The Truth about Yes - Tales from Topographic Oceans | Rick Wakeman

Tales of Topographic Oceans: Reflections and Insights

Jon's Apology and Initial Thoughts

• Jon expresses regret for any trauma caused by the Tales of Topographic Ocean tour, recalling his nightly question, "What happened to side two?" during encores.

Personal Experience with the Album

• The speaker shares their lack of enthusiasm for Tales from Topographic Ocean, noting that opinions on it were polarized—people either loved or hated it.

• While acknowledging some good themes and performances in the album, they criticize its length, stating that much of it is unnecessary padding.

Band Dynamics and Audience Reception

• The speaker emphasizes that being a band member does not preclude one from being a fan; they felt entitled to express dislike for certain music.

• They reflect on audience expectations during concerts, suggesting many attendees wanted classic hits like "Roundabout" rather than new material.

Health Issues and Their Connection to Music

• After experiencing heart issues, Jon visited the speaker in the hospital, questioning if the stress from Topographic Oceans contributed to their health problems.

• The speaker clarifies that their health issues were not directly related to the album but acknowledges appreciating Jon's concern.

Concert Experiences and Performance Quality

• Acknowledging a YouTube recording of a concert, the speaker recalls giving their all during performances despite personal dissatisfaction with some music.

• They mention standout moments like performing at Madison Square Garden while reiterating frustrations about the album's excessive length.

Vinyl Limitations and Future Aspirations

• The speaker argues that if CDs had existed at the time, Tales could have been edited down to eliminate padding due to vinyl constraints.

• They express a desire to edit Tales into what they believe it should have been when rejoining Yes in 1976.