I’m the same age as the guys and like so many of my age (in my mid seventies), it’s gratifying to know that long after we are gone this album will still be being played. The people in the future will see it for what it is ……….. a masterpiece.
I've said it many times before.... The first time you hear close to the edge you expe rience it. Then you go back and listen to it. A genuine work of art that has stood the test of time. For me, all these years later, that is the greatest ending of all time. When the piece finishes you sit there for a few seconds as you come back to reality.
Having not heard this in decades, I uploaded it to my mp3 player and found myself listening to it on the subway, on the way to my gf's house. I missed my stop.
For myself both Close to the Edge and And You and I are like a religious experience. There is a Hymn like quality or liturgical quality for me when I I listen to this album.
I try to listen every day. Usually through new eyes and ears like these now. I never tire of it and it has deep meaning to me. It’s a prayer to nature; the divine, the void of eternity. Yes: the greatest work of art wrought by human hands 😊
@@mattleppard1970 It's become a sick addiction for me, too. I just love seeing kids react to this, kids who have no idea what's in sotre for them. Their reaction to the intro to Roundabout alone....!!! Does my heart good!!! :)
I love watching a true music lover experiencing Close to the Edge for the very first time. Here's a cool thing, it will still sound this fresh and delightful every time you listen to it for the rest of your life.
Of course we made it to the end!! 🙂 A true Yes classic!! The more you listen to Yes the more you will appreciate them. Every musician in the group is exceptional!! Loved your reaction!
@@MrsPenPal if you want to test attention span, try the tales from topographic oceans album, made up of 4 twenty minute songs...very surreal and spiritual
@@martinreed5964 I second that. Tales after I started work and had to fly long distances became my go to album and my favorite Yes album. But it took a while to weave it's magic.
Steve Howe played his favorite ES-175 for the most part. Chris Squire's legendary Rickenbacker bass is everywhere. Bruford bangs away on a Ludwig set. Wakeman played his Mellorton, two Minimoog D's, includin gthe one he bought from Jack Wild, Hammond B3/Leslie 147, a hint of a Hohner D6 Clavinet. The church organ is still at St Giles-Without-Cripplegate, London. The nature track that opens was recorded by Anderson, Squire and Eddie Offord with battery powered open reel decks. Offord spent several days editing those sounds together, the old way, with razor blades and 1/4 inch tape.
When I was 13 in 1973 and I heard this song and album for the first time, I knew then that this music is something really special and otherworldly. 1975 was the first time I saw Yes live and they performed Close to the Edge and And You and I. After seeing the band live many times over the years, in 2003 on their 35th anniversary tour, I met the band at a meet and greet and had all the members who played on the album except Alan White on drums (Bill Bruford is on the album), sign my Close to the Edge album and now have it on display at home. Jon, Rick, Steve, Chris and Alan. I was able to shake their hands (except for Steve who nicely declined since he does not shake hands). Jon Anderson said to me as I shook his hand, "It's a pleasure to meet you." I said back, "No Jon, the pleasure is all mine." The signed Close to the Edge album is the most prized album I own. Thank you for taking the time to listen and review this song. The album now is ranked #1 on the prog. rock category best prog. album of all time.
Hi awesome! have you seen our other “yes” reactions? 1. “AWAKEN” REACTION!! th-cam.com/video/WZQbAx-Ap6I/w-d-xo.html. We also have 3 other yes reactions you can check out in this channel Trooper th-cam.com/video/SZHqIvRzIm4/w-d-xo.html I’ve seen all good people th-cam.com/video/zgjkh26VFEk/w-d-xo.html Round about: th-cam.com/video/_WoBSWSJADg/w-d-xo.html
Those who listen to prog rock are not phased by tracks this length, its what we live for. So of course i made it to the end but glad that you liked it. Its great to see young people discovering this amazing capture of early to mid 1970s creativity.
That was a brave decision to listen to Close to the Edge for your 3rd Yes song and thanks for sharing. Yes has many long epic songs as well as shorter more straight forward songs you may enjoy. Awaken, Turn of the Century, Wonderous Stories, Starship Trooper, Yours is No Disgrace are all good options.
Beautiful reaction. Your body gestures said it all. 51yrs I've been dancing and crying to that masterpiece. Enjoy the second time you listen to it. Your voice is pitch perfect. 🙏🍁
I made it! What a great composition. Few bands have had the ambition of Yes and even fewer have so successfully realized their vision. I loved your insightful comments, too. Great reaction! You might also like their song And You And I. I recommend the studio version from this same album.
The lyrics are dynamic. They serve to evoke mental images and emotional triggers and they are the instrument of the vocalist meshing with the sounds of the the other instruments. There is more to Yes approach to vocals but in their earlier works (like CttE) they purposely let you the listener fill in the storyline through your interaction with the music. Genius, absolute genius.
Very well put. can find deep meaning in all those “words as sounds” as I suspect most of us CTTE obsessives can 😊❤ And none of us is “wrong” in the slightest - however those meanings may vary 🎉
I think this may be the first time that I have listened to Close to The Edge this century! Its certainly the first time I have listened to it with my eyes open and I enjoyed your reaction! Yes are very absorbing and I, as you found at times, having your eyes closed enhanced the experience. A dark room, with headphones is best Its an amazing piece For Yes at their peak you have to listen to Awaken, its epic
I believe it's about life and the Circle of Life. From Nature we arise (the river/waterfall/birds chirping sounds at the beginning). Then the chaos of Steve Howe's amazing guitar chops directly after that, representing the literal chaos of being born and being a baby, early childhood and into adolescence. Then adult life working and working and working which nicely resolves at 16:34 with a sense of acceptance, wisdom and well-being representing having mellowed-out into old age. I think the return of the river/waterfall/birds chirping sounds represent death and the return of our corporeal form to Nature. Not just life itself, but many things are best described as 'a circle'. The question remains...what does the big slowdown at 8:28 represent (the movement entitled 'I Get Up, I Get Down')? My best guess is it represents the notion of biological reproduction (i.e. participating in love making and impregnation) which allows the 'big' Circle of Life to keep going on. It almost sounds like an 'incubation' period, the Child in the Womb. "The lyrical content became a kind of dream sequence in a way. The end verse is a dream that I had a long time ago about passing on from this world to another world, yet feeling so fantastic about it that death never frightened me ever since." ~ Jon Anderson
That bass.. Chris Squire on his 60's something modified Rickenbaker. Rick Wakeman surrounded by sea of keyboards. Piano, moog, hammond organ. And that pipe organ part was a real pipe organ in a cathedral. Bill Bruford on drums, went to King Crimson after. Jon Anderson on vocals with Chris backing him up. Steve Howe with old gibsons.
if you like this song, listen the Wonderous Stories and Awaken from the same album. They go together in one way. it is a good 4+15 minutes but you will be amazed how beautiful they are.
GREAT to see people from all walks of life and every age and place react to Yes for the first time! I have heard this hundreds of times. I bought the album the week it came out, back in 1972, as a senior in high school. I saw them play it live in 1974. It has more than stood the test of time. CTTE is more loved now than ever. The engineer on this, Eddy Offord, played it recently to celebrate 50 years since he produced it. In an interview last Fall, he said he broke down and cried. He was startled that it was so good. He couldn't believe he was part of the team that made it! Yes did their most respected work from 1970 to 1977 on The Yes Album, Fragile, Close to the Edge, Yessongs (a live concert album), Tales from Topographic Oceans, Relayer, and Going for the One. Listen to any or all of them and enjoy! Instrumentation includes pedal steel guitar, electric guitars (several), Bass guitars, drums, seven or eight different keyboards (piano, Moog synths, church organ, mellotron, etc.), tambourine, three voices, and loads of tape recordings spliced together. The composition of this was very organic, very analog, very collaborative, and done in the studio. I'm told it also involved copious quantities of vegetarian food and mind-altering substances. This version was sung by Jon Anderson, Chris Squire (Bass guitar), and Steve Howe (several guitars), and features Bill Bruford, a very talented jazz drummer. Rick Wakeman, wizard of the keys, played all the keyboards. On stage, he would wear a cape and play seven to nine keyboards that surrounded him. If you really want a treat, search TH-cam for some of their concert videos from the early 2000s, especially the Symphonic Live performances. Yes are the penultimate progressive rock band from the 1970s. At least one of them features the line-up above, with Alan White on drums instead of Bill Bruford.
I love the reactions to the first " Aaah ! ", then the second " Ahaaa ! " then the guitar melody ! With hundreds people's 1st listen I've seen, it's the same joy ! You know what ? They aren't men, they are Angels ... following the words...
Love your intake on this Close to the Edge.....by Yes.... I've seen Yes about 50 times throughout my life.... And I adore seeing new listeners like you get swept away into their music endeavors..... And not to take away from the sheer majesty of YES music...... You are lovely..... Incredible music, beautiful woman.......a man could never ever expect more..... I'm grateful.......thank you......Steve
First, the idea of text reactions during the song is genius. When it's played all the way through with no interruptions new listeners can get the true effect. Now with patented No Yapping(tm) technology. This is indeed Yes' masterpiece, but in the sense that it was the piece that showed they were masters of their craft. IMO, though, _Awaken_ from _Going for the One_ , is what I consider to be the pinnacle of their work, and it's my favorite song of all genres. The instruments I know of are: 1) Danelectro Electric Sitar Guitar -- that buzzy/fuzzy guitar first heard near the beginning. Watch Yessongs to see what it looks like; it's pretty cool. Also, look up a performance called _Dueling sitars_ by Bill Bailey. He uses one and the other is a real sitar. IMO, it's a tie. 2) Pipe organ of London's St Giles-without-Cripplegate church 3) Minimoog synthesizer 4) Guitar(s) -- not sure which ones. 5) Chris Squire's customized Rickenbacker bass. 6) Drums -- Bill Bruford was about hitting them at the perfect times rather than having a million. And ONE bass drum. 7) Tapes of birds chirping ;-) 8) Probably more... 9) Last but not least, Jon Anderson's voice. I've made it to the end 100s of times ;-), and it gets better with each listen. There are two main mixes, the original (and various remasters) and the Steven Wilson reMIX, using the original masters and digitizes to 24 bits. This is very different as he makes changes like certain bass parts are louder, and there are parts pulled to the front that are almost buried in the original. I'm glad there are both, because variety.
Beautiful reaction - so good to see so many people discovering this amazing music for the first time, but I especially loved how you adapted to all the different grooves so instinctively. Instrumentation was, basically, drums; guitar (one Gibson ES 375, one Danelectro Coral sitar-guitar, I think); Rickenbacker bass (a few different effects) - keyboards: piano, electric piano, Mellotron, Moog synth, Hammond Organ, and a church organ, plus tape loops for the birds/water/sustained opening and closing chord. There's probably more and I'm sure others will correct me
I made it to the end -- again!!! I loved watching your response to the changes throughout. The instruments included electric guitar and bass, drums, and a whole bank of keyboards, including a Hammond B-3, a Mellotron, a Mini-Moog synthesizer, and of course, the great pipe organ from "Phantom of the Opera." I've been listening to and studying this composition ever since it was released in 1972, and it never ever grows old or stale. On a completely different note, may I suggest -- no, may I PLEAD WITH YOU -- to react to "Autumn Leaves" by Eva Cassidy? You will find her talent extraordinary, and her story heartbreaking and joyful at the same time. She was an incredibly gifted singer, and I can tell that you, also, are a good singer, so you're going to appreciate her talent more than others might.
I made it. You're reaction was almost as mesmerizing as seeing Yes actually do this live in 1974! Rick Wakeman is master of keyboards, which are a lot of the sounds that might be difficult to identify... Otherwise, as you noted, we've got mystical lyrics & ethereal vocals from Jon Anderson, booming bass by Chris Squire, and bombastic percussion from Bill Bruford.
Yes has a decade + of amazing music,@@MrsPenPal. My favs are all during that first decade (late 60s thru 70s)... Their lps are mainly "concept albums" (with each tune tied to the one before&after it), so specific songs are hard to identify. However, StarshipTrooper & HeartOfTheSunrise & GatesOfDelirium are great discrete tunes that I'd love to watch you react to.
Greatly appreciate your reaction to this true masterpiece. Like other posts, now in my 70’s, this remains my favorite composition of all time. After listening to it on countless occasions, it never gets old. I had the very fortunate opportunity to see Yes perform this piece in concert on several occasions and it sounded just as good if not better. Still amazes me that a rock song could be so spiritual. Anyway, awesome review and keep up the great work.
This is what a total musical voyage sounds like. Incredible writing, virtuoso playing, and performance. I'm still in awe of Yes. You think? 😊😉 Some of the instruments are Chris Squire :Rickenbacker Stereo Bass guitar, Rick Wakeman... Pipe organ, Moog Synth, Korg Synth, Mellotron, Hammond Organ, and about anything else with a keyboard on it. Steve Howe... Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Steel slide guitar etc!!! Electric Piano in there too And Bill Bruford on drums, and electronic drums /effects. Bill is probably the best Fusion drummer of all time. Barr none. Jon Anderson on vocals, Guitar, Tambourine. .Amazing!.
Fun to watch a younger person, who is musically aware, experience Yes and Close to the Edge for the first time. The second half of this album is also very good.
For this album Yes was: Jon Anderson - lead vocals Steve Howe - guitars, Coral electric sitar, steel guitar, backing vocals Chris Squire - bass, backing vocals Rick Wakeman - acoustic and electric pianos, organ, Moog synthesizers, mellotron, harpsichord Bill Bruford - drums, percussion
You are very beautiful, my friend.. but more importantly, your reaction to this song is my FAVORITE. To see the different reactions and your notes on the screen is so great. Blessings to you.
Finally, I've seen someone other than myself "dancing" to this piece of music... sort a kinda. I could tell from your movements that you honestly rhythmically and emotionally "got it". Not easy music to follow but you apparently were able to absorb it quite fully in the moment. It was a beautiful thing to behold! Thank you for sharing. Godspeed in all your endeavors.
I will ALWAYS make it to the end of this MASTERPIECE by Yes! Very lovely reaction by you, Mrs. PenPal!!! You were really getting into the groove during the instrumental run before they did the last set of verses. I'm so happy that you enjoyed this epic! Yes has Sooo many wonderful songs to listen to, and their epic-length songs (like this one) will take you on a musical journey. I'm curious as to what you think of Jon Anderson's Lead vocals. He's my favorite singer and Chris Squire's Bass playing and harmony vocals are fantastic as well. PLEASE continue to explore more of their music and Jon Anderson's solo music as well. The stuff he did with keyboardist Vangelis is wonderful, too. Welcome aboard the Sonic spaceship that is YES MUSIC!!!!!!
The instruments were : organ Hammond B-3, synthetiser Mini moog, for the church organ, it was recorded in a church in England. The basse guitar is a rakenbaker.
My favorite Yes album, of course I made it to the end. The organ was a famous cathedral organ in England along with the Hammond B3 and mini moog synth.
@@MrsPenPal Rick Wakeman also plays a genuine church organ on Awaken, this time recorded remotely via a phone type connection with the studio...one take wakeman nailed it in one go
I remember when I was 15 years old and I first listen to, I was so shocked, that I thought I need to go back from the beginning and listening to again (and again) ...
Very nice breakdown. Glad I stayed. I agree with others to try "Yours is No Disgrace" and "Starship Trooper" from 1971. The first songs where guitarist Steve Howe joined the band and made it a real progressive rock band. Bill Bruford a true technician on drums. And of course, the late great Chris Squire on bass. I believe that that album (The Yes Album) was remastered in 2008 and really made Squire's bass lines stand out. Of course there are other great songs, but a good place to start.
Guitar, bass, drums, keyboards. Keyboards are church organ, mellotron(which does violins and strings), mini moog synthesizer. 3 vocal parts(guitar player, bass player and lead vocalist). Considered to be the greatest example of Progressive Rock music ever recorded.
Went to the Church the organ was recorded at, just next to the Barbican. If you're ever in London I would go there and enjoy one of my favourite spots.
St Giles Cripplegate is the Church Organ used which is over the water from the Barbican Centre and on Awaken possibly the most similar Yes song to CTTE Rick Wakeman used the organ in a Church in Switzerland.
Cette chanson de Yes a été enregistrée en 1972... elle est toujours aussi puissante aujourd'hui ! Les membres du groupe avaient à peine 25 ans en moyenne quand ils l'ont enregistré...
YOU BET. One of the best. WE ALL MADE IT. Glad you enjoyed it. Best way to appreciate this song is to try to isolate each instrument to hear their contribution. Drums are totally underrated because the bass, guitar and keys are so prominent.
You bet! What a great reaction. The "phantom of the opera"-like theme was played on a real British cathedral organ. Also used here: the Coral electric sitar. Is that bass amazing or what? Chris Squire (RIP) was a master on bass.
You're GORGEOUS! And YES is the most gorgeous music EVER! I always cry at the finale. Their 70's music transcends!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!))))))))))) NOW!! Listen to the other 2 songs on this 72 album! AND YOU & I plus SIBERIAN KHATRU! Hey is that you singin? WOW!
I totally love your reaction. You are as articulate as you are beautiful. My favourite instrument I loved here was Rick Wakeman's keyboard work especially the pipe organ. Magnificent.
Made it, of course. I have experienced this masterpiece on a regular basis for 50 years. It never grows old. Sadly I grow old. However Yes music is rejuvenating. This song and others from Yes take me back to a time when life held infinite possibilities. While I am enfolded by CttE It seems that those possibilities still exist. Best of all, no drugs were ever involved, at least for me.
Fantastic reaction! I’m so happy to see a new generation discovering Yes. For me, Siberian Khatru is their best song, it’s a banger! Roundabout is their most famous song, and if you want their most beautiful song, that would have to be “Soon” which is the last section of The Gates of Delirium (Side one of Relayer) it sounds like heaven….
No sé si a todos les llega el momento de escuchar por primera vez a Yes, me gustaría recordar cuándo fue el mío... Lo impredecible del prog es lo más hermoso que te puede pasar musicalmente, Yes y sí, es perfección a la enésima potencia.❤
As guitars Steve played two guitars in this track mostly the Gibson 345 stereo in some parts (more orienatl sound) the Danelectro Coral Sitar Guitar (a strange guitar with 12 string additional short strings as resnator) Rick Wakeman uses for sure the Church Organ, Hammond Organ, Minimoog , electric-piano and i guess Mellotron (?) in some points Chris Squire its adored Rickenbacker 4001 Bass, in many points with distortion, and played with placrtum almost every time
Jon Anderson usually waited for the music to be finished before adding the lyrics. The words were just more pleasing sounds to improve the song. His voice was just another instrument. You should check out the opening scene of this season's "Fargo" (TV show). The song is "I've Seen All Good People." It is both exhilarating and hilarious at the same time - a riot at a PTA meeting.
Starship Trooper? That would be a nice song to react to. The bow sound that you pointed out is from the fretless bass from Chris Squire, other instruments I saw that people already pointed out. Thx for reacting to the greatest song ever. Yes 👍💪🤙
Yes fans like long songs, so no problems. That is part of the attraction and why Yes epics are such amazing emotional uplifting rides. They develop soundscapes, journeys and emotions like no other band. For us the 18 mins for CTTE passes so very fast. Actually, I think it is too short (always thought that). So great to see your reaction and how you took the journey because these are not 2 or 3 min radio songs they are so deep and complex. You should listen to CTTE several times trying to focus on each band member each time. Then put it all together. I first listened to CTTE back in my high school days 50 years ago and it changed my ideas about music. The great thing about these songs is they never get old. I get older and maybe that might change my experiences with the song. So never worry about this song getting old just enjoy it for the rest of your life like us. This is a great mediation song if you are into that. For you does it sound like a 50 year old song? Because to us way back in the 70's it sounded like it was from the future and from a different planet or plane of existence. So great to hear you use words like emotional, journey, surreal because that is what this song did and continues to do for us for the last 50 years. PS; CTTE predates Phantom of the Oprea by about 20 years. Lloyd Webber pinched a lot of ideas from Pink Floyd and Yes.
The song right after this is called And You and I. For me And You and I is a close second for Yes most beautiful song. If you can actually believe that their is something that could come close.
I’m the same age as the guys and like so many of my age (in my mid seventies), it’s gratifying to know that long after we are gone this album will still be being played.
The people in the future will see it for what it is ……….. a masterpiece.
Timeless!
60 being listening to this 45 years
Bill bruford best drummer who ever lived , Chris squire the best ever , Rick wakeman played an organ in a cathedral.
I've said it many times before.... The first time you hear close to the edge you expe rience it. Then you go back and listen to it. A genuine work of art that has stood the test of time. For me, all these years later, that is the greatest ending of all time. When the piece finishes you sit there for a few seconds as you come back to reality.
Having not heard this in decades, I uploaded it to my mp3 player and found myself listening to it on the subway, on the way to my gf's house.
I missed my stop.
For myself both Close to the Edge and And You and I are like a religious experience. There is a Hymn like quality or liturgical quality for me when I I listen to this album.
I try to listen every day. Usually through new eyes and ears like these now. I never tire of it and it has deep meaning to me. It’s a prayer to nature; the divine, the void of eternity. Yes: the greatest work of art wrought by human hands 😊
@@mattleppard1970 It's become a sick addiction for me, too. I just love seeing kids react to this, kids who have no idea what's in sotre for them. Their reaction to the intro to Roundabout alone....!!! Does my heart good!!! :)
The way it builds to the final 'get up, get down refrain' is magic.
I love watching a true music lover experiencing Close to the Edge for the very first time. Here's a cool thing, it will still sound this fresh and delightful every time you listen to it for the rest of your life.
Truth.
This is maybe the greatest song ever composed in rock music. I love it. Great work!
After 50 years, this song is STILL brand new to me. Favorite band, favorite album, favorite song.
With you Stanley. This is it
Everything you said I agree except Gates of Delirium being my Fav. Never ever get tired of listening to this.
Single best song ever written in any style of music
The current listen is always the best.
Flawless album.
Of course we made it to the end!! 🙂 A true Yes classic!! The more you listen to Yes the more you will appreciate them. Every musician in the group is exceptional!! Loved your reaction!
Wow what an attention you've got! #watchcrew! Thank you for watching, happy to hear from you!
@@MrsPenPal if you want to test attention span, try the tales from topographic oceans album, made up of 4 twenty minute songs...very surreal and spiritual
@@martinreed5964 I second that. Tales after I started work and had to fly long distances became my go to album and my favorite Yes album. But it took a while to weave it's magic.
Steve Howe played his favorite ES-175 for the most part. Chris Squire's legendary Rickenbacker bass is everywhere. Bruford bangs away on a Ludwig set. Wakeman played his Mellorton, two Minimoog D's, includin gthe one he bought from Jack Wild, Hammond B3/Leslie 147, a hint of a Hohner D6 Clavinet. The church organ is still at St Giles-Without-Cripplegate, London. The nature track that opens was recorded by Anderson, Squire and Eddie Offord with battery powered open reel decks. Offord spent several days editing those sounds together, the old way, with razor blades and 1/4 inch tape.
Forgot the Coral electric sitar 😉
When I was 13 in 1973 and I heard this song and album for the first time, I knew then that this music is something really special and otherworldly. 1975 was the first time I saw Yes live and they performed Close to the Edge and And You and I. After seeing the band live many times over the years, in 2003 on their 35th anniversary tour, I met the band at a meet and greet and had all the members who played on the album except Alan White on drums (Bill Bruford is on the album), sign my Close to the Edge album and now have it on display at home. Jon, Rick, Steve, Chris and Alan. I was able to shake their hands (except for Steve who nicely declined since he does not shake hands). Jon Anderson said to me as I shook his hand, "It's a pleasure to meet you." I said back, "No Jon, the pleasure is all mine." The signed Close to the Edge album is the most prized album I own. Thank you for taking the time to listen and review this song. The album now is ranked #1 on the prog. rock category best prog. album of all time.
Same age as yourself. We had to catch lightning in a jar within a few minutes - that was AM radio.
Now you have to hear the whole Going For The One album by Yes, it's perfect.
You came straight to the deep world of progressive rock. This one is truly a masterpiece of music. They don't make these today. Good pick!👍
Welcome to the wonder of the music of Yes
My favorite Yes song of all time. A close 2cd is AWAKEN.
Hi awesome! have you seen our other “yes” reactions? 1. “AWAKEN” REACTION!!
th-cam.com/video/WZQbAx-Ap6I/w-d-xo.html. We also have 3 other yes reactions you can check out in this channel
Trooper th-cam.com/video/SZHqIvRzIm4/w-d-xo.html
I’ve seen all good people th-cam.com/video/zgjkh26VFEk/w-d-xo.html
Round about: th-cam.com/video/_WoBSWSJADg/w-d-xo.html
Those who listen to prog rock are not phased by tracks this length, its what we live for. So of course i made it to the end but glad that you liked it. Its great to see young people discovering this amazing capture of early to mid 1970s creativity.
That was a brave decision to listen to Close to the Edge for your 3rd Yes song and thanks for sharing. Yes has many long epic songs as well as shorter more straight forward songs you may enjoy. Awaken, Turn of the Century, Wonderous Stories, Starship Trooper, Yours is No Disgrace are all good options.
..all of these and many more...then there are the live versions, the symphonic live versions, the jon anderson and todmobile versions
Beautiful reaction. Your body gestures said it all. 51yrs I've been dancing and crying to that masterpiece. Enjoy the second time you listen to it. Your voice is pitch perfect. 🙏🍁
Oh wow Les😭
😎
Hi Les. Often see you around these parts. She sure gets the dynamics and hooks of the song and near-perfect timing and harmonies 😊
I made it! What a great composition. Few bands have had the ambition of Yes and even fewer have so successfully realized their vision. I loved your insightful comments, too. Great reaction! You might also like their song And You And I. I recommend the studio version from this same album.
Congrats on making it! #watchcrew! Your comments are spot on! Thanks for the song recommendation!
The lyrics are dynamic. They serve to evoke mental images and emotional triggers and they are the instrument of the vocalist meshing with the sounds of the the other instruments. There is more to Yes approach to vocals but in their earlier works (like CttE) they purposely let you the listener fill in the storyline through your interaction with the music. Genius, absolute genius.
And that genius is named Jon Anderson.
Very well put. can find deep meaning in all those “words as sounds” as I suspect most of us CTTE obsessives can 😊❤ And none of us is “wrong” in the slightest - however those meanings may vary 🎉
The genius here in the music is primarily Steve Howe, the one most responsible for that, according to Jon Anderson.
I think this may be the first time that I have listened to Close to The Edge this century!
Its certainly the first time I have listened to it with my eyes open and I enjoyed your reaction!
Yes are very absorbing and I, as you found at times, having your eyes closed enhanced the experience.
A dark room, with headphones is best
Its an amazing piece
For Yes at their peak you have to listen to Awaken, its epic
I believe it's about life and the Circle of Life. From Nature we arise (the river/waterfall/birds chirping sounds at the beginning). Then the chaos of Steve Howe's amazing guitar chops directly after that, representing the literal chaos of being born and being a baby, early childhood and into adolescence. Then adult life working and working and working which nicely resolves at 16:34 with a sense of acceptance, wisdom and well-being representing having mellowed-out into old age. I think the return of the river/waterfall/birds chirping sounds represent death and the return of our corporeal form to Nature. Not just life itself, but many things are best described as 'a circle'. The question remains...what does the big slowdown at 8:28 represent (the movement entitled 'I Get Up, I Get Down')? My best guess is it represents the notion of biological reproduction (i.e. participating in love making and impregnation) which allows the 'big' Circle of Life to keep going on. It almost sounds like an 'incubation' period, the Child in the Womb.
"The lyrical content became a kind of dream sequence in a way. The end verse is a dream that I had a long time ago about passing on from this world to another world, yet feeling so fantastic about it that death never frightened me ever since."
~ Jon Anderson
The Best Instrument will always be the human voice!!! Jon’s Instrument is honest and true…
Bass,drums, electric guitar, synthesizer, key boards, jon anderson vocals. Spiritual
That bass.. Chris Squire on his 60's something modified Rickenbaker. Rick Wakeman surrounded by sea of keyboards. Piano, moog, hammond organ. And that pipe organ part was a real pipe organ in a cathedral. Bill Bruford on drums, went to King Crimson after. Jon Anderson on vocals with Chris backing him up. Steve Howe with old gibsons.
Thanks Louis
Please react to Supper's ready - Genesis, you will be equally blown away! Good reaction
if you like this song, listen the Wonderous Stories and Awaken from the same album. They go together in one way. it is a good 4+15 minutes but you will be amazed how beautiful they are.
GREAT to see people from all walks of life and every age and place react to Yes for the first time! I have heard this hundreds of times. I bought the album the week it came out, back in 1972, as a senior in high school. I saw them play it live in 1974. It has more than stood the test of time. CTTE is more loved now than ever. The engineer on this, Eddy Offord, played it recently to celebrate 50 years since he produced it. In an interview last Fall, he said he broke down and cried. He was startled that it was so good. He couldn't believe he was part of the team that made it! Yes did their most respected work from 1970 to 1977 on The Yes Album, Fragile, Close to the Edge, Yessongs (a live concert album), Tales from Topographic Oceans, Relayer, and Going for the One. Listen to any or all of them and enjoy!
Instrumentation includes pedal steel guitar, electric guitars (several), Bass guitars, drums, seven or eight different keyboards (piano, Moog synths, church organ, mellotron, etc.), tambourine, three voices, and loads of tape recordings spliced together. The composition of this was very organic, very analog, very collaborative, and done in the studio. I'm told it also involved copious quantities of vegetarian food and mind-altering substances. This version was sung by Jon Anderson, Chris Squire (Bass guitar), and Steve Howe (several guitars), and features Bill Bruford, a very talented jazz drummer. Rick Wakeman, wizard of the keys, played all the keyboards. On stage, he would wear a cape and play seven to nine keyboards that surrounded him. If you really want a treat, search TH-cam for some of their concert videos from the early 2000s, especially the Symphonic Live performances. Yes are the penultimate progressive rock band from the 1970s. At least one of them features the line-up above, with Alan White on drums instead of Bill Bruford.
It is a perfect song. As a matter of fact it’s a perfect album.
Should we listen to the end? You definitely gave us a long Yes, lol. Another wonderful reaction, Blessing. Here's to your next one! 🙏😊❤️
Hi Russ, you've got a great attention span! #watchcrew! Thank you for watching, I appreciate your support :)
I love the reactions to the first " Aaah ! ", then the second " Ahaaa ! " then the guitar melody !
With hundreds people's 1st listen I've seen, it's the same joy !
You know what ? They aren't men, they are Angels ... following the words...
Love your intake on this Close to the Edge.....by Yes.... I've seen Yes about 50 times throughout my life.... And I adore seeing new listeners like you get swept away into their music endeavors.....
And not to take away from the sheer majesty of YES music...... You are lovely.....
Incredible music, beautiful woman.......a man could never ever expect more.....
I'm grateful.......thank you......Steve
Awwh thanks for your generous comment Steve!
A masterpiece of musical artistry forever engrained in my being..Been listening to this most of my life..
One of Yes' finest. Totally brilliant, the keyboards by Rick are up there with KE on Barbarian. Good reaction, glad you enjoyed it.
Starship Trooper
First, the idea of text reactions during the song is genius. When it's played all the way through with no interruptions new listeners can get the true effect.
Now with patented No Yapping(tm) technology.
This is indeed Yes' masterpiece, but in the sense that it was the piece that showed they were masters of their craft.
IMO, though, _Awaken_ from _Going for the One_ , is what I consider to be the pinnacle of their work, and it's my favorite song of all genres.
The instruments I know of are:
1) Danelectro Electric Sitar Guitar -- that buzzy/fuzzy guitar first heard near the beginning. Watch Yessongs to see what it looks like; it's pretty cool. Also, look up a performance called _Dueling sitars_ by Bill Bailey. He uses one and the other is a real sitar. IMO, it's a tie.
2) Pipe organ of London's St Giles-without-Cripplegate church
3) Minimoog synthesizer
4) Guitar(s) -- not sure which ones.
5) Chris Squire's customized Rickenbacker bass.
6) Drums -- Bill Bruford was about hitting them at the perfect times rather than having a million. And ONE bass drum.
7) Tapes of birds chirping ;-)
8) Probably more...
9) Last but not least, Jon Anderson's voice.
I've made it to the end 100s of times ;-), and it gets better with each listen. There are two main mixes, the original (and various remasters) and the Steven Wilson reMIX, using the original masters and digitizes to 24 bits. This is very different as he makes changes like certain bass parts are louder, and there are parts pulled to the front that are almost buried in the original. I'm glad there are both, because variety.
Again a joy to watch you feel it…. One thing… this song is over 50 years old..50. Just think about that for a second.
Till the end, your get up, get down in it, wow, chills ,beautifull🙏🏻
You can say that again Benjamin, thank you for your attention to this video #watchcrew
Beautiful reaction - so good to see so many people discovering this amazing music for the first time, but I especially loved how you adapted to all the different grooves so instinctively.
Instrumentation was, basically, drums; guitar (one Gibson ES 375, one Danelectro Coral sitar-guitar, I think); Rickenbacker bass (a few different effects) - keyboards: piano, electric piano, Mellotron, Moog synth, Hammond Organ, and a church organ, plus tape loops for the birds/water/sustained opening and closing chord. There's probably more and I'm sure others will correct me
I made it to the end -- again!!! I loved watching your response to the changes throughout. The instruments included electric guitar and bass, drums, and a whole bank of keyboards, including a Hammond B-3, a Mellotron, a Mini-Moog synthesizer, and of course, the great pipe organ from "Phantom of the Opera." I've been listening to and studying this composition ever since it was released in 1972, and it never ever grows old or stale. On a completely different note, may I suggest -- no, may I PLEAD WITH YOU -- to react to "Autumn Leaves" by Eva Cassidy? You will find her talent extraordinary, and her story heartbreaking and joyful at the same time. She was an incredibly gifted singer, and I can tell that you, also, are a good singer, so you're going to appreciate her talent more than others might.
Great song saw this band YES play live 45 times never led me down My favorite band all time
YES always delivers! My fav for sure!!
And now 'Awaken' 🙏🙏
Fabulous reaction!
I'm so glad you're checking out this recommendation! You won't regret it. Love&Peace to you and yours Blessing...
Thank you Fred ☺️🎸🎉
You bet! I just love watching you groove to my #1 band.
Which is your #2?
I made it. You're reaction was almost as mesmerizing as seeing Yes actually do this live in 1974!
Rick Wakeman is master of keyboards, which are a lot of the sounds that might be difficult to identify... Otherwise, as you noted, we've got mystical lyrics & ethereal vocals from Jon Anderson, booming bass by Chris Squire, and bombastic percussion from Bill Bruford.
Yes has a decade + of amazing music,@@MrsPenPal. My favs are all during that first decade (late 60s thru 70s)...
Their lps are mainly "concept albums" (with each tune tied to the one before&after it), so specific songs are hard to identify.
However, StarshipTrooper & HeartOfTheSunrise & GatesOfDelirium are great discrete tunes that I'd love to watch you react to.
Greatly appreciate your reaction to this true masterpiece. Like other posts, now in my 70’s, this remains my favorite composition of all time. After listening to it on countless occasions, it never gets old. I had the very fortunate opportunity to see Yes perform this piece in concert on several occasions and it sounded just as good if not better. Still amazes me that a rock song could be so spiritual. Anyway, awesome review and keep up the great work.
I appreciate you sharing your story. Thanks for watching ✨
This is what a total musical voyage sounds like. Incredible writing, virtuoso playing, and performance. I'm still in awe of Yes. You think? 😊😉 Some of the instruments are Chris Squire :Rickenbacker Stereo Bass guitar,
Rick Wakeman... Pipe organ, Moog Synth, Korg Synth, Mellotron, Hammond Organ,
and about anything else with a keyboard on it. Steve Howe... Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Steel slide guitar etc!!! Electric Piano in there too And Bill Bruford on drums, and electronic drums /effects. Bill is probably the best Fusion drummer of all time. Barr none. Jon Anderson on vocals, Guitar, Tambourine. .Amazing!.
Fun to watch a younger person, who is musically aware, experience Yes and Close to the Edge for the first time. The second half of this album is also very good.
For this album Yes was:
Jon Anderson - lead vocals
Steve Howe - guitars, Coral electric sitar, steel guitar, backing vocals
Chris Squire - bass, backing vocals
Rick Wakeman - acoustic and electric pianos, organ, Moog synthesizers, mellotron, harpsichord
Bill Bruford - drums, percussion
Absolutely one of my favorite songs ever.
Thank you for sharing that journey! 💙 this song is always new.
Squire is immortal as long as humans exist. This is modern-day classical music. Glad I was introduced at age 5 in 1983. Thanks Mtv!
You are very beautiful, my friend.. but more importantly, your reaction to this song is my FAVORITE. To see the different reactions and your notes on the screen is so great. Blessings to you.
The greatest band on this or any other planet. 214 shows for me.😎
Finally, I've seen someone other than myself "dancing" to this piece of music... sort a kinda. I could tell from your movements that you honestly rhythmically and emotionally "got it". Not easy music to follow but you apparently were able to absorb it quite fully in the moment. It was a beautiful thing to behold! Thank you for sharing. Godspeed in all your endeavors.
I made it! My favorite part of a lot of reaction videos is the quiet processing of the reviewer at the end of a great masterpiece!
Very engaging reaction! Try Awaken from from the album Going for the One. Another great Yes epic!
Hammond B3 organ, Moog synthesizers, Rickenbacker bass, Ludwig Drums, Gibson guitars etc.
Great reaction for a Great song !
Thanks for posting !
This song was the all time high point for Prog rock..... Sooooo glad you enjoyed yourself, this is in my top 10 favorite songs!
I will ALWAYS make it to the end of this MASTERPIECE by Yes! Very lovely reaction by you, Mrs. PenPal!!! You were really getting into the groove during the instrumental run before they did the last set of verses. I'm so happy that you enjoyed this epic! Yes has Sooo many wonderful songs to listen to, and their epic-length songs (like this one) will take you on a musical journey. I'm curious as to what you think of Jon Anderson's Lead vocals. He's my favorite singer and Chris Squire's Bass playing and harmony vocals are fantastic as well. PLEASE continue to explore more of their music and Jon Anderson's solo music as well. The stuff he did with keyboardist Vangelis is wonderful, too. Welcome aboard the Sonic spaceship that is YES MUSIC!!!!!!
Hi Jeff thank you for your attention to this video! #watchcrew Jon Anderson lead vocals is right on the money 😇
The instruments were : organ Hammond B-3, synthetiser Mini moog, for the church organ, it was recorded in a church in England. The basse guitar is a rakenbaker.
My favorite Yes album, of course I made it to the end. The organ was a famous cathedral organ in England along with the Hammond B3 and mini moog synth.
Wow this comment section is so impressive! Great job Rick! Thanks for your attention and comment! #watchcrew
@@MrsPenPal Rick Wakeman also plays a genuine church organ on Awaken, this time recorded remotely via a phone type connection with the studio...one take wakeman nailed it in one go
I remember when I was 15 years old and I first listen to, I was so shocked, that I thought I need to go back from the beginning and listening to again (and again) ...
I LOVED your breakdown ..YES is not easy to summarize lol but u nailed it
They have one guitarist one bass player one drummer one keyboardist and one vocalist. That's it!
I love this girl’s reaction
Very nice breakdown. Glad I stayed. I agree with others to try "Yours is No Disgrace" and "Starship Trooper" from 1971. The first songs where guitarist Steve Howe joined the band and made it a real progressive rock band. Bill Bruford a true technician on drums. And of course, the late great Chris Squire on bass. I believe that that album (The Yes Album) was remastered in 2008 and really made Squire's bass lines stand out. Of course there are other great songs, but a good place to start.
Such. A Beautiful Piece 😅
Guitar, bass, drums, keyboards. Keyboards are church organ, mellotron(which does violins and strings), mini moog synthesizer. 3 vocal parts(guitar player, bass player and lead vocalist). Considered to be the greatest example of Progressive Rock music ever recorded.
Went to the Church the organ was recorded at, just next to the Barbican. If you're ever in London I would go there and enjoy one of my favourite spots.
I would like to go there too sounds fun Keiron!
St Giles Cripplegate is the Church Organ used which is over the water from the Barbican Centre and on Awaken possibly the most similar Yes song to CTTE Rick Wakeman used the organ in a Church in Switzerland.
Cette chanson de Yes a été enregistrée en 1972... elle est toujours aussi puissante aujourd'hui !
Les membres du groupe avaient à peine 25 ans en moyenne quand ils l'ont enregistré...
A resounding OUI!!
5 enfants prodiges dans un même band, c’est ce que ça donne !
YOU BET. One of the best. WE ALL MADE IT. Glad you enjoyed it. Best way to appreciate this song is to try to isolate each instrument to hear their contribution. Drums are totally underrated because the bass, guitar and keys are so prominent.
You bet! What a great reaction. The "phantom of the opera"-like theme was played on a real British cathedral organ. Also used here: the Coral electric sitar. Is that bass amazing or what? Chris Squire (RIP) was a master on bass.
Awesome reaction! You’re very open minded and that’s perfect for a songwriter…you should check out their earlier stuff like Time and Word or Then
Time for more YES
You're GORGEOUS! And YES is the most gorgeous music EVER! I always cry at the finale. Their 70's music transcends!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!))))))))))) NOW!! Listen to the other 2 songs on this 72 album! AND YOU & I plus SIBERIAN KHATRU! Hey is that you singin? WOW!
Oh wow thank you 😇
Yes I am a singer/song writer, here is the full song from the intro, it’s titled “my family” th-cam.com/video/vjr8AwnI86A/w-d-xo.html
I totally love your reaction. You are as articulate as you are beautiful. My favourite instrument I loved here was Rick Wakeman's keyboard work especially the pipe organ. Magnificent.
I probably listen to this song once or twice a week. I first heard it in 1976!
I knew you would be captivated- I have been making to the end for 51 years since I was 18 years old -1972 when it came out 😊
Enjoyed your reaction. Thanx
what a ride ty ty ty
Made it, of course. I have experienced this masterpiece on a regular basis for 50 years. It never grows old. Sadly I grow old. However Yes music is rejuvenating. This song and others from Yes take me back to a time when life held infinite possibilities.
While I am enfolded by CttE It seems that those possibilities still exist. Best of all, no drugs were ever involved, at least for me.
Thanks so much for jamming to an incredible song by an incredible band!
Such a lovely lady!
That was a joy watching a musician listen to genius
Thanks for watching, it’s a joy to have you ✨
Watching her joyous reactions is like discovering this song all over again
Oh wow thanks for watching Jim ✨
@@MrsPenPal And thank you for introducing songs like this to new generations.
It's a superb piece. Yes never bettered it
Made it to the end thousands of times..Again Yes created such a masterpiece as they have done with other lps. .
😇✨
Fantastic reaction! I’m so happy to see a new generation discovering Yes. For me, Siberian Khatru is their best song, it’s a banger! Roundabout is their most famous song, and if you want their most beautiful song, that would have to be “Soon” which is the last section of The Gates of Delirium (Side one of Relayer) it sounds like heaven….
Hi David
No sé si a todos les llega el momento de escuchar por primera vez a Yes, me gustaría recordar cuándo fue el mío... Lo impredecible del prog es lo más hermoso que te puede pasar musicalmente, Yes y sí, es perfección a la enésima potencia.❤
As guitars Steve played two guitars in this track
mostly the Gibson 345 stereo
in some parts (more orienatl sound) the Danelectro Coral Sitar Guitar (a strange guitar with 12 string additional short strings as resnator)
Rick Wakeman uses for sure the Church Organ, Hammond Organ, Minimoog , electric-piano and i guess Mellotron (?) in some points
Chris Squire its adored Rickenbacker 4001 Bass, in many points with distortion, and played with placrtum almost every time
Beautiful
This is their most perfect album. Every note. Change nothing.
Jon Anderson usually waited for the music to be finished before adding the lyrics. The words were just more pleasing sounds to improve the song. His voice was just another instrument. You should check out the opening scene of this season's "Fargo" (TV show). The song is "I've Seen All Good People." It is both exhilarating and hilarious at the same time - a riot at a PTA meeting.
Best band ever!!!!
Starship Trooper? That would be a nice song to react to. The bow sound that you pointed out is from the fretless bass from Chris Squire, other instruments I saw that people already pointed out. Thx for reacting to the greatest song ever. Yes 👍💪🤙
Watching this warms my heart. Your moves remind me that this is true soul music. And you CAN dance to it 😊❤
Yes fans like long songs, so no problems. That is part of the attraction and why Yes epics are such amazing emotional uplifting rides. They develop soundscapes, journeys and emotions like no other band. For us the 18 mins for CTTE passes so very fast. Actually, I think it is too short (always thought that). So great to see your reaction and how you took the journey because these are not 2 or 3 min radio songs they are so deep and complex. You should listen to CTTE several times trying to focus on each band member each time. Then put it all together. I first listened to CTTE back in my high school days 50 years ago and it changed my ideas about music. The great thing about these songs is they never get old. I get older and maybe that might change my experiences with the song. So never worry about this song getting old just enjoy it for the rest of your life like us. This is a great mediation song if you are into that. For you does it sound like a 50 year old song? Because to us way back in the 70's it sounded like it was from the future and from a different planet or plane of existence. So great to hear you use words like emotional, journey, surreal because that is what this song did and continues to do for us for the last 50 years. PS; CTTE predates Phantom of the Oprea by about 20 years. Lloyd Webber pinched a lot of ideas from Pink Floyd and Yes.
Actual church pipe organ, Corel electric sitar, mellotron, miniMoog, Rickenbacker bass. plus more.
Amazing!
Hat trick of Yes wow,greetings Bless❤
lols well said! Hi Andres!!!
The song right after this is called And You and I. For me And You and I is a close second for Yes most beautiful song. If you can actually believe that their is something that could come close.