Fragile: Expanded / Remixed

What do you get when you place the original master tapes of the masterpiece “Fragile” by the band Yes recorded in 1971, originally released in 1972 on vinyl, in the very capable hands of Steve Wilson? You get a 5.1 Blu-Ray Audio remix that is anything but infrangible. As I’ve written previously, regarding the Wilson remixes of “The Yes Album”, “Close To The Edge”, and “Relayer”, these offerings are stunning examples of Wilson’s production legerdemain resulting in a listening experience that is magical and unique.Steve Wilson has, once again, delivered the goods such that hearing “Fragile” in the 5.1 DTS Master-HD audio format is akin to hearing the album for the very first time. The magnetic presence of Steve Howe’s guitars, the edginess of Chris Squire’s bass, the crisp and clean percussion at the hands of Bill Bruford, the fluid harmonics of Rick Wakeman’s acoustic and electric keyboards, and the signature vocals of Jon Anderson resonate as never before in a surround sound format that takes the listener on a very magical sonic sojourn. As excellent as the aforementioned Blu-Ray audio albums are, this is the album that I was waiting to hear in High Definition DTS Master-HD. You will not believe the difference between the remastered stereo version and the sound of the Blu-Ray audio album. Then, again, how could you not believe?Yes, there are plenty of extras on the Blu-Ray disk but I’m only going to mention, briefly, the snippet from a track entitled “All Fighters Past” because fans of the Yes album “Tales From Topographic Ocean” will immediately recognize the melody line and delight in the difference in the way it was transformed into the track that appeared on the TFTO release. I’m not going to ruin the surprise by mentioning the name of the track on TFTO but you will know it as soon as you hear Anderson’s voice.It’s truly remarkable how a recording from 1971 has been remixed in such a way as to place the listener in the middle of an aural landscape, surrounded on all sides by the progressive music of an iconic band. With due respect to the other Blu-Ray releases from Yes, this is, subjectively stated, the one remixed album that you want to add to your collection and you’re going to want to crank it up!

The remixes are great. The sound is fantastic, due to the limitations of vinyl there is so much more range on the CD and Blu Ray there is no comparison. The bonus tracks are great. This is the edition of this CD to get. Other versions of this were made using the album mix. This is a complete new mix.

I can't write fast enough concerning my excitement for this, yet another superb sonic overhaul, compliments of the ever musically astute ears of Steven Wilson.I listened to the entire stereo version of this new mix and the results are, in a word, stellar. In all honesty, better than 95% of my issues with the original mix of this gorgeous album have been rectified. The keyboards are cleaner than they have ever sounded as well as having a much smoother balance within the overall mix of nearly every song.The acoustic guitars-especially within the context of the busier song sections-have a presence which outdoes the original mix by miles. They are clean, crisp and more percussive than ever.I can't say enough about how much more enveloping the stereo image is on this new mix. Guitar and keyboard parts jump out at you from either side like they never have before. These are parts and sequences that you always heard but never came out at you quite this effectively.I also gave a quick, initial listen to a couple of the instrumental remixes (yes, the backing tracks ONLY to each and every one of these incredible songs/recordings, all laid out for your hearty consumption). Suffice to say that as I listened, I found myself grinning end to end. There is so much melody and color in these instrumental tracks that, in many cases, they can stand alone without the vocal melody.If you are a fan of Yes and this album in particular, this is another Wilson must-have. End of story. Get it.

Blu-Ray and Cd contents: One of the most challenging issues in purchasing the definitive version of Fragile was figuring out the differences between the numerous editions. So, I spent hours researching, and ordered different CDs and DVDs trying to figure it out. If you'd like to save all of that time, the short answer is the "Definitive Edition CD/Blu-ray" 5.1 surround sound mixes by Steven Wilson 2015 Blu-Ray CD set by Panegyric/Atlantic GYRBD50009 ; ISBN 33367 90082 is the one to get. It has not only Steve Wilson's mix but all of the other "acclaimed" mixes included. See scans of sleeves for all of the details. Note: there is a stereo CD version that plays in any computer or CD player. The surround sound Blu-Ray requires a Blu-Ray player connected to a 5.1 surround system. Several people have complained that the Blu-Ray didn't work in their Sony Blu-Ray player. I have a Sony BDP-S370 and performed a firmware update and the Blu-Ray performed flawlessly. I won't review the quality of audio or performance of Yes, since that has been done amply by others. Suffice it to say that in my opinion this is the best edition to date, and I highly recommend it. As a Yes fan since the 1970s, I feel like I've discovered the album all over again. [Note: the scans are not uploaded in the correct order - the scan with the Yes logo is the CD contents; the other 2 scans are the Blu-ray contents.]

I purchased this item used, and it arrived in "like new" condition (albeit without shrinkwrap), with all inserts included. Very satisfied to now have a copy of this out-of-print item.

This is a review of the November 2015 reissue of Fragile. You already know how good this album is, therefore I am moving straight on to the extra tracks. These extras are all new to this release. You will not have heard any of these versions before. They are all very interesting and for me this makes this the best of the recent Yes re releases to date (and this is re release number 4). I suppose everybody will go straight to the unheard track "All Fighters Past". This is a short, fast version of the excerpt which eventually surfaced on Tales from Topographic Oceans two years later. It also includes themes which then turned up on Siberian Khatru on Close to the Edge a year later. Chris Squires bass parts are scintillating. It's fascinating to hear this very early 1971 version which didn't make the final 1971 Fragile album. They obviously thought it good enough to revisit parts of it on their next two albums. Of the other extra tracks, "South side of the sky" is of great interest. The front and end sequences of the final cut are reversed in this early version and the guitar and bass parts are amazing. Chris Squires bass line on this early version is totally different to the final album cut and it is fantastic. The previously unheard version of "Mood for a day" (here titled "Mood for Another Day") is interesting for its closing guitar sequence which finally appeared on the 1974 album Relayer as the ending guitar theme on "To be Over". The early version of Roundabout is different from the 2003 Fragile additional tracks. Finally, Jon's "We have heaven" appears here unedited, starting with the drum 'count in' to the full uninterrupted natural ending. There is no slamming door ending or fade out in this version.It's fascinating to hear these extra unused tracks and to realise that they later become parts of other songs over Yes' next three albums. 1971 was very much a creative high for the band.Unique to the Bluray version are three more extras not on the DVD A version. These are the Roundabout rough mix but you will already have this if you brought the 2003 cd re issue. Totally brand new however is a second version of South side of the sky which is an early take. This version is more developed and fuller than the take on disc one and follows the structure of the eventual album version but with a load of different instrumental parts especially from Steve Howe. The last track is Roundabout - headphone mix for overdubs. This strange , sometimes echoey inclusion is purely here for interest and shows how the track was put together more than anything else... Cool though. (Oh, and of course there are the instrumental mixes too).The feeling left after repeated listens to the extra tracks is how prominent and amazing Chris Squires bass lines sound. To be honest, Steve Wilson could not have produced a more fitting tribute to our late, very great Chris Squire.

I brought the Steve Wilson vinyl box set, i was so impressed, I was eager to hear what he could do with a 5.1 mix. its simply fantastic, it sound like someone has sat you down in the middle of the recording studio, with the band playing around you. As well as the 5.1 mix, there the hi res stereo mix, original vinyl needle drop mix, and various other addition track, well worth the money. Yes fans, jut get it for the experience, you wont be dissapointed.

Would just like to say that I was disappointed to receive faulty disc. No problem though. These things happen. Amazon replaced it very quickly with no questions asked. The album quality is outstanding. Remastered very well. This music I listened to in my teenage years still lives on and is still as good now and even better than it was after the remastering. Can't quite understand the point of so many remixes on the Blu-ray disc but the extra tracks and unreleased rehearsal tracks are definitely worth a listen. Definitely recommend for true Yes fans.

This is one of the band's most celebrated albums. Many consider the best what does not agree with my opinion (I prefer the following album "Close To The Edge"). In this album are presnte tracks of great success as "Roundabout", "Heart Of The Sunrise" and "Long Distance Runaround". No strip is disposable. It's a good album for anyone who wants to meet the band at this stage. This version with blu-ray audio features diversities of sound and extra tracks with remastering. It is an excellent material for fans. Very good! Note 9.0.

From their peak period of 1971 to 1975this showcases the band at their best and the recording and production is amongst the best of any Yes album. The dynamic range on the DVD-A is stunning, vocals crystal clear and Chris Squire' bass is truly exciting being fast, melodic and often a lead instrument.