CLOSE TO THE EDGE

This is probably the greatest prog rock album of all time. I bought it on vinyl with my hard-earned paper-round money when I was 14 and it blew me away. It sounded like Jon Anderson was 'word-painting' to me. I liked that. It seemed like he just played with words that fitted the way the music was flowing. It was a musical whole...not just songs with words. I had never heard rock music where the members of a band were so in tune with each other. No wonder Bill left after this one. He must of felt he couldn't do any better with Yes than this. They made some great music after this too, but to my mind they never sounded quite this good again. So much is said about how good Wakeman was on this, but it's Bruford and Squire who really kick arse. I'm 42 now and I still listen to the CD regulary. This is simply essential for anyone who likes good music.