Opening / Siberian Khatru Yessongs Version by Yes in 4K UHD SACD

From Wikipedia:
"Siberian Khatru" is the third, shortest and final song of progressive rock band Yes album Close to the Edge. Live versions of the song are found on the Yessongs, Keys to Ascension, and Live at Montreux 2003 albums, and it also is on several compilation albums. It is notable for being the only song on Close to the Edge that is not a multi-part suite. However, Siberian Khatru contains several separate melodies, tones, and sections in the tradition of progressive rock. The live version on the 2-disc album set Yessongs is preceded by Igor Stravinsky's Firebird Suite and Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring is an acknowledged influence on the song itself, thus the introduction.

Siberian Khatru begins with an introductory guitar riff, after which the main instrumental theme (played by the keyboards) is introduced. The structure of this theme is a four-measure phrase consisting of three bars in common time (4/4) and the last bar in 3/4. This theme is repeated until the verse section begins. The lyrics start at about 1:05. The song progresses through various sections, featuring solos by Steve Howe and Rick Wakeman. There is a polymetric section featuring the guitar, playing in a meter of 12, and bass and drums playing in a meter of 8. Jon Anderson begins singing seemingly random two-syllable words and phrases, which then becomes a Yes tradition. The conclusion is similar to the introduction, returning to the main instrumental theme with a guitar solo on top of it.

Lyrics:
Sing, bird of prey
Beauty begins at the foot of you, do you believe the manner?
Gold stainless nail
Torn through the distance of man as they regard the summit

Even Siberia goes through the motions, hold out and hold up
Hold down the window (outbound, river)
Hold out the morning that comes into view (bluetail, tailfly)
River running right on over my head

How does she sing?
Who holds the ring and ring and you will find me coming?
Cold reigning king
Hold all the secrets from you as they produce the movement

Even Siberia goes through the motions, hold out and hold up
Hold down the window (outbound, river)
Hold out the morning that comes into view (bluetail, tailfly)
River running right over the outboard, river
Bluetail, tailfly
Luther in time
Dood'ndoodit, dah, d't-d't-dah

Hold down the window
Hold out the morning that comes into view
Warm side, the tower
Green leaves reveal the heart spoken Khatru

Gold stainless nail
Torn through the distance of man as they regard the summit
Cold reigning king
Shelter the women that sing as they produce the movement
River running right on over
Then over my head outboard, river

Bluetail, tailfly
Luther in time
Suntower asking
Cover, lover
June cast, moon fast
As one changes
Heart gold, leaver
Soul mark, mover
Christian, changer
Called out, savior
Moon gate, climber
Turn round, glider

[michaelyork]

The most blistering guitar solo outro ever conceived. Steve "The Maestro" Howe at his finest Live.

[michaelbeerbados]

there simply is no better live album than Yessongs. When these virtuoso players in their prime reproduce, a collection of live songs equal to or BETTER than the studio versions, you have to say it is the best ever. Yes was by far the most talented band in history. Not even a contest.

[efoster]

I've loved Yes and Yessongs for 47 years! It was 1973 when I first heard this album on 8 track in my car after a high school friend pulled this one out of his bag. I'd never heard of Yes. I instantly liked the sound of Jon Anderson and the musicianship of the group. I became obsessed with the album in the days to come after running out to buy it. Over many years, I bought Yessongs on 8 track 2 or 3 times, (wore out the 8 track tapes), on album 2 or 3 times, cassette once or twice, and CD at least twice. It's the love of my life. When I hear it played at a higher level of quality like it is here, I can't believe it, since it has always been an inferior recording. That fact is one of the true recording tragedies of the 20th century in my opinion! This album deserved to be a master recording. This particular recording is the most clear and dynamic of any format I've heard. Cudos to vzqk50HD! On my headphone setup this is the best I've ever heard the Yessongs tracks other than those first years in the car, where my stereo system compensated for its poor recording quality. Yessongs is the rock masterpiece of my life in spite of being a hard core jazz fan. For me, it's the best live album ever recorded and one of the greatest albums of all time. Yes was a fantastic group in those days, and at their very best here. I will always be a superfan of this album and of the group when they were in their heyday. There are many other good performances by Yes but only one that I love, and Yessongs is it. There are some studio performances I love too. But, Yes dropped the mike after Yessongs. I was lucky enough to see them live more than once, particularly the World Series of Rock in Cleveland Ohio in the 70's. Seeing them was awe inspiring!

[eda]

I loved this era of Yes with the Stravinsky opening

[paulelliott]

Truly beautiful backdrop coming into view as the Firebird Suite was playing
Loved hearing it, and it eased into Rick's keyboard
Then the band kicking in

Great visuals while the masterpiece was being played
Very cool indeed
Yessongs is one of the best live albums out there

Excellent work Sir

[RichardMNixon-zhuz]

Clearly remember this performance. Was in the South right after our reelection.

Excellent work as always, VZQK.

[thomasrichmond]

Your work is so good but you've outdone yourself here! Many thanks to you

[Relayera]

First Yes album I ever bought. Absolutely wore out the side with Starship Trooper and Yours is no Disgrace. Close to the Edge side was a not so close second. 🤩

[kurtboyer]

I like the guy who yells "Go get 'em Steven!" as it fades out.

[unstrung]

This recording was from the same tour I saw in 1973 at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto .It gives that same prelude that came over the house speakers, with the last section of "Rite Of Spring" by Stravinsky . Then a short bridge by Wakeman, then, lights up and Siberian Khatru at full volume . I was 15 rows back, dead center. I must confess that though I had given up smoking grass a half year before, someone offered me a few tokes of hashish as we took our seats . I think it helped put me over the moon by the time the concert started . Saw many a concert in those days -- but sometimes everything comes together at the right time .

[Jim-oywk]

Such great musicianship/vocals. High energy inspiration in all their music. When I first heard this stuff as a teenager it rearranged my whole musical landscape. I still listen to their stuff all the time.

[DaveDraperGuitar]

Outstanding video of an incredible performance. I was so fortunate to see Yes live many times from the mid-70s to early 80s, at their peak -- several concerts "in the round" on the slowly rotating stage. Totally formative influence on me.

[Jamfjr]

I love how it was the firebird suite so you had that photo in the background during it! Such a great song I played in band class in 6th grade I think. Good job!

[tonyanderton]

Wow! Wow! Wow! That's astonishing. Master musicians, I would say. The bass guitar and the drums holding everything together.

[puntemes]

Che pezzo fantastico, non ho parole per descriverne la travolgente bellezza. Grazie a chi l'ha postato🙏🏻

[bushwhacker]

Side one of Yessongs is the pinnacle of achievement of prog rock

[papunAlicea]

Amazing Yes, as Always. Thanks for share

[dianequick]

I like Rick Wakeman's church organ bit in this piece.

[Pontiac]

Listen from 3:15 on. Wakeman playing like Godzilla was coming out of the water. Then, , the bass coming out of that wonderful Hammond stands the hair up on my neck!!!😎 Incredible!!!

[adneumann]

So amazing this Really now, what compelled him to form "ASIA"? That, I'll never understand....