Yes - Close to the Edge

2003 remastered, reissue of 1972 album with redesigned booklet (digipak/slipcase), restored LP art, archival photos and new liner notes. Includes 4 bonus tracks 'America' (single version), 'Total Mass Retain' (single version), 'And You And I' (alternate version) & 'Siberia' (studio run-through of 'Siberian Khatru'). Elektra. Album Description

 Close to perfect!
This may be one of the great albums of all time by anybody! The only thing is, you really have to have a taste or be able to aquire a taste for this type of progressive rock. "Close To The Edge"; the title piece
(not a song!) is an epic musical adventure....almost like a symphony, it's broken into 4 sections, but blended together seamlessly. If Beethoven were alive today, I am sure he'd agree.

"And You & I" is a shorter version of a similar concept. The melodies in this pice are so emotional you can't help but get goosebumps. With a climax that is ...well...like a climax! (If you don't get it, try making love with this on!...You'll get it!)

"Siberian Khatru" is one of Yes' best opening concert numbers. The feature for me in this song is the way counter melodies and rhythms are used. No one did it better than YES! April 19, 2008

 The Yes Masterpiece And One Of The Greatest Albums Of Modern History
Nice to see and digest a multitude of five-star ratings from obviously intelligent music fans. I am a Genesis fan first BUT, I will concede that Close to the Edge, along with Foxtrot by my dudes, is the single most relevant album in music history. People, this album is PERFECT. The title suite takes you places unheard of and features unparalled musicianship by Bruford/Howe/Squire/Wakeman; And You And I resonates in it majestic glory, counterbalancing Howe and Wakeman's bombast with Squire and Bruford's dynamic restraint; and Siberian Khatru is Yes getting down and dirty. If you want one of the "holy grails" of progressive rock, it is indeed Close to the Edge. March 7, 2008

 Close to complete perfection
This is one of the greatest albums ever created by Yes (my favorite though is Tales from Topographic Oceans)... the edition of this album is good indeed, with a very nice booklet and pictures I've never seen before... Though don't be deceived by And You And I (alternative version*), because it's just a jam version of And You And I... that is it.. though the quality of sound is very good, very nice remastering... definitely add this to your collection of Yes music... for those who have never heard about Yes at all, just try to listen to this... because you may discover some really wonderful things in this masterpiece. February 18, 2008

 The *Standard* by which all others are measured
In my opinion, this is the Standard by which all other Progressive Rock and Art Rock albums are measured. If Yes had only produced this one album, I believe they would still be considered one of the greatest bands ever. Entire academic theses have been written on the magnum opus that is the song "Close to the Edge". If there's one Yes CD to own, this is it. Simply the best, a complete masterpiece from start to finish. February 3, 2008

 Total Mass Retain!!!
This is one of my favorite albums of all time and definitely my favorite album by Yes who is one of my favorite bands (and definitely my favorite prog band). This album is more of a journey than it is just music, it is incredible, it will take you many places on a surrealistic journey, playing incredible music the whole way through.

This album, at least for me is perfect in every way possible. I must've listened to this album like a hundred times and I still love it so much. This album also has a lot of sentimental meaning to me because I remember very vividly the day i got this album showing it to my bro and asking him if he wanted to join me in listening to it. He said he had lots of hw to do. Disheartened by his refusal to listen to it with me i went to my room and popped it in my stereo and turned up the volume high. I will never forget the epic beginning of Close to the Edge listening to it lying on my bed my eyes closed while late-afternoon light shown through my bedroom shutters, I will never ever forget it. I remember the sound of the birds beginning to chirp and it slowly became louder and louder until it became sort something else sounding and then it went into the unbelievable track. I remember i was lying there and my brother came in 3 minutes through and was like "turn it down..." and then he kinda just started listening to the music. In about 30 seconds he said "screw hw". and me and him mustve listened to the album 4 times that day. I laid there on my bed transfixed and amazed with the music while my bro of course did the same (except he was sitting in a chair).

This album is amazing and as for the tracks i cannot say much more than what has been said. All three songs from the album are fantastic and feature the band at their absolute prime. Rick Wakeman's (perhaps the best keyboardist ever) keyboard work on Close to the Edge the song is unbelievable (and on the other songs too), Steve Howe shines on every track, Jon Anderson's voice is as crystalline as ever (if not more), Chris Squire is an unparalleled bassist in terms of ability and Bill Bruford is a fantastic and consistent drummer as always. This album features probably three of Yes' greatest songs, Close to the Edge, And You And I, and Siberian Khatru. Also the bonus songs are great as well, I love their cover of Simon and Garfunkle's America (which is how the band originally formed by the way, through a love for simon and garfunkle). This album is probably considered the quintessential prog album along with In the Court of the Crimson King (another one of my favorite albums of all time). This album is filled with lengthy tunes (as you can probably tell already due to the fact that there are only three songs on the original album) that some people might or not find preferable. Also this should not be the first album a beginner to Yes gets (go for Fragile or the Yes Album for that). This is probably one of their most complex and audacious attempts at music perhaps only dwarfed in audaciousness by Tales From Topographical Oceans (another great album). January 29, 2008

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