CLOSE TO THE EDGE

Probably.

Let's start with the title track. I have read many reviews and none have even come close to describing its majesty and beauty. It starts with nature sounds and builds into one of Steve Howe's greatest (and craziest) guitar solos. After this, he then states the main theme and warms us up for the verse. The next few minutes seamlessly shift from heavy rock to nice jazz (thanks Squire). Suddenly, everything becomes trippy and we get the mellow "I Get Up I Get Down" vocals. Rick Wakeman builds us to this huge climax which goes into his best keyboard solo. In less than a minute, Rick Wakeman single (double?) handedly outdoes almost everything Keith Emerson ever did. John brings us back to the heavy verses, then gives a hint of what is to come. Finally, the last verse come. This verse is the most moving thing in prog that isn't named "As Sure as Eggs is Eggs." This vocal harmony and verse is so epic, that not even Yes can pull it off! Its true, even on Yessongs, they have to do a quick key change in order to pull it off. With the last breath of I Get Up I Get Down, Close to the Edge descends into the noise it began with.......

......The only song that could possibly follow is And You and I. It builds back from where Close to the Edge ended and helps bring back satisfaction and balance to my ears. Its acoustic climax is amazing, but my favorite part is definitely "The Preacher and The Teacher"."

The first half hour is so intense, that Yes seems to have decided to have some fun with the last track. Siberian Khatru is definitely Steve led, with his guitar playing just amazing me. His solo at the end is very good, as not many rock guitarists play clean jazz-influenced solos over something so energetic.

This album is truly perfect start to finish. It was far reching, but never went overboard (Tales.....). Sadly, this was Bill's swansong. This is not because he didn't enjoy it, he just felt that Crimson's improvisational aspect was more interesting than Anderson's "musical calculation." He felt that he could only contribute "Son of Close to the Edge" and knew that he could never top it. Who could blame him?

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