Yes: Tales From Topographic Oceans, CD1 CD Track Listing

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Yes Tales From Topographic Oceans, CD1 (1973)
Tales From Topographic Oceans (Remastered & Expanded) - Disc 1 of 2\n2003 Rhino/Elektra Entertainment, Inc.\n\nOriginally Released as Atlantic SD 2-908 on January 9, 1974\nGold CD Edition Released N/A\nRemastered Edition Released October 11, 1994\nJapanese Mini LP Version Released July 25, 2001\nRemastered & Expanded Edition (Rhino) Released August 26, 2003\n\nAlbum Details (Mini LP CD Packaging)\nJapanese limited edition featuring High Definition Digital Rematersing (HDCD) a miniature gatefold LP style sleeve for initial pressing. \n\nAMG EXPERT REVIEW: Either the finest record or the most overblown album in Yes' output. When it was released, critics and fans raved over its 20-minute-long tracks, each taking up one side of a double album, and it sold very well. By the 1980s, it was being derided by critics as one of the worst examples of progressive rock's over-indulgent nature. Jon Anderson's fascination with Eastern religions never manifested itself more clearly or broadly, but one needn't understand any of that to appreciate the many sublimely beautiful moments on this album, some of the most gorgeous passages ever recorded by the band. The newly remastered version, in the narrow double jewel box, with a reference to the remastering on the top back of the jewel case, is the version to own, with crisp textures, vivid sound, and excellent reproductions of the original art. -- Bruce Eder\n\nAmazon.com Customer Review\nMystical and beautiful., March 18, 2001 \nReviewer: Lord Chimp from Monkey World \nI can imagine the time when this album first came out. Yes fans must have praised the album for its daring, its ingenuity, its LENGTH. Now I can imagine things ten years later, with rock critics ridiculing the album for everything from its mystic lyrics, pompous songwriting, indulgent musicianship... everything for which progressive rock has been derided. Even Yes' diehard fans have decidedly mixed feelings regarding this epic work. To them, it could be the pinnacle achievement of Yes' estimable career, or it could the be the most grandiloquent album EVER. \n\nTime and time again I've tried to empathize with those who dislike this album, thinking that perhaps their criticisms have some merit. Still, I can't get over the fact that this is truly excellent work. I think the music is simply sublime, many of the most wonderful passages that Yes ever recorded. Not as cohesive as the epics on "Close to the Edge" (still my favorite Yes album), but certainly more dynamic, it takes countless listens to fully appreciate. Even 25 years after its release, I'm still finding new elements to this richly absorbing work.\n\nIt's all anchored by that awesome rhythm section of Alan White's drums and Chris Squire's mammoth bass guitar, while Wakeman's lush synthesizers add ambiance and depth, and Steve Howe's guitar artistry is sophisticated and engaging. Jon Anderson's trippy lyrics and soulful, radiant singing are topnotch. Although the lyrics are mostly confusing, I believe their meanings are meant to be vague. They rely on surreal and romantic imagery to generate feeling in the listener in musical context. It doesn't really matter because the lyrics attain an emotional connection regardless of what they are actually about. I've always believed that Yes' individual elements are impressive, but less important than the unified result of their efforts. \n\nThe songs could enjoin a complete review for each one, as each song is brimming with depth and complexity. "The Revealing Science of God" is absolutely spellbinding. From the moment you hear the unmistakable thematic development in the vocal section at the beginning, you know it's going to be something great. A mostly placid epic that occasionally drives into fast-paced energy. Approaching the song's finale, this one climaxes with a mind-bending solo from Wakeman. Cryptic lyrics focused on metaphysical objective values (I think; who really knows?) are tied some of the group's best arrangements.\n\n"The Remembering" is a standout for Rick Wakeman. There's moments of fierce swirling synths and mellotrons, and him and Howe alternately repeat the song's main theme on different instruments. Lots of memorable melodies here, and the song gets pretty intense at times (like the "Relayer" passages).\n\n"The Ancient" is the most difficult song to appreciate. Because most of the vocals are relegated to the ending of this 18-minute beast, its heavy focus on abstruse instrumentation bores many people. I can't help but be captivated, however. I'm a huge fan of music that implements Eastern influences, and this track is filled with them. Dominantly Middle Eastern, the band shows incredible versatility in their endeavor to underscore the idiosyncratic beauties of these cultures. Towards the end of the song, Howe's acoustic wizardry is displayed. Awesome!\n\n"Ritual" is a sprawling piece that is very symphonic at times. A lengthy instrumental passage opens this one, and just when you think the track is starting to meander, it gets back on track. This one never gets too pretentious, and it's beautifully melodic and excitingly played and arranged. At the 15-minute mark, there's this unforgettable orchestral interlude with devastating percussion and harrowing strings (synthed, of course). The ending is gorgeous, with clean electric guitar/piano interplay and Anderson's delicate vocals. \n\nLike complex jazz, some of Yes' music is far too esoteric to be appreciated by everyone. That's perfectly fine. I don't consider myself intellectually superior to the many who have no taste for this admittedly convoluted work of music. Still, it moves me, it engrosses me, and it never bores me. It may not tap the conventional spirit of music, but to me, that's part of what makes it special. I wouldn't want it any other way.\n\n(If I've bored you, blame no one but yourself. You read the whole review, so it's your own damn fault! ;-) \n\nHalf.com Album Credits\nEddie Offord, Producer\nYes, Producer\n\nAlbum Notes\nYes: Jon Anderson (vocals); Steve Howe (vocals, guitar); Chris Squire (vocals, bass); Rick Wakeman (keyboards); Alan White (drums).\n\nRecorded at Morgan Studios, London, England.\n\nAll tracks have been digitally remastered.\n\nFor prog rock's detractors, TALES is the genre's nadir. For admirers it's an artistic pinnacle. Whichever camp you're in, it's hard to deny the sheer chutzpah necessary to undertake this sprawling epic. Though broken up into four sections, TALES greeted 1973 listeners as a single composition spread across four sides of a double album. This was unprecedented in the world of mainstream rock. For the band, it was the closest they would ever come to a true fusion of classical structures and themes with rock-oriented instrumentation and sensibilities. \n\nThe lyrics are typically elliptical and spiritually oriented, and many a bad trip was probably launched by trying to interpret them. The real pleasure of this album lies in the elaborately textured, harmonically sophisticated interaction between keyboardist Rick Wakeman, guitarist Steve Howe and highly melodic bassist Chris Squire. All three were at the peak of their instrumental prowess on TALES, and listening to them interact is like watching a fine athlete excelling at his chosen sport.\n
This rock cd contains 3 tracks and runs 62min 7sec.
Freedb: 1f0e8d03
Buy: from Amazon.com

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: Music

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: music songs tracks rock Progressive Rock

1. Yes - The Revealing Science of God / Dance of the Dawn (22:37)
2. Yes - The Remembering / High the Memory (20:53)
3. Yes - The Ancient / Giants Under the Sun (18:34)