Track Listing

1. Roundabout
2. Cans And Brahms
3. We Have Heabven
4. South Side Of The Sky
5. Five Per Cent Of Nothing
6. Long Distance Runaround
7. Fish (Schindleria Praematurus)
8. Mood For A Day
9. Heart Of The Sunrise
10. America
11. Roundabout

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3009 in Music
• Released on: 2003-02-17
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
• Dimensions: .23 pounds

CD Description
This marked the period when Yes left the planet and took upresidence on one of artist Roger Dean's far-off lands. The musical transition is apparent with longer instrumental passages taking over from the three-minute song format. Lengthy pieces open and close the album, and both songs have become Yes chestnuts. "Heart Of The Sunrise" and "Roundabout" are strong tracks musically, with the latter winning out as beingmore accessible. Without detracting from Anderson, Howe, Bruford and Wakeman, Chris Squire's bass playing is superlative throughout.

Customer Reviews

The first 'real' Yes album
Yes were just getting into their stride when they had to let erstwhile keyboard player Tony Kaye have a longer lie in than expected. Yes needed a replacement-rumour was they wanted Keith Emerson-but got charismatic cape-wearer Wakeman instead and what a fortunate choice that was. Yes' strength lies in the virtuosity of all of its parts-from Anderson's unique voice and mystical lyrics, Squire's thunderous bass, Bruford's intelligent jazz-drumming and Howe's intricate guitar. Addon the brilliance of Wakeman and here was Yes in full flow although the peak of 'Close to the Edge was yet to come. This is a fine album but Yes were just warming up. Still enough of a 'pop' band to record 'Roundabout' this album is a good introduction to classic Yes.

What? Yet another remaster?
This is my third CD of Fragile, so you can guess that I'm pretty happy with the music (a patchy album, but the highs are very high indeed). I'm rating this particular version as no more than 3 stars because in my opinion it doesn't really surpass the previous "definitive" remaster. It's a little louder, but I can't say I notice any marked improvement in sound quality. (I heard that the Japanese HDCD transfer had some serious flaws, but have never heard it.)

To have the excellent if eccentric cover of America on here is a bonus, but I already have it elsewhere. The early mix of Roundabout is an interesting curio (not least for the several fluffed entries) but is not worth the price alone.

If you don't have the album already, I'd recommend this version. If you have the US remaster (and America), think twice.

I'm interested to see what Rhino do with Close To The Edge, both in terms of remastering and bonus material; but this release doesn't encourage me.

Essential "YES"
The "Yes - Fragile" album is such a classic! After the huge success of "The Yes Album", five musicians (Anderson, Bruford, Howe, Squire, and Wakeman) made history. First each musician composed their own song with each one having individual ideas represented through amazing use of their instruments of choice. Of course, "Roundabout" became the big hit, almost by surprise by the band members. But other group songs like, "Long Distance Runaround" and "Heart Of The Sunrise" became famous FM and college campus classics. This edition also includes a fantastic long rendition of Paul Simon's "America" and a great 'rough' mix of "Roundabout".