Fragile
Fragile (Yes album)
[edit]Fragile is the fourth studio album by the English progressive rock band Yes, released on 12 November 1971 by Atlantic Records. It is a landmark release in the history of progressive rock, being the first album to feature the band's "classic" lineup following the arrival of keyboardist Rick Wakeman, who replaced founding member Tony Kaye.
The album is famous for its unique structure, featuring four group-performed tracks and five individual solo pieces intended to showcase each member's musical personality.
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History and Recording
[edit]Recorded at Advision Studios in London between August and September 1971, the album was produced by the band alongside engineer Eddy Offord. Due to the high cost of Wakeman's new keyboards and the need to pay off touring debts, the band decided to include solo tracks to expedite the recording process.
The album marked the beginning of a long-standing collaboration with artist Roger Dean, whose surrealist cover art (featuring a "Fragile" world) became a visual trademark for the band.
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Track Listing
[edit]Side One
[edit]| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Roundabout" | Jon Anderson, Steve Howe | 8:30 |
| 2 | "Cans and Brahms" | Johannes Brahms, arr. Rick Wakeman | 1:38 |
| 3 | "We Have Heaven" | Anderson | 1:40 |
| 4 | "South Side of the Sky" | Anderson, Chris Squire | 7:58 |
Side Two
[edit]| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Five Per Cent for Nothing" | Bill Bruford | 0:35 |
| 2 | "Long Distance Runaround" | Anderson | 3:30 |
| 3 | "The Fish (Schindleria Praematurus)" | Squire | 2:39 |
| 4 | "Mood for a Day" | Howe | 3:00 |
| 5 | "Heart of the Sunrise" | Anderson, Squire, Bruford | 11:27 |
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Personnel
[edit]Yes
- Jon Anderson – Lead and backing vocals
- Steve Howe – Electric and acoustic guitars, backing vocals
- Chris Squire – Bass guitar, backing vocals
- Rick Wakeman – Hammond organ, grand piano, RMI Electra Piano, Mellotron, Moog synthesizer
- Bill Bruford – Drums, percussion
Production
- Yes – Producers
- Eddy Offord – Engineer, producer
- Roger Dean – Cover design, illustration, photography
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Charts and Certification
[edit]Fragile was a major commercial success, reaching No. 7 on the UK Albums Chart and No. 4 on the US Billboard Top LPs chart. The edited single version of "Roundabout" became a hit in the United States, peaking at No. 13.
- RIAA Certification: 2× Platinum (2,000,000+ units sold)
- BPI Certification: Platinum
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Legacy
[edit]The album is frequently cited in "Best of All Time" lists. Its blend of accessible melodies (like "Long Distance Runaround") and complex, symphonic structures (like "Heart of the Sunrise") established Yes as the leading force in the 1970s progressive rock movement.