JON ANDERSON: 1000 Hands

**Scott Bails** · 10-22-2018

Originally Posted by bondegezou

They're on Earthmotherearth, http://www.relayer35.com/Yescography...otherearth.htm It gets a lot of stick for being very twee, but I think it has its moments.

Henry

Shows how much I listen to that one.

**bondegezou** · 10-22-2018

Originally Posted by bill g

One thing about Howe, he doesn't have a bad album that I can think of.

I'd put The Grand Scheme of Things as the nadir of his solo output.

Henry

**bill g** · 10-22-2018

Originally Posted by bondegezou

I'd put The Grand Scheme of Things as the nadir of his solo output.

Henry

Ah but there are some great instrumentals on that one.

**profusion** · 10-22-2018

Originally Posted by Scott Bails

Steve Howe's solo work is pretty solid, IMO.

Each to their own. I find Steve's solo albums to be weak compared to his band albums, though I admit I haven't heard some of the recent ones. And I say that as a huge fan of Steve's work in Yes.

**Paulrus** · 10-23-2018

Originally Posted by profusion

Each to their own. I find Steve's solo albums to be weak compared to his band albums, though I admit I haven't heard some of the recent ones. And I say that as a huge fan of Steve's work in Yes.

IMO The Steve Howe Album is the best, followed closely by Turbulence. Beginnings has it's moments, but pretty much any time he opens his mouth to sing things get dicey, which mars both that album and The Grand Scheme of Things. I find his instrumental albums since to be hit or miss, and his attempts at songwriting are OK at best. But as has been said more than once, one of the most annoying things about his work over the past 20-30 years is his choice of guitar tones and textures. He seems to have given up any ability or desire to be a rock guitarist (unless that means like Les Paul, the rock guitarist.)

Probably the one area where he still shines is his pedal steel playing. Every time he touches the thing it's a time warp to 1972 for me and I remember why he's so unique.

**yesstiles** · 10-23-2018

The track "Song of Seven" is amazing, one of the best things Jon ever did.

**Kcrimso** · 10-23-2018

Originally Posted by bill g

Certain tracks on 'City of Angels' are great too, actually all of side 2 pretty much.

B-side of City Of Angels is indeed quite good! Top Of The World is especially great song. And I love those batshit-crazy lyrics on that one!

**Tangram** · 10-23-2018

Originally Posted by bill g

Certain tracks on 'City of Angels' are great too, actually all of side 2 pretty much. I like a couple things on his acoustic album too, 'Concerto Uno', and especially 'Concerto Due'. He has scattered gems over the years. I love 'All in a Matter of Time' from Animation. But the later 'The More You Know' album I didn't like ANYTHING from. Usually there's at least something I really like from all of his albums. Not that one.

Was wondering if anyone was going to mention City of Angels. Jon goes pop rock but he does it well. As he does with Song of Seven. For me his solo output is the most satisfying of any Yesmen with the possible exception of Bill Bruford. Howe would be served if he didn’t sing and I wish Squire had done more. Wakeman has some real gems but he seemed to go for quantity over quality.

**yamishogun** · 10-23-2018

Originally Posted by Tangram

Wakeman has some real gems but he seemed to go for quantity over quality.

How do you know? Have you heard all of his 50 albums to be able to judge?

**calyx** · 10-23-2018

Originally Posted by yamishogun

How do you know? Have you heard all of his 50 albums to be able to judge?

You're underestimating him. I remember talking to Wakeman in 1993 and he cited a similar figure THEN, so how many has he released to this day ? It's frightening even to just think about it.

**Fracktured** · 10-23-2018

Originally Posted by yesstiles

The track "Song of Seven" is amazing, one of the best things Jon ever did.

I agree with that. Love that song

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**infandous** · 10-23-2018

This thread has made me realize that I've never actually heard a Jon Anderson solo album! I have IOK, which I guess is almost a solo album, but not quite. I adore that album, though I agree that it could have been better (the mix could definitely have been a lot better). Well, I did hear Olias years ago, and like it. Need to get a copy of that one.

I think I've listened to a couple of tracks from his various solo albums on YouTube, but nothing that ever made me want to listen to a whole album. So aside from Olias, what would be the one that would have the most appeal to a fan of Yes?

**Koreabruce** · 10-23-2018

Originally Posted by infandous

This thread has made me realize that I've never actually heard a Jon Anderson solo album! I have IOK, which I guess is almost a solo album, but not quite. I adore that album, though I agree that it could have been better (the mix could definitely have been a lot better). Well, I did hear Olias years ago, and like it. Need to get a copy of that one.

I think I've listened to a couple of tracks from his various solo albums on YouTube, but nothing that ever made me want to listen to a whole album. So aside from Olias, what would be the one that would have the most appeal to a fan of Yes?

Change We Must, parts of Animation, parts of Song of Seven, parts of Toltec

**miamiscot** · 10-23-2018

Originally Posted by infandous

This thread has made me realize that I've never actually heard a Jon Anderson solo album! I have IOK, which I guess is almost a solo album, but not quite. I adore that album, though I agree that it could have been better (the mix could definitely have been a lot better). Well, I did hear Olias years ago, and like it. Need to get a copy of that one.

I think I've listened to a couple of tracks from his various solo albums on YouTube, but nothing that ever made me want to listen to a whole album. So aside from Olias, what would be the one that would have the most appeal to a fan of Yes?

Olias is the only JA album worth owning (IMO)

**Koreabruce** · 10-23-2018

Originally Posted by miamiscot

Olias is the only JA album worth owning (IMO)

I'm inclined to agree though there is enough excellent material on Animation to justify buying it as well. However, take good care to avoid that horrible, horrible Voiceprint "remaster" like the plague!

**bondegezou** · 10-23-2018

Originally Posted by infandous

I think I've listened to a couple of tracks from his various solo albums on YouTube, but nothing that ever made me want to listen to a whole album. So aside from Olias, what would be the one that would have the most appeal to a fan of Yes?

I conducted a big poll, mainly of Yes fans, back in 1998, which recommended:

1. Olias of Sunhillow
2. Animation
3. Change We Must
4. Song of Seven

He's released plenty since 1998, but I think only Invention of Knowledge would challenge that list. The digital EP "Open" was also pretty good. I love Animation, but the Jon Anderson-approved Voiceprint CD release was a massive clusterf**k.

You might also want to consider some of the Jon & Vangelis albums. There are a few notable guest appearances too. I'd pick out King Crimson's Lizard (1970), Alan White's Ramshackled (1976), Bela Fleck and the Flecktones' Outbound (2000), Peter Machajdík's Namah (2008) and Todmobile's Úlfur (2014). See http://www.relayer35.com/Yescography/jonander.htm for more details.

Henry

**Sturgeon's Lawyer** · 10-23-2018

Re: Wakey's solo output... Depending on how you count (for example, excluding compilations, greatest-hits, and/or live albums) you're going to get a number somewhere in the 60s to 80s.

**malgeo** · 10-23-2018

A "Best of Jon Anderson" box set would be cool.

**ronmac** · 10-23-2018

Originally Posted by infandous

This thread has made me realize that I've never actually heard a Jon Anderson solo album! I have IOK, which I guess is almost a solo album, but not quite. I adore that album, though I agree that it could have been better (the mix could definitely have been a lot better). Well, I did hear Olias years ago, and like it. Need to get a copy of that one.

I think I've listened to a couple of tracks from his various solo albums on YouTube, but nothing that ever made me want to listen to a whole album. So aside from Olias, what would be the one that would have the most appeal to a fan of Yes?

Animation. It has some songs, like Olympia," that I could see Steve Howe playing.

**bondegezou** · 10-23-2018

Originally Posted by malgeo

A "Best of Jon Anderson" box set would be cool.

But a nightmare to organise the licensing for!

Henry

**pulse01** · 10-23-2018

Originally Posted by malgeo

A "Best of Jon Anderson" box set would be cool.

It would be great if it came with a box to put any future CDs in..... oh no, wait a minute.......

**bill g** · 10-23-2018

I do love the idea of a best of Jon, which would have to include 'Song of Seven', 'All In a Matter of Time', 'New Civilization', 'It's on Fire', 'Top of the World', 'Bridges', 'Concerto Due', and 'Enter Ye The Mystery School'. All gems, in my opinion.