The more times you listen, the better it gets, I'm 81 this year and still rocking mainly in my rocking chair. 🎵🎶🎶🎵😎🖐✌

@richardyoung4616

2 жыл бұрын

Me too!

@pianocovers4227

2 жыл бұрын

@@noway73 Absolutely !

@dkielman9001

2 жыл бұрын

The music of Yes has taken me throughout my life. I’m 65 now. The Yes Album, Time & a Word, Fragile, CTTE, and Relayer, GFTO all have deep meaning to me. The lyrics are only equaled by the startling musicianship from these guys. Magical stuff.

@gazric

2 жыл бұрын

If I get to your age I'll be doing the same....I'm not far behind....experience heaven before we die

@Galahad-hk4bb

2 жыл бұрын

Welcome to the ‘YES’ rabbit hole!!!

Never have there been five more talented guys in the same room at the same time. Never

@alvinwagner6085

2 ай бұрын

Thank you. I thought I was the only one who thought that.

@craigfazekas3923

29 күн бұрын

Agreed. But, as for myself ? I prefer the previous line up with Tony Kaye. The Yes Album group... Yes, with Wakeman on board ? A bigger range of sounds were bound to up the game of the band.... I just prefer the overall sound with Kaye's involvement. "America", from the Live Is the Word box set, or that whole live set from Crystal Palace Bowl, is a great example of the sound I'm speaking about here. Despite the lesser quality of the recording- it's all right there.... That show was Kaye's last with Yes, btw. 🚬😎👍

People who are listening to Yes give me a little hope for this planet. thx guys

Glad to see young guys appreciating music I’ve loved for close to 50 years.

@biskygiver

2 жыл бұрын

It was special then and it has been preserved untouched.

@rgriffsf

2 жыл бұрын

Given what modern “music” has been reduced to, one really should not be surprised.

@DoctorBGify

2 жыл бұрын

Music you've loved for close to... the edge

@Fergal283

2 жыл бұрын

And good to see the younger guys having the same reaction as we had when we heard this for the first time, says something for the lasting quality of the music.

@aprilstewart5929

Жыл бұрын

@@Fergal283 Exquisite taste and musicianship exist outside of the bounds of time. (Yeah, I listen to Jon Anderson a lot. :)

Rick Wakeman on keyboards - one of the greatest. He still tours, putting on his fabulous shows of comedy and virtuoso keyboards.

@barriegibson6411

2 жыл бұрын

I enjoyed the story he told of the beer that he was drinking, making his wife look pretty, being cheaper than her make up. He was with Strawbs for a time before Yes

@escudos999

2 жыл бұрын

@@barriegibson6411 Yes, Strawbs were excellent, 'From the Witchwood...'. And they're still going!

@JasonSmith-jr7jh

2 жыл бұрын

Thank God (and He does all the time!) that, in spite of having a heart attack at age 25, He's still going strong!

@hdew77

2 жыл бұрын

I saw a You Tube video awhile back of Rick playing the piano and his fingers had to have been among the fastest to ever play that instrument, it was jaw dropping.

@jeffschielka7845

2 жыл бұрын

Grumpy old man tour starting soon. Hoping to catch a show near Chicago.

As mind blowing as it is for you, imagine hearing this in the early 70s. There had been nothing like this. For me it was life changing and led on the path to my love of progressive rock. Glad you enjoyed and appreciated it. It does take a number of listens. Cheers, guys.

@thomasroutte8942

Жыл бұрын

My older brother took me to Louisville Ky to see Yes live in the early 70s

@tomhenninger4153

9 ай бұрын

So True!

There are portions of this song where each and every member seems to transcend greatness - all five of them are just immensely talented and this song is a showcase for every member of this band.

@erickvermeulen9734

2 жыл бұрын

And the bass play by Chris Squire and the drums by Bill Bruford lay a very steady foundation, amazing. They give Steve Howe and Rick Wakeman the chance to shine, as well as Jon Anderson.

@juanartaza2023

2 жыл бұрын

13:34.. el momento donde para mi el tiempo se detiene y escucho el canto de los angeles y el organo de rick me lleva a lo mas profundo de mis sentimientos .. cierro lo ojos, dejo caer algunas lagrimas de extasis y luego continuo con mi vida..

@deanroddey2881

Жыл бұрын

Yeh, the sum is orders of magnitude greater than the parts, and the parts are freaking incredible. Of course Bruford and Squire are just frightening, as usual, one of the most tasteful, perfect rhythm sections of all time. But I have to say, Howe's guitar work is just absolutely fierce in places on this tune.

@benjaminroe311ify

Жыл бұрын

@@deanroddey2881 Yeah some of Andersons best singing is here too. This masterpiece is incredible.

Everything changed that night in New Orleans back in 1972 when, with 12000 other humans practically levitating, they performed this musical movement LIVE. It was wondrously overwhelming.

@ginosantori3381

2 жыл бұрын

"Awaken" boys.

Part of the genius in the opening is that Steve Howe tears blindingly fast runs, followed by slower sections that allows the explosion of notes to soak in.

Yes has a new single released today called, "Cut From The Stars. " New song from the legendary Progressive Rock band, YES. Their new album will be released in May 2023.

I'm 66, been listening to this piece for 50 years and yes, it's a Divinely inspired masterpiece.

This is perhaps the best rock compositions ever. It flows like a classical music piece, with different movements clearly evident. From the chaotic intro, to the melodic mid portion, to the triumphant pipe organ climax, then to the melodic end, it flows like the stream heard in the beginning. Thanks for your reaction to this masterpiece. Few get to experience it, since it doesn't fit the standard radio format. Please share it, so more can enjoy its grandeur.

We have 5 musicians at the height of their musical power doing what they wanted and a record company which let them. Sadly, it will never happen again.

I still have the memory of seeing this live when I was 16. Not just there, but standing right up front and center. I had been a major music fan for a decade, but that was another level. Those guys threw out the rulebook and created their own genre from scratch.

@Jonni1027

2 жыл бұрын

Me too! I was 15, at Winterland in San Francisco, standing way up close to the stage

@thomascanfield9165

2 жыл бұрын

@@Jonni1027 Must have been an amazing time for music in the Bay Area ! It probably didn’t surprise you that on hindsight it was the golden age of rock. I had hunch back then when I heard Carly Simon sing that “these are the good old days”. Cool that young people are reviving interest in music of our youth, like last night seeing a young black guy playing early 70’s Genesis and bubbling over with excitement. ( btw, POPENYCO is his channel)

They wrote that piece almost 50 yars ago... Jon was 28, Chris was 25, Steve was 26, Rick was 24 and bill was 24 too...They made history...

You’re open minded and that’s what makes you so enjoyable to watch.

Rick Wakeman on keyboards who on stage literally surrounds himself with more keyboards than a music store sells. Organs, synths, moogs, pianos, mini-moogs, You name it he's got it on stage and he can play one on his left side, with outstretched arm, while playing one on his right with outstretched arm as he stands in the middle. He was classically trained so can play Beethoven or any of the greats with incredible precision as well as compose his own on solo albums or with other artists inc' his main group "Yes". A Virtuoso on the keys....& add to that an amazing sense of humour. His anecdotes are legendary and utterly hysterical. There is noone quite like Rick. Love the man sooo much ! - Well you did ask who is on organ ? Lol

@stpnwlf9

2 жыл бұрын

And amazingly, Wakeman's forte is just to sit alone at a grand piano and play. His piano-only albums are absolutely wonderful. Absolutely, he is masterful on any keyboard and any style of music.

@jimled50jl49

2 жыл бұрын

@@stpnwlf9 I remember seeing him on tv on The Old Grey Whistle Test doing a section from his first solo album "The Six Wives Of Henry V111" and being blown away. I bought the album the same week. The way he just moved around this circle of keyboards playing them separately either side of him. How does he do that ? - & on the live YES album "Yessongs" he has a solo spot that's just stunning, and this was in the 70's.

56 years of listening and tears come everytime

The lyrics were inspired by Hermann Hesse's 1922 novel "Siddhartha", which charts a journey of self-discovery. 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). And, remarkably, this song was released in 1972 - 50 years after the novel, which is now nearly 50 years ago.

@fritzbergmann9895

2 жыл бұрын

I believe nailed the meaning of C2TE!

@Aldoborzoni

2 жыл бұрын

You are right. And I share that knowledge with you. Boy, we are lucky! Can you imagine anybody now even knowing what Siddhartha, or Hermann Hesse, means? I'm sad, depressed about what I see and hear, and almost ready to leave the planet now! I wish I could see any light at the end of the tunnel., but right now I can't. Everything is so mediocre and grey.

@brianhorner8349

2 жыл бұрын

@@Aldoborzoni I share your pain, friend. When I hear what is popular today, I cannot avoid strong feelings of loss and regret. We have lost SO much. There is very little worth even listening to now. I try hard to like some of it. But I usually fail. Try to compare Close to the Edge with ANY rap thing. Its embarrassing to even try. But thank God that we do still have the greats available to us. YES is the supreme emperor of Prog Rock and Prog Rock is the highest form of musical expression, IMO.

@lupinbrabablebix9840

2 жыл бұрын

Well it goes to show that the pathway you thought the human race was set on , wasn’t . Yes was the product of popular culture , it was nothing more than this business we call show and the hippie long haired tune in turn on drop out culture of the 60’s and 70’s was solipsistic dreaming. Hesse was adopted by this culture 50 years after he’d written it so if something is recorded it can be discovered et invented re packaged and re sold . I’m always dismayed when I hear Rick Wakeman retrospectively sneer at his endeavours, the ridiculous outfits and the yearning sentiments it was nothing if not earnest and we kinda believed in them , these were valid radical statements life style statements and a rejection of the war generations values, this is boomer music . I’m very proud of my generation , we did have it all , but what grew out of us is now, the Trump the Farige the Johnson . We grew our very own megalomaniac in Branson but he sold us cheap records so he was given a free pass, he paved the way for Beazos and Zuckerberg. It’s worth remembering that this music is best appreciated while stoned off your gord and however much they protest this is drug influenced music, they were psychedelic influenced bands but as someone observed while a generation lay dreaming of velvet valleys and sapphire seas Lucy’s in the sky with diamonds and interstellar overdrives there were a bunch of second rate also rans who fitted swiftly into the driving seats . See Jay Stevens LSD and the American dream

@psbarrow

2 жыл бұрын

@@lupinbrabablebix9840 tl;dr. At least try paragraphs next time if you want people to read your post.

I don't think that you can even begin to name all of the bands that YES influenced. “To my mind, Yes may be the single most important of all the progressive rock bands,” said Rush’s Geddy Lee, who calls Close to the Edge “among my favorite rock albums of all time.” You should listen to the other two songs on this album, "And You and I" and "Siberian Khatru". They are both masterpieces as well IMO.

@thomassanchez8956

2 жыл бұрын

Ummm ELP

@wendellwiggins3776

2 жыл бұрын

Of all the incredible PURE PROGBANDS almost as unique & mind-blowing as 70's YES, someone has to unfortunately mention RUSH when THE GREAT UMATCHED YES is on. Mush can't hold a candle to YES and not even in the same league or realm.

@thomassanchez8956

2 жыл бұрын

Emerson Lake & Palmer

@andrewdrummond8576

2 жыл бұрын

Love the change at 5:14

@framundajohnson2186

2 жыл бұрын

Geddy's favorite was Relayer.

everything is happening... very complex data... it takes a few times for your brain to adapt it properly, its the lack of order, but once your brain sorts it out.. it gets better and better, like all great works of art... Well done chaps!

@glenndespres5317

2 жыл бұрын

Well said and spot on.

Guys, I am 62 and my first concert was Yes. I had just turned 13 and fell in love with the radio version of Roundabout. I have seen Yes 16 times in concert. EVERY Prog-rock band was influenced by Yes. Most rock bands were influenced by Yes. They are the quintessential Prog-rock band of all time.

Although "Roundabout" and "Close to the Edge" are two of Yes' most popular songs, they are only a gateway to the profound world of music that Yes creates. Enjoy "The Gates of Delirium," "Ritual," and more Yes!

@caroleann_2142

2 жыл бұрын

Ahhhhhh RITUAL, I heard that one LIVE...Phila Spectrum & JFK Stadium

@caroleann_2142

2 жыл бұрын

"AWAKEN""

@davep8221

2 жыл бұрын

My fave is Awaken and the entire album. I think it has the most variety and beauty. We used "Wondrous Stories," transcribed to harp, for our processional. That said, each song is my fave as I listen to it.

"This song changed my life" : no more words needed, you said it all. George, your words are the best compliment possible, and it shows passion, respect and dedication to art. I feel connection because this song never ceased to floor me and many others changed or, dare I say, saved my life...

This is one of the best Prog Rock songs ever. All the musicians playing on it and who composed it were the very best. Rick Wakeman is one of the best keyboard players ever. Has had great success as a session musician , playing on other people’s records like Bowie and Cat Stevens, his time in and out of Yes and many marvellous solo projects he has undertaken. You will need to listen to this song many times to really appreciate and understand it .I have been listening to it since 1973 and still get a kick out of it today !

@Biofilmz

2 жыл бұрын

Agreed! Steve Howe played on may albums too - Queen, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Animal Logic, etc etc

@RaymondBCrisp

2 жыл бұрын

Agreed. Shame this song gets experienced by so few. I'm so glad I had friends growing up that had great taste in music and exposed me to it!

@ashleydarby3652

2 жыл бұрын

And Bill Bruford said it broke him recording this - so no mortals would have stood a chance to drum it then!

@RaymondBCrisp

2 жыл бұрын

@@ashleydarby3652 Band Geek (featuring Richie Castellano of Blue Öyster Cult fame...his pet project) has covered this song with amazing musicianship. It will blow your mind how accurate it is. I'm not exaggerating either. kzread.info/dash/bejne/k3th2pOPkqu4dso.html

Best band ever . Even Led Zeppelin can’t do what Yes did

@ednicholson7839

2 жыл бұрын

Apples and oranges

@faridessalhi7538

2 жыл бұрын

@@ednicholson7839 True . Close second . Pink Floyd is my second favorite band .

@jamesw.5855

2 жыл бұрын

Best album by the best band ever.

@carlajolly2480

2 жыл бұрын

No need to ✌🏻

@kainajones9393

2 жыл бұрын

Led Zeppelin was more palatable to the general population. YES was reserved for genius class.

And even after 100's of listens, you will still be amazed. Every time you hear it, you will memorize it more completely, then when the entire song is able to be heard in your mind, you can still appreciate it, even more with each listen. Now I get to watch so many experience it for the first time, and relive, what happened to me in 1974 when I was 12. Can't wait until you two experience Siberian Khatru. Before Rush was Yes Is. There is so much goodness to come.

@JasonSmith-jr7jh

2 жыл бұрын

Well said.

@edflava4121

2 жыл бұрын

Siberian Khatru is one of their songs I would lean toward listening to a live version where they play an extended jam. It’s the show opener on the 1978/9 tourmato video found here on YT. They play the Hell outta it and the recording is very good. There’s even fan filmed footage edited to it from multiple shows and POVs.

I swear the more I listen to this song the shorter it gets. It felt like about 5 minutes long this time.

@ryanr5319

2 жыл бұрын

I was JUST thinking that after pressing the screen to see how far into it they were.

Two lives. One before Close to the Edge. And one after Close to the Edge. A transition moment.

A little over a week ago I saw Jon Anderson, the lead singer, now 76 years young, perform Yes music with the Paul Green Rock Academy, about 20-25 teenage boys and girls. The most of which are multi-instrumentalists. So Yes music is still inspiring the youth of today. Not the first time Jon has toured with the students over the last 10 years or so. There are a lot of videos of them performing on KZread.

@Jonni1027

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Dave! I just found them doing Heart Of The Sunrise from this week. I love that Jon does stuff like that with kids!❤️

@Bikofree2

2 жыл бұрын

One of the funnest concerts I've ever been to In my 58 years. Those young people truly knocked it out of the park that night. Just kept blowing my mind how good they all were for their very young age.

@davelauerman6865

Жыл бұрын

My younger brother bought this album just a week after it was released. We wore it out with constant use and had to replace it. Fifty years later it still retains the power to inspire me.

And You and I, Starship Trooper

"The Gates of Delirium" is an unbelievable masterpiece

@kiviuq3495

Жыл бұрын

I was a teenager in the 70s and my favourite bands were Yes, Zep & Floyd. I pretty much wore out Relayer, especially Gates of Delerium. I well remember my dad often coming into my room telling me to "turn that row down".

@aminmalik4086

8 ай бұрын

Can't get into it. Tried to like it in 1987 when I bought Relayer. Tried again this year. ( Dusted off the Album). Liked ' Soon' at the very end. That's about it.

You are lucky to have the whole back catalogue of 'Yes' still to discover.

"This is Beyond Masterpiece level production" Yes yes it is. Oh my gosh. It's so great.

Yes found a time machine and went back in time from 2080 to 1970 and created this song 😁

Masterpieces don’t come around often. They charged me many year ago and when I’m driving down the road and suddenly a Yes song comes on the radio I go right back to that time and place in my mind and I crank up the volume.

The first time I ever heard this song was live at a Yes concert. They opened with it, and my reaction was quite similar to you guys. I was in shock. They were one song into the concert and I felt like I already had to go home and think about what I had just seen and heard. It really is a special piece, and I’m not sure any musician or music lover is quite the same after hearing it!

This album was actually number one in England. That tells a lot about the taste of the British. It has such a great, classical-like structure. It has true movements, variations on themes, recapitulation, dynamics (fast/slow, hard/soft, complex/ simple). Love it so much.

@TheanswerzYES

Жыл бұрын

don't forget that less than a decade later the Brits brought us Punk Rock.

Listen many many many times to get it. It’s the number one progressive rock album ever made!

YES are extraordinarily good. Their music sounds as fresh as when I listened to it for the first time, around 50 years ago!!! Please, do Siberian Khatru.

The thing that blows your mind is, they could do this all LIVE!

Saw Yes for the first time in 1974, great to see the younger crowd listening to this great music.

The very definition of prog rock. Roundabout was actually one of their more mainstream songs. This defines them, glad you're doing the album version. You must also do Yours Is No Disgrace, a true banger. Thanks bros!

@davep8221

2 жыл бұрын

Roundabout is a good "gateway to prog" song.

@benjaminroe311ify

Жыл бұрын

@@davep8221 Yep

It took me more than 1 months to be able to enjoy this epic song when I was a teenager.

All the musicians were at the top of their craft and the writing was inspired by a mystical journey from day to day chaos, realizing there was beauty hidden just round the corner and eventually escaping to find peace and love with nature. I get up, I get down. Getting up in the morning and getting down because you have to face the sh!t the world gives you. The organ piece blows me away each time I hear it and I've been listening to this for 50 years.

My fav song/experience from Yes. By far. And when i hear a guy saying "Oh ! Yes ! Owner of a lonely heart" i have an urge willing to slap his face. Well, i'm too old for this shit.

I BOUGHT THIS ALBUM THE YEAR IT CAME OUT AND IT STILL AMAZES ME... I'M 64...ROCK ON GUYS,YOU TWO ARE PRICELESS...ALL MY BEST,KENT IN OHIO {USA}

@johng.8517

2 жыл бұрын

Ditto. I did the same and same age.

@kathy2trips

2 жыл бұрын

@@johng.8517 - Likewise, gentlemen. I'd just turned 16 and used my first earned money to buy it. ($3.99).

YES always _packed so much_ into their masterpieces...that it's impossible to fully appreciate it on the first listen. That's one reason why I was such a huge fan of YES, their masterpieces always stayed so fresh for a long, long time, cuz with each additional listening, you'll notice something you missed before. Seeing how they put something together with such complexity, but so skillfully that you are able to recognize its overall wonderfulness on that first listening. Enjoy, guys!

I agree with you you’re never the same after you hear yes they’re magical people need to listen to this kind of music then the nonsense that’s on the radio have a great day

I have found that the key to understanding the intro musically is with the bass part. Listen to what Chris Squire is playing, he is playing through the root intervals in a slow ascending pattern at first and then in rapid, ascending triplets while Steve, Rick and Bill are going crazy. Now I get the intro section from just listening to Chris..Lol!!

@cherylwoodward

2 жыл бұрын

Great description. I know exactly where you are talking about.

@Magnetron33

2 жыл бұрын

There is an amazing isolated bass track of this on YT. Check it out! kzread.info/dash/bejne/gXWj25Z_mra7qqg.html

Know what we had back then? Total freedom of expression.. Unfortunately now gone So glad we still have the music to remember (: YES Great video Guys

This makes me happy to see young folks appreciate this BAND...❤

You MUST listen to Heart of the Sunrise. It’s of epic scale just like this song and the drums alone will hook you right off the bat. A few others equally worthy: Starship Trooper Yours is No Disgrace Long Distance Runaround South Side of the Sky Parallels Going For the One Siberian Khatrru And You and I I’ve Seen All Good People

One of my favorite songs of all time. A Masterpiece.

They were one of the premier prog rock bands of the 70's. Stunning musicianship and composition.

Yep. Close to the Edge is the most epic song EVER! I love it. Great reaction guys.

The Fathers of Prog. I love them, not only because of their musicianship, but because they raised the bar. They inspired so many others. Rush is one example. Starship Trooper should also be inhaled. Thanks Bro's.

Wondrous Stories. Yes. 🎶love 🎶 try it

The Maestro himself on Keyboards! Mr. Rick Wakeman! Voted #1 Keyboardist 4 years in a row!!❤️.

This has been my favorite group of musicians since I’m 12 years old and had the pleasure to see them live in Hollywood, Florida. Each member of the band is a master at their craft. Jon Anderson has an angelic voice to lead the sensational YES!

The BEST LP EVER RECORDED! All 3 songs are great works of art and great feelings ☮️😎❤️. And Yes performes/performed this live to perfection every time!

Earlier Yes songs (mainly post Peter Banks on guitars) were constructed like classical pieces...one movement after another after another. It's simply amazing.

Bill Bruford is my favorite drummer. He's the most unique drummer I've ever heard and Close to the Edge is unlike any other piece of music I've ever heard. A few come close, but nothing is as great as this, in my opinion.

@socalltd

2 жыл бұрын

I feel this LP gave Bruford the freedom to go for it and hone his style

@Lightmane

2 жыл бұрын

@@socalltd I believe he said he worked harder than he ever did, to get this album right

@JasonSmith-jr7jh

2 жыл бұрын

He (Bruford)also recounts how he recorded the intro section to this after he had a big blowup with his girlfriend.

@jeffschielka7845

2 жыл бұрын

@@Lightmane 😎

@Lightmane

2 жыл бұрын

@@jeffschielka7845 Hey, got another channel for you who's reacted to a lot of YES. He calls himself POPENYCO. I think you'll enjoy his reactions. I've watched several, but I need to check out his recent ones. He just reacted to Sound Chaser and it came up in my feed. 🙂😎

Try "Starship Trooper" or "Heart of the Sunrise" next :)

@keithmyers6121

2 жыл бұрын

Great suggestion

Awaken is a must guys

Brothers, now this is true music. Storyline. Starts out, expands and returns to the beginning with the birds. Masterpiece 60s 70s normal talent. No auto tune crap

@JasonSmith-jr7jh

2 жыл бұрын

Five guys, in their 20's. No outside "songwriters". Written as it was recorded, breaking down everything, playing a gig in the north of England, come back and continue writing and recording the Track/Album... their THIRD album in the space of a year-and-a-half while constantly Touring!!! If this masterpiece was released today, it would flop! Because it's not young, stripclub-ready, so ul-prostituting (she's in control of her own sexuality though!), can't "sing" without Auto-Tune (but she can DANCE!), jail-bait ASS! Or the latest boy band, Justin Bieber or bad-boy Rapper.... HOW I WISH we could go back in time to 1972!!!!!!

OK, I'm starting the video. You guys are taking a big dive. I'm pretty stoned, so I'll enjoy it. Patrick: The opening is pretty unique! It's intentional. They're incorporating free jazz: no rhythm, no structure, no timing. It's meant to be chaotic to lead into the melody.

...those were the days guy's, when music was something more than "commercial" notes...inspired by "Siddharta", a book by Herman Hesse. Have a nice read....

They are untouchable . Genius. I saw this live several times, once in quadraphonic stereo. Chris Squire , the bassist sadly has passed away but he lives forever in our hearts.

My favorite band ever!!! Thanks, guys.

Thank you guys for a great reaction. For nearly 50 years YES has been a favourite band of mine. In The 70 they where far ahead of their time. Crazy tallented people.

It's a pleasure seeing young people listening to music from before their time. I've done that all my life. Close To The Edge is one of the masterpieces of the prog era. Please understand that those of us who listened to this music when I first came out were not "surprised" by it in a way that we'd never heard anything like it before. Some of us were waiting for it to happen...inevitable. I was in high school when this music was happening. A perfect age to be at the time this music came out. We grew up in the 60s when "different" was expected...even demanded. Look at top 40 AM radio in 1966 and OMG what a variety! In my local (metro-Detroit) area we had two great radio stations (WKNR and CKLW) and the music we heard was amazing...especially in it's variety. In one spell in 1964; I Want To Hold Your Hand was number 1 and Louis Armstrong's 'Hello Dolly' was number 2. Eventually Hello Dolly was number 1 and Satchmo shoved The Beatles to the #2 slot. COOL! Point being, this was about MUSIC and we embraced anything musical. As the 60s progressed, music became even more creative and "different". Sgt Pepper changed everything and bands tried to make their own Sgt Pepper in their own way. Yes started making music in the late 60s and were part of this musical evolution. So were other killer bands like Santana, Chicago and Blood Sweat And Tears. Which leads me to what my peers and I were up to at this time. We were kids who joined our school's marching and concert bands. Music by Santana, Chicago and Blood Sweat and tears were easily and readily adaptable for use in marching band...which we surely did...and we loved doing it. Meanwhile, we were playing classical music in our school concert (symphonic) bands. So we were trained in classical sensibilities, "rules" and techniques. At the same time, we had our own rock bands who played at school dances in the gym on Friday nights, etc. Those bands competed in a wonderful way. Depending on which rock bands you listened to and if you were in the school band, your own rock band reflected all of this. So as bands like Yes, ELP, King Crimson, Zappa, etc progressed...so did we. Regarding Yes; we had already been listening to their music for years by the time Close To The Edge came out. As each album preceding CTTE came out, we were delighted by each one...though it usually took several "listenings" before one could catch on to what they were up to...just like classical music. The more "listenings" it took to appreciate any given album, the better it was. We weren't confused by it at all. We were eager listeners trying to improve our own sense of music appreciation and thankful for all the incredible music the prog bands were offering to our young musical palates. Heck, one of my favorite memories of that era was going to my high school band director's house where he CRANKED up his own stereo, playing Fragile. Now understand; he was my dad's age...born in 1922, so he was surely not a babyboomer like me...hehe. Part way through Fragile, he stopped the album and put on ELP, telling me he preferred them to Yes because ELP's music was more obvious in their classical roots and he loved how they blended that classical influence so easily with George Gershwin type composition. I loved the fact that he not only tried to appreciate "our" music, but he really did get it! Sorry I rambled on so long here. Just wanted to share some insight as one of those lucky people who experienced this music in real time.

I'm two years late responding to your response, but I must tell you it does my heart good to see two young men (I'm probably old enough to be your grandfather) being so deeply affected by a musical composition that I first heard when I was 21. You are right when you say this is more than a song. It's a statement; it's a journey; it's an experience that will only grow more profound with each listening. I'm so glad you liked it.

Hola chicos! me sorprendió la reacción a esta obra de arte de Yes... soy de Buenos Aires, Argentina, tengo 63 años y tuve la experiencia de verlos en vivo en mi país 2 veces! Vivir la experiencia Yes es un antes y un después... disfruté verlos, ver sus emociones durante el tema.. llega al alma esta música! Si ustedes lo disfrutaron por primera vez, imaginen lo que sentimos los que los escuchamos miles de veces en los años 70, 80 y luego en vivo!! (tengo el disco de vinilo) Es alucinante! en Argentina hay mucho talento musical... les recomiendo artistas como Luis Alberto Spinetta, Charly García y Soda Stereo! Gracias por compartir esta reacción!

you guys made me cry..honestly.....I still cry all these years , it just brings out so many emotions...this song helped me heal...it is a gift..

From an old-timer in the U.S.A. who grew up on this music, your reactions are giving me goosebumps all over again. If you like church organ music, with a little choral flare, check out "Awaken" from Yes's "Going for the One" album. Good to see young musicians from all over the world discover quality music created almost 50 years ago.

Yes opens up a hole to another dimension with this piece of music. There is nothing quite like it in the history of artistic expression.

Yes has influenced most progressive rock bands from the 70s onward. They also inspired or influenced their 70s contemporaries, like Led Zeppelin, Genesis, Heart, and Rush. Their influence on music technology helped spawn the synth pop genre of the 80s. Good work on this one.

Take all the time you need. I’ve been listening to it for 50 years this year and it’s still sensational. I bought the Album the day it was released, in 1972. And saw it ‘Live’, aged 17, in my hometown venue, in 1973. ‘Yes’, the masters. Pure genius, Magical. 🎶❤️🎶

Hard to imagine that these guys where able to perform this stuff live.

Everything about this piece is spot on. No overplay, no ‘See out what I can do’. The very definition of Prog; never equalled, much less bettered. A timeless masterpiece.

The absolutely legendary Rick Wakeman on keyboards. If you want more of his brilliance, you should definitely listen to Awaken. Trust me.

"I'm a different man from 18minutes ago" - Yes - Stay the same difference Man » You Bro's Rock & Shine!

This is the roots of progressive rock right here. Many, including RUSH, were inspired by this band.

@wendellwiggins3776

2 жыл бұрын

Of all the incredible PURE PROGBANDS almost as unique & mind-blowing as 70's YES, someone has to unfortunately mention RUSH when THE GREAT UMATCHED YES is on. Mush can't hold a candle to YES and not even in the same league or realm.

This music takes you on a journey. I felt the same way that you commented when I first heard it. How can anyone make music like that. It's from another another world! A big part of it was Eddie Offord's genius engineering!

Arguably, the greatest song in rock history.

It thrills me to no end to see young people hearing CTTE for the first time. A young audiophile/musician that I used to work with listened to a ton of modern-day Prog, and then found THIS. Putting it mildly, he had a similar religious experience, and then found out that Yes played this LIVE.. Mind blown.

Just discovered your channel . I'm so glad you've found Yes. Now you can do more. At 72, I still find this and all Yes songs to be timeless. They cannot be categorized or dated. Jon Anderson and Chris Squire's (Beach Boy) vocals, Rick Wakeman's keyboards, Steve Howe's guitar, Bill Bruford's jazz drumming, and the heart of the group... Chris's RIckenbacker/Ampeg bass lines fuel the powerful sound and message. It will never be topped.

Best reaction I've seen, period. Next up: The Gates of Delirium.

Hi guys, you just experienced what I discovered at 12 in 1972. It has always been my favorite. Then I was blessed to see Yes for the first time in 1975 in Philadelphia. The Roger Dean stage affects during this song had white fog going over the stage like a waterfall with lit breaks at the mic stands. I will never forget that night. It started 30 years of going to as many concerts as I could with any band I wanted to see, My ticket to that show was $7.50. That’s what made the 70’s so great. It was also very competitive. Bands then to be different and so musically talented to survive. So many bands came and went. I still went and saw some version of Yes for those 30 some years. They stayed for their fans. Always sold out in Philly. Close to the Edge went almost 25 years not being performed live. I didn’t see it again until AWBH tour that was the best musically performance I ever heard live. Yes is so good because they are perfectionists. There are few bands that sound great live. Yes is one of those bands. I love watching reactions to this song most. It has been my favorite even though I have a very large music collection. Welcome to the club.

@bobsmith7161

2 жыл бұрын

Tom, we're the same age and I saw them in Philadelphia in 1975 at the Spectrum. My first rock concert and Yes has been my favorite group since.

@tomliebold4732

2 жыл бұрын

@@bobsmith7161 Hi Bob, it was my second concert saw Elton John the year before. But I flipped about 6 months before to a complete Yes fan. When I saw them perform CTTE with the Roger Dean stage. As they pumped the fog out and the what I say big mic stand bases that lit up and the waterfall affect it created. It is still after hundreds of concerts still the thing that amazed me most. You’re not a WINGS fan too are you? I used to have a friend I would see there that was a big Yes fan too named Bob. Do you ride bikes? Lol I’m taking a big. Chance here.

Yes was 5 musicians: Jon Anderson on vocals and main writer, Steve Howe playing Gibson ES 175, Electric Sitar, Steel Guitar, and acoustic Guitar, Rick Wakeman playing Hammond organ, grand Piano, 2 mini moog synths, 2 Mellotrons, and RMI Electric piano, Chris Squire playing Rickenbacker Bass, and Bill Bruford playing Drums and percussion his kit was made of different pieces he acquired through his early career including two timbales. This album is considered the maximum opus of progressive rock. Geddy Lee from rush picked up the bass after hearing yes for the first time and he stood in line overnight waiting to see them in Canadá in 1971 that inspired him to found Rush

These guys are masters of Progressive Rock. They have been my favorite band since I'm 12 years old! Thanks for loving them too! And, remember they can play this live and it sounds the same. I love them all. That's Wakeman on organ. synthesizer! Amazing huh! Yes was asked if they would be able to put the ENTIRE BIBLE on a record. Jon (singer) said " we can try"! Starts with nature & ends with nature. Rush was majorly influenced. Watch the live version to see the perfection. They are very spiritual......

"I'm not the same person I was 18 minutes ago..." Neither was I the first time I heard this song

I think back then music was to everyone as high tech gaming is to the genre today. Back then .. there were no cell phones, no gaming, no auto tune and so on. Music grew to be top notch artwork & was what "everyone" spent time rocking to while hanging out. For this song .. one word A R T 💯🎶 Much thnx guys .. awesome interpretation Patrick & George. Have to say George I really got tickled that you were so lost in the sauce Patrick had to tap you to pull u back in & say "We're here man"! That's awesome to see you sit back & take it in at that level .. exactly what it's meant to do. What a huge compliment to YES .. Cuddos George😉🤗👌🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼I think this is my favorite of all y'all's reactions .. I just witnessed .. y'all got it .. truly amazing thing to witness. THANK YOU!!!

@mstewart109

2 жыл бұрын

Yes it was Ramona Alvarez! Still prefer it to this era of music. And movies and other tech. We listened to this music hot off the press so to speak. So much quality and talent and variety back then

@ramonaalvarez7559

2 жыл бұрын

@@mstewart109Yes we did .. long lines at turtles and "sold out" info we had to learn to hear .. lol. Have a great day🙂🤘🏼

@dlwf11111

2 жыл бұрын

It was funny to see them react this way, i bet we were all like this at first haha, no other band makes me feel this way they have really showed themselves to be my favourite band to ever exist! 👏

@ramonaalvarez7559

2 жыл бұрын

@@dlwf11111 Right .. I think I remember a time or two .. lol.

It slaps you, making you question music, then rocks you, then soothes you, then blows your mind.

Ahhh, the ‘madness’ was just the buildup to the epic ness! This song cannot be appreciated fully on just one listen. Shocking? From the Gospel of Thomas; ““Those who seek should not stop seeking until they find. When they find, they will be disturbed. When they are disturbed, they will marvel, and they will reign over all.” They outdid themselves with their double album Tales From Topographic Oceans. 4 sides, 4 20 minute epics based on ancient Hindu religious texts. I heard the thunder! It is a sign… the sign back then was LSD and the ‘times’.

The live version of this song on the YESSONGS album is truly the greatest ever.

This is when we played real analog instruments. No digital anything. This music saved my life as a teenager. It still does to this day. I was just in tears listening along with you. This is the music of my life. This was made with guitar, vocals, bass, drums, and organs, piano, the mellotron, and synthesizers.. Yes influenced nearly ALL progressive rock. Listen to the Steven Wilson band, and Porcupine Tree (2000's)

I've heard this hundreds of times, and it still gives me chills and brings me to tears. Just an immense musical masterpiece. I never get tired of seeing people react to Yes for the first time.

CTTE is one of YES' many masterpieces.