Rhino "Roundabout" doesn't seem that different

[jcostello]

Ok, maybe this subject has already been beaten into the ground, and I never got to read about it, but yes-terday, I bought the Rhino version of "Fragile," the one with the "early rough" version of "Roundabout," went home, played the allegedly "rough" version, and maybe I missed something, but it didn't seem all that different from the finished version.

Yes, I noticed minor differences in a couple spots with Steve's guitar- and Rick's keyboard-playing, and the vocal harmonies at the end aren't quite the same as the ones on the "not rough" version. However, because of the lack (for the most part) of differences between the two versions, are we to conclude that "Roundabout" was pretty much a finished piece in this "early" version, that it didn't undergo the customary intensive Yes tweaking and changing that usually transforms an "early rough" demo into something completely different when it morphs into a finished version of a song? What are your opinions on this?

The commentary that came with the CD, while interesting, doesn't address this question at all. The only reason I bought the CD was in the hope that the "early rough" "Roundabout" would sound considerably different than the "normal" "Roundabout," and I must say that I'm disappointed, and feel that it was a waste of money, despite the fact that it's the best-sounding version of the "Fragile" album that I've heard.

Peace, Love, and What Do You Think?,

John Crazed Yesfan

[yessongs72]

Originally posted by jcostello
Ok, must say that I'm disappointed, and feel that it was a waste of money, despite the fact that it's the best-sounding version of the "Fragile" album that I've heard.

Peace, Love, and What Do You Think?,

John Crazed Yesfan

That's exactly what I've been saying, we Yes fans are getting screwed by Rhino! I continue my stand and will not buy any of these remastered, remasters! The only rerelease's that I will buy are DVD-audio's. Oh, I did buy Yes and Time And A Word, that's because it's the only remaster I didn't have. SO, YES FANS...SEND A MESSAGE TO RHINO....DON'T BUY THESE RIPP OFF CD'S!

[RobAdams]

Of course the rough mix version of ROUNDABOUT isn't entirely different than the standard version. It's a rough mix of the same track that they ultimately released in 1972. Having been involved in a band, I'm all too familiar with the "rough mix". A rough mix usually is made in haste. Usually members of a band will want a copy of whatever song(s) they recorded after a session. The engineer, producer and/or tape operator would quickly mix the multitrack tape into 2 channels and copy the song(s) onto a tape for whoever requested it. Little attention is paid to the details of recording this tape, so even stuff the band may wish to omit may be audible on the rough mix. What we get on FRAGILE is very likely a polished mix of the same recording the guys in YES took home that day so they could see what they did and didn't like about the new recording. The rough mix has differences all the way through.

Again, I continue to support RHINO. Get the Rhino versions of the YES cds and you will hear for yourself that RHINO hasn't ripped us off. I say that Atlantic ripped us off with those marginal sounding "remastered" cd's from the 1990's. I think RHINO is rescuing the YES catalog, not ripping us off.

[fragile34]

amen to that

[jcostello]

Of course the rough mix version of ROUNDABOUT isn't entirely different than the standard version. It's a rough mix of the same track that they ultimately released in 1972. Having been involved in a band, I'm all too familiar with the "rough mix". A rough mix usually is made in haste. Usually members of a band will want a copy of whatever song(s) they recorded after a session. The engineer, producer and/or tape operator would quickly mix the multitrack tape into 2 channels and copy the song(s) onto a tape for whoever requested it. Little attention is paid to the details of recording this tape, so even stuff the band may wish to omit may be audible on the rough mix. What we get on FRAGILE is very likely a polished mix of the same recording the guys in YES took home that day so they could see what they did and didn't like about the new recording. The rough mix has differences all the way through.

Again, I continue to support RHINO. Get the Rhino versions of the YES cds and you will hear for yourself that RHINO hasn't ripped us off. I say that Atlantic ripped us off with those marginal sounding "remastered" cd's from the 1990's. I think RHINO is rescuing the YES catalog, not ripping us off.

They could have done more with "Fragile," though. Where's the rough mixes/demos/studio run-throughs for "We Have Heaven/South Side"? Or live versions from the 2002 tour? There was room for one of the two. Or rough mixes/demos/studio run-throughs of "Heart of the Sunrise" or "Long Distance Runaround/The Fish" (or a live "Fish" medley) would have been cool, and there was room. Sorry, Rob, but I can't agree with you on this. The Rhino "Fragile" was mostly a wasted opportunity with too much unused CD space. I've liked the other CD reissues, though.

John Crazed Mega Yesfan

[SonicDeath10]

it's a little differente. you can hear jon make a few mistakes. the ending "doo doo doo doo" is enlogated. more backwdards organ. sometimes i prefer it.