Close to the Edge, by Yes

Fifty-three years ago I was a freshman at Northwestern University. For one of my flights home to Oregon for holidays, I remember that a classmate in my physics class offered me a ride to O’Hare Airport. Unfortunately, I don’t remember my classmate’s name. We had a lot of time before my flight, so we went first to his parents’ house where he was living. He was still in high school but was already taking classes at Northwestern (he was very smart). He played me a progressive rock album that very likely was Close to the Edge by Yes.

I regret now that I have forgotten my classmate’s name, because he was a nice guy. We did not become close friends. That was a missed opportunity that you don’t see until much later in life.

Regarding Close to the Edge, Yes, and progressive rock, in 1972 I was vaguely aware of Yes and progressive rock, but my musical tastes at the time were very mainstream (Beatles, Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Doors, Who, Moody Blues, Jethro Tull, Creedence Clearwater Revival). It wasn’t until a few months ago, more than fifty years after the album’s release on September 13, 1972, that I began listening closely to Close to the Edge, and it has become a favorite.

I find Jon Anderson’s voice a combination of irritating and beautiful. He’s an acquired taste. But his melodic lines soar, and his melodies are always cheerful and uplifting. The songs stay in my head for days after listening to the album. The quality of musicianship by the members of Yes (Jon Anderson, Steve Howe, Rick Wakeman, Chris Squire, and Bill Bruford) is very high, and the intricate music allows repeated listening.

Close to the Edge is consistently rated in the top five best progressive rock albums on various lists available on websites. Dave Thompson at allmusic.com called the album “a flawless masterpiece,” and I agree.

Rating: Five stars, excellent.