Siberian Khatru
Encyclopedia
"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.
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.
, the former guitarist of Red Hot Chili Peppers
has cited the guitar solo at the end of "Siberian Khatru" as an 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."
' surreal comedy series Catterick (TV series)
take place in a pub called "The Siberian Khatru".
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
band Yes
Yes (band)
Yes are an English rock band who achieved worldwide success with their progressive, art, and symphonic style of rock music. Regarded as one of the pioneers of the progressive genre, Yes are known for their lengthy songs, mystical lyrics, elaborate album art, and live stage sets...
album Close to the Edge. Live versions of the song are found on the Yessongs
Yessongs
Yessongs is the first live album from the English progressive rock band Yes, released on Atlantic Records. The album is formed of recordings from their supporting world tours for their studio albums, Fragile and Close to the Edge, between February and December 1972...
, Keys to Ascension
Keys to Ascension
Keys to Ascension is a double album by the British progressive rock group Yes and was released in 1996. The last time Jon Anderson, Chris Squire, Steve Howe, Rick Wakeman and Alan White had worked together on officially released studio recordings was 1978's Tormato...
, and Live at Montreux 2003
Live at Montreux 2003
Live at Montreux 2003 is a 2007 live album from the English progressive rock band Yes. It is a live recording of the group's headlining concert at the Montreux Jazz Festival on 14 July 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
Igor Stravinsky
Igor Fyodorovich Stravinsky ; 6 April 1971) was a Russian, later naturalized French, and then naturalized American composer, pianist, and conductor....
's Firebird Suite
The Firebird
The Firebird is a 1910 ballet created by the composer Igor Stravinsky and choreographer Michel Fokine. The ballet is based on Russian folk tales of the magical glowing bird of the same name that is both a blessing and a curse to its captor....
and Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring
The Rite of Spring
The Rite of Spring, original French title Le sacre du printemps , is a ballet with music by Igor Stravinsky; choreography by Vaslav Nijinsky; and concept, set design and costumes by Nicholas Roerich...
is an acknowledged influence on the song itself, thus the introduction.
Structure
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 HoweSteve Howe (guitarist)
Stephen James "Steve" Howe is an English guitarist, known for his work with the progressive rock group Yes...
and Rick Wakeman
Rick Wakeman
Richard Christopher Wakeman is an English keyboard player, composer and songwriter best known for being the former keyboardist in the progressive rock band Yes...
. 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.
Music inspired by "Siberian Khatru"
John FruscianteJohn Frusciante
John Anthony Frusciante is an American guitarist, singer, songwriter, record and film producer. He is best known as the former lead guitarist of the rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, with whom he had been for a number of years and recorded five studio albums...
, the former guitarist of Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers is an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles in 1983. The group's musical style primarily consists of rock with an emphasis on funk, as well as elements from other genres such as punk, hip hop and psychedelic rock...
has cited the guitar solo at the end of "Siberian Khatru" as an influence for his own guitar solo on the 1999 Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers is an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles in 1983. The group's musical style primarily consists of rock with an emphasis on funk, as well as elements from other genres such as punk, hip hop and psychedelic rock...
song "Get on Top":
"I was thinking about Steve Howe
Steve Howe (guitarist)
Stephen James "Steve" Howe is an English guitarist, known for his work with the progressive rock group Yes...
'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."
On Television
Many of the scenes in Vic ReevesVic Reeves
James Roderick Moir , better known by the stage name Vic Reeves, is an English comedian, best known for his double act with Bob Mortimer . He is known for his surreal and non sequitur sense of humour....
' surreal comedy series Catterick (TV series)
Catterick (TV series)
Catterick, aka Vic and Bob in Catterick, is a surreal 2004 BBC situation comedy in 6 episodes, written by and starring Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer, with Reece Shearsmith, Matt Lucas, Morwenna Banks, Tim Healy, Mark Benton and Charlie Higson. The series was originally broadcast on BBC Three and...
take place in a pub called "The Siberian Khatru".