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47 of 52 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Going For The One: Rhino Remaster, December 31, 2004
As noted, Atlantic remastered much of Yes' classic catalog a few years back. Now, Rhino is having a go at it. The Rhino versions differ than the Atlantic versions, in that they feature bonus tracks. Most of the bonus tracks to these Rhino re-issues are disposable, but on this particular re-issue, you get a few bonus tracks that were found on the _Yesyears_ boxed set, which means that fans who don't want to shell out the extra cash for these tracks, can now get them for less.
Yes released this magnificent, often overlooked gem in 1977: a time when art rock was being scoffed at as pretentious and overblown. Punk had surged forth, and Johnny Rotten & Co. had a field day ripping Yes, Pink Floyd, Queen and others. It would appear during that time (at least during the making of this album), the members of Yes didn't give a darn about the trends of the day, as their usual cosmic, soaring, mystical aesthetic pervades the album in a big way (which is a good thing.)
The music on here is splendid - soaring, lush, illuminating -- an orgasm for the soul. Jon Anderson's vocals soar high, Steve Howe's guitar playing stuns as usual, and is very fluid, Chris Squire's (and Steve's) backing, majestic vocals blend magnificently with Jon's (and not to mention the man's bass playing), Rick Wakeman (who makes his return with Yes for the first time since 1973's _Tales From Topographic Oceans_) supplies his virtuosic, classically-oriented flourishes not just through synthesizers, but also a church organ, and other types of keyboards.
Alan White is possibly one of the most underacknowledged drummers out there. His drumming skills possibly go largely unnoticed due to the overpowering cosmic front brought on by the other members of the band. With this powerfully compelling, lush exterior Yes possesses, how could one possibly be fully aware of subtle nuances that are arguably beneath the surface? While many of us are being lifted higher to some heavenly place, it is all too common to miss the technical brilliance that is going on. Alan's drumming is the perfect example for this. While all of the cosmic stuff is knocking us sideways, Alan is in the background doing all sorts of creative and impressive things on the kit: his sense of time, the creative use (and placement) of the cymbals and snare hits during a certain meter, and other subtle things should not be taken lightly. This is just one of the many, many, many reasons why I think Yes are special: they possess technical brilliance, but they have something else as well -- something that's arguably even more powerful and intangible than their technical abilities.
The title track, while cosmic and grand, is quite raucous, mostly due to the steel guitar musings from Steve Howe. It can be grating at times, but it also helps to give the track a harder edge. The rhythmical quality of the vocals during the bridge (repeated once more before the ending) is quite creative and seductive. This, and more, help to lead up to the orgasmic, goosebump-inducing climax of the song, which feature choral effects from the vocal harmonies.
"Turn of The Century" is a smooth, mystical, ballad with a new age aesthetic. The lyrics on here are touching, and the soundscapes are ethereal and image-inducing as ever. Jon's vocals are outstanding as always. Sonic textures mostly brought on by Steve's musings during the middle of the track give way to the ethereal, majestic climax near the end of the song.
"Parallels" is written by Chris Squire, and is grand and soaring as ever. Rick's use of the church organ here certainly adds more of a mystical, spiritual and regal quality to the track. This track, while cosmic on the outside, is quite busy underneath it all. Check out the time changes, the multiple vocal layers, and the instrumentation that is going on all at once -- Rick's keyboard lines, Steve's guitar lines, Chris' basslines, and Alan's drumming.
"Wonderous Stories" is much like "Turn of The Century" -- a ballad with a mystical, new age aesthetic. Jon's vocals, as always, are precious and moving. Steve's guitar lines here are quite melodic, and what's impressive are how well they blend in with the rest of the instrumentation.
"Awaken" is classic. Like the rest of the album -- but more specifically, here -- it is almost impossible to put into account the effect it has on me. It's the 15-minute closer of the album, and boy, is it ever so good. Grand, lush, soaring, illuminating -- this track soars, and it shines as bright as the sun. The massive bed of sound just smothers your senses, and does not let go. Yes even got a church choir to add their voices in certain parts of the track. It is the most goosebump-inducing song on the album, and is also my favorite Yes song. There is quite a bit of stuff going on here -- the vocal harmonies are penetrating, the basslines tasteful, Steve's solos orgasmic. On a different listening session, when you're not being seduced by the powerful cosmic aura of this music -- or when you're trying your hardest not to be -- pay attention to the technical stuff going on in these songs. In this track, one of the many things I'd like to talk about is Alan's drumming: pay special attention to what Alan is doing on the drum kit, especially during the "suns high streams thru," "strong dreams reign here," and "star, song, age, less" sections of the track. It's quite nifty.
This is an excellent album from Yes. Highly recommended -- that is, if you are a Yes fan, own (and love) all of their studio albums, particularly from the 1971-1974 period, but do not own this. Don't pass it by.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Expanded and Remastered" Edition is Awesome, November 30, 2003
"Going For The One", originally issued in 1977, is overlooked in the Yes catalogue (the same goes for 1978's "Tormato" for that matter). It finds the band in between the truly prog-rock early years and just before the less-then-thrilling foray of Top 40 ("Owner of a Loney Heart"). I personally am very fond of this album. The album includes the hard rocking "Parallels" and the majestic "Awaken", not to mention "Wonderous Stories", still one of the band's most popular tracks after all these years.This "Expanded and Remastered" edition (12 tracks, 79 min.) has of course the original album, but is supplemented by 7 bonus tracks. "Montreux's Theme" is an instrumental from the same sessions. "Vevey" is a live instrumental (recorded in a church!) of Jon on harp and Rick on church organ, just beautiful. "Amazing Grace" is a studio recording of Chris' amazing bass-solo, performed frequently in concert. The remaining tracks are (early) studio run-throughs of the album's tracks, providing a fascinating inside look on how the tracks sounded in their embryonic stages. "Going for the One" is here as an instrumental. "Parallels" is heard without the towering church organ. Best of all, "Eastern Number" is a 12 min. early version of what eventually would become "Awaken". Kudos to the fine folks at Rhino for putting together this exquisite reissue, and showing others in the industry how it's done. Excellent liner notes, great pictures, fascinating bonus tracks, it's all here. Essential for any Yes fan.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Forget everything you've heard about this. Now read this:, October 9, 2004
Going For The One, the 8th studio album by Yes, was released after a three-year wait since the excellent Relayer (1974). In those three years, every band member that appears on this album released solo material (even Alan White!). This might explain the fact that three of the five song here are credited to one person, whereas earlier compositions were group efforts. This album signaled a return to the more concise style of songwriting of the first four albums. As Rick Wakeman said: "Yes were writing songs again.". Still, there's a 15-minute epic, so this is still familiar ground to fans of "Gates of Delirium" and the like.
1) Going For The One (10/10). This song will always divide fans into two camps. The vocals are a little high-pitched and the music a little twee, but it's exactly this adventurous spirit that makes Yes Yes. Steve Howe's slide guitar solo is absolutely orgasmic and Chris Squire's backing vocals are GENIUS! Get the fantastic "Yesyears" DVD to see studio footage of this master at work with the backing vox.
2) Turn of the Century (10/10) A religious experience to say the least! No drums intruding on the hallowed melody. The instrumental section led by Wakeman's classical piano and Howe's wailing guitar is a taste of what's to come...
3) Parallels (10/10) A Chris Squire-penned chugging rocker featuring the best use of church organ ever. Alan White has some opportunity to show off towards the end as well.
4) Wondrous Stories (9/10). Jon Anderson's hippy strum-along and surprise hit single. Altogether well-executed and memorable. Also features the tacky keyboard sound Wakeman would employ on Tormato the following year.
5) Awaken (10/10). Possibly the greatest Yes piece ever. Starts off with a gorgeous piano flourish and Jon Anderson's dulcet tones. Then comes the awesome, tricky time-signature and chanting. Features an ethereal harp and organ section.
This is the greatest Yes album of the 70's. They would reach another peak in 1984 with 90125 (if you don't think "Leave It" is genius...), but this album represent everything great about Yes.
Like this? Try these:
1) Yes - Tormato (but listen to it first)
2) Genesis - Wind & Wuthering (epic, odd time-signatures and a minor hit)
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