Siberian Khatru

Song_infobox
Name = Siberian Khatru

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SorA = album
Artist = Yes
Album = Close to the Edge
Released = 1972
track_no = 3
Recorded =
Genre = Progressive rock
Length = 8:55
Writer =
Composer =
Label = Atlantic Records
Producer = Yes and Eddie Offord
Chart position =
prev = "And You and I"
prev_no = 2
next = End of album
next_no =

"Siberian Khatru" is the third and final song on 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. An interesting live version appears on the groups' 2-disc album set Yessongs which is preceded by "Firebird Suite" by Igor Stravinsky.

The word 'khatru' was apparently invented by Jon Anderson. Stravinsky's "Rite of Spring" is an acknowledged influence on the song.

tructure

Siberian Khatru begins with an introductory guitar riff, after which the main instrumental theme (played by the keyboards) is introduced, a four-measure phrase consisting of three bars in common time (4/4) and the last bar in 3/4, some saywho? it's in 15/4 time. 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 polyrhythmic section featuring the guitar, playing in a meter of 12, and bass and drums playing in a meter of 8. The conclusion is similar to the introduction, returning to the main instrumental theme with a guitar solo on top of it.

Musicians inspired by "Siberian Khatru"

John Frusciante, the guitarist of Red Hot Chili Peppers has cited the guitar solo at the end of "Siberian Khatru" as the main influence for his own guitar solo on the 1999 Red Hot Chili Peppers song Get on Top: "I was thinking about Steve Howe's solo at the end of Yes' "Siberian Khatru". The band sound is really big-and they're playing fast-and then this clean guitar comes out over the top. It's really beautiful, like it's on its own sort of shelf. For 'Get On Top', i wanted to play something that would create a contrast between the solo and the background." [http://medlem.spray.se/frusciante/artiklar/rhcp1.htm]