CLOSE TO THE EDGE on Rhino

[RobAdams]

Wowie Zowie! Oops. Sorry. This isn't a Zappa review.


What can be said about CLOSE TO THE EDGE that a Yes fanatic doesn't already know? Highly debated as their most beautiful album of all, even if it's not your favorite Yes album you can't deny it's greatness. Hearing it in crystal clear "Rhinophonic" sound is a notable step up from the last time Atlantic barfed up the last version. I compare the effect of the upgrade to what I heard when I replaced my old Atlantic UK edition vinyl LP with the Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs Half Speed Master Recording way back when.

As we know CLOSE TO THE EDGE, AND YOU AND I and SIBERIAN KHATRU, I'll just scoot over to the bonus tracks. Two useless single edits are included (AMERICA and TOTAL MASS RETAIN), as are studio run-throughs of AND YOU AND I and SIBERIAN KHATRU (called SIBERIA). Both are rough versions with more emphasis on the musical dynamics than the vocals. It's so wonderful to hear these songs in their embryonic period!

[gathernear]

I agree. Rob. These bonus tracks are fascinating. Total Mass Retain was the biggest surprise for me. It's a chunk of Close To The Edge with a very different mix. The alternate And You And I uses different instrumentation. This is my favorite reissue from this batch so far.

Larry

[David Momberg]

Not my fav of the 4 re-issues, but a close second to tfto and gfto tied for first. The highlight for me is the run-through of "And You And I", esp. Jon's different vocal phrasing. I haven't noticed the different mix on the total mass retain edit-I'll have to listen again.And I've never heard Rick's organ part sound better on CTTE. Great packaging and notes too!

[Martin Riley]

The in tray picture is cool as well. Is that Hollywood Boulevard or somewhere like that?

[SonicDeath10]

i love the album close to the edge like a sister. it was my first yes album and it completely converted me from curious Yes fan to Yeshead.

the bonus tracks are a bit... they're okay. the single edits are kinda dorky. i mean, i had the full version of america on fragile reissue. it is kind of weird to hear the bird chrips and such on total mass retain sped up, and it is a slightly different mix. but it's not essential or anything. personally, the in work progress of roundabout on the fragile album was better mostly cuz i can hear jon mess up, and there are more changes.

the run throughs of the songs are very good. it's weird not to hear the distorted voices in and you and i, and some of the instrumentation is difffernet, yes. (no pun)

siberia is okay, but my favorite part is left out when jon and the band goes "DA doo DA doo DA doo DA" at the end when it's just the thudding bass. it sounds good here, but i miss those vocals.

my personal favorite of the reissues, overall is Yes.

[Sheerah]

So, after four shots of novocaine and two hours of dental work, I decided to treat myself to some remastered Yes music - which, is still on sale at Tower Records! I bought Tales and CTTE.

I listenend to CTTE on my best stereo - the one in my car.

I was reminded why I love Bill Bruford so much. I heard his drums today like I had never heard them before. I used to copy my albums to cassette. That's how I used to listen to music in my car, back in the day. And I never bought the CTTE CD until today, as I had it on vinyl. Man, Bill's drums just jumped out at me! Gawd! I love his style!

I also thought that Siberian Khatru never sounded stronger!

While I was in the store, I did quite a bit of browsing. Rhino is remastering everything! One of their remasters that sticks out in my mind was Elvis Costello. There was just a bunch of different Rhino stuff. I am about to have a serious love affair with Rhino!

[SonicDeath10]

Originally posted by sschiffman
One of their remasters that sticks out in my mind was Elvis Costello. yeah, those are really f-ing great!!!!!!!!!!! i mean, an extra disc full of music, with no extra price?! hell yeah.

[Earl Grey]

Originally posted by Martin Riley
The in tray picture is cool as well. Is that Hollywood Boulevard or somewhere like that?

Don't quote me, but I seem to remember YES using the same billboard, the one over Hollywood Tattoos, (On Sunset Blvd, near Laurel Canyon) for CTTE as well as TALES.

Perhaps Atlantic Records owned the billboard at the time?
~~~~~~~~

I'm listening to the CTTE Remaster even as I type (AYAI is just starting-up!).

I LOVE the run-through of 'Siberia' and 'AYAI'. How fun, hearing these songs not quite finished: a bit 'clunky' at times, that's the charm of it. 'Clunky' isn't a word that I associate with YES after all...

These early versions are quite fleshed-out, considering. Magic in flux.
This is what I hoped for: YES in the rough. Hearing what might have been, hearing the ideas mid-stream, watching the paintbrush tilt Mona Lisa's smile while still being conceptualized...

There are art books of Piccasso's rough sketches, where he would work out an idea until it was perfected. There would sometimes be 20 sketches before he got it 'right'.

To the Piccasso fan, the rough sketches are as important as the finalized masterpiece... And so it is with these. These are the most important recordings that YES has ever released, to me.

To hear how they did it: that's the touchstone!

So again, Bravo Rhino! It's a good time to be a Yesfan.

Earl:yesbird:

[Ron Drummond]

I got the Rhino reissue last night and cranked it up on the home system and was utterly blown away by it. Hadn't heard CttE in over six months, and I think I found more to love in it than ever before. The clarity of the sound on this new disc is just unbelievable!

Earl, loved your comments about works in progress. There absolutely had to have been studio run-throughs of CttE, why didn't they include one of those too? Also, I don't remember the song CttE sounding this good on the Rhino "In A Word" box -- can anyone offer an opinion as to whether the new version is yet another remaster over the box-set version?

Love hearing the early versions of AYaI & SK. Jon's husky voice on the former is pretty amazing actually. Okay, another question: why do they call the run-through of SK "Siberia" but all the other run-throughs and alternate versions on the various reissues all carry the same titles as the final versions?

I will admit that I am a latter-day convert (as of summer 2002) to the amazing beauties of CttE-the-song. This newest remaster is simply stunning to me, and I am amazed all over again at the miracle these guys managed to pull off. A near-perfect album.

[heartofthesunrise]

I picked up Tales last week; I do enjoy the whole thunderstorm beginning to RSOG, and Ritual and Remembering sound so freakin' awesome! Today I picked up Relayer (on sale for $8.99--love a bargain) and listened to it while I worked out and watched the Giants game. Gates never sounded better. I'll begin my search for CTTE, but so far, the two I have are enough to keep me happy for a while.

[CybrKhatru]

Forgive me if this is old news, but those of you who have read the "Yesstories" book may "recognize" the alternate version of AYAI as being one about which Howe speaks. He mentions a mix with the "AMEN" ending which sounded great to them at first, but over time the band grew dissatisfied with it, and (like the title track of the same album) they struggled with exactly how to end the tune. I believe this is that take---and we kinda chuckled after hearing it for the first time, remembering what Howe had said about it!

---Matt

[YesForSure.]

Sorry for bumping up a ancient thread, but I got the Rhino Master just recently, and it's wonderful. The sound quality is excellent, especially the "shhhuu!' or whatever that thing is when Jon is doing the
My eyes convinced, eclipsed with the younger moon attained with love.
It changed as almost strained amidst clear manna from above.
I crucified my hate and held the word within my hand.
There's you, the time, the logic, or the reasons we don't understand.
etc. part. Hard to explain ;)
And this package is just beautiful. I'm usually afraid to touch it!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v702/mikepike/Pwned_024.jpg

[Dances w/PURPLE]

Nice!

I'm rather enjoying these resurrected threads. Always a good thing.

[YesForSure.]

Forgot to mention, the way it locks the CD in there is much better than the method rhino used on their 35th anniversary 3cd set, all are broken on my copy :(.
And the alternate version of AYAI is pretty horrible, Jon's voice sounds like he is on a high amount of drugs, (Which he probably was).

[Orbert]

And this package is just beautiful. I'm usually afraid to touch it!
Nice picture of the packaging. Too bad about the green stripe down the middle of the painting, though. Kinda lame, I think, that someone thought it was "okay" to do that.

[neilius]

Question: Is it worth buying? I mean; I bought the digitally remastered version in 1995 and that sounds superb, is the rhino release any better?

[neilius]

Question: Is it worth buying? I mean; I bought the digitally remastered version in 1995 and that sounds superb, is the rhino release any better?


Anyone?

[smatt]

Yes Neil.. I personally think it is far superior to the earlier remaster.... There's more depth to the sound...... Certainly worth the $10 bucks it's going for these days! To be honest, I think they did a wonderful job on all the remasters.... :clap:

[neilius]

Yes Neil.. I personally think it is far superior to the earlier remaster.... There's more depth to the sound...... Certainly worth the $10 bucks it's going for these days! To be honest, I think they did a wonderful job on all the remasters.... :clap:

A purchase of Close to the edge shall be made! This will be the 4th time ive bought this album!!

[RickyG]

Forgot to mention, the way it locks the CD in there is much better than the method rhino used on their 35th anniversary 3cd set, all are broken on my copy :(.
And the alternate version of AYAI is pretty horrible, Jon's voice sounds like he is on a high amount of drugs, (Which he probably was).

Well I think the alternate version of AYAI is really great, because we get to see it in an earlier stage of development with some parts that were deleted and missing some parts that hadn't yet been created.

Most vocalists tend to sound alot less than their best when doing rough studio run throughs. I think it's a bit irresponsible to claim that Jon was probably "on a high amount of drugs" at the time.

I know a couple of members of a VERY psychedelic tripped out band. People always say that they had to be stoned when they were making their music. But they have told me that they were always straight and clear when in the studio. That, they sometimes would smoke a joint when they were finished, in order to get some new perspective when listening to what they had done. In my experience nearly all musicians I've ever worked with are noticeably worse when they are high on drugs. It may sound better to them when they are high, but in actuality their playing is sloppier, less inspired, less clear.

Too bad about the green stripe down the middle of the painting, though. Kinda lame, I think, that someone thought it was "okay" to do that. It's really just a necessary byproduct of the Digipack manufacturing process. The only other option would be to leave it white or make it a different color, but you can't get around having that gap between the inner panels. Someone would have only thought it "okay" since it was a choice of that line/gap or not putting the picture there.

[CybrKhatru]

People may disagree with me, but the 94 remasters were not that much of an improvement (if at all) over the original CDs, with the exception of Fragile, which had a muddy-sounding first pressing (later corrected) and was missing the Reprise of We Have Heaven! (that too was corrected). The packaging of the 94s was improved, but that has been outdone IMHO by the new Rhinos.

Re:the sound quality on the Rhinos, so far I give 'em a thumbs up. Haven't compared them to the older 80s CDs, but I will at some point. This kind of geeky stuff is right up my alley! :lmao: And I still really like the way the older Atlantics sound. They might have more hiss, but there's ambiance in that hiss too. I can't yet determine if any of that "warmth" has been lost in the new versions.

--Matt

[sniggly]

While i agree that its intresting to listen to from the perspective
of artisitic process, thats not why i buy a CD. if i wanted that, they should call
it "works in progress". I also agree that the version of AYAI on this cd is really awkward
and strange. i guess it shows up how good the actual version they finally went with was,
and how discerning one must be in editing, as this version shows some real lack
of subtelty in transitions. Im happy to have the cut of America which I love, and
the remaster of the album itself sound great, but I could have done with
other choices for the remainder..

[YesForSure.]

Well, after just completing (or so I thought) My Yes CD COllection, It looks like I'm going to have to purchase the Rhino Remaster's from YES-Tormato.
Can somebody tell me if they are All packaged this way? (MIni LP style).
I' getting Tales next to replace my Russian Import with all 4 songs on one disc, if the packaging is as nice, it'll be worth it..

[Yes_Fan_4_Life26]

The Drama Rhino Re-master is a plain CD package. I recommend it for you, Yes Brother.

[CybrKhatru]

IIRC, the only Rhino Yes discs that came in the fold-out cardboard style are Fragile, CTTE, Tales, and Relayer. ALl the rest are in standard jewel boxes.

BTW, YesForSure...I've got to ask----how did they fit all 4 sides of Tales onto one CD???? I thought the total time of TFTO was over 80 minutes....

At the very least, the "work-in-progress" or "alternate mixes" on these remastered CDs help one appreciate just how much work went into arranging Yes music. Fascinating too that long before sequencers and Pro-Tools, people were "assembling" their music in a cut-and-paste fashion. Miles Davis and his producer (Teo Macero) also did this in the late 60s/early 70s with albums like B****es Brew, In A Silent Way, Jack Johnson and others, but I don't recall many rock bands doing it....

Matt

[YesForSure.]

IIRC, the only Rhino Yes discs that came in the fold-out cardboard style are Fragile, CTTE, Tales, and Relayer. ALl the rest are in standard jewel boxes.

BTW, YesForSure...I've got to ask----how did they fit all 4 sides of Tales onto one CD???? I thought the total time of TFTO was over 80 minutes....

Matt
Ah good, the 3 best albums are in that form. About the tales CD, when I saw it, I was like What the Christ? But it looks like it was just under 80..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v702/mikepike/Pwned_081.jpg
And I assure you it's only one disc. The label is "Atlantic" also. I wonder if they cut any portions out?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v702/mikepike/Pwned_082.jpg

[Ryan]

the running times on my atlantic version are 20:25, 20:36, 18:36, 21:33, which is over 80 minutes. I wonder why your Ritual is 38 seconds shorter than mine

[YesForSure.]

I got this one from russia, maybe they cut out some of the crap at the end. of ritual.

[Melissa]

The Rhino CTTE was my first re-purchase, and I was delighted to hear the studio AYAI. I can really appreciate how much went into the released album edit after hearing the run through.

Also, at first, I found Jon's voice off and the phrasing almost, well, jarring, compared to the released version(s) (including live cuts), but I've come to appreciate it and look forward to listening to the track.

[jugula]

So, after four shots of novocaine and two hours of dental work, I decided to treat myself to some remastered Yes music - which, is still on sale at Tower Records! I bought Tales and CTTE.

I listenend to CTTE on my best stereo - the one in my car.

I was reminded why I love Bill Bruford so much. I heard his drums today like I had never heard them before. I used to copy my albums to cassette. That's how I used to listen to music in my car, back in the day. And I never bought the CTTE CD until today, as I had it on vinyl. Man, Bill's drums just jumped out at me! Gawd! I love his style!

I also thought that Siberian Khatru never sounded stronger!

While I was in the store, I did quite a bit of browsing. Rhino is remastering everything! One of their remasters that sticks out in my mind was Elvis Costello. There was just a bunch of different Rhino stuff. I am about to have a serious love affair with Rhino!

Totally agree, the best thing about CTTE is the drums, when I'm out running I love to listen to Fragile, TYA & CTTE, not sure what it is really, most runners like something fast with a driving beat to run to (I do too) but I also get mesmerised by Bill's drumming and as you say the Rhino version brings it to life.

[SonicDeath10]

I thought they put three of the Tales songs on one disc with Ritual on the second and the bonus tracks on there wiht it?

[Melissa]

I thought they put three of the Tales songs on one disc with Ritual on the second and the bonus tracks on there wiht it?


They did. The version referred to with 4 on one disc is a russian release, not a Rhino.

[CybrKhatru]

They did. The version referred to with 4 on one disc is a russian release, not a Rhino.

Right. This makes me wonder (since all the tracks on the Russian release are shorter by a handful of seconds) if anything was faded early, or if the CD manufacturers just sped up their tapes a bit?

It's weird---now that I'm getting back into vinyl so strongly, I find the Rhino CTTE too "jacked-up" EQ-wise for my personal tastes. Bill Inglot definitely got a LOT out of those tapes---there are more details revealed in the Rhino CD, but I guess my ears are used to the way the first CD (and the vinyl) sounded.

But don't mind me ;)...these days I'm preferring vinyl versions nine times out of ten. Who'da thunk?

:headset:

--Matt

[smatt]

Right. This makes me wonder (since all the tracks on the Russian release are shorter by a handful of seconds) if anything was faded early, or if the CD manufacturers just sped up their tapes a bit?

It's weird---now that I'm getting back into vinyl so strongly, I find the Rhino CTTE too "jacked-up" EQ-wise for my personal tastes. Bill Inglot definitely got a LOT out of those tapes---there are more details revealed in the Rhino CD, but I guess my ears are used to the way the first CD (and the vinyl) sounded.

But don't mind me ;)...these days I'm preferring vinyl versions nine times out of ten. Who'da thunk?

:headset:
--Matt
That's becasue those ears... Or longing for that warmth lsot in digital recording Matt.. There's so much to be had in the digital era.. But also much has been lost.... Just as with sex, in music, fast and easy isn't always the best way to go... :lol: