Close to the Edge - Yes | College Students' FIRST TIME REACTION!
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TIME FOR AN EPIC!! My friends it was time for another long track, and we’ve been eyeballing this track for months!! You guys have asked for it, here we go!!! Let us know what other epics we gotta check out as well as other Yes songs we do!! Happy Friday friends, stay safe!! 🔥🤟🏻🤟🏻
Stunning stuff! Always loved this one. Includes just about every time signature known to man! :-)
From the black sabbath tribute album 'nativity in black', tracks 2 (children of the grave) and 8 (the wizard)
It's interesting to compare drummers like Bruford and Peart to someone with a totally minimalist style like Rick Marotta on the SD song Peg.
Glad to watch your faces appreciating the many movements of CTTE. I jokingly say Jon Anderson came from another planet to possess such an angelic voice. Yes, ELP, and Deep Purple relied upon their keyboardists driving the songs as much as bass and drums. That trifecta is so awesome to listen to imho.
Try Prologue/Suite Madame Blue from Styx. Very appropriate song in today's world.
Yes - Our Song
Never forget: These guys could play that LIVE.
Leon Kowalski with some tasty choir mellotron in the screaming part near the beginning!
Saw them do it many times. One word comes to mind.... mesmerizing!
Saw them live in Tampa stadium Fantastic!
In the 70's no one was even close to them live.
Not only played in concert, pristinely executed!
Chris Squire on a fretted Rickenbacker bass. His tone is to die for. He's inspired generations of bass players with his technical prowess and his killer tone. One of the greatest bass players, ever.
Amen brother.
Bobby Foster • Chris Squire was a huge influence when I picked up bass (in the 80s.) In a cadre of many exceptional bassists of that time, that I will always admire. 😎
Rock on
FROZEN LOVE BUCKINGHAM NICKS A MUST!
that Rickenbacker pickup sound is unique
Chris Squire and Lemmy may be the Ricky kings :)
Boys, your brains got melted. Welcome to my decade - 70’s forever.
Ohhh yeah!
"" House of the rising sun "" by Frigid Pink
FOR...EVER!!
I second that! Class of 75'😜🤟
I absolutely agree.We were really spoilt for choice back then.So many great, innovative bands around.
You have to hear it at least 50 times before you can fully appreciate the dimensions of what they are doing. The way the bass and drums work together is unbelievable. One of my all time favourites.
What you said.
After the organ solo, I can only compare what Bruford and Squire are doing to a Muhammad Ali-Joe Frazier fight, it’s brutal and angelic at the same moment.
If they teach “rock bass and drums” in the universities of the future, this is a 700 level graduate class.
It takes years of training to be able to listen to this song intelligently for the first time.
Now they just need to flip the album over for And You And I, and Siberian Khatru….they’d be done for lol
As Alan White once said, "There's a lot of notes in a yes concert, and you have to play every single one."
I only listen n n amazed.
Alan wasn't on this album.... Bill Bruford was. But Bill wouldn't tour. So Alan was hired. And he's the best.
And Alan has a house near me ! In Auburn, he lives next to Sir-Mix A Lot ! And Paul Rodgers from Bad Company. Crazy neighborhood. ;-)
@@TacomaPaul I wasn't saying Allen played on this album.
If Alan said that, he better bone up.... He's missing a lot of Brufords notes.
@@TacomaPaul more than that, Bruford left to join King Crimson.
Squires and Bruford had too much creative tension laying down the underpinning rythmn and argued
Chris Squire, Steve Howe, Rick Wakeman, Bill Bruford, Jon Anderson...magnificent musicians and songwriters.
A superstar band, every one a virtuoso on each instrument
Alex trying to groove to a song written in 6
That was the golden line-up
Yes
Yes at the same level with Pink Floyd and Genesis.
My 19 yr old daughter took me to their 50th anniversary show. (They've been my fav band since 76)They opened with Close to the Edge and I think we both cried!!
MEGA
You obviously raised her right. Can't imagine how amazing how that experience was.
Yeah I went to their show back in 2003, and I can really relate to you're saying. It is like some kind of spiritual experience. I've never felt anything like it!
Yes, nothing compares to being there LIVE
This is NOT a “one & done” listen. You must play it many, many times to fully appreciate the brilliance of this musical masterpiece!
One thing to keep in mind for this. Yes was writing and performing this song in their mid-twenties. Musical Geniuses.
I'm 64 and got to see Yes 6 times back in the 70's and 80's. All time fav.
Next birthday, me. And ditto!
Saw them in ‘74 in Richmond, VA. The Tales from Topographic Oceans tour. They also performed Close to the Edge and Roundabout. It was one of the best shows I’ve ever seen and heard.
Glad to see some other elders here. I actually painted the inside cover art for CTTE on my bedroom wall when it came out.
yeah, my first was the Going for the One tour, just fabulous.
Almost 63 and they were my first concert. Also in Richmond, VA in '76. They led off with Sound Chaser. My mind has never recovered.
Watching the youngsters learn about prog... priceless.
Lol Yeh....actual musicians....and theyre playing....Instruments! WTF!
Adorable and top notch!
Christopher William
Only could’ve happened during the renaissance. 10 years ago they would’ve have about 100 subscribers.
Ah the term "Progressive" dimmed to "Prog". I preferred the term Art Rock, a term that was lost in the vagueness, but refers to reaching for artistic goals, not "popular" in conception, but avante-guard in the best sense. A new form, like opera, symphony, epic, novel, cinema. Its the difference between Artist driven ambitions and market forces. Oh ya, most important, ATTENTION SPAN. The audience has to approach the work, the work is not tailored to approach the audience. Those with courage to reach for it are rewarded for their open-mindedness with Opened Minds.
larryconcepts
Art rock sounds a bit to pretentious, and with all due respect, so does some of your reasoning (i.e “those with courage to reach for it”).
"Figure out what pedal he used?" There's no pedal. That's Squire. That's his sound. You're dealing with the big boys here son. And you guys don't even realize what a masterpiece this is. Keep listening and there will come a time when you'll realize that this track is perfection from the first bird chirp to the last.
We had no pedals in the 79’s AND WE LIKED IT!!
Rickenbacker!
Chris used pedals, but tastefully. Listen to On the silent wings of freedom. He used them more liberally on that.
This song is rated #1 on many Prog lists
Definitely the pinnacle of progressive music!
I think it's certainly Yes' greatest single track. You can listen to it fifty times and come away with something different each time.
Jon Anderson's voice is absolutely angelic. Give "And You and I" a listen to relax and get lost in the sauce of his voice. Also, "Your Move/I've Seen all Good People" is classic Yes.
Jay Salhaney And You And I one of my all time favorite and Jon’s voice was and is one of a kind!👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
@@joelliebler5690 And You and I, as well as Awaken are absolutely gorgeous showcases of what Jon can do.
Chris Check Onward as well and quite a few more plus what he has done on his own!👍🏻
That's my favorite. Beautiful song.
And You And I live from Yessongs is outstanding. The best version!
This is what a young Geddy Lee, Neil Peart and Alex Lifeson were listening to!
Geddy Lee said, in his induction speech of Yes into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, that Yes changed his view of what music is, broadening it significantly.
But RUSH's post prog lite NEVER EVER came close to the level of YES...
@@wendellwiggins3776 Uh, no....
I saw them do this live in the summer of 1975. During the quiet part in the middle, they flooded the stage with fog. There were light pods on the stage under the fog that pulsed in time to the organ. It was magical.
Saw same show. The effect was exactly like they were "Close to the edge" of a waterfall. Amazing.
I've seen them live 5 times. They always play this track. Every note. Their whole concert is like that. This is one of the most incredible music pieces ever written. Thankfully I discovered them in 1973, when I was a teenager.
This song is a “grower” as they say. It becomes less jarring and more beautiful and awe-inspiring the more you listen to it.
A grower lol I loved it at first hear
David H
You articulated your points very well, but since CTTE and bitches brew are sacred holy Scriptures in my world I’m gonna have to give you the eyebrow🤨
I would say it is less jarring on vinyl. I have the lp but this was hard to listen to.
@David H It takes time to get into it, it's like a symphony. It takes multiple listens for it to sink in. It doesn't help that it's pretty atonal in parts, which is challenging for us who are used to standard issue melody.
Yep. Pity the same can't be said for Relayer. It just stays jarring no matter how many times you play it ...
"Siberian Khatru", the last song on this album, really brings it home.
Love that track.
Totally agree. The entire second side was even beyond side one.
ABSOLUTELY!
The whole album (all three tracks) is BRILLIANT
Yes! I've made the bold claim that And You and I is the greatest intro ever :)
I saw Yes in the seventies after their Relayer album dropped. they played that entire album but also Close to the Edge. I cried tears of joy. Just saw Jon Anderson recently solo and he played several Yes songs. I got to go backstage and give him a hug. cried again.
This is not just a "song", it's a musical trip. It might not be so clear at first listening, but it's so well conceived, it's really amazing. I heard it for the first time almost forty years ago and I was quite bewildered at the beginning (I was 16 and listening almost only rock music), but after a few listenings it quickly became one of my prog favorites, and it still gives me goosebumps after all these years.
gusto vero Great description my friend!
Fortunately I had someone introduce me to Yes in 1973 and he started with Heart of the Sunrise. By the time I got Close to the Edge I understood the music; but you could listen to this fifty times and come away with something different each time.
This type of song needs many listens to appreciate everything that’s going on
Didn't like it at all when I first heard it 30-something years ago. Absolutely love it now.
when i first heard this way back in '72? '73? as a 16/17yr old,i thought what the FUCK is this but my mate kenny told me to play it repeatedly and I'd get it.
on the third play,little pleasure bombs began exploding in my ears,and now?
stone cold classic.
I think you might be right. First time hearing it in this video and to me the first couple of minutes in the song sounds like a 5-year old got his hands on his dad's guitar for the first time.
Agreed! It’s a Grower!
Starting at around 2:05, the 'tinkly' keyboard sound you hear is actually exactly mirroring the bass line but at a much higher speed
5 of the greatest musicians in one band. Chris Squire, Bill Bruford, Jon Anderson, Steve Howe and the greatest keyboard player Rick Wakeman.
Spot on Mr Moose
And all 21-22 years old
Listen to it again, maybe half a dozen times and you will be astounded at what they did in this song. It is the greatest prog-rock anthem ever.
I hope you've come back to this at some point and realized how incredibly brilliant this is all the way through. Top ten all time songs. Musical perfection on another plane of existence.
When you get to this level you can't compare things. This is what it is; and it's about the journey. I did think Andy and Alex kept talking about how close to the edge the music was without ever recognizing that was the way to describe it.
"South Side Of The Sky" is highly recommended.
Yup
My absolute favorite Yes tune. Still get the arm-hair chills with that.
I've always liked the intro to that, "We Have Heaven." It's been a dream of mine to get six or eight people together and sing that song. But I don't know enough people that are extroverts like me, or that don't have stage fright.
The alternating and building guitar licks and fills that weave through this song are absolutely magnificent!
They're *all* highly recommended!
Now imagine hearing it for the first time 48 years ago.
I was in 8th grade when I first heard this. A friend bought the tape and didn't like it so he gave it to me. I spent that weekend in my room listening over and over. Changed my life and bought everything they ever did or would do, plus many concerts in their many forms.
And being a teenager.
I did!
I heard that brother.
Me !! Pure awesomeness!!
"Close To The Edge" lyrics
Yes Lyrics
"Close To The Edge"
[I The Solid Time Of Change]
A seasoned witch could call you from the depths of your disgrace
And rearrange your liver to the solid mental grace
And achieve it all with music that came quickly from afar
Then taste the fruit of man recorded losing all against the hour
And assessing points to nowhere, leading every single one
A dewdrop can exalt us like the music of the sun
And take away the plain in which we move
And choose the course you're running
Down at the edge, round by the corner
Not right away, not right away
Close to the edge, down by a river
Not right away, not right away
Crossed the line around the changes of the summer
Reaching out to call the color of the sky
Passed around a moment clothed in mornings faster than we see
Getting over all the time I had to worry
Leaving all the changes far from far behind
We relieve the tension only to find out the master's name
Down at the end, round by the corner
Close to the edge, just by a river
Seasons will pass you by
I get up, I get down
Now that it's all over and done
Now that you find, now that you're whole
[II Total Mass Retain]
My eyes convinced, eclipsed with the younger moon attained with love
It changed as almost strained amidst clear manna from above
I crucified my hate and held the word within my hand
There's you, the time, the logic, or the reasons we don't understand
Sad courage claimed the victims standing still for all to see
As armoured movers took approached to overlook the sea
There since the cord, the license, or the reasons we understood will be
Down at the edge, close by a river
Close to the edge, round by the corner
Close to the end, down by the corner
Down at the edge, round by the river
Sudden call shouldn't take away the startled memory
All in all, the journey takes you all the way
As apart from any reality that you've ever seen and known
Guessing problems only to deceive the mention
Passing paths that climb halfway into the void
As we cross from side to side, we hear the total mass retain
Down at the edge, round by the corner
Close to the end, down by a river
Seasons will pass you by
I get up, I get down
[III I Get Up, I Get Down]
In her white lace, you could clearly see the lady sadly looking
Saying that she'd take the blame
For the crucifixion of her own domain
I get up, I get down
I get up, I get down
Two million people barely satisfy
Two hundred women watch one woman cry, too late
The eyes of honesty can achieve
(She would gladly say it amazement of her story)
How many millions do we deceive each day?
(Asking only interest could be laid upon the children of her domain)
I get up, I get down
I get up, I get down
In charge of who is there in charge of me
(She could clearly see the lady sadly looking)
Do I look on blindly and say I see the way?
(Saying that she'd take the blame
For the crucifixion of her own domain)
The truth is written all along the page
(She would gladly say it amazement of her story)
How old will I be before I come of age for you?
(Asking only interest could be laid upon the children of her domain)
I get up, I get down
I get up, I get down
I get up, I get down
I get up, I get down
I get up, I get down
[IV Seasons Of Man]
The time between the notes relates the color to the scenes
A constant vogue of triumphs dislocate man, so it seems
And space between the focus shape ascend knowledge of love
As song and chance develop time, lost social temperance rules above
Ah, ah
Then according to the man who showed his outstretched arm to space
He turned around and pointed, revealing all the human race
I shook my head and smiled a whisper, knowing all about the place
On the hill we viewed the silence of the valley
Called to witness cycles only of the past
And we reach all this with movements in between the said remark
Close to the edge, down by the river
Down at the end, round by the corner
Seasons will pass you by
Now that it's all over and done
Called to the seed, right to the sun
Now that you find, now that you're whole
Seasons will pass you by
I get up, I get down
I get up, I get down
I get up, I get down
I've only known about 20 words from this song and a few phrases.
And I'm freakin' 62.
First listened to this when I was... 14 !? Never have known the lyrics.
Probably read them once, but back then ? Uhhh.... ;-)
Yes songs are so hard to “get” from one listen. Soooo much going on.
When you listen to it enough to map every part in your head, you will give it an 11.
Yep
Exactly. Whenever I'm in the mood for musical bliss---this. Get to know every lift and curve of her. She will show you love for the rest of your life.
Yes. The first listen, you don't know what's coming, but you think, not bad. The next time, you look forward to what's coming and appreciate it.
To tell the truth, I avoided these long Yes songs even when I was younger because I didn't want to take the time to know what's in them. Since I got older (much older) I have to kick myself for wasting all this time.
Yes has that effect. My dad blasted yes and other prog when I was very young, like 3-5. I rediscovered yes when I was around middle school years and got full into them by high school. Now I’m 33 and still love yes to this day.
Haha they’re doing the same head movements as I do when listening to this song!
THANK YOU SO MUCH for actually listening to the tunes without stopping them every 15 seconds to go into a long conversation about the only 15 seconds you’ve listened to like mostly every music reviewer does online. It’s called RESPECT for the artists you are genuinely critiquing.
Bravo Carol !! I hate that
Couldn’t agree more.
This is key!
It is a REACTION video. Just go out and buy the record.
i know right it is so annoying there are some reactors that i avoid for that reason. they are constantly stopping the song
This composition regularly reduces me to tears.
It sometimes makes me feel like warm spring day lying in the grass next to a crystal clear lazy river, then a you hear rumbling and chaos. Its a flash flood, hits like a tsunami, it brings down house sized boulders and huge pieces of glacier tossing giant redwoods in the torrent. You get swept up by it totally at the mercy of the torrent. You find yourself surfacing wondering how you made it and clamber onto a floating tree and sweep further downstream but somehow safe. The sun comes out and you feel part of the flow finally the journey ends in a soft delta you make it to the bank and try to take in just what happened.
Yes were and are the be all and end all of prog rock, musicianship, composition recording engineering its on another level. Glad you guys got the trip.
That part in the middle where it's just Wakeman and Anderson is just sublime. Still brings a tear to my eye even after hearing it for years and years.
"I get up, I get doooown. I get uuup, I get dooooooooowwwwnnn" and then CHURCH ORGAN!!!!
Fanfreakingtastic!!!!
Wonderful part of the song…all 5 musical geniuses ❤
These guys are all virtuosos. Can't compare to anything really. I'd recommend 'Yours is No Disgrace' or 'And You and I'. Studio versions are great but I'd recommend either off their live triple LP, 'Yessongs'.
“Your Is No Disgrace”, no contest, no game, a straight banger.
Ditto!
100% yours is no disgrace (esp the yessongs live version)
Agreed
I can pinpoint that song as the one single song that got me started on my music life. The rest, as the poet says, was history.
Has to be live, love the person screaming in the intro
This is what Mount Everest probably feels like on top .
Bravo for letting it play clean through .
Great comment.
Yes came before(ish)* Rush and were a huge influence on them.
Rush inducted Yes into the RRHoF, and Geddy said, "There'd be no Rush without Yes."
In addition, Chris Squire is Geddy's favorite bass player.
I’m 34 and just got into this recently and I had the same reaction the first time I listened to it. My dad kept telling me to just keep listening to it. After a bunch of listens its grown into one of my top 10 songs of all time.
Nice work dad
you've been brainwashed - your dad is the cult leader =P
My first exposure to Yes was the Fragile album as a teenager. I knew immediately I was going to love this music but I also that I would need to listen to it many more times for it's full richness to sink in.
Yours is No Disgrace from Yessongs. Steve Howe’s guitar solo will blow your headphones off
Daniel right you are Steve played like a pissed off badass who had something to prove I’m gonna blow your head off right now because i can and it’s time you know who I am with a tone to die for that night it was like Steve on that song that night went ok folks the shits on. I am into Steve’s playing he has had so many great moment but Yours is no disgrace Yessongs is moment when Steve a young player looking to find his space in a world of blues based rock guitar to.me on that song he found it that night
@@playbass4unow Steve Howe almost never plays blues riffs. He went all out on that track, but it's still got Howe's touch. No need to prove anything. He has a unique style.
Just take the time and listen to Yessongs well worth the effort. And another vote for Suppers Ready
I have written that exact same line to many reviewers Daniel !! To me..Steve Howe's best. and a Top 5 guitar song of all time !!
THEY SUCK YOU UNTO THE VORTEX QUICKLY. Transitioning seamlessly yet abruptly. YES were unpredictable and so fluid. The is glorious music at its highest level. This is pure supreme art!
I really like how you described YES as “unpredictable and so fluid.” I feel that’s a perfectly perfect description!🎶👍🏻😊
And hats permanently off to Eddie Offord, engineer & the guy who taped all the 20 second sections of tape together! Back then, Yes composed these iconic pieces bit by bit as they recorded and then had to learn them “as a whole” in order to play them live.
The band had some “internal” issues by then, some pretty giant egos and just absolutely crazy perfectionism, Squire and Anderson would spend endless hours on one small section. It drove Bill Bruford bonkers.
But Eddie was there every second, and no way this is as good without his endurance.
Recording technologies are 50
Years “better” but this still is just a sonic masterpiece.
🎉
He was a master. So many classic albums .
Some of the best PROG rock....."Starship Trooper", "Yours is No Disgrace" are YES MUSTS.
Agree on Starship Trooper. Perfect way to get fix on bass.
Yes is one of my absolute favorite bands, sorry Close to the Edge is so overrated. It's too fragmented, almost incoherent.
I could name 25 Yes songs that are better. The Yes Album is a masterpiece. If you are going to introduce someone to Yes, "Yours is No Disgrace" is the way to go... "That, That Is" is a better song that no one knows...
@@corchem I disagree
I remember the first time I heard this as a teenager when it was released. I am 64 now and am getting a real thrill watching you guys also hearing this piece of classical prog rock for the very first time.
This is one of the best songs to listen to as a totally straight person, to understand what an acid trip is like, especially if you are a musician. Ecstatic, shot with universal cosmic energy, totally chaotic on the surface and, at the same time a complete, gorgeously organized masterpiece. And yes, they did it really really well live.
Everybody in Yes writes everything, you've got a quintet of disciplined, highly skilled, ultra-creative musicians who each compose their own contributions to each piece.
I've been a major Yes fan since the early 1970s and seen them live at least 7 or 8 times, and been totally awed and impressed each time.
Welcome to Yes.
I saw Y! es play Close to the Edge twice in the 70s. Did they pull this off live? Absolutely! Every note every noise, every change seamlessly. And when Rick Wakemen fired up the Moog before going into the final verse, it brought the house down.
I saw them play Close to the Edge 6 times in the70's, absolutely incredible that they could play this live. Steve Howe, one of the best guitarists ion prog rock. All of them, amazing musicians.
All true.
The first 2:53 is a re-syncing of the brain and a little clearing of the cache! 🤯
Ah I understand
I never thought of it that way before...it makes sense.
@@Kupcho58 Dude you are exactly right, they are getting your brain in the space they want you to be for the rest of the song, pure genius. I absolutely love this song, brilliant.
It is literally a sonic warmup. A cleansing of the ears palette. And then the song actually kicks in. And at times, it almost seemed like yes tries to accomplish 2 sept rhythms in tune. This song is one for the ages.
Same thing with Lark's Tongues in Aspic.
I'm 63 years old and been a YES fan since I was 18. These two youngsters just take me back 45 years to the first time I listened to YES.
I am 54 and I started my Yes journey at age 12. I used to get Yes albums as birthday presents.
67 here. I think I just time traveled.
Wait until they hear "Supper's Ready" by Genesis.
I agree, "Supper's Ready" is a must listen. Also, another great long Yes song is "Gates of Delirium".
My favorite tune of all time, done by my favorite band. CTTE is my 2nd fav by my 2nd fav band.
Supper's ready would be great. Wonder if it could be done in a single pass though. Might be good to break it up into sections with mini-breaks/reactions in between. As I watch CTTE, I feel it was a lot to hear and take in all at once. Of course Lamb Lies Down is also superb.
Wtf they didnt do ir yet? Now that u said, i’ve never seen some Genesis here
I don't know but I hate genesis!
If you really want to understand “Close To The Edge”, you have to understand the album that came before it (Fragile). Every member had thier “showcase” track, with tracks that they all played together on. My opinion has always been: Yes were ramping up to something on “Fragile”, then it actually happened on “Close To The Edge”. The track itself is a series of “movements”, but I don’t think it was meant to be “jarring”. I do agree that all of it was intentional, but not in a “Zappa” type of way. This track breaks you down at the beginning with chaos, then builds you back up. It was Yes proving what they were capable of, and setting a timeless benchmark that all other prog epics will be judged against. They had the chops, the arrangement and the production. But, it all started with “Fragile”. Now go check out “Supper’s Ready” by Genesis.
Classical music for the common man at the time.
my next pick as well, Supper's ready.
23.16 minutes of genius
U got it. Complexity and wear you out......but in a great way. I always feel somewhat exhausted by this track, like some ELP tracks, etc.
@@skismith39 Any time :-) was and still is!
"Heart Of The Sunrise" is a must. With that said, "Close To The Edge" is a masterpiece on the intro alone (am I right?).
You are right.
I'd say the intro to Heart of the Sunrise is nearly as epic as Close to the Edge.
It's better to my ears of 40 years of listening.
@@EpicB Nearly is the key word here, and you are correct. It's epic.
I agree
I love to watch you young men listen to a piece that I've been listening to for more than 40 years. All of the members of this group are virtuosos of their instrument. That's what makes this music great. Not just songs... Compositions! Music to listen to and think about.
Excellent critique... Thank you.
And you're both cute!
I love your comments and appreciation of great music.
Long live prog rock....
Saw Yes in the 1998 in Tampa. They opened with the entire Close to the Edge album. They played it flawlessly. Close to the Edge became the opening song to my long runs while training for half marathons. It has the ability to take you out of body.
Can they pull that off live? Oh yeah. 4 guys on instruments and 1 guy singing. That amount of density. Note for note. Effect for effect. Nuance for nuance. Any day of the week. No extra musicians, no tape, no sampling, no vocorders, no electronic help of any kind. Analog only back then. Search Close To The Edge Live on You Tube. Select the 1972 version. That's from their original Close To The Edge tour right after the album release. Astounding. Other amazing tracks as good as this? And You And I, Perpetual Change, Ritual, Gates Of Delirium, To Be Over, Parallels, Awaken...... Actually, they released 6 classic albums in 4 years - from 1971 to 1975 that are all amazing. The Yes Album, Fragile, Close To The Edge, Tales Of Topographic Oceans , Relayer and Going For The One. I haven't stopped listening to all of them often for 45 years. Since high school. I've seen them 5 times. These guys are MUSICIANS and COMPOSERS. This band will be studied in music schools for centuries if we last that long. They are a truly remarkable band.
great write-up, Ian.
The live performances of this song from the 70s were with Alan White who had less than 2 weeks to learn all their material before going on tour. Crazy-amazing!
I posted a video of them live from their Masterworks tour from 2000. They opened with this song. I was fortunate enough to direct the video. It was just for the in house video screens at the venue, but damn! One of my all time favorites.
Wish Bruford stayed for Topographic Oceans. Nothing against Alan White but Brufords drumming gave there 70’s music an extra demension.
Yes they totally pull this off live - and it's usually nearly as clean as the album. They are amazing. Rest in Peace Chris Squire.
The stunned silence after the song was great. That's when you know you've listened to a piece of music that really took you somewhere. That return to reality can be jarring. So happy to see people still out there listening to music. It's become a lost art.
That's exactly the amazing thing about YES, is the studio albums were great but somewhat flat and angular compared to how organically the music flowed in their Live performances. In hindsight I can rarely ever listen to these 1st 3 albums. Yessongs LIVE smashes the shit out of those songs, and have become my personal Definitive Editions
Yes, “Yours is no Disgrace”
Without Chris Squire on bass, and then backing vocals, there is no Yes. RIP Chris!
Funny thing. When Chris kicked Jon out of YES because of a temporary health problem I said NO YES WITHOUT JON.
These guys had all the chops of conservatory trained musicians. Example: during the verse sections, the rhythm section is playing in 12/8 time, keyboards and guitar in 3/4 time.
Jarring!?!?? You should listen to Gates of Delirium” and “Sound Chaser” off of the Relayer album.
Fucking A, buddy! Especially Soundchaser!!!!
Siberian Khatru
Heck, just do the whole Relayer album. To Be Over is a massively overlooked track, IMO.
Good point Gates of Delirium delivers such a massive pay off! I love it
Really, to appreciate what "Jarring" really can be, you should check out something from one of the early Industrial Bands such as Throbbing Gristle, or Coil. The latter's _Unreleased Themes of Hellraiser_ Clive Barker rejected as, "Coil's the only band who's made my bowels churn" or something similar. What Yes did in "Close to the Edge" reminds me more of some of the discordant jazz or even classical music.
I've been promoting "Gates of Delirium" to these young chaps since their first reaction to Yes. Adding my voice to the chorus promoting this again!
The single version of Roundabout was on the jukebox at my boarding school’s Stu-Bop in the ‘70s. It was so different from everything else on there, in the best way possible. I’ve a huge fan of their music ever since, and reaction videos have reignited the love.
If a pop song is a TV show, Close to the Edge is a 4 hour movie
Close to the Edge would be the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy Extended Editions.
Dropping a BOMB on a Friday! Good choice guys 😁👍🏼 check out Heart of the Sunrise next ✊🏼
Adam Ross Heart of the Sunrise is the song that got me into Yes. Still my favorite
If you liked classics like this You'll like Emerson Lake and Palmer - Tarkus
Best me to it :)
Beat* and noticed now your comment is 1 month old.
Lucky Man!
Karn evil 9💀
Emerson, Lake. And Palmer were masters at their craft. Saw them numerous times as well. Unfortunately we have lost Greg Lake to cancer and Keith Emerson to suicide. RIP guys. Your music was part of the soundtrack of my youth... your music lives on.....💔💔
Andy & Alex - you need to checkout YES “Gates of Delirium “off the Relayer album
Awesome track, it takes me places when I listen to it
Jamal aka Jamel just claimed this song as his #1 song ever. Watching this while waiting for his reaction to post .
Great minds think alike!
@@deborahbrown8431 Hehe,,,fancy meeting you here 😁
Starship Trooper is great (and much easier to listen to). Also check out Yours is No Disgrace and Heart of the Sunrise
I've WATCHED them play this. Yes was no joke. The progiest prog that ever progged.
Me too!!! I was maybe 18 or 19, tripping my balls off, got my head totally exploded. It was the tour that became the “Yessongs” triple LP, complete with Stravinsky intro. Some say the ‘70s was all about disco & then punk. To me it was about Tull & Yes. And tripping my balls off.
Your guys' faces during the prelude...priceless! Looking for a hook, a pattern, a rhythm, a lyric, a key...anything. Nothing until 4:45. Not my fave YES song but a song you seek to find meaning to while drunk/high...but there is nothing but notes, weird lyrics, and phenomenal musicianship.
I think Jon Andersons accent makes his voice so unusual as he comes from Lancashire here in the UK, its a strong accent that retains itself in his pronounciation of the lyrics
He comes from Clitheroe, just down the road from me.
"Awaken" on Going for the One is 15:38 of a beautiful and majestic song. The lyrics and the players both shine.
You tube search Todmobile + Awaken. I'll say no more, and let you be surprised like I was.
Not a bad track on the album Awaken and Turn of the Century
If you've got a good vintage system with capable speakers, this song will make you weep!
Teenage nerd tripping music. Love it. This kinda stuff was a such a big part of my life in High School. Brings back memories of long summer days swimming at the old rock quarry high on strawberry mescaline or shrooms. Yes, ELP, Genesis, King Crimson.
orange barrels..... ;)
Seen YES over 200 times. CLOSE TO THE EDGE is a masterpiece. Played so many times live, it gets better every time. These are PHENOMENAL musicians. I've been a fan for over 50 years. THE best band on this planet!
The first time that I heard this, just after it was released, it moved me to tears and made the hairs on my arms stand up.
I cannot recall how many times I've listened to it and love it every time.
One of my all-time favourite tracks, ever.
Can you imagine being in high school in the 70s, you can't imagine that much testosterone and all this amazing music.
I was one. Saw Yes many times.
I was one and I don't think I appreciated enough at the time I always thought it would get better.
my first album purchase was YESSONGS- I was 12 or 13-never looked back. Every new Yes Album was Christmas !! That led me to Tull Uriah Heep Deep Purple and on and on. Also Steely Dan and the Eagles
I graduated high school in 1971. Got a low draft number, joined the Navy, went to boot camp, went to SONAR school and went straight to Vietnam. When I wanted to remove myself from the bullshit, this album and Jethro Tull Aqualung album played back to back in my head.
I don't have to imagine. I was there. We rocked all of these. The bass gets in my soul.
I was still in my 1st incarnation as a college student when I spent hours listening to Yes. Good choice guys. Thanks.
I don't want to be a downer, or high jack your comment section, so feel free to delete this if you feel it doesn't fit.
I have neighbors who are even older than I am (89, and 78) I offered to make a grocery run, or to pick up meds for them if they needed me to. If you have older neighbors, show some love and offer to help them out if you can. This pandemic is a lot more serious for them (us?) A small gesture on your part could make a huge difference in their lives.
It’s fake dummy. Don’t let the TeeVee control you
@@philmccracken179 spot on.
A thought like that is never out of place.
As stated earlier, the song to listen to is Awaken. This song is "Yes" firing on all cylinders. I've read and listened to many interviews by members of "Yes" and the majority find that "Awaken" is one of their most proudest moments. I saw them perform this song live back in 1977. It was one of those songs that left the audience stunned. There was a long pause after the performance by the audience as if they needed to be brought back to earth, followed by a standing ovation this was more like a "bravo" applause over the typical rock show "whoo hoo" applause. It was the moment that changed my view of music for the rest of my life. I went home, and threw away my Ted Nugent, Foghat, and Kiss albums and never looked back. This song is transformative in more ways than one. Please give it a listen.
Probably the most musically talented band ever. Bands like Rush and Dream Theater would not be what they are now without the inspiration of YES.
1st listening not easy, I've heard this 1000 times, a masterpiece of art. Howe at his best. Anderson always perfect. Lyrics unbelievable.!!!! Greatest prog group ever.
Honestly, almost always skipped it, but when I didn't and actually listened to it, it became one of my favorite Yes songs.
I've heard 2000 times, I've reached TOTAL MASS RETAIN ....😎🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵FROM AUSTRALIA
I agree, if you're not used to Yes, the song is a bit difficult the first time around, but it grows better with each listen. Like Perrillo, I've listened to it thousands of times, put it away for a few months, then dust it off and play again and think "holy shit this is awesome"
Love Yes as Prog
Rush better
You should definitely check out "Heart of the Sunrise" by these guys.
Heart of the Sunrise live on Yessongs is the best version of this song !!
I like the Fragile version too.
Also The revealing science of god. Moment... Moment... Moment... Moment
no se puede explicar esta cancion, no hay definicion humana para clasificar esta obra maestra. simplemente cierren los ojos y disfruten.. saludos desde argentina.. YES FOREVER
I was blessed to see Yes twice. I hardly blinked an eye during both concerts. I was so mesmerized by these truly some of the best musicians in the industry.. seeing them live left me speechless. I walked out of both gigs know I was able to witness greatness.....
The bass.
Met Chris early in 80s and asked about his bass. I said, "It should be called a Treble !"
He laughed... and since met them many times.
R.I.P. Chris Squire. ;-)
Yes at their peak
Here's a challenge, review:
"Blue Rondo à la Turk" from the Dave Brubeck Quartet 1959 album "Time Out"
Stay healthy guys!
@@2cawwa2 So many to choose, I just tried to think of a single suggestion palatable to classic rock fans. I suppose "Take Five" would be a better choice, or fusion, as you mentioned Weather Report.
@Gerald H Happy belated 60th :)
Within the time span of a single year, 8/59 - 7/60, the release of "Kind of Blue", "Mingus Ah Um", "The Shape of Jazz to Come", "Time Out", "Giant Steps", "The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery", "Sketches of Spain".
Fellas. Us ladies were totally tuned into Yes. Yes on a first date in the 70s would have been very cool. @Alex and Andy
Can confirm
My parents met because mom's brother had the contacts to get LP's and she got into whatever dad bought (he was a Yes fan and she King Crimson)
Jon's voice is unique, basically because his natural range is alto, only about a step down from boy soprano. He doesn't sing in falsetto, which can hit the notes, but just doesn't have the 'quality', and he can do things that another singer couldn't do in falsetto. He'll never be able to sing like Tom Waits, but he's is absolute master at what he does.
It's a lot to take in in the first listen. By the time you've heard this song 5 times, you'll be madly in love with it.
Yes. I still kind of kick myself that I wasn't cool enough with a seasoned ear back when I was in high school when I first heard it. Took me some time to get into it . Alas, it is a true masterpiece.
Heart of the Sunrise should be next.
best drumwork ever
Yes ( no pun intended ) this a great tune with many tempo changes
I saw Yes do this whole album live in the summer of 1972. With Bill Bruford on drums. he left the band after the tour so I was lucky to see this lineup.
Congrats guys! This track is demanding on the senses, well done, you survived it. That opening intro makes it hard to take but as you see it’s so much more coming.
Re your reaction to Close to the Edge: "According to psychologists, two things have to happen to trigger an awe reaction. First, you have to perceive something is vast -- either in its physical size (perceptual awe) or in its scope (conceptual awe). Then, the vast thing has to challenge your current understanding of the world. That is, it must require some mental processing." -- Galadriel Watson in "Awe-Strick" in Discover Magazine, June 2020
i was awed by how atrociously bad this song was - Yes has a few songs i like - but this definitely ain't one....
@@jonniiinferno9098 "atrociously bad" in what ways?
@@alexjbennett1017 - heard a lot of discordant notes - i am sure it was intentional - just not to my liking - if they were striving for prog jazz i guess they nailed it. I am not a fan of jazz - although i do like some jazz fusion. Chunks of the song sounded like a bunch of talented kids got together - and they all played a different song at the same time and recorded it... As i mentioned in my main comment, there were some melodic parts of the song that i liked and surely wish they had further explored - but overall- i would not care to try and listen to this again - as it was - ummm - painful enough the first time thru =P -- Appreciate what you guys do - keep on rocking and reacting.
@@jonniiinferno9098 Thank you for your thoughtful reply. Agreed, there are definitely discordant notes and it sounds at times like they are each playing different songs. I love those parts (and the melodic parts too). Guess I'm just wired funny.
@@alexjbennett1017 - aye - we all have our likes and dislikes - glad you and others are able to enjoy the song - YES - is a great band.
The bass is classic Chris Squire
I told Chris Squire once, "Your bass should be called a treble".
Alan White said, "Said that should be an arpeggio".
He laughed, and we had some many drinks backstage with Chris Squire and Alan White.
At the Moore Theater in Seattle. 3-3-13.
It"s a MASTERPIECE !! Listen again...and again... then you'll realize !
Starship Tooper! The ending of that song is so powerful.
Guys - check out the band geek cover of close to the edge.
In light of your reaction, and some of the comments, I feel it necessary to share this. Hope it helps.
“"Close to the Edge" is symphonic not in instrumentation but in overall structure. Throughout four breathtaking movements, Yes introduce and recapitulate melodic themes, change tempos and keys, and approach their instruments (as they usually do) with a studiousness largely reserved for an orchestral setting. But this piece is never stuffy. In fact, it's the most nakedly emotional song in their catalog. Anderson’s vocal in the "I Get Up, I Get Down" section - building from hoarse low notes to a full-throated melismatic peak - taps into a primal spirituality amplified by the wheeze of Wakeman’s church organ...
It’s Prog Perfection”
-- Ryan Reed
“It is the centerpiece of the greatest album of all time, prog or otherwise. It is one of the best examples of rock musicians adopting symphonic ideals and really making it work naturally. It is incredibly emotional, and is really a timeless work of art that can stand on its own.”
-- Matt Barnhill
Exactly, thank you!
I’ve seen them play this live several times and it’s always album perfect. The best was seeing them play it with a full orchestra- astounding!
So cool! I only saw the vid now, but it was posted on my birthday. Great analysis, guys! Some very interesting reflections and reactions
Wow! Wasn't expecting you to get to this so soon! Probably my favorite song ever. You can't possibly appreciate it completely on first listen so give it a few more shots. Personally, I think it's best by yourself or with one other appreciative person, hit a little bourbon or a little weed, and kick back. This was written by Jon Anderson and Steve Howe and started out as several different songs that they wove together. Anderson is said to have gotten his initial inspiration from reading Lord of the Rings and listening to the classical composer Jean Sibelius, especially Symphony #7. I always felt the chaotic intro fit with the title and the artwork in that it's some fractured other-world and this was a journey taking you dangerously Close to the Edge only to pull back in time to discover the beauty of this world. Jon and Steve apparently liked the idea of opening with an improvisational jam having been influenced on a previous tour opening for the Mahavishvnu Orchestra (with John McLaughlin), and amazing jazz-rock fusion band. The I Get Up, I Get Down middle section was written by Howe and to me it always feels like being in an enormous cavern because of the ethereal music combined with the dripping water. Both Steve's and Rick's work on this album is just amazing. I think the Hammond B3 organ solo is my favorite bit by Rick Wakeman and I'm a huge fan of his. Also, this was actually very popular at the time and was their biggest commercial success hitting #3 on the charts in the US and #4 in the UK. Pretty sure Chris was playing his Rickenbacker 4001 fretted bass here, he was just a big guy with strong hands and an exceptional player and made all those slides sound smooth. As for his tone, the main processing was multiple serial compressors (I think I read he had 3 in a row). I've read that he and their engineer/producer Eddie Offord had worked on getting the sound Chris wanted for a very long time when they first started out. The tone comes mostly from the Ric pickups which have a lot of treble (which he enhanced by cranking the treble tone up) and then they just compress the hell out of it. Also, he cranked up the input to get some distortion from the tube amp. I think he used Ampeg amps, but don't quote me on that.
So next, I would stick with this album, but a very different song: "And You and I". Very cool song, much lighter and a radio edit got a lot of airplay and charted.
Thanks for doing this amazing song. Listen again and you'll keep hearing more of what's going on and appreciate it more with each listen.
Stay safe, stay smart, stay healthy
Peace from 'sheltering-in-place SF!
You need to listen to "Awaken". It is a spiritual journey.
excellent suggestion.
Awaken stills blows me away every time I listen to it. You literally have to multi task your ears to enjoy what each instrument is doing. Awesome musical masterpiece! The opening 3 minutes is amazing. These guys should do that one for sure
@@Silvertip1958 SUPER well said!
OMG... YES!!!
One of the lushest songs ever. Talk about being transported...
I was in college in 1970 and taking a Music Appreciation class. I walked in one day and saw a friend and the professor hauling in the biggest stereo set up I have ever seen. My friend said come here for a minute. We went and burnt one and came back. The prof turned over the class to my friend and he turned up the volume and dropped the needle on this. I put my head down. I was an immediate fan! He is still a friend, though 800 miles away. 30 some years later I did the same thing for my son. He's a fan too. I listened to your comments after afterward. It is 50 years later and I still bust it out once in a while.