Close to the Edge

Yes, the definitive force in classic and prog-rock music released this masterwork in 1972. Way ahead of its time in message, packaging, sound and musicianship, Friday Music couldn't think of a nicer way to start off the new year, than with this major release from the massive Yes catalog, one of many to be released in the new Yes 180 Gram Audiophile Vinyl Series on Friday Music.

Close To The Edge includes the 18+ minute title track, And You And I and Siberian Khatru, which of course feature the masterful talents of Jon Anderson, Chris Squire, Rick Wakeman Steve Howe, and Bill Bruford. This sonic achievement has been considered the definitive progressive rock album of all time, and Friday Music is very excited to be the new home of this much treasured masterpiece.

As with all of our audiophile vinyl, we painstakingly have worked with the Atlantic Records source tapes to deliver what we feel is the definitive audiophile version of this fine album. Mastered by Joe Reagoso at Friday Music Studios and at Capitol Studios. .

As with all Friday Music audiophile vinyl, you will get the original graphics, including the original gatefold cover, plus the very rare green lyric album inner sleeve, and a protective vinyl album sleeve to protect your investment for many years.

What's it all about? "A seasoned witch could call you from the depths of your disgrace / And rearrange your liver to the solid mental grace." Actually, it really doesn't matter. Later they would fragment and lose focus, but here is Yes functioning for once in the band's tortuous career as an organic unit, and individual elements--such as Jon Anderson's trippy lyrics--are less important than the whole. Even Rick Wakeman's Rachmaninoff-for-Hammond-organ excesses work in context, compensated for by Steve Howe's amazingly fluid guitar (equal parts Charlie Christian and Chet Atkins), in turn counterbalanced by Chris Squire's behemoth Rickenbacker bass and Bill Bruford's jazzy drumming. This is rock music informed by the improvisational spirit of jazz and allied with the grandiosity of the classics. Love it or hate it, Close to the Edge is the definitive prog album. --Mark Walker