Close to the Edge - Yes

Close to the Edge (18:41) is the title track of the fifth studio album by the English rock band, Yes, which came out in 1972. It took up the whole of the first side of the album. The track divides into four parts (The Solid Time of Change, Total Mass Retain, I get up I get down and Seasons of man). Although there are plenty of vocal passages the track also has long instrumental sections. The lyrics are apparently inspired by Herman Hesse's Siddhartha.  It was written by John Anderson and Steve Howe.

Eruption - Focus

Eruption (22:35) covers the whole of the second side of the album known as Moving Waves or Focus 2, the second album by the amazing Dutch band Focus. The album came out in 1971. Eruption is divided into as many as 15 different parts, Tommy and The Bridge and Euridice being perhaps the highlights. The basic idea is van Leer's but is based on classical operas and includes part sby several composers. The band play the whole thing, which was assembled by physically sticking parts together. Versions of the piece are still played today.

Tubular Bells - Mike Oldfield

Tubular Bells (49:18) covers two sides of an album and came out the year before Lammy, 1973. There was subsequently an orchestral version and one or two other variations, including digital versions in 2003 and 2009. Nothing tops the original. It featured in the Olympic ceremony in 2012. It features all sorts of instruments, especially guitars and the famous tubular bells. Oldfield plays most but not all of the instruments. It is in a number of parts that were not identified at the time when the piece suddenly came out of nowhere.

Lammy - Jan Akkerman

Lammy (14:05) is found on the second side of the original Jan Akkerman album Tabernakel, released in 1974. It features organ, guitars, sitars, drums and lute and ends with an amazing choral Amen. It is composed by Jan Akkerman and George Flynn but incorporates a lute piece by the eraly composer Anthonie Holborne.  It is in six parts and is named for Akkerman's then wife. It is my favourite of the type.