Awaken or Close To The Edge - Progressive Rock Music Forum

Originally posted by Upbeat Tango Monday

Upbeat Tango Monday wrote:

CTTE, but all Yes epics are fantastic

This

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Definitely CTTE

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Dellinger wrote:

I do love both, but Awaken.

Me too. Awaken gets my vote, but just by a little fraction.

Of course CTTE, but if somebody put's Awaken on a turntable, I'm happy enough

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CTTE +1

I'm a huge YES fan and I believe which the majority of Yes fans will answer Close to the Edge ( is more than enough verify the result at this moment CTTE - 29 and Awaken 13). I understand and respect this opinion, because CTTE is a masterpiece from the golden age of prog rock ( late 60's until middle 70's ). But, IMHO Awaken is slightly superior in arrangements in all instruments .

Dellinger wrote:

iluvmarillion wrote:

Kepler62 wrote:

I was just listening to a live version of Awaken from 2003 on Youtube and had almost completely forgotten about Going For The One. Don't know if it's because I am over familiar with Close To The Edge but I think in many ways Awaken transcends Close To The Edge. It was certainly the last great Yes composition before things began to go off the rails with the crazy lineup changes.

OK start arguing about this.

Best version of Awaken is from the House Of Yes dvd. Anyway, Yes wrote plenty of good - great compositions after they wrote Awaken. "In the Presence Of" in 2003 is almost as good as anything they wrote from their classic period.

House of Yes is the one with Billy Sherwood and Igor? I must admit I didn't give it so much of a chance, because well... I prefer Wakeman, and at first listen I didn't hear an improvement, at least. However, my favourite version of the song would be the one at Keys to Ascension. Though, listening again to the studio version I do apreciate the church organ thing better, some more backing vocals, and Howe's faster playing... but that improved piano intro is just so much better than the original, and the extended middle keyboard section has got it's moments too.

Igor is great on keyboards in Awaken but it's Jon Anderson's work on electric harp in the middle section that really impresses me. It's not his technical playing but rather the silences between the notes that he gets perfect.

I've given Awaken a few more listens. I'm listening to the House of Blues version right now. Is it me or is the tempo a little sped up?

Awaken despite its qualities pales in comparison with Yes best epics imho. It is basically revolving around few simple motives dragging too long, and there are no really intricate or breathtaking parts. It sounds like an attempt of JA to reach a new level of spirituality, with only a partial success. I probably miss some kind of spontaneity in it. From both emotional and compositional standpoint it lags behind their divine masterworks such as Ritual, Gates of Delirium, Endless Dream and of course Close to the Edge.

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CTTE by a mile

Poll Question: Which is Yes' Piece de Resistance
Poll Choice	Votes	Poll Statistics
Awaken	21	[31.34%]
Close To The Edge	46	[68.66%]
This topic is closed, no new votes accepted