I'm a second-generation Yes fan, becoming aware of them as when still at school in the early '90s.
For me the music was awe-inspiring, unlike the (perceived) dross my contemporaries were listening to (Deacon Blue? For me that was old people's music).
Close To The Edge was the first Yes album I bought. Unfortunately, it was not to be the first one I heard.
Upon returning from the local branch of Our Price with the prized cassette, I opened the case.....and found a copy of Iron Maiden's Killers inside.
I had nothing against Maiden, but this wouldn't do. Upon my return to the shop, they could not find the CTTE tape. Bugger.
The Yes Album ended up being my first one, then Fragile (I can still remember where I was and what I thought when Roundabout kicked in for the first time in my life).
Then came Close To The Edge.
Just wonderful, superlative music. I still think so today. It has stood the test of time very well.
Something so positive, a means of ascension to a better place.
It is (as Chris Squire wrote in another song) "An ever-opening flower."
Fast forward about 10 years.
In 2001, I saw Yes perform with a small orchestra. They opened with Close To The Edge.
My tears started to fall towards the end. All the meaning was still there to me, this was the zenith.
After the show I met Jon Anderson and Chris Squire, both of whom were really nice and chatty, Jon particularly so.
I haven't the time or present inclination to describe (with justice) the music as I see it, the lyrics, the playing.
If you haven't heard this (or seen it), this is very much worth listening to (they will play, just not on the page):
The Symphonic Tour version of Close To The Edge.