Almost everything good starts with yes. “Yes, we can!” “Yes, you may have a cookie.” “Yes, we have no bananas!” (I’m deathly allergic to bananas). So naturally, as I drove home this morning, I thought, “Wouldn’t it be nice to listen to a Yes album?” Pulling the CD from its carefully kept holding spot (the floor of my car), I threw it in the player and let the sounds of seventies prog-rock ease the miles behind me.
The Yes-Fragile album was released in 1971, in Britain, on the Heels of the recently acclaimed YES (The Album), released the same year. With, then line-up, Jon Anderson on Vocals, Chris Squire on Bass, Bill Bruford on Drums, newcomer Steve Howe on Guitar, and Tony Kaye on Keyboard. Tony would later be replaced by Rick Wakeman, who contributed to later tracks.
I kicked back and cruised, enveloped in art rock goodness, reminiscing on the discovery of this album in my youth. The complex and colorful sounds and textures of Fragile, conjures images of adventures of fantastic dreamscape and fanciful imaginings.
The wildly popular Roundabout opens the album, setting a tone that seems to promise more adventure, and it doesn’t fail to deliver. Of the nine songs on Yes–Fragile, four show the might and imagination of the combined band, while five others give the listener a little taste of the personal exploits and interests of individual members. “Cans and Brahms”, an arrangement of Brahms by Tony Kaye, showcases his love of classical works made unique by the synth age. “We have heaven” is an arrangement of over-layed vocal tracks that cleverly seem grow like an endlessly blooming rose, climbing ever higher. Tracks “Five Percent of Nothing,” “Mood for a day,” and “The Fish”, show the fine artistry of guitarist Steve Howe and Bassist Chris Squire, which would later be honed further in later releases.
It was only a short trip but, made much shorter and MUCH more enjoyable by the company of an old classic–the kind of old classic that wraps you in a blanket of magical artistry and innovation that seems to be coming increasing rare in this age. My suggestion to you is find your own old classic, and cozy up! You’ll remember why it’s a classic and realize it never gets old… (Except to Taco, but THAT is a tale for another time…)
