On the Silent Wings of Freedom
Encyclopedia
"On the Silent Wings of Freedom" is a song by Yes
. It appears on the 1978 Tormato
album. The song was never released as a single.
", "Heart of the Sunrise
" and "Awaken
".
of the September 1, 1978 show, the song lasts for 8 minutes and 41 seconds, including the announcements at the beginning of the song. Typically, Jon Anderson
would introduce Chris Squire
at the beginning of this song, as this was one of the two major Squire compositions on the album. The other, "Onward
", was not played on this tour.
The song was also performed on November 19, 1987, in Springfield, Illinois, at the Prairie Capital Convention Center, during the Big Generator tour. This was its only appearance on the tour.
On tour as late as 2003, the song was not often introduced and was usually a segment of Squire's bass solo exploits during The Fish.
Yes (band)
Yes are an English rock band who achieved worldwide success with their progressive, art, and symphonic style of rock music. Regarded as one of the pioneers of the progressive genre, Yes are known for their lengthy songs, mystical lyrics, elaborate album art, and live stage sets...
. It appears on the 1978 Tormato
Tormato
Tormato is the ninth studio album by British progressive rock group Yes. Issued as the follow-up to 1977's acclaimed Going for the One, Tormato received less than charitable reviews upon release and its virtues are still a matter of debate for Yes fans and critics...
album. The song was never released as a single.
On the album
The song is the final and longest song on the album. On this particular track, as with most of the album, Squire sends his bass through his foot pedal controls to give it a more harmonized sound. Thus, the bass line had a different tonality to it from previous albums, yet was still able to retain his signature "growl". Though the album itself is considered to be one of Yes's weakest, most Yes fans, whether they like the album or not, favour this one song, as it is the closest track to other fan favourites like "Close to the EdgeClose to the Edge (song)
"Close to the Edge" is the title track to progressive rock band Yes's album of the same name. The song is over 18 minutes in length and takes up the entire first side of the album. It consists of four movements.- Movements :-I...
", "Heart of the Sunrise
Heart of the Sunrise
"Heart of the Sunrise" is a progressive rock song by British band Yes. It is the closing track on their fourth album, 1971's Fragile. The compositional credits go to Jon Anderson, Bill Bruford, and Chris Squire, though keyboardist Rick Wakeman contributed some uncredited sections.The song...
" and "Awaken
Awaken (song)
Awaken is a song by the British progressive rock band Yes released on their acclaimed 1977 album Going for the One. At 15 minutes and 31 seconds it is the longest track on the album, occupying most of the second side of the LP....
".
In the live setting
During the song's original tenure in the '70s, it was performed on most, if not all, shows of the Tormato tour. On the live tapeBootleg recording
A bootleg recording is an audio or video recording of a performance that was not officially released by the artist or under other legal authority. The process of making and distributing such recordings is known as bootlegging...
of the September 1, 1978 show, the song lasts for 8 minutes and 41 seconds, including the announcements at the beginning of the song. Typically, Jon Anderson
Jon Anderson
Jon Anderson is an English singer-songwriter and musician best known as the former lead vocalist in the progressive rock band Yes...
would introduce Chris Squire
Chris Squire
Christopher Russell Edward "Chris" Squire , is an English musician, known as the bass guitarist and backing vocalist for the progressive rock group Yes. He is the only member of the group to appear on every album.-Before Yes:...
at the beginning of this song, as this was one of the two major Squire compositions on the album. The other, "Onward
Onward (song)
"Onward" is a song performed by the British band Yes. It is the seventh track on their ninth studio album, Tormato. The writing credit goes to bassist Chris Squire, and it is the only song on the album for which singer Jon Anderson gets no writing credit....
", was not played on this tour.
The song was also performed on November 19, 1987, in Springfield, Illinois, at the Prairie Capital Convention Center, during the Big Generator tour. This was its only appearance on the tour.
On tour as late as 2003, the song was not often introduced and was usually a segment of Squire's bass solo exploits during The Fish.
Personnel
- Jon AndersonJon AndersonJon Anderson is an English singer-songwriter and musician best known as the former lead vocalist in the progressive rock band Yes...
: Vocals, percussion - Chris SquireChris SquireChristopher Russell Edward "Chris" Squire , is an English musician, known as the bass guitarist and backing vocalist for the progressive rock group Yes. He is the only member of the group to appear on every album.-Before Yes:...
: Bass guitar, bass pedals, vocals - Steve HoweSteve Howe (guitarist)Stephen James "Steve" Howe is an English guitarist, known for his work with the progressive rock group Yes...
: Electric and acoustic guitars, vachalia, vocals - Rick WakemanRick WakemanRichard Christopher Wakeman is an English keyboard player, composer and songwriter best known for being the former keyboardist in the progressive rock band Yes...
: Piano, organ, moog, synthesizers - Alan WhiteAlan White (Yes drummer)Alan White is an English rock drummer known for his work with the progressive rock band Yes. White was also a member of the Plastic Ono Band, playing live in 1969 at the Toronto Rock and Roll Revival, which was recorded and released three months later as Live Peace in Toronto 1969...
: Drums, percussion, vocals