CLOSE TO THE EDGE

Yes released Close to the Edge back in 1972, following the very successful "Fragile" album which yielded a bona fide top 40 hit, "Roundabout". But Yes has never really been about hit singles ("Owner of a lonely heart", notwithstanding), and Fragile fits nicely into the prog rock mold. With Close to the Edge, Yes hit their absolute peak. That doesn't mean that they didn't produce anything good after this, but this album marks their highest pinnacle. They are clearly in their creative prime both individually and collectively with this album. There are three songs on the album: the marathon "Close to the Edge", and the "shorter" (but still quite long) songs, "And You and I", and "Siberian Khatru". I have probably listened to this album about one hundred times, and I think it just gets better and better with repeated listenings. This is the album where Wakeman really makes his mark. His Keyboards are nearly awe-inspiring. Bruford's jazzy drumming fits in beautifully with the music here. Steve Howe is his usual masterful self on the guitar, while this is the album that convinces me that Chris Squire is one of the best bassists in rock. All in all, a great display of musicianship, and a great album.