Order of the Universe

The Zoo Crew is spinning the cosmic vibes of Order of the Universe by Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe from their live album An Evening of Yes Music Plus, and the Zoo Freaks are surely grooving to its progressive rock energy. This track, captured during a 1989 performance at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California, is a standout from the band’s world tour. According to a review on Loudersound, the live rendition of Order of the Universe shines with an anthemic quality, elevated by Bill Bruford’s electronic drum break that sounds like laser effects from a vintage arcade game. The song’s live treatment strips away the dated 1980s production of the studio version, giving it a fresh, organic feel that resonates with fans. The performance was originally broadcast as a pay-per-view event, a novel concept at the time, making it a historic moment for progressive rock enthusiasts.

Digging into the song’s trivia, Order of the Universe is a multi-part epic from the band’s self-titled 1989 album. A post on X from June 20, 2023, by ProgMagazineUK highlighted the album’s release, noting its significance as the sole studio effort from this Yes offshoot. The track features Jon Anderson’s soaring vocals, Steve Howe’s fiery guitar work, and Rick Wakeman’s dominant keyboards, which, as noted on Progarchives, carry a distinctly 1980s synth flavor. Bill Bruford, in a 2021 interview reflection shared on Loudersound, expressed mixed feelings about the electronic drums used, which some fans found jarring but others embraced for their futuristic edge. The song’s lyrics, credited to Anderson, Howe, Wakeman, Bruford, and Rhett Lawrence, explore themes of cosmic unity and nature’s force, aligning perfectly with the Zoo Crew’s hippie ethos.

Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe formed in 1988 as a reunion of four Yes alumni—Jon Anderson, Bill Bruford, Rick Wakeman, and Steve Howe—joined by bassist Tony Levin. The band’s origin story begins with Jon Anderson’s dissatisfaction with Yes’s pop-oriented direction in the 1980s, as detailed on Wikipedia. After leaving Yes, Anderson envisioned a return to the band’s 1970s progressive roots. He connected with Howe in London, where they began crafting demos, including parts of Brother of Mine and Birthright. Bruford and Wakeman, both veterans of Yes’s classic era, joined the project, and Levin, a King Crimson collaborator, rounded out the lineup. The group faced legal battles from Yes over the band name, forcing them to use their surnames, which some fans jokingly likened to an accounting firm, as noted on SonicHits. Their self-titled album, released in 1989, hit No. 14 in the UK and No. 30 in the US, with the subsequent tour spawning the live album featuring Order of the Universe.

For Zoo Freaks wanting to dive deeper, the band’s legacy lives on through various platforms. The official Yes website, yesworld.com, covers ABWH’s history, though it focuses on the broader Yes catalog. Individual member sites include Jon Anderson’s website, Bill Bruford’s website, Rick Wakeman’s website, and Steve Howe’s website. On social media, you can follow Jon Anderson on Facebook, Bill Bruford on Facebook, Rick Wakeman on Facebook, and Steve Howe on Facebook. Instagram accounts include Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman. On X, check out Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman. Fan communities thrive on Progarchives and the Yes Fans Facebook group, where Zoo Freaks can connect with fellow prog rock lovers to discuss ABWH’s cosmic soundscapes.