Yes - Close to the Edge (REACTION)

Next video will be Quadeca's new track Schoenberg ft. Moxas when it drops. THEN I will get back to some Iron Maiden :D
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What should I react to next? Let me know in the comments!
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[@jackal59]

"Close to the Edge" is probably the best thing Yes ever recorded.

[@emdiar6588]

Awaken is a close second then.

[@michaelkpate]

Except for Heart of the Sunrise.

[@VinceFerrante]

It’s probably one of the best pieces ever in terms of its composition

[@Equality72521sr]

Everything YES recorded is their best... it just depends on what day it is and the particular mood you’re in. (See what I did there? ...Mood for a Day)

[@sportster16301]

Maybe you should hear The Gates of Delirium.

[@TimGenster]

As someone who has listened to that song, and that album since the day it came out, it was fascinating to see your first response. And predictable. You see, you just listened to what many consider to be the best and possibly most influential ‘progressive rock’ song and album ever. Other YES albums were certainly great, yet CTTE seems to be noted most often by hard-core YES fans as their favorite. I noted you saying you to wanted to listen again, to absorb more. Go ahead. Just know that you’ll find this to be timeless music. It never gets old. You won’t wear it out. And take the time to listen to the 2 other songs. They’ll add to the surprise and the enjoyment you’ve now embraced in Close To The Edge. By the way, I strongly suggest that you not try to make any literal sense out of the song lyrics. They are more like an extra instrument of music, painting a picture that you will find your own meaning for. Finally, find a way to consume the album art, for this completes the package of ideas that CTTE delivers.

[@josedealbuquerquejr.941]

Tim Genster and try their other albums, starting with Going For The One, Relayer, Fragile, Tales From Topography Oceans, Yes Album and so on

[@TimGenster]

@@josedealbuquerquejr.941 Yes, anyone who likes CTTE should listen to all of those albums too. Thing is, I get the feeling rasengankhan hasn't engaged with his channel recently. IF he had, he should have noticed that the CTTE session attracted a lot more traffic and interest than ANY other single session. Distracted I guess.

[@rembeadgc]

Yes, those of us who have listened to CTTE over 40 years can testify that it only gets richer with time. A one of kind band, truly.

[@Tapas08]

That is exactly what classical means: it never gets old. One can listen over and over for years. Especially so with CTTE. It has all ingredients of a symphonic masterpiece. No wonder even symphonic orchestras make versions of it and they played also with European symphonic orchestra in Heineken hall Holland. And several young members of the orchestra was in ecstacy.

[@morbidmanmusic]

have a cover soundcloud.com/morbidman/close-to-the-edge-yes-cover

[@psbarrow]

You've dived right in at the deep end. The album is widely regarded as the best prog. rock album ever done, even 47 years after its release.

[@Equality72521sr]

One can darn near teach a college class on this freaking album !!

[@miguelbarahona6636]

I'm not the biggest "prog" fan (in fact, most of the prog rock albums are boring to me), but Close To The Edge is one of my 10 favorite albums ever.

[@234cheech]

yea it sure is one pof the best

[@Vince-lq3ve]

let's call it a tie with either Selling England by the Pound or Lamb Lies Down On Broadway or Foxtrot or....

[@PogueMahone1]

@@Vince-lq3ve In terms of relative magnitude, Genesis vs Yes is pretty much Salieri vs Mozart. Yes not only survives, but thrives with a new generation of master musicians coming forth to carry its name and visionary musical ethos forward beyond the lives of its founders.

[@BarnDoorProductions]

How to listen to Yes: put it on -- listen to it -- all the way through. Then put it on again and listen to it all the way through. Then think about it for a week. Repeat as needed.

[@michaelbeerbados3291]

repeat every couple of days for 50 years... rinse and repeat!!

[@13tread]

heeheeee YEP

[@markyokum1873]

The first 3 minutes of Close To The Edge is the sound of being swept away by a river. You're right! It is a journey. The entire song is a musical exploration of the novel Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse, the journey along the river of life, where Siddhartha returns to the river and sees all of life reflected on the old man's face.

[@rasengankhan]

That's crazy, I learn more everyday thanks to the comments. I had no idea it was based on a novel. I haven't sat down to read a book in years but now I'm curious about Siddhartha

[@Civilizashum]

@@rasengankhan there is a beautiful film version, but it may make less sense absent the experience of the book

[@michaelyork4554]

As you listen to this or any Yes song from the time, you will find that every nuance, is there by design, and when you know the song, you can appreciate the exquisite precision which Yes puts into their songs. There are other Yes songs that are even more Unique and Strange. All of Relayer, The Yes Album, Fragile, Close To The Edge, Yessongs, Going For The One. I was 12 when all this came out, and I had an older brother with a Killer Audio System, You really have to feel the Bass in these songs to get the full experience.

[@rbu83145]

rasengankhan, thank you so much for reacting to my request. Glad its "weirdness" met your qualifications. This song is about a journey of self discovery and felt this song sent you on your own journey of discovery. I would recommend you listen to the rest of the album because the songs are all gems. A lot of people find it difficult to grasp this song, some never do, I absolutely love it and felt you will too after a couple of more listens. Keep up the good work, I have subscribed to your channel so will look forward to watching more reactions. Firth Of Fifth by Genesis would be another good prog rock song to checkout... but it's not weird though, just a very beautiful piece.

[@psbarrow]

Spot on with the interpretation, Anderson said the lyrics were inspired by Herman Hesse's "Siddhartha", particularly the final part on enlightenment.

[@mackeymintle66]

Thanks for suggesting!

[@philjones8097]

You've started your Yes journey at the same point as me. It was recommended to me back in 1974 as a 16 year old and I too was totally confused on first hearing. Listened and read the lyrics (Roger Dean's handwriting on the sleeve) and got lost between odd lyrics, booming bass sounds, intricate guitar and the keyboard all joined together with Brufords drumming. It took me maybe two or three listening to appreciate the brilliance of the track. Each instrument is kinda doing it's own thing but together and overlayed it's a masterpiece of intricacy. What's more you can create your own story. After this go backwards to Fragile, The Yes Album, Time and a Word and Yes then you'll see where this brilliance was born. BUT make sure you do the rest - And You and I plus Siberian Khatru first. Best reaction to Close the the Edge I've seen!

[@theblacklightorchestra545]

Same experience, around the same age, same song when I decided to sit down and see what this was about. Yes fan ever since. I don't know if the 'reactor' reads the comments...I wanna tell him to get to 'know' the song, listen to each instrument separately...and this is a great album for that, not a ton of overdubs...just 5 dudes...in their 20's no less...making true art. But listening to all of the individual parts really makes you appreciate how complex and amazing these arrangements are.

[@s90201]

Speechless is the greatest form of compliment

[@markjohnson4217]

Yes were founded in 1969, they were initially like a wild, orchestral, jazz fusion, Beatles combo. They took orchestral rock to a whole new level, further than anyone else.

[@robertheckman8013]

The artist on most of the YES album covers is Roger Dean. I have several of his signed prints. They are a prized possession to me!

[@JJ8KK]

YES packs so much into their masterpiece compositions that you absolutely must expose yourself to several listenings in order to fully appreciate what they put together. That's one of the things I always loved about YES, was that after listening the 4th and 5th times, you're still hearing things you didn't hear before. I think their music always remained fresh for me much longer than the other music for that reason. I recommend listening to *Siberian Khatru* next, my friend...

[@chemicalcarlos]

Lifelong Yes fan, first time commenter. Let me echo the sentiments here about this song. My uncle had this album when I was but a pisher. My mother owned the two albums before this one: "The Yes Album" and "Fragile", so I grew up listening to "Roundabout" and "I've Seen All Good People". Fascinated by the cover but didn't give it a proper listen until 1985 when I obtained a vinyl copy for myself. I was 16 at the time. I was drawn in immediately. Before then, I had heard the first song on the second side, "And You and I" on classic rock radio and loved it. Anything featuring the Mellotron, I was into. (The Mellotron was the first sampling keyboard ever invented--it used a rack of analog tape loops and the keys activated each respective playback head. That's what created those ethereal string washes you heard.) This album was a revelation for me. I was really stoked for you to hear it for the first time and for you to share that experience, that journey, with us all. I feel it has compositional and chordal elements akin to some of the great Russian composers--Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev, Rachmaninoff, even a bit of Stravinsky. Yes were every bit the pretentious, showboat-y prog rock group, but they held on to those crucial pop-rock sensibilities that made them fun to listen to. And for as long as "Edge" is, it's just the right length, always holding your interest. And that's not saying anything about the face-melting musicianship of the group. Fun fact: the keyboardist Rick Wakeman played keys (mostly the aforementioned Mellotron) on David Bowie's first hit, "Space Oddity" from 1969. I got to see Yes in 1984 on their "90125" Tour--they had just had a big hit with "Owner of a Lonely Heart" that year. I could go on and on waxing enthusiastic about them, but I'll spare you. Thank you for this video, and thank you for giving this monumental, culturally crucial piece of music a fair audition. I love that it's finding a new audience in the younger generations.

[@geoffgarner4614]

The genius of YES

[@BlutoLongneck]

Your reaction at 29 minutes says it all. :) They are building bridges. And by 30 minutes I think you got the main theme. :) Great vid!

[@cpag1955]

Perfect way to experience this song. Lean back on your chair. Close your eyes. Listen. Appreciate. I heard it when it first came out when I was 17. It’s been my favorite album of all time ever since.

[@nancymjohnson]

YES! An experience of spirituality!

[@michaelkpate]

I was one of the Yes Fans who got introduced to them during the 90125 Era. And then found out all the things I missed from the albums they put out when I was a pre-schooler. I've seen them in concert 4 or 5 times including the Union Tour in 1991 that brought together the '70s and '80s versions of the band together. Normally I would recommend "Long Distance Runaround" or "Starshipship Trooper" or Yours is no Disgrace" as a song to prepare you for "Close to the Edge."

[@brianstephen5392]

Truly a masterpiece!

[@kiae-nirodiaries1279]

Still have my 1972 original album in good condition signed by Roger Dean. How I got his signature is quite a story.

[@rasengankhan]

If you're feeling it, please do tell :)

[@stevenfraney5114]

I crucified my hate And held the world within my hand ... great reaction ✌️

[@fridayannekeyes5628]

Your reaction was a thing of beauty, and mirrored my own reaction when I first dropped the needle on CTTE sometime in 1974, right after I had heard... sorry Yes Fans, but I have to go there, I feel honor bound to at least offer this young Yes Newbie a chance to glimpse the glorious wonders that is, ....wait for it..... "Tales from Topographic Oceans"... the 1973 release, not the sucky remaster. NOTE: It's not for the weak of heart. Then of course, "Olias of Sunhillow", for some church.

[@ronsmicz7556]

So glad you shared your first dive into "prog" with us. Both this band and this song are an amazing place to start. Its a rather vast ocean with lots of variety. Please keep exploring. 😉

[@brianmusson1827]

Yes are the Classical Music of Rock. Like Classical Music this track starts with a theme and goes into another ,returning to the original theme. This whole album had only 3 tracks and is a masterpiece . It needs listening to many times with no breaks! All the different members of Yes over the years have always been brilliant musicians and we won’t see their like again.

[@nancywood6515]

Love Yes and love your reaction! I would love for you to react to more progressive rock! Yes , Pink Floyd and Genesis are my favorite bands. Been listening to this song since 1972. The British make the best music in my opinion!

[@PFTome]

Let this song sink into your brain for 4 decades, it still wont make sense why you love it so much. The trick is to stop trying to make sense of the sounds or the lyrics with early Yes. Hearing this album and Dark Side of the Moon for the first time are probably the most memorable musical moments in my youth.

[@Relayer6a]

Keep in mind this is pre digital and the synthesizers were all monophonic. No autotune, etc... etc... As far as prog rock goes. Besides the music, just as an example, when they recorded the pipe organ for the "I get up I get down" movement it was recorded on a real pipe organ in a cathedral and transmitted by FM radio back to the studio. I heard this in an interview of Rick Wakeman himself. The engineer's name is Eddie Offord. He needs to be credited as much as the band for this amazing piece of music.

[@Pablopax4]

I doubt having the lyric's up would help. The singer, Jon Anderson has a curious affliction, when he sings it sounds like English, but really it makes no sense. He's probably an Alien or something...

[@IanHillan]

Jon Anderson has confirmed, can't remember where, that he never worried at all about what the lyrics mean, but only how they sound. So, yeah, I wouldn't worry about trying to understand them. I'll second the suggestion that you react to the track "Awaken" from Going For The One.

[@WooBino.]

disagree. some paintings are abstract some realistic

[@jamespaivapaiva4460]

great video,honesty is the thing! been a rabid Yes listener since 1970! Just like me you've been Gobsmacked! The music of my generation was wierd and wonderful,it opened me up to appreciate all genres. Keep up the journey peace bro.

[@billbillbillbill9457]

a challenge within a challenge: listen to it five times. Once for vocals, then for guitar, then bass, then keys, then drums. It's hard to focus on just one element without distraction, but it's worth the discipline involved. Then go for a sixth listen. All of the elements united. You'll appreciate it in ways you never would with just one listen.

[@rasengankhan]

That's actually a brilliant idea, I've still only heard it the one time I recorded this video as I planned on saving th second listen for when I listen to the reta of the album start to finish for the next CTTE video. Maybe I'll save the new sixth listen for the video? Depends on how much time I have 😅

[@patrickshaw938]

I shoulda done this year's ago; just recently noticed the grand piano that kicks in after Rick's keyboard solo, and maintains till the end if the track. Gorgeous.

[@latheofheaven1017]

rasengakhan I wonder if I should start up a meta-reaction video channel. I think if someone had watched me watching you take in this song, it would have been very entertaining. I remember when I first heard Close To The Edge, I was dumbfounded, but I wanted to hear it again.. and again and again. You just had the same reaction. Rather than sit and talk about it, you wanted to sit in a dark room with your headphones and listen again. I was grinning from ear to ear, slapping my knee and exclaiming, "Yes! Exactly!" as I watched you being taken over by this weird and wonderful music - just like I was back in 1972. Have fun.

[@rasengankhan]

I would 100% watch people react to me reacting to stuff 🤣 The crazy thing is I haven't gone back to listen to it yet as much as I want to. I decided that after seeing how much better the reception on this video has been, in comparison to my few other reactions, that once I get internet in my new place I'm going to react to the whole album including CTTE in one go. Haven't decided if I leave that part in the video or not but we shall see. It might be a 2 hour video though 😅

[@latheofheaven1017]

@@rasengankhan Well, I'm pretty sure you'll enjoy the 'short' songs that follow! You know, I've been a bit cynical about all the reaction channels springing up. The thought is always, 'how genuine is this?' We crusty old prog rock lovers desperately want to know that, if only the youth of today could be introduced to this much maligned genre, they would realise just how wonderful it is. So there's a market for playing up to that. But your preamble shows (unless you're a world-class actor) that you really hadn't heard this music before, and your comments as you went along were genuine. Oh, and as far as I'm concerned, don't worry about not commenting every 20 seconds. It shows that you were THAT distracted by the music, which is a reaction in itself. Plus, those who know and love the track don't have attention deficit disorder. We can wait. :)

[@glenmacdonald7005]

1972 is the year you want to listen to.

[@keithpasculli7465]

You said it best when you said that this music takes you on a journey. I applaud your open mindedness.

[@tonymoule7061]

Great combination ....tea and prog rock...loved your reaction

[@rasengankhan]

Tea goes well with most things I find.... May be slightly biased but I'm sticking to it 😊

[@GPWalsh]

I am so enjoying him being speechless

[@p.jacobs643]

You stick the earphones on, light up a spliff, close your eyes and off you go...

[@johndotter603]

"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

[@egoequus6263]

Yes is a band of classically trained musicians. This is why you have that complex composition in 3 or more movements with recurring themes interwoven. This song, along with several others, demand many listens. There's a lot going on. I still hear things for the 1st time and wonder if I stumbled on a new variation. If you want total immersion, "Tales from Topographic Oceans" is the one. It's lesser known because of its length (around 80 minutes in 4 songs (movements). It was their most controversial and ambitious and I think is their Magnum Opus in technical achievement even if it is not their most popular or approachable. I challenge anyone to listen to the first 5 minutes and not want to see where the journey leads. If "Close to the Edge" took you to a different land, "Tales" will take you to a distant world in a distant galaxy.

[@paulclarke6536]

Ego, Yes are definitely NOT a classically trained band. Apart from Rick, who IS classically trained, I'm not sure any of the other members are. Chris was a choir boy...

[@RedPillMode]

Came to see this again 😊.

[@rasengankhan]

😁😁😁😁😁😁😁🥳

[@jacquesdemolay2699]

Yes = an invitation to dream.

[@simonoleary9264]

With Yes, the lyrics frequently don't make much sense. But my brother & I have a theory that the lyrics are almost like another percussive instrument, providing another rhythm to the song.

[@thecoogs]

Ahh.......that 70's production! Should be required meditation material for the world

[@StarCitizenSpeakeasy]

You've got a sub my friend...no, my brother.., no my . it's fine, brother is fine.

[@aprilstewart5929]

So, now you have heard prog. Today, you are a man. Quick: more Yes!!!

[@johnwolf3294]

Check out the symphonic version of CTTE. Simply beautiful

[@davidw.hulbertiv5211]

Quite a rabbit hole, eh??? Love your reaction...

[@mauriceforget7869]

Tank you, beautyful imagery in CTTE.

[@ellipattison591]

Back in the day when this album was released it was on 12 inch vinyl. It would have been put onto the turntable and turned on. As the music played, the album cover (often a gatefold even if it was only a single disc album) would be pored over and the artwork, lyrics and every detail would be absorbed so that the whole experience became the album. You mentioned listening to this in a darkened room to remove visual distractions which is a good way to immerse yourself in the sounds. If you can find copies of the original LP covers you could try and experience the album's holistically as we did back before cassette tape recorder/players became mainstream and CDs hadn't been invented!

[@rasengankhan]

Jheeeeeeeeeeeez that sounds like Madness indeed, I will absolutely give that a try one day👌

[@maxsterlingsdf1849]

I'm no older than 40 but have been to over 14 yes concerts with my die hard fan dad. I will say this , its sometimes just better to close your eyes with this band(especially with the album's in the 70's)and let the music take you to that place and let go. If you haven't seen todmobile awaken you should give that live performance a review.

[@your_local_dummy4137]

Trying to do a first listen reaction to Close to the Edge while doing a KZbin video is right up there in degree of difficulty. After a first listen all you can really say is if you like it and will have another few listens. From then this song will grow on you as you find bits you did not notice each time. Now think about this band doing a world tour playing this epic song (and others) live on stage note perfect in the 1970's because they did. One of the greatest live album sets Yessongs was the result.

[@williamvandenberg2295]

I hope you've listened to this again, then again , and then again. Each time you listen, you should try to isolate listen, like, the guitar, then the bass, oh yes , the BASS, then the drums, you get the idea. You were so right, this is a JOURNEY, not a song, it takes you places.

[@ellipseanostalrius1710]

The pattern you picked out in the middle is a small section of Carol of the Bells, very odd you hear that, it isn't really played by Yes in this song, but your association is both appropriate and entirely inferred. Lots of (hard) rock bands have covered it. That solo organ you here is in fact a large organ at a church. You are feeling what you are supposed to. You are correct, this piece is a journey. With the lyrics inspired by the novel Siddharta and the musical arrangement inspired by Jean Sibelius 7th symphony. All that aside, these were top notch musicians who wanted to take you on a journey, which opened with breaking down all of your preconceptions. As far as Jon Anderson's lyrics, don't discount he often selected phonetics over story telling: if it sounded right, it is right.

[@donaldbass6737]

Yes was not a band. Yes was an entity. The dischord at the beginning I think of the elements coming together to form the emergent property of live itself. “Now that you find...Now that you’re whole... Season’s will pass you by...i get up....i get down...”. F-ing Masterpieces. The lyrics are bits and pieces of imagery that collectively make sense at a macro scale but not so much literally. Like an impressionist painting.

[@pinkraven4402]

Btw. when I heard this song for the first time... I did not like it xD It was just too different and I was still a young teen. But now after many listens - it's among my top 5 most beautiful things that I've ever heard. Literally. Other absolutely stunning prog rock songs I suggest you to listen to are: Pink Floyd "Echoes", "Welcome To The Machine" and "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" Genesis "The Firth of Fifth" King Crimson "Starless" Steven Wilson "Luminol" Rush "La Villa Strangiato" and "Cygnus X-1 book II" - this one DEFINITELY with lyrics because they are very important and interesting in this particular song Yes "The Gates of Delirium", "Siberian Khatru", "The Heart of The Sunrise", "Roundabout"... Camel "Ice" and "Lady Fantasy". Generally Pink Floyd is imo best introduction to prog rock because they are very emotional and incorporate many unusual means in they music but are not as technical and difficult if you know what I mean. Cheers! :)

[@Vince-lq3ve]

Alhough some would argue Pink Floyd isn't Progressive Rock (and I do not mean that as a criticism at all!). Is it more Psychedelic Rock? Space Rock? Psycho-Analytic Rock? But back to Prog Rock big three: Genesis (70's), King Crimson, Yes and not in any order as they are all unique and amazing with a ton to follow at very close to the same level: Rush, ELP, Jethro Tull, ELO, then the Cult Classics: Camel, Renaissance, Audience, Gentle Giant, etc etc... OK I missed a few, help me out Proggers...

[@pinkraven4402]

@@Vince-lq3ve I think you got it slightly wrong ;P Only early Pink Floyd recordings are psychedelic/space rock (with few exceptions). Imo Atom Heart Mother was their last album that could be considered as psychedelic. Some of their songs like "Echoes" or "Dogs" are definitely progressive but generally I think the most fitting term for their music is art rock which is something between classic and progressive rock. Usually art rock songs are rather traditional in the context of the structure but progressive in the choice of arrangement, all the decorations etc. For example - "Us and Them" - the structure is fairy traditional - simple verse-chorus with couple solos. But the saxophone, instrumentation, arrangement is not classic rock, it's the progressive element of it. Pink Floyd is on the edge of prog rock. They experiment a lot but are just not as technical nor using a lot of odd time signatures and other complex features which classify them as (mostly) art rock for me ;) I could be wrong but lemme know what you think about it ;P

[@Vince-lq3ve]

@@pinkraven4402 I think you nailed it pretty well with your comments above regarding Pink Floyd. I really like Pink Floyd but I always thought that maybe they weren't quite that Progressive label (though sometimes labels suck anyways) but something close. That's why I was hesitant to agree with them as a starting point for Progressive rock. Maybe some King Crimson as many point to them as a pioneer of true Prog . But you've described Pink Floyd quite well. Is The Wall a Progressive Rock album? Definitely a Concept Album. It's one of my all time fav's. Maybe Prog needs a bit of fantasy where as Floyd seems to carry more of a dark message in a less complicated musical presentation. I dunno. Ramblin a bit.

[@reaganl.5113]

Yes is one of my favorite bands. Close to the Edge is one of those albums that should be heard as a whole piece. If you have ever heard the term by the hippie generation "its a trip" or "what a trip" this song is a great example of what that means. When it was released it was a common album to listen to while 'trippin' on acid or mushrooms. But it truely is a trip to listen to without the drugs. It is one of those songs that takes you on a journey, an almost magical place, 'down on the end, round by the corner. Down at the edge round by the river, seasons will pass you by...' I challenge you to listen to the albums of theirs in 1971-79. You will find they all have a magical/mystical feel that will lift your spirit. Relayer, Tormato, Tales From Topographic Oceans, The Yes album and Fragile are examples. Music isn't written like this anymore, or if it is I haven't found it.

[@frankalfar]

Please don't count out Going for the One w Awaken, Wonderous Stories, Parallels and Going for the One and Turn of the Century.

[@reaganl.5113]

@@frankalfar Drama and Going for the One are albums from that time but different musically than the ones I mentioned.

[@67Svenski]

Progressive Rock makes use of alternate time signatures, longer songs which can develop a tension and a resolve of the tension that you wont find in 3 minute radio songs. Also you will find the players are not just jamming on a couple of chords to the end of the song. The songs have a definite introduction, middle parts with solos which all resolve into a beautiful ending. Ultimate tension in music can be found with "Red" by King Crimson. "Yes" were top performers as well as Genesis, Pink Floyd and there are many other bands with this type of skill in this Genre. By stopping in the middle of the song, you just ruined the build of the tension but am glad you liked it....there is so much more waiting for you. Kudos for the outer space effect!

[@rasengankhan]

Ahhh man I'm gutted I did that, I know how annoying it can be to watch someone stop a song at a great part 😭 I will try turn it back further next time

[@harmono8766]

Although instrumentally Close to the Edge is great, the real gem on the album is 'And You And I'.

[@mjc01]

Indiscipline. King Crimson. Are you ready for it?

[@benjaminsanabria6021]

Jesus is right, everyone's reaction when listen for the first time 🙏👏👏👏

[@markwiesenmeyer8838]

You need to listen to there song's lyrics, they are the key !!!!!.I grew up with this band and it has changed my life. !!

[@mjc01]

Sit and listen to the whole thing. Just listen. If you have to do that before the reaction, that's OK. You, as a listener, are missing so much by chopping it up like this. This is one of the absolute master pieces of Progressive Rock.

[@Nikioko]

Progressive Rock simple means that there is a progress in the music (like in classical music) rather than just repeating verses and refrain.

[@rodneydavenport4646]

I apologize for stating this, but I see why you only have 278 subscribers. And by the way my senior year in high school was 1971 and yes was already around in the late 60s.

[@jtjdrums]

Try the live version of Gates of Delirium from YesShows. I think that's Yes at the peak of their performance powers... Imho of course. The band was on fire.

[@cookmoore3736]

Roger Dean is their artist of albums

[@mauriceforget7869]

Best sound.

[@lawrence1389u]

Check out videos from the live performances from the album. The visuals of the live show is almost as good as the music itself.

[@234cheech]

a lot of progs has long tracks its how it was

[@jimhayes3225]

It's called Progressive Rock

[@mauricestevenson5740]

CUT PARTS OF IT OUT? What?!!!!! Yeah, that 9th Symphony by that crusty old German geezer gets a bit tedious in places - we will just edit them out. "Feel like I am being taken on a journey" - ah, the penny is getting close to being dropped, like, close to the edge. Got it? See what I did there? Patience, my son. Big Ricky W has yet to make his presence properly felt. Ho, ho, ho. Later: that thing that sounds like an organ is (wait for it) an organ. A real one in an ecclesiastical building, normally only used on Sundays while a congregation sings hymns. This means that, if you are a late 60s prog-rock band with a very talented keyboard player with a classical training, and he decides that he would like to use a real organ for one of the organ parts, there is not much problem finding one that he can use. Glad you enjoyed it. By the way, there is no regulation about how long a music track should be. The limitations are/were imposed by radio stations more concerned about fitting ads into a block of time than delivering actual art.

[@grewsumdrew4641]

For more weird Max Webster - Toronto's tontos and everything Frank Zappa ever published. For context prog bands are just bands that avoid the mainstream formula for song structure and tend to write and arrange closer to classic symphonies format.

[@daftfish99]

Where are you fella?

[@skybluemarshall]

The terms you were searching for are called polyrhythms and polyphonic sounds. You're hearing two or more distinct rythms at that same time and various tones, some of which might not seem to go with some of the instruments, while at the same time, they fit perfectly with other sounds and rhythms that are being produced. To the untrained ear, it can sound like musical chaos at times, but once the listener stops comparing what they are hearing, to more conventional styles of music with less complex rhythms, they will find that there are multiple rhythms, beats and tones to follow. I always get a kick out of watching people who are new to polyrhythmic music, trying to move their heads and bodies in a smooth, soulful manner with the music. It looks so awkward. It's like, "I Found the beat. Nice! Nope, I lost it again. Ooh! What's happening over here? That is so freakin cool! Nope, I lost it. WTF is this music? I give up. I'm just gonna chill, sit back, listen to everything and see where all of this is going". "Hey! I get it now!"

[@anahatatutu]

Yes are unsurpassed musical giants. React to "Awaken" by them! If you dug this, you will dig that.

[@frankalfar]

Awaken is the song that puts its all in perspective.

[@SoloGuitar1000]

Even weirder - "Gates Of Delirium" from "Relayer" describes an Apocalyptic battle.

[@topographic1973ify]

Relayer is my favorite Yes album. I love GOD (it's amazing how many don't get that) but Soundchaser is my all time favorite Yes song. Too bad Moraz didn't blend personality-wise with the band. I really thought he added an amazing element.

[@BassGoBomb]

Relayer is an amzing album ... :-)

[@p.jacobs643]

@@topographic1973ify I love To Be Over from Relayer. The slide guitar just knocks me out and some of the bass playing is wicked silly. It also reminds me of Christmas.

[@davidflinn4521]

Its the Battle of Borodino from Tolstoy's War and Peace.

[@Raiderblack]

Kings of Progressive Rock! Yes!

[@Frankincensedjb123]

Two words: Chris Squire

[@stevegirardmedia2255]

You hit all the normal reaction points; “Jesus”, speechless, goosebumps, don’t know how to feel, don’t know what to think... you’ve arrived at the Yes space on your life gameboard. I would strongly advise keeping this band in your life, because it will stretch your awareness in music, art and life... and how Yes connects them all to you.

[@frankalfar]

Awaken by Yes is a masterpiece almost a religious experience.

[@MrHypermoto]

the eastern guitar riff still gets me every time

[@johncase2408]

This song can speak to anyone's spiritual path without having to spell it out. It's almost like a guide to reach an individualistic spiritualism. You don't have to even be religious to appreciate it's message.

[@frankalfar]

Well said I truly believe that Awaken is musically an ascension of the soul from the start of Wakeman's almost waking of a flourish of piano at the beginning to the almost floating Corrales and keys etc to the build of the almost gregorian chant vocal style to the glorious pipe organ segment to the crescendo of the full ensemble building ever higher to the , in the symphonic version , the molto rit. that almost stretches the accents to the end of the notes possibilities to the glorious circle of fifths passage that just washes over your soul like no other song ever written only to settle to Anderson telling you of the peace achieved by this voyage . Ended by a almost back down to Earth bluesy riff by Mr. Howe.

[@alanweissaltz1012]

Not almost it is!!!

[@kevinbrookes5760]

Love Awaken and saw Yes perform it in 1977 at Empire Pool (as was) Wembley. Always has bee a favourite and a true musical experience. However listen to Todmobile from Iceland perform it with Jon Anderson it is truly wonderful

[@mackeymintle66]

It was designed to play in a loop... The more you listen, the better it gets. I’m not the only one who will resonate with your reaction . It happened so long ago that I can barely remember the feeling of discovering Yes... Your reaction is the closest Ive seen to how I remember it feeling. I hope you enjoy the rest of Yes’ songs.

[@rasengankhan]

Thank you for your comment, hearing that my reaction was the closest you've seen to remembering how it felt is an honour to be honest. I will be coming back to Yes for sure :)

[@keithpasculli7465]

The first time I heard this I could not help but to marvel at the thought that someone not all that much older than myself actually wrote this piece of music. I would listen to this album with my best friend in his room and we would just hang out and be amazed.

[@kevinburke5463]

Whenever you hear progressive rock, you should do so with a clear and open mind...which you did. There are numerous hallmarks of prog rock. Some of which are complex layering of sounds, numerous time signature changes, not to mention incorporating elements of rock, jazz, classical, and blues. For example, you mentioned early on during the song about instruments making all different sounds that don’t seem like they should mesh together, and yet they do. If you listen to jazz, it’s much the same. Individually, the instruments appear to be playing something that is totally apart from each other, but they somehow inexplicably merge to make a great sound. When you first listen to prog rock, it may be rather confusing because it’s flow is not as predictable as other genres of rock. Progressive is not just something you listen to... it’s something you experience.

[@budmaynard5952]

My favorite piece of music ever. Smart move NOT watching lyrics. Jon's lyrics are very poetic and are meant to evoke mood. IMHO, you just got done listening to five of the most talented musicians ever. Rick Wakeman's keyboards (piano, Hammond B-3 organ, Pipe organ recorded in a cathedral, Mellotron and Mini-Moog synthesizers) are what contributed to a lot of the atmosphere, but also the Hammond organ solo near the end is probably the best rock organ solo ever. Chris Squire's bass is so heavy and funky and really plays almost like a guitar or keyboard part at times. Steve Howe's guitar is amazing in this he is constantly playing riff's and leads that draw on different genres. The odd sounding guitar parts he plays are on a Danelectric Sitar guitar which has sympathetic strings that resonate when the main strings are played like a sitar. Jon Anderson's vocals are so distinct with his raspy voice and amazing vocal range (without using falsetto), and Chris and Steve sing the background vocals and they have somewhat similar sounding voices which allows them to blend in well with Jon's vocals. Thank you for doing this.

[@jakeenan]

Then you go and forget to mention the GREAT Bill Bruford. Haha

[@yaelrar.4460]

You're listening to bona fide musical masters. Each a genius on their instrument. You need to listen to their album, "Relayer". It is a musical masterpiece.

[@topographic1973ify]

This is not just a studio work. I've seen it live several times and it's mind blowing. I still have my original vinyl from 1972; I know it sounds corny, but this album changed my life. You should check out more Yes, it's like they're finally being re-discovered. I have (modestly) a monstrously huge collection of stuff by the band and by the individual musicians. You might remember one song by them: OWNER OF A LONELY HEART which caused a huge rift in the fan base but it saved the band at the time. Close To The Edge has the "classic" lineup and there have been a LOT of lineup changes since then. I would suggest some of the live stuff. I would also encourage you to check out ABWH when there were actually two versions of Yes running around the countryside. Yes's history is pretty crazy. I really encourage you to listen to more.

[@Tapas08]

Hari Masterpiece of prog rock and a classic that one can listen to over and over again (50 years for me) and not get bored. A symphony.

[@topographic1973ify]

@@Tapas08 Same for me

[@RayVRoberts]

Seeing the Yessongs tour, Tales tour and Relayer tour changed my life...

[@topographic1973ify]

@@RayVRoberts I believe it.

[@williamburkholder769]

First experience? Original vinyl... 1972... altered state... dark room... headphones... immediately listened to it again. Heard it often. I hear something new every time I play it. Be patient and don’t stop a Yes song. Their music is among the most complex recorded-ever! Relayer is even deeper and more intricate than this. The Yes Album Fragile Close to the Edge Yessongs Tales from Topographic Oceans Relayer Those are the most important albums they made. It takes a lot of time to hear all that. You won’t be bored!

[@imfranki]

This song and the GREAT playing by Chris Squire turned me onto bass guitar so much so that I took it up and played for over 10 years.

[@xlerb_again_to_music7908]

prog = progressive: to extend, improve, do more, to advance the art. Yes. Ras, you have fallen into the hands of masters. Oh, LOTS of replay value. Listen to this again in a week, a year, and you will hear more...

[@miguelbarahona6636]

It's a bit weird, but since Close to The Edge, prog music doesn't have progressed. This album was the peak of the genre, IMHO.

[@13tread]

Very WELL said !!! Lol Hell YES

[@golions13579]

This is quite possibly the greatest progressive rock tune

[@morbidmanmusic]

have a cover soundcloud.com/morbidman/close-to-the-edge-yes-cover

[@Sober2003]

Great job! When you don't know what to say say nothing. Your quite an honest guy! This music really takes you on a journey. I have been listening to yes from there beginnings! Enjoyed your commentary! Listen to Yes you and I or Heart of the sunrise you'll be happy you did!

[@genestippell1833]

The greatest and most powerful ending in rock history.

[@davidzornes6863]

Yes's best lp is live YESSONGS" the BEST.

[@michaelbeerbados3291]

ABSOLUTELY.. no live album touches Yessongs.. how a band writing that music could outdo it live is unbelievable !!

[@davidzornes6863]

@@michaelbeerbados3291 Isaw them in 71 at Huntington, WVa. It was the 1st time I hit a doobie. ..The first 30 mins I thought they were chicks. all those fowling frilly clothes. plus I had seen Sabbath a few weeks earlier..

[@topographic1973ify]

Still have my original triple vinyl LP of Yessongs. That was quite an album jacket. I used to drag it around and play it for all my friends trying to convert them to Yes.

[@rphx27]

Yours is no disgrace live is incredible!

[@ColpoRosso]

Yesshows is awesome too

[@CarnorJast1138]

Yes is and always will be one of the greatest prog-rock bands of all-time. Along with early Genesis, these two bands constitute the bulk of what can be considered the best in prog-rock music! Close to the Edge is an amazing masterpiece from Yes, and is truly one of their greatest songs. But for THIS Yes fanatic, I will and always have loved the song, The Gates of Delirium. Relayer is one incredible piece of work, but TGoD is truly, for me, Yes' greatest single song they ever wrote! Close to the Edge is right there with it, though, don't get me wrong, but for me, TGoD is just a BIT better over-all, especially with the ending song, Soon. But I too was introduced to Yes with this album, and I now have 29 CD's of theirs! What a band!

[@patburroughs1411]

Yes: masters at melding seemingly disparate parts into a cohesive whole.

[@726taino]

I was 13 years old in 1972 and I will always remember how I felt after listening to Close to the Edge. In 2019 47 years afters yes released this masterpiece I still get goosebumps.

[@gregdietz5183]

YES recorded a few epic masterpieces. What sets this one apart from the others is the presence of drummer Bill Bruford. What he does in the first three minutes of this song is pure genius and unprecedented or unequaled in rock music.

[@markwiesenmeyer8838]

You have gone of the deep end here ! YESSONGS is a live performance, done after The CLOSE to the EDGE album came out. They performed the whole CLOSE to the EDGE album , and FRAGILE album also ! When at there concerts it sounds exactly like the album. There music has religious connotations , I can recite the words to the song's before they come out of Jon's mouth ! ENJOY. !!!

[@johncase2408]

Close to the Edge is a great song to get baptized into the ethereal world of YES.

[@LambLiesDownOnBroadway]

Immediately when the main guitar kicks in after Jon Anderson goes "Da Da Daaaaaaaaaaah" I knew that this was a masterpiece... ;)

[@rollomaughfling380]

You should listen to the rest of the album (2 songs) in one go. And You and I, Siberian Khatru.

[@xlerb_again_to_music7908]

And at some point you'll bump into Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon. This is another brain trip, but very different. _please_ don't listen to individual tracks - optimal experience is to have a glass of wine, get in a quiet (dark?) space for an hour, and listen from start to finish. This is a life-experience we are talking here.

[@rasengankhan]

I'm sold on the life experience 👌 Might end up being a cup of tea though ☕

[@jandenbrok9574]

You said 'I wanna sit in bed, with all the lights off, and listen to this'. That said it all. I loved to see (and hear) you go through this.