Listening to Jon Anderson and Todmobile: Awaken 

I am immensely proud of our live performance of Awaken with Jon and orchestra/choir and freely admit that I watch this video a few times each year to re-live the magic. But I am equally proud of our performance of Supper's Ready with Steve Hackett and orchestra/choir. Jim, maybe you should also do a reaction video of that? Greetings, Eidur, Todmobile's bass player.

Jim I think you found your souls masterpiece, wonderful isn't it. Noticed you've never done Genesis so if I may request Suppers Ready. God bless. Jon Anderson born Oct 25th 1944. 69 when he performed his.

Wow!!! That was hair raising. There's probably no better choice to receive the grand symphonic treatment. Can you imagine being in the auditorium? Fantastic!😍

In my opinion, the single greatest live performance of that song ever. It's remarkable.

It is quite simply; one of the greatest songs written and performed by human beings, *EVER...*

With the greatest respect to Steve, Chris, Alan & Rick, surely this shows Jon is the heart and soul of Yes.

The original is just fantastic ,but this is simply heaven! 😍🤩 By the way, Jon was 69 years old , he's 77 now

I love the smile on the guitarists face throughout. You can tell that his boyhood dream is coming true and he’s loving every minute.

Never ever heard this live version before. What a staggering recording and adaptation. Superb playing and a wonderful piece of music that takes you away. Andersons voice is still amazing in this song. Faultless. It almost sounded like a studio recording. I don’t have anything bad to say about it. Just total enjoyable listening. Glad it made you feel astounded and thanks for reviewing it Jim. Finally, the writing of this song is an incredible piece of work. I was blown away the first time I ever heard it and it still works it’s magic today.

General question: Does everyone sing/mouth the final lyrics? Doesn't matter if its the hundredth time I've heard it (I think I've seen the Todmobile version about 6 or 7 times now) it still has incredible emotional punch. Thanks for helping spread the music and keeping it out in front.

Jon really feels this and believes in it with every fibre of his being. He puts his entire heart and soul into singing this magical, magical piece of music.

I've loved Yes from the very beginning and was always hesitant to rate their songs. Always thought nothing could compete with CTTE but this version of Awaken is beyond description. Have to give the founding members of Yes credit for writing such a beautiful song. Jon's vocals are heaven sent and the back up choir is outstanding. Hate to say this but perhaps the best song ever. Have never heard anything like this. Truly heavenly!!

Your reaction just confirms what so many Yes fans around the world have known for almost 50 years...this is one of the greatest pieces of rock 'n' roll music ever created. Thank you for sharing your feelings and obvious joy.

I've always approached Yes as a symphonic band playing rock instruments. Their musicianship and harmonies, Andersons Angel voice are in their own category. Well done Jim!

There are several reasons this is the best live version of "Awaken". For one, the guys have a total passion for this music and it shows in their energy. Two, Jon Anderson has great chemistry with these guys. Three - probably the most important - they don't ritard the climax after "farewell, farewell!" like YES always does when they play it live. The reason that climax is so powerful on the studio version is because it is done in time and YES has always made the mistake of trying to make it big by slowing down right before they hit that massive chord sequence when they do it live. This only makes it less effective. Todmobile understands this (whether they know it or not) and they played it in time with no ritard! Yay! Great reaction. I cried, too. I feel like praying now, and that is a good thing.

There is no singer like Jon Anderson. I don't care how many try to fill his shoes, it just can't be done. But as far as this performance goes, Yes performing this can never be topped. Its different. It's very good. It's not better. As one who has seen the band perform this piece MANY times, I'm simply convinced, being moved to my soul, that everyone else must know their places. My opinion.

I'm in tears right now. This is almost inexpressibly beautiful. Thank you so much. Amazing.

This was a divine experience! This live version managed to lift this already wonderful song to an even higher level of beauty!

No tears, Jim ??? You're good ! I cry every time I listen to this rendition with Todmobile.

Oh Jim! What a fabulous reaction, to a fabulous piece of music. I'm elderly now but as a kid I was blown away by Yes (and Camel), so good to see someone moved emotionally by the band as much as me - I thought I was on my own! Just brilliant Jim, thanks.

Brilliant version of Awaken. You may want to check out State of Independence from this same show. Really good.

Wow, just when you thought this piece couldn't *get* any bigger, a bunch of Icelandic orchestral types say "Hold my Gædingur" and proceed to blow the roof apart. I think Jon himself was pretty gobstruck. Stunning.

With Song For Scheherazade from Renaissance (the Carnegie Hall live version of 1975) and this grandiose version of Awaken from Todmobile, the addition of an orchestra and a choir give the magnificence that this songs deserve.

Thank you Jim , I never get tired listening to Jon Anderson and the incredible Tod Mobil , choir and orchestra!!! Please listen to Steve Hackett, with Tod Mobil and Suppers Ready 👌👌👌!!! The guitarist that sent you the link , is a brilliant Musician!!!!

looked like you were close to tears at 15mins Jim - a feeling I get each time I listen to it. Probably the most perfect piece of music I've ever heard - production , instrumentation and vocal all spot on.

One of Jon Anderson's gifts is his ability to inspire the very best out of any and all of the musicians who are playing with him. His energy and vibe always lifts the proceedings to a new level.

Jim I will give you two suggestions for Awaken. First, from the dvd Keys to Ascension with the classic lineup performed in a small California theater. Simply amazing! Second, from The Union Tour '91 in the round. Anderson, Squire, Howe, Rabin, Wakeman, Kaye, Bruford, and White. These 8 members play Awaken like they are standing at the doors to heaven. I saw this show many many times and I cried like a baby each time. To see the greatest band to ever take a stage perform this incredible masterpiece was life changing. PHENOMENAL!!!!😎

Best live performance of Awaken. Ok Jim now you may like to check out Supper's Ready- Todmobile with Steve Hackett!!

I believe Jon was 69 years old at the time of this recording. He was born in '44.

This BEST version of this song ever performed by anyone, ever!

Touches my soul and heart every time I watch this.

Jim, when i first come across this video, i just could not believe what i heard, i watched it 3 straight times, i will never forget it, awesome, just looking and listening to those beautiful musicians, and yes i had some tears, no big deal jim, fantastic reaction again.

oh my f***ing god...this is the best version i have heard of awaken in my 52 years of loving them...jon jon jon you are the only voice of YES and i have seen many incarnations and i am going to see them in glasgow in may with the current line up!!!

I'm pretty sure this song plays on a continuous loop in Heaven. At least I hope it does in my Heaven.

Never gets old. It's like a musical out of body experience

Check out the one Steve Hackett done with them on supper's ready ..

Jon Anderson is closer to 70 in this clip! Having seen him live dozens and dozens of times, most recently, about 3 years ago, he sounds exactly the same. His voice is still powerful and moving. I've seen Yes perform "Awaken," live several times and always brings the audience to tears.

Crying with you Jim…you will never lose your ‘bird of prey’ moment….. the Devine that is Awaken. Love, Light and Peace

Awaken has always been my least favorite of Yes’s lengthy epics, but this was amazing and I much prefer it to the album version. The choir and orchestra lend so much more interest to the middle instrumental section that always felt tedious and overlong to me. And Jon’s voice, holy crap. Maybe the best he’s ever sounded.

Hey Jim! You will love this. The talent on stage is phenomenal!😎

Seldom do I watch a "reaction video" where I feel exactly the same thing as the person reacting. But Jim, you have a kindred spirit here in Memphis, TN, USA. I bought "Going for the One" in 1977 when it came out and fell in love with it. And like you said, I never expected it to be bettered. But this went above and beyond all I could imagine. My tears matched yours! Thank you, Jim! Wow!

You might be interested in their version of Suppers Ready with Steve Hackett.

Thank you for this. It was a great great performance. I do cryed when i watched it first time

Beautiful awakening experience. Thx. 😊

Nobody is watching the Damned or Sex Pistols 45 years later are they! This will be admired in 200 years on Mars!

I am just a little bit younger than Jon. I grew up listening to YES during the most formative years of my life & their music made me realize my place in our Universe, that there is something bigger, grander to reach out & understand. YES has gone through many changes throughout their performing years. Whether it's just 5 artists on stage or a large orchestra playing behind them, certain pieces of their discography are some of the most inspirational, ethereal, or simply goose-bump creating sounds that cause my eyes to tear up & cause my voice to crack. Jon is & will always be the voice of YES. My first live YES concert was June 13, 1976, at RFK stadium in Washington D.C. It was a all day concert that included Gary Wright, Peter Frampton, & the Pousette-Dart Band & YES was the headliner band. My ears were ringing days after that show because I stood up against the stage & the enormous speakers. I was in Rock Music Heaven. Jon was the presiding Angel, with a voice that was so clear & sharp above all those instruments in that large stadium. Unforgettable.

i completely share your opinion, it takes the already outstanding music to a whole new level :-) they're SO GOOD! everything about it is Yes on steroids, Jon's vocals are friggin' FLAWLESS, guitar is AT LEAST on par with the original, choir is just INSANE, sound quality and mix is PERFECT, and so on... in some interview Jon Anderson without hesitation picks this one of his favorite live performances ever. their version of "Roundabout" is also fantastic 😀

The rick look alike and the lady beside him are great singers in their own right..

Hello again! I am so glad you listened to this great piece of music! I've loved this song in its original form for decades, and was blown away by the version here by Todmobile. They did complete justice to this piece, and the choir was UNBELIEVABLE! I've watched this video many times, and I think it's obvious that Jon Anderson was himself blown away by the scale of the thing. As evidence, I offer his reaction at the 9:33 mark of your video, when they get close to the middle section of the song. Jon Anderson and Todmobile have made this song even more powerful vocally, with its risings and fallings of the voices of the choir, than the original, IMO. Thanks!

Jim imagine 8 members of YES on a round rotating stage performing Awaken. There are no words. Well maybe one...PERFECTION!!!😎

Your not saying anything that YES fans have been saying for over 50 years, myself included, being in my mid seventies now. Magnification Jim, if you haven't yet give it a listen. Great show Jim.

Jim, YES symphonic is great , so is magnification both backed by an orchestra !!

If God exists and had a song for mankind....this is the song...and this is the version.

They also perform Heart of the Sunrise and Roundabout flawlessly

Great reaction. I have been listening to this song for 45 years and never get tired of it.

Loved your reaction Jim...especially on 15.00. There are no words to describe this incredible, moving, majestic live performance.

You are correct, Jim. Awaken is one of the greatest 100 pieces of music written in the 20th century. Period.

My all-time favorite! Thanks Jim!

one of the best musical spiritual journey's of almost 18minutes i have ever ever heard and from fronted from a man who, when with Yes, i was a big fan of in my teens. Going on Jon Anderson's reaction at the end of the track shows even he loved the experience!! This reaction vid is excellent by the way!

Such a great performance and it actually rivals Yes's own live versions or very very close to it. You have to cry at the ending... I do every time.

Brilliant, Jim. I’ve shared your joy tonight!!!!!!!!!!

I appreciate the emotional reaction you had to hearing this-I truly is one of those songs that touches you to your core and reminds you of the importance of something greater than yourself

Just an amazing performance. I've been listening to this piece since I got the album when it first came out. Likely hundreds of times over the years. Others may disagree, but to me Going For The One was the pinnacle of Yes musically- Rick Wakeman returning to the band, and they sounded refreshed and vital again. And Awaken the highlight of the album. I've seen Yes live 3 times, and this performance with Todmobil is as good as any Yes performance. Jon yet again at the top of his game- the man's vocals are simply ageless!

Thanks for you're Spot-On reactions...It's like sharing with a good friend..

So totally symphonic...and I don't mean just because there is a full orchestra and choir behind him. I never thought of the works of Yes to be symphonic before. But. Of course, I was a mere lad of 14-17 when I first heard it, and I thought it was just the sound of Yes: their style. But now I see now that their music is symphonic just as much as Saint Saens or Dvorak or Bach or Brahms. These pieces are movements in Neo Classical pieces.

This is cool Jim, never seen it before.

Thanks so much Jim, have loved this song ever since first hearing it on it's release in 1977, I can't think of any composition I love more, it's immortal. Have listened to the original and all the other live versions probably over 1000 times & agree this one is extra special, another divine gift to the world from "The Maestro Anderson" as Bill Bruford jokingly described him in the "Yesyears" doco together with that magnificent orchestra of passionate musicians, Todmobile. Best Wishes

OK, OK, Jim you got me just watching you watch this Highly Spiritual Beautiful version of Awaken. I have watched it few times by myself, but to watch it with you was very moving, I have no doubt that the Divine Source, God or whoever planted this wonderful music in the minds of each Yes member to manifest it into what I think is the most perfect example of music. I think this version transcends music. I am glad they left out Steve’s little bit at the end, it doesn’t need another note. Magnificent, Thank You Jim. Peace

My fave version is symphonic 2003. Wakemans work on it is incredible

The sound quality and the mix is fantastic

Mathew Sandford: "the single greatest live performance of that song ever" ... True, I'll take it one step further ...IMO, the single greatest live performance of ANY song ever. I found this version a few years ago and its so good that each time I put it on its as if it was the first tme.

As a musician Jim, have you picked up the chord progression is based on the circle of fifths? I'm so glad you took our recommendation, Awaken is my favourite piece of music by anyone ever, is the first song I ever heard by Yes and the closest I get to a religious experience 🙏

Makes me think how great this would have been if performed on the Symphonic tour except of course they had no choir.

Hi Jim Thanks for this . Agree with comments that it’s a wonderful performance of Awaken and shows how classical this song is. Always felt this is the case with Yes music. Perhaps the reason is Yes supporters have to be able to actual listen to the music. Now l know that Awaken is so close to your heart (red kite experience) can l suggest to complete the trilogy of Awaken over the next few weeks play from RU-vid Awaken - Live in Birmingham 2003. It’s with the Classic Yes line up with Chris Squire playing with a 3 headed bass guitar. This performance shows how talented Yes musicians are/were . live Very best regards Roger

I have seen this quite a few times, and every time I well up. It's so emotional.

I missed Steve Fender steel guitar and Ricks keyboards. I saw this live at the Spectrum in Philly, in 1977 and it was brilliant.

Going For The One was unbelievably badly recorded. It marked the end of an era. The Todmobile version is superior in every way to the album version.

If this doesn't make a man cry, well, then I guess he's just gonna have to pull out his great big VHS player and watch E.T. or Field of Reams. (I know it should be "Dreams" but have always thought "Reams" made it sound like a Ron Jeremy flick.)

i HAVE SEEN AND HEARD AAWAKEN performed Live MANY TIMES AND WITH AN oRCHESTRA but this version with the Choir simply excels beyond the heavens

"Could this be one of the most spectacular pieces of music ever? The simple answer is : YES

Music is most magical when it moves us…like this does.

Nice to see someone else get emotional at this particular piece, well done Jim.

There will never be a better song written or performed by anyone ever again. Long live John Anderson .

Yes, Jon Anderson and this piece right here. You can place them right in there with Beethoven, Bach, Chopin, etc., and Yes may have even been more creative.

Jim, I had/have the same reaction to this every time I watch/listen. With no disrespect to the original creators of Awaken, I think this version with Jon and the Todmobile Orchestra just can't be bettered.

This is heaven no doubt ..... The best live version of this song !!!

They simply know, we simply know it. From the first notes....

"He didn't contact me, but he did connect with me." I think a lot of people can say that about Jon Anderson. In my opinion "Like the time I ran away Turned around and you were standing close to me." is the most romantic line YES ever recorded.

I have heard Jon say that he thinks the Yes band will maybe keep evolving over the years. I think the same will be said for some of the classic Yes songs being played in 200 years in different forms and arrangements.

Incredible song, incredible orchestra, perfect singing. This is just an awesome version. To see it live performed almost exactly like the studio version is really incredible. Be careful Jim you may just put TES down as your favorite group as it is mine. It's great that you and others are keeping this music alive for the next generation. The only thing they missed was that little guitar lick at the end. A good one you haven't done yet is "That, That Is" from The Keys to Ascension album which has many live versions of their songs but is not on any other album. Great job!

That violin near the end....oh my...

Jon was in his late 70s? Remarkable ❤ Who needs a three-necked bass after all 😂

That song has surely touched the ears of God.....

I love this but still prefer the studio version. Wakeman, Howe, White and Squire play far more intricately and expansive than the players here. Of course the strings,horns and vocals here fill out the song to another level, but when you think of the 5 OUTSTANDING musicians and their efforts on the studio version, perhaps you will truly GET the genius of the greatest band ever. YES YES YES

This is the power of the circle of fifths put to a very good use.

WOW!! How cool is that?!?!? You just never know who is in your audience! What an honor to have Þorvaldur watching, but to send you the link...VERY special! I have watched this version many many times, including the whole concert with Jon....very magical. Awaken has moved me to tears on several occasions, this one being no different. In many interviews, Jon has mentioned this performance as being the one to watch/listen to. Truly, I enjoy your reviews on YES....one day soon I'll just have to buy you a coffee!! Looking forward to the next one! Blessings!!~~Zack

As I've always loved the song awaken is how I discovered this version of the song from todmobile and they are awesome live

I cried my eyes out listening to this

It brings tears to my eyes too

I got to meet Jon Anderson back in 81. They've been my favorite band since 76. I can't even count how many times I've seen them live. I saw the band for their 50th year anniversary without Jon. It was an excellent show but I missed him so much.