When guitarist Steve Howe came aboard the good ship Yes in 1970, the wind caught the sails just right and a chemistry began to coalesce. Together, they recorded and released 1971’s The Yes Album to great commercial and critical acclaim. To move forward with a more progressive sound, another changing of the guard occurred when keyboardist Rick Wakeman replaced Tony Kaye. Yes quickly hit the studio and cut their second album of the year, Fragile. The stakes were most definitely raised for the prog rock crown with this album.
“Roundabout,” the album’s single, became a Top 20 hit single in the States. It provided a peak into an extraordinary piece of work, where each player gets a chance to show off when they’re not all together, creating future progressive rock standards. The flow of Fragile is like two bottles of fine wine on a Sunday afternoon — with a chaser thrown in at the most unexpected moment. Remixed and repackaged numerous times, Rhino’s four-CD, single Blu-ray Disc Fragile (Super Deluxe Edition) redefines the album’s prominence and place in the Yes story.
Along with a remastered version of the original album on both CD and vinyl, there’s two discs of Rarities, comprising outtakes and alternate versions of the songs, previously unreleased nuggets like “All Fighters Past” and “The Dean,” and a few live leftovers. For audiophiles, the centerpiece of the collection has to be the Steven Wilson remixes — in stereo, 5.1 surround, and Atmos on the set’s Blu-ray Disc. Instrumental mixes by Wilson without vocals are on the second CD and the Blu-ray.
Fragile (Super Deluxe Edition) deserves a deep dive. The surround and Atmos mixes open newly discovered portals into the soundscape and immerse the room in a sonic bath. “Roundabout,” “South Side Of The Sky,” “Long Distance Runaround,” and “America” are as illuminating and fresh as they were in 1971, with an added boost in depth and dimension. The Rarities discs offer early arrangements of every song, with takes of “Roundabout” and “South Side Of The Sky” giving listeners a glimpse into each song’s development, as well as the group’s process recording them. The booklet that accompanies the set includes an essay by Syd Schwartz filled with additional info, anecdotes, and context around the album’s creation.
When it was released, there was little doubt about Fragile and its potency. The solo bits may have confused the critics, but when the five players came together, it addressed all their concerns. The album’s fantasy-laden, space-age cover by Roger Dean, his first for Yes, was emblematic of the music. The complete package for the 1970s, Yes became a headliner because of Fragile and never looked back.
The epic “Long Distance Runaround” and “Heart Of The Sunrise” reamin in regular rotation on the setlist. “The Fish (Schindleria Praematurus)” and “Mood For A Day” have served as gateways for both bassist Chris Squire and guitarist Steve Howe to exploit their talents for audiences worldwide. “South Side Of The Sky” is occasionally rolled out in concert for prosperity. Of course, the current lineup of Yes can’t leave the stage without playing “Roundabout.”
When it came to naming the album, singer Jon Anderson stated it derives from “being in a band was a very fragile experience for everyone…” Despite the connotation, Fragile is very much a cohesive and consistently satisfying listening experience that’s withstood all that’s shaky and about to come unglued in rock and roll and beyond.
~ Shawn Perry
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