Original

Rick Wakeman rejoined the group in late 1976 and they began working on this album that was released in July of ’77. Forgoing the usual Roger Dean cover this tri-fold cover was designed by the Hipgnosis collective. This record has shorter more accessible songs although the 15 minute “Awaken” is on side two. The title track is the first on side on, it’s a rocking song that I always liked. “Turn Of The Century” is a beautiful acoustic ballad. It uses the Greek story of Pygmalion as it’s theme. “Parallels” is another rocker written by Chris Squire. Wakeman plays a church organ on that track. Side two opens with “Wonderous Stories” a song that was released as a single. That song always makes me think of the Genesis song “Trick Of The Tail” for some reason. “Awaken” closes the side. Another one of my favorite Yes songs. Love it every time I hear it. Going through several phases it employs a choir at one point a harp and a Wakeman keyboard solo near the end. The last lines of the song “Like the time I ran away, turned around and you were standing close to me” sung twice were always emotional to me. A standout track and a concert favorite. Although I didn’t see this tour, I did see them perform this song a few times. Jon Anderson would bring a big harp on stage to play that part. Like most of my Yes records I’m finding out it doesn’t sound too good. Like to replace all of them but that probably won’t happen. I do have digital copies of all their albums up to 2001’s Magnification, Anderson’s last record with them.