Prog Rock II
Yes hoped to build on the success of Close To The Edge with the epic double LP, Tales From Topographic Oceans, with one song on each side of the record. Instead, it can be argued they invited criticism of progressive rock’s pomposity.
YES
The Tooleman Presents Yessongs 2 [no label, 2CD]
Live at Madison Square Garden, New York City, Feb 18, 1974. Part of Tales From Topographic Oceans Tour.
Yes have claimed in an interview at the time with UK weekly Melody Maker, that this show was their best performance ever.
“This time we’d like to… uh… play for you… the four pieces of music, the length of our new album. Yeah, hang in with us. The album’s called ‘Tales From Topographic Oceans’.”
Jon Anderson’s invitation to his rowdy American audience couldn’t have prepared them for what was to come, music that was almost classical in their arrangements with lengthy passages from each member standing in the spotlight for more than his 15 minutes of fame, soloing endlessly. Some would say needlessly.
But the firecrackers stopped. Yes were allowed to play unmolested by the 20,000 capacity audience. This show was hastily arranged after the original one night stand at the Garden was sold out.
Most fans point to The Remembering, a 24-minute odyssey that climaxes with Wakeman’s swirling mellotron, as the highlight. This was the tour when Rick Wakeman would be playing lengthy mellotron solos, with [allegedly] one hand sometimes clutching a beer bottle. What style, what decadence, if true.
The Tales tour cemented for Yes lifelong fans awed by their daring, imagination and musicianship. Later in the tour, Yes stopped peforming the entire Tales album, perhaps it was too demanding and tiring. They have never quite managed to play these four songs again with such concentration.
This is an incomplete recording of the show at Madison Square Garden. It misses the opening set when Yes played the entire Close To The Edge album and also the encore, Roundabout, their radio-friendly hit.
According to fan site Forgotten Yesterdays, folk guitarist John Martyn sat in at this show. Remastered by super Yes fan, Tooleman, January 2005. This is a stereo audience recording from very near the stage. Excellent. This is shared because a reader made a request. - Professor Red
CD1
1 Introduction
2 The Revealing Science of God
3 Introduction
4 The Remembering
CD2
1 Introduction
2 The Ancient [aka Giants Under The Sun]
3 Introduction
4 Ritual: Nous Sommes du Soleil
Click here to download the tracks.
Please feel free to add your comments.
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Due to popular demand, these sets are now available for download:
Kyu
Tokyo 2005
click here for the tracks
Mickey Newbury
Triad Studios 1991
click here for the tracks
Thank you for this. It brings back sweet memories…I was to young to be at this show, but I loved yes growing up and in the caos of life they slipped my mind…