Close to the Edge is a beautiful piece of music and the album is as good as they have produced. There is no perfect Yes album imo. All have their flaws. And You and I is a little stodgy in parts for my taste although I love the beginning and ending. I have to say I have a great affection for Yessongs despite the somewhat muddy production. Maybe it’s because that was more or less the set list I first saw them live.CTTE for me has always been their peak. The last Yes album featuring the brilliant Bill Bruford. Alan White was a top drummer but so different than Bill, who's intricacies and detail for me make him the best rock drummer ever imo.
Alan is more a straightahead rock drummer but Bill is more than that, like Steve Howe he incorporates different styles, especially Jazz into his playing. Like Steve Howe he is a fusion player. King Crimson were very lucky to get him.
I hold CTTE as the greatest Prog album. Who else could come up with that long complicated but wholly listenable intro, And the beautifull And You And I ?
The concert was brilliant. I was at the last one, last night and also earlier in the week.End of an era, as I type.
The greatest of them all, are playing their final ever (more than likely) concert, even though the singer can't sing anymore.
Will someone play The Last Post on the oboe?
Thank you Tony, Phil and Mike (though I'm glad I didn't go and watch this tour).
Best, ever.
Hmm, I’m not so sure it’s that controversial; there’s a lot of old skool original Yes fans who prefer the 1970–74 output above all else; the folk who’d put Close to the Edge at the top of the pile for example. It’s not a view I share, but I respect it. Funnily enough I really do love all the songs on the Yes Album from 1970, but only intermittently after that. Tormato-wise, On The Silent Wings Of Freedom, and Don’t Kill The Whale I think are top drawer esp live, but I can take or leave the rest of it. As for your comment on Awaken, I think it’s best if I tactically ignore it! ;-)
Great band though, regardless.
The concert was brilliant. I was at the last one, last night and also earlier in the week.
The musicianship, the songs , and of course nostalgia was wonderful.
I am very pleased not to miss it and a final chapter of music history.
I was listening to The Gates of Delirium and Soundchaser by Yes. Never fails to amaze me how brilliant Chris Squire was in both tracks.
Fragile CTTE 90125 and Drama are the only Yes albums I really like. Some of rest have some good songs but none are albums I listen to as albums.I love AOR and poppy rock so "90125" is a contender for my favourite Yes album but I usually come back to the Yes Album". "Fragile" and "CTTE" do make that early period my favourite.