Rick Wakeman - Close To The Edge (Solo Piano)

Rick Wakeman performs Close To The Edge live at CTS studios in Wembley.

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[isomeme]

I'm a beginner pianist at age 62, and a lifelong Yes fan. A few months ago, I worked out a right-hand-only version of the iconic guitar hook after the chaotic intro. It makes a great little exercise, and it also feels good playing my own version of even a small section of such a stunning piece of music.

This solo piano arrangement is incredible, and obviously lightyears beyond anything I will ever be able to play. Still, it was thrilling to watch Rick's right hand move through that melody I know so well, launching from G-F# for the major side of the loop, G-F for the minor. It reminded me that we're both pianists, and that is a lovely feeling indeed.

Thank you for inspiring me for half a century, Rick. Your music has changed my world.

[RCAvhstape]

I did not know this existed. I am happier now.

[nsgobbi]

Rick Wakeman has been a musical bless to me since 1973. God bless this man in particular his magical hands.

[greg-warsaw]

There are many very good pianists - but here we enjoy a man who is also an extremely jolly good fellow, with sense of humour to match, great in telling stories, amusing people, such a nice contrast to a lot of hardly accessible musicians, full of pride and nose-up. When Rick sits behind a keyboard and a mic to speak to the audience, a splendid time is guaranteed for all.

[sapinva]

As much as I love his keyboard work, I'll never get tired of hearing Rick on a real piano.

[Boblobblaw]

"Was that something beautiful, amazing, wonderful, extraordinary beautiful?"

[ze]

No words apart from Thank you Mr Wakeman..

[davidlyons]

I've followed Rick since 1973. He's been a very big part of my Life. Bless you rick

[davemcelderry]

A classical piece for the modern world

[mexton]

One of the greatest rock keyboardists of all time.❤

[realkarfixer]

Thank you Mr. Wakeman, for sharing that with us. Incredibly generous.

[nsgobbi]

One of the pieces I selected for my wedding ceremony in the church was exactly an extract from “Journey”. I asked the lady pianist: are you able to play that ? She replied: provided I have the music sheet… and she did it !! 👏🏼

[ShirlySutton]

Wonderfull, another favourite of mine is the late Keith Emerson .

[Migglefitch]

You know what i picture when i close my eyes and listen? A leaf blowing in the wind moving from yard to yard doing a dance with the wind. ❤🌹

[lucapolidori]

At his concert i Rome in 1990 I was below the stage just in front of him. The place was small so I was very close...and I can't tell how many fingers he has on his hands. One of the best concerts I've ever been to in my whole life. He pleyed the whole Journey to the centre of Earth (without the narrator) in one shot.

[dawnclaibourne]

The song may be titled "Closer To The Edge", but I feel closer to heaven now...

[papadave]

What an incredible piano piece by an incredibly gifted pianist. This song helped usher me into my teens, during an era when progressive artists like yourself, Rick, set a high bar that has never even come close to being reached, let alone surpassed in the decades since. That was an amazing time for music lovers like myself, and this video is a poignant reminder of that. Thanks for your immense contribution to the soundtrack of my life.

[ricardosegawa]

It is always a pleasure to listen to Mr. Wakeman play!

[leo-ws]

In some ways, this solo piano version outshines the original. And I love the original.

[jolyonholloway]

Beautiful transcription of the original turning it into a piece that could have been composed by one of the great classical composers.It shows why this music has had, and will have, such longevity.