I had the CTTE tape in my car stereo the day when I drove my mother for 2.5 hours to visit her sister. She looked at the speakers and then me when it started (not all that loud) and then settled down to listen to it. She was a classical pianist and piano teacher and had often sneered at the three-chord rubbish that was pop music at the time, even in the early 1970s. She listened to the whole album and then, when went to switch the stereo over to FM radio, she said, "Leave it. Play it again!" So I did. I asked her if she liked it, and she harrumphed a bit (she was good at that) and said. "It was interesting!". Some weeks later I was at her house for something or other and noticed the CTTE LP cover sitting on the side of the stereo. I never said a word ...
For me, the more I listen to the first "chaotic" part, the less chaotic it becomes. And I've been listening to it often for a bit over 50 years. The Best song ever, from the best album ever, from the best band ever. Thanks !! for diving into YES.
I see the chaos as a metaphor for our stressed overly self consumed existence. It sets up the whole piece. Without being close to the edge there is nothing to grow from. How aware they were of this and how much it is my own experience isn’t important to me.
Not taxing at all. All pure, pure joy!! I never get tired of this. That bit when it goes from the chaos at the start into the guitar theme always gives me chills and bring a tear to my eye. First heard this when I was 10 and I wouldn’t be overstating it if I said it changed my life. Genius.
@@stephanechamberland8486 Revealing Science of God and Ritual are top tier Yes IMO. The Remembering and The Ancient require more staying power but are not without merit and both have wonderful moments.
"Close your eyes and listen." As most of us Yes fans well know, Yes music requires the listener to immerse themselves, within the privacy of one's own head, and with repeated listenings; therefore to allow the music to carry you on a journey within one's own soul. With Peace and Love to all! (Michael)
Ultimate Classic Rock's Top 50 Progressive Rock Songs 1. Yes, "Close to the Edge" How did Yes do this? Seriously? Even beyond the vast emotional impact of "Close to the Edge," this 19-minute rock symphony is a marvel of construction - like any towering skyscraper or suspension bridge. The band stitched together the song from various fragments, and engineer Eddie Offord was their behind-the-scenes magician, achieving cohesion within the constant tonal shifts. All the brain-smashing counterpoint, psych-fusion doodling (the free-form opening inspired by Mahavishnu Orchestra) and call-and-response serenity - it's the pinnacle of progressive rock. "Each part of [the song] 'Close to the Edge' in itself, is a segment," Steve Howe told Newsweek, reflecting on the piece's fluid form. "Like when you take the void in the middle, with the 'In her white lace' and 'I get up, I get down' with the organ. That's another world." Come to think of it, "Another World" would have been a pretty good title. - Ryan Reed, UCR
Thanks for listening to it all! I haven't thought of how difficult it must be for a first-timer. We old timers who have heard this track literally 20-100 times have it ingrained in our heads. I forgot how taxing that first section can be for newbies! Thanks for listening to it!
The first section is about chaos and is intended to make you feel uncomfortable with your present state. When I heard this in 1972, it took me several listens to get a feel for the whole thing. What I love about Yes music is that it’s not easy, but you get so much from it if you put the effort in - just like the great symphonies from the classical composers of the romantic era.
For me, the most perfect prog song ever, just perfect, it ends as it begins, the explosion at the beginning is like being in the middle of chaos that then calms down in different parts... One section leads to the other and takes elements from the previous one, the ending links all the sections into one... It's really impressive what they achieved... Many other long and complex works are more "different parts all united", but here there is a complete cohesion with everything, very difficult to achieve... Without a doubt my favorite song by Yes, a masterpiece that I never been tired of listening again...
The first part is chaotic because that’s the point. Order is created out of the chaos. Having been listening to prog rock for 50 years, this is, in my opinion, the greatest prog rock song of all time. If you listen to it more, I’m certain it will grab you like me and countless others. It’s just stupendous, as are the other 2 tracks on this album.
Ranked No. 1 on uDiscoverMusic's Best Prog Rock Songs. Bruford: "The thing about "Close to the Edge" is the form, I think. The shape of it is perfect. It's a real little part of history and it just fit on the side of an album perfectly... I don't think we had any idea of its length and I don't think we said, "Oh! Let's make this the side of an album."" This song really does go places no other band has done; or rather, it’s a gold standard that was never surpassed. Every aspect of this, the consummate Yes song, in terms of conception and delivery, is virtually flawless: from the slow-burning build-up to the crashing intensity of the first several minutes, to the operatic majesty of the middle section, (“I get up, I get down”), to the effulgent conclusion, bringing the end right back to the beginning before fading out. “Close to the Edge” maintains an unprecedented (and unparalleled) force of conviction that never flags: Everyone assembled works in service of the song and the result is a tight, unified, utterly convincing proclamation that's just under 19 minutes of ceaselessly renewed ecstasy. - Edited excerpts from PopMatters
FUN FACT: the 9 strips of tape hanging to dry in the studio - the last 3 minutes section was thrown out by the cleaning lady - jon spent all night desperately cleaning it up..
The "chaotic"part is in fact pretty straightforward. Squire starts playing an ascendig scale in slow notes in the strong beats of the bar ( 12/8 or perhaps 6/8)and then plays a sequence around those notes, over and over and over. Wakeman is playing the exact same notes several octaves above and twice as fast. That's all they do except for the odd "stop and go" moments where Anderson's voice steps in. All the chaos is provided by Howe and Bruford, who follows and reacts to the things Howe is doing. That's the only improvisation going on
"Picture this...Sicily...1915..." no, what, that is Sophia Patrillo.... Imagine a 15 year old girl, Dallas, with headphones and a bean bag chair. Putting this album on for the first time in 1975. Complete ear bliss. Thank you. I can, and have, listened to this day in and day out. Peace and Love everyone!!
It was 1972. The hit songs were Rocket Man, Smoke On The Water, Schools Out and Ziggy Stardust just to name a few. Roundabout was the only Yes song on the radio and it was very overplayed. Then Close To The Edge came out. Way , way ahead of its time. Progressive rock wasn't even a genre. You're absolutely right about not absorbing this song after just one listen. For me the trick was to stop concentrating on the separate instruments and to close my eyes and enjoy the journey the music took me on. I was 16 when this came out and I had no idea music could be so euphoric. I've heard this song hundreds of times in live performances and to me it truly stands the test of time.
When I first heard this (1974?) it profoundly changed what I thought music is or could be. I do remember thinking the later sections following the pipe organ were my favorite moments but that has changed... I love every bit if it now... after several million listens 😂 But now my favorite sections include the chaotic beginning, which is no longer chaotic enough for me.
This is what makes Yes so wonderful. You are right in that pieces of music like this require repeated listenings, not only does the appreciation grow but there's always something new that pops out that you haven't noticed before. Songs like CTTE are true journeys/adventures. Now speaking of "taxing", I think that will really apply to the next album Tales... which i have a feeling you might not enjoy so much (aside from the fact that it has four 20 min tracks - yes, that's right, 4x 20 min tracks) -- I never did totally wrap my head around that one. But don't fret - Relayer comes after that, and oooh man!!!
LOL! I LOVE how CTTE messes with people's brains. The open chaos is actually quite choreographed in the way it builds but not for the first time. The AHHH breaks are to tell you that it's not madness. The thing about their sections is that they blend perfectly, and YES definitely returns to sections but never the same way after giving some new taste of deliciousnees to feast on! HAHA. This shook up Prog in 72. I was 16 and saw them from 71-79 always with my friend then ELLIS D. then from 96-04 before Jon A. left for good.
After 52 years and a few hundred listens(yep), that opening segment finally jels into an almost unbelievable piece of organized disruption. Every sound finally on cue. It does become whole.
I got this album for Christmas when I was 21. The first time I put the needle to the vinyl, I thought, "What in the world IS this???" The first three minutes are challenging listening, especially to the uninitiated. But now I'm 71 and have heard this record countless times over 50 years. It still stands up, and is, IMHO, the pinnacle achievement of progressive rock music in general, and of Yes in particular. Amazing; still breath-taking.
The beginning is intentional, when you have listened to it a few more times, it will make sense. Close to the Edge, without any doubt a true classic. It will still be being played a hundred years time.
I think Close To The Edge is actually cohesive as a unified whole, and it does take several listens to "get it." I wouldn't call it "taxing" as much as it is "challenging," but that is my take. Since the piece is involved with ideas of enlightenment and spiritual awareness, I've always taken the opening cacophony to be illustrative of the busy back and forth of the rat-race with occasional moments of clarity. "I Get Up I Get Down" as a pivot in the song to some sort of key to enlightenment and that amazing keyboard solo (originally intended for the guitar) as being a through-line to an "enlightened path through life." Again, just my take. Live recordings of the piece are instructive on how to make sense of the work, especially some of the bootlegs of them playing it circa 1975 where Howe's guitar playing is off the rails, and Anderson, Squire, and Howe singing three part harmony - mighty fine stuff from my perspective. I don't think of it as a song per se, but closer to a symphony with its four movements. Check out Sibelius' Symphony Nº 7 in C. I'll be interested in your take on "And You And I." Thanks!
Well done for tackling this, my favourite song of all time in my opinion. I’ve loved it from thee first three times that I listened to it the first time thst I heard it in late 1972. I’ve lost count of the hundreds times I’ve listened to it these last 52 years.
This is the Album that made me fall in love with YES. I listened over and over and over again. Every time I heard something I missed before. I was so impressed with the sounds they produced this all in the early 70's. From that point on I was all in on Prog Rock, which they are the grandfathers of prog. Jon Anderson's iconic voice. Chris Squire on Bass played with a pick. Bill Bruford on Drums a jazz drummer in a prog band. Steve Howe an amazing guitarist. And of course Rick Wakeman on keys the greatest of all time. Their time changes out of nowhere so smooth. They never stepped on each others toes in their music.
I started with the Yes Album and didn’t really follow them but was introduced to Close to the Edge and and Tormato. I saw that tour and was amazed. At that time they were my second favorite band-Jethro Tull was and still my number one favorite. Got to see Yes five times in concert and it was always great! Keep listening to the incredible music from the following albums
One of those magic songs that can make some people say "WHAT?" with their first listen, but just gets better and better the more you listen to and learn this masterpiece. Too complex for the average top-ten listener but a gem to music lovers. Glad you made it here.
I've seen other "reactors" go into this with no expectations, become very confused at the beginning, then be brought to tears by "I get up." Glad you are tackling this album! Great commentary.
I've always said, first time you put on clothes to the edge, you experience it. I remember I was by myself when I first heard this, and when it was over, I said what the f*** was that? In a good way. I stared at the wall for about 5 seconds coming back to reality. Then with that majestic ending, in the middle section ending with the pipe organ, I said I got to hear that again. I immediately Play it again, now that I knew whats coming, I had a chance to actually listen to it. The second time all the pieces start to fit together. From the second listen to this day, it's one of the most astonishing pieces of music I ever heard. Though the individual lyrics don't make sense, over a few listens a theme does appear. The ending is so uplifting and epic it's a perfect exclamation point for the end of the piece. The grand finale that ties everything together, like reaching your destination on a long train journey, where you get off.
Much like Dark Side of the Moon or Animals by Pink Floyd, I always found the ideal listening position for this song was laying down on the floor in a dark room wearing headphones.
As you've already discovered by now, "And You And I" will deliver exactly the melodic and accessible fix that CTTE has you craving. For most who were quite young when we first heard it, that was figuratively as well as literally the center of the album. But, man, has CTTE grown on me over the years!
I'm glad you mentioned the Mahavishnu Orchestra influence. At the time, we recognized it immediately--Bruford and all us drummers were in awe of Billy Cobham and his influence is strong as well. Out of chaos, harmony.
On Yessongs Movie you can see Howe on elec sitar. What an imaginative player! Acoustic 12 string and steel guitar on And You and I, acoustic 6 string on Clap, elec sitar on cute, Gibson L5 on standby. What a guy! You'll love seeing him workout on Movie.
Heard it for the first time some 20 years ago and it totally blew my mind. It was so far ahead of everything I heard previously that I started to look at music in a totally different way. No, I never felt its disjointed, for me the song flows perfectly from section to section and is quite easy to follow. As my doorway to prog it played its role perfectly. Give it 2-3 more listens, I'm sure it will grow on you!
You're absolutely right. You have to listen to it multiple times and yeah, the 1st part isn't as easy to latch on to as the rest of it. Helluva piece though! Thanks for posting this.
I always thought that the POINT of the "chaos" part was to shake you out of your "oh, I'm just listening to some groovy songs" frame of mind ... to make you sit up and listen. Remember, it was the day of the groovy FM stations, where you kind of hunkered in and grooved for a while. Then, this song comes along to destroy that mellowness ... and once they have your attention, they take you on a wonderful journey.
I've made this comment before on other channels - to me, this era of Yes is modern classical music, which (I guess) a lot of people people consider taxing, even back when this came out. Fortunately classical music has somewhat found it's way back into popular culture in the form of video game soundtracks, and it's sensibilities and instrumentation aren't as foreign to folks as it was, say back in the 80's and 90's. Granted, the arrangements are still shorter and more easily digestible, but that could change as well. I get that people want short, concise songs (i enjoy that as well) but thankfully bands like Yes and Genesis showed that more can be done with rock music as an art form. I definitely don't like prog (or jazz or any genre for that matter) for prog's sake, but when it's good it's really satisfying. Yes didn't always stick the landing with some stuff (looking at you, Tales From topographic Oceans) but when they did it's some of my favorite music of all time, and for me this is one of those pieces. Regardless of all of that nonsense, i am grateful that younger folks are at least giving this music a chance, and kudos to you for doing so!
Hey Justin, what you described as taxing for me is what makes it so riveting and listenable again and again for the past 50 years. It’s like watching an incredible movie with twists and turns. Even if you know the plot, you appreciate the storytelling and musicianship and the emotional ride.
I first heard this at 13, in '74 on my older brothers high end Yamaha system, along with the entire neighborhood. I don't know if they were impressed, but I surely was. Masterpiece IMO
What's interesting about that keyboard solo is that I learned it on the guitar for our band because I thought it sounded like a guitar solo, then many years later, I read that Howe had originally written it on the guitar. Brilliant minds think alike. 😅🤣😂 As for taxing on the listener, never saw it. I've listened to this song and the album dozens of times and enjoyed every moment of every listen. I guess that's the difference between a true fan and a casual.
This album and Fragile completely changed the way I experienced rock music. This cd is always on my home and car disc players. I love the extra tracks on Rhino’s expanded release.
Wakeman’s keyboard solo (located after the song comes back from the edge and finds the total mass retain groove) never gets old. It’s the best keyboard solo ever IMO. And it is in a sound that is not dated (see: Kansas) I always felt it was to overlook the fact Rick plays one note in the verse part over and over.
Yeah, it's hard to get somebody to listen to this album if they can't get through the first 3 minutes. It's (controlled?) chaos. But the more I listen to it...the more I appreciate it. It gives you "hints" of the beautiful vocal harmonies to come, if you can endure. Fifty years ago...this was transformative. Like nothing else I had ever heard. And you DO have to relisten many times to REALLY get it. The album "flow" is amazing also, as it moves into "And You and I", and then abruptly "attacks you" with "Siberian Khatru". Thanks for your most excellent channel. I see you just posted "And You and I"...see you there!
My favorite musical piece, from my favorite album from my favorite band. CTTE is an epic journey musically and spiritually. It kept me from going "over the edge" several times in my life. The piece begins in chaos as our lives and experiences usually do Side 2 is also a Masterpiece. Thank you for reacting and so glad you are experiencing Yes!
@tobytanzer he already did Going For The One a while back at my request. Parts of it require multiple listens as well but he did "get" Awaken first listen. His reaction to Turn Of The Century surprised me. What a beautiful song. I want him to do Tormato. He has done On The Silent Wings Of Freedom and liked it...
First listen I certainly get it. It's alot to take in but boy does it grow on you over time. Harkening back to Awaken I think you "got it" much quicker. Gun to my head I would pick Awaken over this but it's close. As I have mentioned previously and this may be heresy to many Yes fans but I would skip Tales. I have all these 70's albums and plenty of their solo albums as well(Fish Out Of Water etc) but Tales was even too much for me. I have had it for almost 50 years and I think I listened to it once lol. And You And I is beautiful and you already know Siberian Khatru is great. Cheers you made it through CTTE and your reaction was better than expected. Yessongs is almost a must. What a great live album...Cheers
Overwhelming love for this tune in the comments. So much depends upon what terms like "choreographed," "chaotic," and "cohesive" are intended to mean. There are awesome segments within CTTE, and whether repeated lines like "I get up, I get down" fit into the "concept," the question to me is, is it musically interesting? I hear the composition unfolding like scenes from a play where musical congruence is related to storyline shifts. Floyd, Zappa, Genesis employ this prog element. I'm glad so many love CTTE because it promotes a greater breadth of musical expression and experimentation. I agree with J., at 8:45 (in this vid.), the tune moves into the masterclass zone and is musically killer!~
Sneaky boy -- posting this the same day as your overview. But awesome reaction! Your face: "All right -- there's side 1." 😆 But believe me -- for a first listen your reaction is pretty much the same as everyone who heard this for the first time: "What the hell was THAT?". And sure, following so quickly on the heels of ambitious songs like "Heart of the Sunrise" it's no wonder that Yes (Jon, really) wanted to push the envelope even further. As you can imagine, the challenge would become how do you top something like this? That's why Bill Bruford left. He famously said "The only thing I could see Yes doing after "Close To The Edge" was "Son Of Close To The Edge". Which is basically what happened on 'Tales From Topographic Oceans' (preview: Jon and Steve set The Bible to music.) By the way, you won't hurt my feelings if you decide to skip that one. But if you decide that you can stomach something like 'Close To The Edge' then I encourage you to give the 1975 album 'Relayer' a try. It's structured a lot like this album, although musically it has a bit more 70's jazz fusion flavor courtesy Rick Wakeman's successor, Patrick Moraz. Anyways, can't wait to see you breathe easier with "And You And I"! 😀
Yeah, but he found CTTE taxing, he may find Tales from Topographic Oceans even more difficult to get through! But I love Tales!!! You just have to be patient and Listen.
@@saurian11 He found it taxing on the first listen, but then admitted he immediately needed to hear it again... and probably again... 😉 The assumption is -- as was the case for most of us -- after a few repeat listens the fog starts to lift on the 'taxing' stuff. It's not the complexity within the music that threw him, just the constant and quick changes on those first few sections. Plus it's admittedly pretty dense stuff, and even Justin was confusing keyboard parts for the guitar.
This was written during a particularly bleak period in the history of Northern Ireland, when sectarian violence was a constant feature of TV news bulletins in the UK. The section 'I Get Up I Get Down' was inspired by footage of women mourning their loved ones as their bodies were laid to rest. Having said that, it's a timeless piece of music that sounds as fresh and invigorating as it did half a century ago. You'll listen to a lot of songs before you find a better lyric than "I crucified my hate and held the world within my hand" or one that has more relevance to our present-day zeitgeist. And just so it doesn't come as a complete surprise, Side Two sees Yes reach heights they were never quite able to scale again. You've heard nothing yet.
I loved it on first listen especially the audacity of the improvised intro but It took about 3 or 4 listens to begin to grasp the nuances throughout. it's beautifully constructed and still the quickest 18 mins in rock.
The first part is chaotic by design but still highly structured. The verses between i) The Solid Time Of Change and iii) I Get Up I Get Down, are (to me) very melodic. The middle section--I Get Up I Get Down--is absolutely heavenly and iv) Seasons Of Man is classic prog at its 70s best. You're right, that it will take several listens to fully appreciate this masterpiece, and it would help if you were already a progressive rock fan to begin with, which is why I loved this right out of the box. I was listening to a steady diet of prog for about 2 years before I first heard it. Thank you, always for your honesty, JP!
Yeah - I've always found the first section to be the hardest part to get through. I first heard CTTE back in high-school in the mid-to late 70s, and my main thought on the intro section has always been "let's see how fast Steve Howe can play guitar". The rest of the piece I really like a lot. But you're right Justin - the more you listen to the whole thing and gain familiarity with it, one can come to appreciate it.
When you've listened to it a couple of times, try the live version on Yessongs (the album, not the movie!). Then you'll notice that they play the seemingly chaotic part of the beginning almost note for note like the studio version. No chaos here. More a composed wild ride as the start of a musical journey.
Yes, holds together well. Returning themes.both musical and lyrical, works for me. Bill and Chris are in sync and driving most of the song. In quiet part 1st vocals are Steve on one side and Chris on the other. They were trying to expand what a song could be.
Love that Mass Retain section. Howe does his Theatre's of the Absurd arpeggios. Reminds me of his lick in Long Distance Runaround. Originality on that level must be some form of genius. He landed with the perfect fit band to match his imagination and virtuosity. And what a truly humble guy. You said it, number 1 draft pick. Thanks bro!
I heard this song when it first came out, so here's my take on the lyrical/musical message of the song: Anderson said the lyrics were inspired by Hermann Hesse's 1922 novel "Siddhartha", which charts a journey of self-discovery and spiritual realisation, so... It opens with the peaceful sounds of nature, followed by the chaos of individual life in human society, the search for spiritual enlightenment, the notion that it cannot be found in human society ("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"), and ending with the sounds of nature one again (the Buddhist idea of enlightenment as being one with nature). The end of the journey was thus there at the beginning, all along. Yet although the speaker has attained that higher spiritual plane, they are still physically bound to the material reality of their lower, Earthly existence; so as seasons pass by: I get up, I get down.
Once you've heard CTTE a couple times it'll click. I still find little details in their songs I haven't heard before. That's the genius of Yes. At the beginning when you were going over the details of the track it was funny when you asked that this isn't the longest track they have?? Wait until you look into the very next album after this 😂 Tales From Topographic Oceans. Im 22 and these guys are my favorite. I will say Tales is an album that divides fans. Even i have trouble with parts of it. It's experimental, but still a great album.
Taxing for the listener? I never understood that. The frst time I listened to it, I was 16, and I was hooked forever. (sign of the times maybe) It's a masterpiece. I never saw it as sections. It's was always very coherent to me. Definitely at least some Stravinsky influence (Rite of Spring)
Quick Thought: When this and any album came out, we didn't have all the information you read at the begining, I think you are missing out on some of the magic and surprise. I'm sure you can't help be listening for some of the thngs you read, rather than just letting it wash over you and THEN research. Just a thought. Thanks fo rhe video!
The next track on the album, And You and I, is a much slower, calmer song but this is only a respite for the final track Siberian Khatru which is rockier and even has a harpsichord section on it !
Sounds like a difficult process but worth it. In my top 10 song list since early 80s. Probably top of list for life. The only thing missing is acoustic guitar but they make up for that on sid a 2.
Justin...check into more of Neal Morse's epics (Spock's Beard,Transatlantic,Neal Morse Band,solo stuff) His epics are fab and always interesting with not a second wasted! Try Alive Again,The Great Nothing, Beyond The Years, The Whirlwind....you'll be blown away,bro! T
I had the CTTE tape in my car stereo the day when I drove my mother for 2.5 hours to visit her sister. She looked at the speakers and then me when it started (not all that loud) and then settled down to listen to it. She was a classical pianist and piano teacher and had often sneered at the three-chord rubbish that was pop music at the time, even in the early 1970s. She listened to the whole album and then, when went to switch the stereo over to FM radio, she said, "Leave it. Play it again!" So I did. I asked her if she liked it, and she harrumphed a bit (she was good at that) and said. "It was interesting!". Some weeks later I was at her house for something or other and noticed the CTTE LP cover sitting on the side of the stereo. I never said a word ...
For me, the more I listen to the first "chaotic" part, the less chaotic it becomes. And I've been listening to it often for a bit over 50 years. The Best song ever, from the best album ever, from the best band ever. Thanks !! for diving into YES.
You said it!!!
Actually its not chaotic at all, not a single note is out of place.
@@maciejkowalski2759 Exactly this. It's magnificent
@@maciejkowalski2759 Yes and perhaps it made them a bit less ad lib than say, Zeppelin. It's very exact. (Not saying better or worse now)
I see the chaos as a metaphor for our stressed overly self consumed existence. It sets up the whole piece. Without being close to the edge there is nothing to grow from. How aware they were of this and how much it is my own experience isn’t important to me.
Five world class musicians expanding their horizons
The first time I heard this blew my mind . Back in the early seventies I just thought I did not knew music like this could be made. Changed my life.
Not taxing at all. All pure, pure joy!! I never get tired of this. That bit when it goes from the chaos at the start into the guitar theme always gives me chills and bring a tear to my eye. First heard this when I was 10 and I wouldn’t be overstating it if I said it changed my life. Genius.
The next studio album (Tales From Topographic Oceans) is way more taxing ! lol ! Even for Wakeman that quit the band !
@@stephanechamberland8486 Revealing Science of God and Ritual are top tier Yes IMO. The Remembering and The Ancient require more staying power but are not without merit and both have wonderful moments.
In fact, I would say that Tales rewards repeated listenings at least as well as Close To The Edge.
"Close your eyes and listen." As most of us Yes fans well know, Yes music requires the listener to immerse themselves, within the privacy of one's own head, and with repeated listenings; therefore to allow the music to carry you on a journey within one's own soul. With Peace and Love to all! (Michael)
It's like visiting another country. You have to except the customs, rules, laws, and norms as the country that you visiting.
Wonderful song. It took me multiple listens as well to understand it all. But it never ceases to please me.
Ultimate Classic Rock's Top 50 Progressive Rock Songs
1. Yes, "Close to the Edge"
How did Yes do this? Seriously? Even beyond the vast emotional impact of "Close to the Edge," this 19-minute rock symphony is a marvel of construction - like any towering skyscraper or suspension bridge. The band stitched together the song from various fragments, and engineer Eddie Offord was their behind-the-scenes magician, achieving cohesion within the constant tonal shifts. All the brain-smashing counterpoint, psych-fusion doodling (the free-form opening inspired by Mahavishnu Orchestra) and call-and-response serenity - it's the pinnacle of progressive rock. "Each part of [the song] 'Close to the Edge' in itself, is a segment," Steve Howe told Newsweek, reflecting on the piece's fluid form. "Like when you take the void in the middle, with the 'In her white lace' and 'I get up, I get down' with the organ. That's another world." Come to think of it, "Another World" would have been a pretty good title. - Ryan Reed, UCR
Thanks for listening to it all! I haven't thought of how difficult it must be for a first-timer. We old timers who have heard this track literally 20-100 times have it ingrained in our heads. I forgot how taxing that first section can be for newbies! Thanks for listening to it!
I listened to it 20-100 times last week. 😂 the chaos that is the beginning of all things is well represented here musically.
In October 1977 I saw Yes play this live at the Empire Pool Wembley London. It blew me away.
The first section is about chaos and is intended to make you feel uncomfortable with your present state. When I heard this in 1972, it took me several listens to get a feel for the whole thing. What I love about Yes music is that it’s not easy, but you get so much from it if you put the effort in - just like the great symphonies from the classical composers of the romantic era.
YES! 😊 They challenge you and push the envelope of musical boundaries.
For me, the most perfect prog song ever, just perfect, it ends as it begins, the explosion at the beginning is like being in the middle of chaos that then calms down in different parts... One section leads to the other and takes elements from the previous one, the ending links all the sections into one... It's really impressive what they achieved... Many other long and complex works are more "different parts all united", but here there is a complete cohesion with everything, very difficult to achieve... Without a doubt my favorite song by Yes, a masterpiece that I never been tired of listening again...
The first part is chaotic because that’s the point. Order is created out of the chaos. Having been listening to prog rock for 50 years, this is, in my opinion, the greatest prog rock song of all time. If you listen to it more, I’m certain it will grab you like me and countless others. It’s just stupendous, as are the other 2 tracks on this album.
Correct.. listen and feel it...takes time like good music
Ranked No. 1 on uDiscoverMusic's Best Prog Rock Songs.
Bruford: "The thing about "Close to the Edge" is the form, I think. The shape of it is perfect. It's a real little part of history and it just fit on the side of an album perfectly... I don't think we had any idea of its length and I don't think we said, "Oh! Let's make this the side of an album.""
This song really does go places no other band has done; or rather, it’s a gold standard that was never surpassed. Every aspect of this, the consummate Yes song, in terms of conception and delivery, is virtually flawless: from the slow-burning build-up to the crashing intensity of the first several minutes, to the operatic majesty of the middle section, (“I get up, I get down”), to the effulgent conclusion, bringing the end right back to the beginning before fading out. “Close to the Edge” maintains an unprecedented (and unparalleled) force of conviction that never flags: Everyone assembled works in service of the song and the result is a tight, unified, utterly convincing proclamation that's just under 19 minutes of ceaselessly renewed ecstasy. - Edited excerpts from PopMatters
You have to listen to it over and over. It will grow on you.
And you catch little subtle things in the music, that may have blown by you on the first listen.
FUN FACT: the 9 strips of tape hanging to dry in the studio - the last 3 minutes section was thrown out by the cleaning lady - jon spent all night desperately cleaning it up..
The "chaotic"part is in fact pretty straightforward. Squire starts playing an ascendig scale in slow notes in the strong beats of the bar ( 12/8 or perhaps 6/8)and then plays a sequence around those notes, over and over and over. Wakeman is playing the exact same notes several octaves above and twice as fast. That's all they do except for the odd "stop and go" moments where Anderson's voice steps in.
All the chaos is provided by Howe and Bruford, who follows and reacts to the things Howe is doing. That's the only improvisation going on
"Picture this...Sicily...1915..." no, what, that is Sophia Patrillo.... Imagine a 15 year old girl, Dallas, with headphones and a bean bag chair. Putting this album on for the first time in 1975. Complete ear bliss. Thank you. I can, and have, listened to this day in and day out. Peace and Love everyone!!
Nice that somebody still remembers Estelle Getty!
Nancy I know you only through your posts on these Yes reaction videos, but I feel like I know you. Peace and love!
And Yes music.❤
Who starts a song with a three minute guitar solo??? Yes!!! That’s who.
Having seen YES live 49 times......this classic never got old in concert. I really enjoy your site, too. Thanks for the continued YES praise.
Absolutely! Who does that? YES were some Bad-ars MFs possessed by the Spirit of pure Vibrational Sonic Energy
Whoever has Steve Howe in their lineup, that's who 😇
It was 1972. The hit songs were Rocket Man, Smoke On The Water, Schools Out and Ziggy Stardust just to name a few. Roundabout was the only Yes song on the radio and it was very overplayed. Then Close To The Edge came out. Way , way ahead of its time.
Progressive rock wasn't even a genre. You're absolutely right about not absorbing this song after just one listen. For me the trick was to stop concentrating on the separate instruments and to close my eyes and enjoy the journey the music took me on. I was 16 when this came out and I had no idea music could be so euphoric. I've heard this song hundreds of times in live performances and to me it truly stands the test of time.
When I first heard this (1974?) it profoundly changed what I thought music is or could be. I do remember thinking the later sections following the pipe organ were my favorite moments but that has changed... I love every bit if it now... after several million listens 😂 But now my favorite sections include the chaotic beginning, which is no longer chaotic enough for me.
This is what makes Yes so wonderful. You are right in that pieces of music like this require repeated listenings, not only does the appreciation grow but there's always something new that pops out that you haven't noticed before. Songs like CTTE are true journeys/adventures. Now speaking of "taxing", I think that will really apply to the next album Tales... which i have a feeling you might not enjoy so much (aside from the fact that it has four 20 min tracks - yes, that's right, 4x 20 min tracks) -- I never did totally wrap my head around that one. But don't fret - Relayer comes after that, and oooh man!!!
You’re right Tales is totally taxing.
After 50 years this song still gets me through difficult times.
Only in the music of the spheres is the muse known within this song.
✌️🇨🇦🦬
LOL! I LOVE how CTTE messes with people's brains. The open chaos is actually quite choreographed in the way it builds but not for the first time. The AHHH breaks are to tell you that it's not madness. The thing about their sections is that they blend perfectly, and YES definitely returns to sections but never the same way after giving some new taste of deliciousnees to feast on! HAHA. This shook up Prog in 72. I was 16 and saw them from 71-79 always with my friend then ELLIS D. then from 96-04 before Jon A. left for good.
The more you listen to it the more you get it. It just gets better and better.
After 52 years and a few hundred listens(yep), that opening segment finally jels into an almost unbelievable piece of organized disruption. Every sound finally on cue. It does become whole.
I got this album for Christmas when I was 21. The first time I put the needle to the vinyl, I thought, "What in the world IS this???" The first three minutes are challenging listening, especially to the uninitiated. But now I'm 71 and have heard this record countless times over 50 years. It still stands up, and is, IMHO, the pinnacle achievement of progressive rock music in general, and of Yes in particular. Amazing; still breath-taking.
The beginning is intentional, when you have listened to it a few more times, it will make sense.
Close to the Edge, without any doubt a true classic.
It will still be being played a hundred years time.
Hey Justin! I only have one word for CTTE...masterpiece!👍😎
Remember the disco ball? Now that was trippy
@@lesblatnyak5947 Yep.🔮👍😎
I think Close To The Edge is actually cohesive as a unified whole, and it does take several listens to "get it." I wouldn't call it "taxing" as much as it is "challenging," but that is my take. Since the piece is involved with ideas of enlightenment and spiritual awareness, I've always taken the opening cacophony to be illustrative of the busy back and forth of the rat-race with occasional moments of clarity. "I Get Up I Get Down" as a pivot in the song to some sort of key to enlightenment and that amazing keyboard solo (originally intended for the guitar) as being a through-line to an "enlightened path through life." Again, just my take. Live recordings of the piece are instructive on how to make sense of the work, especially some of the bootlegs of them playing it circa 1975 where Howe's guitar playing is off the rails, and Anderson, Squire, and Howe singing three part harmony - mighty fine stuff from my perspective. I don't think of it as a song per se, but closer to a symphony with its four movements. Check out Sibelius' Symphony Nº 7 in C. I'll be interested in your take on "And You And I." Thanks!
Well done for tackling this, my favourite song of all time in my opinion.
I’ve loved it from thee first three times that I listened to it the first time thst I heard it in late 1972.
I’ve lost count of the hundreds times I’ve listened to it these last 52 years.
This is the Album that made me fall in love with YES. I listened over and over and over again. Every time I heard something I missed before. I was so impressed with the sounds they produced this all in the early 70's. From that point on I was all in on Prog Rock, which they are the grandfathers of prog. Jon Anderson's iconic voice. Chris Squire on Bass played with a pick. Bill Bruford on Drums a jazz drummer in a prog band. Steve Howe an amazing guitarist. And of course Rick Wakeman on keys the greatest of all time. Their time changes out of nowhere so smooth. They never stepped on each others toes in their music.
This song definitely challenges the listener in many ways. Now can you imagine learning this and playing it live Justin?...
And they played this live at a high level. Wakeman played and taped the organ in an actual cathedral.
This was played when DJs had to use the bathroom!
I started with the Yes Album and didn’t really follow them but was introduced to Close to the Edge and and Tormato. I saw that tour and was amazed. At that time they were my second favorite band-Jethro Tull was and still my number one favorite. Got to see Yes five times in concert and it was always great! Keep listening to the incredible music from the following albums
One of those magic songs that can make some people say "WHAT?" with their first listen, but just gets better and better the more you listen to and learn this masterpiece. Too complex for the average top-ten listener but a gem to music lovers. Glad you made it here.
Listening to this song when I was 17 years old was a before and after in my musical life.
Ladies and gentlemen, YES, the greatest show on earth ✨️🎶🙏🎶✨️
I've seen other "reactors" go into this with no expectations, become very confused at the beginning, then be brought to tears by "I get up." Glad you are tackling this album! Great commentary.
I've always said, first time you put on clothes to the edge, you experience it. I remember I was by myself when I first heard this, and when it was over, I said what the f*** was that? In a good way. I stared at the wall for about 5 seconds coming back to reality. Then with that majestic ending, in the middle section ending with the pipe organ, I said I got to hear that again. I immediately Play it again, now that I knew whats coming, I had a chance to actually listen to it. The second time all the pieces start to fit together. From the second listen to this day, it's one of the most astonishing pieces of music I ever heard. Though the individual lyrics don't make sense, over a few listens a theme does appear. The ending is so uplifting and epic it's a perfect exclamation point for the end of the piece. The grand finale that ties everything together, like reaching your destination on a long train journey, where you get off.
Much like Dark Side of the Moon or Animals by Pink Floyd, I always found the ideal listening position for this song was laying down on the floor in a dark room wearing headphones.
As you've already discovered by now, "And You And I" will deliver exactly the melodic and accessible fix that CTTE has you craving. For most who were quite young when we first heard it, that was figuratively as well as literally the center of the album. But, man, has CTTE grown on me over the years!
Thanks my friend. This album is the pinnacle of prog mudic
Love this. Brilliant.
I'm glad you mentioned the Mahavishnu Orchestra influence. At the time, we recognized it immediately--Bruford and all us drummers were in awe of Billy Cobham and his influence is strong as well. Out of chaos, harmony.
On Yessongs Movie you can see Howe on elec sitar. What an imaginative player! Acoustic 12 string and steel guitar on And You and I, acoustic 6 string on Clap, elec sitar on cute, Gibson L5 on standby. What a guy! You'll love seeing him workout on Movie.
This song is so relaxing and deep
Heard it for the first time some 20 years ago and it totally blew my mind. It was so far ahead of everything I heard previously that I started to look at music in a totally different way. No, I never felt its disjointed, for me the song flows perfectly from section to section and is quite easy to follow. As my doorway to prog it played its role perfectly.
Give it 2-3 more listens, I'm sure it will grow on you!
Masterpiece … no words !
Hugs from Brazil 🎉
You're absolutely right. You have to listen to it multiple times and yeah, the 1st part isn't as easy to latch on to as the rest of it. Helluva piece though! Thanks for posting this.
I always thought that the POINT of the "chaos" part was to shake you out of your "oh, I'm just listening to some groovy songs" frame of mind ... to make you sit up and listen. Remember, it was the day of the groovy FM stations, where you kind of hunkered in and grooved for a while. Then, this song comes along to destroy that mellowness ... and once they have your attention, they take you on a wonderful journey.
I've made this comment before on other channels - to me, this era of Yes is modern classical music, which (I guess) a lot of people people consider taxing, even back when this came out. Fortunately classical music has somewhat found it's way back into popular culture in the form of video game soundtracks, and it's sensibilities and instrumentation aren't as foreign to folks as it was, say back in the 80's and 90's. Granted, the arrangements are still shorter and more easily digestible, but that could change as well.
I get that people want short, concise songs (i enjoy that as well) but thankfully bands like Yes and Genesis showed that more can be done with rock music as an art form. I definitely don't like prog (or jazz or any genre for that matter) for prog's sake, but when it's good it's really satisfying. Yes didn't always stick the landing with some stuff (looking at you, Tales From topographic Oceans) but when they did it's some of my favorite music of all time, and for me this is one of those pieces.
Regardless of all of that nonsense, i am grateful that younger folks are at least giving this music a chance, and kudos to you for doing so!
A nice open reaction Justin.
I was 15 when this came out, and for me it is still the best prog album ever😘 that inspired many!
Hey Justin, what you described as taxing for me is what makes it so riveting and listenable again and again for the past 50 years. It’s like watching an incredible movie with twists and turns. Even if you know the plot, you appreciate the storytelling and musicianship and the emotional ride.
Thanks for reaction! And the prequel. 😊
Greatest song ever with "Starless" by King Crimson and "Supper's Ready" by Genesis.
When people try to make me sing Karaoke I always insist that I will only do Close to the Edge! They stop asking...
I love this story!❤
😆
I first heard this at 13, in '74 on my older brothers high end Yamaha system, along with the entire neighborhood. I don't know if they were impressed, but I surely was. Masterpiece IMO
What's interesting about that keyboard solo is that I learned it on the guitar for our band because I thought it sounded like a guitar solo, then many years later, I read that Howe had originally written it on the guitar. Brilliant minds think alike. 😅🤣😂 As for taxing on the listener, never saw it. I've listened to this song and the album dozens of times and enjoyed every moment of every listen. I guess that's the difference between a true fan and a casual.
This album and Fragile completely changed the way I experienced rock music. This cd is always on my home and car disc players. I love the extra tracks on Rhino’s expanded release.
Wakeman’s keyboard solo (located after the song comes back from the edge and finds the total mass retain groove) never gets old. It’s the best keyboard solo ever IMO. And it is in a sound that is not dated (see: Kansas)
I always felt it was to overlook the fact Rick plays one note in the verse part over and over.
Yeah, it's hard to get somebody to listen to this album if they can't get through the first 3 minutes. It's (controlled?) chaos. But the more I listen to it...the more I appreciate it. It gives you "hints" of the beautiful vocal harmonies to come, if you can endure. Fifty years ago...this was transformative. Like nothing else I had ever heard. And you DO have to relisten many times to REALLY get it. The album "flow" is amazing also, as it moves into "And You and I", and then abruptly "attacks you" with "Siberian Khatru". Thanks for your most excellent channel. I see you just posted "And You and I"...see you there!
Not sure I would call it taxing. To me it is more of a musical adventure and never knowing where the next turn will take you. Sort of exciting.
My favorite musical piece, from my favorite album from my favorite band. CTTE is an epic journey musically and spiritually. It kept me from going "over the edge" several times in my life.
The piece begins in chaos as our lives and experiences usually do
Side 2 is also a Masterpiece. Thank you for reacting and so glad you are experiencing Yes!
Welcome to the Edge.
I went "over the edge" a long time ago. ;-)
@@AirDOGGe Understood 😛
Oh, just say it! It’s freakin AMAZING!I saw it in your face dude.😂✌️
It does require more listens. But it quickly became one of my favorites. It’s my second favorite song. The only song keeping it from #1 is Awaken.
I agree 100%. I hope Justin can get through Relayer and Tales without getting dissuaded from tackling Going for the One. Or do them out of order.
Yep. I have Awaken as number 1 and to be honest GFTO is my favorite album. The Yes Album a close 2nd...
@tobytanzer he already did Going For The One a while back at my request. Parts of it require multiple listens as well but he did "get" Awaken first listen. His reaction to Turn Of The Century surprised me. What a beautiful song. I want him to do Tormato. He has done On The Silent Wings Of Freedom and liked it...
WAY ahead of the time for 1972. Genius. Classic. Best Prog Rock song of all time. Period.
First listen I certainly get it. It's alot to take in but boy does it grow on you over time. Harkening back to Awaken I think you "got it" much quicker. Gun to my head I would pick Awaken over this but it's close. As I have mentioned previously and this may be heresy to many Yes fans but I would skip Tales. I have all these 70's albums and plenty of their solo albums as well(Fish Out Of Water etc) but Tales was even too much for me. I have had it for almost 50 years and I think I listened to it once lol. And You And I is beautiful and you already know Siberian Khatru is great. Cheers you made it through CTTE and your reaction was better than expected. Yessongs is almost a must. What a great live album...Cheers
Overwhelming love for this tune in the comments. So much depends upon what terms like "choreographed," "chaotic," and "cohesive" are intended to mean. There are awesome segments within CTTE, and whether repeated lines like "I get up, I get down" fit into the "concept," the question to me is, is it musically interesting? I hear the composition unfolding like scenes from a play where musical congruence is related to storyline shifts. Floyd, Zappa, Genesis employ this prog element. I'm glad so many love CTTE because it promotes a greater breadth of musical expression and experimentation. I agree with J., at 8:45 (in this vid.), the tune moves into the masterclass zone and is musically killer!~
Yes... early Yes had Howe standing out but Squire's bass drove virtually every song.
Sneaky boy -- posting this the same day as your overview. But awesome reaction! Your face: "All right -- there's side 1." 😆 But believe me -- for a first listen your reaction is pretty much the same as everyone who heard this for the first time: "What the hell was THAT?". And sure, following so quickly on the heels of ambitious songs like "Heart of the Sunrise" it's no wonder that Yes (Jon, really) wanted to push the envelope even further. As you can imagine, the challenge would become how do you top something like this? That's why Bill Bruford left. He famously said "The only thing I could see Yes doing after "Close To The Edge" was "Son Of Close To The Edge". Which is basically what happened on 'Tales From Topographic Oceans' (preview: Jon and Steve set The Bible to music.) By the way, you won't hurt my feelings if you decide to skip that one. But if you decide that you can stomach something like 'Close To The Edge' then I encourage you to give the 1975 album 'Relayer' a try. It's structured a lot like this album, although musically it has a bit more 70's jazz fusion flavor courtesy Rick Wakeman's successor, Patrick Moraz. Anyways, can't wait to see you breathe easier with "And You And I"! 😀
Actually Justin waited until 12am. Lol.👍😎
@@jeffschielka7845I was shocked to see it already posted when I woke up at 6 this morning lol
@@kennethmckinney2532 TFTO will blow Justin's mind!!! Lol!👍😎
Yeah, but he found CTTE taxing, he may find Tales from Topographic Oceans even more difficult to get through! But I love Tales!!! You just have to be patient and Listen.
@@saurian11 He found it taxing on the first listen, but then admitted he immediately needed to hear it again... and probably again... 😉 The assumption is -- as was the case for most of us -- after a few repeat listens the fog starts to lift on the 'taxing' stuff. It's not the complexity within the music that threw him, just the constant and quick changes on those first few sections. Plus it's admittedly pretty dense stuff, and even Justin was confusing keyboard parts for the guitar.
This was written during a particularly bleak period in the history of Northern Ireland, when sectarian violence was a constant feature of TV news bulletins in the UK. The section 'I Get Up I Get Down' was inspired by footage of women mourning their loved ones as their bodies were laid to rest.
Having said that, it's a timeless piece of music that sounds as fresh and invigorating as it did half a century ago. You'll listen to a lot of songs before you find a better lyric than "I crucified my hate and held the world within my hand" or one that has more relevance to our present-day zeitgeist.
And just so it doesn't come as a complete surprise, Side Two sees Yes reach heights they were never quite able to scale again. You've heard nothing yet.
I loved it on first listen especially the audacity of the improvised intro but It took about 3 or 4 listens to begin to grasp the nuances throughout. it's beautifully constructed and still the quickest 18 mins in rock.
The first part is chaotic by design but still highly structured. The verses between i) The Solid Time Of Change and iii) I Get Up I Get Down, are (to me) very melodic. The middle section--I Get Up I Get Down--is absolutely heavenly and iv) Seasons Of Man is classic prog at its 70s best. You're right, that it will take several listens to fully appreciate this masterpiece, and it would help if you were already a progressive rock fan to begin with, which is why I loved this right out of the box. I was listening to a steady diet of prog for about 2 years before I first heard it. Thank you, always for your honesty, JP!
Thank`s
Sounds as fresh today than then .
Yeah - I've always found the first section to be the hardest part to get through. I first heard CTTE back in high-school in the mid-to late 70s, and my main thought on the intro section has always been "let's see how fast Steve Howe can play guitar". The rest of the piece I really like a lot. But you're right Justin - the more you listen to the whole thing and gain familiarity with it, one can come to appreciate it.
Yessongs live version is certainly a good listen. Much recommended.
When you've listened to it a couple of times, try the live version on Yessongs (the album, not the movie!). Then you'll notice that they play the seemingly chaotic part of the beginning almost note for note like the studio version. No chaos here. More a composed wild ride as the start of a musical journey.
Yes, holds together well. Returning themes.both musical and lyrical, works for me. Bill and Chris are in sync and driving most of the song. In quiet part 1st vocals are Steve on one side and Chris on the other. They were trying to expand what a song could be.
Love that Mass Retain section. Howe does his Theatre's of the Absurd arpeggios. Reminds me of his lick in Long Distance Runaround. Originality on that level must be some form of genius. He landed with the perfect fit band to match his imagination and virtuosity. And what a truly humble guy. You said it, number 1 draft pick. Thanks bro!
The Yes Album, Fragile, Close To The Edge. By far the best 3 albums they ever did. I kinda part ways after that - just as Bill Bruford did!!
I heard this song when it first came out, so here's my take on the lyrical/musical message of the song:
Anderson said the lyrics were inspired by Hermann Hesse's 1922 novel "Siddhartha", which charts a journey of self-discovery and spiritual realisation, so... It opens with the peaceful sounds of nature, followed by the chaos of individual life in human society, the search for spiritual enlightenment, the notion that it cannot be found in human society ("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"), and ending with the sounds of nature one again (the Buddhist idea of enlightenment as being one with nature). The end of the journey was thus there at the beginning, all along. Yet although the speaker has attained that higher spiritual plane, they are still physically bound to the material reality of their lower, Earthly existence; so as seasons pass by: I get up, I get down.
You could imagine this being the incidental music to the landscapes of Pandora in the Avatar movie.
Once you've heard CTTE a couple times it'll click. I still find little details in their songs I haven't heard before. That's the genius of Yes. At the beginning when you were going over the details of the track it was funny when you asked that this isn't the longest track they have?? Wait until you look into the very next album after this 😂 Tales From Topographic Oceans. Im 22 and these guys are my favorite. I will say Tales is an album that divides fans. Even i have trouble with parts of it. It's experimental, but still a great album.
I GET UP, I GET DOWN
The beginning is like the primal chaos giving way to order then back through the cycle but not exactly, an evolutionary cycle.
This is voted top three prog albums of all all time and you say ok wow
Taxing for the listener? I never understood that. The frst time I listened to it, I was 16, and I was hooked forever. (sign of the times maybe) It's a masterpiece. I never saw it as sections. It's was always very coherent to me. Definitely at least some Stravinsky influence (Rite of Spring)
I'm impressed you always stand up during your reactions. Probably better for your back in the long run.
“They have tracks longer than 18 minutes?!”
Heh… have a seat and let me tell you a little story about Topographic Oceans…
Quick Thought: When this and any album came out, we didn't have all the information you read at the begining, I think you are missing out on some of the magic and surprise. I'm sure you can't help be listening for some of the thngs you read, rather than just letting it wash over you and THEN research. Just a thought.
Thanks fo rhe video!
The next track on the album, And You and I, is a much slower, calmer song but this is only a respite for the final track Siberian Khatru which is rockier and even has a harpsichord section on it !
Sounds like a difficult process but worth it. In my top 10 song list since early 80s. Probably top of list for life. The only thing missing is acoustic guitar but they make up for that on sid a 2.
From the Earth to the moon sun and stars, and then back to Earth?
Justin...check into more of Neal Morse's epics (Spock's Beard,Transatlantic,Neal Morse Band,solo stuff) His epics are fab and always interesting with not a second wasted! Try Alive Again,The Great Nothing, Beyond The Years, The Whirlwind....you'll be blown away,bro! T