100 Greatest Prog Albums: #10 Fragile (Yes)

The band that topped the list of the 100 Greatest Prog Albums at #1, Yes with Close To The Edge, rounds out the Top 10 with 1971's Fragile. With this album Rick Wakeman joined the band, replacing original keyboardist Tony Kaye, and its success brought the band into the mainstream. The album opens with a song that was a minor hit as a single (and concert staple), Roundabout.

 

In addition to group efforts, each member of the band wrote a song for the album (new to songwriting, drummer Bill Bruford's contribution is only 35 seconds long). Guitarist Steve Howe's contribution was the brilliant piece Mood For A Day:

 

 

And my personal favorite from the album, Heart of the Sunrise:
 

 

 

Every one of the recordings in the Top 10 is a masterpiece and worth owning. Over the next few weeks I'll post about some of the other albums on the list - there is a lot of really good music to be found there!