Rick has a great back story about the harpsichord solo. When Rick was at the Royal College of Music, there was a rule that you weren't allowed to play on the harpsichord unless that was your speciality (Rick's was piano). But he'd sneak into the room and play the harpsichord anyway. One day he got caught by an older gentleman whom Rick assumed was an instructor. He asked Rick what he was doing in there..Rick told him he was practicing on the harpsichord. When the gentleman asked him why he chose that particular harpsichord to practice on, Rick told him because it was a Goff harpsichord and Goff is the very best. The man handed Rick his card and told him not to play the harpsichords at the Royal College..instead come to his house. It was Thomas Goff himself. Fast forward to 1972, when Yes were recording Siberian Khatru, and the guys agreed a harpsichord would be idea for the solo in the middle. Rick called Mr. Goff and asked to borrow one of his. Goff said OK, but he'd need to be there while they were doing it. Eddy Offord, the engineer, starts to put mics up inside the harpsichord (as you would for a piano) when Goff says, "What are you doing? You can't mic a harpsichord the way you would a piano because the mics will pick up the plucking sound on the strings. Overhead mics only." That's what they did, and the rest is history.
CTTE is the best prog album ever recorded, there is not a weak moment on the entire thing, from the fade in to the fade out, like a sunrise and sunset. Fantastic in every way.
The look on Doug’s face when he first listens to CTTE is priceless. In fact, the whole video is one stunned mini reaction after another. A delight to watch.
CTTE is a life-changing masterpiece that has inspired me from the day of its release. I can't "just listen" and take joy in adding harmonies with Jon. The Band Geeks' cover of CTTE proper is so lovingly detailed and true that I tear up on every listen. This music is forever.
@@TheDavidnewkirk You read my mind. I agree with you on all points, and highly encourage folks to have a listen to the Band Geek rendition. It’s an astounding accomplishment; a “cover version” for the ages.
Further proof that Chris Squire's Bass is a lead instrument and Bill Bruford is a percussionist and not just a drummer. One of the best albums of all time.👏👏👏
Saw an interview with Squire in which he explains that he always uses a pick, and holds it so that his thumb nail just grazes the string. I think he said it creates additional harmonics.
@@robertweinmann9408 I've heard the same, and you are probably right about the harmonic effect. As for the bass, I'll add that CS used to paint his bass, then get it stripped, and repainted as per his mood; it was a psychedelic thing. Happened a few times, and I think this process changed the thickness of the bass body a bit. Anyway, when he released his Chris Squire signature bass with Rickenbacker, they measured his bass precisely to get the same dimensions. Who knows, maybe this has an effect. I heard CS once mention that his pickups were key, too. I'm sure whatever preamp/overdrive/compression/etc. circuitry is happening makes a big difference too. But, ya, Squire's tone is a big part of why Yes music is so appealing, imho.
Hey Doug I saw Yes in February 1974. Part one of the show was the entire Close to the Edge album and part 2 was the entire Tales From Topographic Oceans album. Interestingly it was ten years to the day after the Beatles performed on The Ed Sullivan Show. In one short decade we went from I Want to Hold Your Hand to the Revealing Science of God!!
I saw them that year, too, February 12, 1974 at Roanoke, VA, Civic Center. I was with a fellow Davidson freshman, Terry Hummel, a future (brief) editor of RollingStone Magazine. It was probably the best concert I'd ever seen at that point. All of Tales and all of CTTE, plus Roundabout.
@@williamburkholder769 I was there also! remember the quadrophonic sound system as the concert bounced or ping ponged from front to back from left to right etc? I loved that concert.
I was 14 and saw YES in november 1974 in Rotterdam. I discovered Yes when I was 12 and listened the first time close to the edge. I stopped after Tormato when Yes became NO
Terrific song, Doug, and it was the opening song to many of their '70s concerts; however, it wasn't really the opening song. The band always introduced themselves with a recorded version of Stravinsky's Firebird Suite Finale, and, as the ending faded, the band would come in with this song and the crowd would go wild. Yes fans always got a little dose of classical music with each concert, back then. I thought you might appreciate that little factoid.
J. Jennings: They headlined a 3-act show in Detroit in the fall of '72, which I attended. Not only did they open with the Stravinsky music, we got the shock of our lives when a skinny, blond-haired kid came out and sat at the drum kit. I had not yet heard of Bruford's departure, and it made me think, at first, that the show wouldn't be up to snuff, with the new guy on drums. Boy, was I wrong !!! There were many instant converts, besides me, to the Alan White(RIP) Fan Club, that night. He had 3 days to learn those arrangements before they hit the road. A fact that still stupefies me. There were also a few new converts to the opening act that night, a band from L.A., with their 1st album being recently released, Eagles. A strange pairing to be sure, but when you consider the middle band, Gentle Giant, was also unknown to the US, there was a lot of newness @ that show. Yes' new drummer, the new band that opened, and the really unknown new band, in between, that played in Detroit for the first time.
When I saw them in Atlanta, 6/25/1979, Firebird Suite was replaced with an excerpt of Close Encounters. Enjoy the show Doug....I saw Jon in Atlanta on 4/6/2002.....fantastic show....Jon's voice AND spirit is 'Heavenly'!!
And still a fantastic memory to savour when I saw Yes for the first time, at the then Sydney Entertainment Centre back in 2003 - and with Wakeman included too! Oh, the smile on my face when they kicked off with Khatru. Made me admire the song more than ever! I've only seen Yes twice in my life and I'm so satisfied (I'm on my way) especially while Squire and White were still alive. R.I.P., both you legends!
Agreed, I love the combination of Bruford & Squire. And then, it's fascinating to hear hints of how they personally weren't as in sync as they seemed musically.
Just saw Jon Anderson and the Paul Green rock orchestra perform Close To The Edge last night..... Just great to watch a legend performing with all these kids and watching the joy on all faces, both on the stage and in the audience.... Its just what music is supposed to be about. Not pretentious, not always perfect, just live and raw and wonderful. I cant explain the feeling of being able to experience things like that... it was just great, it filled this old mans soul.
@@yellfire that is a live album sort of official bootleg i think we have to consider normal studio albums tubular bella? you by gong? joni mitchell's mingus? LOL a lot
Coincidentally wore my Close To The Edge shirt today. A woman at a museum told me it was her husband's favorite album. I think it is one of the top 10 greatest albums ever made in the overall rock genre. Oddly enough it is only my 2nd favorite YES album, with Tales From Topographic Oceans being my favorite.
This album is the absolute epitome, the nec plus ultra of Prog Rock. They clubber you hard with ‘Close to the Edge’, bring you back with ‘And You and I’, then clubber you again with ‘Siberian Kathru’ when you think they just couldn’t again.
This made my day. Thank you! This song brings out all kinds of Bill Bruford's jazz drumming sensibilities. I also think that this is Yes at their jazziest pre-Patrick Moraz. I wish Chris had lived long enough to see CTTE celebrate its 50th anniversary.
They were known in their day as a TRUELY co-operative group - each one supporting each other and each allowing each other to be stellar in their own right! BRILLIANT!!!!
What I always loved about this track is its relentless density. You can hear so many details, intricacies, everyone ist busy at all times, playing riffs and licks in the background that others would be proud to use as solo spots. Topped with multi layered vocals, this is song is so packed it blows your mind. And after CTTE as the ultimate prog song with all twists, turns, quirks and awesomeness, followed by And You And I, possibly one of the most theatrically epic songs ever recorded in it grandeur, this one is like a perfect party that knocks you off your feet.
As an academician you have to also credit Eddy Offord with producing this record. 1971+ was a time when the recording studio was essentially becoming a musical instrument, being able to over dub and cross fade different mixes. EO had major input in making this a cohesive arrangement. Saw Yes two weeks ago and Howe and Geoff Downes are the only remaining pieces of a yes lineup. I think 2022 is definitely the last go around. There are alot of similiraties between western classical, rock and pop music. The same rules apply. Thats why a hit is a hit is a hit. Even a toothless beggar with beats strapped to his head, living out of a dumpster in Brazil would understand Beethoven's 9th symp was a hit and the same applies for close to the edge- all the knitting EO performed, being central to its success.
This is an outstanding track by YES. They opened at JFK Stadium in Philly July 76 with Starship Trooper. And the crowd went crazy!! Peter Frampton played before him - he did well also!
@@peterz4427 White hadn't "left the band," Peter Z...he hadn't yet joined the band. You are correct that Bruford co-wrote and performed on the studio recording (no one disputes that). However,. Richard Morse, above, is referring to the reality of Alan's introduction to YES: after joining, AW had just 3 days to learn YES's complex repertoire before embarking on a previously scheduled tour.
One of the best bass lines ever. The closing section were Chris let's loose is pure genius. One thing that rarely gets mentioned is the three part Vocal harmonies. They are some of the best you will ever hear. Absolutely beautiful.
This is one of my all time favourite albums. Full of life, 5 guys at their creative and performing peaks. The dynamic rhythms, the beautiful melodies, the flawless musicianship, what’s not to like? These songs flow through my head and heart over and over again. I love watching your reactions to this gem. Thanks for sharing your CTTE virginity with us
It's 1978 and my college roommate and I saw Yes in the round at the old Spectrum in Philadelphia. Not a bad seat in the house and what amazing shows! Yes, they opened with this both nights.
I love Yes. Grew up listening to them. Complex and emotional compositions, made a huge impression on my young mind. Lyrics were always hard to hear and understand especially when my vinyl lp sleeves had no lyric sheets. Love the vocalists voice but unable to make out the words most of the time. I was left with a fascinating composition but confusing vocals. Now thanks to youtube I can finally get the lyrics.
This was always my favorite track off this album. For my first album purchase when I was 14 I bought Close to the Edge, ELP's Pictures at an Exhibition and King Crimson,'s In the Court of the Crimson King. Not what my friends were listening to at the time.
Listen to the live version off of Yessongs. It doesn't fade out, it has an ending, and it's very cool. It also has a brief opening that's an excerpt from Stravinsky,'s Firebird 11:41
The _Yessongs_ version was my first exposure to "Siberian Khatru." When I finally got my mitts on CTTE, the studio version sounded a little confined. It took a few listens for me to appreciate it, but I confess that the live version is still my favorite. BTW, it's nice to know that I can still sing this entire track from memory...😁
Love it! I checked the published sheet music. That 15-beat phrase is notated there (probably transcribed by a clerk at the publishing company) as 3 bars of 4/4, then 1 bar of 3/4. It adds up. The other unusual meter that shows up is notated in 7/8 [about 4:39 in your video: "That's really cool."] Steve's repeating that wonderful riff [:C#-B-A-B__D- C#-B-A-B___:] which fills a 7/8 bar, while the bass, starting on the the 2nd eighth note of the bar, is playing staccato 1/8-note + 1/8-rest that spans 2 bars in what COULD be viewed as an off-set 7/4 pattern. Fun stuff! This sheet music has the 1st phrase as Em & the 2nd as Bm, but since bass is playing G-D-G-D-G-D, I think of it as a G6 "chord" tonality.
Doug, you should listen to "Lizard", the last track from King Crimson's Lizard. Jon sings on part of that. and it's a good one for a Friday. It's jazzy, classical (it has a bolero in it), it's all around simply amazing.
@@alesprokopec4753 I've loved Jon Anderson's voice from the moment I heard it, and then discovering his contribution to "Lizard" was a great treat. Although I already loved KC as a result of their first album, Robert Fripp's solo in "Prince Rupert's Lament" on Side 2 of _Lizard_ so took my breath away that I resolved to follow his work wherever it might go -- and I have gladly done so to this day.
Did you ever hear Rick tell the story of when he was a student at the RCM, got to meet Thomas Goff there who invited him to his house in London the next day to play one of his harpsichords.... Sitting there was none other than the Queen Mother who was visiting for tea...She suggested Rick place a bet on a horse that afternoon...it goes on...
SIBERIAN KHATRU is RIVETING!!! and one with their MOST RELENTLESS funky GROOVES with beautifully OVERLAPPING multi-layered rhythms throughout the main melody! . I love your expressions during all the CHANGES which are absolutely MAGICALLY DELICIOUS. The intense satisfaction NEVER let's up! OH BTW, I worked with Jon Anderson and he gave me backstage tickets to see him with the School of Rock in LA at The ROXY in 2010(?) SPOILER ALERT: These students are young and NOT YES. OK? so if anyone chooses to attend then be forewarned! It's really just a chance to see Jon sing without the MATURE virtuosity to back him up!
I once went a couple of years without playing this and when I finally did, I still remembered every one of the single word sequence at the end. It would appear to be locked in my brain in perpetuity (or until I develop Alzheimer's).
Sometime around 2002 or so Yes played in Dallas. I can’t remember which song it was, but they got a few bars into it and Jon Anderson waved his arms for everyone to stop. He said something like, “We need to start over,” and they did! From the top! Priceless! I really enjoy your informed reactions to music from my teens, thank you!
My favorite Yes song by miles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Of course the entire Close to the Edge album is my favorite Yes song!!!!!!!!!!!!! Such a brilliant album!
Doug, I love your appreciation and commentary on this. I heard Steve Howe talk about it in 5/4 and I couldn't grasp that meter. I always split the 15/4 into 8+7, so I'm really glad that someone of your authority does the same.
I've loved this song my whole life, and i never realized that 8 to 7 distinction you made (instead of 5,5,5) at 11:00. that little detail helped me click with that part so much more. thanks.
My very first concert was Yes in the round@Seattle center coliseum May 8 1979, I was 15 years old and just thinking about that evening gives me thrills. Such a great show. Siberian Khatru was the first song of the evening and it was mind blowing. Very special evening in my memory~
I am delighted you were aware that YES liked to open concerts with this song. Before the concert started the stage lights would go down and you have to imagine hearing the finale to Stravinsky's Firebird Suite starting to play and then building to a climax while the band was walking on stage in the dark and then going into this song at the end with the lights coming up to full. Also in concert, instead of a fade out, Steve would finish soloing and then play the opening riff. For years that opening was one of first things I played after tuning my guitar.
Doug- think of the entire Close To The Edge album as a 3-part symphony. The title track is in sonata allegro form. And You And I is the adagio. Siberia Khatru is the scherzo. I think that holds up pretty well.
My absolute favourite Yes track, off my absolute favourite Yes album!! It's the the perfect track to crank up while out driving on a beautiful sunny day. Interesting that I've been listening to this song since the early 80's when I was 13, and later as a musician, I never paid attention to the odd meter! Thankyou once again Doug for featuring Yes!!
I watched your video on "And You And I" and this piece "Siberian Khatru" consecutively. In fact, I watched all three of your reaction vids on the Close To The Edge album in sequence just now. I've heard this album 1001 times and counting. Because of some of your reactions, I have made new discoveries. For example, for the first time, I connected the line from Khatru: "River Running Right On Over My Head..." to "And You And I Reach Over The Sun For The River."
One of the things I only just noticed, even having been a Yes fan since the early 1970s when I was just a "yoot" - Jon sings "Hold down the window." On the song, "Going For the One," Chris sings an underlying "Open the window" as a refrain throughout that song. Neat discovery.
That intro with Howe's riff and Squire's booming and then Wakeman and the drumming is the most amazing thing I've ever heard. My heavens it's off the charts awesome. Thank you. Good lord what a blessed peice of lovely stuff.
Bruford's drumming is always so hard for me to follow. He always seems to be (intentionally) off the beat (not sure if ahead or behind), and I can never tell when he's going to add an additional snare or two.
As another poster said on another reactor listening to a Yes song with Bruford on drums, I have been listening to him for 40 years, and still cannot predict when he's going to hit that snare.
You're the only person I've ever seen listen to that song for the first time and NOT react to the vocal outburst just before the fade-out ending. You were so busy counting the 15 that it slipped right by. There are times watching these, knowing what's coming up, that I almost shout "Shut up, Doug! You're about to miss the best part!!" But I love 'em anyway, because you love this music that I've loved all my life. Keep it up, Dr. Doug. And get into King Crimson. "Fracture" "The ConstruKction of Light" "Level 5", etc. You'll go NUTS.
13 September 2022. CttE 50th birthday. Back then, I'd tell people that we would still be listening to this 50 years from now. I was somewhat mocked. Smiling now, just like every time I listen to this masterpiece. Other people have probably recommended this, but you should look "Ritual" from "Symphonic Yes Live" especially the wonderful video of the concert with the lads on fire, and more than ably assisted by a very skilful and enthusiastic young orchestra.
I saw the show that you're about to see. It will blow your mind - John is in fine form, and the kids that he's performing with are utterly amazing. They give me home for music's future!
When I open my laptop this morning and I saw there it was your "Siberian Khatru" reaction on youtube, everything else has to wait. Love you saying "Close to the Edge" is your favorite song reaction. It`s my favorite song (and album) ever. Funny seeing you trying to understand Jon Anderson`s lyrics and losing attention to the musical aspect. Once again you point out musical aspects that I didn`t notice in 50 years. I would like to listen to some comment about Yes work the vocal harmonies. On 2014 I saw them playing CTTH entirely on their "Three Album Tour". It was amazing begin the show with CTTH, 20 minutes into the show and I was already satisfied.
On my bi-annual Zappa deep dive, found your reaction vids, wonderful. Then saw you had a ton of Yes in here as well. Subscribed. I’ve been listening to both of these artists/bands since I was a teenager in the 80s, and it’s so interesting and gratifying to see you analyze these pieces from a theoretical perspective. These are the conversations I had with friends when I was young, and sadly have been absent from my adult life. So you’re my new musical buddy, Doug, haha. Thank you for these videos. Looking forward to digging into your back catalog of uploads. (I agree that the timing of that particular section is 8 then 7, based on the the timing of the harmonic change from G to Bm, that’s how I hear it anyway)
Doug.. for years and years, they would open with Siberian Khatru.. almost religiously.. first they would have on Firebird Suite, then the band came out and played Siberian Khatru..
YES: musical compositions of unequaled complexity, lyrics that borrow from psychedelic-esoteric discourse... and whose result is simply prodigious. And as for "Close To The Edge", it is undoubtedly the best album in the history of progressive rock. With YES, progrock is Art rock. Thank you, Master Helvering.