Notice
Part Two of the Epic 19 Minute "Close to the Edge", "Total Mass Retain" was also the B-Side of YES' "America" Single, and with an extra "I Get Up, I Get Down" Chorus tagged onto the beginning of the Single-Edit Version. This is very basic (for YES, that is), but it does contain all of the Various Themes from "Close to the Edge" (the Song), which makes it very unique I suppose.
Aside from the droning "in your face", triplet-8ths Electic Sitar rhythm which Steve Howe lays down, the Bass Line is probably the most memorable parts of this (or any) YES Song. The Bass Notes are played seldom (shaping an A Minor Chord), and sporadically (leaving plenty of room for Howe and Vocalist Jon Anderson), but give the Song a very agressive feel, at a time (1972) when Rock & Jazz Bass Players were exploring 50 Notes per Measure, Chris Squire simply said, "Let's try this". The Bass Line was (and still is) a true Squire original.
Steve Howe is all over the place (!!) during the Middle Verses (mea 32-45). I have tried to Transcribe the "Studio" Version of "Total Mass Retain" here, though Steve seems to vary his Fret Positions through this Section, just by viewing "Yessongs" and "Keys to Ascension", it varies, but nothing major.
Guitar VI is added for enhancement purposes, mainly Sound Balance.
Keyboard Notes - I have included the little "one-note thing" during the Verses (Theme B), but have turned them way down in the Mix, as they are a bit annoying when listening to the Guitar parts. They are Tabbed here, none-the-less.
The Keyboards have been placed on the Top Staffs of each Section (against my preference), but the 8va will not display properly unless done so (sorry)...
