JON ANDERSON: 1000 Hands

[Kcrimso]

You forgot Toltec!

I like Toltec...

[happytheman]

The More You Know, EarthMotherEarth, Angel's Embrace (though it's okay if I'm in the right mood), maybe The Promise Ring (I've only heard it once).

Interesting I've never heard any of the 3 I highlighted.. Always thought if I found a copy of The Promise Ring cheap I'd pick it up. The More You Know got such a bad rap when it was released that I've avoided it completely.. Earth Mother Earth can't say I've heard anything about.. Angels Embrace on the other hand is wonderful to these ears.. but agree I kinda need the right setting for listening.

[Koreabruce]

I think Scott is correct regarding which releases are the lesser ones in Jon's catalog. Count me in as another listener who can appreciate Angels Embrace in the right environment (mostly late at night as I drift off to sleep). I always had a soft spot for Toltec - despite the silliness of some of Longwalker's between-track musings - because it's a fully-realized work that still holds up reasonably well. Then there's Deseo, which features a whole slew of excellent South American and Latin American musicians. This very enjoyable album appears to be something of an underdog for Jon. Perhaps it's the ethnic vibe (?) I can sometimes put this one on and enjoy it's musicality as well as it's liveliness and great grooves. It's hard to listen to Deseo and not find yourself smiling and moving to the music. Anyone else here like this one?

[happytheman]

I think Scott is correct regarding which releases are the lesser ones in Jon's catalog. Count me in as another listener who can appreciate Angels Embrace in the right environment (mostly late at night as I drift off to sleep). I always had a soft spot for Toltec - despite the silliness of some of Longwalker's between-track musings - because it's a fully-realized work that still holds up reasonably well. Then there's Deseo, which features a whole slew of excellent South American and Latin American musicians. This very enjoyable album appears to be something of an underdog for Jon. Perhaps it's the ethnic vibe (?) I can sometimes put this one on and enjoy it's musicality as well as it's liveliness and great grooves. It's hard to listen to Deseo and not find yourself smiling and moving to the music. Anyone else here like this one?

Sure.. I'm the guy who bought City of Angles not knowing what Jon had up his sleeve at that point in his career and found myself tapping the steering wheel driving home from the record store.. Sometimes you just gotta chalk it up to "that's Jon"..

[yamishogun]

Anyone else here like this one?

I liked Deseo a lot when it came out but when I played it a few years ago I began skipping tracks. Still, I think it's strong overall.

I also like In the City of Angels but not the production. The two best songs are far better on Change We Must.

[bondegezou]

The More You Know, EarthMotherEarth, Angel's Embrace (though it's okay if I'm in the right mood), maybe The Promise Ring (I've only heard it once).

Definitely The Promise Ring: his second worst if you ask me. His absolute worst, however, is 2008's From Me to You.

Henry

[bondegezou]

I think Scott is correct regarding which releases are the lesser ones in Jon's catalog. Count me in as another listener who can appreciate Angels Embrace in the right environment (mostly late at night as I drift off to sleep). I always had a soft spot for Toltec - despite the silliness of some of Longwalker's between-track musings - because it's a fully-realized work that still holds up reasonably well. Then there's Deseo, which features a whole slew of excellent South American and Latin American musicians. This very enjoyable album appears to be something of an underdog for Jon. Perhaps it's the ethnic vibe (?) I can sometimes put this one on and enjoy it's musicality as well as it's liveliness and great grooves. It's hard to listen to Deseo and not find yourself smiling and moving to the music. Anyone else here like this one?

Even better is The Deseo Remixes.

Henry

[Kcrimso]

Even better is The Deseo Remixes.

Henry

The Deseo Remixes did not work for me but I really really like original Deseo.

[Paulrus]

I've been following Jon's solo career intensely ever since the days of Animation. In the early/mid 90s -- before Talk as I recall -- there was some excitement around his rumored upcoming solo projects. There was talk that he was finally going to bring Chagall to light, which had its roots in the 1979 Yes sessions (I think some of that ended up on Change We Must.) And then there was a project called "The Power of Silence", which ended up as Toltec. I've got a cassette of TPoS and it's basically the same album without all the Longwalker stuff and some of the airy-fairy instrumental bits. In this original form it almost comes off as a credible successor to Olias, with lots of powerful themes and atmosphere.

But something happened to Jon around then. I'm not sure if it's the influence of Divine Mother Audrey or the health issues he was dealing with, but it seems to me that he took an even harder left turn toward new-age spiritualism in the mid 90s which has infused his music ever since. Still, it's nice to know the new one is more of a return to his style of earlier solo albums.

[yamishogun]

His absolute worst, however, is 2008's From Me to You.

Only one copy left at Amazon.com - for only $449.96.

[yamishogun]

Still, it's nice to know the new one is more of a return to his style of earlier solo albums.

All but three songs were written in 1990, prior to The Transformation.

[bondegezou]

All but four.

Henry

[pulse01]

Definitely The Promise Ring: his second worst if you ask me. His absolute worst, however, is 2008's From Me to You.

Henry

I agree re From Me To You. At least we didn't have to pay for it. Disappointing end to the box set contents.

[Scott Bails]

I always had a soft spot for Toltec - despite the silliness of some of Longwalker's between-track musings - because it's a fully-realized work that still holds up reasonably well. Then there's Deseo, which features a whole slew of excellent South American and Latin American musicians. This very enjoyable album appears to be something of an underdog for Jon. Perhaps it's the ethnic vibe (?) I can sometimes put this one on and enjoy it's musicality as well as it's liveliness and great grooves. It's hard to listen to Deseo and not find yourself smiling and moving to the music. Anyone else here like this one?

I like the ethnic vibe of both of these, again when I'm in the right mood. They're outliers in my music collection, but they work, for me.

Sure.. I'm the guy who bought City of Angles not knowing what Jon had up his sleeve at that point in his career and found myself tapping the steering wheel driving home from the record store.. Sometimes you just gotta chalk it up to "that's Jon"..

My opinion of this is skewed from the Ed Sciaky interview with Steve Howe, where Ed plays the album in its entirety, with comments from Steve in-between. Really interesting, especially now, in the context that ABWH happened soon after. It's floating around in the interwebs, somewhere. Henry?

I also like In the City of Angels but not the production. The two best songs are far better on Change We Must.

Agree that the CWM versions are better, but I'm also not averse to that LA sound.

Definitely The Promise Ring: his second worst if you ask me. His absolute worst, however, is 2008's From Me to You.

Henry

Hmm....not familiar with that one.

But something happened to Jon around then. I'm not sure if it's the influence of Divine Mother Audrey or the health issues he was dealing with, but it seems to me that he took an even harder left turn toward new-age spiritualism in the mid 90s which has infused his music ever since. Still, it's nice to know the new one is more of a return to his style of earlier solo albums.

Just a guess, but I would say DM and Janeeeeeeee.

[bondegezou]

Just a guess, but I would say DM and Janeeeeeeee.

Musicians change in style over the years. Anderson's music has changed in a number of ways. In recent years, he often writes these quite chant-y melodies, although in several projects (Anderson Ponty Band, parts of Anderson/Stolt, Survival and Other Stories) he's also concentrated on coming up with vocal melodies over other people's compositions.

His lyrics have also changed: they used to be about searching for some cosmic truth, whereas now they seem more self-assured. Anderson is communicating a cosmic truth he knows. That's a change I can find off-putting.

Henry

[happytheman]

I agree re From Me To You. At least we didn't have to pay for it. Disappointing end to the box set contents.

You mean this boxset? I didn't realize he finished it..
Jon.jpg

[bondegezou]

Voiceprint sent out From You to Me to boxset subscribers, without Anderson's permission AIUI. Anderson may yet still release more for the boxset: some further prep work on releases has been done.

Henry

[yamishogun]

some further prep work on releases has been done.

Right, like taking out The Promise Ring and The More You Know.

[helix]

"The Power of Silence", I've got a cassette of TPoS

a release on my discogs want list and hard to find

[Progatron]

Anyone with tickets for Jon in Milwaukee, I've just come across this cancellation notice:

https://www.marcuscenter.org/show/jon-anderson-yes

Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control, this Friday's performance, April 19th, with Jon Anderson has been cancelled.

We apologize for any inconvenience.

A full refund will be issued to the credit card used for your purchase within a few days.

Please feel free to call the Box Office with any questions at 414.273.7206.

[Mister Triscuits]

Anyone with tickets for Jon in Milwaukee, I've just come across this cancellation notice:

Oh crap, I hope it's not health issues.

[MudShark22]

Damg....

[bondegezou]

Oh crap, I hope it's not health issues.

Reports suggest it's poor ticket sales.

Henry

[moecurlythanu]

^ They should have done the $25 promo. It's what got me to attend.

[abhorsen]

Ack. Agree about the promo price. The space Jon was booked into in Milwaukee is quite nice, seats a little over 2000.