January 2 (catching up) - Yes: Close to the Edge

As you can see with the title I hope to not only go over classical music but also rock, rap, and whatever else might be appropriate.

For me, Yes is one of those bands that will never get old. They've been around since 1968 and are still playing together and even going to be coming out with a new album according to their website. They've had a lot of line-up changes throughout the years, but the main members have been founders Chris Squire (bass) and Jon Anderson (vocals), Rick Wakeman (keyboards), Steve Howe (guitar), and Alan White (drums).


Without going into a full-on review, I'll try to get into the details.

Why it's important:

The 18 minute 45 second Close to the Edge was the main track (of only three) on their 5th album, and to me sums up all that is yes. To begin it's length becomes a staple of Yes albums. They do have longer (Gates of Delirium clocks in at 21:54) but Close to the Edge really helped define the Yes identity. Like several of their other songs, it's separated into four sections.
1. "The Solid Time of Change"
2. "Total Mass Retain"
3. "I Get Up I Get Down"
4. "Seasons of Man"

The song also displays Yes's ability to flow between main sections so well. Throughout the song, an incredible wealth of musical material is introduced and it always seems fresh. Throughout all the meter changes, shifts in texture, and Jon Anderson's vocals, the songs presents a very stimulating listening experience that's unique.

Fun Facts:

1. Jon Anderson's spiritual influences of renewal and repetition are prominent throughout the song and the album from the calm bird calls in the beginning and the end of Close to the Edge and the two syllable phrases in another song on the album Siberian Khatru.

2. Some of the photos in the album cover were done by a former band member of Chris Squire (Martyn Adelman).

3. The sections of Close to the Edge were released as singles to the US radio stations to promote some more air times on the radio due to it's 18 minute length.

This is one of my personal favorite albums and on rate-your-music it was rated 72nd greatest album of all time December of 2010. Here's a recording of it, unfortunately it has to be split up into clip 1 and clip 2 because of it's length.

To me this song is one of the best descriptions of music as an aesthetic experience. Although, Yes's technical proficiencies are some of the best, they bring all of it together so well. So although one may get wrapped up in all the technique that's being presented by the individual musicians, it's also a great song to absorb as a whole for an over-all experience.