Added: 5 years ago
From: nitrus747
Views: 85,045
Sort by time | Sort by thread (beta)

Link to this comment:

Share to:

All Comments (221)

Sign In or Sign Up now to post a comment!
  • I saw this live in the venue at the Tampa fairgrounds. My brother got us seats in the 2nd row. It was performed in the round with a rotating stage, it was great seeing all the guys playing on stage. 5 seats away was the aisle where they came out from the dressing room and got to the Stage. And to those people who comment about the egos. Just imagine spending 6 months on the road in close quarters with a group of your best friends . . . wonder how close you want to be after the tour.

  • To me YES became what a lot of great bands become... a brand, a name, a money maker. But if the band had decided to go on, the Union format was brilliant, and the right thing to do. It´s a shame they couldn´t go on like that, probably the stage would have collapsed some night... because of the weight of the egos I´d say.

  • Howe is the greatest guitarist of All time ....Squire is the greatest bass player of all time...Wakeman is the greatest key board player of all time...ANDERSON is the greatest vocalist of all time...TOGETHER...@ one point of this TIME of LIFE... you have the GREATEST BAND OF ALL TIME.

  • Good hold stuff on the CD "Union"...

  • My opinions: Rabin is a great guitarist, but Howe is in a class of his own. To say that Rabin is a better musician than Howe is absurd. Please go through every song that Howe has ever done with Yes, with a good pair of headphones, and then come back and tell me that Rabin is superior to Howe in any respect! You just can't. Howe is an artist with his guitar, a freaking genius.

  • @michaelgran100 I hope you know that most of Howe's guitar work on Union was actually done by studio wizard Jimmy Haun. The studio version of Shock to the System is almost all Haun. 

  • @neechee5150 But if you listen to the "Turbulence" CD by Howe, you´ll find he plays quite a few arrangements that were included in the Union CD... so although Jimmy Haun did the studio work, I´m positive he used original Howe recordings.

  • unbeliaveble how bruford sucked on union tour...he was so in to jazz this was a waste for him

  • chris and rabin were fucking at the time?Come on,too much love there...trevor,little pupil,with a semi-yes at the time,chris was happy with his little pupil?

  • I miss this YES so damn much...I clearly remember this spiritual atmosphere back in the late 70's....God what happened to this era? Only he knows.........lol

  • hahah look at Rick Wakeman's face on minute 4:53,

  • Bytheway if they would turn the volume of Trevor's guitar up during the guitarsolo (and I mean really loud) people would probably have more respect for him and his major contribution to this song (live).

    Because the guitar piece/solo Trevor plays is more complicated than that tiny melody Howe is playing during the chorus.

    Howe's part just has more impact, that's why I always say ''less is more''.

  • What a stupid comments.

    Howe is a better guitar player.

    Rabbin is a better musician (he also composes songs for movies etc.)

    They're both great and you can't compare them to each other because Howe is classically trained while Trevor is a (mostly selftaught) blues/rock guitarist!!!

  • Trevor Rabin is that stereotypical rock guitarist. He even has the look on his face that screams, "look at me, I'm a rock star." Annoying.

  • @Firebird7478 You just do not understand his behavior on stage. He is immersed in music. Look what a nice tandem with Chris. This guy is from South Africa has come a long way to go. Trevor is very hardworking and focused.

  • @Elena77960 watch Dana Carvey's parody of Rock stars in his stand up routine. It's a verbatim impersonation of Trevor Rabin. Rabin is good, but he is no Steve Howe, and THAT you do not understand.

  • @Firebird7478 Steve did not play very well here. If someone is annoying - then this is he.

  • WOW!

  • This is probably my favorite song on the otherwise boring Union album that is to simple and ballad-like with lack of the musical progressions, genius, virtuosis and spirit that I love Yes for.

    Wheter White or Brufford, the drumpiece on this song is horrible. 2 great drummers, and this is what they play.

    Put too many geniuses together and their individual styles and creativity gets blocked by the need to follow a common theme. Nice try to unite as persons but it´s a failure music wise.

  • the song of songs!

  • Comment removed

  • In the 1.30-1.37 min. Steve Howe played something unintelligible

  • TEAR IT UP STEVE!!!!

  • No, this is a live show, each is different than the last.... Rick's watching those guys for TIMING!!!! To know when he has to cut in/back to the "normal" music line when the solo ends!!!! That's why it flows.... they read each other.....

  • and @ 4:45 , rick is like, " uh, that's getting a little weird, guys..."

  • it's wonder somebody didn't fall off that stage...they're like sardines on there LOL

  • trevor is not a bad guitar player, he's actually really good, but howe is superior to trevor in all ways, howe makes trevor look like an amateur

  • @nucleardude11

    I agree, but really Union wasn't Howe's finest moment...

  • @Tharapita Howe did not play a note on the studio recording of Shock to the System. Studio wizard Jimmy Haun played every guitar part on the studio recording of this song.

  • @nucleardude11 The studio recording of this song as well as a good majority of the guitar parts on the Howe songs on Union were played by studio wizard Jimmy Huan. Howe did not play a single note on the final recording of Shock to the System. Judging by how many Yes fans were fooled by Huans playing, he must be an amazing guitar player in his own right or else Howe is not too dificult to immitate.

  • @nucleardude11 you backwards dude. no offense but rabin is a masterful musician. espescially compared to howe. don't get me wrong, steve how is great but rabin is on a whole other level.

  • This is easily my favorite song off of the severely underrated "Union" album!

  • what is the thing jon is tapping during the guitar solo? drum machine? keyboard?

  • @boibad12 I think it's an electric bongo.

  • @thericecrispy2 ahhhhh thanks

  • DVD coming soon!!!

  • RIFF!

  • Sometimes you have a great bassplayer or a great guitarist but these guys are all fucking great!!!

    Steve Howe's guitar part fucking rules, sounds absolutely beautifull.

    Howe and Rabin never got along very well but the musical chemistry between these guys is amazing..

  • @MrDunkJunk You do know that he is only playing his version/interpretation of the parts that studio wizard Jimmy Huan played? Howe did not play a single note on the studio recording of this song, and he fooled a good many die hard Yes fans along the way. Give credit where credit is due--Haun's work made this song what it is.

  • Union the album totally sucks...but this version of "Shock" was the perfect mix of all eight members doing their trademark contributions. Especially with the guitar solo section around 4:24 Outstanding progression.

  • kmagklein, i went to the rock hall last year and did not see i mention about yes, elp, genesis or king crimson - i dont think the hall likes prog

  • They should have been in the Hallof Fame befor the Beatles!

  • The music of this song appeared on Steve's solo album, prviously launched to UNION album, same with Ankor Wat from UNION album, it's 80% How composition

  • trevor + anderson + squire = perfect

  • trevor plays faster but the chords and other musical qualities steve has beats trevor by far. i'd love to see trevor try to play the clap

  • as I formerly said: the 8 blessed men of prog rock..amen

  • Bruford is more technical then White, more "jazzy" but both are good anyway.

    Steve and Trevor are so different.

    There is more texture playing with Trevor,

    Trevor got a better sound imo, Steve use always the same pattern, he's too clean, not enought "rock"

  • steve is awesome

  • trevor can't compete with steve

  • they provide a perfect Union

  • The chord progression starting at 4:15 is quintessential Yes!

  • glad to see Jon back in action now...will head up to Canada this spring for the concert...are you coming down to the states?

  • The way Jon intros the song, "...the song is called shock to the system, shock to the rights of mankind" gives me the feeling he didn't write *those* words, at least. Maybe Steve did, or J. Elias?

    This, and another song or 2 from the same concert, aired live on Mtv. Odd experience... I was in the kitchen, a feeling came over me that I should check the tv, that something to do with Yes was on. I 'obeyed', and found this on. Strange but true. - Notes say 5/9/91 ...May 9th? That was my birthday!

  • I thing trevor wrote it... ...and if you ask me I think that yes is way better without trevor!

  • Bra hävdat, gode Clutt.

  • Ack! Dude, this was an ABWH song, written by Anderson-Howe-Elias.

  • Really dig that little bit that Rabin lays down around the 4:44 mark.

  • los temas de "union" como este, fueron grabados por bill bruford (bateria). porque no tocó el, como bateria titular??

  • This is my favorite tour that Yes did. All of them together is just marvelous. I saw this tour 7 times.

  • One of the early shows, if not the first show on the Union tour was in Albany NY.  They opened with this song. The arena was dark and then this song kicked in. It was a great start to the show.

  • What a great show...Saw them at the Los Angeles Forum that year...absolutely FABULOUS!

  • This song / video was (as far as I know) released on a japanese Union-tour laserdisc. Some 15-18 years ago it was also shown on swedish tv, where I managedto record half of it on my vcr :) - An absolute rarity - thanks for it!

  • thank nitrus, saw this show in Tampa,Fla! what a pleasure seeing them All! also caught them when touring with yessongs! and going for the one! great music! my all time favorites!

  • I used to have the stupid idea that Alan White sucked, but the closer you study his play he really is damn good! He doesn't miss a beat. He's different from Bruford, that's all. He's more rock while Bruford is jazz with more top kit play. White came up with lots of creative rhythm section ideas when he took over as Yes' drummer when Bruford quit.

  • @ tonusaitis

    too right. very different styles, but both virtuosos in their own right

  • @tonusaitis White es uno de los mejores bateristas que ha habido. Sumamente creativo y poderoso al mismo tiempo!

  • @tonusaitis where do people get the impression that bruford doesn't rock? have you ever heard "red" by king crimson? did yes ever rock out like that?

  • @tonusaitis You are damn Right ! Alan White

  • I saw this tour when it hit Hartford Connecticut at the old Civic Center. It absolutely blew my mind to see the ridiculous caliber of musicianship all on one stage. Watching Bruford keep time with White; seeing Rabin and Howe together was simply stupendous! Sound mix in that old concrete cavern was surprisingly good and it's a night I'll never forget! The convergence of this overly ridiculous amount of talent was short-lived, but what an event! So rare and so wonderful!

  • Nice tune, had to order the album order at once. And to not forget mr. Squires coat.

  • If you're only defense of Squire is based on comparing him to an amateur non-bassist, then you should admit defeat. ;)

  • Alan White has no business being on stage with Bill Bruford.

    Tony Kaye has no business being on that stage at all. He's at best the third best keyboardist there.

    Dump Squire and get Tony Levin back.

    The only double instruments I think really work out are Howe and Rabin. Rabin is a consumate musician.

    Wakeman is. . .well he does his thing. The Liberace of rock and roll.

  • I'm sure you're better than White on drums, better that Kaye on keyboards, better than Squire on bass.

    I'm sure you've got the capability to realize a show like that. RESPECT! I like the Anderson-Squire-Wakeman-Howe-B­ruford line up, I'm not good as you in despising all other musician there. and then...I read around comments about "where is relegated the poor Bruford"...but let's notice that nobody command him to play a shit instrument like that,he just choosed it...

  • I don't play drum set or bass. But yes, I AM better than Kaye on keyboards. Hell that cat on youtube is better than Kaye on keyboards!

  • I play keys too and I get what you mean, but it's not just a matter of technique: remember that Kaye was one of the pioneer of progressive! He may be nothing in comparison to Emerson, Wakeman, Crane or Banks, but I think he deserves respect for what he did. I think your post shows your arrogance enough, and as well as YOU ARE better on keys ring a call to Mr. Squire and maybe you'll be on next tour to show us all how good you are...oh no, I forgot that Squire is a nonentity for you...

  • Don't recall Tony Levin singing too great or writing much.....no dissing his bass from me, tho.

    Seen Squire and Levin live, with differing bands - and I think we ALL know which one sits best with Yes.

    Apart from Tuba, that is!

  • Nah, I'm not going to disagree with you there. Who would I rather see? Levin. Who is a better fit considering they've been there forever and had a hand in writing almost every song? Well Squire. If Levin were in the band during the creative process and playing on tunes he was involved with, I think he would be more pleasing than Squire. Same could be said for Moraz who simply wasn't in the group long enough to leave his mark.

  • Kaye is a great organist, just not a rock keyboardist. Squire is a great bassist, though his playing style is not favorable to most. White is a great drummer, and Bruford agrees with me on that.

  • You're right, Alan White shouldn't be on stage with Bill Bruford. Because he's BETTER! The best Yes drumming is Alan: Relayer, Drama, Keys to Ascension, and especially the song Cinema from 90125.

  • In the words of Steve Langford - Who gives a shit, who gives a fuck?

    Both Bruford and White are masters of their own occupations.

  • this is better progressive rock of this era

    rather, yes was always the best in music, at all times, even in the reciprocal BG

    Mr. Jon Anderson your voice is amazing!!

    Steve Howe you are the best of all!

  • Why did you stop? I'll continue for you...Mr Squire and Mr. White you are the best engine in rock history.....Mr Bruford?..well, we all know what you are...Mr Kaye you were/are a pioneer of Prog Rock....Mr Rabin, you are the best musical mind of the eighties, and one of the greatest music creators of our times, and finally, Mr Wakeman you are Merlin, the magician...And I am one of the biggest fans of the greatest band ever.

  • i don't understand why never they play songs of UNION in live the record have many of good ones silent talking also is so good is very neo-progressive is a good record of yes

  • you're right

  • I named my son after Jon after seeing the "Big Generator" tour. There was some large, indescribeable enengy behind them on that tour. Trevor Rabin was the most powerful and polished lead guitarist I have ever seen...(and I've seen a lot)

  • they all look like such a happy family

  • I attended this tour in Maryland... amazing show. So great to see all those fantastic musicians sharing the same stage!

  • OMG

    Jon Anderson your voice is gothic!

    nobody compares to you!

    Your inexhaustible voice so high and impeccable brings us up to heaven!

  • yeah that was a concert!! in the round

  • steve is better then that trevor dude

  • I think it's comparing apples to oranges. They're very different styles of play. I think they compliment each other nicely.

  • ya, steve is better

  • Yes!

    you're right!

  • Union...great act together

    love Steve's guitar!

  • This is the performance & song that really got me into Yes. Also helped me get through my GCSE's!

  • steve is really good

  • Will this  show ever be released on DVD? I know they remastered and re-released 9012live.

  • Union CD isn't on itunes. Wonder why?. They have about 20 albums or so there but this one's missing.

  • Because some legal rights. After all, there were actually two different bands that made this album.

  • At the moment, that is...

  • I love this song. I remember lighting a massive amount of joints on this tour show. The last time I tried to do this in a Yes concert (2004) at MSG in NYC, this fucking yuppie and his anorexic model looking girlfriend beside me, asked me to smoke away from them. I told them to fuck off. They called security. I had to go back to my shitty seat, way up there from the orchestra section that I had being able to sneaked into. Even Yes concerts are not the same anymore. Still love then though. Peace

  • I would say the same thing if you started smoking right next to me and messing up my senses.

  • So, according to your age, you are a snoby yuppie in the making...lol

  • Nah, I'm just a guy with higher morality and thinks about how my actions may affect the enviroment around me.

  • What morality has to do with smoking pot??!!...you are....whatever...have a good life kid...(and I'm only a few years older than you!)...KID

  • Yes I will have a good life, because if I'm not mistaken in three months I will be going to Sixth Form to do my A levels in Archeology, History, Psychology and Sociology. Then if I do well then I will be of to University and Higher Education and have good qualifications for a job that will give me a comfortable adult life.

    So yeah, thanks for your complement!

  • Wow!!...

  • But you got me at Archeology...

  • Well I see there are two possibilities on what you imply with that comment, one is surprise and the other is sarcasm, and its unfortunate I strongly sense the latter.

  • Dude, forget about it. I'll be at Reading later this summer, and if I see you I'll ask you first if it's OK to light a joint. Capicce?

  • Capice

  • Unfortunately Jon is struggling with the high notes on this song. On many of the 90's live performances Jon struggles with the high notes. Being on the road and singing so much along with his age seems to have taken its toll on his voice. This is sad-he has such a unique tenor voice.

  • It isn't because of age. I have the Symphonic Live DVD from 2001 and he sounds great.

  • Yeah, I know he's always suffered from asthma...

  • He sounds incredible on that Dvd.

  • yeah and def leppard, Winger too of course

  • 80s music is my calling :)

  • lol i looked closer and got the name and now have the song so im soooo pleased :D

  • steves good

  • who are these guys? I dont see a band name anywhere! What an awesome song!

  • pure class music m8

  • Ho-ly sh-it. goose bumps

    You can't top that band!

  • rabin's solo near the end is awesome!

  • I had front row for this show in Hartford CT on that tour. Waited out in the rain for the tix for hours, the morning of the ticket draw. Seeing this helps me remember how great it was...seeing all of them together putting the egos aside and playing like an orchestra. Just awesome!

  • I agree, they're ALL GREAT!!! Just for the record, i was not comparing Rabin with Howe, i love Steve Howe's style and playing too. I've seen him with both ASIA and YES and it's really a pleasure to see him perform.

    I'd just love to see another UNION tour. I never had the chance to see Rabin or Kaye, first time i saw YES was in 1999 :(

    I think it would be great if they do a farewell tour (when it's time) with ALL OF THEM!

  • the dream team !!!

  • i love this song...union has a lot of good songs on it...esp. this and MOL

  • i love yes but this song is dead boring

  • you must have a mental block,because boring is the last thing this song is...check your brain-

  • wot i have is an opinion

    wot you have is anger

  • very great song, very bad live performance...

  • could be better could be worse! ill take it though

  • Steve Howe always looks bored when he plays. That's just his demeanor.

  • The opening riff is a ripp off from Rabins City of Love mid section - no wonder he hated laying this song...

  • I would be more then happy if Yes would always use two guitarists, Howe & Rabin. Rabin's vocals are strong and unique, to balance between Anderson & Squire. Howe's vocals are the deeper harmonies, which are very much needed. When it comes to keys, Wakeman is the best choice, and Kaye provides his own unique sounds which are different and fit the pop metal sound of 80's Yes better.

  • I saw the ABWH tour and the Union tour. Steve was a monster with the clasic line up minus Squire. On this tour Steve seemed to be going through the motions with that thin telecaster tone.I have agree with Steve when he says 70's YES was more melodic and broke new ground with Close to the Edge and Fragile. 80's YES was more pop metal,commercial and had wider appeal.The last classic YES album was Going for the One.That's my take.

    DC

  • Great song. My dream was that YES had this lineup till those days. The best, the rare are on this stage: 2 superbs guitarrists, 2 tremendous drummers, 2 keyboardists great plus Squire & Anderson. 8 extraordinary musicians, the "teachers" of progresive music.

  • I have nothing against any of the on/off members of Yes. but I do find it hard to accept Mr.Howes appearences in these videos compared to Mr.Rabin. Sure, on this vid he's in - after all it's one of his "own" songs but the way he looks so incredibly uncomfortable on stage whil doing Rabins songs is embarrasing for a grown up man. Rabin contributes a lot to the ABWH songs while Howe seems to HATE it... Well, I always found Rabin more interesting anyway...

  • You`re an idiot.Rabin interesting? Sounds like anybody else. Boooooring

  • And who are you? You cannot compare musicians like athletes, and who is interesting is a matter of taste. Rabin is more a musicians musician. Either way, I like Rabins contributions way more quite simply because he is more technically gifted. you may find it boring because you are not able to hear all the notes ;) However, you totally missed the point that I stated - Rabin does Howe with a smile while Howe does Rabin with a grin - not a behaviour fitted for a professional.

  • You have some good points, but when it comes to Howe`s grins; he has that all the time haha. Just check out latest Asia DVD. I think he looks like a cool grandfather(which he probably is). By the way, I can hear all the notes; I`m not deaf or braindead. I was having a really bad day that day. Music should NOT,NEVER EVER be competitive. Cheers

  • Zilja24 and beatlesdylanyes. I guess you guys are some of those grayhaired bald old yes fan who think 90125 is crap. Anybody with a tiny musical criteria knows that Rabin is an excellent musician. Please just keep doing your nostalgic listening to the 70's stuff only and leave the people who really know about music alone.

  • I do not have grey hair and I am not bold.This shows how prejudice YOU are.Actually,I like 90125,and why shouldn`t I?You`re a wanker.Grow up and get real :-P

  • Well ... that's even sadder that you're not a grayhaired bald YES fan, cos at least that would be your excuse to say RABIN is boring!!! And yes, i'm very prejudice when it comes to people giving crap comments!! You must be British, cos you're calling me "Wanker", hehe! I'm in London, if you reply once again i'm gonna track you down!!!

  • Hehe,never thought about wanker being a british expression.But you obviously understand it "douglas".By the way it is "zilje24",not zilja.Can`t pronounce a norwegian name?Uuuups,the cat`s out.You have to track me down in,yes,the land of vikings and midnight sun,hehe...By the way,the midnight sun is the same sun as seen all over the world and elsewhere.

  • Awesome end!!!!!!!!!!

  • I saw this concert in Raliegh North Carolina. I know that many feel that Trevor Rabin ruined Yes. I do not know--I know that he is a monster guitar player. I only wish that Egos could have not been a factor. Collaboration between all these tremendous musicians could have produced monster stuff. It was a great thing to see-even if it was for the "wrong reasons" as Trevor went on to say in an interview sometime later.

  • I was in Raleigh at that concert in 92. Out of the 150 or so progrock concerts I have seen, this was by far the BEST concentration of talent I have witnessed in one place at one time. Every form of YES and ASIA past, present, and future will always be talented. They will never settle for less!

  • Great!

  • somebody get ravin out of there!

  • shouldn't be ABWHS?

  • Trevor sounds a little wanky. Let me make this clear.. This is an ABWH song. The best stuff on Union is the ABWH material. Basically ABWH would've had another great album and they merged with Yes to make Union. I also heard that the ABWH material on Union was rehearsal tapes. It wasn't even at final print quality. Anyway, the pieces from ABWH are strong.

  • I dig that little riff between Trevor and Chris at 4:42 -4:53. Great song. I also love the look Howe had at this stage with the band. He had such an intriguing look to him.

  • Tony Levin plays the bass on the original.

  • son los mejores

  • Jesus fucking christ this rules

  • I was fortunate enough to get to see this tour, in LA. It was absolutely magical. Jon's voice is really straining here, but it was in perfect form when I saw them around this time.

  • Some comment below raises the ego question. You know why Squire looks so happy? He is the only one whose authority is not being questioned. Clever guy (by the way, he owns the rights to the name "Yes")

  • I've always noticed in concerts, Chris is the only one who isn't standing on a platform... couldn't be because he towers over the lot of them could it? I don't think I'd question the authority of a guy like that... ;)

  • mrdenharrow's account is suspended. That sucks. How am I supposed to watch YesYears on youtube now? If you want, send this to other videos so that he might find this message.

  • I looked at the end credits in YesYears. It turns out that the live footage on YesYears is from Denver.

  • mrdenharrow is uploading YesYears: A Retrospective.

  • Where is the concert in Denver from?

  • It's sad Bill Bruford wasn't that motivated with the Union project..also the fact Trevor Rabin and Steve Howe weren't able to get along enough...there were rumours about ego issues...

  • Trevor who?

  • You bet your ass Trevor Who?? lol

    Poor mans Eddie Van Halen!! lol

  • I notice that traiangle in the circle that was on YesYears. So then what video is the concert from Denver from?

  • This triangle is actually part of the art work of "Olias of SunHillow". An album Jon Anderson worked on around 1974-75 or so

  • It was worked on in 1975 and released in 1976.

  • I'm pretty sure this isn't YesYears. This concert is in Denver whereas the concert on YesYears is in Pensacola.

  • The backstage footage on YesYears is from Pensacola. Some, if not all, the live footage is from Denver. Watch this clip back to back with the clips on YesYears and you'll see EXACTLY the same movements and mannerisms from the band, with exactly the same camera angles.