Back in early May, TAP let it be known that Steven Wilson was ready to release the remixed and generously expanded edition of YES‘ late 1973 classic, Tales From Topographic Oceans (read here). The scheduled date and the contents were not yet available. But they are now:
On October 6, Steven Wilson’s remix of Tales From Topographic Oceans will be made available to fans. And there’s a lot to enjoy in this edition, which will be made available as a 3CD/1BD-Audio (Blu-ray) set, and a 2CD/2DVD-Audio set.
The general outline of inclusion will be richer in the Blu-ray Audio set than the DVD-Audio sets. But otherwise, the main attractions and some bonuses including hi-rez versions of Stereo and 5.1 Surround, and several remixed 5.1 inclusions will be the same in both. Here’s what’s in the both packages:
- The SW mix of the original 2-disc album by Yes
- An unedited and extended version of “Dance Of The Dawn”
- Five new single edits that bring greater clarity to unique parts within the larger pieces.
- 5.1 Surround Mixes in both PCM and DTS HD, both at 96kHz att 24 bits.
- A 24-bit/96kHz Stereo mix
- An hi-rez (24-bit/96kHz) flat transfer of the original mix of the album (possibly the earliest master of the original mix in digital).
What will separate the BD-Audio from the two DVD-Audio discs will be the following:
- The BD-Audio will include the previously mentioned “Dance Of The Dawn” track in full blown 5.1 along with the five singles extractions.
- The BD-Audio will include instrumental-only mixes of the album like those found on previous SW YES remixes.
- The BD-Audio will add a FULL alternate album that includes sides one and three from the 2003 remaster of the album, as well as a previously unreleased run-through of side two, and a previously unreleased live set of side four.
- Full needle-drops of the original UK vinyl release, and the US promo pressing of the album.
- Expanded and restored original Roger Dean art for the album.
- The BD-Audio set with the extra CD will contain a complete alternate version of Tales From Topographic Oceans in live settings and studio run-throughs. The live “Ritual” (Zurich, 1974), and the studio run-through of “High The Memory” are both previously unreleased.
Both packages will be presented in fancy digipaks with slip-casing, a booklet with new liner notes (Sid Smith), new interview segments with Jon Anderson, Steve Howe, and Alan White, rare photos, memorabilia, and expanded credits and other information.
There is no doubt that downloadable tracks will be made available.
