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Product Description
2003 RHINO Issue : Digitally remastered! with 2 Bonus tracks.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I first picked this album up some 25 years ago on holiday in Guernsey and have been consistently wowed by it ever since. It truly shows a band that, with an average age of their early to mid 20s (incredible fact in comparison to today's out put by young scamps) effortlessly producing their arguably best album and then chasing that zenith ever since.
The album's opener, `Roundabout' is a catchy number, with a spring-driven very trebly Rickenbacker bass courtesy of Chris Squire. A staple of their live shows ever since I think, and a good intro what Yes are about. Followed by the first of an idea that was I think a success; each band member produces heir own track. Due to contractual reasons, Rick Wakeman plays some Brahms, which is pleasant, if slightly out of character with the rest of the album and makes one consider what he would have done if his hands weren't bound by red tape (he had only just joined the band at this point). Secondly, and more satisfactorily we have alto Jon Anderson makes a wonderful multi-tracked, if mantra-like song called `We Have Heaven'. A wonderful dreamy soundscape and very easy on the ears. This is thrown into sharp focus by `South Side of the Sky', a jagged, hard hitting effort with some wonderful piano in the middle, this song seems to match the wonderful painting on the cover of the album.
Next is a drum riff called `Five Percent for Nothing' (a title that was a dig at their previous manager) in which the band accompanies drummer Bill Bruford and has a very strong jazzy feel (Bill joined Yes, thinking it was a jazz band!), followed by another classic Yes track `Long Distance Runaround', again which sums up Yes rather nicely; strong vocals, accomplished playing and an imaginative feel. Steve Howe then plays `Mood for a Day', one of his finest solo pieces, very classical in flavour, which leads up to the tour de force `Heart of the Sunrise', my fave ever Yes track. Quite dizzying in its speed and mood changes, but never feeling lumpy or fast for its own sake. Squire and Bruford sparkle here in particular.
All in all, a wonderful example of Yes, and why Prog Rock, despite lazy journalists still using the same opinions written about when punk came along (it's boring etc - no mate, you're boring for not having open ears or a fresh opinion!), is still a wonderful and thought provoking style of music.
The album's opener, `Roundabout' is a catchy number, with a spring-driven very trebly Rickenbacker bass courtesy of Chris Squire. A staple of their live shows ever since I think, and a good intro what Yes are about. Followed by the first of an idea that was I think a success; each band member produces heir own track. Due to contractual reasons, Rick Wakeman plays some Brahms, which is pleasant, if slightly out of character with the rest of the album and makes one consider what he would have done if his hands weren't bound by red tape (he had only just joined the band at this point). Secondly, and more satisfactorily we have alto Jon Anderson makes a wonderful multi-tracked, if mantra-like song called `We Have Heaven'. A wonderful dreamy soundscape and very easy on the ears. This is thrown into sharp focus by `South Side of the Sky', a jagged, hard hitting effort with some wonderful piano in the middle, this song seems to match the wonderful painting on the cover of the album.
Next is a drum riff called `Five Percent for Nothing' (a title that was a dig at their previous manager) in which the band accompanies drummer Bill Bruford and has a very strong jazzy feel (Bill joined Yes, thinking it was a jazz band!), followed by another classic Yes track `Long Distance Runaround', again which sums up Yes rather nicely; strong vocals, accomplished playing and an imaginative feel. Steve Howe then plays `Mood for a Day', one of his finest solo pieces, very classical in flavour, which leads up to the tour de force `Heart of the Sunrise', my fave ever Yes track. Quite dizzying in its speed and mood changes, but never feeling lumpy or fast for its own sake. Squire and Bruford sparkle here in particular.
All in all, a wonderful example of Yes, and why Prog Rock, despite lazy journalists still using the same opinions written about when punk came along (it's boring etc - no mate, you're boring for not having open ears or a fresh opinion!), is still a wonderful and thought provoking style of music.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Fragile is the album that most fans would consider Yes' first real masterwork. It's predecessor, The Yes Album paved the way for Fragile in many ways with more intricate and complex musical passages. This album saw Yes become the standard bearers of the progressive rock 'movement'.
Keyboardist Tony Kaye, who's style was always more of a rock and roll Hammond organ player a la Jon Lord, had been 'booted' out of the group and replaced by the flamboyant, curryholic caped crusader, Rick Wakeman. Wakeman's impact on Fragile would certainly be as important as Steve Howe's debut on The Yes Album.
Not only was Wakeman a more skilful keyboard player than Kaye, he liked to experiment with different sounds and effects that would add a new dimension to Yes music. He also liked to use his classical training, and inject it with his own brand of rock.
Fragile is an album that features not only group compositions, but also allows each member their own track, giving the listener a good idea of what styles and sounds that particular musician brings to Yes as a whole. This may seem a pretentious, self indulgent idea, but I think those 'solo' tracks provide good links to the bigger, more expansive group numbers.
Once again, Yes fans need no introduction to the tracks on offer here. 'Roundabout' is a perennial crowd pleaser and legendary Yes track with Steve Howe alternating between acoustic and electric guitar, some smooth bass playing by Chris Squire, some pounding Bill Bruford drums, awesome vocal harmonies and some killer soloing from Wakeman. It's got the lot.
'South Side Of The Sky' is my favourite track on the album. A stark number about a group freezing to death on a mountain climbing expedition. Steve Howe lets rip with some hard rock guitar, once again Wakeman gets in on the act with a great piano 'interlude', and the vocals are top shelf throughout. It's a real powerhouse of a song.
'Long Distance Runaround' is a nice catchy 'pop' song that shows that Yes aren't all about huge epic tracks, and album closer 'Heart Of The Sunrise' shows this lineup of the band really blowing off the cobwebs with some serious riffing from Howe, great interplay between him and Wakeman, a thumping rhythm section and a quite jaw dropping vocal display from Jon Anderson make it the perfect end to a stunning record.
As for the solo tracks, Steve Howe's Spanish guitar/English folk fusion number 'Mood For A Day' is a highlight, as is Chris Squire's 'The Fish'. In fact those two tracks actually worked very well in the live arena too. The remaining efforts are nothing more than links and album fillers.
The production is bang on the money and the package is complimented by Roger Dean's first album cover for the band.
Fragile is a top album by a top band firing on all cylinders. It's a quite marvellous debut by Wakeman, and also shows that Yes weren't prepared to stand still in any way, shape or form. This was a band pushing the boundaries and breaking the rules, and Fragile is a good example of the creative and musical confidence that was flowing through the band at this stage in their career.
Great stuff.
Keyboardist Tony Kaye, who's style was always more of a rock and roll Hammond organ player a la Jon Lord, had been 'booted' out of the group and replaced by the flamboyant, curryholic caped crusader, Rick Wakeman. Wakeman's impact on Fragile would certainly be as important as Steve Howe's debut on The Yes Album.
Not only was Wakeman a more skilful keyboard player than Kaye, he liked to experiment with different sounds and effects that would add a new dimension to Yes music. He also liked to use his classical training, and inject it with his own brand of rock.
Fragile is an album that features not only group compositions, but also allows each member their own track, giving the listener a good idea of what styles and sounds that particular musician brings to Yes as a whole. This may seem a pretentious, self indulgent idea, but I think those 'solo' tracks provide good links to the bigger, more expansive group numbers.
Once again, Yes fans need no introduction to the tracks on offer here. 'Roundabout' is a perennial crowd pleaser and legendary Yes track with Steve Howe alternating between acoustic and electric guitar, some smooth bass playing by Chris Squire, some pounding Bill Bruford drums, awesome vocal harmonies and some killer soloing from Wakeman. It's got the lot.
'South Side Of The Sky' is my favourite track on the album. A stark number about a group freezing to death on a mountain climbing expedition. Steve Howe lets rip with some hard rock guitar, once again Wakeman gets in on the act with a great piano 'interlude', and the vocals are top shelf throughout. It's a real powerhouse of a song.
'Long Distance Runaround' is a nice catchy 'pop' song that shows that Yes aren't all about huge epic tracks, and album closer 'Heart Of The Sunrise' shows this lineup of the band really blowing off the cobwebs with some serious riffing from Howe, great interplay between him and Wakeman, a thumping rhythm section and a quite jaw dropping vocal display from Jon Anderson make it the perfect end to a stunning record.
As for the solo tracks, Steve Howe's Spanish guitar/English folk fusion number 'Mood For A Day' is a highlight, as is Chris Squire's 'The Fish'. In fact those two tracks actually worked very well in the live arena too. The remaining efforts are nothing more than links and album fillers.
The production is bang on the money and the package is complimented by Roger Dean's first album cover for the band.
Fragile is a top album by a top band firing on all cylinders. It's a quite marvellous debut by Wakeman, and also shows that Yes weren't prepared to stand still in any way, shape or form. This was a band pushing the boundaries and breaking the rules, and Fragile is a good example of the creative and musical confidence that was flowing through the band at this stage in their career.
Great stuff.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Roger Dean hadn't quite perfected the logo and Yes hadn't quite completed their development with this fine, diverse album. Three tracks form the nucleus of 'Fragile', the best of which is the first, 'Roundabout'. This eight-minute gem displays the fluidity and energy that pervades the whole of their next album, 'Close to the Edge'. 'South Side of the Sky' and 'Heart of the Sunrise' are the other epics and both are very good. Neither, however, are as distinct in style. Steve Howe's electric guitar playing on the latter is, for example, deft but relatively anonymous.
Apart from 'Long Distance Runaround', the remaining tracks are cameos for each member of the band. Though brief, they're generally impressive. Rick Wakeman reveals the fruits of his classical training, Jon Anderson creates a typically celestial vocal arrangement and Bill Bruford gets his contribution out of the way almost apologetically. My favourites though are Chris Squire's unusual but engaging instrumental and Steve Howe's gorgeous acoustic piece.
The bonuses include a long interpretation of Paul Simon's 'America' which wouldn't have sounded out of place on the original album. 'Fragile' is one step away from Yes's peak and well worth buying if you like 'Close to the Edge'.
Apart from 'Long Distance Runaround', the remaining tracks are cameos for each member of the band. Though brief, they're generally impressive. Rick Wakeman reveals the fruits of his classical training, Jon Anderson creates a typically celestial vocal arrangement and Bill Bruford gets his contribution out of the way almost apologetically. My favourites though are Chris Squire's unusual but engaging instrumental and Steve Howe's gorgeous acoustic piece.
The bonuses include a long interpretation of Paul Simon's 'America' which wouldn't have sounded out of place on the original album. 'Fragile' is one step away from Yes's peak and well worth buying if you like 'Close to the Edge'.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A turning point
Finally, in the New Year of 1972, all the ingredients of "Classic Yes" were coalescing with the release of their fourth album, Fragile. Read more
Published 3 months ago by DaySaver
Superb.
This is a great album. Many rate 'Close to the Edge' as their best... but this is just as good, a little less polished and a bit more human, which is what I like about it! A must!
Published 13 months ago by R. Lawrence
Fragile by yes music cd
I had this album when it first was released and can't play it as it is an L.P. and is very scratched! Love this album!
Published 16 months ago by Mrs. Wendy Hope
Improves with time
This work was published in vinyl format soon after the original release and has been listened to every few years since. Read more
Published 20 months ago by G. D. Busby
Quality prog rock
I remember listening to early Yes albums during school times and thinking how amazingly inventive they were. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Philip E. S. Price
YES:Fragile
If you like Close To The Edge, Relayer, Going For The One then you must surely already have this.If you haven't & are wondering 'should I'? Don't hesitate, go for it. Read more
Published 21 months ago by 1980anne
Mountains come out of the sky and they stand there!
'Fragile' is not quite as good as the Yes masterpieces of 'The Yes Album' or 'Close to the Edge' that sandwich it chronologically, but it's a superb piece of work nonetheless and... Read more
Published 21 months ago by MR K J DOWNING
Its sowed the seed of a lifetime
As a 13 yr old boy I had just moved to a new village and started a new school, I had no friends and knew no-one. Read more
Published on 31 Mar 2009 by Stradic
Close to the Ones
Fragile was the album that Yes released before they unleashed 4 stunning studio albums on the trot - the first of those being the brilliant "Close to the edge". Read more
Published on 22 Feb 2009 by Mr. M. Holmes
Fragile Revisited
I bought this as part of upgrading my old vinyl collection to CD.
The original I bought the same week of release on one of my many impromptu days off school,long before "Pop... Read more
The original I bought the same week of release on one of my many impromptu days off school,long before "Pop... Read more
Published on 12 April 2008 by muzo
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