My first Yes concert, mid 70’s, Jon, dressed all in white, sat and played the harp. A white beam of light shone on him surrounded by darkness. I fell in love that night…with Jon, with Yes, with the incredible beautiful feeling we all got. It truly changed my life!! Not kidding. Yes is the only band that does that for me. I love many other bands, but not like I love Yes. ☮️❤️
I'm 100% with you, Nancy. Since first being introduced to YES in 1972, they have been my favorite band, and mind you, I've been so lucky to see most of the greats in concert. There's just something about how transcendent YES' music is...especially Jon Anderson. What a gifted voice and inspiring presence. I know he's a flawed human like all of us, but on that stage, he's as close to being an angel as you can get.
Just amazing how well they were able to faithfully reproduce all the parts heard on the original 1977 album . Plus the choir adds another dimension....and Jon Anderson's voice does still sound as good as it did 36 years earlier when they recorded it...loved it....
I pray that future generations will somehow be able to play this music with whatever Mad Max technology is available. It helps me recover from so much of life's frustrations, not just by reminding me of the beauty that's available sometime, somewhere (along the lines of Andain's tragic "Beautiful Things"), but directly experiencing it NOW, when it can do me some good.
I stumbled across this some time last year and was blown away. It was truly a labor of love for Todmobile to arrange it for orchestra and choir, and the results are truly epic. I loved that Lex said they honored Jon and Yes, because it's true. The music of Yes stands the test of time and, hopefully, will be enjoyed by future generations.
Thank you for taking the time to love YES like we’ve been loving them for over 50 years, I’ve seen YES about 15 times and they were the most gracious people. I’ve watched Awaken by Jon & Todmobile over 10 times & every time I’m still blown away at how great it is. Thanks again
As a lifelong Yes fan, I get so much joy out of seeing reactors like yourselves getting into the music that I’ve loved for so long. I have seen this performance before, and it is such a beautiful homage to the original that I cannot criticize it in any way. Of course we would always want to see the original members performing it, but if it is going to be covered I can’t imagine it being any better, especially with Jon at the front.
I think it may just have been 'covered' better. See Jon and The Band Geeks' version from April 14 2023. Their keyboard players play All of Wakeman's notes.
@@neilbesley2652 Wow, I can’t believe that didn’t pop up in my feed already. I already have the Geek’s full CTTE album video downloaded. Thanks for the heads up!
Life long Yes fan here. (Well, only since 1971.) Awaken has been my favourite Yes song since 1978, replacing Close to the Edge. This version of Awaken has been my favourite recording of the song since it was first on UA-cam. So I have listened to it many, many times since 2015. It never grows old. Goosebumps and leaky eyes every time. For 45 years. The only thing that came close was hearing this song at Yes concerts with the classic lineup, which will never happen again, sadly. I believe that some members of Abba were the backup singers stage right, but I can't find confirmation. Todmobile's cover of Supper's Ready with Steve Hackett is worth watching too. Thanks for sharing this profoundly spiritual experience with a new audience. I have musician friends that I met through our shared love for Yes. Some have formed tribute bands - Shine Delirious on the California coast and Total Mass Retain on the east coast. All younger than me. I have no doubt that this music will outlive me.
Yes had been inactive for a while after some brilliant albums which were all superb. Then along came "Going for the One" and loved the album, enjoying every song. Then the last track was "Awaken". Wow, it blew me away. I saw the Yes live version in Melbourne, Australia in September 2007 and it was absolutely fantastic. A real show stopper that had the audience in raptures that the applause continued for over 5 minutes. As a pure Yes fan, just loved everything they did and this concert was just fantastic. Awaken is a brilliant song and Jon Anderson is the greatest voice in the world.
“Awaken” is Yes’s most epic, fully realized, clamactic, symphonic work. A true masterpiece. I still consider “Close to the Edge” their best album, followed closely by “Relayer,” but the work “Awaken” stands apart, peerless. Nothing even vaguely approaching its magnificence was to follow.
David, 100% with you. CTTE and Relayer the two go to albums (but not the only ones!) But Awaken is the standalone pinnacle. And, dare I say, this may be the best version albeit not Yes?
@@ednewton4455 YES you can say it and although live and cranked it's hard to beat Wakeman's and Squires low end. This is an increddible stand alone version for the ages. Tod did an absolutely amazing arangement that nailed every nuance.
When I first heard this performance, I reacted EXACTLY as you have. I was BLOWN away! I love this FAR more than the original version. This is PERFECTION! You will love this performance more and more with each listening. Just wonderful!
Yeah you know John Anderson picture this in an orchestra when he wrote this song. You can tell in his voice and his actions after the song that he really loved it and he loved that performance. I imagine the way they performed it was like what he was hearing in his mind all along, even when he was with yes.
Please, from the same concert, listen to Jon sing his song “State of Independence.” And, from the guy who asked you to listen to the original, I’m SO happy you got around to this version as well! Bravo, Bravo, Bravo. And, yeas, Ive watched it many times. Never ever gets old
I saw 3 men reactors cry on watching this performance. Now can you imagine seeing them ....experiencing YES playing this song in 4 concerts that I seen them in............🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗
Seen this version a number of times. It is majestical and tops even Yes live versions which I have seen in concert a few times. I saw ARW ( Anderson Rabin and Wakeman ) perform it twice fairly recently and it brought me to tears as I thought I’d never see it live again performed by Jon. I’m so glad Todmobile put this together and Jon got so much pleasure from it. I’d recommend State Of Independence from the same concert.
I had sought out the video of this performance based on a comment in your first listen of Awaken- I will am so grateful for that person and this experience. Yes and Jon Anderson were touchstones for me in my teens ( I am now 62). This brings tears of joy each time I listen. So very moving...thanks again!
This is the most beautiful piece of music I have ever heard. Perfection. Seeing it here with the reactions is my favorite version of this performance. The fullness of sound. Just wow!
You two are the best reactors (at least for Yes) that I've come across, and I've seen a lot. Became mesmerized at age 15 when "Roundabout" was first released in 1971, and even sang with a Yes tribute band at one point. Your musical acumen and enthusiasm for this cosmic phenomenon (Yes music) is appreciated.
I've seen this so many times. I was 16 years old when I became a Yes fan in 1976. I couldn't begin to count how many times I've seen them live, most recently for their 50th year anniversary tour with my 19-year-old daughter. This is her favorite Yes song. She was listening to it the first time she ever saw the ocean from a beach in Hawaii. Just wow.
'Awaken' remains my fav Yes peice. This rendition is worth the review, not as a copy, but as a different interpretation of the song. The orchestra instruments add a calm that isn't there in the electronica Yes originally put into the work. The choral support is, I dare say, an improvement over Squire's and Howe's vocals (and I love their vocals too). Todmobile is made of different talents and souls as Yes, but they also aren't without their personal flare. Thanks again N&L.
Absolutely magnificent! In Awaken Yes conquered Everest, & Jon being the wonderful collaborator that he is never tires of sharing his & Yes's many musical gems further inspiring & enriching the careers of other musicians of all ages. What a gift Jon, Yes & their music has been to mankind, we are all truly blessed.
Ahh Yesss! This collaboration produced a gorgeous rendition of a cherished prog masterpiece. In this video; the Icelandic band Todmobile, would be the guitarist, drummer, keys, bass, & the singers on the side of the stage. (Have no idea how to pronounce their names). Backed by the Iceland Symphony Orchestra and Choir. I agree, Jon Anderson possesses one of the most unique voices in modern music. I believe you have many YES, and 70’s era prog fans in general on your channel. (See how fast the comments pile up). I can relate when watching you both get goosebumps, listening to the music I grew up on and still love to this day. Seeing YES live in concert, AWR, or Jon solo over the years, always memorable. I noticed you are posting more live concert videos lately. Good choice, as that should give you a window into what we experienced back in the day. Despite the challenges of evolving technology, this talent laden genre delivered live performances that often eclipsed the studio recorded versions.
Just remember that it is so much easier for tribute bands to repruduce the original sound than to be the band band that originated the song...basically copying the original which is not hard to do if you can read music!
@@dwightphelps5096 Of course, very true, given that these are classically trained musicians here. Jon is currently touring with the "Band Geeks" preforming classic Yestunes. I also love seeing the tribute band "Musical Box" for Gabriel era Genesis. The creativity of the many original seventies era prog bands was unbelievable, given they were mostly in their early twenties. What a great time discovering this music, and of course getting to see the bands live.
I've said this before, but I feel blessed to be in a time when one can see and hear a Jon Anderson. This production is superb and I think that when God hears something like this, he says to himself, " this is what I expected of you" Incredible! 👍👍👍
I am so happy you got to this version of Awaken it is magnificent are true pleasure for the ears and eyes. The coordination and mixing with the full orchestra was perfect and it was great to Jon really enjoying himself as was everyone else a real labor of love. Yes I have have seen this version many times but it always picks you up and lifts you to a different place like the studio version. On another occasion I replied to a post from the Bassist in Todmobile, Eidur Arnarsson. Here are those postings. You may find them interesting as they give some detail about how they managed to pull off such a really great performance. Cheers, thank you, great reaction and enjoy! From Eidur Arnarsson: I am immensely proud of our live performance of Awaken with Jon and orchestra/choir and freely admit that I watch this video a few times each year to re-live the magic. But I am equally proud of our performance of Supper's Ready with Steve Hackett and orchestra/choir. Jim, maybe you should also do a reaction video of that? Greetings, Eidur, Todmobile's bass player. My Reply: Many thanks for such a wonderful performance. This is truly a great song and is so uplifting. Wondering if also has that uplifting positive impact on the performers too? Also how long did it take to get such a large groups of musicians to be able to play Awaken at this standard? We could see from Jon's reaction that he was thrilled that everyone played so well. From Eidur Arnarsson: I'm pretty sure all the performers were quite mesmerized :-) Todmobile was at this time a 9 piece band. Two drummers, bass, guitar, keys and 2 lead vocalists and 2 background vocalists. You can see all the 4 vocalists stage left (not in the choir). The Todmobile band rehearsed a lot for this show but Awaken was certainly the trickiest of all the songs we performed with Jon. We probably rehearsed 2-3 times a week for 3-4 weeks for the 6 or 7 YES and Jon solo songs. Tod, our guitarist, did all the arrangements for the orchestra and choir but Todmobile members just mostly learned their parts by ear as we did not want to read the music on stage. I think Jon came to Iceland 3 days before the show and we rehearsed with him a couple of times and that's when the choir and orchestra was also added. The choir had rehearsed on their own before but the orchestra just sat at down at the first full rehearsal and read/played Tod's arrangement who, by the way, is quite the musical genius.
Hey guys! Thank you for this great reaction! Been a YES/Jon Anderson fan since early/mid 70's, been to many, many YES & Jon solo concerts. In my opinion, this is the best performance of Awaken I've ever seen or heard. I have watched it several times since it was made available.They rehearsed 2-3 times a week for 3-4 weeks. Jon came 3-4 days before the show to rehearse. with them, that's when the orchestra and choir were added. And just a heads up, Jon is going on tour with The School of Rock, under the direction of Paul Green. We will see the show in Atlanta in a couple of weeks. And you're right, Jon is very grateful of the musicians here and he is grateful and appreciative of his fans, too. Such a kind soul. Thank you again!!~~Zack
When such an orchestra comes together, you know that the music has to be special. But, it's much more than just a song. It is a celebration of the music, as well as a communion of the hearts and minds that are moved by it. To be a member of this live audience would have been nothing short of a spiritual experience. Indeed, you are Awaken. Great reaction and more Yes please!
I was lucky to be there. As a long time Todmobile fan I definitely got a ticket to see them. Having Jon Anderson was not only a major bonus but what an experience. The best concert I've ever attended. Jon sang like 5 songs with Todmobile, you can find the whole concert here on UA-cam :)
So hearing Yes’s Awaken being played by an orchestra only takes this song to another level. Jon has sang with School of Rock as well. I’ve seen them in a very small venue & those kids are amazing! Thrilling to see young people digging this music & Learning it! Seen Yes play Awaken live quite a few times! My Favorite! Gives me a high for days! So many amazing memories!❤️
Oh my goodness. Now you've done it. Good news first - you've just heard the best song EVER! As I ran and told my wife after I heard it for the first time, I believe the angels are jealous of this music. Heavenly doesn't do it justice. Bad news - it's all downhill from here. Back to the good news - you can listen to it again anytime you want!
Any time I’m with someone hearing this performance for the first time, I'm compelled to point out that this was five years after Jon was fired from Yes because he was really sick with respiratory issues and "losing his voice". Right.😂 This entire concert used to be available on DVD if you can still find it, but I know there is at least one other segment from this show on YT that you should catch. There's also video from Earth Day 2013 with a group from UMass performing Olias Of Sunhillow (complete) live, but without Jon on vocals. It's a nice take on the material, but doesn't compare to this. Glad you finally got to experience Todmobile!♥️😃
Yes, the truth is Jon spent 4 years after the very successful 2004 tour telling the other guys he would tour and then changing his mind to do his own thing. The other guys were ready to get right back out there, and fans like me were looking forward to see them (I saw them 5 times in 2004), and when Jon's illness canceled tour plans once again, Chris, Steve, and Alan decided to go on without him. I'm surprised they waited that long, honestly. These were musicians who spent their whole lives out on the road playing music. - Vic Weatherford
I've probably already commented on this performance too many times but this is the piece of music I would like played at any memorial service I might be honoured enough to have when I'm gone. To 'awaken' has been the most meaningful journey that I - or anyone - could go on in this short and beautiful life. To see Jon throwing balls of celestial sound-fire at the end of this piece makes me cry with happiness, with gratitude for that high-pitched, quirky lovely man with his odd, mystical lyrics, Toddmobile and especially the guitar player (who had to don the frenzied, manic musical cloak of Steve Howe for this performance) was sublime. This piece of music is beyond compare - and yet it is the love and respect and homage paid by this whole orchestra to Jon, and of the whole orchestra AND Jon to the marvel of the unknowable universe and all its wondrous stories that touches me so much.
This is the best live version out there. Although it's a treat to see Yes play "Awaken" live in person, all of the recorded live versions by the band do not measure up to the studio version. The main reason is that they ritard the climax at the end when the reason it's so powerful on the studio version is because they play it in time. Yes tries to make it bigger by slowing it down, but it only makes it less effective. The Todmobile guys play it in time and it's so much more powerful that way. You can tell how enthused they are with their high energy performance, too. Best live version!
Having an actual choir live on this performance (like there was on the original studio version), really enhances the effect the song has on emotions. AND.... Jon sounds FANTASTIC!!!!
I've been listening to this performance for several years. It still brings tears and chills. I can't tell you how good it makes me feel to see you two genuinely enjoying Yes and Jon. It reminds me of how I responded when I first heard this music in the 70s. Nick, while you're listening I can see the look on your face of being surprised and a little bit awed by the music. Lex, I love seeing your sincere admiration. Also, I've said it before, Your SMILE LIGHTS UP THE ROOM. I enjoy watching you two experience YES music together. Thanks.
I saw Jon Anderson live in 2019 and he still sounds excellent. A cool Yes show that you should watch is 'Yes Acoustic' from 2004. It was a PPV TV special that is all acoustic. It's on YT, the whole show is about 38 minutes. Edited to add: I have seen this performance before.
One of the greatest compositions of rock music made even greater by this performance. I was really blown away when i heared this the first time 2 years ago.
I've seen this come up from several reactors, but I watched it first with You Two. What a Mind Blowing Adaptation of what the Genius of 5 Guys accomplished long ago. Yes never ages, because They were so ahead of Their time, we have yet to catch up.
Thank you guys for viewing this song , sounded amazing ,could you believe this song awaken was put down so long ago and I have listened to it a thousand times and still get moved every time ,it’s just got everything.
Wow, so much anticipation for your reaction to this. It is a great example of how the music of Yes will transcend the band and be played for 100s of years however they will struggle to find a vocalist to deliver like Jon
Well. That's my gast well and truly flabberred. For a band that isn't 'Yes' or otherwise made of 'Yes' musicians, this was a truly epic rendition!! And Jon's voice - so uniquely perfect! 😍🎼👍❤ Think maybe having him singing and playing with them lifted them for sure. And yet also such a unique take with the orchestra and backing vocals. Absolutely love this version - thanks so much for reacting to it otherwise I doubt I would have ever seen it! ❤👍
Try the Yes Symphonic versions of Gates of Delirium and Ritual from 2001. Yes at their best. Performance unbelievable. Sound amazing. Visual quality top class. Doesn't get any better. Not to be missed. These you have to do to believe. Can't recommend enough.
I've had the luck to attend one of those shows, it was in Milan... totally agree with you: Yes were at their absolute best those days... I was concerned about Rick Wakeman absence, but Tom Brislin rocked the keyboards like a true hero. Best concert I've ever been to!
You mean YES not at their best. Although beyond a miracle and awesome you can't say Yes at their best. 2001 The Gates of Delirium and Ritual is 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000th of the 1974 - 1976 live versions.
@@yesshows100 - I disagree. That concert is incredible, they sound great, the arrangements are beautiful and don’t overpower the band. “Starship Trooper” and “And You and I” are amazing. Alan White is amazing throughout. Just make sure you don’t watch the videos with the animations so you can see the band.
That's totally new to me, but amazing. My memory of the original is of listening to it over and over as a teenager, and then going on a school coach trip to visit an art gallery, and the art teacher put it on the cassette player on the coach (thinking it waa what the youth of 1978 liked) and there was me and one other kid loving it, and everyone else on the coach was grumbling and asking for the Sex Pistols and the Stranglers.
I loved watching Lex smile through the whole song. That’s the same feeling I get whenever I hear Jon’s voice. I heard he will be touring soon with Todmobile.
Just Saturday, I enjoyed your reaction to the studio version. I was blown away and in fact have played it multiple times since. Pure perfection to say the least. And this? OMG it was beyond words. I cannot believe his voice still sounds so perfect after all these years.
Such a magical song, and such a beautiful situation where you both as a couple can appreciate great music together and agree on its greatness. Nice to see, and not easy to attain.
a terrific version with the orchestra and choir and jons voice was perfect...watch them live at glastonberry in 2003 they do awaken there and they bring the house down along with other clasic yes songs....by far the best YES line up ever...saw them twice on this 2003 tour in liverpool and next night in edinburgh UK as well as at glasto.best year of my life as a YES fan of 50 years and have shed many tears listening to them over the decades. spence from aberdeen uk..
I've never heard this live version of 'Awaken' by Icelandic Todmobile before, but I have to say that it's the best version ever. And the voice of Jon Anderson is amazingly good on this live concert. T hank you very much for a really professional back up by Todmobile.
My first Yes concert was in Washington D.C. at RFK stadium June 13, 1976. It was a all day concert & the line-up was Pousette-Dart Band, Gary Wright, Peter Frampton, & the head-liner was YES. I was pressed up against the stage near the giant speakers, my ears were ringing for nearly a week after that. I have been to 20 Yes concerts through the years, different cities. Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Camden N.J., & Largo Md. Each unique & memorable, different configurations of band members, they are the soundtrack of my life. I am nearly Jon's age, in a way we got old together. I wonder which of us will go first, I hope it's me because a remaining life without new songs from him would be cruel. BTW, did you get goosebumps like I do every time I listen to this?
Todmobile are from Iceland, and all this taking place in a country with population less than half million is mind-blowing. The full concert is 1 hour & a half long, They're doing also Heart of the Sunrise and Roundabout, and their own songs when the lady in white and bearded wiking from backing vocals go solo and it's terryfyingly awesome.
Listen to Todmobile with Steve Hackett on "Dancing with the moonlit knight" or "Firth of fifth" of, in my opinion, Genesis' masterpiece the album "Selling England by the pound" Saludos
Yes, fantastic as well. Not to be missed is also Steve Hackett's and Todmobile's performance of Supper's Ready. You can see the joy in Steve's face as they perform.
I'm so glad you young people are appreciate the golden age of prog. I got to see yes perform Awaken in the reunion concert in 1991. It was as many people that night said, a religious experience. Savor!
I'm at work, so I'll have to wait to view this. But I can not wait! This is my favorite recorded live performance of Awaken, including those I've seen of the classic Yes line up doing it. Anderson is in fantastic voice, especially considering his age when this was done. I only have one teeny nitpick about this performance, and that's the lack of the final guitar lick Steve Howe plays at the end. But otherwise, this is perfection.
I noticed that, too! I have heard others complain about that last lick, as if it were completely redundant and not adding anything. I disagree. It gently puts you back down, along with the fading keyboard sounds, after that rousing final section.
I always considered that final guitar lick is a reference marker to the beginning of the studio album and also helps bring back to Earth after such an uplifting journey spaced out with headphones on. However, in concert the song is in isolation from the studio album and with all those people around you are soon restored to a near normal state. So it works both ways.
My first Yes concert, mid 70’s, Jon, dressed all in white, sat and played the harp. A white beam of light shone on him surrounded by darkness. I fell in love that night…with Jon, with Yes, with the incredible beautiful feeling we all got. It truly changed my life!! Not kidding. Yes is the only band that does that for me. I love many other bands, but not like I love Yes. ☮️❤️
I'm 100% with you, Nancy. Since first being introduced to YES in 1972, they have been my favorite band, and mind you, I've been so lucky to see most of the greats in concert. There's just something about how transcendent YES' music is...especially Jon Anderson. What a gifted voice and inspiring presence. I know he's a flawed human like all of us, but on that stage, he's as close to being an angel as you can get.
Just amazing how well they were able to faithfully reproduce all the parts heard on the original 1977 album . Plus the choir adds another dimension....and Jon Anderson's voice does still sound as good as it did 36 years earlier when they recorded it...loved it....
This performance with all these immensely talented and faithful musicians supporting Jon, shows why this music will live on for centuries.
I pray that future generations will somehow be able to play this music with whatever Mad Max technology is available. It helps me recover from so much of life's frustrations, not just by reminding me of the beauty that's available sometime, somewhere (along the lines of Andain's tragic "Beautiful Things"), but directly experiencing it NOW, when it can do me some good.
Been listening and admiring this band for 50 + years now - never equalled, never surpassed.
Ladies and gentlemen Jon Anderson the voice of the Heavens. Superb arrangement and score almost as good as the original.
I stumbled across this some time last year and was blown away. It was truly a labor of love for Todmobile to arrange it for orchestra and choir, and the results are truly epic. I loved that Lex said they honored Jon and Yes, because it's true. The music of Yes stands the test of time and, hopefully, will be enjoyed by future generations.
Thank you for taking the time to love YES like we’ve been loving them for over 50 years, I’ve seen YES about 15 times and they were the most gracious people. I’ve watched Awaken by Jon & Todmobile over 10 times & every time I’m still blown away at how great it is. Thanks again
As a lifelong Yes fan, I get so much joy out of seeing reactors like yourselves getting into the music that I’ve loved for so long. I have seen this performance before, and it is such a beautiful homage to the original that I cannot criticize it in any way. Of course we would always want to see the original members performing it, but if it is going to be covered I can’t imagine it being any better, especially with Jon at the front.
Reactors and (Relayers) !
I think it may just have been 'covered' better. See Jon and The Band Geeks' version from April 14 2023. Their keyboard players play All of Wakeman's notes.
@@neilbesley2652 Wow, I can’t believe that didn’t pop up in my feed already. I already have the Geek’s full CTTE album video downloaded. Thanks for the heads up!
Such a fantastic video and reaction. It shows 40-50 musicians playing a song created by five guys back in 1977…..
Not the first time I've seen and heard this but it still brings tears to my eyes. Crazy good.
Every time
every time
If you liked this, I think you will also like Steve Hackett and Todmobile doing "Supper's Ready"! 😎
Yes, outstanding version.
Oh, yes! That one is absolutely insane as well. I was over the moon when a came across that on UA-cam. Definitely a must and great stuff to react to.
Yes, do that. I haven't seen it, I will react with you...
Have you ever heard of Squackett?
@@davep8221 yes, the collab album between Steve Hackett and Chris Squire! Excellent work!
Best live performance of any song ever.
Life long Yes fan here. (Well, only since 1971.) Awaken has been my favourite Yes song since 1978, replacing Close to the Edge. This version of Awaken has been my favourite recording of the song since it was first on UA-cam. So I have listened to it many, many times since 2015. It never grows old. Goosebumps and leaky eyes every time. For 45 years. The only thing that came close was hearing this song at Yes concerts with the classic lineup, which will never happen again, sadly.
I believe that some members of Abba were the backup singers stage right, but I can't find confirmation. Todmobile's cover of Supper's Ready with Steve Hackett is worth watching too. Thanks for sharing this profoundly spiritual experience with a new audience.
I have musician friends that I met through our shared love for Yes. Some have formed tribute bands - Shine Delirious on the California coast and Total Mass Retain on the east coast. All younger than me. I have no doubt that this music will outlive me.
They also did Heart of the Sunrise, Roundabout and State of Independence with Jon. Look for it!
Todmobile is Icelandic popp/Rock Prog band Created 1988 and still playing. This performans is from Iceland.
Yes had been inactive for a while after some brilliant albums which were all superb. Then along came "Going for the One" and loved the album, enjoying every song. Then the last track was "Awaken". Wow, it blew me away. I saw the Yes live version in Melbourne, Australia in September 2007 and it was absolutely fantastic. A real show stopper that had the audience in raptures that the applause continued for over 5 minutes. As a pure Yes fan, just loved everything they did and this concert was just fantastic. Awaken is a brilliant song and Jon Anderson is the greatest voice in the world.
“Awaken” is Yes’s most epic, fully realized, clamactic, symphonic work. A true masterpiece. I still consider “Close to the Edge” their best album, followed closely by “Relayer,” but the work “Awaken” stands apart, peerless. Nothing even vaguely approaching its magnificence was to follow.
I believe it is a Remembering And You and I combo. Absolutely magnificent
Absolutely. It stands alone and will stand with all the great immortal music. For me it’s as if Jon’s mind and God’s mind joined to produce this gift.
Yes...David. totally agree 👍
David, 100% with you. CTTE and Relayer the two go to albums (but not the only ones!) But Awaken is the standalone pinnacle.
And, dare I say, this may be the best version albeit not Yes?
@@ednewton4455 YES you can say it and although live and cranked it's hard to beat Wakeman's and Squires low end. This is an increddible stand alone version for the ages. Tod did an absolutely amazing arangement that nailed every nuance.
I'm old dude. As a fan who's seen Yes on numerous occasions when the group was young, this is a beautiful rendition that is a tribute to the music.
When I first heard this performance, I reacted EXACTLY as you have. I was BLOWN away! I love this FAR more than the original version. This is PERFECTION! You will love this performance more and more with each listening. Just wonderful!
Never seen this version of Awaken live and I am a huge Yes fan. This was a fantastic version of Awaken. Thanks so much.
Awaken wasn’t in YESSONGS guys. It was released in 1977 on Going For The One.
You're right. And it's still epic.
Have a listen to close to the edge album and fragile 👍
it was on YESSHOWS released around 1980
@@bazonics No! Parallels and Wonderous Stories are on Yesshows. Now The Gates Of Delirium is on that album.
@@shyshift Yes, just checked and you're right. My bad.
Yeah you know John Anderson picture this in an orchestra when he wrote this song. You can tell in his voice and his actions after the song that he really loved it and he loved that performance. I imagine the way they performed it was like what he was hearing in his mind all along, even when he was with yes.
Please, from the same concert, listen to Jon sing his song “State of Independence.” And, from the guy who asked you to listen to the original, I’m SO happy you got around to this version as well! Bravo, Bravo, Bravo. And, yeas, Ive watched it many times. Never ever gets old
Is there a reaction to the original? Too tired to search ;-)
I couldn't thumbs up that enough. State if Independence from this concert would be a treat to you both. 🙂
I saw 3 men reactors cry on watching this performance. Now can you imagine seeing them ....experiencing YES playing this song in 4 concerts that I seen them in............🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗
Seen this version a number of times. It is majestical and tops even Yes live versions which I have seen in concert a few times. I saw ARW ( Anderson Rabin and Wakeman ) perform it twice fairly recently and it brought me to tears as I thought I’d never see it live again performed by Jon. I’m so glad Todmobile put this together and Jon got so much pleasure from it. I’d recommend State Of Independence from the same concert.
AWAKEN was meant for orchestration and with the Choir this is simply Sublime.
No. it was meant for only Anderson, Squire, Wakeman , Howe and White. 1977, 1978, 1979!
@@yesshows100 YES...I agree but I don't think you'll get a better tribute band than that...especially on this song :-)
@@hangemhigh63 Yes - This version is Awesome! Good for a change. Then watch the real thing.
Agree. Beautiful arrangement.
@@hangemhigh63 you will. It's happening up here in the Northeast since 4/14/23.
This re-arrangement is goosebump material. Superbly well down. The harmonics and dynamics were stunning! Thanks guys, great review!
I had sought out the video of this performance based on a comment in your first listen of Awaken- I will am so grateful for that person and this experience. Yes and Jon Anderson were touchstones for me in my teens ( I am now 62). This brings tears of joy each time I listen. So very moving...thanks again!
This is the most beautiful piece of music I have ever heard. Perfection. Seeing it here with the reactions is my favorite version of this performance. The fullness of sound. Just wow!
Been a YES head for most of my life. This performance is absolutely priceless!
You two are the best reactors (at least for Yes) that I've come across, and I've seen a lot. Became mesmerized at age 15 when "Roundabout" was first released in 1971, and even sang with a Yes tribute band at one point. Your musical acumen and enthusiasm for this cosmic phenomenon (Yes music) is appreciated.
I've seen this so many times. I was 16 years old when I became a Yes fan in 1976. I couldn't begin to count how many times I've seen them live, most recently for their 50th year anniversary tour with my 19-year-old daughter. This is her favorite Yes song. She was listening to it the first time she ever saw the ocean from a beach in Hawaii. Just wow.
'Awaken' remains my fav Yes peice. This rendition is worth the review, not as a copy, but as a different interpretation of the song. The orchestra instruments add a calm that isn't there in the electronica Yes originally put into the work. The choral support is, I dare say, an improvement over Squire's and Howe's vocals (and I love their vocals too). Todmobile is made of different talents and souls as Yes, but they also aren't without their personal flare. Thanks again N&L.
Absolutely magnificent! In Awaken Yes conquered Everest, & Jon being the wonderful collaborator that he is never tires of sharing his & Yes's many musical gems further inspiring & enriching the careers of other musicians of all ages. What a gift Jon, Yes & their music has been to mankind, we are all truly blessed.
Ahh Yesss! This collaboration produced a gorgeous rendition of a cherished prog masterpiece. In this video; the Icelandic band Todmobile, would be the guitarist, drummer, keys, bass, & the singers on the side of the stage. (Have no idea how to pronounce their names). Backed by the Iceland Symphony Orchestra and Choir. I agree, Jon Anderson possesses one of the most unique voices in modern music.
I believe you have many YES, and 70’s era prog fans in general on your channel. (See how fast the comments pile up). I can relate when watching you both get goosebumps, listening to the music I grew up on and still love to this day. Seeing YES live in concert, AWR, or Jon solo over the years, always memorable. I noticed you are posting more live concert videos lately. Good choice, as that should give you a window into what we experienced back in the day. Despite the challenges of evolving technology, this talent laden genre delivered live performances that often eclipsed the studio recorded versions.
Just remember that it is so much easier for tribute bands to repruduce the original sound than to be the band band that originated the song...basically copying the original which is not hard to do if you can read music!
@@dwightphelps5096 Of course, very true, given that these are classically trained musicians here. Jon is currently touring with the "Band Geeks" preforming classic Yestunes. I also love seeing the tribute band "Musical Box" for Gabriel era Genesis. The creativity of the many original seventies era prog bands was unbelievable, given they were mostly in their early twenties. What a great time discovering this music, and of course getting to see the bands live.
I've said this before, but I feel blessed to be in a time when one can see and hear a Jon Anderson. This production is superb and I think that when God hears something like this, he says to himself, " this is what I expected of you"
Incredible! 👍👍👍
I am so happy you got to this version of Awaken it is magnificent are true pleasure for the ears and eyes. The coordination and mixing with the full orchestra was perfect and it was great to Jon really enjoying himself as was everyone else a real labor of love. Yes I have have seen this version many times but it always picks you up and lifts you to a different place like the studio version. On another occasion I replied to a post from the Bassist in Todmobile, Eidur Arnarsson. Here are those postings. You may find them interesting as they give some detail about how they managed to pull off such a really great performance.
Cheers, thank you, great reaction and enjoy!
From Eidur Arnarsson:
I am immensely proud of our live performance of Awaken with Jon and orchestra/choir and freely admit that I watch this video a few times each year to re-live the magic. But I am equally proud of our performance of Supper's Ready with Steve Hackett and orchestra/choir. Jim, maybe you should also do a reaction video of that? Greetings, Eidur, Todmobile's bass player.
My Reply:
Many thanks for such a wonderful performance. This is truly a great song and is so uplifting. Wondering if also has that uplifting positive impact on the performers too? Also how long did it take to get such a large groups of musicians to be able to play Awaken at this standard? We could see from Jon's reaction that he was thrilled that everyone played so well.
From Eidur Arnarsson:
I'm pretty sure all the performers were quite mesmerized :-) Todmobile was at this time a 9 piece band. Two drummers, bass, guitar, keys and 2 lead vocalists and 2 background vocalists. You can see all the 4 vocalists stage left (not in the choir). The Todmobile band rehearsed a lot for this show but Awaken was certainly the trickiest of all the songs we performed with Jon. We probably rehearsed 2-3 times a week for 3-4 weeks for the 6 or 7 YES and Jon solo songs. Tod, our guitarist, did all the arrangements for the orchestra and choir but Todmobile members just mostly learned their parts by ear as we did not want to read the music on stage. I think Jon came to Iceland 3 days before the show and we rehearsed with him a couple of times and that's when the choir and orchestra was also added. The choir had rehearsed on their own before but the orchestra just sat at down at the first full rehearsal and read/played Tod's arrangement who, by the way, is quite the musical genius.
That's truly incredible. The backstop is fascinating! Thanks so much for sharing these with us all.
The end section with the organ and choir is absolutely spine tingling. I don't think music can actually get any better than that.
Hey guys! Thank you for this great reaction! Been a YES/Jon Anderson fan since early/mid 70's, been to many, many YES & Jon solo concerts. In my opinion, this is the best performance of Awaken I've ever seen or heard. I have watched it several times since it was made available.They rehearsed 2-3 times a week for 3-4 weeks. Jon came 3-4 days before the show to rehearse. with them, that's when the orchestra and choir were added. And just a heads up, Jon is going on tour with The School of Rock, under the direction of Paul Green. We will see the show in Atlanta in a couple of weeks. And you're right, Jon is very grateful of the musicians here and he is grateful and appreciative of his fans, too. Such a kind soul. Thank you again!!~~Zack
Jon and Todmobile symphonic Awaken has to be arguably the most epic music thing ever appeared on YT.
And perhaps the best cover ever made of this masterpiece 😍
Thank you
For the record, Jon always showed that kind of appreciation at the end of performances. It's his way.
When such an orchestra comes together, you know that the music has to be special. But, it's much more than just a song. It is a celebration of the music, as well as a communion of the hearts and minds that are moved by it. To be a member of this live audience would have been nothing short of a spiritual experience. Indeed, you are Awaken. Great reaction and more Yes please!
I was lucky to be there. As a long time Todmobile fan I definitely got a ticket to see them. Having Jon Anderson was not only a major bonus but what an experience.
The best concert I've ever attended. Jon sang like 5 songs with Todmobile, you can find the whole concert here on UA-cam :)
So hearing Yes’s Awaken being played by an orchestra only takes this song to another level.
Jon has sang with School of Rock as well. I’ve seen them in a very small venue & those kids are amazing! Thrilling to see young people digging this music & Learning it!
Seen Yes play Awaken live quite a few times! My Favorite! Gives me a high for days! So many amazing memories!❤️
That part from on the harp was amazing and the magic happened. I wouldn’t want it to end from there on
Oh my goodness. Now you've done it. Good news first - you've just heard the best song EVER! As I ran and told my wife after I heard it for the first time, I believe the angels are jealous of this music. Heavenly doesn't do it justice. Bad news - it's all downhill from here. Back to the good news - you can listen to it again anytime you want!
Any time I’m with someone hearing this performance for the first time, I'm compelled to point out that this was five years after Jon was fired from Yes because he was really sick with respiratory issues and "losing his voice". Right.😂 This entire concert used to be available on DVD if you can still find it, but I know there is at least one other segment from this show on YT that you should catch. There's also video from Earth Day 2013 with a group from UMass performing Olias Of Sunhillow (complete) live, but without Jon on vocals. It's a nice take on the material, but doesn't compare to this. Glad you finally got to experience Todmobile!♥️😃
THat is NOT what happened at all. But do go on with your illusion.
Yes, the truth is Jon spent 4 years after the very successful 2004 tour telling the other guys he would tour and then changing his mind to do his own thing. The other guys were ready to get right back out there, and fans like me were looking forward to see them (I saw them 5 times in 2004), and when Jon's illness canceled tour plans once again, Chris, Steve, and Alan decided to go on without him. I'm surprised they waited that long, honestly. These were musicians who spent their whole lives out on the road playing music. - Vic Weatherford
Wouldn’t you have loved to have seen this in person…
I've probably already commented on this performance too many times but this is the piece of music I would like played at any memorial service I might be honoured enough to have when I'm gone. To 'awaken' has been the most meaningful journey that I - or anyone - could go on in this short and beautiful life. To see Jon throwing balls of celestial sound-fire at the end of this piece makes me cry with happiness, with gratitude for that high-pitched, quirky lovely man with his odd, mystical lyrics, Toddmobile and especially the guitar player (who had to don the frenzied, manic musical cloak of Steve Howe for this performance) was sublime. This piece of music is beyond compare - and yet it is the love and respect and homage paid by this whole orchestra to Jon, and of the whole orchestra AND Jon to the marvel of the unknowable universe and all its wondrous stories that touches me so much.
This is the best live version out there. Although it's a treat to see Yes play "Awaken" live in person, all of the recorded live versions by the band do not measure up to the studio version. The main reason is that they ritard the climax at the end when the reason it's so powerful on the studio version is because they play it in time. Yes tries to make it bigger by slowing it down, but it only makes it less effective. The Todmobile guys play it in time and it's so much more powerful that way. You can tell how enthused they are with their high energy performance, too. Best live version!
💯%
Totally agree with this assessment.
I saw it in Philly in 1977 and it was amazing.
I've heard this song so many times and seen Yes play it live on numerous occasions. This is the best live version I've ever seen.
Having an actual choir live on this performance (like there was on the original studio version), really enhances the effect the song has on emotions. AND.... Jon sounds FANTASTIC!!!!
I've been listening to this performance for several years. It still brings tears and chills. I can't tell you how good it makes me feel to see you two genuinely enjoying Yes and Jon. It reminds me of how I responded when I first heard this music in the 70s. Nick, while you're listening I can see the look on your face of being surprised and a little bit awed by the music. Lex, I love seeing your sincere admiration. Also, I've said it before, Your SMILE LIGHTS UP THE ROOM. I enjoy watching you two experience YES music together. Thanks.
I saw Jon Anderson live in 2019 and he still sounds excellent. A cool Yes show that you should watch is 'Yes Acoustic' from 2004. It was a PPV TV special that is all acoustic. It's on YT, the whole show is about 38 minutes. Edited to add: I have seen this performance before.
This proves the quality of the YES compositions. And the quality of your taste!!!!
It’s hard to imagine that at the time he Jon sang on this video, it has been 35 years since Yes first put Awaken out. His voice is flawless!
The guitar player is the guy that is behind this mesmerising version of that epic song.
One of the greatest compositions of rock music made even greater by this performance. I was really blown away when i heared this the first time 2 years ago.
I have to admit that I also found this very moving. I feel like 'Awaken' has always been an under appreciated gem.
I think AWAKEN can hardly be better except for Close to the Edge -- or You and I
I've seen this come up from several reactors, but I watched it first with You Two. What a Mind Blowing Adaptation of what the Genius of 5 Guys accomplished long ago.
Yes never ages, because They were so ahead of Their time, we have yet to catch up.
Thank you guys for viewing this song , sounded amazing ,could you believe this song awaken was put down so long ago and I have listened to it a thousand times and still get moved every time ,it’s just got everything.
Wow, so much anticipation for your reaction to this. It is a great example of how the music of Yes will transcend the band and be played for 100s of years however they will struggle to find a vocalist to deliver like Jon
2023 Tour coming. Awaken is one of the Top 100 musical scores of the 20th century.
Well. That's my gast well and truly flabberred. For a band that isn't 'Yes' or otherwise made of 'Yes' musicians, this was a truly epic rendition!! And Jon's voice - so uniquely perfect! 😍🎼👍❤ Think maybe having him singing and playing with them lifted them for sure. And yet also such a unique take with the orchestra and backing vocals. Absolutely love this version - thanks so much for reacting to it otherwise I doubt I would have ever seen it! ❤👍
Try the Yes Symphonic versions of Gates of Delirium and Ritual from 2001. Yes at their best. Performance unbelievable. Sound amazing. Visual quality top class. Doesn't get any better. Not to be missed. These you have to do to believe. Can't recommend enough.
I've had the luck to attend one of those shows, it was in Milan... totally agree with you: Yes were at their absolute best those days... I was concerned about Rick Wakeman absence, but Tom Brislin rocked the keyboards like a true hero. Best concert I've ever been to!
You mean YES not at their best. Although beyond a miracle and awesome you can't say Yes at their best. 2001 The Gates of Delirium and Ritual is 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000th of the 1974 - 1976 live versions.
@@yesshows100 - I disagree. That concert is incredible, they sound great, the arrangements are beautiful and don’t overpower the band. “Starship Trooper” and “And You and I” are amazing. Alan White is amazing throughout. Just make sure you don’t watch the videos with the animations so you can see the band.
Such beautiful perfection, such a beautiful man, humble, gracious, such a golden soul , thank you Jon& all of YES 🙏❤️
Outstanding with this orchestra!
That's totally new to me, but amazing. My memory of the original is of listening to it over and over as a teenager, and then going on a school coach trip to visit an art gallery, and the art teacher put it on the cassette player on the coach (thinking it waa what the youth of 1978 liked) and there was me and one other kid loving it, and everyone else on the coach was grumbling and asking for the Sex Pistols and the Stranglers.
Please John Anderson never pass away . Live forever
I loved watching Lex smile through the whole song. That’s the same feeling I get whenever I hear Jon’s voice. I heard he will be touring soon with Todmobile.
I will be having this version of this song when I pass on into heaven ! What a way to be ushered into the Presence of God, by His angels!
I said the same thing. I want this played when I'm in my deathbed. This version.
Absolutely tereskas...a final gift to family and friends...this Todmobile performance to me is the finest music ever produced.....
Just Saturday, I enjoyed your reaction to the studio version. I was blown away and in fact have played it multiple times since. Pure perfection to say the least. And this? OMG it was beyond words. I cannot believe his voice still sounds so perfect after all these years.
Have the album...never seen this performance...outstanding...multiple goosebump moments...with tears 👍👍👍👍
Such a magical song, and such a beautiful situation where you both as a couple can appreciate great music together and agree on its greatness. Nice to see, and not easy to attain.
I was blown away when I saw this awhile back.Still have my crackly original vinyl from 40+ years ago
So happy for this request.
Saw Jon Anderson with Paul Green Rock Academy at The Colonial Theater in Phoenixville, PA (my home town) on Aug 7, 2021. He still has his voice.
So wish I had been at this concert to be enveloped in, what must have been an incredible sound
I absolutely love this. I bookmarked it a couple years ago and have watched it at least 50 times.
Great to watch this. Fantastic. Jon Anderson is absolutely amazing.
Jon Anderson's voice hasn't been affected by time. What an amazing version!
He’s getting close to 80 years young. So impressive, so vibrant, so beautiful.
Great version one of the best - his voice is on point and wonderful orchestration - truly a Labour of love
Jon Anderson wrote most of this song and he was so proud of it, he felt it was Yes' masterpiece.
Awaken is written by
Anderson and Howe
@@Atom-56 Think Patrick Moraz had a hand in the early development of the song too, before he left Yes.
Love your reaction, this still brings me to tears.👍
I came across this version of the song only about a year ago. It is now my preferred version.
I’m a Yes fan since’77 and this version just blows me away; it’s good to see that this music has not faded away
I remember buying Going for the one on cassette tape. It melted my car stereo!
What a masterpiece! My number 1 song from Yes! Now, this live version is the BEST! Thank you for your review! Blessings to you both!
a terrific version with the orchestra and choir and jons voice was perfect...watch them live at glastonberry in 2003 they do awaken there and they bring the house down along with other clasic yes songs....by far the best YES line up ever...saw them twice on this 2003 tour in liverpool and next night in edinburgh UK as well as at glasto.best year of my life as a YES fan of 50 years and have shed many tears listening to them over the decades. spence from aberdeen uk..
I've never heard this live version of 'Awaken' by Icelandic Todmobile before, but I have to say that it's the best version ever. And the voice of Jon Anderson is amazingly good on this live concert. T
hank you very much for a really professional back up by Todmobile.
You need to watch YES Symphonic live in Amsterdam that is an amazing concert with Tom Brislin on keyboards.
My first Yes concert was in Washington D.C. at RFK stadium June 13, 1976. It was a all day concert & the line-up was Pousette-Dart Band, Gary Wright, Peter Frampton, & the head-liner was YES. I was pressed up against the stage near the giant speakers, my ears were ringing for nearly a week after that. I have been to 20 Yes concerts through the years, different cities. Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Camden N.J., & Largo Md. Each unique & memorable, different configurations of band members, they are the soundtrack of my life. I am nearly Jon's age, in a way we got old together. I wonder which of us will go first, I hope it's me because a remaining life without new songs from him would be cruel. BTW, did you get goosebumps like I do every time I listen to this?
Todmobile are from Iceland, and all this taking place in a country with population less than half million is mind-blowing. The full concert is 1 hour & a half long, They're doing also Heart of the Sunrise and Roundabout, and their own songs when the lady in white and bearded wiking from backing vocals go solo and it's terryfyingly awesome.
Such a beautiful song, painting pictures in my mind. Wonderful 👍😊
It’s my first time because I didn’t know about Todmobile and avoided this for 9 years. I thought it was fantastic.
Check out Steve Hackett with todmobile.
Yes- Jon Anderson and Todmobile. 👍🤙
Listen to Todmobile with Steve Hackett on "Dancing with the moonlit knight" or "Firth of fifth"
of, in my opinion, Genesis' masterpiece the album "Selling England by the pound" Saludos
Yes, fantastic as well. Not to be missed is also Steve Hackett's and Todmobile's performance of Supper's Ready. You can see the joy in Steve's face as they perform.
Check out the Band Geeks playing Yes. They are currently touring US with Jon Anderson too.
I'm so glad you young people are appreciate the golden age of prog. I got to see yes perform Awaken in the reunion concert in 1991. It was as many people that night said, a religious experience. Savor!
Imagine being a die-hard. Yes, fan and a member of the orchestra. You would have thought you'd died and gone to heaven.
I'm at work, so I'll have to wait to view this. But I can not wait! This is my favorite recorded live performance of Awaken, including those I've seen of the classic Yes line up doing it. Anderson is in fantastic voice, especially considering his age when this was done.
I only have one teeny nitpick about this performance, and that's the lack of the final guitar lick Steve Howe plays at the end. But otherwise, this is perfection.
I noticed that, too! I have heard others complain about that last lick, as if it were completely redundant and not adding anything. I disagree. It gently puts you back down, along with the fading keyboard sounds, after that rousing final section.
I always considered that final guitar lick is a reference marker to the beginning of the studio album and also helps bring back to Earth after such an uplifting journey spaced out with headphones on. However, in concert the song is in isolation from the studio album and with all those people around you are soon restored to a near normal state. So it works both ways.
Kinda think the choir at the end made up for it though.
Yes, I was bummed they left that guitar part out at the end.
That was so much better than I was anticipating. So good. So respectful. Incredible, really.