Close to the Edge

by Yes

Overview

With 1971's Fragile having left Yes poised quivering on the brink of what friend and foe acknowledged was the peak of the band's achievement, Close to the Edge was never going to be an easy album to make. Drummer Bill Bruford was already shifting restlessly against Jon Anderson's increasingly mystic/mystifying lyricism, while contemporary reports of the recording sessions depicted bandmate Rick Wakeman, too, as little more than an observer to the vast tapestry that Anderson, Steve Howe, and Chris Squire were creating. For it was vast. Close to the Edge comprised just three tracks, the epic "And You and I" and "Siberian Khatru," plus a side-long title track that represented the musical, lyrical, and sonic culmination of all that Yes had worked toward over the past five years. Close to the Edge would make the Top Five on both sides of the Atlantic, dispatch Yes on the longest tour of their career so far and, if hindsight be the guide, launch the band on a downward swing that only disintegration, rebuilding, and a savage change of direction would cure. The latter, however, was still to come. In 1972, Close to the Edge was a flawless masterpiece. ~ Dave Thompson

Product Details

Release Date:	10/23/2012
Label:	Rhino
UPC:	0081227971571

Tracks

1. Close to the Edge: The Solid Time of Change/Total Mass Retain/I Get Up
2. And You and I: Cord of Life/Eclipse/The Preacher the Teacher/Apocalypse
3. Siberian Khatru

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Yes   Primary Artist,Vocals
Steve Howe   Sitar,Guitar,Vocals,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric),Vocals (Background)
Bill Bruford   Drums,Percussion
Chris Squire   Bass,Vocals,Bass (Vocal),Guitar (Bass),Guitar (Electric),Vocals (Background)
Jon Anderson   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Rick Wakeman   Piano,Keyboards,Mellotron,Harpsichord,Synthesizer,Organ (Hammond)
Alan White   Drums
Mike Dunne   Tape

Technical Credits

Eddy Offord   Engineer,Producer
Paul Simon   Composer
Steve Howe   Theme,Composer,Producer,Group Member
Bill Bruford   Theme,Composer,Producer
Chris Squire   Theme,Composer,Producer,Group Member
Joe Gastwirt   Mastering
Jon Anderson   Composer,Producer
Rick Wakeman   Theme,Composer,Producer,Group Member
Gary Martin   Assistant Engineer
Yes   Arranger,Producer
Martin Adelman   Photography
Roger Dean   Logo,Design,Cover Art,Paintings,Photography,Cover Design
Bruford   Theme
Barry Diament   Mastering