Not Fragile

In a 1995 interview, Randy Bachman indicated that he thought that using the word "fragile" as a title for a rock album, as Yes had done with their 1971 album Fragile, was "strange."[1] He thought that BTO music could be "dropped and kicked" without breaking, so, without intending any commentary about Yes, the band "tongue-in-cheek" called their next album Not Fragile.[1]

The album marks the debut of guitarist Blair Thornton, who, unlike his predecessor Tim Bachman, is billed on the album liner notes as "second lead guitar".[2] Thornton's dual-guitar solos with Randy Bachman are prominent features on many Not Fragile tracks. "Roll On Down the Highway" and "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet" were hit singles, with the latter hitting #1 on the singles charts in November 1974 and receiving GOLD certification by the RIAA.[3] Other cuts had significant airplay on FM rock radio.

"You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet" was a leftover track that was not originally intended to be included on Not Fragile. It was only after Charlie Fach of Mercury Records heard the other eight tracks, and didn't see hit single potential in any of them, that he asked if the band had anything else he could hear. They played him the leftover track and he assured them it was more radio-friendly than any of the others, convincing the band to add it to the album.[4]

Not Fragile has gone on to achieve triple platinum status. Randy Bachman has called it the band's "crowning achievement," stating: "Not Fragile was when it all came together for us. We captured the album-oriented rock audience as well as the singles audience with that album. Not Fragile made BTO recognized around the world."[5]

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	link
Christgau's Record Guide	B[6]
Tom Hull	A[7]

The original album cover listed "Free Wheelin'" as "Dedicated to Duane". Mercury "Musicassettes" (MCR4-1-1004) of Not Fragile were initially manufactured with "Free Wheelin'" divided into two tracks: "Free Wheelin' (Beg.)" on Program 1, and "Free Wheelin' (Concl.)" starting off Program 2. Although the track is split over the two programs (making each program equal in time at 18:19 each), the album's running order remains intact. This is a programming character usually used for 8-track tapes and rarely for cassettes.

• Randy Bachman - vocals, guitars
• Robbie Bachman - percussion, drums
• Blair Thornton - guitars, backing vocals
• C.F. Turner - vocals, bass guitar
• Frank Trowbridge - slide guitar (on "Blue Moanin'")

Production

• Producer: Randy Bachman
• Engineer: Mark Smith
• Assistant engineer: Buzz Richmond
• Mixing assistant: Richard Dashut
• Mastering: Tom "Curly" Ruff
• Recording Studio: Kaye-Smith Studios, Seattle, WA
• Mixed at: Sound City Studios, Los Angeles, CA
• Equipment: John Austin and Weasel (Greg) Morgan
• Design: Joe Kotleba
• Art direction: Jim Ladwig
• Photography: John Brott, Tom Zamiar

Album