here.

RITUAL
From the lacklustre scenary of Ancient to the sunny chanting at the start of Ritual there is a cleft that surfaces the tension of the whole piece.

Ritual is the most credible part where everything is coming together with the splendour of Nous sommes du soleil and the homage of the nightly rites who ends in the morning haze with Howe´s guitar who lets the sun arise as the participants assemble and: "We hear a sound and alter our returning We drift the shadows and course our way on home Flying home Going home"

In form this is my favourite episode of the piece.

Ritual has been done better later than on the first recording. Currently clocking in at about 28 minutes live, the Ritual is better maintained nowadays I think.

The hardest fence to climb for Yes is perhaps the limitations the four sides LP gives. It´s perhaps hard to keep the flow and motion going on with sutcher obstructions.

I have learned to enjoy Topographic over the years because details and episodes are phenomenal, though the totality lacks form.

[headrott]

I didn't like The Ancient too much until about 5-10 years ago. It has grown on me, especially since I started to listen to Miles Davis a lot. Listen to B'itches Brew that came out in 1967 and you will hear a similar approach from Miles Davis. The dissonance with the various unusual sounds to represent different cultures builds to a crescendo relieved by the beautiful Leaves of Green.

No other Yes song is quite like The Ancient - they were really striving to explore their musical boundaries in 1974. The live version is even better.

This song repays you in triplicate if you give it a chance. It will never bore you.

You are exactly right Brian! The Ancient has the most unique arrangement out of any long piece of YES music. I am still trying to figure out how people consider the song boring? I guess my ears just can't hear it? The dissonance is part of the "mood" of the song. This is some of my favorite guitar work done by Steve (electric guitar anyway). I would say it pays more than triplicate Brian! If you can listen to it with your full attentenion (that's the key). :bncy: BTW, which is you favorite live version of The Ancient?

Greg

[BrianD]

You are exactly right Brian! The Ancient has the most unique arrangement out of any long piece of YES music. I am still trying to figure out how people consider the song boring? I guess my ears just can't hear it? The dissonance is part of the "mood" of the song. This is some of my favorite guitar work done by Steve (electric guitar anyway). I would say it pays more than triplicate Brian! If you can listen to it with your full attentenion (that's the key). :bncy: BTW, which is you favorite live version of The Ancient?

Greg


The only live version that I have heard is MSG

[headrott]

The only live version that I have heard is MSG

That's a good one! I owuld also recommend the one from Detroit Feb 28th 1974. Excellent version. Possibly the best.

Greg

[BrianD]

Will look out for that one too! Thank you for the info

[Ryan]

maybe I am to young and nieve to fully comprehend the greatness of The acient. I might give it another listen and try to give it a chance.

[SonicDeath10]

nah it's cool if you don't like it. people's tastes are differnet you know?

[fragile34]

really hard for me to say

[Ryan]

I know I've said some negitive things about the ancient before, but I gave this album another listen all the way through abount a week ago, and suprisingly, I found the ancient very enjoyable.

[SonicDeath10]

it's a bit too dissonant for a bit too long before it starts to really shine. even though listening to that ultra disonant steve solo reveals several deconstrunctions of melodies throughout the piece. so it's good but it's still too long.

[Dantalion Rides Again]

Tales is up there for me - one of the really cool Yes albums, and I really do like all of it. But I'm with TBC and Dragonfly on this one and have to go with the Ancient.

Maybe it's because I dissed the song earlier in this thread (see above) or maybe it's because I haven't had my coffee yet. But this song deviously snuck up on me while I was driving. Does anyone else find that the acoustic portion of the Ancient sneaks up on them?

I was driving along, and everything was just nice and dissonant, when all of a sudden, WHAM!!! I'm smack dab in the middle of the flowering creativity of life, on my way to classical guitar and pleasantness. I didn't see it coming at all, and I'm a careful driver. If it wasn't such an innocent and pretty part of the song it might have scared me. I can only imagine if they'd switched it and put the acoustic part first, and followed it with the electric mayhem . . . I might have crashed. :D

[Timmo]

I know I've said some negitive things about the ancient before, but I gave this album another listen all the way through abount a week ago, and suprisingly, I found the ancient very enjoyable.

I'm with Ryan on this. After -----ing about how this was my least favorite moment of TFTO, I gave it another listen.

And I think I finally got it. Oddly enough, I now prefer the early discord to "Leaves of Green," although I still like LOG. Kind of like "Gates," I love the "Soon" section, but I REALLY love the 'war' that precedes it....and "Soon" means so much more coming after the chaos than it does on it's own as a "radio edit."

What the hell, it only took 30 years to get "The Ancient!"

So I'm left with NO least favorite moment of Tales...it's ALLL good. And "The Ancient" was years ahead of it's time. Also, I think that it was the true precursor to "Relayer." You can hear the seeds of the avante-guarde-jazz-fusion direction in "The Ancient" that bloomed on "Gates" and especially "Sound Chaser."

TIM
Venice, CA

[SonicDeath10]

And "The Ancient" was years ahead of it's time. Also, I think that it was the true precursor to "Relayer." You can hear the seeds of the avante-guarde-jazz-fusion direction in "The Ancient" that bloomed on "Gates" and especially "Sound Chaser."

TIM
Venice, CA yeah i can see that. especially the ultra dissonant ultra long guitar solo right at the beginning.

[Timmo]

yeah i can see that. especially the ultra dissonant ultra long guitar solo right at the beginning.

LOVE that solo.

Steve Howe is GOD. Especially on TGOD (and The Ancient, of course!).

TIM
Venice, CA

[C0ops]

There all so bloody excellent....i Love them all...what a great album from beginning to end.

[Sonoacustico]

Well, as a Crimson fan, I don't think of the steel guitar solo at the beginning of The Ancient as an "Ultra Dissonant" melody, I believe it is a strange tonality, but not very dissonant, and that strange tonality and the entire atmosphere created ny White, Wakeman & Squire is the real key to the beginning of the song. My least favorite is The Remembering, i VERY RARELY listen to it, each time it bores me... I do like the "relayeeeer" part on it though. The Ancient is my favorite on Tales, and I agree it is a kind of "prequel" of Relayer... I dont know if the Moraz lineup ever performed The Ancient. Anyone knows?

greetings

Claudio

[tardistraveler]

Claudio, the only Tales movement I remember Moraz playing in concert was Ritual - I heard that one several times.

I suppose you could confirm this on Forgotten Yesterdays.

[jimmygtr]

RSOG.

It lacks highs and lows (dynamics) of CTTE or Gates. The music very 'horizontal'. Some brilliant melody and beautiful music but not the pull and tug tension I would generally prefer...but still a decent tune ;-)

[pixiedave]

I voted for 2, but you left out one very important choice; My least favorite part of Tales is when it ends.

[Amy]

If I had to pick a least favorite, it is still The Ancient; but upon listening to this album daily, it is growing on me very quickly and I am beginning to enjoy it- to my surprise.

[Timmo]

I'm definitely in the minority. I voted for "TRSoG."

But least favorite is a relative term. I'd still rather listen to "TRSoG" than most music out there.

Can't vote for "The Remembering." The last 4-5 minutes are some of the best ever written. My favorite moment of the Yes ouvre, excluding "Relayer."

"The Ancient" is just too cool for words. Dischordant? So what? Grow some more sophisticated ears!

And "Ritual" is the sun shining after a month of rain. "Nous Sommes du Soleil." We are the sun. We can see.



TIM
Venice, C

[WhiteKnight]

I voted for "the Remembering". It's a great piece in its own right, yet RSOG, Ancient and Ritual, for me, are all masterpieces. They are also very different from each other, and thus complete each other, while "the Remembering", to me, sounds a bit as RSOG II.

[Amy]

Dischordant? So what? Grow some more sophisticated ears!

TIM
Venice, C


I AM!

:Itchscrat

[bdyescall]

I dislike the part where they quit playing in between songs!!!

[Amy]

I dislike the part where they quit playing in between songs!!!

Very good!
I think that's the best thing I've heard all day.

[Earl Grey]

And this is me:

:dog:

HARHARHAR! Nice. Really nice. I approve. I absolve thee. Oh the power, I Am SUPERMODERATOR!

Where's that hammer? I have shyte to slam!

;)

Cracking me up! I swear!
Dying here, dying!

[Trouserpress]

Now, I'm a big fan of avant garde sounds (Henry Cow and Thinking Plague being amongst my top 20 bands, easily) but for me The Ancient just bores me rigid, and I really can't understand the appeal. Then again, I've always been a little on the skeptical side with TFTO as a whole. I'm with Wakey on this one... there's just not enough music to go round. For me, The Ancient is the worst offendor in that department, but even TRSOG (which I love), could've been a couple of minutes shorter and have had just as much impact, if not more.

Well I've done it now haven't I? I've just criticised every single track on what a lot of yesfans believe to be their ultimate album. Best to lie low, methinks. *hides under a rock*

[Earl Grey]

Well...

The Ancient was a conceptual piece.

It's fun. And 'Leaves Of Green' kicks ass.

The rest, it is YES playing Mahavishnu.

And that's appropriate, no?

Don't hide.

We WANT this sort of talk here.

We wish to express about YES.
Nothing more.

We just might find our humanity!

Hard questions are good questions, in my book.

I've never written a book.

Carry on.

EG

[Amy]

I've never written a book.

Carry on.

EG

Go ahead! That would be some great reading....and you would be so good at it!

[Snarly]

Take a look at my Icon, Avatar and Sig.
Think I have a "least favorite"????

Ritual has been done a lot Live, I've been in the room twice when it was played (1976 and 2004). That is really the only reason I like it least, I've already heard it Live. :toolcool:

I think it is comming closer to the time for THE ANCIENT, Live. Please.

[Gabriel]

Personally, I find The Ancient the least appealing of Tales althought its not a bad song by any means, I just found it less interesting than the other parts. Unlike alot of people, I like Remembering alot, one of my favourite parts! Although I havent heard the album in some time, so I need to give it another listen.

[Amy]

Personally, I find The Ancient the least appealing of Tales althought its not a bad song by any means, I just found it less interesting than the other parts. Unlike alot of people, I like Remembering alot, one of my favourite parts! Although I havent heard the album in some time, so I need to give it another listen.
I used to feel the same way - and not long ago, if I might add. Give it another 10 listens. See what happens.

[Rabin105]

the whole album if just on one disc and shorter would of been great but rick probably would have stayed which means Gates of delirium would have severly been altered.

[SonicDeath10]

the ancient has that guitar solo that's way too long and way too dissonant. the first section i ever heard was the remembering section and i remember liking it for it's calmness, and it's later eruption towards the end. rick's keyboards are great.

[altaeria]

My least favorite moment is that long 15-second silence between tracks 1 and 2 on the RHINO remaster.
I WANT THE NEXT SONG TO START RIGHT AWAY !!

[Rabin105]

you got a point alteria it annoyed me as well

[Starship Trooper]

For some reason, I believe that Ritual goes downhill after the first five minutes come to a close. Sue me.

It goes downhill to me a little later, right around where they're singing "All we say is our soul constant sight listener...We won't tender our song clearer till we sail....Then I will be there..etc."

That whole part from there on to where it's the bass solo is so weak to me, it starts to drag the song down. That's probably the kind of padding that Wakeman hates about that album. That part should have been edited out.

But then everything's cool with the drums and the closing "Hold me my love, hold me today, call me round" part is beautiful to round out the song.

[PO]

the ancient has that guitar solo that's way too long and way too dissonant.

It's 3 minutes.

Funny how people can tolerate Ravi Shankar to go on for 10 minutes or more with the "drone" vibe, but Yes gets less than 3 minutes in an entire career.

The drone is a common expression in Eastern/Indian music. That's the whole point of this section as far as I can tell. Nothing else will work in this context.

[Timmo]

the ancient has that guitar solo that's way too long and way too dissonant. the first section i ever heard was the remembering section and i remember liking it for it's calmness, and it's later eruption towards the end. rick's keyboards are great.That "way too long and way too dissonant" guitar solo is one of my favorite parts of "Tales."

It just HOWLS!

TIM
Venice, CA

[SonicDeath10]

i like it too for about half of it. after that it's just "steve... enough"

[Amy]

i like it too for about half of it. after that it's just "steve... enough"
I'm sorry, it's never enough. It's funny, but Tales seems so much shorter than when I first started listening to it. I think they should do "Tales II".

[Jackaranda]

I voted for The Ancient, reluctantly.

But really it's a 3 way tie for best movement and The Ancient, for me, is a cut below them.

I really love The Remembering. That's the one I would have chosen for the tour, but maybe in the fall they'll change things a bit. I've seen Ritual twice, but none of the rest of the album.

[Timmo]

I voted for The Ancient, reluctantly.

But really it's a 3 way tie for best movement and The Ancient, for me, is a cut below them.

I really love The Remembering. That's the one I would have chosen for the tour, but maybe in the fall they'll change things a bit. I've seen Ritual twice, but none of the rest of the album.When I voted in this poll, I reluctantly chose "The Ancient.

But after spending time with "Tales," I have to say...there is no "least favorite moment."

I love the entire album, all of it.

Yes, I have a special spot for "The Remembering," particularly the last 5 minutes.

But it's all SO GOOD.

Maybe because my first YesShow was the "Tales" show, where they did the whole shootin' match.

It's the whole thing, and I find myself listening to "Tales" in its entirety, a lot.

I think the only thing that topped "Tales" was "Relayer." Much as I love "Awaken," it just doesn't quite "reach the heights."

Tim
Venice, CA

[YYY]

I will not particpate in the poll because I do not have "a least favorite". I love the entire album. In the 70's, I never listened to TALES without hearing the entire album.
Now, I put on different sides depending on my mood. This is why TALES is such a great album. Each side is different yet works cronologically as a whole, beautifully.

Tales reaches incredible heights. RSOG is like being born again. The Remembering excudes of forgotten ancestral nostalgia. The 'Ancient' is one my most charished sides. It is a very unique epic. "We marched as one with a the Earth" Yeh! The Ritual, of course. How perfect was it to bring the concept home with tribal drum circle 2/3 into the piece. "Nous somme du Soleil" ...literally.

[PO]

...Much as I love "Awaken," it just doesn't quite "reach the heights."


When Awaken was released, it was viewed as the poor man's CTTE/Tales/Gates. It was a nod to the "old" fans (of the previous 5 years) to keep us on board. Kind of throwing us a bone for going back to the song format.

[Rabin105]

When Awaken was released, it was viewed as the poor man's CTTE/Tales/Gates. It was a nod to the "old" fans (of the previous 5 years) to keep us on board. Kind of throwing us a bone for going back to the song format.
Just like a lot of people viewed Saving my heart as a poor mans owner of a lonely heart. I don't se how one is about wanting love and thother is about wanting love ;) seriously though the 2 songs to me sound totally different but eh I'm sure gate was looked as a poor man's ctte.

[Timmo]

Just like a lot of people viewed Saving my heart as a poor mans owner of a lonely heart. I don't se how one is about wanting love and thother is about wanting love ;) seriously though the 2 songs to me sound totally different but eh I'm sure gate was looked as a poor man's ctte.I don't think I've ever seen "Gates" referred to as a "poor man's "CTTE.""

They are very different, despite the fact that they are both "epics."

When "Relayer" came out, I recall it being viewed by the YesFanAtics as an evolutionary quantum leap. And I was there.

TIM
Venice, CA

[PO]

I was there, too. I didn't say "I think it must have ...", I said "... it was ...".

Relayer/Gates continued the series and was yet another plateau. The Relayer album format was exactly that of CTTE, it's only similarity. Musically, Relayer was part of the continuum, if not revolutionary.

[SonicDeath10]

personally i like gates better than CTTE.

[Rabin105]

Persoonally i love al the epics but they are totaly different

[Timmo]

personally i like gates better than CTTE.Me2, but only by a nose. CTTE is a perfect crystal, "Gates" is the same crystal, broken and reassembled into a new perfection.

I have no "least favorite movement," they are all sublime. I originally voted for "The Ancient" in this poll, but since I've listened to it incessantly and has become a new fave. Only took me 30 years, but it's that kind of complicated music that takes time to absorb.

Plus in the intervening years, I learned to "hear" dissonant music like KC, Miles Davis' atonal experiments, and some of the more difficult musics by Prokofiev, like the violin sonatas.

TIM
Venice, CA

[SonicDeath10]

nice analogy.

[slazman]

Tough question really, but The Ancient (if any had to) gets the vote. Tales was my defining album and tour. Really rips the emotions and I loved Ritual in Birmingham this year.

Even though it's 30 years ago I can still remember the aniticipation waiting for the release of the album. When I went up to University, the first thing I did was to book tickets for the Tales tour and when the day came, one of the best nights of my life. I love this album.

[Timmo]

I don't have one.

They are all amazing. I usually listen to "Tales" when I have the time to listen to ALL of it.

TIM
Venice, CA

[tardistraveler]

Tough question really, but The Ancient (if any had to) gets the vote. Tales was my defining album and tour. Really rips the emotions and I loved Ritual in Birmingham this year.

Even though it's 30 years ago I can still remember the aniticipation waiting for the release of the album. When I went up to University, the first thing I did was to book tickets for the Tales tour and when the day came, one of the best nights of my life. I love this album.

Wow, wasn't that a great tour! Where did you see them?

[slazman]

Wow, wasn't that a great tour! Where did you see them?

Newcastle City Hall, England. Wish I had a Tardis to get back for that one!

[tardistraveler]

Newcastle City Hall, England. Wish I had a Tardis to get back for that one!

I'll loan you mine . . . ;)

I'd go back and see MY Tales show - actually, I saw three on that tour, but the best one was Atlanta, Georgia Tech Coliseum, 2/11/74 - wow!

[Timmo]

I'll loan you mine . . . ;)

I'd go back and see MY Tales show - actually, I saw three on that tour, but the best one was Atlanta, Georgia Tech Coliseum, 2/11/74 - wow!I saw them in Philly, first Yes show and only second concert.

TIM
Venice, CA

[Dantalion Rides Again]

Can't vote for "The Remembering." The last 4-5 minutes are some of the best ever written. My favorite moment of the Yes ouvre, excluding "Relayer."

"The Ancient" is just too cool for words. Dischordant? So what? Grow some more sophisticated ears!


I put on the record last night while I chatted in too many IM windows with the fine folks I've met thru this site.

I intentionally listened to only 'Remembering' & 'Ancient.' I don't know if the soft sound of the vinyl had something to do with it, but I REALLY enjoyed all of it. Especially the Ancient. I like the disonance a lot, actually. Felt like I was hearing it for the first time again.

[weebl]

The Remembering - simply because I do not know it as well as the other 3. Ritaul is glorious, as is RSOG (especially the haunting intro). I really like the opening of Ancient with the big cymbals and strange keyboard/xylophone bits.

[Timmo]

I put on the record last night while I chatted in too many IM windows with the fine folks I've met thru this site.

I intentionally listened to only 'Remembering' & 'Ancient.' I don't know if the soft sound of the vinyl had something to do with it, but I REALLY enjoyed all of it. Especially the Ancient. I like the disonance a lot, actually. Felt like I was hearing it for the first time again.A newly converted yesfan and I were listening to Tales, and he made me play "The Ancient" three times.

So much for Tales being inaccessable to the newbie.

[FrankDambra]

Yes the revealing would have to be my favorite.Its also a wonderful open to a one of the greatest yes albums of all time.If i could bring one album to the next life it would prrobally be relayer or tales.

[Dantalion Rides Again]

Hey FrankDambra.

The RSOG is my favorite on Tales too. Welcome to yesfans, man.

[SonicDeath10]

the remembering was the first piece i heard off of that album. and i remember being a bit lulled by the beginning, but then when i got into the mood of the piece, i realized it's quite beautiful. but the dynanism of the revealing gets me.

[automaticduck]

RSOG sounds so much better on keys to ascension then on tales.
anyone agree???

[michael]

Love 'em all!!

[movedfast]

There are many works of towering genius in the YES cannon, but I believe TFTO is the toweringest (?) of them all. For that reason I can't really pick out a least favourite part, although High the Memory only gets 9.99999999 out of ten instead of 11.
To be honest, I rarely play TFTO because I always want to play the whole thing the whole way through with no interruptions. And finding time to do that with the 9 to 5 and 2 small children is very difficult. If I do start to listent to it and I get disturbed I'm grouchy for the rest of the day.

[Braniff92]

I don't have a least favorite. Each piece is equally moving and enjoyable.

[Amy]

To be honest, I rarely play TFTO because I always want to play the whole thing the whole way through with no interruptions. And finding time to do that with the 9 to 5 and 2 small children is very difficult. If I do start to listent to it and I get disturbed I'm grouchy for the rest of the day.
I rarely play anything anymore for the same reason. I used to just listen to parts of Tales, but now I want to hear the whole thing also, so I haven't heard it for a while. I look forward to dropping my son off here and there, so I can catch some time alone in the car. It's the only time I can listen to music undisturbed.

[Dantalion Rides Again]

I hear that!!!! Oh, man. I really really hear that. I got a CD player in my car, but my drive to work is only two minutes. Worst part is, when I start my car, the CD player automatically starts the song over. So I end up choosing discs with real short songs for the commute. They Might Be Giants' new one is in the player right now - their songs are all like, 2 minutes on average.

Might I suggest taking a walkman to the market? Another way I get away with listening to music (with 9-5 job, part time night gig and three kids!) is by keeping the record player near the kitchen sink. Cooking or cleaning with records makes for a more enjoyable chore.

[yesmandroc]

I said The Remembering because of one part in particular. When John sings the word "someone" towards the beginning of the song he uses the most horrible vowel placement. He places the "one" way in the back of his throat. It's awful. But then they redeem themselves with, " Don the cap and close you eyes imagine all the glorious challenge."

[overState2004]

Tales was a big part of my musical awakening, so a bit like my musical childhood. I loved those years of being that toddler with this kind of music coming out.

I was 6 when my Dad bought this album (1990-91, he got it on CD, although he'd bought and lost the record numerous times) and for me, it was a big part of my musical upbringing.

[flep]

I haven't voted on this one as each track is different and they all build to the finish which is Ritual. That said my favourite track is RSOG. My favourite track by Yes of all time, as this is the album that first got me into Yes. I think this is the hardest Yes album to listen to with all its varying sounds. But once you appreciate it, it gets better with every listen. It did take me at least 15 years to get through The Ancient without skipping the percussion bit though. I would say this is not the album to introduce a friend to Yes. Start with 90125 and work backwards and forwards from that point. It should work.

[overState2004]

Start with 90125 and work backwards and forwards from that point. It should work.

Worked for me.

[Topographic][Sardaukar]

If you asked me a year ago, I would have said The Ancient. But after hearing it live in weeds from Boston and MSG from 74 tales tour, I just don't have a least favorite. The picked up tempo really gives it energy and makes the complexity even more impressive.

[Scaramouche]

I am quite suprised that anybody voted for anything other than THE ANCIENT.

The first fifteen minutes is erratic, spasmodic, and unrelenting drivvle with no direction....had real trouble trying to latch on to anything. Many times during this passage I had the words, 'this is great' on the tip of my toungue just waiting for a passage of melodic music to unlock the door of silence and release them into the air, but I found not one note had the right key. (pardon the pun).

However from when Steve kicks in with the acoustic opening of what has become known as 'The Leaves of Green' section, at last I was able to speak them.

In my opinion The Revealing Science of God, The Remembering, Leaves of Green Section and Ritual would have made a good album in itself....the first part of the Ancients lost this fantastic Album a great many points in my book.

Love and Progressive Conceptualizations

Scaramouche xx

[Topographic][Sardaukar]

I am quite suprised that anybody voted for anything other than THE ANCIENT.

The first fifteen minutes is erratic, spasmodic, and unrelenting drivvle with no direction....had real trouble trying to latch on to anything. Many times during this passage I had the words, 'this is great' on the tip of my toungue just waiting for a passage of melodic music to unlock the door of silence and release them into the air, but I found not one note had the right key. (pardon the pun).

However from when Steve kicks in with the acoustic opening of what has become known as 'The Leaves of Green' section, at last I was able to speak them.

In my opinion The Revealing Science of God, The Remembering, Leaves of Green Section and Ritual would have made a good album in itself....the first part of the Ancients lost this fantastic Album a great many points in my book.

Love and Progressive Conceptualizations

Scaramouche xx

How can you say this song detracts from the album. Sure it doesn't sound like the other three, but that's the point. It provides a nice contrast and it's very interesting to hear yes play such atonal and polyrhythmic music, especially with Rick in the band. I've sometimes thought Yes music could be too melodic, but this shows they are capable of creating intresting, non-scalar music as well. It's songs like these that deviate from the typical Yes formula that make the band so interesting and varied and they allow me to introduce the band to almost anybody, no matter their musical taste.

[Scaramouche]

How can you say this song detracts from the album. Sure it doesn't sound like the other three, but that's the point. It provides a nice contrast and it's very interesting to hear yes play such atonal and polyrhythmic music, especially with Rick in the band. I've sometimes thought Yes music could be too melodic, but this shows they are capable of creating intresting, non-scalar music as well. It's songs like these that deviate from the typical Yes formula that make the band so interesting and varied and they allow me to introduce the band to almost anybody, no matter their musical taste.

I do not mean to offend it is my humble opinion, the album was winner except for this particular section. Sorry we disagree, but as they say...'it takes all sorts to make a world'

Love and Light

Scaramouche xx

[Amy]

How can you say this song detracts from the album. Sure it doesn't sound like the other three, but that's the point. It provides a nice contrast and it's very interesting to hear yes play such atonal and polyrhythmic music, especially with Rick in the band. I've sometimes thought Yes music could be too melodic, but this shows they are capable of creating intresting, non-scalar music as well. It's songs like these that deviate from the typical Yes formula that make the band so interesting and varied and they allow me to introduce the band to almost anybody, no matter their musical taste.
Yup, I agree. I used to feel the same way about The Ancient, but now?
Tales wouldn't be the same without it.

[Amy]

What's really amazing is that 38 people voted for The Remembering.

[Scaramouche]

Thanks for agreeing....to a point.

I am surprised about the remembering also, fantastic track, with a magnificant ending. But hey we all have different tastes.

Love and High Vibrations Going on.

Scaramouche xx

[MoonGateClimber]

I find The Remembering to be somewhat weak at times... I can't remember where, I haven't listened to it in a couple of weeks.
I'm suprised at how many voted for The Ancient. I actually like that song.

[Deliriumyes]

I don't have a least favorite. I love the entire album, and I still find time to listen to it in it's entirety on a regular basis, despite child, dog, job, house, and school!

[Scooty]

The Remembering is still my buggaboo on this album...

I am trying though...
Im up to about 10 minutes wherein this piece works...thats pretty good..considering I used to think none of it worked :)

[Jackaranda]

Well The Ancient has always been a bit tough for me. That said, Leaves of Green is beautiful. I've always wished they'd record a live, 60 or 70 minute version of Tales. Well, at least we have RSOG on Keys and I have a couple of great versions of Ritual from last year.

Now if we can just get then to do The Remembering.

[Bluetailfly]

I am currently reading Yes But What Does It Mean and there is a whole chapter comparing TFTO to Beethoven symphonies. The authors favorite part is The Remembering, but he interprets TFTO as a single piece of music.
For me I have been through pahses with it where each "movement" has been my favorite at different times. I statred with RSOG as being my favorite, but then I came around to appreciating The Ancient for its strangeness. The Remembering is gentle, but if you just let it take you on its way, the subtle melodies are very effective. Ritula is probably my favorite now, as I think it brings the entire work together.
I would love it if the band would play all 4 movements together.

[Hill St.]

The critics panned it.I love it.If I had to choose one....The Ancient.

[YYY]

I really prefir not to choose a worst. In order of 1-4.

I'd say that RSOG is perfection (like breathing pure oxygen from start to finish. No glitches - it flows like a beautiful dream.

The Ritual is just that - a ceremonial ritual through the center of the heart.

Remembering and the Ancient are perfect opposites and equally brilliant in their perfection. They transcent into another time that is personnal in the Remembering and universal in the Ancient.


During the first several years after it's release, I never thought of it as 4 different songs and I never listened to it unless I was prepared to take the complete journey.


I can still remember vividly the TALES concert. After the show, it took several hours for me to recover and several hour of wiping away the tears during its presentation. I was also beautifully and intensely enhanced at the time.


AHHH - the wonder that is TALES.

[Jubei_ninpucho]

MAY THE LORD SMITE ME DOWN. I WILL BURN IN THE FLAMES OF HELL FOREVEAH. PRAISE THE LORDAH.

I voted for The Remembering but I do think It's a really great compososition.

Revealing Science Of God is my favorite of the four and the beginning of the song is so ridicously COOl !!!!!!!!!!!

I would have picked the Ancient if it wasn't for Steve's BRILLIANT guitar work.
I'm a big fan of CRAAAAAAZY guitar Solos :git[1]: and his acoustic guitar-solo in The ancient is CRAAAAAAZY

Ritual is my second favorite it's just so KEWL :rcking:

I really like the Remembering though

[SonicDeath10]

i'm reading Chris Welch's book about Yes, and even HE pretty much pans Tales, to the point where I couldn't believe it. He complete disregards the Ancient. This I could understand, as it's not my favorite, but he doesn't even mention Leaves of Green, one of Yes's best ballads, and he pretty much shows contempt for the work. I do think it could have been cut, I know that's not a popular opinion on the site, but many of the band members even think that: even Jon has been said to agree that he'd like to re-edit the piece down to 50 minutes, and Wakeman says that 50 minutes of the album is prime Yes material, and he's been most vocal in his distaste.

Steve is the biggest defender, as he came up with a lot of the music. I honestly do LOVE Tales, and I don't mind listening to what some people might consider "the padding", but I can see that it might be better with out it. Sometimes. I don't know.

[yesmandroc]

I just come down to the fact that people don't understand The Ancient. It's written in a style that we're not used to in rock music. That doesn't make it dribble. If people would broaden their minds a bit maybe they'd get more enjoyment out of music.

[SonicDeath10]

it was really surprising that Welch was so hard on it: it's obvious from reading the book that he was not only a huge fan of the band, but a close friend. Of course, friendship shouldn't get in the way of critique if it's honest, but I think he was off about Tales, it's brilliant for almost all of it. The First 8 Yes albums are like the First Seven Moody Blues Albums: by which all others are judged. However, Yes was actually still quite great after those first 8, where as the Moodies never were after their seven.

[slazman]

When it has finished!

[cinderella]

I'm suprised at how many voted for The Ancient. I actually like that song.

When I first heard Tales I didn't care for it either, but it's grown on me. I actually like it now.

[Bluetailfly]

I really prefir not to choose a worst. In order of 1-4.

I'd say that RSOG is perfection (like breathing pure oxygen from start to finish. No glitches - it flows like a beautiful dream.

The Ritual is just that - a ceremonial ritual through the center of the heart.

Remembering and the Ancient are perfect opposites and equally brilliant in their perfection. They transcent into another time that is personnal in the Remembering and universal in the Ancient.


During the first several years after it's release, I never thought of it as 4 different songs and I never listened to it unless I was prepared to take the complete journey.


I can still remember vividly the TALES concert. After the show, it took several hours for me to recover and several hour of wiping away the tears during its presentation. I was also beautifully and intensely enhanced at the time.


AHHH - the wonder that is TALES.

You are indeed a fortunate soul to have experienced the Tales show. I wish I could.

[PO]

i'm reading Chris Welch's book about Yes...
Big mistake to take it seriously. One critic from 30 years ago shouldn't have any credibilty anymore. We didn't listen to him then or now.
...I don't mind listening to what some people might consider "the padding", but I can see that it might be better with out it.
No one has been able to trim anything to this date.

In-a-Gadda-Davida is padding. Not Tales.

[SonicDeath10]

I don't neccesarily take Welch seriously: I was just surprised that he was so harsh on the album. To be honest, I think Tales is an adventure to listen to and fun to debate: I HAVE to listen to it all, or I feel like I'm missing something. It is very much like a classical symphony, four movements. First movement is generally an epic bang, second is more peaceful, third is very violent, and fourth wraps everything up perfectly. I'm probably a little wrong about that, but that's my understanding. And while I do think maybe 2 to 3 minutes of it is unneccesary on days I'm being negative, I think to have the full effect of the piece, it needs to be that long.

[Amy]

No one has been able to trim anything to this date.
That's good to hear.
I wouldn't change one measure.

[Mostly Harmless]

[QUOTE=Trouserpress] I'm with Wakey on this one... there's just not enough music to go round. For me, The Ancient is the worst offendor in that department, but even TRSOG (which I love), could've been a couple of minutes shorter and have had just as much impact, if not more.

I'm in total agreement here. My least favorite is The Ancient....it sounds like too many bits and pieces thrown together. I think all 4 pieces have some "padding", but The Ancient (to me) sounds like it has the most.

I really wish I had the equipment to do some editing of my own on this album. I think I could find the 50 minute version that has been spoken of. At least it would be fun to try.

Peace

[scootwhoman]

For some reason, I believe that Ritual goes downhill after the first five minutes come to a close. Sue me.

Ah, but the conflict portrayed after that leads to the incredibly beautiful 'Nous Sommes Du Soleil', which pulls the whole work together to end it properly. It can be hard to listen to the cacaphony, distortion, and acoustic assault on 'Ritual', but that sets the scene for the lyrical, melodic, affirming ending, just as the battle sequence in 'Gates Of Delirium' relaxes into 'Soon'. The compilation has 'Soon' as a single, and it lacks something when taken out of context. 'Nous Sommes Du Soleil' would sound strange without the preceding dischord.

To me, 'The Ancient' is the most difficult movement to get through, although the first part of 'The Remembering' is kind of jarring, because of the tempo. 'The Ancient' speaks to things which we the living find distasteful or unpleasant, because they remind us of the temporary nature of this existance. The group intentionally (I believe) sought the cacaphony and lack of melody at the beginning of the movement to push the listener out of their comfort zone.

[allpurechance]

I refuse to vote on this poll!lmaooOOOOO--

This album has become like Holy Writ put to music for me(and I am not really a religious man...)...

[SonicDeath10]

steve fans should note: he came up with most of the instrumental texture, along with jon of course, for this album, as told in Close To The Edge, as oposed to Fragile which was mostly Chris and Jon.

[Vic Anderson]

its like saying

do you like your hands more than your feet

[TakeItEasy221]

For some reason, I believe that Ritual goes downhill after the first five minutes come to a close. Sue me.

This may be but it sure beats The Remebering as a whole, its like the lesser half of Ritual twice.

[KPatrick]

Can I vote 3 more times?... I kid, I kid. But I'm not really jazzed by any one piece on this album. I can't add anything to that debate, and it would be off topic: just consider me in the "padded, unfocused, self-indulgent" camp. That said, there's something worth listening to in every piece, and my vote, "The Ancient," contains, IMO, Steve's most affecting acoustic playing on a Yes album. Unfortunately, you have to sit through about 10 minutes of crud to get there.

[drummedup]

Ritual...
The drum "solo" is nonsense.
Though I do love the guitar theme/solo at the very end..
as a whole though, it's a pretty heavy handed piece of music...stretched way too far..

Also, I never found The Ancient very dischordant or rhythmically challenging. Actually it strikes me as completely naive and basic.

[brotherofmine]

Ritual...
The drum "solo" is nonsense.
Though I do love the guitar theme/solo at the very end..
as a whole though, it's a pretty heavy handed piece of music...stretched way too far..

Also, I never found The Ancient very dischordant or rhythmically challenging. Actually it strikes me as completely naive and basic.
Well, I love both pieces, the drum solo on Ritual was terrific, think about this, this was Alan White's first studio album with the band and he comes up with some very exciting and adventurous drumming that was on 'Ritual' and 'The Ancient'. I admit on Ritual he is not doing it alone the whole band apart from Rick are also playing drums.

Ritual drum solo is a vital part of the song it is IMHO 'The Ritual' itself accompanied by those magical percussion bells in the background, this is the old ancient dance of rites, often making me think of the dances of the Native Americans.

The drum sound in 'The Ancient' is also very important it opens the piece, a different kind of rythym to the complex 'RItual' this one much more basic and primitive but very loud and strong. I do find 'The Ancient' dischordant, it certainly odes not hit those perfect melodic notes which are kinder to the ears, this is an ancient or oriental culture where discordant notes are not taboo....
'Naieve and basic?' well it is that as well, which is why it reflects The Ancient so well...way before the Roman, Greek, Egyptian Civilisations etc. this goes way way back almost to the dawn of time.

[Timmo]

That said, there's something worth listening to in every piece, and my vote, "The Ancient," contains, IMO, Steve's most affecting acoustic playing on a Yes album. Unfortunately, you have to sit through about 10 minutes of crud to get there.Yes, but as crud goes, it's some of the best.

Personally I like the "crud" more than "Leaves of Green," which I love.

Put me in the "Tales is genius and there's not a wasted moment" camp.

As well as in the "inner movement" camp. My two favorites are "The Remembering" and "The Ancient."

[PO]

...crud...nonsense....naive and basic.

Well, you are a musician. Let's hear your stuff.

You'll find the Member Music forum for you to post a link.

[Timmo]

Oh good god, not again Paul.

Even though I agree with you!

[witheredleaves]

Luv Em All!!

[RABARKS]

I couldn't pick one song. It's bits and pieces from songs I don't like. Like the freaky stuff on The Ancient, just before Leaves Of Green. Unlike the freaky stuff on Relayer, it seems uninspired. I also think Ritual takes just a bit too long to get cooking. And that's it. The rest is simply impeccable.
:headset:

[SonicDeath10]

that's my main concern. Stuff like The Revealing Science Of God is brilliant; especially with the added intro. The way the intensity slowly builds is amazing. Plus, id unno i just love that album but for bits and pieces.

[YESYOUANDI]

Tales---
Well, it's all very indulgent prog.and I luv it, (always have) and it's rabin free.
So who gives a shyt.
Cheers fans.

[Joe]

The movements between song 1, to song 2, to song 3, and the end of song 4!

[jaynote1]

I honestly cannot think of a part or piece of Tales that I do not like...............

[vivafra]

I think that RSOG is the lowest moment of the album.........it lives only of the first choral part, then starts to be bothering from the middle of the first verse.
the only other good part in that song is the fast one, with the key solo.

[neilius]

No bad parts really, side two, (sorry) track 2 is a bit repetative in places but the riff 7 mins and 3 secs into the ancient - whats that all about? - weird city! - overall, a masterwork!

[Charles Matejic]

The Ancient has a very intiguing beginning and the march segment but the degenerates into sounds that are discordant(I think it's the reason Rick left the group at that time) but then bounces back with Leaves of Green which is truly very beautiful.Like much of YES's work there is a whole lot crammed into one piece,but of the whole 4 sides I'd have to say I like The Ancient the least, but only because of the discordant part in the middle where it sounds like all the members are playing on different albums at the same time. P.S. the very end is spectacular leaving one wanting more which is fortunately answered by Ritual(the April 2004 show [35th ann.] in Ft. Lauderdale was killer and Ritual was a big part of it{ the other big part of it that I enjoyed was the way that everyone marveled how my 9 and 10 year old daughters knew every word and note played and sung})

[new_sum_do_solve_ay]

What?!?! The ancient is the best. I'm sorry its so tightly knit in theory and it rocks I disagree.

THE REMEMBERING bugs me. Just the title: science of God rivited me and The ritual is so inventive and experimental its just plain cool. But THE REMEMBERING is so slow and sluggish at the start, and WHO MOVES FAST?? WHO'S THEY?? WHY AM I GETTING PARANOID?? I really didn't get into the lyrics or the music here, so by the time they got the "Relayerrrrrr!!!!" which is really awesome and like a rallying cry of "charge," that I had fallen asleep or had to go take a crap, and they lost my attention. I only got to like this song by force of will.

[Hugh Shiebler]

The drum solo/freak out section of "Ritual" Three times longer than it should be, and sometimes has a "you had to be there" quality to it.

[new_sum_do_solve_ay]

No bad parts really, side two, (sorry) track 2 is a bit repetative in places but the riff 7 mins and 3 secs into the ancient - whats that all about? - weird city! - overall, a masterwork!

ROFL I can't believe you people voting against this!

Didn't you know? Alan heard 5% for Nothing and wanted equal time, so they let him go wild for 20 seconds at a time. LOL. It happens again at 9:03.

I'm just kidding! No offense to those of you who work with the Yes men. But read the liner notes. This is about what is beyond remembering. Ancient civilization. This is a very unnatural rhythm. Was breaking your back to build a ziggurat or pyramid natural? NO! This drum portion (IMHO) represents the ancients involved in building projects.

[PrimeMover]

The sequence 6,7, or 8 minutes in Remembering where Rick has played his Topographic sound and they return to the slow "As the Silence of season" thing for the ninth time. Okay second, but it sounds like the ninth. Makes me think "Hey guys, we have 7 minutes to fill side 2, let's do that one more time".

[PrimeMover]

seven minutes left..lol

[Whitefish]

Nothing. It is PERFECT!

[YYY]

The sequence 6,7, or 8 minutes in Remembering where Rick has played his Topographic sound and they return to the slow "As the Silence of season" thing for the ninth time. Okay second, but it sounds like the ninth. Makes me think "Hey guys, we have 7 minutes to fill side 2, let's do that one more time".

If I am forced to comment here, then I woud agree with PrimeMover.

Also I have always felt that the drum section in 'The Ritual' is a bit simplistic and seems dated now.
I have always felt that Bruford would have come up with a better and clever version for this tribal section.

[jdc65]

The sequence 6,7, or 8 minutes in Remembering where Rick has played his Topographic sound and they return to the slow "As the Silence of season" thing for the ninth time. Okay second, but it sounds like the ninth. Makes me think "Hey guys, we have 7 minutes to fill side 2, let's do that one more time".

LOL~! I agree, Fluff, padding? Rick would agree. Sure but very prog.

His “Topographic sounds" are very appropriate in representing the ideas behind Remembering. The value of memories deep in the subconscious that have come to shape ones self in the present time: Moments of reflection.
Graphically the photo vignettes captured in the Roger Dean "frames" on the inside of the album seem to fit well with Ricks soundscapes.

Jon’s words in the liner notes:

“Here, It is especially Ricks keyboards which bring alive the ebb and flow and depth of our minds eye, the topographic ocean...

[smatt]

I keep FORGETTING (hint)...... :lmao:

[Amy]

I keep FORGETTING (hint)...... :lmao:
Goodness.......

[Ronboy]

I'm with you Melllotron.

My least favourite part is the end. TFTO is supreme for me, I love all of it.

Ronboy

[relayeire]

Saying that I have a least favorite movement from TFTO to me implies that I don't find the record fully satisfying. I love it, but it does have its flaws.

RSOG is brilliant; The Remembering is beautiful (especially the "Don the cap..." section), even as it is repetitious; The Ancient seems a bit padded and meandering at times, but has a lot of character to it (probably Jon's first use of harp appears about 10 minutes into it), and the closing section is classic; Ritual I grew to love from Yesshows, which is extended and more energetic... the percussion section, even on the studio version, is strange and scary - I like that! and this song, like The Ancient and (later) GoD has a beautiful finish...

http://blogdebogs.blogspot.com/

[jaynote1]

I never really thot that there WAS any bad part to Tales..............

[Yes_Fan_4_Life26]

The Remembering is a fun piece of music.

But it doesn't have that "Bam" punch, like Ritual or The Ancient.

[RABARKS]

(probably Jon's first use of harp appears about 10 minutes into it), http://blogdebogs.blogspot.com/

Interesting detail. I never singled it out as being a harp, it was just a small part of all the stuff going on, but now you mention it, indeed!
:headset:

[YesForSure.]

The Ritual; Nous Sommes Du Soleil if my least favourite movement.
That's how I was pulled into the album, but I usually stop the album after The Ancient finishes. I think it's due from so many listens, and I'm just tired of it. I happen to like Steve's slide guitar on The Ancient. I walk around town using my mouth mimicing it like Steve does when he's energetic. I get looks.

[Rhayader]

Maybe the Ancient. Thats not to say i don't like it, i just don't think it's quite as good as the rest of the album. I do quite like the whole primeval feel of the song though. Maybe i'll just put it on the stereo now....

[ThisName]

I have to say, and I may get flammed for this, that my least favourite part is the leaves of green song at the end of the ancient. It just does not fit the overal sound of the album as a whole, perhaps on its own it would be nice, but it is so different that it just turns me off.

[Altres]

The Remembering may be my favourite movement. I had to go with The Ancient, but only because I had to choose one. I still love it. I love it all.

Brian

[Bradders]

There isn't a least fave movement for me, I love it all.........The opening annoys me though......cos I can never remember all the lyrics!!

[luckeydoug1]

I truely love it in its entirety. I still prefer to think of it as one long symphonic work in four movements. That being said, if I were forced to rate each movement, against the other movements on that album, on a scale of one to ten, then here goes:
RSOG: 10
The Remembering: 10
The Ancient: 9.9999
Ritual: 10

How's that for saying I love the entire album and think it is the best thing Yes did in the 70s. I think every movement is a masterpiece but when push come to shove, I will state there is a 10 second or so section of The Ancient that is not quite perfect, hence the 9.9999 rating (which rounds up to a 10!).

[Bradders]

I truely love it in its entirety. I still prefer to think of it as one long symphonic work in four movements. That being said, if I were forced to rate each movement, against the other movements on that album, on a scale of one to ten, then here goes:
RSOG: 10
The Remembering: 10
The Ancient: 9.9999
Ritual: 10

How's that for saying I love the entire album and think it is the best thing Yes did in the 70s. I think every movement is a masterpiece but when push come to shove, I will state there is a 10 second or so section of The Ancient that is not quite perfect, hence the 9.9999 rating (which rounds up to a 10!).

Oh come on Doug, stop sitting on the fence!! ha ha.

[plodder]

Me find a weakness in Tales From Topographic Oceans? That's Umpossible.

[Bryan G]

I just can't vote on this one, Tales is my favorite album of all times.

[Timmo]

I'm odd.

I'm an "inner movements" guy...faves are "The Remembering" and "The Ancient."

Love the whole shootin' match tho.

RSOG is my least favorite, but still killer.

[SadPreacher]

the first thirteen minutes of The Ancient is kind of weird...but that whole acoustical solo and ending is magnificent...my favorite section on any of the four sides...

[Amy]

the first thirteen minutes of The Ancient is kind of weird...but that whole acoustical solo and ending is magnificent...my favorite section on any of the four sides...
I've grown to absolutely LOVE the beginning of The Ancient.
In fact, my son picked up on it instantly. He asked me why I hadn't played it for him sooner!

[RickyG]

Who starts all these "least favorite" and "worst" etc... polls and threads???

It is so absurd.
Are we not here because we love YES?
Because we love music?
Because we love life?

Then let's focus on what we love.
Let's water the garden of light.

Forget about putting our attention on the "least this or that" or the "worst this or that" etc....
it truly serves no good at all.

Let's focus on what we love.
Let's water the garden of light.

[BillGuitar]

I've grown to absolutely LOVE the beginning of The Ancient.
In fact, my son picked up on it instantly. He asked me why I hadn't played it for him sooner!

Amy, I just KNEW there was a reason I liked your brain! :hearts:

Of all of the Tales sections/movements/courses/hors d'oeuvres, The Ancient was the one I kept going back to, again and again. It just spoke to me on some weird-pre-junior-high-school-intuitive-but-lacking-a-Harrod's-tea-cozy-on-my-head (rest)

level.

See what NOT taking drugs does to young minds?
See what taking drugs does to a certain Yes album we're all talking about?

(Oh, fine. Blame it on the wooden cows in the studio, then!)

But TRSOG literally made me leave the room. I'd put that side on, and always leave when it slowed down. So much for enlightenment...

[Amy]

Amy, I just KNEW there was a reason I liked your brain! :hearts:

Of all of the Tales sections/movements/courses/hors d'oeuvres, The Ancient was the one I kept going back to, again and again. It just spoke to me on some weird-pre-junior-high-school-intuitive-but-lacking-a-Harrod's-tea-cozy-on-my-head (rest)

level.

See what NOT taking drugs does to young minds?
See what taking drugs does to a certain Yes album we're all talking about?

(Oh, fine. Blame it on the wooden cows in the studio, then!)

But TRSOG literally made me leave the room. I'd put that side on, and always leave when it slowed down. So much for enlightenment...
:lmao:
My son's doing ok. He lost interest after the first 30 seconds or so and was mostly attracted to the shifting percussion.

I'm not taking drugs and did go from not liking The Ancient at all to loving it as an important piece of the album as a whole.

I would never leave the room for TRSOG!

[RickyG]

But TRSOG literally made me leave the room. I'd put that side on, and always leave when it slowed down. So much for enlightenment...

You'd leave the room during the slow parts of TRSOG, and you still have the nerve to consider yourself a Steve Howe/YES fan?? I am appalled at such blasphemy. :Wow:

[BillGuitar]

You'd leave the room during the slow parts of TRSOG, and you still have the nerve to consider yourself a Steve Howe/YES fan?? I am appalled at such blasphemy. :Wow:

Yep.

Plus, I still like The Ancient more. And as Timmo pointed out, The Ancient was sowing the seeds for Relayer, whereas TRSOG was sowing my need to get out of earshot. The low energy level on Tales just never hit me that much. Blasphemy? To each, his Owner :winknudge

Or maybe I just played TRSOG, TOO much. And it burned me out. And I've gotten over the hanging trees...

[M-Class Planet]

Who starts all these "least favorite" and "worst" etc... polls and threads???

It is so absurd.
Are we not here because we love YES?
Because we love music?
Because we love life?

Then let's focus on what we love.
Let's water the garden of light.

Forget about putting our attention on the "least this or that" or the "worst this or that" etc....
it truly serves no good at all.



Let's focus on what we love.
Let's water the garden of light.


Dude! (Dudette?) watch when you cross the road! you may love the bus, but the bus might hate you and if it does no amount of positive thought will save you!

it's called fun...that's why we have these polls. and that fact that we can shows how interesting Yes music can be!!!!!

[teenyesfan]

Ritual just never really did much for me.

[Shadoshi]

Honestly, I can't stand those filler sections on RTSOG, all they are are just boring string patches with neat guitaring. But even so, it's just boring. But at least the song picks up from those parts very well.

[GoodSamaratan]

Who starts all these "least favorite" and "worst" etc... polls and threads???

It is so absurd.
Are we not here because we love YES?
Because we love music?
Because we love life?

Then let's focus on what we love.
Let's water the garden of light.

Forget about putting our attention on the "least this or that" or the "worst this or that" etc....
it truly serves no good at all.

Let's focus on what we love.
Let's water the garden of light.

RIGHT ON!!!

I'm distraught about this silly poll. What's the point? YES has been unfairly criticized by some in the music industry and the last thing YES needs is for its "fans" to point out the "worst" in them.
I just hope no one from YES is reading this poll. They've had enough grief by having places like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ignoring them and the last thing they need is for their "fans" to criticize their best work.
And then we wonder why YES is hardly producing any music.

[Steve Mahoney]

I Love the whole thing.

Steve

[SonicDeath10]

So we should just blindly and idiotically praise everything they've ever done without reservation, without critical thought? No thanks. I'm a fan this is true, but I'm going to be critical if I think the band deserves it. I think the band would appreciate the honesty, instead of just blindly supporting every note they've ever played. They've done some amazing music. And they've done some bad music. Just like any other band. They know they have, I know they have, you know they have. We're not being negative so much as being honest.

[GoodSamaratan]

So we should just blindly and idiotically praise everything they've ever done without reservation, without critical thought? No thanks. I'm a fan this is true, but I'm going to be critical if I think the band deserves it. I think the band would appreciate the honesty, instead of just blindly supporting every note they've ever played. They've done some amazing music. And they've done some bad music. Just like any other band. They know they have, I know they have, you know they have. We're not being negative so much as being honest.

Excuse me, but can you give me an example of just one "bad music" YES has done?
The only criticism I have of YES is that they should have called themselves CINEMA, as they were planning to do, when they got the services of Trevor Rabin.

[MrZuLu]

For me, the least favorite part of Tales is when it ends and the music stops and I have to either start it over or put something else on...


no vote here

[Bradders]

Nope, still dont have one.

[hailhail]

I am with "Mellotron" on this one

"THE END"

Ricky G you say it best,let us not get into the negative
let us focus on the positive

Love and peace mate

[SonicDeath10]

Excuse me, but can you give me an example of just one "bad music" YES has done?
The only criticism I have of YES is that they should have called themselves CINEMA, as they were planning to do, when they got the services of Trevor Rabin.

The whole of Union is bad to me.

[Rabin105]

I love all of yes :)

[Joe]

I love all of yes :)

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y209/joeykeyz/Music/linkyes.gif

[Timmo]

This thread bumped up.

I am SO in the minority on this one!

[90125yes]

i put up with tales

it is a good record , but not a classic or an epic

remix it , with the instruments better balanced , condense it and it would have been much better and rick would have stayed as well


honesty is the best policy

[relayeire]

about the most I can say is that I prefer the Yesshows version of Ritual to this one...