Tales From Topographic Oceans (Disc 1)  (40:58)
	01	The Revealing Science Of God (Dance Of The Dawn)						20:23
	02	The Remembering (High The Memory)						20:35
Tales From Topographic Oceans (Disc 2)  (40:10)
	01	'The Ancient' (Giants Under the Sun)						18:37
	02	Ritual (Nous Sommes Du Soleil)						21:33

Tales from Topographic Oceans
Atlantic (82683-2)
UK 1973

Jon Anderson, vocals;
Bill Bruford, percussion;
Steve Howe, guitars, vocals;
Chris Squire, bass, vocals;
Rick Wakeman, keyboards;
Alan White, percussion

Tracklist:
1. The Revealing Science of God (Dance of the Dawn) - 20:27
2. The Remembering (High the Memory) - 20:38
disc 1 time: 41:05

1. 'The Ancient' (Giants Under the Sun) - 18:34
2. Ritual (Nous Sommes Du Soleil) - 21:36
disc 2 time: 40:10

total time 81:15

conrad

The most controversial of Yes albums, this provokes extreme reactions from fans.
This is a double album consisting of four tracks based on the shastrick scriptures. From that description alone it is easy to see why the traditional enemies of progressive rock would see red. It does not, however, explain why it would turn so many Yes fans against this album, let alone cause Rick Wakeman to leave the band. The problem is not just that the album is particularly long winded and pretentious (even by Yes standards), it is that the music is also less accessible. Up to this point Yes had made a habit of putting at least one incredibly catchy tune on every album. On Tales from Topographic Oceans there are few tunes that would count as catchy, and they are all buried within a twenty minute long song.

It's not surprising that it creates such enthusiasm amongst other Yes fans though. For some fans the words 'long winded and pretentious' is a ringing endorsement. While I include myself in this category of Yes fan, however, I can't quite bring myself to share the absolute enthusiasm of this albums its most ardent admirers feel. I accepted from the outset that this album would take more than one listening to appreciate, and it certainly required a large number of listenings. In the end the result was worth it, but only just. The album, in spite of erratically switches of mood and tempo, works as a very effective whole. Jon Anderson's lyrics are no more silly than usual ("I reach over and the fruit of life stands still") and in places are as good as he's ever written. Melodically it has a number of high points, but not as many as in the bands other albums of the same era.

This is an album of grand designs, which falls short. Not far short, but certainly short. Do not expect to like it the first time you listen to it, if at all. With luck, though, your persistence may pay off, and you will be one of that group of people who think that Tales from Topographic Oceans is *the* Yes album.

11-28-02


Jon Anderson (vocals)
Chris Squire (bass and vocals)
Rick Wakeman (keyboards)
Alan White (drums)
Steve Howe (guitars and vocals )

Николай Алексеенко: Перед записью концертного альбома Yessongs 1972 года группу покидает Билл Брафорд. Он уходит в King Crimson - его можно услышать на альбомах Larks' Tongues In Aspic, Starless and Bible Black и Red. До этого в 1970 году на их альбоме Lizard песню Prince Rupert Awakes исполнял Джон Андерсен. Брафорду скоро находят замену - Алена Уайта, игравшего ранее с Ленноном, Харрисоном и Джо Кокером. У него более агрессивная, рок-н-ролльная манера исполнения, нежели у Брафорда, но ничуть не худшая, как мне кажется. Также усиливаются разногласия между аскетичным костяком группы и любящим выпить Уэйкманом, на фоне которых он выпускает свой первый сольный альбом The Six Wives of Henry VIII. Однако участие в записи Yessongs и шестого студийного альбома группы Tales from Topographic Oceans он все же принимает, за что ему огромное спасибо. Я считаю Tales лучшей работой Yes за всю их историю и как минимум одним из пяти лучших альбомов Прогрессивного Рока 70-х годов (насчет остальных четырех я еще не определился). Альбом содержит в себе 4 восхитительные уникальные эзотерические сюиты каждая на 20 минут (на виниле это одна сторона пластинки). В отличие от сходного по продолжительности творения Genesis The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway, к примеру, здесь нет ни явных повторов, ни попсовых моментов. Поэтому все 80 минут можно слушать этот альбом, не почувствовав заметной усталости. Его лирика принадлежит Андерсону и Хоу и основана на индуистской философии, выуженной из примечаний к книге Парамахансы Йогананды "Автобиография Йога". Впрочем сами слова, как и во всех альбомах Yes, не имеют тут большого значения, важно пение и голос Андерсена. Он стал еще выше, теперь это уже почти альт, а не тенор, и при этом он чудесным образом подходит именно такой музыке, которую играет группа. А играет она сверхъестественно, Хоу и Уэйкман не перестают удивлять своим мастерством, особенно поражает разнообразие от синтезаторов Рика на The Remembering. Мой любимый трек здесь - The Ancient, с самым авангардным звучанием и наименьшим количеством слов. В самом его конце можно услышать сольную игру Хоу, в то время как обычно все музыканты играют настолько слаженно, что звук получается предельно плотный и кого-либо выделить невозможно. Четвертый, Ritual - самый мелодичный из всех, на мой взгляд. Особо здесь стоит выделить игру Сквайра на бас-гитаре и изумительное соло Уайта на барабанах и перкуссии в середине композиции, чего раньше у Yes не встречалось.

Оценка: 10 из 10.





Yes - Tales From Topographic Oceans


Member: Topographicyes

In the annals of prog rock history, this album is notorious. Possibly the most grandiose statement a rock band has ever made. If ever there was a 'love/hate' album, this would have to be the one because, as a rule, the fans are evenly divided. They love it or they hate it, there is not much sitting on the fence with this one.

I for one, love it. It's probably not my favorite Yes album, but it ranks up there with the best. Tales took me a long time to get around to though. I had to burn myself out on the more concise Yes albums first. I had a thirst for more classic Yes and Tales seemed like the next stop on that journey.

Once I started listening, REALLY listening, it's beauty revealed it's self to me. Initially I was drawn to Yes because of their more bombastic moments like the first 5 minutes of "Close To The Edge" or the battle section of "Gates of Delirium". Similar intense passages are on Tales as well, but they are evenly balanced with more ethereal sections that border on delicate. Those sections quickly became some of my favorite Yes music.

People may claim there is some "filler" on this double lp, but the thought never occurred to me back when I first heard it. I didnt question the validity of any part of the music, so when I reached the net many years later, it was news to me. Some passages may be a little longish, but they are still important to the compositions.

Tales is a 4 song, 4 sided (back in the vinyl days) album. Of the 4 sides, I think the first- "The Revealing Science of God", and the last or fourth, "Ritual", are the best. They offer the full range of what the best Yes music was about. "Ritual", in particular, was their way of "driving it all home on a biggie" and it works splendidly. The other two sides have their own unique charms as well, "The Remembering", the second track, has some of Yes' most delicate and etheral moments, as well as some more intricate passages. I consider this side a lost gem, one of the more underrated pieces of Yes music. The third side, "The Ancient", starts out as some of Yes' most bizzare and demanding (to the listener) music ever commited to an lp. This points the way to what they would be doing on their next album, Relayer, really pushing the avant garde envelope. "The Ancient" ends in a beautiful classical guitar piece from Steve Howe, his best IMO. If I have any gripe, it's that "The Ancient" is really 2 10 minute pieces, but with the spirit of this album I can see why they left it as one side.

If you have yet to discover Tales, please take the time, it will be a rewarding experience if you are open to it.



Yes - Tales From Topographic Oceans

Released: 1973/2003
Label: Atlantic Records / Rhino Records
Cat. No.: 2908 / 73791
Total Time: 121:13


Reviewed by: Keith "Muzikman" Hannaleck, September 2003
Tales From Topographic Oceans is a remarkable album. It was in 1973 and it still is today. It seems that many Yes albums have attained that lofty status over the years. This one in particular was risky; in that it was such an enormous undertaking and so complex to record and mix. The result was a definitive progressive rock masterpiece that served as a benchmark for all other aspiring like-minded groups to follow.

This album marked the departure of drummer extraordinaire Bill Bruford and the emergence of Alan White. Did this all-important change affect the group? I dare say it did not. White was every bit adept with his drum kit as Bruford was. It is also interesting to note that this was not one of Rick Wakeman's favorite albums and hence his departure was eminent as well unfortunately.

Well, on to the brighter side of things. This beautifully remastered copy comes housed in a nice slipcase with the old-fashioned gatefold album sleeve style to emulate the original vinyl release, which I absolutely love. With the exception of one track, "The Ancient Giants Under the Sun," which clocked in at 18:37, the other three songs were over twenty minutes long! What a marvelous achievement. At the time critics surely must have thought it was a bit self-indulgent, but after all this was a band with a string of successes behind it and why not push the envelope one more time to see what would happen? Thank the good Lord they did, where would we be in progressive rock right now without pioneers like Yes, I shudder at the thought.

There are two very remarkable and entertaining bonus tracks on this remastered magnum opus, "Dance Of The Dawn (Studio Run-Through) " and "Giants Under The Sun (Studio Run-Through)." They are both studio practice sessions. It gives you a glimpse of each composition in its infancy. I do not think I need to add anything else except that you should get all of these remasters, they are essential for any progressive rock collection.

Rating: 5/5

More about Tales From Topographic Oceans:

Track Listing: Disc One: The Revealing Science Of God - Dance of the Dawn (20:23) / The Remembering High The Memory (20:35) / The Ancient Giants Under the Sun (18:37)

Disc Two: Ritual - Nous Sommes Du Soleil (21:33) / Bonus Tracks: Dance of the Dawn (Studio Run-Through) (Previously Unissued) (23:10) / Giants Under The Sun (Studio Run-Through) (Previously Unissued) (17:34)

Musicians:
Rick Wakeman - Keyboards
Jon Anderson - Vocals
Alan White - Percussion, Drums
Steve Howe - Guitar, Vocals
Chris Squire - Bass, Vocals