Yes continues their remix campaign with Fragile, their fourth in a series engineered by Steven Wilson which includes both new 5.1 surround sound and Stereo mixes from the original studio masters.
Even though a very good multi-channel 5.1 mix was created and available on a DVD-A back in 2002, this new mini gatefold replica package includes some compelling new features. Fans will get six extra tracks: A full mix of We Have Heaven, an early version of South Side of the Sky, a previously unheard track titled All Fighters Past, a special acapella mixed by Wilson of We Have Heaven, plus the rehearsal take of their most well-known song Roundabout, aling with Mood for Another Day, which is really the alternate take of Mood for a Day)
For those who want it all, and only for a few extra dollars, the NTSC Region Free Blu-ray is the only way to go. Both the 5.1 and new Stereo mixes are available as DTS-HD Master Audio 24-bit / 96kHz, along with flat transfers from the original master tapes of the original album mix. Exclusive to the Blu-ray fans will get a needle-drop of an original UK vinyl, A1/B1 pressing, plus instrumental versions of all new mixes, and all of the bonus tracks.
Steven Wilson has clearly shown that there was significant room for improvement over the original stereo mix as well as the 2002 multi-channel DVD. Listeners will hear a level of clarity that has been missing from all previous versions, with a musicality to the mix that seamlessly melds parts together effortlessly. The overall tonal balance lends a punch to the upper-mids giving a sizzle to the guitars and a snap and sparkle to the drums.
As is generally common to all of Wilson’s remixes, he does a phenomenal job at maintaining the character and emotion listeners are accustomed to based on the original mix. However, there are some minor subtleties that may or may not bother purists, such as the snare drum that bongs throughout Roundabout and an excessive brightness to the guitars and hi-hat on the song Long Distance Runaround.
Yet, for some it will be more than the multi-channel mix, Wilson’s 2015 stereo mix is stellar giving an entirely new life to one of the most well known progressive rock albums of all time. Sure, listeners can revert back to the original 1972 mix, which has been masterfully transferred and sounds the best I have ever heard it. The bonus material is pretty cool too, with a full version of We Have Heaven, albiet in stereo only, an alternate version of Roundabout, and a few other intriguing additions. Forget about the needle drop version, unless you enjoy hearing the very noticeable noise floor of the vinyl disc.
Personally, I had one big disappointment when it came to the differences between the two 5.1 mixes. I really found the 2002 DVD version of the song Five Per Cent for Nothing to be a stellar chaotic of criss-crossing with an overall better placement of instruments. So, I guess even Wilson has a blunder from time to time, with his remix a perfect example of a downgrade. However, the full 2002 DVD-A version is also available on the Blu-ray, check it out, let me know what you think! Of course for collectors, that old DVD is nearly worthless now, except for its unique photos that change from song to song, but we are here for the music, right?
As one would expect, the 2015 Blu-ray version of Fragile by Yes is another worthy addition to any surround sound fans collection. Of course it is required listening for progressive rock fans, and if you don’t already have it, then ask yourself why not? This reissue is a must have, period.
Fragile is the fourth classic Yes album to be remixed by Steven Wilson, with a brand new 2015 Stereo mix and 5.1 Surround Sound mix. This Panegyric release comes in two formats, a double disc cd/dvd-a digipack version and a double disc cd/blu-ray audio gatefold mini-LP sleeve version.
The blu-ray version pretty much mirrors my old vinyl LP, the insert booklet that came with the LP is replicated here in mini form. The original Roger Dean artwork has been expanded and additional material from Roger Dean’s archive has been included. The main CD booklet itself is entirely original, including a new essay by Sid Smith.
So what about the music? Personally I’m always happy to hear another version of a classic Yes album. As ever the Wilson mix is balanced and very clean. His love of the music shines through, but in the end it’s a matter of personal taste whether this becomes your ‘go to’ version of Fragile. It is for me, with the surround versions of ‘Heart Of The Sunrise’ and ‘South Side Of The Sky’ sounding particularly fresh.
Highlight of the extra tracks would probably be ‘All Fighters Past’, which was found at the end of a tape, the majority of the song having been recorded over. We do get nearly three minutes of ‘new’ Yes music, which includes early sections of ‘The Revealing Science Of God’ and a melody that became part of ‘Siberian Khatru’.
Panegyric should be commended for producing another high quality value for money release.
So Panegyric Definitive Editions now exist for ‘Fragile’, ‘The Yes Album’, ‘Close To The Edge’ and ‘Relayer’ .Steven Wilson has confirmed he has worked on ‘Tales From Topographic Oceans’, but is unsure as to whether this will see the light of day. His facebook page also says this is the last of the scheduled Yes releases. Steve Howe, however, did seem to indicate on the recent Cruise To The Edge that ‘Tales From Topographic Oceans’ will be released. ‘Tales’ might not have the general appeal of the other four, but I’m sure enough units would be sold to justify the release.
The contents of the blu-ray disc are as follows:
– Album mixed in 24-96 5.1 PCM Surround Sound & in DTS-HD MA 5.1 from original multi-track sources.
– New Album mix in High Resolution Stereo
– Original Album mix (flat transfer) in High Resolution Stereo
– Six additional tracks (see below)
– Full album instrumental mixes by Steven Wilson
– Two additional alternate takes
– A full album needle-drop of an original UK vinyl pressing
– US promo singles edits as needle-drops.
As a bonus, the 2001 dvd-a 5.1 version of ‘Fragile’ is included, including ‘America’ – and it sounds very different to the Wilson version, bass heavy to my ears…
Tracks
01 Roundabout
02 Cans & Brahms
03 We Have Heaven
04 South Side of the Sky
05 Five Percent for Nothing
06 Long Distance Runaround
07 The Fish
08 Mood for a Day
09 Heart of The Sunrise
Additional Tracks
10 We Have Heaven (full mix)
11 South Side of the Sky (early version)
12 All Fighters Past (previously unheard)
13 We Have Heaven (acapella) mixed by Steven Wilson
14 Roundabout (rehearsal take/early mix)
15 Mood for Another Day (alternate take of Mood for a Day)
