Tales From Topographic Oceans, 50 years old today.

[Petr Kropotkin]

I was 14 when this came out December 7th, 1973. YES were one of the biggest bands in the world back then, and expectations were high as to whether they could top Close To The Edge. Suffice to say, it divided critics and fans alike (and even within the group, with Rick Wakeman leaving the band, unimpressed with its extensive "padding").

To me, there was nothing like it at the time, and there has been nothing so ambitious like it since. It's always been a "mood" album for me - not something I could listen to, say, driving the car, but with the right environment and substances, and in a meditative state, it took me to places no other album has even done.

So cheers and a happy birthday to a unique album that for me, 50 years later, was and still is, ahead of its time.

 

[The Rang]

Wish they would repress the Bluray

 

[Bill B]

Wish they would repress the Bluray

I'm guessing that they won't repress because this will most likely be released in a deluxe set similar to the recent "The Yes Album" set, so you will get a chance to get the SW 5.1 mix (from the 2016 BR) plus a new Atmos mix. The bad news is that it will probably be $100+.

 

[Clement]

I was 14 when this came out December 7th, 1973. YES were one of the biggest bands in the world back then, and expectations were high as to whether they could top Close To The Edge. Suffice to say, it divided critics and fans alike (and even within the group, with Rick Wakeman leaving the band, unimpressed with its extensive "padding").

To me, there was nothing like it at the time, and there has been nothing so ambitious like it since. It's always been a "mood" album for me - not something I could listen to, say, driving the car, but with the right environment and substances, and in a meditative state, it took me to places no other album has even done.

So cheers and a happy birthday to a unique album that for me, 50 years later, was and still is, ahead of its time.

View attachment 99099

I hear you, comrade! I'm a tad younger than you: i received this set as a Christmas present in 1976 when i was fifteen. Once i found the right substances my junior year in HigH school, the album became a frequent go-to for feeding my head on those astral travels–ah, High the Memory! Over all these years, it continues to reveal its bounties. This picture is for you:

 

[knifeman]

Not my go-to Yes record, but I do give it an occasional listen. I was a HS senior at the time and don't recall anyone having this album. Everybody was still listening to Fragile. Still one of my favorite covers, though.

 

[steelydave]

Just to add a bit of quad curiosity to this, I found this news item in a copy of Record World (a trade publication like Billboard) from early 1974:

Wonder if that quad mix was ever completed, maybe @ForagingRhino would know...

 

[jefe1]

I cant imagine the potential this has as an atmos mix.......the stereo was always enough to take me somewhere else......

 

[Petr Kropotkin]

...Still one of my favorite covers, though.

Definitely my favourite ever cover. I bought one of Roger Dean's limited-edition giclée prints of the original artwork years ago, now sells for six times what I paid.

 

[timothyemerson]

Anyone know what happened to QQer Dennis Moore? When the Steven Wilson mix was released, I remember reading his infectiously enthusiastic posts.

 

[colsky]

Anyone know what happened to QQer Dennis Moore? When the Steven Wilson mix was released, I remember reading his infectiously enthusiastic posts.

Last around here over 3 years ago I think. I know he had health issues so I fear the worst . He had an excellent (almost English!) sense of humour, and we had many witty exchanges.

 

[nikomen]

Other than Fragile, my absolute favorite Yes album, even without mind altering substances! Love the extremely lengthy songs, and concept album. Nothing has been made like it since. Screw the critics, then, and now! Let all the virtuosos show their chops, including John Anderson’s amazing voice! Getty Lee eat your heart out! You (and Rush) suck compared to John Anderson (and Yes!)

 

[ProgRules]

I hear you, comrade! I'm a tad younger than you: i received this set as a Christmas present in 1976 when i was fifteen. Once i found the right substances my junior year in HigH school, the album became a frequent go-to for feeding my head on those astral travels–ah, High the Memory! Over all these years, it continues to reveal its bounties. This picture is for you:
View attachment 99101

Why is Squire frowning? Shouldn't that be Steve???

 

[Electric Moo]

Yes.....one of my alltime fave album covers too. Tonight I'll raise a pint to Roger Dean, the genius.

Funny I had never actually heard the album, but it blew my mind at a concert some years ago when they played tracks from it. Probably all of side 1?

I'll blast that LP tonight while I sip on some Guinness. I'd love to get a big print of the cover art & hang it up. $$ though & I have other priorities, like food & shelter

Who needs that stuff anyway? I could have an Atmos setup if I was living under a bridge with only a tarp over my head, right?

 

[Orgillian197]

I was a budding 16 year old guitarist in a Yes/Led Zeppelin cover band and thought the album was a masterpiece, equal to Close To The Edge. Years later, you could suss out the parts of it where Wakeman sat out, expressing his displeasure, but that wasn't as obvious back in the day.
We only worked up some of the parts of the Side Three as a band, partially due to not having a Wakeman quality keyboard player to even attempt any of the rest of it. I recently bought a Japanese UHQCD version of it and heard things I'd not heard before in my previous thousand or so listens.

 

[Francis Drake]

I'm guessing that they won't repress because this will most likely be released in a deluxe set similar to the recent "The Yes Album" set, so you will get a chance to get the SW 5.1 mix (from the 2016 BR) plus a new Atmos mix. The bad news is that it will probably be $100+.

Now i'm feeling old!, i remember picking up my copy when it was released.

I managed to get both the Bluray and SACD releases. A little OTT maybe, but it's just one of those albums.

 

[mandrix]

1973. Don't think I bought the album at the time. I was (cough cough) about a decade over age 14 though and home from my "senior trip" courtesy of Sam. lol.

Haven't listened in a while! Time to fire it up.

 

[knifeman]

Definitely my favourite ever cover. I bought one of Roger Dean's limited-edition giclée prints of the original artwork years ago, now sells for six times what I paid.

View attachment 99111

Nice! I have it on a t-shirt. I met Roger Dean a few years back, and he could not have been more gracious. I've always loved his work, and I wasn't trying to hide that fact. I wound up with large prints of Relayer and Pathways (Yessongs cover), and a smaller print of Gentle Giant's Octopus cover, all of which I framed. He signed everything, along with my '74 vintage Relayer cover.

 

[knifeman]

Anyone know what happened to QQer Dennis Moore? When the Steven Wilson mix was released, I remember reading his infectiously enthusiastic posts.

I asked the same thing awhile back. He was definitely ga-ga over the upcoming Tales reissue back then, as was I over all the Yes titles.

 

[ForagingRhino]

Just to add a bit of quad curiosity to this, I found this news item in a copy of Record World (a trade publication like Billboard) from early 1974:
View attachment 99106
Wonder if that quad mix was ever completed, maybe @ForagingRhino would know...

Nope.

 

[jimfisheye]

The coda guitar solo at the end is still my favorite Yes moment.
The dedication to being difficult in this work is still just inspiring!