Out Now: Yes Goes Big With Super Deluxe Edition Of 'Fragile'

 

Yes's fourth album, Fragile, first reached the American Top 10 in February 1972. Reaching platinum in the U.K. and double platinum in the U.S., the record launched the group to new heights with hits like "Roundabout" and its B-side, "Long Distance Runaround."

Rhino is behind an extensive reissue of Fragile featuring a newly remastered version of the original album on both CD and vinyl, plus rare and unreleased recordings. A Blu-ray disc completes the collection with Steven Wilson's new mixes, including the album in Dolby Atmos and 5.1 Mix DTS-HD MA.

Available now, Fragile (Super Deluxe Edition) is includes four CDs, one LP, and a Blu-ray Disc. Renowned audio engineer Bernie Grundman cut lacquers for the set's LP. 

Reflecting on the naming of the album, Jon Anderson states, "It was a magical experience….the music was wonderful…but Fragile was the word I suggested for the name of the album because being in a band was a very fragile experience for everyone….you're never sure who’s gonna be around next week….and if the album would do well…"

Fragile marked keyboardist Rick Wakeman's debut with Yes, which included Jon Anderson (lead vocals), Chris Squire (bass, vocals), Bill Bruford (drums), and Steve Howe (guitar). After he joined in the summer of 1971, the band recorded nine songs for the album, four group arrangements ("Roundabout"), and five individual compositions, including Anderson's "We Have Heaven" and Howe's instrumental "Mood For A Day."

Fragile (Super Deluxe Edition) introduces a new remix of the album and instrumental mixes by Wilson. In addition, two discs of rarities provide a glimpse of the album's creative journey, from early versions of "Roundabout" and "South Side Of The Sky" to unreleased live recordings from the Fragile Tour, including "Long Distance Runaround / The Fish (Schindleria Praematurus)."

Fragile holds a special place in Yes' history as the first album to feature artwork by English artist Roger Dean, whose style is now synonymous with the band. Music journalist Syd Schwartz describes the deep connection between the two. "Few marriages of sound and vision are as perfectly suited as Yes and Roger Dean – it was like they grabbed the same shooting star simultaneously. The iconic Yes logo was still an album away, but Fragile established a cosmic vibe forever associated with Yes..."

Catch Yes co-headlining this summer with Deep Purple performing around the US and Canada. See a full list of dates below.

Tour Dates

Aug 14 Hollywood, FL Hardrock Live 

Aug 15 Tampa, FL Hardrock Live 

Aug 17 Houston, TX Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion 

Aug 19 FT. Worth, TX Dickies Arena 

Aug 21 Cincinnati, OH PNC 

Aug 22 Detroit, MI Michigan Lottery Amp. 

Aug 23 Chicago, IL Credit Union Amp.

Aug 25 Toronto, ON Budweiser 

Aug 27 Montreal, QC Bell Centre

Aug 28 Gilford, NH Bank NH 

Aug 30 Camden, NJ Freedom Mortgage 

Aug 31 Holmdel, NJ PNC Arts 

Sept 1 Wantagh, NY Jones Beach 

Sept 3 Bridgeport, CT Hartford Healthcare

Sept 4 Saratoga Springs, NY Broadview

Sept 6 Bethel Woods, NY Bethel Woods 

Sept 7 Bristow, VA Jiffy Lube 

Sept 8 Scranton, PA Montage