Close To The Edge (1972)
The fifth album was released on 13th September 1972, and reached the highest chart positions yet; #3 in the US and #4 in the UK, and was certified platinum by the RIAA in 1998. The album consisted of three long tracks, with the majority of the compositions done by Anderson and Howe. In spite of the extreme length of the track, And You And I was squeezed onto a single with Roundabout on the B-side (UK version). The track was split on the US version and occupied both sides of a single. The album art was designed by Roger Dean and was the first to use his design for the band's logo. Eddie Offord once again produced the album and recording was at Advision. Steve Howe said of Offord, "At the time he was an integrated part of the recording experience, and then he’d become part of the life experience as well."
Rick Wakeman played his church organ parts at the church of St. Giles-without-Cripplegate. The parts were recorded onto tape in the church and mixed into the recording at the studio.
The album name was suggested by Bill Bruford, as a commentary on the state of the band at the time. Bruford decided to leave the band at the end of recording and would be replaced by Alan White, who would take Bruford's place in the subsequent tour to promote the album. Bill had become frustrated with the laborious methods of composition and recording. In part, this was caused by Jon Anderson's lack of formal training in music. He could hear the melodies in his head, but could not play them well to the rest of the band. Bruford contrasted the discussion of, seemingly, every note with the approach employed by King Crimson, where everyone simply knew what to do and did it. Bill left the band on good terms and would rejoin for Union.
Track Listing:
1. CLOSE TO THE EDGE (18:12)
(Jon Anderson/Steve Howe)
I. The Solid Time Of Change
II. Total Mass Retain
III. I Get Up I Get Down
IV. Seasons Of Man
2. AND YOU AND I (10:08)
(Words by Jon Anderson;
Music by Jon Anderson, William Bruford, Steve Howe, and Chris Squire)
I. Cord Of Life
(Anderson/Bruford/Howe/Squire)
II. Eclipse
(Anderson/Bruford/Howe)
III. The Preacher, The Teacher
(Anderson/Bruford/Howe/Squire)
IV. Apocalypse
(Anderson/Bruford/Howe/Squire)
3. SIBERIAN KHATRU (8:55)
(Anderson/Howe/Wakeman)
Further reading at
YESWORLD including rereleases.
