What with the new intro the TRSOG?

[jcraig]

I can hardly believe the Rick would have done such a long intro to this alreadly long song unless it was to open a concert. I mean it really doesn't do anything to the song but make it longer. Don't get me wrong the song is the best on the album but it takes and long time to get going. Any thoughts?

[PastPresentMover]

I can hardly believe the Rick would have done such a long intro to this alreadly long song unless it was to open a concert. I mean it really doesn't do anything to the song but make it longer. Don't get me wrong the song is the best on the album but it takes and long time to get going. Any thoughts?


J. Craig,

I think the intro pulls the hole collection of movements together....I really enjoy the ocean sounds....I think about the album cover and it's wonder...

[Original_Shifty]

I like the opening, as it make the feel of the album more like life coming out of the oceans.

[Full Tilt Boogie]

Sorry to appear like a peasant: but which 'New Intro' (and from where?) are we talking about? Album? Concert? Live recording? 'Weed'? Ta very much for any info in advance!

On a related note, I've again just listened to the studio recording of TRSOG off Tales, and is isn't a patch on the live version off KTA!! In fact, the band whip it up so good on the live version it reminded me of the kind of form, cohesiveness and sheer enjoyment of playing together they reached and achieved on tracks like Parallels and GFTO!! Indeed, a pleasure to listen to.

The live version of TRSOG is far superior and one to be played over and over as you keep finding much in it that you repeatedly enjoy!! A live performance from the band in kick-arse form!!

[Original_Shifty]

The new Rhino release has the new and improved version of Tales (specifically The Reaviling Science of God)

[Robert Shupe]

The extended version of TRSOG first showed up on the Box set In A Word released by Rhino in 2002. It is track six of disc 2 of this boxset. The whole extended piece clocks in at 22:01. The original clocked in at 20:27 making the new intorduction approximately 1:74. As Original Shifty pointed out it is also on the Rhino reissue of Tales.

My opinions:

The original verison works for two reasons for me. # 1 - Coming in on an immediate vocal at Dawn of light.... is very progressive in nature. Few songs if any other come in with such an intersting intro. The listener is immediately drawn in trying to understand the lyrics. It is just a great intro. # 2 - The immediate vocal conveys the creation aspect of the song very nicely. There is a moment where nothing is there and then something is there or the beginning of that creation is immediately there if you will. This is also very progressive in thinking about creation and putting it to music. There is nothing and then there is something and the vocal abruptness of the original helps convey that idea. There is nothing and no there is something or at least the beginning of something that can be dubbed creation.

Now having said that I like it with the new introduction. It is more comfortable and it to me it prepares the listener a little bit better for the whole piece. Not as progressive in nature as the original but it is an easier transition to the brain and the ears if you will for lack of a better description. There is a sense that something is growing and expanding if you will up to the first thought or actual act of creation and this works and is more smooth to the listener in my opinion. Plus, it gives us more Howe and Wakeman.

Both versions work as presented and once again it comes down to to a personal preference. The work itself remains absolutely brilliant in it's scope and nature. I say the original w/o intro is more progressive but the version with the intro is easier to hear as far as a beginning.

I can't speak for all of the live tours but the intoroduction was part of the North American 2002 tour and what a great presentation of the song that was. It was my first and only opportunity (so far) to experience that piece live.

The liner notes in the In A Word do not discuss the new intorduction and others will have to report if the liner notes in the RHino reissue of Tales talk about the new intro.

Cheers

Robert Shupe

[gathernear]

Personally, I like the extended intro. I also liked the original intro. I wish they would have put a track marker in there so we could choose.
Did anyone notice how the extended intro resembles the 'void' mid-section of Close To The Edge?

Larry

[fragile34]

the opening really sets the tone for the rest of the piece

[jcraig]

Tell me how because I'm not getting it for some reason.
the opening really sets the tone for the rest of the piece

[fragile34]

it's just my opinion, it feels right to me.

[Faceintheplace]

I was saying on the deicious agony chat room just the other day how I like the new intro because instead of being suddenly thrust into the Oceans the new intro lets you slowly wade in.

[fragile34]

good point

[gathernear]

I was saying on the deicious agony chat room how I like the new intro because instead of being suddenly thrust into the Oceans the new intro lets you slowly wade in.

I like that.

[leqin]

Actually if you listen to old live recordings from the 'Tales Tour' then you'll find that the extended intro is what they played live - so it isn't new its old and had CD existed when TFTO was recorded then the extended intro is probably what they would have released in the first place.

[squealy]

Doesn't "Olias of Sunhillow" begin with the same sound effect?

[Mike Watkins]

Actually if you listen to old live recordings from the 'Tales Tour' then you'll find that the extended intro is what they played live - so it isn't new its old .
I'll vouch for that. Heard it live in '74 (boy I'm old) with the long intro. They also played ancient & ritual. Bored my girlfriend to tears- so of course I had to break up with her.

[Timmo]

I'll vouch for that. Heard it live in '74 (boy I'm old) with the long intro. They also played ancient & ritual. Bored my girlfriend to tears- so of course I had to break up with her.You did the right thing, Mike.

That was my first Yesshow, at 12. I loved it, my older brother and most of his friends were like "huh?"

TIM
Venice, CA

[leqin]

I'll vouch for that. Heard it live in '74 (boy I'm old) with the long intro. They also played ancient & ritual. Bored my girlfriend to tears- so of course I had to break up with her.

Thanks Mike for backing me up - my copy of the Mad Squire Gardens concert on 18th February 1974 features the very same intro which Ric begins a good 2 minutes before Jon even steps up to the mike to announce they are going to play 'The Revealing Science of God'. I know they didn't play it at the concert in Liverpool on 30th November 1973, so how and when this extended intro came about I wouldn't even hazard a guess - mind you I would agree that it does sound very much like elements of the begining of 'Olias of Sunhillow'

[tranceofdances]

i do believe that the intro was origionally meant to be there in the 1st place. i don't think it was done for the re-release. personally....when i 1st listened to it, it was like hearing a new song. i mean think about it...."the topographic oceans" it's an ocean effect with steve's whining licks, and ricks synth's. seems to me that it is totally poetic considering the name of the album. i got chills the 1st time, and still do. this album was MEANT to be long...the songs were MEANT to be long. it still amazes me that people who say that they are yes fans would complain about another minute tacked on to a wonderful song. i mean...lol if shorter songs are your thing then stick to later yes, cause tales isn't for you. i think it was an ingenious addition...bravo
jason

[BrianD]

I love the 'new' intro because it sets the tone of the whole work. As others have said, it was really the original intro before it was edited out for the vinyl release in 1974. Why was it edited out? Possibly Revealing was going to be too long for one side of an LP - but I don't think anyone has specifically stated the reason.

[stevepenn]

The intro was part of the original concept. You can hear bits of underneath as the song gets underway in the original release. Putting it back in its entirety, for me, does set up the feel of the concept and I rather like that haunting, anticipatory feeling it produces.

[CybrKhatru]

I'll vouch for that. Heard it live in '74 (boy I'm old) with the long intro. They also played ancient & ritual. Bored my girlfriend to tears- so of course I had to break up with her.

Thanks Mike for backing me up - my copy of the Mad Squire Gardens concert on 18th February 1974 features the very same intro which Ric begins a good 2 minutes before Jon even steps up to the mike to announce they are going to play 'The Revealing Science of God'. I know they didn't play it at the concert in Liverpool on 30th November 1973, so how and when this extended intro came about I wouldn't even hazard a guess - mind you I would agree that it does sound very much like elements of the begining of 'Olias of Sunhillow'

Gentlemen...(and others who are interested) I was surprised to find out that the live "intro" to RSOG on the Tales tour (and on some dates on the Relayer tour too--before "Ritual" in that case) is actually NOT Yes/Rick/Steve...I always wondered what/who it was...and then found out.

It's a piece by Vangelis, called "Creation Du Monde" from his LP from '73 "Les Apocalypse des Animaux"...oddly enough (or maybe it's not so odd!) it sets up the mood for Revealing in the same (or similar) fashion to the "extended" studio version.

Another interesting tidbit....the aforementioned Vangelis piece is actually in a different key than "Revealing"...I guess the band must've sped up the Vangelis tape to match the key!

It really DOES sound like it could be Rick (and maybe Steve) for that live intro...but it's isn't. I promise! :D

Now, of course, this leads me to wonder...did Jon first meet Vangelis before he "auditioned" to be Wakey's replacement in 1974?

---Matt

[leqin]

Gentlemen...(and others who are interested) I was surprised to find out that the live "intro" to RSOG on the Tales tour (and on some dates on the Relayer tour too--before "Ritual" in that case) is actually NOT Yes/Rick/Steve...I always wondered what/who it was...and then found out.

It's a piece by Vangelis, called "Creation Du Monde" from his LP from '73 "Les Apocalypse des Animaux"...oddly enough (or maybe it's not so odd!) it sets up the mood for Revealing in the same (or similar) fashion to the "extended" studio version.

Another interesting tidbit....the aforementioned Vangelis piece is actually in a different key than "Revealing"...I guess the band must've sped up the Vangelis tape to match the key!

It really DOES sound like it could be Rick (and maybe Steve) for that live intro...but it's isn't. I promise! :D

Now, of course, this leads me to wonder...did Jon first meet Vangelis before he "auditioned" to be Wakey's replacement in 1974?

---Matt

Well spotted - its ages since I listened to that album, but I just grabbed a copy off the net and speeded it up until it sounds as near as damn it the same and I reckon its 25% faster - the clincher is that Vangelis' "Creation Du Monde" contains a voice, or a keyboard squeak, very low in the mix, but if you listen very carefully you can hear it at 13.5 seconds from the start of the track and the "Extended intro" that Yes used during the Tales tour in the states features the same voice/squeak in the same place, so it isn't even re-recorded and it is Vangelis original recording speeded up.

[Ralf Eigl]

Can someone tell me if the Rhino release of Tales is worth buying - are the versions of the 4 songs very different? Any really new material on it?
Thanks in advance

[pianozach]

Can someone tell me if the Rhino release of Tales is worth buying - are the versions of the 4 songs very different? Any really new material on it?
Thanks in advance

I have the same question. I love my "original version," but should I shell out the extra money for a two minute intro and a couple of rehearsal recordings?

[brotherofmine]

I have the same question. I love my "original version," but should I shell out the extra money for a two minute intro and a couple of rehearsal recordings?
IMHO No!

[BrianD]

There is no question in my mind about it. The Rhino remaster is fantastic - better quality sound to start with.

The two 'rehearsal' tracks are interesting, particularly The Ancient which has different nuances throughout and in fact I like it better in places to the original.

The packaging is also very good.

Overall a big thumbs up from me! I waited 6 months before I got it - never regretted buying it.

[Faceintheplace]

Personally I think its worth the upgrade. When I finally set about getting Tales on cd, the new Rhino remaster was going for 10 dollars cheaper than the old Atlantic remaster and the two bonus cuts are to me, worth it. I love that faster coda of "Glory to Sons" in the rehersal version of the Revealing and Rick is much more present in the rehersal version of the Ancient.

[leqin]

I have the same question. I love my "original version," but should I shell out the extra money for a two minute intro and a couple of rehearsal recordings?

IMHO Yes

[Earl Grey]

Zach...

They cleaned-up the sound so it doesn't sound like someone was recording it from the next room! Pristine, as it should have been originally.

And you will LOVE the outtakes.

So I say YES heartily, and give a double thumbs-up. I would not lead you astray.

There are some HUGE blunders (An electric guitar for Leaves Of Green? Gimme a break!), and some fantastic suprises (The speed and precision of the band on certain portions of 'RSOG' will amaze you. Far superior backing-tracks than on the actual album... And horrible vocals!

You'll appreciate it, and it's my #1 choice as to the new remasters.

It's history, ya know?

EG:yesbird: