There used to be a small fly-by-night FM station in the next town over from me that played prog album sides, and one night they played this whole album. I wasn't even into Yes yet, and I had no idea what I was hearing when this album side was on. Anyway, I love this piece as much as the others, BECAUSE it is so "difficult" and "challenging." People who dismissed it as pretentious or overblown had no idea how musically courageous and fiercely innovative Yes was being by creating a work such as this and presenting it to the public. As for cutting parts of it out, that would be like deciding that there's too little happening in the background of the "Mona Lisa" and trimming the edges around that smiling woman. It's like all these fidgety UA-cam movie reactors who think all those "slow" old movies need to have 15-20 minutes edited out to snap things up. Wait till you've listened to this a few more times and your ears will begin to crave to hear all those unneeded parts again. There is, in my highly-regarded (by me) opinion, no "padding."
Agree, that acoustic solo piece is sooo beautiful - and expertly played. The "Leaves of Green" song tjhat follows it, too. This last third of the track is very moving, in a noble, restrained way, and has deep personal significance for me - no doubt for many other Yes fans as well!
I remember listening to TFTO for the first time the day after Christmas 1973. Our buddy next door got it as a Christmas gift. My brother and I went to his room and we listened to all 4 sides. I was already a prog and Yes fan and I really liked TFTO from the first listen, even with the "padding" many people complained about. My thoughts were once again, here is Yes playing music that sounds like nothing I had ever heard before. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and still do.
Steve Hackett is a fan of the album. He said in Prog Magazine that when he did the Squackett project with Chris Squire that he would often ask Chris questions about what went on during the sessions for Tales.
I would just like to remind everyone that this is Jim's first time listening to Tales. Think back to your first time. Thank you Jim for your honest thoughts. One side to go!😎
Toughest track imo...I totally understand your point. To get this album, you have to love Yes, and you have to listen to it idk...like 25 times straight through? Sides 1 and 4 seemed to be the easiest for me. Love it all now.
"The Ancient" is the most emotional song on the album. Starting with Alan's gong, an improvisational section by a group of talented musicians evokes an ancient super-civilization and makes the listener tense. In the midst of the tension, the "Leaves of Green" section, which starts with Howe's guitar, relieves the tension and brings the listener to tears. The composition of this song is truly wonderful.
I got to hang around with Jon for a couple hours, soon after Tormato. The only thing I remember him asking me directly, in the eyes, which made me nervous, was, "Which is your favourite album?" ... I had brought Olias to be signed, but I instantly answered him without hesitation, "Topo", then said it properly, 'Tales From ...', so I felt kinda awkward, but he was very pleased. "Really" he said with a big twinkle in his eyes.
@@bokiphoto I had a moment with Chris Squire in an elevator and I offered to help carry his bags. It was just the 2 of us which could've felt awkward but I seized the opportunity to tell him hey I just wanna say don't listen to the naysayers of Topographic because most of us true YES fans adore that album as I do. I think that touched his heart. Got a smile 😊
This is my favorite piece on the album. From the first time I heard it, I knew they'd done something timeless that many wouldn't like but it took my breath away. Downbeat magazine said that this track would be studied by musicians and composers long into the future. Wonderful.
Yes, completely true. In the early nineties I heard this one and Gates played (in extenso) on Swedish classical music/jazz radio. These two epics have the same complexity, depth and required musical skills as let's say works by Stravinsky or Prokofiev.
Now imagine how all this can impress a young 16 years old kid. This marks you forever. For me this is connected to the book Dune from Herbert I read at the same time.
“Not a lot happening in lots of places in here. If I cut a lot out…” Ha ha ha ha. You sound like Rick Wakeman in reference to this record. I love the recording, but alas, I feel I must agree. Funny to hear an honest review like that. Good job.
Easily one of Steve Howe's greatest achievements, both as a composer, guitar player and improviser. This is a bloody masterpiece both on the electric and acoustic guitar (his playing during the last third of the track is some of the most beautiful acoustic playing/soloing I've ever heard, and caught my atttention already on a first listen). The rest of the band are in top form too, especially Alan White of course. :) Few pieces of music I know of (and I have a wide listening experience) paint such a vivid picture of a half-mythical bronze age/stone age world as this one. It is quite enveloping, tremendously suggestive - and no doubt there is some inspiration from "The Rite of Spring" lurking here, though it took me decades before the penny suddenly dropped on that one. They already knew the work: on Yessongs Jon can be heard intoning the opening phrase of Stravinsky's grand ballet before he introduces Rick Wakeman for his solo spot.
I saw this live in Montreal Close to the Edge followed by all four sides to Tales. Five magnificent epics in a row. BTW, on a four way hit of windowpane. It was life changing. My advice to you is to stop listening so critically and relax, get high, and enjoy the journey. It's well worth the effort. There's nothing like it.
I gave similar advice to another set of reactors when they were bewildered by, of all things, Roundabout! Chill in a dim room with your fav hallucinogen I said... They were outraged, as if I'd suggested human trafficking! Folks today THINK that they can understand that era, but they haven't a clue IMO.
The ancient neatly leads into the fantastic side 4 Ritual, for me the tactical bass playing is sublime, great reaction again Jim many thanks. P.S a little bit of fluff is ok Jim, better than a hop..skip..and a jump !
The Tales tour was supposed to be my first Yes enlightenment but we were performing Beethoven's Egmont. First violin first desk. I probably would have melted if I would have seen the whole album. However I did get to see Chris and the boys play all four masterpieces in the next forty yrs. RIP Chris.
I am an individual who has never taken a musical class or learned to play an instrument, but the one thing I do know is that music moves my soul. I would just listen to Yes, then EL&P and lead on to Weather Report, Herbie Hancock, Santana, and end up with King Crimson...enjoying the journey...stay the course. Still a fan
There's a reason there are virtually no covers of Yes music by other bands. Their level of musicianship does two things: first, how could you improve on the original? Secondly, whose voice would you pick over Jon Anderson's? Which guitarist? There are faster bass fingers on the planet, but who could possibly top Chris Squire's bass sensibility? I've grown to prefer Alan White over Bill Bruford over the years. And Rick is my favorite keyboard player, after only the late Keith Emerson. Enjoy the final side of the album; "The Ritual" is great. When they played it live, it became something special because the audience became part of the music. Cheers!
Sorry you feel this way, but I respect your opinion. This album has been an integral part of my life since it was first released. It still gets constant play to this day. I would never even fathom to remove a single minute to shorten things up, or to make it less "padded".
Having watched the first 2 sides yesterday afternoon, I decided to medicate earlier than usual, and with a stronger dose of my homemade edible and enjoy the last 2 tracks as I believe they were meant to be heard. Yesterday I thought side 2 was my fav track, but now side 3 is making me question that... I guess I really love "wafting"!!! Thanx for the memories of 1970s Yes, whom I saw thrice throughout their peak period (and ALWAYS medicated)!
This is my favorite of the four sides - but then I'm a King Crimson fan, so what did you expect! All the talk of waft and padding tends to miss a particular point. A work this size needs a couple of longer stretches of semi-improvised instrumental action - but the aggressive tone of the main part of Ancient is a surprise from Yes. Definitely a Howe/White masterpiece. Then to top it off we get another stellar Howe moment, the Spanish guitar section...
This is tricky, it almost sounds as if it doesn't belong on this album, but on Relayer! This is Yes foreshadowing its next album, even though that's a long way and a new keyboard player removed. The Steve Wilson remaster is so much better, Jon's vocals are stronger and clearer. And this is also Yes' "introduction" for Alan White, which you'll hear in the next track.
The road towards Relayer - Gates, especially - began here. I agree there's a clear connection. (I absolutely prefer the Rhino remasters, or even the original vinyl albums, over Wilson's remixes though)
Watched an interview with Jon and Rick sometime ago, they both agreed had CD format been available at the time a trimmed down (60 minute -ish) version of Tales would have been an a much better option.
During the 1974 Tales tour The Ancient was extended slightly further with a section similar to Pink Floyd's Interstellar Overdrive. In later years they cut the piece in half and just played the concluding Leaves of Green folk song section. I like on the original version how it goes from the eerie primordial section into the beautiful folk song section but I get that it's not for everyone.
Also folks remember our favorite keyboardist R.W. was doing his solo stuff at the same time as this and eventually had ice skaters perform to his music. He came and went as he pleased, so his criticism of this album is worthless to me. On that note ...I'm seeing Rick next week! lol...(I hope he leaves the skaters @ home) 🎼
Hi Jim! I understand where you are coming from. I love the Ancient I think because I had the provelege to hear it live before the album was released, it really sounds terrific live, lots of goosebumps, the studio version really doesn't do it justice. Yes once asked fans what sons they wanted to hear live and to my pleasant surprise some said The Ancient. Steve Howe said that they wouldn't consider doing that live because it is very difficult for the guitarist to get cues when to come in (there are signature signs!) So he said unfortanatley the only time it would be played live was on the Tales tour. Anyway Jim thanks for your honest opinion, I guarantee you will LOVE side 4!
Jim, the best is yet to come Side 4 Ritual is the best song on this album. A beautiful musical journey about returning home to you true love. I hope you know some French. enough said.
Just thought I would add to my previous comment, with side 4 I always thought they saved the best till last, I know there are some who would disagree, that's fine.
As someone put it, the stark simplicity of the transition at around twelve minutes into the movement, from thundering electric rumble to gentle acoustic (just a rising scale and "out of the cave, into the open" sort of) is what makes it work and hold the two parts together within the same track. They could easily have produced a more complex and ornamented bridge here, but they wisely chose to keep it this simple...
What you said about Yes' talent for taking something discordant and chaotic and resolving it into something beautiful... Oh, yes. Coming up very soon in the discography. :)
I'd agree with you 6:15 the fluidity and sonic vibe is very Krautrock like even though all instruments are being played....wonder if they were Krautrock fans at the time....anyway technically masterful for sure....
No need to apologize. It can be difficult to keep focused. I think you'll find yourself anticipating the less involved parts over time . . . Work in your garage or something and play this side again and just let it play in your head while you're doing something else. It's wonderful.
There is an interview with Rick Wakeman where he says the exact thing you say in your summation. According to Wakeman, Jon Anderson wanted four songs of twenty minutes, but they only had sixty minutes of material, i.e and album and a half, so it was padded, seemingly with the main recipients of that padding being tracks two and three. However, the ten minute section of The Remembering from "don the cap", until the end, sounds perfect.
Hi Jim, fair comments, as me old mum used to say, "you can lead a horse to water but if you watch it never boils". If you have the gear try the Steven Wilson 5.1 DTS remix in a dark room, puts the whole album into a different place.
In the 70s, I used to put on a stack of LPs ( sacrilege, I know) on the weekends and clean the house and cook while the music played.. I really like sides 1 and 4 but being on two different discs, made it hard to avoid playing sides 2 and 3 when I flipped the discs. So I just never played this album much. Now I have everything in digital files so it is easier to listen.
My mood improved compared to yesterday when I felt a bit sick. Listened to side one again and I like it a bit more already. Needs another listen I think. Reminds me a bit of jazz rock at the start. Structural it’s a bit messy but I heard some jazz bands doing worse. Quite experimental. It gets better the more the song progresses.
Wakeman famously wasn't all that happy with how expanded Tales turned out, or with the "philosophical"/new-age stuff on it, and he has siad it should have been cut down to around sixty minutes but got padded out to fit on a double album. Well, I'm happy that they allowed all four movements to stretch and take their time, especially here! To me "The Ancient" and "Ritual" are the ones (on this album) with the most musical continuity, where they have best control of the longer form, like romantic symphonic movements - but there is so much beauty, majesty and sonic exploration all across the album. I first heard it aged thirteen and was thrilled by it, bought my own copy of the double album the next summer. As an adult I can see that there are some sections of "padding" or where the continuity or inner musical logic isn't that tight - some of the middle section of Revealing for instance - but it's still great and exciting padding. The Ancient is just priceless and I'm not hearing anything superfluous at all, it feels very well shaped.
hehe keep the dust guard down while it's spinning :) this song is so amazing. it's about how culture evolves and builds upon itself but that individual cultures begin and eventually end. this song is about the ancient great civilizations that ended.
@@JimNewstead ah ok yeah makes sense! oh yeah I meant to say that the song itself has sections which build and then restart, then go longer, restart and go longer etc, especially the guitar part in the middle of the song. those building and rebuilding sections symbolize civilizations building off of each other, reaching new heights and then collapsing, and then again!
If you know someone with a Bang & Olufsen, those turntables get every piece of grime out. I bought one, and freaked out when the first couple of records slid to the end halfway through. It was purely down to how grubby my vinyl was.
There is a logical structure to sides two and three (really to all four). If you cut them down, it would not work. Give them plenty more listens and you will understand what Yes did and why they did it. It will all make sense to you if you put in the time it requires. Many people dismiss it because they do not understand it. You will be well rewarded for your effort. Sides two and three are every bit as strong as one and four.
You are right Jim. A lot could have been cut out of this. Even Jon has stated several times that he would like to revisit this and reduce the recording to 2 sides. Rick has said that they had too much material for a single album, but not enough for a double album, so there is a lot of fluff. Really enjoy your reactions. Keep up the great work!
I'd like to point out that Anderson hasn't made much great music in a while. His best ideas were left in the 70s. His new music is very much fluff. This is the way it should be, because it was their vision at that time. Regardless of all of the criticism, it is incredibly unique and rewards the patient listener. I've got no doubts that you know exactly what I mean. It's extremely difficult, but I love it for that reason.
No disrespect at all but the idea that a lot could have been cut reminds me of Emporer Joseph II in Amadeus: “- Emperor Joseph II: My dear young man, don't take it too hard. Your work is ingenious. It's quality work. And there are simply too many notes, that's all. Just cut a few and it will be perfect. - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Which few did you have in mind, Majesty?”
@@drink_with_the_dead Who said music was supposed to be easy? Also Jon's solo career has been incredible. The collaborations awesome. I love the man like family.
@@jeffschielka7845 well, I never said anything should be easy..In fact, I said that I love this album. I was acknowledging the fact that it's a challenging listen. I like Andersons first solo album, but I wasn't impressed by the last one. I was not a big fan of his later Yes stuff either...and that's my opinion..and this band is my favorite band of all time. So, there's that.
@@jeffschielka7845 to be clear, I don't dislike Anderson's newer stuff, it just doesn't grab me like his earlier stuff. He's got a lifetime pass though. The run that he had in the 70s was one of the best runs ever. Amazing artist
I can't think of another time that bands had the ability to put down whatever they wanted. Yes earned their right to get creative and with millions of sales and tours behind them were able too. They had zero interest in radio airplay and just creative for the sake of it. Yes music that is toned down becomes Asia. 🙄 Side 4 Is one of Yes most beautifully crafted songs.
Yeah Jim, it's the hardest side, on the first listen! It took me years to be able to dig this track but there is a nice classic ending! and there are magic tricks, especially on the guitar, which wander from one side to the other and even some from CTTE or Fragile! Steve is a wizard... just like Jon on percussion with Alan of course !!
If it's not my overall favorite piece of Yes music, "The Ancient" is the one where I most appreciate that as a successful rock band in a very commercial music world Yes just threw all the rules out the window and *went for it*. It's also the side where you can really appreciate that it was Anderson and Howe who were behind it all. The "Leaves of Green" section features some of Howe's best acoustic playing and Anderson's most potent, beautiful lyrics. But the other guys do seem a bit marginalized. Anyways, at least you now appreciate how Tales is Yes' most polarizing album, and was where they lost their more casual fans (not to mention most of the music press.)
Side one and Four is regulary played live. Side 2 is maybe too ambient, at least the first half. Side 3 is just too crazy. At least the first half. The leaves of Green part is amazing.
This is my favorite LP by Yes. I've been listening to it since 1974. It's definitely a controversial album, or composition might be a better way to describe it. I can't think of another band that would/could attempt 4 songs, each a side long on one album, and we are the grateful recipients of that courage. The Ancients, Side 3 has always been my favorite, it's innovative, mesmerizing and daring playing separate it from just about everything else. Fluff or filler? I never thought that. I will say repeated listenings to TFTO opens my mind more each time to it, like most Yes music does. It may be worth remembering what Gustav Mahler said..."A symphony must be like the world. It must contain everything."
Ok here goes....the track that really started to grind my gears....a bit like you said end of side 2....I hoped this would contrast more from last track....the percussion is nice....but then it just goes oooooooonnnnnnnnnnn💤💤💤💤💤💤🕊️....
Rick Wakeman had the same idea as you. He felt there was too much padding to fill out the four sides. I can get on board with that a little bit but only a little bit. I do like the spaciousness of this album, even if it can be a bit repetitive at times.
Yes is definitely not everyone's cup of tea, nor should they be. Side three, according to the liner notes is about the ancient times before memory. It seems to me to be a formation of life kind of sound. Dreariness can be expected. Jon Anderson's views of life are his own, and not necessarily mine. That said, the acoustic guitar piece and the great ending are highlights for me, as is the marching symphony part. Quite beautiful. "Tales ...", without a doubt, is the most difficult Yes album for me. I bought this album when it came out and it still is after many spins.
Jim, you are a musicologist, first last and always. If a cup of coffee is all you want, I shall buy you a feast. Yours, complete musical novice, Wm. George Furman. ☕
Hi Jim. I think Side 3 is the TFTO side that reminds listeners that Yes is a genuine progressive music band, and not just a progressive rock band. I was 16 when I first heard this in 1983. It was still bonkers music in 1983 - nothing really like it even then ten years after it was first released. It took a while to get into. The Ancient might just be my favourite track from TFTO (that and side 1). It's just such ambitious, experimental but often genuinely beautiful music. Yes got pelters for it in 73, but they went there and almost pulled it off. It's one of the reasons I love Yes, and one of the main reasons this album is so maligned. They went *there*
I'm 63 now and heard it on the wireless in FM in bed for school the next day when Rick Wakeman reviewed it on it's release, and never forgot him saying that's why I left Yes. Personally it's overinflated prog at it's worst and should have been edited down to single LP imho. They might have thought the same as the follow up being the classic Relayer. Just my opinion though😊
The first 2/3 of the Ancient sound a bit like the jams on Larks Tongues Part 1. At any rate, I love this tune's exoticism and this album overall. I love how ponderous, deep and long-winded it is for some reason, but can't blame the listener for saying it could be trimmed up. I think this album is for the fan who wants to take a deep dive into the behind-the-scenes side of the band, and sort of take a spiritual journey with it.
Some people, including a few of the Yes guys like Wakeman, say that, like you said, this album is too padded and could be leaner. I see what they are saying, howeThe live tour of this album has a super wild set design. As I understand it the scene in Spinal tap where the drummer gets stuck in the shell is based on something like that happening to Alan White on this tour.
Dearest Jim, Worry not. Your opinion lines up with the majority of Yes fans. In total the are 771 nerds worldwide who revere every inch of the album. Everyone else knows filler when they hear it -- as confessed to by the keyboard player. It's a damn good album. A must listen -- once. Then when you're in a Topographic mood, play sides one and four. Picnic on the other bits. You commit no sacrilege, blasphemy, impiety, heresy, apostasy or peptic esophagitis when you say Tales comes up a bit short. It could have been great. It's a little known fact that the studio clock was stuck at 4:20 for the duration of the Tales recording. Even Rick Wakeman, preferring booze, got hotbox stoned. Pot seldom makes editing decisions with an adherence to brevity. In a moment of sobriety Wakeman suggested some editing, and the stoned mob said, "Editing?" In other news, I listened to some of your music, Jim and found it cracking good. Most headphone worthy. Have you heard of Trip the Witch? It's band made of Tom Bukovac (session man, top of the guitar food chain) and Dean DeLeo (Stone Temple Pilots guitarist, song writer). Their album came out a month ago -- ish. Jon Anderson sings on one song. The rest are instrumentals. This album is right up your headphone alley. These guys are music experts and big prog fans. My favorite song, "Black Light/Reclaim My Time" has the time signature of "Cinema Show" by Genesis in the first half of the song, and the chord sequence from "Wurm" (end of Starship Trooper) by Yes in the second half. And it is original, and it is beautiful. If you don't like it, I'll sneak into North Korea and give Kim Jong Un an atomic wedgie.
Hi Danny, thanks for the comment and for listening to my music. Also HUGE apologies for not reply sooner. Two months!!!! I'm so happy that you enjoyed my music. I'll keep uploading if you're interested!
I say all the below with the caveat that if you heard what I do as a producer I sound like a bloody hypocrite ☺️😂....love a bit of sonic experi'mental' madness....👨🎤
This song is just weird, man. I love it, but at the same time, I don't really want to listen it to very often. It's a difficult listen. But definitely props to Yes for being far-out experimental, and deconstructing their own sound. Howe's purposeful out-of-tune-with-everything intro guitar is just mind melting. It's proper Stravinsky. edit: it is wholly possible that this song was written with lots of weed involved.
indeed the "heavy" side of TFTO...and one of the reasons Rick left the band. I've read somewhere he left mid recordings, and the other members played the keyboard/mellotron parts. Surely a "studio" recording with lots of cutting and pasting, which is not always a good thing...
Hi Jim. I can't thank you enough for giving your completely honest assessment of this piece of music. Now I'm going to confuse you, so get ready 😱 The main criticism of this piece is pretty much what you just said about it. One persons review said that The Ancient contains both the best and worst aspects of TFTO. Now for me, The Ancient is my favorite piece of the 4, yet I basically agree with the criticisms. Ok, now that I've got you confused, I'll try my best to make some sense of my insanity 😀 I think it does contain the worst parts of TFTO, but for me those worst parts are still great and I thoroughly enjoy listening to them, despite the obvious padding, which they definitely did, but that doesn't bother me much, since they had an album to fill with music. This was Rick Wakeman's main problem with this album, but the reason I both agree (because it's obvious that he's right) and disagree is because in one sense all albums have padding. Yes, it's not the same, but in another sense it is. You have to come up with enough music to fill an album, so what difference does it make it you fill it with 5 short songs or 1 long one? At the end of the day, all that matters to me is did I enjoy the music, did it move me, did it take me somewhere, and despite the valid criticisms, The Ancient moved me in ways the other 3 tracks didn't, yet I still love all 4 tracks. The best parts for me on this track though were simply mind blowing. The ancient primal rhythms possessed me. The dissonance completely grabbed me and the beauty of it all captivated me unlike I've ever been captivated by any music that I've ever listened to, except for Close to the Edge and 'Starless' and 'Epitaph' by King Crimson. Ok, that was a mouthful, so I'll stop now 😎🙂
Always the most difficult track of the album for me, but there's some excellent sections within. Musicians at the top of their game and on a different planet perhaps ? It is a good album in its entirety though.....Progtastic !!! It's most certainly a "confusing one" don't you think Jim ???
They could have done a simplier album, and reduce it. From side 3, I would pick the song "Leaves of green" (Yes played it in "Topographic drama" live album) that ends the side 3. I mean, Side 1, Side 2 reduced, Leaves of green, and Ritual. Perhaps would people love much more this album
No, but I’ve realised the problem. It’s happened in a few videos and it’s something to do with the rendering of the video when it uploads to UA-cam. I think I’ve fixed it in most subsequent vids. Sorry, hope it didn’t spoil this too much. Jim
:giggling: Jim, are you playing in to your own joke by having the thumbnail say "Topographical?" BTW, good morning, y'all (just barely still morning for me, still).
So far I'd award side 1 8/10, side 2 6.5/10 (I think I liked the feel of side 2 bit more than you Jim) , this side 4/10 (it jars)....it's just nuts despite the great instrumentation....that's an average of about 6/10 though!👀
Something’s wrong. The playback of Side 3 is too fast. Instruments, vocals, and tempo are raised in pitch and speed. This didn’t happen on your side 1 and 2 reactions. Perhaps you bumped the speed control on your turntable? Whatever the reason, The Ancient is a challenging listen.
No, but I’ve realised the problem. It’s happened in a few videos and it’s something to do with the rendering of the video when it uploads to UA-cam. I think I’ve fixed it in most subsequent vids. Sorry, hope it didn’t spoil this too much. Jim
Yep, there's no mistaking IMO that they could have made a significantly better single album out of the material on these two. It seems clear that they stretched out too many transitions & filled in too much in order to fill up 2 albums. It was their first "failure" on the production side of their creative instincts, IMO. Significantly, after this _comparative_ failure, they put together The Gates Of Delirium which showed that they _still had it._
I enjoy Tales as is but I can also see where trimming down sides two and three could help. If you shrunk down The Remembering you'd get a sort of And You And I/ All Good People part 2 and if you shrunk down side three by half you'd have a sort of proto Awaken/ Machine Messiah.
Very challenging, but unlike the track Close to the Edge, a demanding opening fails to settle into any form of comfort. Jaggedy edged for almost it's entirety it fails to reward in any melodic sense. Certainly the weakest side in my opinion. Highlight is the Spanish sound of Howe's solo and the following vocal segment which has no apparent dovetail to the prior experimental offerings. I agree with Jim that there's a lot of stuff which was unwisely retained for such a talented group of guys.
I was a teen when this came out & saw them tour it in NYC. Huge YES fan at the time. But I must agree with Jim that this piece would have been better if trimmed. I am not adverse to lengthy guitar solos if they take me on a musical journey. I never caught that sense with Howe's slide solo on this piece. I would prefer using fewer notes to say something more definitely. Otherwise I liked the tune. My least favorite tune on one of my favorite YES albums.
You're correct. And maybe I'm an asshole but Steve Howe has an over inflated sense of self importance and sometimes gets a bit too floofy with the lute. I always thought Tales was full of insanely magical moments, interspersed with chunks of boring.
I love YES but this is a step too far for me. Nothing to hang on to. Side one was ok, 2 was a difficult listen and this was switch off material, though I did sit it out. Hope side 4 is better.
I'm going to have to respectfully but firmly take umbrage at your statement, @Wayne Cox. There are places for listening to the music without commentary, and there are reactors who do try to listen straight through and make comments afterwards. That is not Jim's particular style. Perhaps following other reactors channels who do reactions that way is more your style, and you're not "getting" Jim.
Awwww, thank you! But to be fair, it annoyed Wayne, and that's perfectly fine. I'm sorry Wayne, but if I don't mention stuff as we go along I'll forget it by the end. And I'd rather not pause the music while it's running. It isn't a concert - it's like a bunch of folks sitting round someone's house having a drink or two and listening to a record. Someone's brought round a new album for me to hear and it's impossible to be totally quiet as it spins! Thanks so much for your comment though, I hope it didn't spoil it too much for you. :)
There used to be a small fly-by-night FM station in the next town over from me that played prog album sides, and one night they played this whole album. I wasn't even into Yes yet, and I had no idea what I was hearing when this album side was on. Anyway, I love this piece as much as the others, BECAUSE it is so "difficult" and "challenging." People who dismissed it as pretentious or overblown had no idea how musically courageous and fiercely innovative Yes was being by creating a work such as this and presenting it to the public. As for cutting parts of it out, that would be like deciding that there's too little happening in the background of the "Mona Lisa" and trimming the edges around that smiling woman. It's like all these fidgety UA-cam movie reactors who think all those "slow" old movies need to have 15-20 minutes edited out to snap things up. Wait till you've listened to this a few more times and your ears will begin to crave to hear all those unneeded parts again. There is, in my highly-regarded (by me) opinion, no "padding."
Steve Howe’s best classical Guitar playing.
Agree, that acoustic solo piece is sooo beautiful - and expertly played. The "Leaves of Green" song tjhat follows it, too. This last third of the track is very moving, in a noble, restrained way, and has deep personal significance for me - no doubt for many other Yes fans as well!
I remember listening to TFTO for the first time the day after Christmas 1973. Our buddy next door got it as a Christmas gift. My brother and I went to his room and we listened to all 4 sides.
I was already a prog and Yes fan and I really liked TFTO from the first listen, even with the "padding" many people complained about. My thoughts were once again, here is Yes playing music that sounds like nothing I had ever heard before. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and still do.
Steve Hackett is a fan of the album. He said in Prog Magazine that when he did the Squackett project with Chris Squire that he would often ask Chris questions about what went on during the sessions for Tales.
😎
@@ChromeDestiny 😎
I would just like to remind everyone that this is Jim's first time listening to Tales. Think back to your first time. Thank you Jim for your honest thoughts. One side to go!😎
Toughest track imo...I totally understand your point. To get this album, you have to love Yes, and you have to listen to it idk...like 25 times straight through? Sides 1 and 4 seemed to be the easiest for me. Love it all now.
@@drink_with_the_dead Thanks for understanding. 😎
@@drink_with_the_dead Same here, had this album in my discman for about half a year in 2003... Love every minute !
@@Nebuloid1 As do I. There is nothing ever recorded to the likes of TFTO. Greatest band on any planet!
Thanks Jeff! Sorry it took 2 months to reply!!!!
"The Ancient" is the most emotional song on the album.
Starting with Alan's gong, an improvisational section by a group of talented musicians evokes an ancient super-civilization and makes the listener tense.
In the midst of the tension, the "Leaves of Green" section, which starts with Howe's guitar, relieves the tension and brings the listener to tears.
The composition of this song is truly wonderful.
I got to hang around with Jon for a couple hours, soon after Tormato. The only thing I remember him asking me directly, in the eyes, which made me nervous, was, "Which is your favourite album?" ... I had brought Olias to be signed, but I instantly answered him without hesitation, "Topo", then said it properly, 'Tales From ...', so I felt kinda awkward, but he was very pleased. "Really" he said with a big twinkle in his eyes.
Nice.😎
Cool
I would have said Relayer, or perhaps Yessongs - but Tales is third spot, I think. Magnificent album.
@@bokiphoto I had a moment with Chris Squire in an elevator and I offered to help carry his bags. It was just the 2 of us
which could've felt awkward
but I seized the opportunity to tell him hey I just wanna say don't listen to the naysayers of Topographic because most of us true YES fans adore that album as I do. I think that touched his heart. Got a smile 😊
This is my favorite piece on the album. From the first time I heard it, I knew they'd done something timeless that many wouldn't like but it took my breath away. Downbeat magazine said that this track would be studied by musicians and composers long into the future. Wonderful.
Yes, completely true. In the early nineties I heard this one and Gates played (in extenso) on Swedish classical music/jazz radio. These two epics have the same complexity, depth and required musical skills as let's say works by Stravinsky or Prokofiev.
Now imagine how all this can impress a young 16 years old kid. This marks you forever. For me this is connected to the book Dune from Herbert I read at the same time.
“Not a lot happening in lots of places in here. If I cut a lot out…”
Ha ha ha ha. You sound like Rick Wakeman in reference to this record. I love the recording, but alas, I feel I must agree. Funny to hear an honest review like that. Good job.
Haha, well, if I can't be honest on my own channel, where could I be!
Easily one of Steve Howe's greatest achievements, both as a composer, guitar player and improviser. This is a bloody masterpiece both on the electric and acoustic guitar (his playing during the last third of the track is some of the most beautiful acoustic playing/soloing I've ever heard, and caught my atttention already on a first listen). The rest of the band are in top form too, especially Alan White of course. :)
Few pieces of music I know of (and I have a wide listening experience) paint such a vivid picture of a half-mythical bronze age/stone age world as this one. It is quite enveloping, tremendously suggestive - and no doubt there is some inspiration from "The Rite of Spring" lurking here, though it took me decades before the penny suddenly dropped on that one. They already knew the work: on Yessongs Jon can be heard intoning the opening phrase of Stravinsky's grand ballet before he introduces Rick Wakeman for his solo spot.
I saw this live in Montreal Close to the Edge followed by all four sides to Tales. Five magnificent epics in a row. BTW, on a four way hit of windowpane. It was life changing. My advice to you is to stop listening so critically and relax, get high, and enjoy the journey. It's well worth the effort. There's nothing like it.
Tabernack eh
I gave similar advice to another set of reactors when they were bewildered by, of all things, Roundabout! Chill in a dim room with your fav hallucinogen I said... They were outraged, as if I'd suggested human trafficking! Folks today THINK that they can understand that era, but they haven't a clue IMO.
Six, including the Gates of delirium, follow year..
The ancient neatly leads into the fantastic side 4 Ritual, for me the tactical bass playing is sublime, great reaction again Jim many thanks. P.S a little bit of fluff is ok Jim, better than a hop..skip..and a jump !
The Tales tour was supposed to be my first Yes enlightenment but we were performing Beethoven's Egmont. First violin first desk. I probably would have melted if I would have seen the whole album. However I did get to see Chris and the boys play all four masterpieces in the next forty yrs. RIP Chris.
I am an individual who has never taken a musical class or learned to play an instrument, but the one thing I do know is that music moves my soul. I would just listen to Yes, then EL&P and lead on to Weather Report, Herbie Hancock, Santana, and end up with King Crimson...enjoying the journey...stay the course. Still a fan
This one's the toughie. It needs multiple plays to figure out all the primitive rhythms. Side 4 is sensational!
Excellent. Here we go Jim. Enjoy!
There's a reason there are virtually no covers of Yes music by other bands. Their level of musicianship does two things: first, how could you improve on the original? Secondly, whose voice would you pick over Jon Anderson's? Which guitarist? There are faster bass fingers on the planet, but who could possibly top Chris Squire's bass sensibility? I've grown to prefer Alan White over Bill Bruford over the years. And Rick is my favorite keyboard player, after only the late Keith Emerson. Enjoy the final side of the album; "The Ritual" is great. When they played it live, it became something special because the audience became part of the music. Cheers!
Great comment!😎
Yes sir!
Sorry you feel this way, but I respect your opinion.
This album has been an integral part of my life since it was first released.
It still gets constant play to this day.
I would never even fathom to remove a single minute to shorten things up, or to make it less "padded".
Better on repeat listening!!
@@JimNewstead that makes me happy...keep listening 🎶
"They could have cut a lot of fat out here. It kind of just drifted along." Or as Wakeman said, "too much padding." So true.
Having watched the first 2 sides yesterday afternoon, I decided to medicate earlier than usual, and with a stronger dose of my homemade edible and enjoy the last 2 tracks as I believe they were meant to be heard. Yesterday I thought side 2 was my fav track, but now side 3 is making me question that... I guess I really love "wafting"!!!
Thanx for the memories of 1970s Yes, whom I saw thrice throughout their peak period (and ALWAYS medicated)!
First Listen was in 1973…on Fm Radio in Montreal’s Rock station CKGM-Fm (Now CHOM-Fm) …in its entirety!!
I was instantly hooked!!
For ever!!
This is my favorite of the four sides - but then I'm a King Crimson fan, so what did you expect!
All the talk of waft and padding tends to miss a particular point. A work this size needs a couple of longer stretches of semi-improvised instrumental action - but the aggressive tone of the main part of Ancient is a surprise from Yes. Definitely a Howe/White masterpiece. Then to top it off we get another stellar Howe moment, the Spanish guitar section...
This is tricky, it almost sounds as if it doesn't belong on this album, but on Relayer! This is Yes foreshadowing its next album, even though that's a long way and a new keyboard player removed.
The Steve Wilson remaster is so much better, Jon's vocals are stronger and clearer. And this is also Yes' "introduction" for Alan White, which you'll hear in the next track.
The road towards Relayer - Gates, especially - began here. I agree there's a clear connection.
(I absolutely prefer the Rhino remasters, or even the original vinyl albums, over Wilson's remixes though)
Tales From Topographic as a whole is a beautiful progressive musical adventure extraordinaire❗️😎
Watched an interview with Jon and Rick sometime ago, they both agreed had CD format been available at the time a trimmed down (60 minute -ish) version of Tales would have been an a much better option.
When this side starts I'm like " this is cool why I do remember not caring for this?" Then I remember. I do really like the last bit.
During the 1974 Tales tour The Ancient was extended slightly further with a section similar to Pink Floyd's Interstellar Overdrive. In later years they cut the piece in half and just played the concluding Leaves of Green folk song section. I like on the original version how it goes from the eerie primordial section into the beautiful folk song section but I get that it's not for everyone.
My favourite side of the four. Steve Howe's guitar is sublime the whole way through. Thanks Jim
This is my favourite track on 'Tales...' mostly because it sounds like something from 'Relayer.'
Also folks remember our favorite keyboardist R.W. was doing his solo stuff at the same time as this and eventually had ice skaters perform to his music.
He came and went as he pleased, so his criticism of this album is worthless to me.
On that note ...I'm seeing Rick next week! lol...(I hope he leaves the skaters @ home) 🎼
When you are the GOAT, you can do what you want. Mr Wakeman is a genius and at a very early age I might add.
Hi Jim! I understand where you are coming from. I love the Ancient I think because I had the provelege to hear it live before the album was released, it really sounds terrific live, lots of goosebumps, the studio version really doesn't do it justice. Yes once asked fans what sons they wanted to hear live and to my pleasant surprise some said The Ancient. Steve Howe said that they wouldn't consider doing that live because it is very difficult for the guitarist to get cues when to come in (there are signature signs!) So he said unfortanatley the only time it would be played live was on the Tales tour. Anyway Jim thanks for your honest opinion, I guarantee you will LOVE side 4!
Jim, the best is yet to come Side 4 Ritual is the best song on this album. A beautiful musical journey about returning home to you true love. I hope you know some French. enough said.
they played this live, just as tightly as the album
Just thought I would add to my previous comment, with side 4 I always thought they saved the best till last, I know there are some who would disagree, that's fine.
As someone put it, the stark simplicity of the transition at around twelve minutes into the movement, from thundering electric rumble to gentle acoustic (just a rising scale and "out of the cave, into the open" sort of) is what makes it work and hold the two parts together within the same track. They could easily have produced a more complex and ornamented bridge here, but they wisely chose to keep it this simple...
What you said about Yes' talent for taking something discordant and chaotic and resolving it into something beautiful... Oh, yes. Coming up very soon in the discography. :)
The best part of this record!!
I'd agree with you 6:15 the fluidity and sonic vibe is very Krautrock like even though all instruments are being played....wonder if they were Krautrock fans at the time....anyway technically masterful for sure....
No need to apologize. It can be difficult to keep focused. I think you'll find yourself anticipating the less involved parts over time . . . Work in your garage or something and play this side again and just let it play in your head while you're doing something else. It's wonderful.
There is an interview with Rick Wakeman where he says the exact thing you say in your summation.
According to Wakeman, Jon Anderson wanted four songs of twenty minutes, but they only had sixty minutes of material, i.e and album and a half, so it was padded, seemingly with the main recipients of that padding being tracks two and three.
However, the ten minute section of The Remembering from "don the cap", until the end, sounds perfect.
Disagree. Want it all.
Yes 👍💪
Hi Jim, fair comments, as me old mum used to say, "you can lead a horse to water but if you watch it never boils". If you have the gear try the Steven Wilson 5.1 DTS remix in a dark room, puts the whole album into a different place.
Lol!😎
This one, more than the others, might be a good soundtrack for a movie involving archaeology.
There were no computers in '74, yet. Everything is analog.
In the 70s, I used to put on a stack of LPs ( sacrilege, I know) on the weekends and clean the house and cook while the music played.. I really like sides 1 and 4 but being on two different discs, made it hard to avoid playing sides 2 and 3 when I flipped the discs. So I just never played this album much. Now I have everything in digital files so it is easier to listen.
Yep ... good comments Jim... a strange piece which should have been revised.. leaves of green is always a nice part.
My mood improved compared to yesterday when I felt a bit sick. Listened to side one again and I like it a bit more already. Needs another listen I think.
Reminds me a bit of jazz rock at the start. Structural it’s a bit messy but I heard some jazz bands doing worse. Quite experimental.
It gets better the more the song progresses.
Wakeman famously wasn't all that happy with how expanded Tales turned out, or with the "philosophical"/new-age stuff on it, and he has siad it should have been cut down to around sixty minutes but got padded out to fit on a double album. Well, I'm happy that they allowed all four movements to stretch and take their time, especially here! To me "The Ancient" and "Ritual" are the ones (on this album) with the most musical continuity, where they have best control of the longer form, like romantic symphonic movements - but there is so much beauty, majesty and sonic exploration all across the album.
I first heard it aged thirteen and was thrilled by it, bought my own copy of the double album the next summer. As an adult I can see that there are some sections of "padding" or where the continuity or inner musical logic isn't that tight - some of the middle section of Revealing for instance - but it's still great and exciting padding. The Ancient is just priceless and I'm not hearing anything superfluous at all, it feels very well shaped.
My favorite Alan White. Just another level.
hehe keep the dust guard down while it's spinning :)
this song is so amazing. it's about how culture evolves and builds upon itself but that individual cultures begin and eventually end. this song is about the ancient great civilizations that ended.
Thanks for the tips! But you can't see the record on the camera if I do that!
@@JimNewstead ah ok yeah makes sense!
oh yeah I meant to say that the song itself has sections which build and then restart, then go longer, restart and go longer etc, especially the guitar part in the middle of the song. those building and rebuilding sections symbolize civilizations building off of each other, reaching new heights and then collapsing, and then again!
If you know someone with a Bang & Olufsen, those turntables get every piece of grime out. I bought one, and freaked out when the first couple of records slid to the end halfway through. It was purely down to how grubby my vinyl was.
There is a logical structure to sides two and three (really to all four). If you cut them down, it would not work. Give them plenty more listens and you will understand what Yes did and why they did it. It will all make sense to you if you put in the time it requires. Many people dismiss it because they do not understand it. You will be well rewarded for your effort. Sides two and three are every bit as strong as one and four.
You are right Jim. A lot could have been cut out of this. Even Jon has stated several times that he would like to revisit this and reduce the recording to 2 sides. Rick has said that they had too much material for a single album, but not enough for a double album, so there is a lot of fluff. Really enjoy your reactions. Keep up the great work!
I'd like to point out that Anderson hasn't made much great music in a while. His best ideas were left in the 70s. His new music is very much fluff. This is the way it should be, because it was their vision at that time. Regardless of all of the criticism, it is incredibly unique and rewards the patient listener. I've got no doubts that you know exactly what I mean. It's extremely difficult, but I love it for that reason.
No disrespect at all but the idea that a lot could have been cut reminds me of Emporer Joseph II in Amadeus: “- Emperor Joseph II: My dear young man, don't take it too hard. Your work is ingenious. It's quality work. And there are simply too many notes, that's all. Just cut a few and it will be perfect.
- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Which few did you have in mind, Majesty?”
@@drink_with_the_dead Who said music was supposed to be easy? Also Jon's solo career has been incredible. The collaborations awesome. I love the man like family.
@@jeffschielka7845 well, I never said anything should be easy..In fact, I said that I love this album. I was acknowledging the fact that it's a challenging listen. I like Andersons first solo album, but I wasn't impressed by the last one. I was not a big fan of his later Yes stuff either...and that's my opinion..and this band is my favorite band of all time. So, there's that.
@@jeffschielka7845 to be clear, I don't dislike Anderson's newer stuff, it just doesn't grab me like his earlier stuff. He's got a lifetime pass though. The run that he had in the 70s was one of the best runs ever. Amazing artist
I can't think of another time that bands had the ability to put down whatever they wanted.
Yes earned their right to get creative and with millions of sales and tours behind them were able too.
They had zero interest in radio airplay and just creative for the sake of it.
Yes music that is toned down becomes Asia. 🙄
Side 4 Is one of Yes most beautifully crafted songs.
Jon Anderson has said in the 70's the main thing they were thinking of was writing music for live shows and everything else was secondary.
Yeah Jim, it's the hardest side, on the first listen! It took me years to be able to dig this track but there is a nice classic ending!
and there are magic tricks, especially on the guitar, which wander from one side to the other and even some from CTTE or Fragile!
Steve is a wizard... just like Jon on percussion with Alan of course !!
It's the difference of No3 that sets it apart, as has been said this track needs a couple of plays, it will make sense when you have played No4 Jim.
If it's not my overall favorite piece of Yes music, "The Ancient" is the one where I most appreciate that as a successful rock band in a very commercial music world Yes just threw all the rules out the window and *went for it*. It's also the side where you can really appreciate that it was Anderson and Howe who were behind it all. The "Leaves of Green" section features some of Howe's best acoustic playing and Anderson's most potent, beautiful lyrics. But the other guys do seem a bit marginalized. Anyways, at least you now appreciate how Tales is Yes' most polarizing album, and was where they lost their more casual fans (not to mention most of the music press.)
Definitely took a few years to properly get into this track.
Side one and Four is regulary played live. Side 2 is maybe too ambient, at least the first half. Side 3 is just too crazy. At least the first half. The leaves of Green part is amazing.
The best way to listen to Yes is thru headphones, so you get the music right thru the middle of your head
This is my favorite LP by Yes. I've been listening to it since 1974. It's definitely a controversial album, or composition might be a better way to describe it. I can't think of another band that would/could attempt 4 songs, each a side long on one album, and we are the grateful recipients of that courage. The Ancients, Side 3 has always been my favorite, it's innovative, mesmerizing and daring playing separate it from just about everything else.
Fluff or filler? I never thought that. I will say repeated listenings to TFTO opens my mind more each time to it, like most Yes music does.
It may be worth remembering what Gustav Mahler said..."A symphony must be like the world. It must contain everything."
Ok here goes....the track that really started to grind my gears....a bit like you said end of side 2....I hoped this would contrast more from last track....the percussion is nice....but then it just goes oooooooonnnnnnnnnnn💤💤💤💤💤💤🕊️....
One thing for certain is you cannot accuse YES of trying to make a commercially successful album and failing to do so.
Tales initially charted well, those were different times.
Ritual is not my favorite Yes track but Sommes Du Soleil is one of my very favorites. You will see when you get to side 4
Rick Wakeman had the same idea as you. He felt there was too much padding to fill out the four sides. I can get on board with that a little bit but only a little bit. I do like the spaciousness of this album, even if it can be a bit repetitive at times.
Rick did skating to music. 🙄
Yes is definitely not everyone's cup of tea, nor should they be. Side three, according to the liner notes is about the ancient times before memory. It seems to me to be a formation of life kind of sound. Dreariness can be expected. Jon Anderson's views of life are his own, and not necessarily mine. That said, the acoustic guitar piece and the great ending are highlights for me, as is the marching symphony part. Quite beautiful. "Tales ...", without a doubt, is the most difficult Yes album for me. I bought this album when it came out and it still is after many spins.
Jim, you are a musicologist, first last and always. If a cup of coffee is all you want, I shall buy you a feast. Yours, complete musical novice, Wm. George Furman. ☕
Hi Jim. I think Side 3 is the TFTO side that reminds listeners that Yes is a genuine progressive music band, and not just a progressive rock band. I was 16 when I first heard this in 1983. It was still bonkers music in 1983 - nothing really like it even then ten years after it was first released. It took a while to get into. The Ancient might just be my favourite track from TFTO (that and side 1). It's just such ambitious, experimental but often genuinely beautiful music. Yes got pelters for it in 73, but they went there and almost pulled it off. It's one of the reasons I love Yes, and one of the main reasons this album is so maligned. They went *there*
I'm 63 now and heard it on the wireless in FM in bed for school the next day when Rick Wakeman reviewed it on it's release, and never forgot him saying that's why I left Yes. Personally it's overinflated prog at it's worst and should have been edited down to single LP imho. They might have thought the same as the follow up being the classic Relayer. Just my opinion though😊
The first 2/3 of the Ancient sound a bit like the jams on Larks Tongues Part 1. At any rate, I love this tune's exoticism and this album overall. I love how ponderous, deep and long-winded it is for some reason, but can't blame the listener for saying it could be trimmed up. I think this album is for the fan who wants to take a deep dive into the behind-the-scenes side of the band, and sort of take a spiritual journey with it.
Some people, including a few of the Yes guys like Wakeman, say that, like you said, this album is too padded and could be leaner. I see what they are saying, howeThe live tour of this album has a super wild set design. As I understand it the scene in Spinal tap where the drummer gets stuck in the shell is based on something like that happening to Alan White on this tour.
Dearest Jim, Worry not. Your opinion lines up with the majority of Yes fans. In total the are 771 nerds worldwide who revere every inch of the album. Everyone else knows filler when they hear it -- as confessed to by the keyboard player. It's a damn good album. A must listen -- once. Then when you're in a Topographic mood, play sides one and four. Picnic on the other bits. You commit no sacrilege, blasphemy, impiety, heresy, apostasy or peptic esophagitis when you say Tales comes up a bit short. It could have been great. It's a little known fact that the studio clock was stuck at 4:20 for the duration of the Tales recording. Even Rick Wakeman, preferring booze, got hotbox stoned. Pot seldom makes editing decisions with an adherence to brevity. In a moment of sobriety Wakeman suggested some editing, and the stoned mob said, "Editing?" In other news, I listened to some of your music, Jim and found it cracking good. Most headphone worthy. Have you heard of Trip the Witch? It's band made of Tom Bukovac (session man, top of the guitar food chain) and Dean DeLeo (Stone Temple Pilots guitarist, song writer). Their album came out a month ago -- ish. Jon Anderson sings on one song. The rest are instrumentals. This album is right up your headphone alley. These guys are music experts and big prog fans. My favorite song, "Black Light/Reclaim My Time" has the time signature of "Cinema Show" by Genesis in the first half of the song, and the chord sequence from "Wurm" (end of Starship Trooper) by Yes in the second half. And it is original, and it is beautiful. If you don't like it, I'll sneak into North Korea and give Kim Jong Un an atomic wedgie.
Hi Danny, thanks for the comment and for listening to my music. Also HUGE apologies for not reply sooner. Two months!!!! I'm so happy that you enjoyed my music. I'll keep uploading if you're interested!
I say all the below with the caveat that if you heard what I do as a producer I sound like a bloody hypocrite ☺️😂....love a bit of sonic experi'mental' madness....👨🎤
btw....there is some "oh superman" influence here somewhere?
As Chris said Rick wore the cool capes and he wore the gay capes.
This song is just weird, man. I love it, but at the same time, I don't really want to listen it to very often. It's a difficult listen.
But definitely props to Yes for being far-out experimental, and deconstructing their own sound. Howe's purposeful out-of-tune-with-everything intro guitar is just mind melting. It's proper Stravinsky.
edit: it is wholly possible that this song was written with lots of weed involved.
Or coke.
indeed the "heavy" side of TFTO...and one of the reasons Rick left the band. I've read somewhere he left mid recordings, and the other members played the keyboard/mellotron parts. Surely a "studio" recording with lots of cutting and pasting, which is not always a good thing...
Hi Jim. I can't thank you enough for giving your completely honest assessment of this piece of music. Now I'm going to confuse you, so get ready 😱
The main criticism of this piece is pretty much what you just said about it. One persons review said that The Ancient contains both the best and worst aspects of TFTO.
Now for me, The Ancient is my favorite piece of the 4, yet I basically agree with the criticisms. Ok, now that I've got you confused, I'll try my best to make some sense of my insanity 😀
I think it does contain the worst parts of TFTO, but for me those worst parts are still great and I thoroughly enjoy listening to them, despite the obvious padding, which they definitely did, but that doesn't bother me much, since they had an album to fill with music. This was Rick Wakeman's main problem with this album, but the reason I both agree (because it's obvious that he's right) and disagree is because in one sense all albums have padding. Yes, it's not the same, but in another sense it is. You have to come up with enough music to fill an album, so what difference does it make it you fill it with 5 short songs or 1 long one? At the end of the day, all that matters to me is did I enjoy the music, did it move me, did it take me somewhere, and despite the valid criticisms, The Ancient moved me in ways the other 3 tracks didn't, yet I still love all 4 tracks. The best parts for me on this track though were simply mind blowing. The ancient primal rhythms possessed me. The dissonance completely grabbed me and the beauty of it all captivated me unlike I've ever been captivated by any music that I've ever listened to, except for Close to the Edge and 'Starless' and 'Epitaph' by King Crimson.
Ok, that was a mouthful, so I'll stop now 😎🙂
Always the most difficult track of the album for me, but there's some excellent sections within. Musicians at the top of their game and on a different planet perhaps ?
It is a good album in its entirety though.....Progtastic !!!
It's most certainly a "confusing one" don't you think Jim ???
They could have done a simplier album, and reduce it. From side 3, I would pick the song "Leaves of green" (Yes played it in "Topographic drama" live album) that ends the side 3. I mean, Side 1, Side 2 reduced, Leaves of green, and Ritual. Perhaps would people love much more this album
I think this part 3 is difficult to listen because of the dissonant sound of the Steve Howe's guitar. But the song at the end is really beautiful.
I think Rick said it was album of 4 side with a lot good ideas that would of made a great album without the padding .
Where Mahler collides with Mahavishnu!
☮
A minor note, is your record player a bit fast? It feels about a quarter note high.
No, but I’ve realised the problem. It’s happened in a few videos and it’s something to do with the rendering of the video when it uploads to UA-cam. I think I’ve fixed it in most subsequent vids. Sorry, hope it didn’t spoil this too much. Jim
:giggling:
Jim, are you playing in to your own joke by having the thumbnail say "Topographical?"
BTW, good morning, y'all (just barely still morning for me, still).
Lol!😎
12:29. that is all.....
Jim... Quality is only 360p....?
Only in the first half an hour after upload, it takes a while for the full quality HD video to render.
I must say that, regarding this track, I never lost my place.
Having said that, it's not my favourite track on the album.
I love the acoustic section and could largely do without the rest.
So far I'd award side 1 8/10, side 2 6.5/10 (I think I liked the feel of side 2 bit more than you Jim) , this side 4/10 (it jars)....it's just nuts despite the great instrumentation....that's an average of about 6/10 though!👀
Something’s wrong. The playback of Side 3 is too fast. Instruments, vocals, and tempo are raised in pitch and speed. This didn’t happen on your side 1 and 2 reactions. Perhaps you bumped the speed control on your turntable? Whatever the reason, The Ancient is a challenging listen.
No, but I’ve realised the problem. It’s happened in a few videos and it’s something to do with the rendering of the video when it uploads to UA-cam. I think I’ve fixed it in most subsequent vids. Sorry, hope it didn’t spoil this too much. Jim
Yep, there's no mistaking IMO that they could have made a significantly better single album out of the material on these two. It seems clear that they stretched out too many transitions & filled in too much in order to fill up 2 albums. It was their first "failure" on the production side of their creative instincts, IMO. Significantly, after this _comparative_ failure, they put together The Gates Of Delirium which showed that they _still had it._
I enjoy Tales as is but I can also see where trimming down sides two and three could help. If you shrunk down The Remembering you'd get a sort of And You And I/ All Good People part 2 and if you shrunk down side three by half you'd have a sort of proto Awaken/ Machine Messiah.
Very challenging, but unlike the track Close to the Edge, a demanding opening fails to settle into any form of comfort. Jaggedy edged for almost it's entirety it fails to reward in any melodic sense. Certainly the weakest side in my opinion. Highlight is the Spanish sound of Howe's solo and the following vocal segment which has no apparent dovetail to the prior experimental offerings. I agree with Jim that there's a lot of stuff which was unwisely retained for such a talented group of guys.
I was a teen when this came out & saw them tour it in NYC. Huge YES fan at the time. But I must agree with Jim that this piece would have been better if trimmed. I am not adverse to lengthy guitar solos if they take me on a musical journey. I never caught that sense with Howe's slide solo on this piece. I would prefer using fewer notes to say something more definitely. Otherwise I liked the tune. My least favorite tune on one of my favorite YES albums.
Deep breath. Long slog ahead mate.
You're correct. And maybe I'm an asshole but Steve Howe has an over inflated sense of self importance and sometimes gets a bit too floofy with the lute. I always thought Tales was full of insanely magical moments, interspersed with chunks of boring.
Topographic* not topographical...video title now carries the error.
Thank you for your diligence in correcting my old video. At some point I’ll correct the thumbnail! 👍🏼
@JimNewstead your welcome!
You're* welcome!
Ha I got myself.
Don't cut anything out
I love YES but this is a step too far for me. Nothing to hang on to. Side one was ok, 2 was a difficult listen and this was switch off material, though I did sit it out. Hope side 4 is better.
During the most beautiful segment you start babbling about editing it out ETCETCET. Maybe you don’t get it.
I'm going to have to respectfully but firmly take umbrage at your statement, @Wayne Cox. There are places for listening to the music without commentary, and there are reactors who do try to listen straight through and make comments afterwards. That is not Jim's particular style. Perhaps following other reactors channels who do reactions that way is more your style, and you're not "getting" Jim.
@@IllumeEltanin Very very well said. Thank you for saving me the time!😎
Don't pick on Jim, Mr. Cox. Perhaps you don't get the difference between composition and onanism.
Awwww, thank you! But to be fair, it annoyed Wayne, and that's perfectly fine. I'm sorry Wayne, but if I don't mention stuff as we go along I'll forget it by the end. And I'd rather not pause the music while it's running. It isn't a concert - it's like a bunch of folks sitting round someone's house having a drink or two and listening to a record. Someone's brought round a new album for me to hear and it's impossible to be totally quiet as it spins! Thanks so much for your comment though, I hope it didn't spoil it too much for you. :)
@@JimNewstead So well said!😎