Close to the Edge

Close To The Edge is the fifth studio album by Yes, released on 13 September 1972 by Atlantic Records. It hit the top ten of the UK charts at no. 3 and no. 4 in the US, remaining there for 32 weeks. It was also the only album by the band to top the Dutch Charts.

History and Content
The Herman Hesse book, Siddhartha, influenced the Title track according to Jon Anderson. It was supposed to be much like Hesse's character "Close to the Edge" of the river which symbolically is a serial lifetimes of his soul where he has a spiritual awakening. According to Bill Bruford, the album title reflected the state of the band at the time as he did with the predecessor Fragile.

Reception
A special promotional version in a white label stated "Banded for Airplay" which in turn reflected what Yes did with the title Tracks. The track was divided into segments that ranged from 3-5 minutes of play considering the radio stations didn't want to play any larger track — particularly the length of 18 minutes.

Progarchives.com list the Album at the number one Progressive Rock album. It was also ranked number 72 on the Rate Your Music Greatest Albums list.

Track Listing

 * 1) "Close to the Edge" (18:50)
 * 2) * a) "The Solid Time of Change"
 * 3) * b) "Total Mass Retain"
 * 4) * c) "I Get Up I Get Down"
 * 5) * d) "Seasons of Man"
 * 6) "And You and I" (10:09)
 * 7) * a) "Cord of Life"
 * 8) * b) "Eclipse"
 * 9) * c) "The Preacher the Teacher"
 * 10) * d) "Apocalypse"
 * 11) "Siberian Khatru" (8:57)

Bonus Tracks (2003 Reissue)
 "America" (Single version) (4:12) "Total Mass Retain" (Single version) (3:21) "And You and I" (Alternate version) (10:17) "Siberia (Studio run-through of Siberian Khatru)" (9:19) 

Additional Tracks (2013 Reissue)
 America (10:31) Close to the Edge (Early Assembly / Rough Mix) (18:42) 

CD

 * 1) "Close to the Edge" (18:43)
 * 2) "And You and I" (10:09)
 * 3) "Siberian Khatru" (9:01)

DVD-Audio and Blu-ray Disc

 * 2013 Stereo Mixes
 * 1) "Close to the Edge" (18:43)
 * 2) "And You and I" (10:09)
 * 3) "Siberian Khatru" (9:01)
 * 5.1 Surround Mix
 * 1) "Close to the Edge" (18:43)
 * 2) "And You and I" (10:09)
 * 3) "Siberian Khatru" (9:01)
 * Original Stereo Mixes (24-bit/192kHz LPCM format)
 * 1) "Close to the Edge" (18:43)
 * 2) "And You and I" (10:09)
 * 3) "Siberian Khatru" (9:01)
 * America
 * 1) "America (5.1 Surround Mix)" (10:31)
 * 2) "America (2013 Stereo Mix)" (10:31)
 * 3) "America (Original Mix)" (10:31)
 * Alternate Album (24-bit/96kHz LPCM format)
 * 1) "Close to the Edge (Early Assembly/Rough Mix)" (17:42)
 * 2) "And You and I (Alternate Version)" (10:18)
 * 3) "Siberia (Studio Run-Through of Siberian Khatru)" (9:20)
 * Single Versions and Edits (24-bit/192kHz LPCM format)
 * 1) "Total Mass Retain (Single Edit)" (3:21)
 * 2) "And You and I (Promo Single Version, Mono)" (3:29)
 * 3) "And You and I (Promo Single Version, Stereo)" (3:29)
 * 4) "America (Single Version)" (4:13)
 * 2013 Stereo Instrumental Mixes (24-bit/96kHz LPCM format)
 * 1) "Close to the Edge" (18:43)
 * 2) "And You and I" (10:09)
 * 3) "Siberian Khatru" (9:01)
 * 4) "America" (10:31)
 * UK Vinyl Transfer (24-bit/96kHz LPCM format)
 * 1) "Close to the Edge" (18:43)
 * 2) "And You and I" (10:09)
 * 3) "Siberian Khatru" (9:01)

Personnel

 * Jon Anderson - vocals
 * Steve Howe - Guitar, vocals
 * Rick Wakeman - Keyboards
 * Chris Squire - Bass, vocals
 * Bill Bruford - Drums, percussion