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Thank you for all that you share with us. Please, please check out the YES song "That, That Is"...that last great original YES chart, on the Keys To Ascension project...
@@antoniocarlin5026 ich hab die DVD gerade vor mir , da ist kein Awaken dabei. Ich habe Yes auf der Symphonic Tour live gesehen, da wurde Awaken nicht gespielt. Verbreite bitte keinen Unsinn.
The guitarist did a great job with the arrangement for the choir and orchestra. You have to be a musician to realize how many chords there are in parts of the song. My favorite addition is the chorus. Their voices add so much to the emotional impact of a song that already brings out emotions in me. The last few minutes are so powerful, even Jon Anderson looks like his soul is ascending to a spiritual realm.
Yes makes the strongest case for their music being played and remembered for hundreds of years. It’s not just about the personalities in the band, the music transcends that.
This is the very best version of Awaken, EVER!!! Jon Anderson sings, as always, beautiful. A unique singer and a unique voice, this is a masterpiece. All the musicians outstanding in their performance. Perfekt!!
Jon Anderson is such an endearing musician it’s a blessing that he attracts as much love as he radiates. He always seems like one high note will lift him off the ground and his voice and music are a gift to us all.
I've always regarded The 'little guitar lick' at the end of the recorded version as a refocusing of perception at the end of an epic, emotional journey; bringing the macro back down to the micro. After the majestic, shattering, cosmic awesomeness of the closing section, it's bringing the focus back down to the, intimate, personal, human perspective ('Like the time I ran away, turned around, and you were standing close to me...').
It's art. You're not wrong in your thoughts about it, and if you feel that way then it's not a compositional misstep as Doug thought (and I'd agreed with) To me it was always like being awakened from a dream - that I knew I was in - that I'd have liked to stay in just a minute longer... and more now some time to reconcile the similarity of the world of the song and world around me. Instead: "Wake up.... wake up!"
The guitar lick at the end of the original version is transcendent, perfectly resonating the rest of the of the song. There would be no holistic experience without it.
Tod Mobile also played Supper's Ready with Steve Hackett - same refreshingly rich reinterpretation... Absolutely amazing rendition and Steve's solo at the finale is pure bliss and travels far beyond what he ever did with Genesis... Fun fact: Yes didn't have a church organ in the studio, Wakeman famously phoned his part in from a church elsewhere... We can all be thankful for 70ies audiophile Swiss phone lines 😊
Yeah I think it was in Montreux and Rick actually played it in a cathedral. The location was about 10 miles away from the studio and his part was recorded over a telephone line. Early cutting edge technology.
@@stevenseamus7308 Rick Wakeman is so missed today with Yes, but he has other projects. In the times of recording the reunion of Jon and And Rick, ‘Going for the One’ …Rick had produced in Parallels…A beautiful Instrumental album ‘Criminal Record’ An Album which I hope Doug will soon discover! Another Gem from Rick and Yes band mates in studio!! 👌
@@stevenseamus7308 Ironically, the original mastering of Yessongs sounded as if it had all been phoned in - or transmitted from one coca-cola can to another via a long piece of string. Thank the Lord of Light for remastering, despite some reservations.
@@peterdixon7734 Yeah, I remember being so disappointed by Yessongs. I think I waited a year for it to come and in the intervening 50 years I think I have played it in its entirety about twice.
@@stevenseamus7308 It was fortunate that there was other live material, although some of the bootleg quality could be brutal. I fought in the Bootleg Wars.
This is the most exceptional version of the piece I have ever seen or heard. The final section after the harp motif beginning at 17:35 is extraordinary. I cry every time. Totally moved to tears. And despite it not being Yes it is phenomenal. I have been a Yes fan since 1970. Seen them many times live but for me this is the ultimate culmination of the craft. Prog Rock will never be bettered than in the final crescendos of this stunning rendition from 20:00 onwards. Stupendous. And when the choir soars in at 20:58 it is a sound that would play well for the end of all time. Delighted you have caught up with it, Doug. Oh, and by the way, Yes is Jon Anderson. Without his high register angelic tones it's not really Yes.
Completely agree Steven. An unsurpassed rendition. And as Doug says, mixed by a genius. The fact that it sounds so enormous in places, and then has room to soar still higher is masterful production.
It's such fun to see Jon reacting like a fully absorbed fan to the power of the instrumental section at 20:23 and then turning to listen to the choir. A magical rendition that even blew him away.
Best ever. I agree with Jon. I’ve been listening to this most every day since I first came upon it in 2014. It’s my spiritual reset and listening to it makes me so happy and calm. Thank you for sharing your insights. It was a pleasure to watch it with you tonight from my living room in Connecticut.
I have listened to that song so many times!!! It is a complete vibration raiser!!! I saw yes about 1971 in Florida!! My fav!!! Yes they need to reunite!!!!
This is an astonishing performance of a masterpiece. Both musically and lyrically. Jon's music will be played in hundreds if years time just like the masters are now. He is also has a beautiful soul, a true spritual guide in a chaotic world. No one can match Jon.
I`m proud of myself for getting over to Iceland for just this gig. Goosebumps all over and I have to say that the audience was one of the best behaved I`ve ever seen. This night is something that I never ever forget ❤ Thanks Doug for doing Awaken!
I feel that such a composition like "Awaken" will be played in the decades and centuries to come. Not just by "rock" bands, but by orchestras complete with choirs, as shown here. "Awaken" is as fine an example of musical brilliance as any piece by the Masters that have come before us.
Wow, I had not realised that you had not heard this version, you will love it I’m sure. It also emphasises how Yes’s music can and will be enjoyed long after they have all gone.
I've seen YES perform "Awaken" twice and both times were very moving experiences... the quiet of the audience until they exploded in great appreciation. The only other times I'd experienced it was at the conclusion of "Soon" (3 different concerts) and saw many with tears in their eyes. Beautiful!
Saw Yes in Miami, Union tour. When this song ended, the entire arena was in quiet awe. I've never experienced anything like that at any other concert I've attended
At 16:56 when you said ‘beautiful, I keep saying that’ I said, just wait my friend…the best was yet to come! I have shared this with so many friends who are into Yes and they all agree, this is how Jon originally envisioned it. You can tell by his reaction at the end. He was overjoyed!!
Wow, I never heard this version. Thanks, Doug. I'm glad that this popped up on UA-cam. I LOVE YES. I LOVE JON ANDERSON. I miss Chris and Alan, R.I.P. That band and orchestra did an OUTSTANDING JOB 👏..❤.. JON is SUPER SPECIAL . That choir is SUPERB. Their voices in this song were so WONDERFUL with how beautifully haunting they sounded. Doug, Great job as usual.I appreciate your detailed explanations of each part of every song.
Professor, I know you've said that Awaken hadn't moved you as much as some other Yes pieces. Fair enough. But I urge you to open your heart to the sheer emotion of this performance. Soak in the utter bliss on the faces of the performers, not the least of which, Jon himself. Back in the day, from the moment of Rick's opening piano riff, Yes audiences were transfixed in a way that surpassed belief. In this performance, a generation (or two) later, the reverence with which this piece is treated is unlike anything I've experienced. Jon, himself, is transcendent. It simply doesn't get better than this. And I mean that in it's most grandiose interpretation. In all my years of concert performing and concert attending, this may be the penultimate combination of musical piece and musical performance.
this is one fantastic performance and production of one of Jon's and yes masterpieces. having seen Jon perform this with his Anderson Wakeman Rabin tour was truely inspirational
Mr. Doug... You now understand why I e mailed you so many months ago to watch this. It is by far the best version and IMO what Mr. Anderson envisioned when they wrote this. Makes me cry every single time I hear this glorious piece of music.... Bravo Jon and todmobile...
With Awaken being probably my favorite Yes tune, i was not expecting to like this. The guitar playing was really impressive and the keyboards, orchestra and backup singing made for a surprisingly great performance. Jon was great.
Saw this rendition for the first time several years ago, and immediately ordered the dvd of the concert from Iceland, it’s one of my cherished possessions. Simply love watching it.
This was one of my most fantastic, overwhelming musical experience. I’ve listen to the studio version hundreds of times, loved it, admired it, but this version, with strings and a live choir, beats the original. I bursted out in emotional tears afterwards. What a performance an experience! Thank you Mr D for guiding through it!
I know no-one is going to read this, but I had to.... wrote this 21 years ago.... Awaken My wife and I for our second anniversary, treated ourselves to a wonderfully classy evening of Yes. I’m not a critical reviewer of the show from a technical standpoint (there were a few glitches to fulfill those purists among us), but as I’ve read in so many reviews before, Yes touches a part of us spiritually. Looking around at the audience, and how we’ve all grown old, yet still have the privilege of Yes being on stage, Live in 2002, I can’t help but feel blessed. Apart from the some of the synth sounds, to me, none of the compositions seems locked in time. The dynamics, the tension, the interplay between the band members, the relaxed fun that was going on….there’s just nothing like it in all of music. I am aware and listen to a bit of the current music mainstream, with bands that reach for what Yes was. Tool seems to be the only mainstream band, in the sense that they employ long compositions, a tremendous rhythm section, similar dynamics for emotional effect etc. that I could compare in experience. But Yes, with their gentle, sincere spirit, no matter how sappy by todays cynical standards, is a far more unique, uplifting, complex, fulfilling experience. I feel for kids now, not having the exposure to such wise and positive music. I had the opportunity to turn a friend/musician (he is only 26) on to a band he never would have had the chance to see, by todays’ connections. He is a very talented singer songwriter, who although very accomplished compositionally hasn’t been exposed to such as Yes. He had never heard their music and was blown away. From what he heard, that I sent him, Starship Trooper stood out as a favorite. How great was it that they played that? And it was such a loose, fun version. It was also wonderful to be surrounded by such a knowledgeable community of fans, who show rapt enthusiasm at every nuance. Listen, nothing beats the energy of witnessing the band back in its stadium-filling heyday. That excitement of hearing new material for the first time, head full of whatever supposed mind-expanding drug was available, massive avalanches of crescendo after crescendo. But today, with a much-settled soul, a clear head and comfortable seats, I feel gifted by their music. I saw a couple guys that I went to high school with who told me that they had seen the band successively for 28 years. It was great to see them. I had forgotten what big fans they were. My wife Betty and I had the pleasure of sitting next to an English couple, John and Joyce, who shared stories of shows “over the pond” back in the day. During Awaken I was totally lost in the moment, eyes closed, tears streaming down my face, convinced that as I die and go to Heaven, this would be the soundtrack that I would hear. I felt gloriously numb and I was sober 8 years! I opened my eyes as the last blissful sounds faded, turned to see my Englishman buddy, John, with tears streaming too! Awaken seems to me, and John concurred, to be a sort of an undiscovered gem, which I never realized until the late 90’s! What an unbelievably powerful composition it is. I don’t remember it being the centerpiece of their set back in the late 70’s or 80’s. (I don’t actually remember much of anything from those days) I guess that’s why, at 47, to be able to see Yes in all their glory, fat, bald, gray warts and all, yet as brilliant musically as they ever were is something that I could have never imagined. God’s grace is abundant." Song meaning I found The general feeling I get is one of some sort of transcendent experience, an encounter with God perhaps, as seems to be described by "Master of things. Master of light... Master of soul. Master of time." This surely implies the one who is Master over all things. The last part, "Like the time I ran away/and turned around/and you were standing close to me" could be about man wanting to go his own way, what we Christians would call following the way of sin I guess, but God never leaves us or forsakes us, and wants us to come back to Him. I don't know if this is Anderson's understanding (not sure he's a Christian) but the book alluded to in earlier comments appears to be a Christian allegory. Like many Yes songs, the lyrics capture the feeling of the experience, trying to convey what the music is expressing, rather than necessarily being straightforward and coherent in the conventional sense.
Wow! I made this recommendation to you on your "Going for the One / Awaken" reaction. I am very pleased to hear that others also felt the same way. This IS the best performance of this piece and I am SOOO pleased you are able to experience it. If there is such a thing as "perfect" popular music, this is it in form, build and conclusion. An engulfing experience in headphones can bring one to tears. "Every time I run away, I turn around and you are standing close to me" is a verse that makes one feel comforted and NOT alone no matter how hard one inadvertently tries to run away.
I am wonering how many rehearsals they've made to achieve such an incredible performance! That is really incredible! Thank you for paying attention for this version of immortal piece of art!!
You were depriving yourself but at last you listened to the many people, myself included and listened to this outstanding, inspiring and excellent production. Thanks for listening to us - we can see you got your reward!
Jon Anderson with the todmobile in Iceland was remarkable.........loved your reaction dude, 'beautiful ya'all' ps scoring a goal in a cup final is OK. A few tears are OK too.cuz it's simply beautiful.
For me Yes are the undisputed masters of Progressive Rock, and just like you commented Doug, when I first saw this video I said it was the best possible version of Awaken. The youngsters of today will never understand the beauty of Awaken.
Oh Doug, I am so, so glad you have got to this concert - this is my go to music on UA-cam. Jon is fantastic and I think Todmobile do a fantastic job. That central section with the keyboard player Kjartan Valdemarsson is just awesome.
I love how you put this out the exact day a new YES Album is announced! I love your YES reactions! You should definitely react to "Yours Is No Disgrace" from their 1971 release "The Yes Album". It's the opening track, and also Steve's first song with them.
Hey Doug, glad you listened to me 😂 and others… now you should listen to todmobile with Steve Hackett playing Supper’s Ready (with a new guitar outro), Firth of fifth or Dancing with the moonlit knight. You Will love it 👍
I knew you would love this version Doug, I stumbled on to this a couple of years ago an I agree despite my love of Yes and seeing Awaken life the year they released this, I totally agree this is the best live version of this wonderful track. Tim van der Wart mentioned Todmobile doing a version of Suppers Ready with Steve Hackett which is great but there is also Firth of Fifth out there too equally as good. Many thanks again Doug fo your brilliant channel.
I’m so happy you reviewed this version, Doug! I’ve must’ve watched this video a hundred times & I tear up each & every time! It’s an absolute masterpiece!!
A YES fan for 46 years and this a special moment for the band . Almost heresy to say this is my favourite version the choir and orchestra gives a new fresh and cinematic depth.
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What did they do Doug ? Ship you guys a free mattress ? Ha ha !
Doug
Just watching this again - it is pure heavenly - brings tears to my eyes ❤
Thank you for all that you share with us. Please, please check out the YES song "That, That Is"...that last great original YES chart, on the Keys To Ascension project...
Mind blowing. Everytime I listen to this version, I cry. I rarely use the word masterpiece but today I do.
I can never watch this performance without me crying… This is honestly the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard…
Same...
Y’all are truly touched!!
This is the most magical and beautiful version of this YES masterpiece. Very moving. No one can sing like Jon.
I liked too much and I think is much better....the version Symphonic :)
@@antoniocarlin5026I don’t remember YES doing Awaken on the Symphonic tour
Check it out the DVD
@@antoniocarlin5026 ich hab die DVD gerade vor mir , da ist kein Awaken dabei. Ich habe Yes auf der Symphonic Tour live gesehen, da wurde Awaken nicht gespielt. Verbreite bitte keinen Unsinn.
@@duanesmith1523 The Montreaux Jazz Festival Symphonic Live 2003... this is the dvd that I got
The guitarist did a great job with the arrangement for the choir and orchestra. You have to be a musician to realize how many chords there are in parts of the song.
My favorite addition is the chorus. Their voices add so much to the emotional impact of a song that already brings out emotions in me. The last few minutes are so powerful, even Jon Anderson looks like his soul is ascending to a spiritual realm.
Probably the best song by any band, ever. 😁. For me 😁.
Seen Yes perform this many times. Always blows me away.
Yes makes the strongest case for their music being played and remembered for hundreds of years. It’s not just about the personalities in the band, the music transcends that.
Yes, Awaken will be a masterpiece in 500 years.
This is the very best version of Awaken, EVER!!! Jon Anderson sings, as always, beautiful. A unique singer and a unique voice, this is a masterpiece. All the musicians outstanding in their performance. Perfekt!!
Uh, NO, the studio version was perfect. This version lacks much of that perfection.
Stunning, beautiful, powerful, yet so tender. An amazing performance of a gorgeous song
Jon Anderson is such an endearing musician it’s a blessing that he attracts as much love as he radiates. He always seems like one high note will lift him off the ground and his voice and music are a gift to us all.
Probably the most beautiful piece of rock music even written.
A testament to the extraordinary writing ability of YES. A modern day classic that with last the test of time
This song blows me away every time I listen to it! This is my antidepressant!
I've always regarded The 'little guitar lick' at the end of the recorded version as a refocusing of perception at the end of an epic, emotional journey; bringing the macro back down to the micro. After the majestic, shattering, cosmic awesomeness of the closing section, it's bringing the focus back down to the, intimate, personal, human perspective ('Like the time I ran away, turned around, and you were standing close to me...').
FULLY agree!
Wow, never thought of it like that. Again, 100% agree!
Absolutely true. Feet of clay
It's art. You're not wrong in your thoughts about it, and if you feel that way then it's not a compositional misstep as Doug thought (and I'd agreed with) To me it was always like being awakened from a dream - that I knew I was in - that I'd have liked to stay in just a minute longer... and more now some time to reconcile the similarity of the world of the song and world around me. Instead: "Wake up.... wake up!"
I’ve always thought of the ending guitar lick as Steve’s signature.
Love it❤
The guitar lick at the end of the original version is transcendent, perfectly resonating the rest of the of the song. There would be no holistic experience without it.
Has to be one of the greatest live music videos ever recorded.
Tod Mobile also played Supper's Ready with Steve Hackett - same refreshingly rich reinterpretation... Absolutely amazing rendition and Steve's solo at the finale is pure bliss and travels far beyond what he ever did with Genesis... Fun fact: Yes didn't have a church organ in the studio, Wakeman famously phoned his part in from a church elsewhere... We can all be thankful for 70ies audiophile Swiss phone lines 😊
Yeah I think it was in Montreux and Rick actually played it in a cathedral. The location was about 10 miles away from the studio and his part was recorded over a telephone line. Early cutting edge technology.
@@stevenseamus7308 Rick Wakeman is so missed today with Yes, but he has other projects.
In the times of recording the reunion of Jon and And Rick,
‘Going for the One’ …Rick had produced in Parallels…A beautiful Instrumental album
‘Criminal Record’
An Album which I hope Doug will soon discover!
Another Gem from Rick and Yes band mates in studio!! 👌
@@stevenseamus7308 Ironically, the original mastering of Yessongs sounded as if it had all been phoned in - or transmitted from one coca-cola can to another via a long piece of string. Thank the Lord of Light for remastering, despite some reservations.
@@peterdixon7734 Yeah, I remember being so disappointed by Yessongs. I think I waited a year for it to come and in the intervening 50 years I think I have played it in its entirety about twice.
@@stevenseamus7308 It was fortunate that there was other live material, although some of the bootleg quality could be brutal. I fought in the Bootleg Wars.
What a powerful piece of music. Right up there with any of the classical masterpieces of the past.
The live choir really makes this next level.
This is the most exceptional version of the piece I have ever seen or heard. The final section after the harp motif beginning at 17:35 is extraordinary. I cry every time. Totally moved to tears. And despite it not being Yes it is phenomenal. I have been a Yes fan since 1970. Seen them many times live but for me this is the ultimate culmination of the craft. Prog Rock will never be bettered than in the final crescendos of this stunning rendition from 20:00 onwards. Stupendous. And when the choir soars in at 20:58 it is a sound that would play well for the end of all time. Delighted you have caught up with it, Doug. Oh, and by the way, Yes is Jon Anderson. Without his high register angelic tones it's not really Yes.
Completely agree Steven. An unsurpassed rendition. And as Doug says, mixed by a genius. The fact that it sounds so enormous in places, and then has room to soar still higher is masterful production.
@@latheofheaven1017 Yeah. It's close to perfection rom start to finish. Fantastic mix and production.
Have to agree that it's not really yes without Jon Anderson. This version is absolutely brilliant and that final section is exquisite.
You are not the only one to consistently cry my brother. This is just too beautiful to keep my eyes clear…
but it seems impossible to buy concert so it can be played without ads interrupting. most frustrating!
The whole show with Todmobile deserves a commercial release.
Hands down the best version of that song ever, and as you mentioned Doug, mixed by a genius.
It's such fun to see Jon reacting like a fully absorbed fan to the power of the instrumental section at 20:23 and then turning to listen to the choir. A magical rendition that even blew him away.
Just as you think it’s reached the climax, it steps up again. And then again!!! Absolutely stunning.
I am crying while listening to this amazing piece of music....the voice...the sounds and the composition.....truely magical....so lucky!!
It moved me in the exact same way. Sublime!
My wife understands this music, this version of this beautiful piece, if at all possible shall accompany my outtro to the next life. What a gift!
Best ever. I agree with Jon. I’ve been listening to this most every day since I first came upon it in 2014. It’s my spiritual reset and listening to it makes me so happy and calm. Thank you for sharing your insights. It was a pleasure to watch it with you tonight from my living room in Connecticut.
Amazing version. Awaken is gorgeous 🎆
His voice is ethereal, what a great recording.
I always become inexplicably emotional when listening to any version of “Awaken.” It touches a piece of my heart no other music has.
The man still sounds like an angel. A wonderful version of a wonderful song.
I have listened to that song so many times!!! It is a complete vibration raiser!!! I saw yes about 1971 in Florida!! My fav!!! Yes they need to reunite!!!!
One of the most beautiful pieces ever, done magically with the full orchestra and choir. Great way to end the work week.
This is an astonishing performance of a masterpiece. Both musically and lyrically. Jon's music will be played in hundreds if years time just like the masters are now. He is also has a beautiful soul, a true spritual guide in a chaotic world. No one can match Jon.
Don't forget that this piece was co written by Anderson and Howe, and not only this piece.
Greetings from Russia! Many thanks for watching this Todmobile version of Awaken!!! Incredible!
Yes’s Music with Jon Anderson and Awaken is Eternal!! Beautifully fantastic faithful Performance!! Bravo!!!
I`m proud of myself for getting over to Iceland for just this gig. Goosebumps all over and I have to say that the audience was one of the best behaved I`ve ever seen. This night is something that I never ever forget ❤
Thanks Doug for doing Awaken!
Wow, Meinart! So wonderful you got to see that gig and the most beautiful Country of Iceland! Best to you!
@@bélalugrisi Thanks Bela! As soon as I heard about this gig, I just know I had to go.
This is the best concert I've ever attended!
The music is so beautiful.
Nothing is like music... it's an endless mystery.
This piece is truly meant to be performed with an orchestra & choir for it to reach it's full glory.
The mix is immaculate.
I feel that such a composition like "Awaken" will be played in the decades and centuries to come. Not just by "rock" bands, but by orchestras complete with choirs, as shown here. "Awaken" is as fine an example of musical brilliance as any piece by the Masters that have come before us.
I hope so. So much better than the popular music on the radio I have to listen to at work.
Wow, I had not realised that you had not heard this version, you will love it I’m sure. It also emphasises how Yes’s music can and will be enjoyed long after they have all gone.
I'm an ex front row rugby player and livestock farmer. Like so much Yes/Anderson music this makes me cry! An emotional tour de force.
I've seen YES perform "Awaken" twice and both times were very moving experiences...
the quiet of the audience until they exploded in great appreciation.
The only other times I'd experienced it was at the conclusion of "Soon" (3 different concerts) and saw many with tears in their eyes.
Beautiful!
So awesome that Rick Wakeman could be there for background vocals. 😉
They absolutely crushed this. And yes, so did the person(s) who mixed it.
BEST comment on this video!
This is such a triumphant and transcendent piece of music! This has been one of my all-time favorite songs; not just of Yes but ever!
Saw Yes in Miami, Union tour. When this song ended, the entire arena was in quiet awe. I've never experienced anything like that at any other concert I've attended
Same in Zürich...
At 16:56 when you said ‘beautiful, I keep saying that’ I said, just wait my friend…the best was yet to come! I have shared this with so many friends who are into Yes and they all agree, this is how Jon originally envisioned it. You can tell by his reaction at the end. He was overjoyed!!
the whole concert was extremly amazing !!!
YusufKucuk: You were lucky enough to see this ??
I am very green with envy.
Not really; unfortunately.. saw it in youtube the full concert
This is the best cover of the piece. But, to see it performed with 5 musicians only. With the same thunder of the gods, is something to behold.
Jon Anderson has got better and better with each passing year. His voice on this is so beautiful. So strong.
God, Jon just might sound better now than he ever has. The man is truly blessed, as are we all for having him in our lives.
Curses! The exact same time as my livestream…. I’ll catch it later Doug but hopefully you’ll agree “I told you so!!!”
Jon clearly is the heart and soul of Yes.
Wow, I never heard this version. Thanks, Doug.
I'm glad that this popped up on UA-cam.
I LOVE YES. I LOVE JON ANDERSON.
I miss Chris and Alan, R.I.P.
That band and orchestra did an OUTSTANDING JOB 👏..❤..
JON is SUPER SPECIAL .
That choir is SUPERB. Their voices in this song were so WONDERFUL with how beautifully haunting they sounded.
Doug, Great job as usual.I appreciate your detailed explanations of each part of every song.
Thanks so much for this Doug. Hope you’re going to Jon’s show with the Band Geeks on 4/16. I certainly am! He is a genius.
Professor, I know you've said that Awaken hadn't moved you as much as some other Yes pieces. Fair enough. But I urge you to open your heart to the sheer emotion of this performance.
Soak in the utter bliss on the faces of the performers, not the least of which, Jon himself. Back in the day, from the moment of Rick's opening piano riff, Yes audiences were transfixed in a way that surpassed belief.
In this performance, a generation (or two) later, the reverence with which this piece is treated is unlike anything I've experienced. Jon, himself, is transcendent. It simply doesn't get better than this.
And I mean that in it's most grandiose interpretation. In all my years of concert performing and concert attending, this may be the penultimate combination of musical piece and musical performance.
The classic line-up perform the piece equally amazingly live on Keys To Ascension.
Yep, Doug, you're right. A new Yes Reunion tour would be the nicest farewell way to go.
What a lovely, inspiring and heartfelt thing to say at the end about the band with the hope that they can perform together again.
this is one fantastic performance and production of one of Jon's and yes masterpieces. having seen Jon perform this with his Anderson Wakeman Rabin tour was truely inspirational
Wonderful Wonderful. Summed up beautifully ❤
Mr. Doug...
You now understand why I e mailed you so many months ago to watch this.
It is by far the best version and IMO what Mr. Anderson envisioned when they wrote this.
Makes me cry every single time I hear this glorious piece of music....
Bravo Jon and todmobile...
With Awaken being probably my favorite Yes tune, i was not expecting to like this. The guitar playing was really impressive and the keyboards, orchestra and backup singing made for a surprisingly great performance. Jon was great.
This version is PURE LOVE
You will love it -seriously good and an orchestra and choir in full cry too - turn it up!
It touches my heart to be able to watch someone become a massive Yes fan from scratch!
Saw this rendition for the first time several years ago, and immediately ordered the dvd of the concert from Iceland, it’s one of my cherished possessions. Simply love watching it.
!!!!! Jon Anderson !!!!!!!
I saw “yes” many years ago when they went by the name Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman and Howe. Preformed classic yes style in the round. So great.
This was one of my most fantastic, overwhelming musical experience. I’ve listen to the studio version hundreds of times, loved it, admired it, but this version, with strings and a live choir, beats the original. I bursted out in emotional tears afterwards. What a performance an experience! Thank you Mr D for guiding through it!
I know no-one is going to read this, but I had to.... wrote this 21 years ago.... Awaken
My wife and I for our second anniversary, treated ourselves to a wonderfully classy evening of Yes. I’m not a critical reviewer of the show from a technical standpoint (there were a few glitches to fulfill those purists among us), but as I’ve read in so many reviews before, Yes touches a part of us spiritually. Looking around at the audience, and how we’ve all grown old, yet still have the privilege of Yes being on stage, Live in 2002, I can’t help but feel blessed. Apart from the some of the synth sounds, to me, none of the compositions seems locked in time. The dynamics, the tension, the interplay between the band members, the relaxed fun that was going on….there’s just nothing like it in all of music. I am aware and listen to a bit of the current music mainstream, with bands that reach for what Yes was. Tool seems to be the only mainstream band, in the sense that they employ long compositions, a tremendous rhythm section, similar dynamics for emotional effect etc. that I could compare in experience. But Yes, with their gentle, sincere spirit, no matter how sappy by todays cynical standards, is a far more unique, uplifting, complex, fulfilling experience. I feel for kids now, not having the exposure to such wise and positive music.
I had the opportunity to turn a friend/musician (he is only 26) on to a band he never would have had the chance to see, by todays’ connections. He is a very talented singer songwriter, who although very accomplished compositionally hasn’t been exposed to such as Yes. He had never heard their music and was blown away. From what he heard, that I sent him, Starship Trooper stood out as a favorite. How great was it that they played that? And it was such a loose, fun version. It was also wonderful to be surrounded by such a knowledgeable community of fans, who show rapt enthusiasm at every nuance.
Listen, nothing beats the energy of witnessing the band back in its stadium-filling heyday. That excitement of hearing new material for the first time, head full of whatever supposed mind-expanding drug was available, massive avalanches of crescendo after crescendo. But today, with a much-settled soul, a clear head and comfortable seats, I feel gifted by their music.
I saw a couple guys that I went to high school with who told me that they had seen the band successively for 28 years. It was great to see them. I had forgotten what big fans they were.
My wife Betty and I had the pleasure of sitting next to an English couple, John and Joyce, who shared stories of shows “over the pond” back in the day.
During Awaken I was totally lost in the moment, eyes closed, tears streaming down my face, convinced that as I die and go to Heaven, this would be the soundtrack that I would hear. I felt gloriously numb and I was sober 8 years! I opened my eyes as the last blissful sounds faded, turned to see my Englishman buddy, John, with tears streaming too!
Awaken seems to me, and John concurred, to be a sort of an undiscovered gem, which I never realized until the late 90’s! What an unbelievably powerful composition it is. I don’t remember it being the centerpiece of their set back in the late 70’s or 80’s. (I don’t actually remember much of anything from those days) I guess that’s why, at 47, to be able to see Yes in all their glory, fat, bald, gray warts and all, yet as brilliant musically as they ever were is something that I could have never imagined. God’s grace is abundant."
Song meaning I found
The general feeling I get is one of some sort of transcendent experience, an encounter with God perhaps, as seems to be described by "Master of things. Master of light... Master of soul. Master of time." This surely implies the one who is Master over all things.
The last part, "Like the time I ran away/and turned around/and you were standing close to me" could be about man wanting to go his own way, what we Christians would call following the way of sin I guess, but God never leaves us or forsakes us, and wants us to come back to Him. I don't know if this is Anderson's understanding (not sure he's a Christian) but the book alluded to in earlier comments appears to be a Christian allegory.
Like many Yes songs, the lyrics capture the feeling of the experience, trying to convey what the music is expressing, rather than necessarily being straightforward and coherent in the conventional sense.
Wow! I made this recommendation to you on your "Going for the One / Awaken" reaction. I am very pleased to hear that others also felt the same way. This IS the best performance of this piece and I am SOOO pleased you are able to experience it. If there is such a thing as "perfect" popular music, this is it in form, build and conclusion. An engulfing experience in headphones can bring one to tears. "Every time I run away, I turn around and you are standing close to me" is a verse that makes one feel comforted and NOT alone no matter how hard one inadvertently tries to run away.
^This
I cry EVERY time! God is good!
I am wonering how many rehearsals they've made to achieve such an incredible performance! That is really incredible! Thank you for paying attention for this version of immortal piece of art!!
awaken is top the track plays by itself since 1977
The definitive live version of Awaken.
You were depriving yourself but at last you listened to the many people, myself included and listened to this outstanding, inspiring and excellent production. Thanks for listening to us - we can see you got your reward!
Glorious!❤❤❤❤
I work with Jon and I know this is his favorite version
As a fan, I can say that this is my second best version. Gothenburg 11/12/77 was my first Yes gig but this one is on "another level".
Jon Anderson with the todmobile in Iceland was remarkable.........loved your reaction dude, 'beautiful ya'all' ps scoring a goal in a cup final is OK. A few tears are OK too.cuz it's simply beautiful.
Wow 1.000 times! Thanks, God! 🙏🏻
I watch this once a month or so. It's unbelievable and better than YES did live, even when they did it with an orchestra. To die for really.
For me Yes are the undisputed masters of Progressive Rock, and just like you commented Doug, when I first saw this video I said it was the best possible version of Awaken. The youngsters of today will never understand the beauty of Awaken.
Oh Doug, I am so, so glad you have got to this concert - this is my go to music on UA-cam. Jon is fantastic and I think Todmobile do a fantastic job. That central section with the keyboard player Kjartan Valdemarsson is just awesome.
This is an absolute classic and this version is stunning.
You described it perfectly. Wonder ful. Awesome, Glorious. That is exactly the response this performance elicits. Basking in glory, in awe and wonder.
Always loved the line, Where can I be? How can four simple words convey such meaning.
I love how you put this out the exact day a new YES Album is announced! I love your YES reactions! You should definitely react to "Yours Is No Disgrace" from their 1971 release "The Yes Album". It's the opening track, and also Steve's first song with them.
Hey Doug, glad you listened to me 😂 and others… now you should listen to todmobile with Steve Hackett playing Supper’s Ready (with a new guitar outro), Firth of fifth or Dancing with the moonlit knight. You Will love it 👍
So glad you got to this - it is the most amazing version, so ‘grand’ and Jon’s voice flies as always. Makes me emotional every time. Thanks.
Awaken + Orchestra = Sublime
This version of this song...as with many songs sung by this wonderful human, ..gives me hope for humanity...
I knew you would love this version Doug, I stumbled on to this a couple of years ago an I agree despite my love of Yes and seeing Awaken life the year they released this, I totally agree this is the best live version of this wonderful track. Tim van der Wart mentioned Todmobile doing a version of Suppers Ready with Steve Hackett which is great but there is also Firth of Fifth out there too equally as good. Many thanks again Doug fo your brilliant channel.
I've been to Iceland a couple of times. I can only imagine how magical watching Jon in concert there would be!
This version has drawn tears from other YT reactions. A more beautiful performance I've yet to hear. It doesn't get old.
I’m so happy you reviewed this version, Doug! I’ve must’ve watched this video a hundred times & I tear up each & every time! It’s an absolute masterpiece!!
This is my favorite piece of music, of any genre. This performance of it is the best I've ever seen. I'm glad you got to experience it as well :)
Thanks!
Thank you so much, truly appreciate your support!
A YES fan for 46 years and this a special moment for the band . Almost heresy to say this is my favourite version the choir and orchestra gives a new fresh and cinematic depth.
Such a beautiful song. I shed tears.