YES - THE ANCIENT - MINDBLOWING REMASTER - LIVE FROM NEW YORK 18/2/74 - TOPOGRAPHIC OCEANS TOUR

[@georgeratkovich7161]

No member of the band had reached 30 years of age at the time of this performance. Beyond remarkable. To think of the focus this required, night after night for such young musicians traveling the world. .Yes had already become immensely popular, but they never allowed their popularity to distract them. They set the standards for live performances and we were the beneficiaries.

[@ianhartley2158]

So true

[@georgeratkovich7161]

@@ianhartley2158 From 1975 going forward, I had the privilege of attending close to 100 live YES concerts. I was 16 years of age when I witnessed YES for the first time; Relayer Tour, Hollywood Bowl. I was spoiled after that and set out to see as many YES concerts as possible. I commend you for your time and effort. Your 1974 Tales postings are the best I have heard, and something tells me this was not easy to do. Can you briefly explain how you improved the audio?

[@ikkenhisatsu7170]

How this song isn't considered one of the greatest prog/fusion songs ever! - escapes me. Amazing performance.

[@nailboy7370]

I'm with you 👍

[@kinglerxst7984]

When I bought 'TFTO' way back somewhere in 1976 or 1977 (I was 10 at that time) 'The Ancient' was always the song I avoided for some reason. Being to difficult for my young age or not 'melodic' enough compared to the rest of the album...I don't know. Anyway, things have changed quite a bit since those days...so finally the whole album has become one of my favorite prog-albums of all time. Also HUGE thanks for this perfect remaster!

[@ianhartley2158]

I think this applied to a lot of us .

[@frankhoulihanfh4972]

My perception of Tales was difficult to form initially. Nevermind express. After I finally decided I had formed an initial impression I discovered it was already changed. Changing. And is still changing now. I suspect I may have listened to more Tales than anything else during our times together. Cannot tell you how many times Tales has helped me through experiences I don’t wish to describe. Saved my life. Numerous times.

[@Relayer6a]

Definitely not the most "accessible" side of the album. Until Leaves of Green, anyway.😁

[@frankhoulihanfh4972]

One of the most lovely surprises I have ever found on the internet. Thank you. An old Yeshead ❤

[@wendellwiggins2900]

One of the most controversial of YES but seeing it Live in 74 was an unimaginable amount of intensity of complex perfection and creativity one could ever experience experience in this lifetime

[@marcmanis2970]

I was there in 74 at Madison Square Garden hearing it for the first time was remarkable all four tracks are musical genius

[@Magnetron33]

agreed Saw this 3 nights in a row

[@waltersandza4244]

Thank you so much!! A dream come true to a 66yo. I saw it live in 73-74 in St Louis, but it went right over my head. Un effing believable!! My fave Yes piece. The GOAT..

[@Thundergod-]

Sadly there were a few shows in the '70s where I was too loaded to appreciate them. Seeing them unhindered by chemicals is the way to go IMHO....

[@marcmanis2970]

There is no greater album than Tales from Topographic Oceans period end of discussion 4 amazing tracks

[@keithfitzgerald876]

Witness the Trumpian arrogance in this turd-deposit's claim that whatever he thinks is best cannot be disputed.

[@Thundergod-]

They say you have to be a true Yes fan to appreciate Tales. It's sad that all they ever play these days is Ritual. (side 4) By the way, what is their status ??? After the recent passing of Alan White I was hoping that the remaining members would do a tribute or something. Sure would like to see Jon and Steve play together again. I saw ARW a few yrs. ago but it was missing some of that Yes magic....

[@AldousHuxleysCat]

​@@Thundergod-the Steve Howe version of yes will be touring this fall. I'm a little sketchy on the details however it is unlikely that he and Jon Anderson will ever work together again. I do not recall the details, the basic thing is that Steve is upset about something and refuses to let it go. Jon has also been touring. If I was going to spend my money on one of the two bands I'm going to see Jon

[@Thundergod-]

@@AldousHuxleysCat With Steve being the only holdover from their classic era, Yes isn't much more than a tribute band any more. That being said I would pay to see ARW again....

[@AldousHuxleysCat]

@@Thundergod- I agree, I'd go see Steve if it wasnt billed as Yes, but that name sells tickets.

[@1ouncebird]

Oh my! The Ancient live? I'd figured that was never going to be heard by myself. Amazing! Thank you so much.

[@MOOGTRONMANIC]

A masterpiece for sure. so unique, complex, incredible musicianship. i was 14 in 1977 when first hearing this, but warmed to it quickly, as my father had already played me a wealth of classical music, so my young mind got accustomed to longform complexity and consistently changing moods within the music. "prog" ofcourse also included time sigs galore, especialy with YES music.

[@megasoid]

No one could touch Yes at it's peak, or the other popular prog rock acts of this era. Say what you want about Tales as an album, you can't blame a band when they swing for the fences.

[@LordGreystoke]

This is a remarkable live rendition. Now, why didn't they perform more? They rarely performed it. And yet the band was in love with Ritual but the Ancient is just as dramatic a piece. Thank you for this remaster. Real pleasure to listen to.

[@AldousHuxleysCat]

As I recall at the time they said this one was too difficult to play live. Listening to this it sounds like they pulled it off without a hitch but who knows, they continue to perform leaves of green over the years but that's it

[@frankhoulihanfh4972]

I saw them play Leaves Of Green, just Steve and Jon, like Gods, in between Gates and Ritual in 2000 on the Masterworks Tour. Igor on keys. An absolute mindblower. They were so good live! So great! I also saw Tales @ MSG I think it was 2/18/74, nosebleeds. As a previous poster said, alot of this stuff was flying over my head, our heads. I was a couple months short of 16. What a fine recording this is!!!

[@DuetOjciecisyn]

@@AldousHuxleysCat It was rather too hard to get for most of their audiences. Most people just wanted Roundabout or And You and I...

[@AldousHuxleysCat]

@@DuetOjciecisyn lol, nope, the audience for yes came to see them perform the latest album they put out and this was the case for most every tour up until maybe the '90s. Also on the topographic tour they performed all of close to the edge so you would have gotten and you and I.

[@DuetOjciecisyn]

@@AldousHuxleysCat They once said that the whole Topographic material was too hard to swallow for their audience and perhaps for Mr. Wakeman and that was the main reason for skipping The Remembering and The Ancient later on

[@fergusryan1486]

Thoroughly enjoyable! Live energy gives this much more sense and context than studio version, Thanks for posting.x

[@FrancoisLandry-g9b]

Alan est incroyablement vigoureux, rapide et précis. J'aurais bien aimé être témoin d'une telle performance. J'ai vu Yes une vingtaine de fois sur scène mais jamais eu la chance de voir The Ancient on stage.

[@jamesmicucci7028]

Of the 70 (give or take) Yesshows I've attended (zero since 2015), I was lucky enough to see "The Ancient" performed in its entirety....one time only: Feb. 15, 1974, New Haven, CT. My 2nd Yesshow.

[@fernandotor3266]

Greatest band ever

[@paularcuri2376]

Best band ever....

[@1adneumann]

Back in '72-'77 for sure....

[@rontillman3168]

Yes and Beatles….I heard that someone asked Paul McCartney what it was like to be in the best band in the world and he said “ I don’t know I was never in Yes”.

[@scottsuvoski9574]

@@rontillman3168 That would be a trip if that were true!!???? Good one, none the less!

[@hamadah4]

Fantastic! The whole band shines, especially Steve.

[@johnkru1295]

I gotta listen to the studio version after this. You reminded me how good this piece is. Thanks.

[@yopage]

This is my favorite song from the album, I don't know why, LOL. It's just out there and daring. It's been in my head for almost 50 years, wowwwww. Some great work on this recording. I love the way the song is brought off here by the band also. Yes were for real. After the success of Fragile, they could have rested on their morals for many more albums using the same format as most bands would have. BUT, they went directly afterward to large format composition, probably their most memorable work.

[@ianhartley2158]

I veer between The Remembering and The Ancient in terms of favourites but all four Tales tracks are just bliss to me.

[@bobkosturko812]

they could have rested on their laurels-not "morals" lol

[@1adneumann]

@@bobkosturko812 😁

[@Thundergod-]

Close To The Edge also ranks up there with their best work from the classic lineup....

[@frankhoulihanfh4972]

I loved the Bruford Yes. I still do. Possibly much of their finest output. Let’s remember though. Yessongs, mostly Alan. Before two years had passed there was also Tales. then Relayer. The first two Alan studio albums. Then Going For The One. Merely arguing both 70’s units operated pretty capably.

[@PhilistineTheArtLuvr]

Isn't it amazing how they followed this piece with Ritual? And then the Gates of Delirium? And then Awaken? And everything before all of that? And how about their solo work during all this time? The fact that none of it found any radio play blew my mind and it still blows my mind. But who cares about the public at large, this gem is ours to keep.

[@scottsuvoski9574]

I bought a Original Cassette of this bad audience recording way back in the 80's! You have done Miracles with this terrible recording! Thanks to You and Yes for stretching the boundaries of Music to the Max way back in 1974! A shame there isn't more live recordings of the '74 Tales Tour.

[@ianhartley2158]

Thank you for your kind comments

[@1adneumann]

Howe's finest moments, here....

[@louise_rose]

The original is one of his towering top five achievements (along with Gates, and the version of YIND on the Yessongs album) - and it's amazing that they were able to pull it off live to this standard.

[@uv77mc85]

@@louise_rose His best moments are gates of delirium live on yesshows and all of yesssngs. He is stunning on every track on that album. It is one of the best guitar albums ever made. For some reason he rarely showed what he was capable of in the studio and was very different live.

[@Rowenband]

One of top trio Yes songs. Love it. Sad they didn't play it more life.

[@markjacobsen8335]

So dope.

[@rickdesarle9875]

I was there. Thanks for posting.

[@DuetOjciecisyn]

That Steve's part starting at 11:30 is the best part of the whole track and it's not even on the original studio record :)

[@ianhartley2158]

I agree it's a good example of how far into the music he was

[@davidmooney5158]

When I saw Yes (for the first time) in Glasgow - late 1973 - I'm sure they only played the "Leaves of Green" section of The Ancient. Maybe it was a time constraint thing? Overall, at the age of 14, I was blown away by this concert both musically and visually. It was outstanding and has lived in my memory for 50 years. That and the Relayer tour about 18 months later.

[@ianhartley2158]

Wow that's so great. I had a similar experience but at the age of 16 in 1977.

[@Relayer6a]

I saw them on this tour in Boston. Before this show the "best" band i''d ever seen was J Geils. I played guitar, was in a gigging band and had no freaking clue what the hell Steve was playing. I hardly recognized a single chord he played (when he even played chords). something else to remember is there was no digital anything back then. No presets. No internet to download your favorite sampled tones. Every sound from a synthesizer had to have all the knobs twisted and placed properly. And for the most part there wasn't anyone else to listen to. Guys like Rick, Keith, etc... were making it all up on the fly.

[@godbluffvdgg]

Thanks for the upload...I was hoping it was live but...YES is still THE greatest of prog groups...

[@elpelp1878]

??? But it is Live!

[@MothershipOracle]

awesome! been waiting for better audio of anything from the tales tour. thanx for the upload!

[@iconiqueguy]

absolutely brilliant

[@brianjlevine]

I have spent a lot of time trying to figure out exactly what Chris is playing at the 12 minute mark. Never been able to work it out. Brilliant stuff.

[@bazeye]

Watch the bass line here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpeVfoSsbLSniJI&ab_channel=miguelbass

[@hpatss4966]

Steve sadly missed the little quote from Siberian Khatru during the second appearance of the very loud accented hits around 5:30

[@thomasprovidenza2367]

Steve Howe is a genius love tlp 777

[@louise_rose]

YES, he is - and a very unusual kind of rock guitar player.

[@guillcazenave9836]

... been in those 2 concerts at MSG (Mon & Wed). Howe & White: amazing! (this side 3 influenced by Crimson)

[@jobstludwig6197]

Dieser Song ist live, nach meiner Meinung, sogar besser als auf dem Album.

[@chrisrickert8638]

Wow; much better than the Cobo Hall recording. Nice

[@jstock2317]

holy crapola niiiice

[@nykol1244]

Fantastique ! Cosmique ! Subliminal !

[@randlerobbertson8792]

Amazing to hear this live rendition❤ it took me years to fully appreciate' this 4 side masterpiece - I never gave up and now appreciate this side 3 movement more than ever, 😊 PS and they really do it justice. I listened carefully to Rick's playing especially as he did not care for this album, even so, the individual performances of the entire band on this tricky movement are quite remarkable. And the accompanying imagery is quite brilliant. We'll done!!!!!

[@ianhartley2158]

Thank you so much

[@carlkelly9236]

They'll never be another Earth Wind and Fire, or another Mandril, or another Ohio Players, or another Weather Report, or another original Mahavishnu Orchestra, or another YES. If you know, you know.

[@greggbendian6250]

Concerto for Steel Guitar by Steve Howe

[@greggbendian6250]

I wish I knew what the contemporaneous use of "boogie" would have been? A rocked-out jam? Anybody, ideas?

[@sigil5772]

Playing it nearly twice as fast as on the album and still takes longer

[@ianhartley2158]

Not sure about twice as fast but, as with all the live Tales tracks on the tour, each song had its extended section not on the recorded version

[@sigil5772]

@@ianhartley2158 Yeah, I was exaggerated to make a wisecrack. Actually, the sound on this is one of the best I've heard of any of the Topographic bootlegs. I know what you mean about the new extended bits, and the part at 11:30 is much better than other live versions I've heard. Really don't like what Rick does on the live Remembering, like a totally different piece of music altogether.

[@louise_rose]

Absolutely spectacular playing and groove - I still prefer the studio original for its jazzier and more primeval feel - but there is no question that this recording provides a testament to the insane musical skills within the band. :)

[@hpatss4966]

@@sigil5772if only he had learned the original version’s solo. He didn’t care to. I really enjoy the major switch he goes into and the quote form the revealing science of God that he includes, however he should’ve learned the original solo and then added to it.

[@bei1016]

My 1st Yes Concert Bootleg back in 1975 was a Topographic Show . The Ancient was Never my Favorite, But As I was Told “ Yes Improvised , and Tales Sounded Better Live . I Sort Of Agree with Rick Wakeman’ s Feelings about Topographic. It would make an Incredible Single Album . Jon Anderson has Stated that he Will Someday Edit Tales Down a Bit . We’ll Still Love It . Thanks

[@joeywisedrums]

At 4:15, the revox tape machine containing the ending climb up of the ancient began in the wrong spot! Little artifact of the night

[@ianhartley2158]

Correct!

[@joeywisedrums]

@@ianhartley2158I kinda think it’s interesting how it played earlier, but they still got it back in time for the end of the track! They experimented with the revox for close to the edge, I’d love to have a readout of the cue list to know exactly how each of these songs was pulled off and what sounds were from Eddie

[@lpadilla4]

I was 16 yrs old how influential this was. I went with a relative who is nameless

[@uv77mc85]

why are they nameless?

[@lpadilla4]

Yes now is a ghost of a band....the fact that they're 3 parts american & the other 2 parts british were is the original British spirit of the band....come on guys....its about time to call it quits...if there is a way of bringing back Anderson, Wakeman & Bruford with Howe, do so and go out with a big bang.

[@ValThor-g2c]

Topographic and Close to the Edge are their masters. I find Fragile to only have too much filler. Live - Yessongs and Yesshows dovetail nicely.

[@ianhartley2158]

I would include relayer and possibly gfto too

[@ValThor-g2c]

Those albums jam. Pure Yes for sure. Even Tormato has real gems. I have always defended Tormato. Some tracks are "meh" but the bulk is worthy. The "meh" tracks are Circus, UFO and Whale. The rest is like GFTO era writing.@@ianhartley2158

[@1234tetsutetsu]

My favorite song from the album. I can't understand why they don't release official live version of it. Everyone is great here. Allan is outstanding especially.

[@pwethman1]

They never played it other than on the Tales tour, and I’ve never heard any recordings of anything off that tour. They probably didn’t have any recordings that were up to their standards to release.

[@BoBo0807]

@@pwethman1 They did play the ending part, starting with Steve's acoustic guitar ("Leaves of Green") on a couple of later (early 2000s) tours.

[@pwethman1]

@@BoBo0807 Yes, they did. I’ve seen them do it several times.

[@keithchau7110]

I think the management will release it on 100 anniversary after we all died.

[@marcmanis2970]

Revealing Science of God is the best track maybe their best YES song of them all.

[@greggbendian6250]

Shame about the bailing on the "As one with the knowledge" harmony. Rare Squire omission. But that aside it is one hell of an ambitious piece of prog writing and playing, no doubt.

[@paulbennett772]

Yes & Rush have been my 2 favourites for ages, certainly since Gentle Giant gave up the struggle & Renaissance disintegrated

[@matycee]

hah! I freakin' love Renaissance. I have five of their albums and still collecting...

[@lpadilla4]

The classic 70s Yes can't be repeated so why bother with them as a tribute band that they've turned into

[@BarrySanchez]

Thank-you this is absolutely beautiful, I broke out in tears during Leaves of Green, Absolutely Awesome!!!

[@luketomo5167]

I cried with laughter after I read your comment

[@LordGreystoke]

@@luketomo5167 I cried with astonishment at both responses. But then, what do I know? Yes was a special, unique band. May they never be forgotten.

[@hamadah4]

I broke also out in tears. It is beautiful and has a special undercurrent in the lyrics.

[@MrFy2013]

Professionally remastered by whom, and when?

[@ianhartley2158]

See credits at the end

[@jobstludwig6197]

Einer der besten Komposition von dieser großartigen Band. YES 2023 ist dagegen grausam.

[@azjaguar]

Now we know where `Bill Buford` got the idea of drumming bottles for a living with `King Crimson!`

[@uv77mc85]

haha. he stole that from the loony percussionist in King crimson who also gave Jon Anderson the book that gave him the idea for tales.

[@Chuckles..]

Probably the inverse. Bill recorded Larks Tongues In Aspic 5 months before Yes recorded Tales. Percussionist madman Jamie Muir was Bill's mentor at the time. I doubt Bill has ever even heard Tales lol.

[@bobkosturko812]

Great performance but the high end is too much. Very hissy and shrill.

[@artysanmobile]

If by ‘remaster’, you are referring to the horrendous, scooped mids and sizzling highs EQ curve obviously applied here, I’d suggest you find new speakers or earphones or whatever you monitor with. As is, it is certainly mindblowing, but not in the way you may have intended.

[@ianhartley2158]

Hi there and thanks so much for the kind comments. We welcome all points of view on this channel. The engineer who did the work here used hardly any eq - I was in on the process - but of course it is a crappy audience cassette recording from 1974 in a cavernous famously poor venue (acoustic-wise). For me, it is mind-blowing as I have not heard any better live recordings from this tour of the track before ( I have quite a lot of them). Please do let me know if you have one you could share. Hopefully a few of the 6,300 people who have listened will have enjoyed it a bit more (and THANK YOU !!!) but so sorry this was not your cup of tea.

[@douggottlieb]

Kind of a boogie

[@paulbennett772]

By any measure - and even if you don't like it - this is an extraordinary and mould-breaking album. This is actually my least favourite side.

[@lpadilla4]

Steve is just money hungry they hardly sell cds so what else do they have left but to tour and survive

[@hpatss4966]

Steve’s money hungry? Yes has always been a touring band. They released a critically acclaimed album recently. You’re out of touch

[@asharmstrong6730]

Astonishing. Howe playing with great ferocity and precision. Why do American audience members feel the need to whistle though? So disrespectful and annoying. Many an otherwise great bootleg has been ruined by this unfortunate idiotic behaviour.

[@davidhughes4448]

Idiotic indeed, Ash, and I'm an American, and I can't stand it either. We pay good money to hear a band in the proper listening atmosphere, and these people have to spoil the whole thing for the sane in the venue.

[@jamesdunn5495]

@@davidhughes4448 Dudes I would give anything to have crowds like that again at live shows, today's audiences suck, no passion back to the bands. dont you know by now that the bands feed off of the audiences?

[@davidhughes4448]

@@jamesdunn5495 James Dunn ("dude"): I'm 66 years old. I started attending rock concerts around 1970. Crowd members whistled and hooted during the shows back then, too. Your retort has nothing to do with time or age, it has to do with courtesy and respect, or lack thereof. This observation holds true for those who stand during the entire show as well. We pay for seats (to sit in) at shows, not standing space. I want to sit and enjoy the performance, not spend two hours asking the person in front of me to sit down.

[@bertbecker7532]

Steve certainly lets the audience know his displeasure, ever since he has been fronting the band.

[@jamesdunn5495]

@@bertbecker7532 Oh I know, I was at the Asia show here in Atlanta when he kicked some Hekcler in the 1st row

[@belmontevito]

terrible sound quality

[@ianhartley2158]

😂

[@hpatss4966]

Have you heard an audience recording before?

[@mikew5858]

Howe’s solo in this thing is interminable. I’ve gotten more enjoyment from dental appointments. The weakest track on the album.

[@ianhartley2158]

Can't disagree more but all opinions welcome here!

[@mikew5858]

@@ianhartley2158 I’m an outlier, my favorite is The Remembering, especially the ending. Anderson’s vocal when he’s singing about sunlight and alternate tunes and views is transcendent. I think it was at the same show where Wakeman outdid himself with his final solo, one of the few times he actually locked in on the tour.

[@ianhartley2158]

@@mikew5858 Well, we are in agreement on that. Have you checked out our remaster of The Remembering ? Rick's solo is breathtakingly mesmerising.

[@hpatss4966]

@@mikew5858in order to have great beauty you must be willing to endure great ugliness