Close To The Edge: The Solid Time Of Change / Total Mass Retain / I Get Up I Get Down / Seasons Of Man (Live 1993)

The Zoo Crew is spinning the epic "Close To The Edge: The Solid Time Of Change / Total Mass Retain / I Get Up I Get Down / Seasons Of Man (Live 1993)" by Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe from their live album An Evening Of Yes Music Plus, and Zoo Freaks, this one’s a journey! This nearly 20-minute rendition, recorded at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California, on September 9, 1989, captures the progressive rock mastery of Jon Anderson, Bill Bruford, Rick Wakeman, and Steve Howe, joined by bassist Jeff Berlin filling in for Tony Levin. Originally broadcast on the King Biscuit Flower Hour and as a pay-per-view special, this performance showcases a passionate delivery of the Yes classic, with each musician at their peak. Jon Anderson has shared that the song, inspired by Hermann Hesse’s Siddhartha, is one of his favorites to perform, weaving a dreamlike narrative about transcending to another world, which he says made him fearless about death. The live version on this album is often praised as one of the best, with Prog Archives noting its unique yet faithful take, enhanced by extended instrumental segments and Berlin’s powerful bass work.

Trivia buffs might love knowing that "Close To The Edge" was a beast to create. During the original 1972 Yes recording, the band pieced it together in 10, 12, and 16-bar sections, with Steve Howe revealing that the intro was inspired by touring with the Mahavishnu Orchestra, incorporating improvised pauses for dramatic effect. Rick Wakeman’s iconic organ solo, played on a pipe organ at London’s St Giles-without-Cripplegate church, was originally written by Howe for guitar but sounded better on organ. Anderson once recounted a chaotic studio moment where a crucial tape was accidentally tossed in the trash, leading to a frantic bin search to salvage it. The 1989 ABWH performance adds its own flavor, with Bruford’s electronic drums giving it an 80s edge, though some fans, as noted on MusicMeter, lament their clinical sound compared to his acoustic prowess. The song’s lyrical metaphors, like “A seasoned witch could call you from the depths of your disgrace,” reflect Anderson’s focus on sound over literal meaning, creating what he calls a “sound sculpture.”

Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe formed in 1988 as a splinter from Yes, born out of Jon Anderson’s frustration with the band’s pop-oriented 1980s direction. After leaving Yes, Anderson spent time in Greece writing with Vangelis, then reunited with former Yes members Steve Howe, Rick Wakeman, and Bill Bruford, all part of the classic 1971-72 lineup. They recruited King Crimson bassist Tony Levin and named themselves after their surnames, sidestepping legal issues with Yes, who owned the band name. Their 1989 self-titled album, recorded in Montserrat and mixed at Bearsville Studios, hit number 14 in the UK and 30 in the US, with their “An Evening of Yes Music” tour earning rave reviews. Despite plans for a second album, Arista Records merged their material into Yes’s 1991 album Union, ending ABWH. Steve Howe later expressed a soft spot for the project, citing emotional tracks like “Brother of Mine,” while Bruford felt it had untapped potential cut short by external pressures.

For Zoo Freaks wanting to dive deeper, there’s no official ABWH website, but Yesworld covers their history and links to band members’ solo work. You can follow Jon Anderson on Facebook and Instagram, Bill Bruford on Facebook, Rick Wakeman on Facebook and his official site RWCC, and Steve Howe on Facebook and his site Steve Howe. The band’s activities are often discussed on the Yes Official X account. Fan communities thrive at Prog Archives for detailed discographies and reviews, and the Yes Fans Facebook Group is a lively spot for discussions about ABWH and Yes. Check out Cherry Red Records for reissue info, and join the conversation with fellow prog lovers!