Steve Howe came on the scene and immediately won Guitar Player Magazine's "Best Overall Guitarist" award the next 5 years in a row, which then retired him from future contention in tribute.
As chaotic and jam-session like the opening to Close to the Edge sounds, after you've heard the song many hundreds of times, the chaos disappears and you really begin to feel that every note was perfectly planned and executed. Truly Yes's masterpiece that sets the bar for all of prog rock!
Two possibly scary things about bassist Chris Squire's playing on this album: He was only 23 when this got recorded, and, even in that passage after the pipe organ section, where he is absolutely DESTROYING the bass line, he was playing that with a plectrum (he did not do finger picking on the bass).
It was along the lines of "Jon is the only person I know who is doing everything he can to save the planet...while living on a completely different one."
@@JoinTheProgress I remember that - so funny! I saw him live giving a talk about album and song names, and quoting Jon's comment about what a Topographic Ocean is, while doing it in a Michael Jackson voice.
Jon Anderson, David Bowie, David Byrne, Frank Zappa, all guys who are just a little out of phase with the reality the rest of us exist in and it makes them the way they are.
@@NH2112 Jon Anderson's wife at the time was of an Indian family, which may have influenced the spiritual subject of Yes' lyrics, especially for Tales from Topographic Oceans.
The other side of the album is outstanding too...it has two masterpieces: 'Siberian Khatru' and 'And You and I'. Both songs are alittle more straight-forward songs. They used Siberian Khatru to open their live shows for a long time--it really rocks. Also, I have to also mention the song 'Awaken' like a lot of people are suggesting in these comments. I believe some of the band members have said it may be the ultimate Yes song....i would say they are right....
And the best version of Awaken is a cover - Todmobile with Jon Anderson and the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra. That song deserves a full choir and orchestra, and Todmobile provided it!
I'm 64 years old. I first heard this in the fall of 1972 when I was 14. It has been my all time favorite song ever since. I still get emotional every time I hear it. This truly was their magnum opus. They came close to it a few times but never quite reached this peak again. Closest they came to it was "Gates Of Delirium" from their 1974 album "Relayer." Thanks for sharing your reaction to this music.
I know this is a year old video, but I double dipped and I have to say this is my favorite track from YES, the title track, Close to the edge. I think of it as a classical format, with various movements in the piece. The main melodic themes are restated over again in slightly different forms. It's basically variations on a theme. The musicianship is outstanding. The execution is exceptional. The creativity is over the top. You can spend a lifetime exploring the depth of this song, and not reach the bottom of the well, and yet, it wouldn't be a life wasted. I can't listen to this without crying.
The birds 🐦 at the beginning!!! The green lights at the concert, YES on a rotating round stage at Madison Square Garden , NYC! WOW!!!! 62 years old now and still loving my YES!
The scruture of the album is from Anderson listening to Symphony Nos. 6 and 7 by Jean Sibelius. The seventh struck Anderson the most as he noticed that its main theme was introduced some time in the composition which influenced how Close to the Edge was shaped.
I am expecting to get shot down in flames but here we go: am I the only big Rush fan in the world who says, again and again, no to Yes? I know the Toronto boys were influenced by them but they leave me cold. At best, I can understand Geddy's love of Entwistle's bass. I have tried several songs from different albums. Anderson's vocals don't move me either but actually grate on me. Do I need to seek medical help? Each to their own, I guess!
This album and piece stands the test of time extremely well. Hard to believe it came out 50-years ago when I was 11. Time flies. Enjoy your life and listen to YES, as your life's soundtrack!
Always cracks me up to see Nick do his "bass face" while he mimes plucking the bass strings with his fingers! Chris Squire plays bass with a pick, Nick! ;)
Chris Squire’s bass-lines are “fat-tastic”. I end up focusing on the bass do much, I have to play it again so I can enjoy Steve’s crazy guitar work! And on, and on…
My friends and I had been waiting for this album to come out since it was announced back in 1972. I was a freshman in college at the time and there was a radio station, WCMI FM, that played nothing but full albums in the evening. They premiered Close To The Edge the day before it hit the shelves. What an experience! I couldn't wait to get out of class the next day so we could all head down to the record store to buy it and hear it again. Watching you two get blown away by this music takes me back to that time. Thanks!
I just bought the album Red by them and I am absolutely obsessed with it. "Starless" is just simply amazing!! I think I like that album better then In the Court..
@@littlestevey4172 Yeah I love Red. Anything with John Wetton on vocals is my favorite. I like to listen to the crazy middle section of Starless when I'm in a plane taking off
While many say Jon Anderson's lyrics are written for the way they sound, there usually is meaning in them. Close to the Edge is loosely based on the novel "Siddhartha," by Hermann Hesse, and involves searching for spirituality only to realize one finds it within oneself and can do so wherever one is. The novel finds a river to be a very spiritual place, hence "Close to the edge, down by the river," and the opening and closing nature sounds. Yes, the music is one of the greatest pieces of progressive rock. The lyrics and story told elevates it even higher.
Actually, his lyrics are a mixture of both. Jon Anderson often had specific ideas and themes in mind when he wrote lyrics. Sometimes his original lyrics would articulate what he was thinking or feeling, very well. Other times, he would change the lyrics to something far less obvious, because they sounded better when he sang them, but in his mind, they still conveyed the same themes. Example, Starship Trooper: "Well, at the back of my mind I knew what I was trying to say lyrically, but I was always afraid of being too clear or too defined. When I wrote it, it never sounded right. When I wrote, "Your guardian angel would always be around you," I would sing, "Sister bluebird flying high above, though you've seen me, just look after my soul." Then, there were other times when he simply wrote lyrics and it wasn't until later, after performing the songs many times, that the actual meaning of his own lyrics would reveal themselves to him. This is why I always caution people not to be too simplistic in their interpretations, when analyzing the lyrics of highly creative people. Sometimes, the artist themselves are tapping into a stream of consciousness, which they simply record on paper and they don't really know what it means until much later. I can't tell you how many comments I've read, that say something like, "Wow! These guys must have been on some really good acid". The listeners know that many 60s and 70s bands took some acid trips at one point. Now, they're assuming that those highly creative artists were forever locked inside of some little LSD flashback box and everything they did creatively for the rest of their lives was based on a handful of good acid trips from many years ago. That's insulting. They act like these guys never read a book or a newspaper or saw a play or a movie or looked at a piece of art which inspired them to write creative lyrics. As you are well aware, these people are very creative thinkers. They can write lyrics which speak directly about their thoughts or they can write about their ideas metaphorically or they can sometimes write lyrics that convey their ideas in a very abstract ways. Example: In the song Long Distance Runaround, the words, "Hot color melting the anger to stone", are about the shootings at Kent State University on May 4, 1970 when the United States National Guard killed four students. Anderson explains: "It was just a thought that emotion is made of colors, and you could bring peace by finding a healing color to melt hate. The government cracking down on young people because they were trying to tell the truth about the war in Vietnam. It was just one of the crazy fears of time." Unless we were thinking way, way outside of the box, we could never even come close to making that connection. I guess, sometimes it's best to just let the lyrics speak to us personally and not get too wrapped up in what the author was actually thinking or feeling.
@@skybluemarshall Brilliant!! Thank You, I so enjoyed reading this, As I listened to CTTE for the 1000th time ;) What a great analysis. Brilliant (again, lol)
Yes. Very good. Now listen to them again. Full album. In their entirety. No pauses. No distractions. Like we did. Back in the day. In your room. Lights off. In our cars. Cruisin. Jammin. Sometimes high. Sometimes trippin. It only gets better with time.
You just listened to the pinnacle of progressive rock. This entire album is a masterpiece, You have so much to enlighten your learning so next try Tales of Topographic Oceans then Relayer with the equally iconic ' Gates of Delirium '
Close to the Edge is timeless. Each time I listen, something new comes to the forefront with each performer. Bass, drums, keyboards guitar and superb is what comes to mind. Then J Anderson vocals unique and complimentary to this masterpiece. I am fortunate to say my 1st Yes concert was Relayer tour and it was in New Jersey. Yes is a once in a lifetime band.
I saw them perform this in 1972 at the Rainbow Theatre in London, the recording used for the live Yessongs album released in '73. Live they were remarkable, so accurate in their playing and full of energy. I think they reached a pinnacle in this period of 71-72. Three brilliant albums in less than two years - then Bill Bruford left . . .
Back in the late 60's, early 70's there was a direction that music was going, so experimental and so exciting... The quality of the musicians, the song writers were unparalleled...hard to find this today...One of their epic masterpieces!!
When I was in high school (40 years ago) this was in my car stereo for 6 months. A true masterpiece and now in my 50's I still have the same emotional reaction every time I hear it. I'm so glad you discovered it now. As stated in the comments, DON'T ignore side two of this album. It's in my top 3 of all time favorite records.
Cheers for listening to this epic Yes track. You seemed to love it as much as I thought you would. Patiently waiting for "And You and I" and "Heart of the Sunrise."
A couple of comments: - Bruford is keeping 4/4, 5/4 and 7/8 time effortlessly. Astonishing drumming that one must listen to in isolation. - this is not a concoction put together in a studio. This is not visiting musicians adding one-time fill. This is exactly how they sounded live.
When I studied African tribal percussion as a music major in the late '70s, one of the things I learned that stuck in my head was that every drummer "played to his own beat." Western music's "syncopation" is the transliteration of that multi-downbeat performance into a set time signature. The best drummers have that same feel for the beat and can switch it around at will, but to express it on paper requires the odd time signatures.
Yes, totally the greatest prog rock band ever! They never got the recognition they deserve . They did finally get inducted into the rock and roll hall of fame in 2017 way overdue .The musical talent of the band in the 1970's especially is unmatched ,truly leaders in their styles and inspiration to many musicians afterwards. Geniuses!
As I have mentioned before in other comments about Yes songs, many of us have listened to this song for 50 years and still haven't heard all of it. It will take you many listens to really appreciate all that is going on. Amazing piece of music from amazing musicians.
Thank you. In tears watching and listening to your reaction. At around the 21:30 mark, the looks on your faces say that you are listening to something really special... I have been listening to this for nearly 45 years, and it still delivers chills and tears. How is that even possible?
Definitely, Gates of Delirium should be your next Yes reaction. CttE is immersive and awe-inspiring. Gates is more intense and mind blowing! Go for it guys, go to the summit of Yes!
One of the two greatest songs ever written. War & Peace in musical form and this generation's 1812 Overture. Complete Genius in every sense of the word!
That is an epic great song. A true master piece just as relevant now as back in the 70's. Maybe even more relevant now. But I would like to see them fill in the gaps on The Yes Album, Fragile and CTTE. Also I would like to see how they react to Yes live on Yessongs. What those guys achieved on stage in the early 70's is just amazing. Just about all the studio versions were done better, elevated and extended on stage. To me that fully showcases the awesome talent of this band.
There is a way to approach Yes music that works best for me: Attempt to listen as if for the first time. Calm the mind. Throughout the song focus on the main instruments one at a time. Then on the rhythm section. Then on Jon’s vocals. Then on the 4 headed beast that are all instruments. Then the song as a whole. Shifting back and forth throughout the song appreciating the layers of sound and how they interplay, harmonize, depend on each other for structure. Feel the emotion that the songs are filled with. Some have said Yes music is pretentious, technical but I say they have not permitted themselves to really hear Yes, to allow themselves to feel the reach of their music. Jon’s lyrics are felt far more than understood. There is very little classical prose style lyrics in classic Yes but there are thoughts and phrases that carry a weight of emotion that enhance the incredible music flowing around and through them. So grateful for the reaction to this incredible piece of music.
I’ve heard this song dozens of times and I still notice something new each time I listen to it. Amazing stuff! You guys should check out “The Gates of Delirium” or “Awaken” if you want another fantastic Yes epic.
This truly blew my mind! This was so all over the place but somehow felt cohesive! Its flowed , the transitions were perfect!Definitely my favorite from them so far! Thanks for this reaction! So happy that you are back! Truly! Look forward to more
Interesting factoid: At the beginning of Steve Howe's guitar solo at the 4:15 mark above, you can hear this high pitched, repetitive, tinkly sound in the background. It's actually keyboardist Rick Wakeman playing the exact same thing bassist Chris Squire is playing, only twice as fast. You can hear the 3 of them play the riff together at the 4:54 mark above.It's easier to hear it if you slow down the speed.
If someone pays to request "Awaken" from the Going For the One album, I strongly recommend recommend you combine it with the first track on side B, "Wondrous Stories." The two tracks together comprise the whole B side of GFtO. The band has never said so, but for me the two songs tell one story: "Wondrous Stories" is the Seeker's journey along with their Spiritual Guide/Teacher/Master to attain Nirvana. "Awaken" is that Seeker having attained Nirvana, and coming in to the presence of The All/Source. And please, do the original studio versions. None of the live versions include Wakeman on church organ, and you must experience the church organ.
@@LaurenMirandaG , my recollection is back in the day, even albums which weren't concept albums had the track order meticulously placed. I especially think that is the case with the B side of Going For the One. Again, as far as I know, the band never came out and said they go together, and I don't recall the two being played together in all of the Yes shows I've attended. But, I do personally think that just their placement as the only two songs on the B side of the album implies them being connected somehow. And, definitely. Awaken is my favorite nonsymphonic piece of music of all time. Even more so when combined with Wondrous Stories. I rank Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue as my favorite ever, but Wondrous Stories/Awaken is pretty much tied with Stravinsky's The Firebird ballet score for second.
@@jpirard Unfortunately, I didn't discover Yes until Tormato, which in-the-round tour was the first of the two dozen+ times I've seen them. But, I missed the GftO tour. Oh, I knew the radio edit of Roundabout, but I think I was 12 when it was getting airplay, and I was more in to bubble gum as a tween. Ah, the errors of our youth!
Just when i think you two have given me everything, you give me more! Classic after classic, better and better! Surely I’m in heaven. And yes, the parents woud hear this and just shake their heads. If you got through that frenetic opening then you earned what comes after. So fun to watch you NIck, latching onto Chris Squire’s bombastic base lines. He was the man for sure! He was ‘the other singer’. 16:37 now where the heck are we? Omg…! I saw them play this live numerous times and I still can’t believe my good fortune! And the end of this song resolves itself back to the beginning. Impressed? Many say this is not just the very best that Yes done, but that it may be the best piece of Prog…ever. It is certainly right up there. You know now that you have to flip that vinyl to Side B and listen to the rest. You won’t be disappointed.
14 year old me bought ‘Fragile’ in April 1972, caught up with ‘Time and a word’ and ‘The Yes Album’ the following month, and bought ‘ Close to the edge’ and ‘YesSongs’ when they came out. This is a masterpiece. Buy a Ric bass, hang it on the wall, and gaze at it in wonder of what can be done on it.
One of my favourite songs of all time from one of my favourite bands. I have this whole album on vinyl and everytime I just wonder how could a human mind give birth to something like this...
I think that late in the piece, when the organ section begins and in the transitions that follow, you hear some of Rick Wakeman's best work with Yes. He is a genius at converting classical passages into rock and roll and his solo work also exemplifies this but I think this was his masterpiece with Yes.
One of my favourite Yes tracks, so technical and very intelligent from the band takes you to a magnificent journey and back again, absolutely memorising.
Rick recorded the CTTE organ at St Giles, Cripplegate in London...the same one as on his Six Wives album. Awaken was recorded in Switzerland. The organ was at St Martin's Church in Vevey and was fed through telephone lines (they were that clear!) to the Mountain Studios in Montreux, four miles away
You guys are so fresh, fun to share music with, so "human" and sincere, it really is a pleasure to check out what you are discovering. I'm 65, a veteran of playing lead guitar in original bands, covers, recording, live, etc, and I know a lot of the songs you review. Like having friends over to hang and listen to new music with. Thank you for giving us that experience over again! Cheers!
An absolute joy to see you enjoy this masterpiece by Yes - not so much a song, more an experience!. A very good definition of great Art is something you might not immediately get but still draws you in to discover more...that applies to books, films and music...and in particular to Close to the Edge...it sounded pretty good on first listen and still is spine-tingling nearly 50 years on.
I am enjoying YOUR reactions to these YESSONGS so much. Thank You. NIck, your comments reflect a balance of musicianship and technical understanding as well as the humility to still be awed and wowed by the beauty of the final art form. I smile with you when you experience the newness. Speaking of Smiles, Lex your smile lights up the whole room. It's wonderful to see you lovingly experience the art while sharing the emotional and moving moments with your partner. You're both blessed and those of us that watch you, admire and appreciate you so very much. Thanks Again. I look forward to your next video.
For me this piece is one of the greatest progressive pieces in 70's rock. musically the first part very complex and Bill Bruford's drums playing the best. the guitar solo and wakeman solo has magic organ
That song is very special to me. I loved it and I met this girl who had this album in her collection and that was her favorite song too. Talk about like minded company. I was so empress that I maried her. That was 45 years ago and we're still together. Tanks for your reaction, made me feel young again.
'what time signature is this?' The songs opening section is in 3/4. After that bombastic section, when Chris starts playing longer notes, they've switched to 6/8. Near the end of this section there's a bar of 9/8 then three bars of 4/4 while they hold out whole notes then into 12/8 for the section where the singing starts. When they come to the lyric 'close to the edge, down by the river', it's a bar of 4/4 a bar of 2/4 then they hold the note over 3 bars of 3/4. There's a coda there where they repeat that 'close to the edge..' section again. At bar 156 which is a pretty syncopated section they move into 6/4. At the end of the section they go back into the 'close to the edge' with again if the bar of 4/4 then a bar of 2/4 then they hold the long note over 3 bars of 3/4, repeat it. So we're up to about bar 185 there. So yeah, there's a buttload of time signature changes in this piece of music. There's a web page out there with it written and performed by strings where you can follow along and read the music and hear the string ensemble play it, it's pretty cool. It really demonstrates how complex this piece is.
I love detailed, informative comments like this! Thanks, Buddy. ✨🤪 Wow. It’s as if the time signature was transcribed in invisible ink. Lol. No wonder we experience it as different legs of a journey but also feel that it’s all ONE TRIP. Literally. Lol. 🤯😜
@@nicodegallo7886 - I tried to post it and youtube removed the link. It's on a site called musescore dot com. Just go there and search for Close to the edge.
Watching your "Close To The Edge " right now. I'm 63 discovered this song at 18 and there is none better. Now your ready for "The Gates Of Delirium" and then "Awaken" in my opinion are the three best Yes songs from their best years 1972-1977. Check them out and I think you will agree. Love your show!
What I love most about watching you guys reacting to songs like these is that you can tell you guys aren't just going through the motions for the sake of the channel but listening intently to every sound picking out and reacting to the little bits and pieces. That's when you know someone is really listening and enjoying what they're hearing. Reminds me of listening to this as a teenager laying on my bed with my headphones cranked up high and soaking it all in. It takes me back. I think that's the reason I stopped on your channel. LOVE IT!!
I once saw in an interview where Ged & Alex (RUSH) went to see a YES concert while they were recording CARESS OF STEEL. At one point they said they looked at each other and were thinking of throwing in the towel and giving up. (Glad they didn't) That's RESPECT.
Yes were on the way back home from a gig and stopped at the Speakeasy club in London. They saw King Crimson play, and when it was over Jon turned to Chris and said "We've got to practice more, because these guys are seriously good". In my opinion, they did just that. Also, Bill said to himself "I've got to quit Yes and get in this band". But ot took another couple of years for that to happen.
On my birthday, June 24th, what do I see? The pinnacle of prog music, one of the best songs ever created and one of my all-time favorites, certainly my favorite Yes song. This song alone defines why I've listened to very little popular music over the last twenty years. The 70s had some of the most impactful, creative, foundation-setting music in modern times. The spiritual element and emotion of this music is off the charts, and one of the main reasons I was able to recover from my months of cancer over 20 years ago. God bless Yes and all great uplifting and inspiring music. It is more than mere entertainment. It is the revealing, lifting, and enhancing of the soul.
I first heard this at school in 1975 our music teacher let people bring albums in and play them in his class at lunch break. I had never heard anything like this and it changed my life. I have been playing keyboards in bands ever since. The timeless quality of this tune transcends any genre and it still sounds as good today . Thank you both for your channel so great to re-live that moment again.
I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS 15 {1972} I BOUGHT THIS ALBUM AND LISTENED TO IT ALL THE WAY THROUGH AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK FOR MONTHS..STILL LISTEN TO IT...GREAT TO SEE YOU REACT TO IT,YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME! ALL MY BEST ...KENT.
This is my favorite Yes song. I was lucky enough to see Yes in concert a few times in the mid 70s, and this song was the highlight for me. It's great to see people from a younger generation enjoying the music I loved in my youth. I also had fun anticipating the parts in the song that will blow your mind. . .and you didn't disappoint!
This was released in 1972, the same year as Foxtrot by Genesis (with "Supper's Ready"). I was 14 at the time. Can you imagine a bunch of 14 year olds with these LPs tucked under their arms, on their way to school? Happy days!
What's astonishing, is how they perform CTTE on Yessongs with aplomb and frankly take the song to another level. You have to be so accomplished to perform something of this magnitude. Great spot on enthusiastic review!
I discovered "Close to the edge", at the "edge" of 11, just when it was released. Can you guess I wouldn't ever listen to music the same way since then?
Glad you "get" Yes, us fans are a devoted cult! I suggest some of the other songs people are reccomending, but also solo stuff from the various yes guys, they've made so much great solo stuff.
Guys....seriously, just.....guyyyssss. Only just found your channel and I'm so so glad I did! It is amazing seeing you both discover the music I love so much, pauses and all lol (they make your channel, really - so much more interesting than run of the mill reacting without discussing). Seriously, I love what you have to say and just seeing the look on your faces makes my day. Gonna take some time to work through your all your videos but, in case you haven't covered it yet...just three words....Firth Of Fifth. Looking forward to the journey with you :)
This is one of prog’s Mt Rushmore tunes. You have many excellent suggestions in the comments but I echo playing ‘Gates of Delirium’ from the Relayer album, it is Yes but almost a different band with Alan White and Patrick Moraz. If you ever want to be amazed check out the version of ‘Close to the Edge’ from Yessongs and see how they tackle this in concert - it will honestly boggle your mind. Fun reaction, looking forward to the next one.
RE: Keyboards -- Rick Wakeman was literally surrounded by keyboards when they did a show. And, Bill Bruford was probably the drummer's name you were trying to remember.
The one time I saw Rick with them, on one of their reunion tours, he had 11 keyboards around him. I counted. He had to walk from one side to the other to play them all. He was also wearing his sequined cape. It was beautiful! :)
I heard it once and wanted to hear it again, I was 16, and I listened to it again and again and again. I am in my 60s now, I listened hundreds of times. Maybe their greatest piece of work.
This is a song where you trash your brain a little, just a little, and then put on headsets and lay back on the bed and just relax into it. Either than or you need a really good sound system to where the bass will vibrate your body. This is prog when prog had reason to be prog, and the musicians were tight and all really good at what they do.
With that song, classic Yes comes to an end for me. Lot of great songs later, but if there is one song to declare the finale of classic Yes, this is it.
Close to the Edge is a gift. Those of us who get so much out of Yes appreciate others who accept that gift. That connection is what makes us all feel understood.
Close to the Edge was their 5th album. The bass player and backup singer is Chris Squire. Steve Howe also provides backing vocals. His voice isn't as good as Chris's and Jon's, but the 3 of them create beautiful harmonies together. This is their greatest album and Close to the Edge is the greatest piece of music I've ever heard, though Bach was pretty good too 😛
Thanks for holding off playing this so we could see your reaction. I'm a huge classical music guy but having listened to this for 49 yrs I happen to think the first frantic couple of minutes are my favorite piece in any genre
I love watching you discovering some of my favorite bands. You've listened to Genesis, The Who, Joni Mitchell, Yes, Renaissance... How about Supertramp? If you aren't familiar with them, try School (the first track on Crime of the Century) or Even in the Quietest Moments (title track of album). Enjoy.
One of the great albums of its time. To be honest, the kids at this time were all doing psychodelics, blotter acid listening to this band - - it was part of this music culture - and the insane light shows at the concerts and just a very spacy time with spacy music . And then Yes came out with the live album Yes Songs around this same time and it was played in movie theaters starting at midnight along with Rocky Horror Show. So you had a bunch of drug crazed kids going to the theater at midnight for YesSongs. You could get away with sneaking in beers and smoking weed in the movie theater as well. The ushers in the theater were part of the scene. That is my memory of Yes. And amazing musicians.
I feel like Nick in one of his "speechless" moments 😂 Been waiting for this one! Your reaction was everything I was expecting and so fun to watch. As much as I'm also anticipating you getting to 1977's Awaken (and the whole Going For The One album), I really hope you just continue with the two other CTTE tracks for now before bouncing around the Yes catalog anymore. Regardless, great to have you back! ❤️👍
This is recording, for the most dynamic and energetic version listen to the Yessong's version. Not only can Yes play this live they can exceed this version. I believe most Yes fans would agree.
I agree, especially with And You and I. Amazing what unique worlds Steve How can carve out on pedal steel guitar. True also of all three songs on Relayer.
@@hasltisl greatest live album ever..not the audio quality..the delivery of these exquisite complicated songs will never be matched. These live versions all equal or surpass the studios..That just doesn't happen. And no autotune or recorded overdubs...truly amazing...The band from the future.the future we haven't reached yet !!
This is pretty much a magnum opus by Yes. ALL the band members were playing their asses off, and the drummer just went off, Bill Bruford. Unfortunately the drummer left the band right after they recorded this and he didn't even do the tour. He got back with the band a few years later and they played Close to the Edge live but he didn't play it anything close to this. The complexity of this drumming is hard to explain. He's changing what he's doing so much and you take the same melodic line and make it into something different based on how he's keeping the beat through it and accenting different notes. So more than the other members, this was really Bill Bruford's magnum opus. I don't think he wanted to go on the road with this song really because he put everything he could into it. The entire beginning where Steve Howe is playing the intro guitar solo, Bill is playing at a blistering pace, not for a short burst per se but he's holding that pace with both hands running that fast pace on the cymbals and then pulling off to hit the snare and that's REALLY hard to maintain that for any period of time. Neil Peart did the same thing with the song La Villa Strangiatto. Both are about as hard, but there's a handful of place where what Bill did it's harder than what Neil did. The only difference really is that Neil played what he recorded LIVE, Bill Bruford never did.
Dream Theatre are big Yes fans. Geddy Lee is also a big Yes fan, his bass playing is influenced by the Yes bassist Chris Squire. BTW the inspiration for this song is Herman Hesse's book Siddartha.
Yes, you should listen to it again, without stopping. The great thing about this piece is how it takes a handful of ideas/themes/leitmotifs, arranges them in a few different ways and then assembles them so that you keep recognising them as they reoccur in different ways, so you never, ever lose interest, even for 19 minutes.
Steve Howe came on the scene and immediately won Guitar Player Magazine's "Best Overall Guitarist" award the next 5 years in a row, which then retired him from future contention in tribute.
Us old folks are so grateful you find "our" music pleasing, it truly is rare.
This is not a song. This is a work of Art that operates and many levels.I believe they changed the world . I know they changed mine!
This is one of, if not the greatest prog/rock album ever recorded.
The one
IMHO, Thick as a Brick is .
Certainly the best album by Yes & that is saying something. Fantastic band. 😎
The greatest
@@dionisioiacobelli6689 your logic is not flawed.
As chaotic and jam-session like the opening to Close to the Edge sounds, after you've heard the song many hundreds of times, the chaos disappears and you really begin to feel that every note was perfectly planned and executed. Truly Yes's masterpiece that sets the bar for all of prog rock!
Exactly right. Well said.
Everything adds up. On the 50th listen more adds up. The depth and interconnections of parts into a whole that keeps growing….
I must have listened to the studio version 1000 times, the yessongs version 2000
Two possibly scary things about bassist Chris Squire's playing on this album: He was only 23 when this got recorded, and, even in that passage after the pipe organ section, where he is absolutely DESTROYING the bass line, he was playing that with a plectrum (he did not do finger picking on the bass).
Rick Wakeman once wrote, Jon Anderson wanted to change the planet whilst living on another one...
That's great! You know Rick's a stand up comic.😂
It was along the lines of "Jon is the only person I know who is doing everything he can to save the planet...while living on a completely different one."
@@JoinTheProgress I remember that - so funny! I saw him live giving a talk about album and song names, and quoting Jon's comment about what a Topographic Ocean is, while doing it in a Michael Jackson voice.
Jon Anderson, David Bowie, David Byrne, Frank Zappa, all guys who are just a little out of phase with the reality the rest of us exist in and it makes them the way they are.
@@NH2112 Jon Anderson's wife at the time was of an Indian family, which may have influenced the spiritual subject of Yes' lyrics, especially for Tales from Topographic Oceans.
The other side of the album is outstanding too...it has two masterpieces: 'Siberian Khatru' and 'And You and I'. Both songs are alittle more straight-forward songs. They used Siberian Khatru to open their live shows for a long time--it really rocks. Also, I have to also mention the song 'Awaken' like a lot of people are suggesting in these comments. I believe some of the band members have said it may be the ultimate Yes song....i would say they are right....
And the best version of Awaken is a cover - Todmobile with Jon Anderson and the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra. That song deserves a full choir and orchestra, and Todmobile provided it!
@@benrichardson7306 I agree Ben, it's so special to the the young Icelanders join in with Jon in such a masterpiece!
I would say “And You and I” is one of the most beautiful pieces of music… ever.
Also I think it's worth to mention that Frusciante's solo in Scar Tissue was inspired by 'Siberian Khatru'
And you and I was also always a favorite song of me by YES. Just from the very first moment listened to it.
You're not alone. I'm a 61 year old man and I still get emotional during I Get Up 45 years after hearing it the first time
An absolute MASTERPIECE!!! Their finest moment of MANY.......an incredible band......
I'm 64 years old. I first heard this in the fall of 1972 when I was 14. It has been my all time favorite song ever since. I still get emotional every time I hear it. This truly was their magnum opus. They came close to it a few times but never quite reached this peak again. Closest they came to it was "Gates Of Delirium" from their 1974 album "Relayer." Thanks for sharing your reaction to this music.
The moment when the organs come in is one of the most euphoric moments in music, just beyond amazing and then they do it again
I know this is a year old video, but I double dipped and I have to say this is my favorite track from YES, the title track, Close to the edge. I think of it as a classical format, with various movements in the piece. The main melodic themes are restated over again in slightly different forms. It's basically variations on a theme. The musicianship is outstanding. The execution is exceptional. The creativity is over the top. You can spend a lifetime exploring the depth of this song, and not reach the bottom of the well, and yet, it wouldn't be a life wasted. I can't listen to this without crying.
I absolutely agree. This is a song I listen to on repeat and well and cry every time Rick comes in! 😭 Thanks for double dipping! ❤️ - Lex
Guy said he doesn't take drugs. I think you just did by listening to this song. You can't hear this and not get high.
The birds 🐦 at the beginning!!! The green lights at the concert, YES on a rotating round stage at Madison Square Garden , NYC! WOW!!!!
62 years old now and still loving my YES!
Rick Wakeman wearing a spandex cape playing TWO keyboards at same time while
dry ice billows across the stage...!!
Did I really see that....???!
I did see that!!! I needed confirmation. Early ‘74
As a Bach fan, I was so happy to see you recognize the chord progressions influenced by his Toccata and Fugue. You know your stuff.
The scruture of the album is from Anderson listening to Symphony Nos. 6 and 7 by Jean Sibelius. The seventh struck Anderson the most as he noticed that its main theme was introduced some time in the composition which influenced how Close to the Edge was shaped.
Yes, Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, second favorite song after Roundabout!!
I am expecting to get shot down in flames but here we go: am I the only big Rush fan in the world who says, again and again, no to Yes? I know the Toronto boys were influenced by them but they leave me cold. At best, I can understand Geddy's love of Entwistle's bass. I have tried several songs from different albums. Anderson's vocals don't move me either but actually grate on me. Do I need to seek medical help? Each to their own, I guess!
@@davecole2561 A question do you like early Genesis?
@@davecole2561 I’ve called you a doctor :-)
What's mind boggling is that they performed this entire piece night after night live
This album and piece stands the test of time extremely well. Hard to believe it came out 50-years ago when I was 11. Time flies. Enjoy your life and listen to YES, as your life's soundtrack!
Even harder to believe that Alan White replaced Bill Bruford on drums a few days before the tour! How do you possibly learn that stuff so quickly?
Always cracks me up to see Nick do his "bass face" while he mimes plucking the bass strings with his fingers! Chris Squire plays bass with a pick, Nick! ;)
The late Chris Squire..R I P....one of the great bass players of all time!
@@ronwilliams6565 Without a doubt!
It was like he was playing rhythm and a melody at the same time.
My hero…well one of them.
Chris Squire’s bass-lines are “fat-tastic”. I end up focusing on the bass do much, I have to play it again so I can enjoy Steve’s crazy guitar work!
And on, and on…
My friends and I had been waiting for this album to come out since it was announced back in 1972. I was a freshman in college at the time and there was a radio station, WCMI FM, that played nothing but full albums in the evening. They premiered Close To The Edge the day before it hit the shelves. What an experience! I couldn't wait to get out of class the next day so we could all head down to the record store to buy it and hear it again. Watching you two get blown away by this music takes me back to that time. Thanks!
Bill Bruford the drummer joined King Crimson after this album.. he's an incredible drummer!!
I just bought the album Red by them and I am absolutely obsessed with it. "Starless" is just simply amazing!! I think I like that album better then In the Court..
Uh yeah, but so is the great ALAN WHITE!
@@littlestevey4172 Yeah I love Red. Anything with John Wetton on vocals is my favorite. I like to listen to the crazy middle section of Starless when I'm in a plane taking off
He still is
While many say Jon Anderson's lyrics are written for the way they sound, there usually is meaning in them. Close to the Edge is loosely based on the novel "Siddhartha," by Hermann Hesse, and involves searching for spirituality only to realize one finds it within oneself and can do so wherever one is. The novel finds a river to be a very spiritual place, hence "Close to the edge, down by the river," and the opening and closing nature sounds.
Yes, the music is one of the greatest pieces of progressive rock. The lyrics and story told elevates it even higher.
Actually, his lyrics are a mixture of both. Jon Anderson often had specific ideas and themes in mind when he wrote lyrics. Sometimes his original lyrics would articulate what he was thinking or feeling, very well.
Other times, he would change the lyrics to something far less obvious, because they sounded better when he sang them, but in his mind, they still conveyed the same themes. Example, Starship Trooper: "Well, at the back of my mind I knew what I was trying to say lyrically, but I was always afraid of being too clear or too defined. When I wrote it, it never sounded right. When I wrote, "Your guardian angel would always be around you," I would sing, "Sister bluebird flying high above, though you've seen me, just look after my soul."
Then, there were other times when he simply wrote lyrics and it wasn't until later, after performing the songs many times, that the actual meaning of his own lyrics would reveal themselves to him.
This is why I always caution people not to be too simplistic in their interpretations, when analyzing the lyrics of highly creative people. Sometimes, the artist themselves are tapping into a stream of consciousness, which they simply record on paper and they don't really know what it means until much later.
I can't tell you how many comments I've read, that say something like, "Wow! These guys must have been on some really good acid". The listeners know that many 60s and 70s bands took some acid trips at one point. Now, they're assuming that those highly creative artists were forever locked inside of some little LSD flashback box and everything they did creatively for the rest of their lives was based on a handful of good acid trips from many years ago.
That's insulting. They act like these guys never read a book or a newspaper or saw a play or a movie or looked at a piece of art which inspired them to write creative lyrics.
As you are well aware, these people are very creative thinkers. They can write lyrics which speak directly about their thoughts or they can write about their ideas metaphorically or they can sometimes write lyrics that convey their ideas in a very abstract ways. Example: In the song Long Distance Runaround, the words, "Hot color melting the anger to stone", are about the shootings at Kent State University on May 4, 1970 when the United States National Guard killed four students. Anderson explains: "It was just a thought that emotion is made of colors, and you could bring peace by finding a healing color to melt hate. The government cracking down on young people because they were trying to tell the truth about the war in Vietnam. It was just one of the crazy fears of time."
Unless we were thinking way, way outside of the box, we could never even come close to making that connection. I guess, sometimes it's best to just let the lyrics speak to us personally and not get too wrapped up in what the author was actually thinking or feeling.
@@skybluemarshall
Brilliant!!
Thank You, I so enjoyed reading this,
As I listened to CTTE for the 1000th time ;)
What a great analysis. Brilliant (again, lol)
Also, thank you, Illume, for yours :)
@@skybluemarshall what he said.
Actually, it was Jon himself who said his lyrics were written for the sound of the words.
Yes. Very good. Now listen to them again. Full album. In their entirety. No pauses. No distractions. Like we did. Back in the day. In your room. Lights off. In our cars. Cruisin. Jammin. Sometimes high. Sometimes trippin. It only gets better with time.
You just listened to the pinnacle of progressive rock. This entire album is a masterpiece, You have so much to enlighten your learning so next try Tales of Topographic Oceans then Relayer with the equally iconic ' Gates of Delirium '
Close to the Edge is timeless. Each time I listen, something new comes to the forefront with each performer. Bass, drums, keyboards guitar and superb is what comes to mind. Then J Anderson vocals unique and complimentary to this masterpiece. I am fortunate to say my 1st Yes concert was Relayer tour and it was in New Jersey. Yes is a once in a lifetime band.
I saw them perform this in 1972 at the Rainbow Theatre in London, the recording used for the live Yessongs album released in '73. Live they were remarkable, so accurate in their playing and full of energy. I think they reached a pinnacle in this period of 71-72. Three brilliant albums in less than two years - then Bill Bruford left . . .
In a day of short musical attention spans, i really appreciate you both. You both are capable of great things!
Back in the late 60's, early 70's there was a direction that music was going, so experimental and so exciting... The quality of the musicians, the song writers were unparalleled...hard to find this today...One of their epic masterpieces!!
When I was in high school (40 years ago) this was in my car stereo for 6 months. A true masterpiece and now in my 50's I still have the same emotional reaction every time I hear it. I'm so glad you discovered it now. As stated in the comments, DON'T ignore side two of this album. It's in my top 3 of all time favorite records.
Cheers for listening to this epic Yes track. You seemed to love it as much as I thought you would. Patiently waiting for "And You and I" and "Heart of the Sunrise."
A couple of comments:
- Bruford is keeping 4/4, 5/4 and 7/8 time effortlessly. Astonishing drumming that one must listen to in isolation.
- this is not a concoction put together in a studio. This is not visiting musicians adding one-time fill. This is exactly how they sounded live.
Excellent comment! For me, that is one of the most amazing feats that they accomplish with this masterpiece. Thanks ✨🤪
There is no better drummer than the Bruf... he is perfection, in Yes, King Crimson, Genesis, UK, Bruford, National Health, Gong and many others
@@Yes_Jorge_Yes And he did an album with Gordian Knot, one of Nick's picks.
When I studied African tribal percussion as a music major in the late '70s, one of the things I learned that stuck in my head was that every drummer "played to his own beat." Western music's "syncopation" is the transliteration of that multi-downbeat performance into a set time signature. The best drummers have that same feel for the beat and can switch it around at will, but to express it on paper requires the odd time signatures.
Mostly 6/8, 2/4 and 4/4
I pause at 16:38... I walk through a gulch, with tall trees all around... and a creek.
It's amazing.
Yes, totally the greatest prog rock band ever!
They never got the recognition they deserve . They did finally get inducted into the rock and roll hall of fame in 2017 way overdue .The musical talent of the band in the 1970's especially is unmatched ,truly leaders in their styles and inspiration to many musicians afterwards. Geniuses!
Dude!!! How awesome is it to have a beautiful lady enjoying the hell out of herself to Close to the Edge???!!!
Wow, what a treat pals.
"And You and I" Yes's most ethereal and beautiful song of their entire catalog. Do it.
As I have mentioned before in other comments about Yes songs, many of us have listened to this song for 50 years and still haven't heard all of it. It will take you many listens to really appreciate all that is going on. Amazing piece of music from amazing musicians.
A YES concert back in their prime was a total ethereal experience!👍🏻❤️☮️
Thank you. In tears watching and listening to your reaction. At around the 21:30 mark, the looks on your faces say that you are listening to something really special... I have been listening to this for nearly 45 years, and it still delivers chills and tears. How is that even possible?
I suggest Gates of Delirium from the Relayer album, The Master piece.
I second that! 😁👍
Definitely, Gates of Delirium should be your next Yes reaction. CttE is immersive and awe-inspiring. Gates is more intense and mind blowing! Go for it guys, go to the summit of Yes!
Definitely Relayer next - they’ll enjoy trying to keep up with Gates!
One of the two greatest songs ever written. War & Peace in musical form and this generation's 1812 Overture. Complete Genius in every sense of the word!
That is an epic great song. A true master piece just as relevant now as back in the 70's. Maybe even more relevant now. But I would like to see them fill in the gaps on The Yes Album, Fragile and CTTE. Also I would like to see how they react to Yes live on Yessongs. What those guys achieved on stage in the early 70's is just amazing. Just about all the studio versions were done better, elevated and extended on stage. To me that fully showcases the awesome talent of this band.
There is a way to approach Yes music that works best for me:
Attempt to listen as if for the first time. Calm the mind. Throughout the song focus on the main instruments one at a time. Then on the rhythm section. Then on Jon’s vocals. Then on the 4 headed beast that are all instruments. Then the song as a whole. Shifting back and forth throughout the song appreciating the layers of sound and how they interplay, harmonize, depend on each other for structure. Feel the emotion that the songs are filled with. Some have said Yes music is pretentious, technical but I say they have not permitted themselves to really hear Yes, to allow themselves to feel the reach of their music.
Jon’s lyrics are felt far more than understood. There is very little classical prose style lyrics in classic Yes but there are thoughts and phrases that carry a weight of emotion that enhance the incredible music flowing around and through them.
So grateful for the reaction to this incredible piece of music.
You have it right. There is just too much to absorb in Yes music on the first listen. Each subsequent listen you hear something else or just more.
You missed the first step... Rip a bong hit.
@@ebonysweetroll Precisely
Beautifully stated, Vanytastic SONE!
Everytime I hear Yes, I discover something new...
I’ve heard this song dozens of times and I still notice something new each time I listen to it. Amazing stuff! You guys should check out “The Gates of Delirium” or “Awaken” if you want another fantastic Yes epic.
dozens? Hundreds.
I'm on that list... The story continues . . .
This truly blew my mind! This was so all over the place but somehow felt cohesive! Its flowed , the transitions were perfect!Definitely my favorite from them so far! Thanks for this reaction! So happy that you are back! Truly! Look forward to more
Interesting factoid: At the beginning of Steve Howe's guitar solo at the 4:15 mark above, you can hear this high pitched, repetitive, tinkly sound in the background. It's actually keyboardist Rick Wakeman playing the exact same thing bassist Chris Squire is playing, only twice as fast. You can hear the 3 of them play the riff together at the 4:54 mark above.It's easier to hear it if you slow down the speed.
Wow, only 50 years late for me to notice this, especially the Rick Wakeman part! Damn, and thanks!
If someone pays to request "Awaken" from the Going For the One album, I strongly recommend recommend you combine it with the first track on side B, "Wondrous Stories." The two tracks together comprise the whole B side of GFtO.
The band has never said so, but for me the two songs tell one story:
"Wondrous Stories" is the Seeker's journey along with their Spiritual Guide/Teacher/Master to attain Nirvana.
"Awaken" is that Seeker having attained Nirvana, and coming in to the presence of The All/Source.
And please, do the original studio versions. None of the live versions include Wakeman on church organ, and you must experience the church organ.
Awaken is one of my favorite songs... I've never thought of your interpretation and combining it with Wondrous Stories. I like it.
@@LaurenMirandaG , my recollection is back in the day, even albums which weren't concept albums had the track order meticulously placed. I especially think that is the case with the B side of Going For the One. Again, as far as I know, the band never came out and said they go together, and I don't recall the two being played together in all of the Yes shows I've attended. But, I do personally think that just their placement as the only two songs on the B side of the album implies them being connected somehow.
And, definitely. Awaken is my favorite nonsymphonic piece of music of all time. Even more so when combined with Wondrous Stories. I rank Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue as my favorite ever, but Wondrous Stories/Awaken is pretty much tied with Stravinsky's The Firebird ballet score for second.
@@IllumeEltanin Saw them play the entire album in concert.
@@jpirard
Unfortunately, I didn't discover Yes until Tormato, which in-the-round tour was the first of the two dozen+ times I've seen them. But, I missed the GftO tour.
Oh, I knew the radio edit of Roundabout, but I think I was 12 when it was getting airplay, and I was more in to bubble gum as a tween. Ah, the errors of our youth!
@@IllumeEltanin In the Round was my first YES concert too. It blew my mind.
I love watching you guys over the weekend and your reactions to the songs and especially this song. Nick and Lex. I love you
Just when i think you two have given me everything, you give me more! Classic after classic, better and better! Surely I’m in heaven. And yes, the parents woud hear this and just shake their heads.
If you got through that frenetic opening then you earned what comes after. So fun to watch you NIck, latching onto Chris Squire’s bombastic base lines. He was the man for sure! He was ‘the other singer’.
16:37 now where the heck are we? Omg…! I saw them play this live numerous times and I still can’t believe my good fortune!
And the end of this song resolves itself back to the beginning. Impressed?
Many say this is not just the very best that Yes done, but that it may be the best piece of Prog…ever. It is certainly right up there.
You know now that you have to flip that vinyl to Side B and listen to the rest. You won’t be disappointed.
14 year old me bought ‘Fragile’ in April 1972, caught up with ‘Time and a word’ and ‘The Yes Album’ the following month, and bought ‘ Close to the edge’ and ‘YesSongs’ when they came out. This is a masterpiece. Buy a Ric bass, hang it on the wall, and gaze at it in wonder of what can be done on it.
This is Yes's masterpiece! Your reaction was priceless. The amount of interchanging elements and themes assembled in this song is truly astounding.
I’m in my 70’s and know Yes for about half a century. Amazing that i still can listen to their breathtaking music as i did 50 years ago!
One of my favourite songs of all time from one of my favourite bands. I have this whole album on vinyl and everytime I just wonder how could a human mind give birth to something like this...
This set the standard, ask any prog band after, thus song, Close to the Edge< raised the bar
I think that late in the piece, when the organ section begins and in the transitions that follow, you hear some of Rick Wakeman's best work with Yes. He is a genius at converting classical passages into rock and roll and his solo work also exemplifies this but I think this was his masterpiece with Yes.
One of my favourite Yes tracks, so technical and very intelligent from the band takes you to a magnificent journey and back again, absolutely memorising.
For church organ, you need to hear " Awaken". There's a part one reactor refered to as," the moment ". I whole heartedly agree!
I BELIEVE Rick may have recorded CTTE organ and AWAKEN organ in the same church at different times, but don't quote me on that
Rick recorded the CTTE organ at St Giles, Cripplegate in London...the same one as on his Six Wives album. Awaken was recorded in Switzerland. The organ was at St Martin's Church in Vevey and was fed through telephone lines (they were that clear!) to the Mountain Studios in Montreux, four miles away
My favorite keyboard player Mr. Rick Wakeman. An absolute master.
A true masterpiece. Prodigious musicians and Jon Anderson's voice is wonderful. A legendary progressive rock album.
Chris Squire was the Bass player.
First heared this when I was about 6. Amazing reactions..lovely to see.
You guys are so fresh, fun to share music with, so "human" and sincere, it really is a pleasure to check out what you are discovering. I'm 65, a veteran of playing lead guitar in original bands, covers, recording, live, etc, and I know a lot of the songs you review. Like having friends over to hang and listen to new music with. Thank you for giving us that experience over again! Cheers!
An absolute joy to see you enjoy this masterpiece by Yes - not so much a song, more an experience!. A very good definition of great Art is something you might not immediately get but still draws you in to discover more...that applies to books, films and music...and in particular to Close to the Edge...it sounded pretty good on first listen and still is spine-tingling nearly 50 years on.
Great comment! Yes, I am still as thrilled at 64 as I was listening on headphones at 16!
I am enjoying YOUR reactions to these YESSONGS so much. Thank You. NIck, your comments reflect a balance of musicianship and technical understanding as well as the humility to still be awed and wowed by the beauty of the final art form. I smile with you when you experience the newness. Speaking of Smiles, Lex your smile lights up the whole room. It's wonderful to see you lovingly experience the art while sharing the emotional and moving moments with your partner. You're both blessed and those of us that watch you, admire and appreciate you so very much. Thanks Again. I look forward to your next video.
CHRIS SQUIRE plays the bass and is the reason why you have heard of Geedy Lee because without Yes, there is no Rush...
For me this piece is one of the greatest progressive pieces in 70's rock. musically the first part very complex and Bill Bruford's drums playing the best. the guitar solo and wakeman solo has magic organ
That song is very special to me. I loved it and I met this girl who had this album in her collection and that was her favorite song too.
Talk about like minded company. I was so empress that I maried her. That was 45 years ago and we're still together.
Tanks for your reaction, made me feel young again.
A true masterpiece of Progressive Rock. In my top three albums of all time.
'what time signature is this?' The songs opening section is in 3/4. After that bombastic section, when Chris starts playing longer notes, they've switched to 6/8. Near the end of this section there's a bar of 9/8 then three bars of 4/4 while they hold out whole notes then into 12/8 for the section where the singing starts. When they come to the lyric 'close to the edge, down by the river', it's a bar of 4/4 a bar of 2/4 then they hold the note over 3 bars of 3/4. There's a coda there where they repeat that 'close to the edge..' section again. At bar 156 which is a pretty syncopated section they move into 6/4. At the end of the section they go back into the 'close to the edge' with again if the bar of 4/4 then a bar of 2/4 then they hold the long note over 3 bars of 3/4, repeat it. So we're up to about bar 185 there.
So yeah, there's a buttload of time signature changes in this piece of music. There's a web page out there with it written and performed by strings where you can follow along and read the music and hear the string ensemble play it, it's pretty cool. It really demonstrates how complex this piece is.
I love detailed, informative comments like this! Thanks, Buddy. ✨🤪 Wow. It’s as if the time signature was transcribed in invisible ink. Lol. No wonder we experience it as different legs of a journey but also feel that it’s all ONE TRIP. Literally. Lol. 🤯😜
What’s the webpage?
What's the webpage (2)?
@@ronaldoortiz1958 - I tried to post it and youtube removed the link. It's on a site called musescore dot com.
@@nicodegallo7886 - I tried to post it and youtube removed the link. It's on a site called musescore dot com. Just go there and search for Close to the edge.
Watching your "Close To The Edge " right now. I'm 63 discovered this song at 18 and there is none better. Now your ready for "The Gates Of Delirium" and then "Awaken" in my opinion are the three best Yes songs from their best years 1972-1977. Check them out and I think you will agree. Love your show!
What I love most about watching you guys reacting to songs like these is that you can tell you guys aren't just going through the motions for the sake of the channel but listening intently to every sound picking out and reacting to the little bits and pieces. That's when you know someone is really listening and enjoying what they're hearing. Reminds me of listening to this as a teenager laying on my bed with my headphones cranked up high and soaking it all in. It takes me back. I think that's the reason I stopped on your channel. LOVE IT!!
I once saw in an interview where Ged & Alex (RUSH) went to see a YES concert while they were recording CARESS OF STEEL. At one point they said they looked at each other and were thinking of throwing in the towel and giving up. (Glad they didn't) That's RESPECT.
Yes were on the way back home from a gig and stopped at the Speakeasy club in London. They saw King Crimson play, and when it was over Jon turned to Chris and said "We've got to practice more, because these guys are seriously good". In my opinion, they did just that.
Also, Bill said to himself "I've got to quit Yes and get in this band". But ot took another couple of years for that to happen.
@@cybore213 ……RED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@@cybore213 the same was when they saw Mahavishnu Orchestra
John’s vocals, Chris’s bass, Steve’s guitar, it can’t get better, unless you ad Ricks keyboards.
On my birthday, June 24th, what do I see? The pinnacle of prog music, one of the best songs ever created and one of my all-time favorites, certainly my favorite Yes song. This song alone defines why I've listened to very little popular music over the last twenty years. The 70s had some of the most impactful, creative, foundation-setting music in modern times. The spiritual element and emotion of this music is off the charts, and one of the main reasons I was able to recover from my months of cancer over 20 years ago. God bless Yes and all great uplifting and inspiring music. It is more than mere entertainment. It is the revealing, lifting, and enhancing of the soul.
I first heard this at school in 1975 our music teacher let people bring albums in and play them in his class at lunch break. I had never heard anything like this and it changed my life. I have been playing keyboards in bands ever since. The timeless quality of this tune transcends any genre and it still sounds as good today . Thank you both for your channel so great to re-live that moment again.
I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS 15 {1972} I BOUGHT THIS ALBUM AND LISTENED TO IT ALL THE WAY THROUGH AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK FOR MONTHS..STILL LISTEN TO IT...GREAT TO SEE YOU REACT TO IT,YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME! ALL MY BEST ...KENT.
I followed that similar Meditation, of this same Liturgy, but for several years of singing its Hosannas.
This is my favorite Yes song. I was lucky enough to see Yes in concert a few times in the mid 70s, and this song was the highlight for me. It's great to see people from a younger generation enjoying the music I loved in my youth. I also had fun anticipating the parts in the song that will blow your mind. . .and you didn't disappoint!
Jon Anderson's voice is just sooooo unique, smooth and beautiful. A true musical & vocal genius.
This was released in 1972, the same year as Foxtrot by Genesis (with "Supper's Ready"). I was 14 at the time. Can you imagine a bunch of 14 year olds with these LPs tucked under their arms, on their way to school? Happy days!
What's astonishing, is how they perform CTTE on Yessongs with aplomb and frankly take the song to another level. You have to be so accomplished to perform something of this magnitude. Great spot on enthusiastic review!
I discovered "Close to the edge", at the "edge" of 11, just when it was released. Can you guess I wouldn't ever listen to music the same way since then?
My children don't even listen to this, neither to "Dream Theater" nor Porcupine Tree".... What got wrong??
Glad you "get" Yes, us fans are a devoted cult! I suggest some of the other songs people are reccomending, but also solo stuff from the various yes guys, they've made so much great solo stuff.
Guys....seriously, just.....guyyyssss. Only just found your channel and I'm so so glad I did! It is amazing seeing you both discover the music I love so much, pauses and all lol (they make your channel, really - so much more interesting than run of the mill reacting without discussing). Seriously, I love what you have to say and just seeing the look on your faces makes my day. Gonna take some time to work through your all your videos but, in case you haven't covered it yet...just three words....Firth Of Fifth. Looking forward to the journey with you :)
This is one of prog’s Mt Rushmore tunes. You have many excellent suggestions in the comments but I echo playing ‘Gates of Delirium’ from the Relayer album, it is Yes but almost a different band with Alan White and Patrick Moraz. If you ever want to be amazed check out the version of ‘Close to the Edge’ from Yessongs and see how they tackle this in concert - it will honestly boggle your mind. Fun reaction, looking forward to the next one.
Wow if I ever had a partner to listen to “close to the edge” with, would be a keeper! Love the reaction as always.
RE: Keyboards -- Rick Wakeman was literally surrounded by keyboards when they did a show.
And, Bill Bruford was probably the drummer's name you were trying to remember.
The one time I saw Rick with them, on one of their reunion tours, he had 11 keyboards around him. I counted. He had to walk from one side to the other to play them all. He was also wearing his sequined cape. It was beautiful! :)
@@benrichardson7306
He was also usually surrounded by empty Heineken bottles...
Finally! Someone on the internet knows how to use "literally"!
@@daneng3641 Thanks!!! :-)
I heard it once and wanted to hear it again, I was 16, and I listened to it again and again and again. I am in my 60s now, I listened hundreds of times. Maybe their greatest piece of work.
Musically/harmonically one of the most pleasing prog epics out there.
I strongly suggest "Awaken" next.
This is a song where you trash your brain a little, just a little, and then put on headsets and lay back on the bed and just relax into it. Either than or you need a really good sound system to where the bass will vibrate your body.
This is prog when prog had reason to be prog, and the musicians were tight and all really good at what they do.
Gates of Delirium and Awaken; and of course the live versions on Yessongs and Yesshows
Nice to see the Jean Luc Ponty album in the background. In later years Ponty and Jon Anderson played together. Excellent pairing.
You gotta hear Awaken. I think that one is actually their magnum opus
With that song, classic Yes comes to an end for me. Lot of great songs later, but if there is one song to declare the finale of classic Yes, this is it.
Close to the Edge is a gift.
Those of us who get so much out of Yes appreciate others who accept that gift. That connection is what makes us all feel understood.
Close to the Edge was their 5th album. The bass player and backup singer is Chris Squire. Steve Howe also provides backing vocals. His voice isn't as good as Chris's and Jon's, but the 3 of them create beautiful harmonies together. This is their greatest album and Close to the Edge is the greatest piece of music I've ever heard, though Bach was pretty good too 😛
Yes. The Harmonies on I get up I get down are Steve and Chris.
@@pauld669 I know. That's what I said in my comment 😀
Thanks for holding off playing this so we could see your reaction. I'm a huge classical music guy but having listened to this for 49 yrs I happen to think the first frantic couple of minutes are my favorite piece in any genre
I love watching you discovering some of my favorite bands. You've listened to Genesis, The Who, Joni Mitchell, Yes, Renaissance... How about Supertramp? If you aren't familiar with them, try School (the first track on Crime of the Century) or Even in the Quietest Moments (title track of album). Enjoy.
One of the great albums of its time. To be honest, the kids at this time were all doing psychodelics, blotter acid listening to this band - - it was part of this music culture - and the insane light shows at the concerts and just a very spacy time with spacy music . And then Yes came out with the live album Yes Songs around this same time and it was played in movie theaters starting at midnight along with Rocky Horror Show. So you had a bunch of drug crazed kids going to the theater at midnight for YesSongs. You could get away with sneaking in beers and smoking weed in the movie theater as well. The ushers in the theater were part of the scene. That is my memory of Yes. And amazing musicians.
I feel like Nick in one of his "speechless" moments 😂 Been waiting for this one! Your reaction was everything I was expecting and so fun to watch. As much as I'm also anticipating you getting to 1977's Awaken (and the whole Going For The One album), I really hope you just continue with the two other CTTE tracks for now before bouncing around the Yes catalog anymore. Regardless, great to have you back! ❤️👍
I agree, I'd love to see your reactions to "And You And I" and "Siberian Khatru".
I totally second that motion!
Rick Wakman is a master at the different organs, you should see him play , he is surrounded by all of his different electric organs… masterful!!!
A Masterpiece! Hear something different everytime! It’s really mind blowing for the time ! It’s timeless!
This is recording, for the most dynamic and energetic version listen to the Yessong's version. Not only can Yes play this live they can exceed this version.
I believe most Yes fans would agree.
I agree, especially with And You and I. Amazing what unique worlds Steve How can carve out on pedal steel guitar. True also of all three songs on Relayer.
Can you see Nick and Lex doing a live reaction to the entire Yessongs? I can.
@@hasltisl , no I cannot
I totally agree. The live versions are the refined versions, the versions that the songs were meant to be.
@@hasltisl greatest live album ever..not the audio quality..the delivery of these exquisite complicated songs will never be matched. These live versions all equal or surpass the studios..That just doesn't happen. And no autotune or recorded overdubs...truly amazing...The band from the future.the future we haven't reached yet !!
Im smiling ear to ear tears running watching the younger generation listening to what i grew up and the best decade EVER
This is pretty much a magnum opus by Yes. ALL the band members were playing their asses off, and the drummer just went off, Bill Bruford. Unfortunately the drummer left the band right after they recorded this and he didn't even do the tour. He got back with the band a few years later and they played Close to the Edge live but he didn't play it anything close to this. The complexity of this drumming is hard to explain. He's changing what he's doing so much and you take the same melodic line and make it into something different based on how he's keeping the beat through it and accenting different notes.
So more than the other members, this was really Bill Bruford's magnum opus. I don't think he wanted to go on the road with this song really because he put everything he could into it. The entire beginning where Steve Howe is playing the intro guitar solo, Bill is playing at a blistering pace, not for a short burst per se but he's holding that pace with both hands running that fast pace on the cymbals and then pulling off to hit the snare and that's REALLY hard to maintain that for any period of time. Neil Peart did the same thing with the song La Villa Strangiatto. Both are about as hard, but there's a handful of place where what Bill did it's harder than what Neil did. The only difference really is that Neil played what he recorded LIVE, Bill Bruford never did.
You guys make me laugh out loud 😁😁😁. I really enjoy your reactions to YES.
That’s so great to hear! Thank you for sharing your time with us! 😃
Geddy Lee "played" Chris Squire bass for Yes for their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He is a natural to play their music.
Geddy and Alex were both Yes fans they wanted their music to have drama like yes.
Chris Squire was the GOAT.
@@nathanboyd3179 I sat 3rd row at MSG in 1979 20ft form the band watching Squire was just awe inspiring
And yet Chris Squire handpicked Billy Sherwood to replace him.
@@jpirard Billy is an excellent musician Chris was not wrong passing the torch to him.
Dream Theatre are big Yes fans. Geddy Lee is also a big Yes fan, his bass playing is influenced by the Yes bassist Chris Squire. BTW the inspiration for this song is Herman Hesse's book Siddartha.
Yes, you should listen to it again, without stopping. The great thing about this piece is how it takes a handful of ideas/themes/leitmotifs, arranges them in a few different ways and then assembles them so that you keep recognising them as they reoccur in different ways, so you never, ever lose interest, even for 19 minutes.