------------------------------------------------------- JULY 15, 2001 ------------------------------------------------------- Source: Gnosis http://gnosis2000.net/reviews/yesinfo.htm Close to the Edge - The Story of Yes [book] By Jeff Melton Chris Welch - Close to the Edge - The Story of Yes (Omnibus Press, ISBN 0.7119.6930.2, 280 pp.). Just when die-hard fans had given up, Close to the Edge appears on the literary shelf as a well-written chronicle about one of the best loved progressive bands from the United Kingdom. Yes has long been a target of ridicule by the staunchest fans of rock and roll, punk, and progressive purists for almost 30 years and clearing up the haze is no small undertaking. Chris Welch, former writer for Great Britain's acclaimed Melody Maker magazine, has crafted a creditable insider's look at the history of the band from their inception up to and including 1997's Open Your Eyes. The writer was an early champion of the five-piece act, having also written a critical endorsement included in the liner notes of their very first album from 1969. The real insight with this book versus any other in print (except for possibly Dan Hedge's authorized biography) is the attention to detail and focus on the early part of the band's career. Too many other critiques have attempted to explain the philosophical aspects of Jon Anderson's lyrics (e.g. Thomas Mosbo's Yes But What Does it Mean?) or Yes' vague position in the political scheme of things. What it simply comes down to is that Yes is a band different from any other in their approach to fuse multiple styles which resulted in a large cult following. Several anecdotal stories permeate the ten chapters of the book. For example, in 1969 Yes was part of a tour, which included the Nice and the Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band who went to Scotland to do a gig. Unfortunately for them, the entire facility was rained out so the entire gig was a bust. The evening's proceedings later deteriorated into a long night at a local pub with Keith Emerson pounding out, "Give Booze a Chance," and a beer-drenched rendition of John Lennon's anthem. Also well documented is Rick Wakeman's infamous odorous protest on the Tales from Topographic Oceans tour where he devoured smelly curry meal live on stage story during a performance of "The Ancient." Plus we also get a few nasty snippets of the insidious band politics which have always plagued the band. Welch spoke to Bill Bruford about his cloudy departure from the band in early 1972 to join King Crimson. This was an important turning point for the group since they were about to undertake their first headlining tour in the US to support their brand new epic, Close to the Edge. Somehow manager, Brian Lane finagled a deal to allow Bruford to leave the group, whereby he would give up fifty percent of his royalties from the album sales to tour drummer Alan White, who had less than a week to learn the Yes repertoire before their first gig in Texas. Welch elevates the band stories by avoiding hero worship and focusing on the their musical accomplishments rather than grandiose extremities. The key members of the band were keen to bust up a hotel room on tour like any other big time rock band. Imagine Steve Howe venting some hostility during the 1978 Tormato tour by pummeling a wall with a chair and you get the picture. The real clarity of the storytelling comes from Welch's timely interviews with the band and his gifted ability to praise the group without pandering. I highly recommend this book to any and all fans of classic rock and to the members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for neglecting the group during the past few years of eligibility. Close Window YesInThePress.com For site comments, problems, corrections, or additions, contact YesinthePress@aol.com