I've never felt that there is a YES without Jon Anderson, because it is missing his lyrical gift, his completely unique energy as a front man, and his unmatchable voice. Jon is the very heart of YES. Now he's found some really skilled musicians to back him.
This album is fantastic. I wasn’t sold in the first song, then totally psyched at the rest. He’s not wrong when he says this is the album we have been waiting for. This is Yes style and quality. The musicianship is awesome.
When people would ask me why I wanted to see Anderson back in Yes, I would say that I thought there was still one more great Yes album out there to be made. Well, looks like Jon did it without them. Bravo, guys!
Great review! Jon still sounds like Jon and I’ve been spinning it for the last week. The Band Geeks can play! At the end of the day, I’m glad both Jon & Steve are still with us.
I purchased the "True" CD, and I got to admit this is Yes. This album, by far is the best. Yes, music that has been released since " Keys To Ascension" studio tracks. Thank you for the post. "True" is Yes👍
@yeswolf1 I will agree with you on Magnification and the Ladder. But Keys had Rick Wakeman, and to me personally, that album was more like "True" just with different musicians. Anyways, with that said, "True" has that Yes feel that hasn't been there in recent albums.
@yeswolf1 Not sure why you think another person needs to spout your opinion. We all are moved by different composition and sounds. Not my responsibility to uphold your opinion. Enjoy the new music Yes could have put out if Howe wasn't such a child.
More musical ideas per inch than any prog album I've heard in years, really pretty melodic moments are peppered throughout the album, loads of stuff going on to get your teeth into. All beautifully played and nicely produced with lots of lush layers.
This album is better than it has any right to be. It seems fresher than anything yes did when they were “together” in many ways, at least with Steve. This has a fair dollop of Rabin era thrown in, but mostly recalls the classic era. Not perfect, but better than anything the tribute band has done in their last 3 attempts. I’m digging it more than I expected.
@@hpatss4966not sure what you mean? Playing or production? I’m glad we’re not getting a Sherwood type emulation of Chris, because I wanted to have Chris’s baby in 1974! 😂 it’s great playing and following his own style. He’s certainly helping Jon in many respects playing in a lower register to help the vocals so many decades later. If you’re talking mix-wise, I’m not noticing anything lax on my system. It’s only about $50k worth of gear, but it seems pronounced enough I don’t feel anything is lacking.
I have already listened to this album 3 times (autographed CD) - I'm loving it. Tickets in hand to see Jon & the band in 2 weeks / the set list they have been preforming is 🔥
Excellent review! As someone who appreciates all iterations of Yes and band member solo projects, I rank this CD way up there with the best of the best. I keep going back to it and enjoy the energy and the overall "Yes-ness" of each track. Your line, "This is what a Yes album should sound like" is so true.
So very well said and 100% true !!!!! And though I love all of True, I cannot stop listening to "Once upon a dream" Yes indeed , the album and epic new classic OUAD that pretend Yes has not made . Thank you Jon Anderson and The Band Geeks . Album of the year 2024 for me . And early Happy 80th to you Jon and God Bless you!!!!!
Brilliant review Barry as an old-time yes fan who had all their 70s albums and seen them in concert three times in that decade this is the closest to. Yes I think we ever gonna get such a wonderful wonderful album. I am so joyous listening to it and I am so happy and proud of John Anderson as another music aficionado podcast recently said, John Anderson is the heart soul and spirit progressive rock I second that emotion amen!!! Keep up the good work, brother we’re listening.
I saw john and the Band Geeks in Hershey PA. It was a great show that I was proud to bring my kids to. It was mostly Yes but definitely missing the genius guitarists and keyboards that make up a lot of the historical sound and Squires live bass just cant be replaced by anyone alive.
I've seen both tours of Jon and The Band Geeks. I knew of the band long ago and wished Jon would take notice sooner or later. He did. And he is no fool. The tours have been absolutely astonishing. So, they made this remarkable album to solidify this collaboration, and they knocked it out of the park. Everybody loves this album. And since the obvious comparisons are there, this album absolutely destroys the Steve Howe Tribute Show and those sleepy albums he has dragged out under the Yes banner. It's just the way it is.
MttS represented an upswing, I thought. Problem is, seems to me, Steve likes being too much the one in control... and he's not the creative force he once was. Maybe this album WILL prove a spur for him and current Yes to attempt a "Return to T Oceans" or some such. The talent is there to do something fairly interesting, no doubt.
I saw the Anderson/Band Geeks concert on UA-cam and they were excellent at reproducing the existing music of Yes. In addition Anderson’s voice hasn’t really lost its sparkle, and I was just waiting for that last note of Heart Of The Sunrise, and when he hit it, I got chills and the audience erupted in cheers. I’ve only heard one song from the new one and it was quite good, but I’m thankful that Mr Anderson has always kept the prog flame burning through everything. Though some of his solo things are light and airy, he always delivers what his fans want.
Great analysis! Stupendous album, in my opinion. Not only does it revive the terrific energy and breathtaking inventiveness of early 70s Yes, it also encompasses the moving melodicism of 80s and 90s Yes, and manages to fuse all this into a wonderful whole. I stopped listening to Yes after Anderson left--after Magnification--but this sublimely fills the gap between that era and now.
I’ve been listening pretty well on repeat. That is a good sign indeed. With each successive listen it’s just getting better and better. Another very good sign. And I thought 1000 Hands was good! Excellent stuff.👍
You do such an outstanding job with all your content. This review is no exception! You have a delightful way with words. Thank you! Jon Anderson and the ‘Geeks are definitely giving the people “what they want” with this release. It does make the “Steve Howe band” seem quite impotent by comparison.
On the off chance that Yes and Jon Anderson fans haven't heard of it, let me suggest that you have a listen to the album Anderson did with Roine Stolt of Sweden's The Flower Kings and Transatlantic, "The Invention of Knowledge" (2016). After they made a demo on which Stolt played most of the instruments and used programmed drums, he brought in an all-star band of prog musicians like Tom Brislin (Yes, Kansas), Jonas Reingold (The Flower Kings, Karmakanic, Steve Hackett Band), and Lalle Larsson (too many bands to mention) and vocalists Nad Sylvan (Steve Hackett Band) and Daniel Gildenlow (Pain of Salvation) to re-record the parts. It was the most Yes-sounding album since at least "Magnification," if not earlier albums. "True" now holds that position.
Totally agree. The Jon & Ronie Knowledge album is a masterpiece. I've reviewing the recent Yes (?) albums on Amazon as the are released, and telling everyone they need to get Knowledge ❤
@@c.a.t.732 I saw Roger Hodgson do a 4 night-sold out shows at a decent-sized venue not that long ago; he's got some great solo work- he retired from public life for about 20 years but he's been back for awhile.
Your review and most comments below are positive, as they should be. It is a gift to receive this high quality music from Jon and the BoG. Yet, for me the best and truest Yes music is in the early (pre and Yessongs/Relayer-ish) era with the deepest prog rock roots, composition and musicianship. Even Jon's lyrics in that era were absolute marvels. They were poetic iterations that defied rational understanding and took us literal sonic and experiential journeys. The complexity, dexterity and originality in the arrangements, performance and production from those 'original' musicians were uncanny and unmatched. The album True is a gem but is not comparable to a Yes album of the above era. It can't be for the simple fact that the gifted musicians of BoG cannot be compared to that Yes lineup where each musician were giants at their peaks. Also on True, I cannot criticize Jon for wanting to write/sing songs with simple lyrics about love. Love is indeed what matters most and Jon is obviously a very heart centered man. Just missing the Heart of the Sunrise, Starship Trooper, Close to the Edge, etc... lyrical flights we were gifted half a century ago. Again, I am happy True came out and have listened to it often. While it is mostly a "True" prog rock album with some great moments, it just doesn't quench my decade old longing for a "True" Yes album. PS imho, Wobbler is much more Gentle Giant than Yes. A closer Yes (and at times ELP) 'replacement' to flock to is certainly Starcastle.
Wow, I've been binging Relayer era Yes, and I agree with you on this. True is not as deep or thorough as gates of delirium (which I believe to be the best and most wonderful song ever made by this band), but it certainly reminds me of songs like Wonderous Stories or even And you and I. Heck, it really is on that level of early 70's yes, though I feel like if it was lesser just because of how of a damn masterpiece is Relayer. Moral of the story is to stop comparing this to Yes, as it's a completely new thing.
Jon Anderson is Yes, he can't play the instruments but he knows what he wants to hear and if musicians are willing to give him what he wants this is the treat we receive. He's so full of mystic vitality and enthusiasm. He really does seem to be in touch with the Universe, as Rick likes to say NASA don't need to spend billions on gadgets to understand outer Space they just have to ask Jon. I love this album best thing for years, and a fitting hat tip to one of the best Bands to emerge from Prog.
Love Jon and love this album . Very like a the ladder but as you say plenty of original yes feel. Been playing it a lot this week and I'm now back into yes again.
exactly, the release,Yes hasn't made, thanks for the breakdown, this is a good release, not perfect, but way better than anything Yes has released since Magnification
True, but this isn't Official Yes, which really seems pointless with the members and quality of music that band has rn. This does capture the spirit of classic Yes with Chris, et al, and it's much better than recent Official Yes efforts.
Jon has consistently and defiantly made Yes-styled music since his ousting from the band. 'The Living Tree' , 'Invention of Knowledge' and his collaborative triumph '1,000 Hands' are all very driven and inspired.
Jon mentioned a few years ago that he wanted to get back into yes because he had songs that would be great w/ Steve's guitar. Maybe some of those songs are on the new album.
I have ordered the CD for this album and it should arrive in a day or two. I regret missing Jon Anderson and his band in concert here in Phoenix just a couple of weeks ago. I have seen footage of the concert and Jon's voice is still quite strong and the band was excellent. Looking forward to listening to this latest effort.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but at this point in my life (Yes fan since 1984; thank you Mr. Rabin for the introduction) I would just like to enjoy the music without over-analyzing from whence it came.
I end to just listen to a new album and see if I like it after multiple spins. I love the TRUE album, the Anderson/Stolt INVENTION OF KNOWLEDGE, 1000 HANDS (CHAPTER ONE), SURVIVAL & OTHER STORIES, and others.
Well said. It's interesting that Yes music symbolizes peace and happiness. Yet, that doesn't extend to their fan base. I have bought the Yes albums that have Jon Anderson, I have bought the Yes albums that don't have Jon Anderson, I bought the Anderson/Solt one, I would have bought the ARW album(if there was one), and I will buy this. I think that the poison spewed by Yes "fans", as well as Jon's ego, killed ARW. If people aren't careful, this alliance might break up too.
Love this album. It serves to highlight the now turgid, flat and drab output of the collection of musicians who call themselves Yes. Since 1971 Yes were my favourite band from my teenage years but very sadly they lost it when they turfed out Jon and then sadly Chris passed away. Time for them to exit stage left. It's over.
There is something truly lovely, magical when you are in the presence of Jon Anderson. Without him we could only try to fool ourselves it was Yes, but it wasn't really, was it?
Great review. I really like the latest Yes album. I haven't heard the new album by Jon Anderson but I'll definitely grab the CD maybe next week. Cheers😎👍
Another excellent review. Thank you. I just bought the album yesterday and I had not yet heard any of the tracks. It's just fantastic. It sounds more like a Yes album than a Jon Anderson album. Lucky me. Just what I was looking for.
LOL, lots of Jon Anderson albums sound like YES. If you haven't heard "Invention of Knowledge" with Roine Stolt (Anderson/Stolt), you should check it out.
I've found that I can enjoy any branch of the Yes tree if I keep in mind and appreciate the contributions of the classic lineup as individuals in their new context. I agree with you about Jon's voice, but I find that I'm also able to enjoy Jon Davison's voice. To me it sounds like Yes, albeit in a passible substitute way. To me it's reminiscent of Yes and in some ways his is a purer version of Jon A's. Jon D. has a beautiful voice. But yes (no pun) Jon A's is the original article. He is the cotton to Jon D's polyester. Both feel right given the weather. I even like Jon & Vangelis material. That said, when it comes to lead guitar no one replaces Steve Howe. Same for Rick Wakeman on Keyboards. That's why I like the new Steve Yes too! I feel lucky that I can enjoy and accept it all. I won't get into their spats. I'll leave it up to them and just enjoy what is to me more fresh Yes! How many other bands of our Prog era are giving us fresh content that's acceptable? Jethro Tull, comes to mind but not much else.
Halfway through and so far I really like what I hear. I don’t remember which song but one of them sounds like it came straight from Drama. Weird because there is no overlap of musicians from that album to this. Thanks Barry
Great review, Barry. Jon is still venting from not being allowed back in, I suppose. But it seems he’s proven with this album he’s doing quite well without those currently called Yes, thank you! I’m going to have to pick up a copy. Harder to do nowadays with less record and CD shops.
Have a look at the review of True on…The Prog Corner. Pay attention at 3:43 to 4:31, you will find the reason why Jon parted with Yes and it comes straight from the horse’s mouth.
Very good review for TRUE since it is the best Jon Anderson album perhaps EVER (including with Yes -- sacrilege? -- okay, nothing will ever top TALES), but if you have a relationship with the Divine, the Spiritual nature of the universe, then this music and Jon's lyrics and angelic vocals (still! after all of these years) is unsurpassable! Jon is the True Messenger of God who Sines On, not simply a singer, nor is his music merely "prog," for he is a pure master Mystic Musician whose canon of music will survive for centuries, I truly believe, as people continue to Awaken to what is True! Thank you forever Jon Anderson (you go straight to the heart of my sunrise) and the band "Geeks" has it ALL -- amazing work, like our reviewer says (altho, really, how about a name upgrade :)) Bless you, Jon for being in my life -- Thank God!
As a prog singer, guitarist songwritter myself i have always loved clasic yes. Steve how is one of my favorite gutiarists. And the mix and talents with Jon Andersons voice , writting skills is also my favorite. Listening to Jons new album i was totally impressed with the lyrical score the musical progession and Jons voice. Loved it. I dont like the bands name dosent fit for a proggressive troupe. And for us as children who have lived loved dreamed with yes from the begginning its like a bad marriage and devorice. With parents fighting thru your children. Do i wish the riff between yes and Jon haddnt happen. Yes yes and yes. Do i still apreciate the band yes.yes and yes. Squire rest in peace . This world as i age i feel more and more i dont belong here. But on the other side i hope iam young again and with wings i can be jamming in the wind in an encredable album yes cover landscape with friends like Jon Anderson, Steve Howe, Squire ,Justn Hayward , David Gilmore. On the other side the music will be even better. What a run they had here!❤
Thanks to your and Scott Lade's (Prog Corner) reviews, I know what album I want for my upcoming birthday! In 2019 I had the good fortune to see Jon Anderson in concert. He was in fine form with a great band. It was a remarkable show--better than the Yes concert I attended in 1979! I consistently enjoy your channel. Keep up the great work!
Let me be clear, I really appreciate this album. I love that the band geeks are such band geeks that they’ve taken some of the styles from Yes in the 70’s, Yes in the 80’s, and even Yes in the 90’s and made a cohesive work that calls back to many of those moments, while still having originality and cool moments of its own. However, its connection to Yes takes its place down for me. It’s not a Yes album, it’s certainly a tribute to the classic yes sound, and if you like it more than the current Yes lineups releases more power to you, but it’s not a Yes release. It’s not close.
"...sounds like The Ladder - something some people might say is a bit of a climb...". Hahahaha - love this guy's turn of phrase; half the reason I follow his posts.
I haven't heard the whole album yet, but I've heard quite enough to be able to say that this is the Yes album I've been hoping for for years, probably since Keys to Ascension. And it is a Yes album, by virtue of the simple fact it has JA on vocals and a band who genuinely understand the spirit of what Yes music is all about and having the skills to convey it, both compositionally and technically. It was the same when Jon performed with Todmobile. It's the spirit that matters, something that Steve Howe and his tribute band appear to have no inkling of. Apart from being excellent in its own right, True serves as a long overdue rebuke to Steve Howe for not finding a way to reunite with Anderson before it's too late. Having said that, Steve doesn't really have the chops anymore anyway, so a Yes album with Howe and Anderson back together is probably a fantasy best left unfulfilled. Lastly, how JA is able to sound so rich and musical at nearly 80 is utterly beyond me. I'm just grateful he's still doing it! Shine on, Jon!❤❤❤
I hope Jon Keeps now creating music more frequently.. We need the real escense of Yes to keep on growing now that he has placed YES back on the Ascending musical path
I agree with everything you've stated. I saw Wobbler at NEARFest in 2003 and after almost fifty years of Yes fandom, concur. But if I could sum your review up with a single quote it would be, "Progtastic!" :p
The current "YES" deserves a poke in the eye...they are essentially a cover band. At least Anderson is capitalizing on the legacy of YES while not calling the band YES. He and the Band Geeks are playing the music of YES the way it was meant to be played and True is wonderful - a combo of the best of 70's YES and YesWest. While Howe is an amazing guitarist, he is not the core sound of YES - that belongs almost exclusively to Jon Anderson.
This is the best 'Yes' album in decades! Jon Anderson's solo career has been eclectic but he's never gone as full Prog as he has on this excellent album. And when Anderson goes Prog it's going to sound like Yes because Yes history is Jon's history too. I don't need 80 year old musicians reinventing the wheel and making hip-hop albums to try and "stay relevant." Like The Stones did with 'Hackney Diamonds' last year, 'True' is a veteran artist embracing the elements that made them great. The Band Geeks are the perfect band to bring about this "true" Yes music. Along with the Wakeman-esque synth solos, the guitar solos reference Trevor Rabin on some tracks and Steve Howe on others (especially the acoustic bits). With 'True' Jon has thrown down the gauntlet on the subject of who represents real Yes. Hopefully Steve is listening and gives Jon a call. BTW Andy Edwards has a hilarious take on the 'True' album cover (Jon should have given Roger Dean a call).
Um, Jon went "full prog" on his album with Roine Stolt of the Flower Kings, "Invention of Knowledge". A two record set with four or five extended tracks much like Tales From Topographic Oceans. Like much great YES music, it took time and multiple listens for me to "get it" but once I did, it became one of my all time favorites.
What I missed from the last few Yes albums that I notice in the Jon Anderson and The Band Geeks is energy. It was like last Yes albums lack energy. Energy from the musicians and from the singer. Curiously, I think Steve Howe was the one who had the most energy of them. I have heard the first three tracks and this is the music we expected from a band like Yes. Music that has energy, that probably is mostly in major keys but with lots of modulations, time signatures, changes and energy. This means that Jon Anderson needed musicians with energy. And his voice is still really good.
This album reminds me not of 70's yes, but of the 80's incarnation of yes. Very well done but it doesn't quite live up to Fragile or Close to the Edge. I agree with Jon that this is the album the classic Yes band would have made if they were still together. The current incarnation of Yes, is ok, but they sound more like a tribute band than actual Yes. True took me back to classic yes.
This is a BRILLIANT album we cant call Yes....much like Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe....which I loved, though the electronic drums date some tracks. It is the "Yes" album Ive been waiting for for decades. Its fantastic. I agree Mirror to the Sky was the best album from new Yes... but its not as strong as this to my ears. Im really looking forward to what Steve and Co do with the next album. Its an opportunity to rise the challenge and beat this......
Oh, I would strongly disagree. I've seen YES live over 100 times going back to 1972. TRUE by Jon and The Band Geeks IS YES. Compare it to anything from YES after they kicked Jon out in 2008, and your ears will confirm it -- as you said yourself, "...it is the YES album I've been waiting for for decades..." It is not called YES only because of legal issues regarding the contractual ownership of the band name. That was the same case on the ANDERSON BRUFORD WAKEMAN HOWE album -- they tried to call that album YES but Chris took them to court over the band name and the court ruled that contracts did not allow them to use YES as the band name but it also ruled they could call the ABWH tour "an evening of YES music plus".
Also I should mention JONS FORGETTING THE ARRANGEMENTS. He’s forgotten the order of the lyrics in I get up I get down and he skips a riff in heart of the sunrise because he forgot it. Yes isn’t Jon, Jon is Jon.
This feud between Jon and Steve might turn out to be a sort of Waters-Gilmour battle, if they are not careful. Since Jon and Steve are hardcore vegetarians, would they be throwing veggie sausages at each other instead of heated twits?
Disagree that Mirror to the Sky would have been better if Geoff Downes had remembered to plug his rig in. I think MttS has the perfect amount of Downes on it (meaning very, very little).
I've never felt that there is a YES without Jon Anderson, because it is missing his lyrical gift, his completely unique energy as a front man, and his unmatchable voice. Jon is the very heart of YES. Now he's found some really skilled musicians to back him.
Your summation: "This is what a Yes album should sound like" is spot on.
This album FEELS so good.
This album is fantastic. I wasn’t sold in the first song, then totally psyched at the rest. He’s not wrong when he says this is the album we have been waiting for. This is Yes style and quality. The musicianship is awesome.
When people would ask me why I wanted to see Anderson back in Yes, I would say that I thought there was still one more great Yes album out there to be made. Well, looks like Jon did it without them. Bravo, guys!
Great review! Jon still sounds like Jon and I’ve been spinning it for the last week. The Band Geeks can play! At the end of the day, I’m glad both Jon & Steve are still with us.
I purchased the "True" CD, and I got to admit this is Yes. This album, by far is the best. Yes, music that has been released since " Keys To Ascension" studio tracks. Thank you for the post. "True" is Yes👍
Not sure why you dismiss Magnification and The Ladder, both of which are excellent YES albums.
@yeswolf1
I will agree with you on Magnification and the Ladder. But Keys had Rick Wakeman, and to me personally, that album was more like "True" just with different musicians. Anyways, with that said, "True" has that Yes feel that hasn't been there in recent albums.
@@styles8007True isn't Yes music. But it's a whole lot closer than ABWH.
@@yeswolf1 He, didn’t dismiss The Ladder or Magnification, he said since the Keys studio tracks, which was released as an album in 2003.
@yeswolf1 Not sure why you think another person needs to spout your opinion. We all are moved by different composition and sounds. Not my responsibility to uphold your opinion. Enjoy the new music Yes could have put out if Howe wasn't such a child.
its the energy that got me - bloody lovely
More musical ideas per inch than any prog album I've heard in years, really pretty melodic moments are peppered throughout the album, loads of stuff going on to get your teeth into. All beautifully played and nicely produced with lots of lush layers.
This album is better than it has any right to be. It seems fresher than anything yes did when they were “together” in many ways, at least with Steve. This has a fair dollop of Rabin era thrown in, but mostly recalls the classic era. Not perfect, but better than anything the tribute band has done in their last 3 attempts. I’m digging it more than I expected.
Are we hearing the same album? WHERES THE BASS 😂
The Rabiny bits are excellent
Good summation
@@hpatss4966not sure what you mean? Playing or production? I’m glad we’re not getting a Sherwood type emulation of Chris, because I wanted to have Chris’s baby in 1974! 😂 it’s great playing and following his own style. He’s certainly helping Jon in many respects playing in a lower register to help the vocals so many decades later. If you’re talking mix-wise, I’m not noticing anything lax on my system. It’s only about $50k worth of gear, but it seems pronounced enough I don’t feel anything is lacking.
@@johnwolf3294🙏🙌
I have already listened to this album 3 times (autographed CD) - I'm loving it. Tickets in hand to see Jon & the band in 2 weeks / the set list they have been preforming is 🔥
Olias of Sunhillow, love that album.
And Jon better deliver on Olias 2. He promised and there is a teaser on his channel and it sounds awesome. Plaheeeeeeeeez Jon give it to the masses.
Yeah, Olias is my absolute favorite Jon Anderson solo album!
@@bornagainbornagain6697I hear ya, but I wouldn't necessarily hold my breath for that one.
Excellent review! As someone who appreciates all iterations of Yes and band member solo projects, I rank this CD way up there with the best of the best. I keep going back to it and enjoy the energy and the overall "Yes-ness" of each track. Your line, "This is what a Yes album should sound like" is so true.
So very well said and 100% true !!!!! And though I love all of True, I cannot stop listening to "Once upon a dream" Yes indeed , the album and epic new classic OUAD that pretend Yes has not made . Thank you Jon Anderson and The Band Geeks . Album of the year 2024 for me . And early Happy 80th to you Jon and God Bless you!!!!!
Been a fan of Band Geeks for years, and I bought this album unheard. Glad you like it.
@@jimbo029 You got me there.
The Geeks are amazing!!!
True Fan. 👍🏿
Brilliant review Barry as an old-time yes fan who had all their 70s albums and seen them in concert three times in that decade this is the closest to. Yes I think we ever gonna get such a wonderful wonderful album. I am so joyous listening to it and I am so happy and proud of John Anderson as another music aficionado podcast recently said, John Anderson is the heart soul and spirit progressive rock I second that emotion amen!!! Keep up the good work, brother we’re listening.
I saw john and the Band Geeks in Hershey PA. It was a great show that I was proud to bring my kids to. It was mostly Yes but definitely missing the genius guitarists and keyboards that make up a lot of the historical sound and Squires live bass just cant be replaced by anyone alive.
I've seen both tours of Jon and The Band Geeks.
I knew of the band long ago and wished Jon would take notice sooner or later.
He did. And he is no fool. The tours have been absolutely astonishing.
So, they made this remarkable album to solidify this collaboration, and they knocked it out of the park.
Everybody loves this album.
And since the obvious comparisons are there, this album absolutely destroys the Steve Howe Tribute Show and those sleepy albums he has dragged out under the Yes banner.
It's just the way it is.
MttS represented an upswing, I thought. Problem is, seems to me, Steve likes being too much the one in control... and he's not the creative force he once was.
Maybe this album WILL prove a spur for him and current Yes to attempt a "Return to T Oceans" or some such. The talent is there to do something fairly interesting, no doubt.
I saw the Anderson/Band Geeks concert on UA-cam and they were excellent at reproducing the existing music of Yes. In addition Anderson’s voice hasn’t really lost its sparkle, and I was just waiting for that last note of Heart Of The Sunrise, and when he hit it, I got chills and the audience erupted in cheers. I’ve only heard one song from the new one and it was quite good, but I’m thankful that Mr Anderson has always kept the prog flame burning through everything. Though some of his solo things are light and airy, he always delivers what his fans want.
Great analysis! Stupendous album, in my opinion. Not only does it revive the terrific energy and breathtaking inventiveness of early 70s Yes, it also encompasses the moving melodicism of 80s and 90s Yes, and manages to fuse all this into a wonderful whole. I stopped listening to Yes after Anderson left--after Magnification--but this sublimely fills the gap between that era and now.
This album is simply a joy to my ears. I love it. The Geeks play very well and Jon sounds amazing all through the album. I love it.
It’s as good as any YES album I’ve heard! Love it!
Love the album. More than could have been expected at this time in their lives.
I’ve been listening pretty well on repeat. That is a good sign indeed. With each successive listen it’s just getting better and better. Another very good sign. And I thought 1000 Hands was good! Excellent stuff.👍
I also have this on repeat. It's that good.
You do such an outstanding job with all your content. This review is no exception! You have a delightful way with words. Thank you! Jon Anderson and the ‘Geeks are definitely giving the people “what they want” with this release. It does make the “Steve Howe band” seem quite impotent by comparison.
Enjoyable review. Thanks! The new songs also sound great live!
On the off chance that Yes and Jon Anderson fans haven't heard of it, let me suggest that you have a listen to the album Anderson did with Roine Stolt of Sweden's The Flower Kings and Transatlantic, "The Invention of Knowledge" (2016). After they made a demo on which Stolt played most of the instruments and used programmed drums, he brought in an all-star band of prog musicians like Tom Brislin (Yes, Kansas), Jonas Reingold (The Flower Kings, Karmakanic, Steve Hackett Band), and Lalle Larsson (too many bands to mention) and vocalists Nad Sylvan (Steve Hackett Band) and Daniel Gildenlow (Pain of Salvation) to re-record the parts. It was the most Yes-sounding album since at least "Magnification," if not earlier albums. "True" now holds that position.
Totally agree. The Jon & Ronie Knowledge album is a masterpiece. I've reviewing the recent Yes (?) albums on Amazon as the are released, and telling everyone they need to get Knowledge ❤
Invention of Knowledge and 1000 Hands are great records
It IS Jon's tribute to Yes. He knows and feels the true groove and magic. Howe tries and tries but can't fully grasp it.
I would agree with that statement. It's better than anything that yes official has released.
I disagree
Can't wait to listen to this new album. Thanks for bringing it to our attention!
Jon Anderson is one on his own. Like Roger Hodgson from Supertramp, both of them left and it was never the same.
The difference being that Jon has had a very successful solo career.
That’s a fair point you have raised there
Ironically Roger co-wrote a Yes song with Trevor Rabin called Walls which ended up on Talk. Its a great song. Theres a demo version of it on UA-cam
@@johnbeagley1195 I didn’t know that. 👍
@@c.a.t.732 I saw Roger Hodgson do a 4 night-sold out shows at a decent-sized venue not that long ago; he's got some great solo work- he retired from public life for about 20 years but he's been back for awhile.
Your review and most comments below are positive, as they should be. It is a gift to receive this high quality music from Jon and the BoG.
Yet, for me the best and truest Yes music is in the early (pre and Yessongs/Relayer-ish) era with the deepest prog rock roots, composition and musicianship.
Even Jon's lyrics in that era were absolute marvels. They were poetic iterations that defied rational understanding and took us literal sonic and experiential journeys.
The complexity, dexterity and originality in the arrangements, performance and production from those 'original' musicians were uncanny and unmatched.
The album True is a gem but is not comparable to a Yes album of the above era. It can't be for the simple fact that the gifted musicians of BoG cannot be compared to that Yes lineup where each musician were giants at their peaks. Also on True, I cannot criticize Jon for wanting to write/sing songs with simple lyrics about love. Love is indeed what matters most and Jon is obviously a very heart centered man. Just missing the Heart of the Sunrise, Starship Trooper, Close to the Edge, etc... lyrical flights we were gifted half a century ago.
Again, I am happy True came out and have listened to it often. While it is mostly a "True" prog rock album with some great moments, it just doesn't quench my decade old longing for a "True" Yes album.
PS imho, Wobbler is much more Gentle Giant than Yes. A closer Yes (and at times ELP) 'replacement' to flock to is certainly Starcastle.
Wow, I've been binging Relayer era Yes, and I agree with you on this. True is not as deep or thorough as gates of delirium (which I believe to be the best and most wonderful song ever made by this band), but it certainly reminds me of songs like Wonderous Stories or even And you and I. Heck, it really is on that level of early 70's yes, though I feel like if it was lesser just because of how of a damn masterpiece is Relayer.
Moral of the story is to stop comparing this to Yes, as it's a completely new thing.
Jon Anderson is Yes, he can't play the instruments but he knows what he wants to hear and if musicians are willing to give him what he wants this is the treat we receive. He's so full of mystic vitality and enthusiasm. He really does seem to be in touch with the Universe, as Rick likes to say NASA don't need to spend billions on gadgets to understand outer Space they just have to ask Jon.
I love this album best thing for years, and a fitting hat tip to one of the best Bands to emerge from Prog.
You’re a Jon lover
Jon did a great job playing all the instruments on Olias!
Love Jon and love this album . Very like a the ladder but as you say plenty of original yes feel. Been playing it a lot this week and I'm now back into yes again.
I gave the album a listen on you tube and I will be buying a copy today.
Great review. As you mentioned its really a huge great incarnation of Yes! Jon Rules! So good!
exactly, the release,Yes hasn't made, thanks for the breakdown, this is a good release, not perfect, but way better than anything Yes has released since Magnification
Without Christopher Squire, they will never really be 'together' again. He was the heart and soul of the band.
I loved Chris, as he has always been a major inspiration for me, but Ritchie Castellano certainly lays down some superb basslines on this album.
Cheers 🍻 Best Bass in Rock music. Period.
Chris was one of my main influences on bass....but the strength of everything on this album is truly amazing and sounds incredible throughout.
True, but this isn't Official Yes, which really seems pointless with the members and quality of music that band has rn. This does capture the spirit of classic Yes with Chris, et al, and it's much better than recent Official Yes efforts.
Thanks. I didn't know about this. I am listening to it now. Already it sounds pretty good 👍👍
Hope you enjoy it!
Jon has consistently and defiantly made Yes-styled music since his ousting from the band. 'The Living Tree' , 'Invention of Knowledge' and his collaborative triumph '1,000 Hands' are all very driven and inspired.
Definitely a must have. Thanks for the hot tip.
Jon mentioned a few years ago that he wanted to get back into yes because he had songs that would be great w/ Steve's guitar. Maybe some of those songs are on the new album.
Jon gave 30 demos to Richie Castellano, to listen too and use for the album.
Since completing True, Jon says he has nothing more to prove.
@@Atom-56 Jon also has 6 or so hours of "Zamran" demos, hoping we get "Part 1" from that at least ...
I have ordered the CD for this album and it should arrive in a day or two. I regret missing Jon Anderson and his band in concert here in Phoenix just a couple of weeks ago. I have seen footage of the concert and Jon's voice is still quite strong and the band was excellent. Looking forward to listening to this latest effort.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but at this point in my life (Yes fan since 1984; thank you Mr. Rabin for the introduction) I would just like to enjoy the music without over-analyzing from whence it came.
I end to just listen to a new album and see if I like it after multiple spins. I love the TRUE album, the Anderson/Stolt INVENTION OF KNOWLEDGE, 1000 HANDS (CHAPTER ONE), SURVIVAL & OTHER STORIES, and others.
Well said. It's interesting that Yes music symbolizes peace and happiness. Yet, that doesn't extend to their fan base. I have bought the Yes albums that have Jon Anderson, I have bought the Yes albums that don't have Jon Anderson, I bought the Anderson/Solt one, I would have bought the ARW album(if there was one), and I will buy this. I think that the poison spewed by Yes "fans", as well as Jon's ego, killed ARW. If people aren't careful, this alliance might break up too.
Love this album. It serves to highlight the now turgid, flat and drab output of the collection of musicians who call themselves Yes. Since 1971 Yes were my favourite band from my teenage years but very sadly they lost it when they turfed out Jon and then sadly Chris passed away. Time for them to exit stage left. It's over.
Best I've heard from the Yes camp for years , the ladder
Great review! Thanks! Keep doing what you do! ❤
That's the plan
There is something truly lovely, magical when you are in the presence of Jon Anderson. Without him we could only try to fool ourselves it was Yes, but it wasn't really, was it?
Great review. I really like the latest Yes album. I haven't heard the new album by Jon Anderson but I'll definitely grab the CD maybe next week. Cheers😎👍
Listened to one track yesterday. Amazing. It's prog at its best. I think I might buy that album. Hate the artwork though. Looks like a worship album
It needs a Roger Dean cover
Many hard core fans are very disappointed in the cover photo. That type of microphone is never held!
Lol yes, looks like if it was made by a sort of, justin bieber kind of stan around the 2000 sth lol. Very cringy, it really needs Roger Dean's artwork
@@danielperales3958 Anyhow, I bought it and it's excellent.
Another excellent review. Thank you. I just bought the album yesterday and I had not yet heard any of the tracks. It's just fantastic. It sounds more like a Yes album than a Jon Anderson album. Lucky me. Just what I was looking for.
LOL, lots of Jon Anderson albums sound like YES. If you haven't heard "Invention of Knowledge" with Roine Stolt (Anderson/Stolt), you should check it out.
It's a minor miracle that the ears of a 79 year old can detect Jon Anderson's voice.
Wobbler are fabulous. I like the latest Yes album, and I like this Jon Anderson and Band Geeks album.
Good old Jon. Iconic artist and having once met him, a very nice chap!
I really enjoyed your analogy to a palette cleanser.
Jon Anderson the soul and the voice of Yes. Without Jon Yes is NO
Basically. They should be called the Steve Howe Band.
I've found that I can enjoy any branch of the Yes tree if I keep in mind and appreciate the contributions of the classic lineup as individuals in their new context. I agree with you about Jon's voice, but I find that I'm also able to enjoy Jon Davison's voice. To me it sounds like Yes, albeit in a passible substitute way. To me it's reminiscent of Yes and in some ways his is a purer version of Jon A's. Jon D. has a beautiful voice. But yes (no pun) Jon A's is the original article. He is the cotton to Jon D's polyester. Both feel right given the weather. I even like Jon & Vangelis material. That said, when it comes to lead guitar no one replaces Steve Howe. Same for Rick Wakeman on Keyboards. That's why I like the new Steve Yes too! I feel lucky that I can enjoy and accept it all. I won't get into their spats. I'll leave it up to them and just enjoy what is to me more fresh Yes! How many other bands of our Prog era are giving us fresh content that's acceptable? Jethro Tull, comes to mind but not much else.
Halfway through and so far I really like what I hear. I don’t remember which song but one of them sounds like it came straight from Drama. Weird because there is no overlap of musicians from that album to this.
Thanks Barry
Agreed it is a great album. Every song is like have I heard this before?
You made me want to listen to this album
Great review, Barry. Jon is still venting from not being allowed back in, I suppose. But it seems he’s proven with this album he’s doing quite well without those currently called Yes, thank you! I’m going to have to pick up a copy. Harder to do nowadays with less record and CD shops.
Yup! It's Jon Anderson's sweet revenge for getting jackbooted out of the band. Bravo!
Have a look at the review of True on…The Prog Corner.
Pay attention at 3:43 to 4:31, you will find the reason why Jon parted with Yes and it comes straight from the horse’s mouth.
@@Atom-56Right. When it comes to Yes or any of its members, Scot is The Source.
Very good review for TRUE since it is the best Jon Anderson album perhaps EVER (including with Yes -- sacrilege? -- okay, nothing will ever top TALES), but if you have a relationship with the Divine, the Spiritual nature of the universe, then this music and Jon's lyrics and angelic vocals (still! after all of these years) is unsurpassable! Jon is the True Messenger of God who Sines On, not simply a singer, nor is his music merely "prog," for he is a pure master Mystic Musician whose canon of music will survive for centuries, I truly believe, as people continue to Awaken to what is True! Thank you forever Jon Anderson (you go straight to the heart of my sunrise) and the band "Geeks" has it ALL -- amazing work, like our reviewer says (altho, really, how about a name upgrade :)) Bless you, Jon for being in my life -- Thank God!
Absolutely refreshing review, Brilliant!
As a prog singer, guitarist songwritter myself i have always loved clasic yes. Steve how is one of my favorite gutiarists. And the mix and talents with Jon Andersons voice , writting skills is also my favorite.
Listening to Jons new album i was totally impressed with the lyrical score the musical progession and Jons voice. Loved it. I dont like the bands name dosent fit for a proggressive troupe. And for us as children who have lived loved dreamed with yes from the begginning its like a bad marriage and devorice. With parents fighting thru your children.
Do i wish the riff between yes and Jon haddnt happen. Yes yes and yes. Do i still apreciate the band yes.yes and yes. Squire rest in peace . This world as i age i feel more and more i dont belong here. But on the other side i hope iam young again and with wings i can be jamming in the wind in an encredable album yes cover landscape with friends like Jon Anderson, Steve Howe, Squire ,Justn Hayward , David Gilmore. On the other side the music will be even better. What a run they had here!❤
I'll have to check it out. Sounds pretty good!
Thanks to your and Scott Lade's (Prog Corner) reviews, I know what album I want for my upcoming birthday!
In 2019 I had the good fortune to see Jon Anderson in concert. He was in fine form with a great band. It was a remarkable show--better than the Yes concert I attended in 1979!
I consistently enjoy your channel. Keep up the great work!
Let me be clear, I really appreciate this album. I love that the band geeks are such band geeks that they’ve taken some of the styles from Yes in the 70’s, Yes in the 80’s, and even Yes in the 90’s and made a cohesive work that calls back to many of those moments, while still having originality and cool moments of its own. However, its connection to Yes takes its place down for me. It’s not a Yes album, it’s certainly a tribute to the classic yes sound, and if you like it more than the current Yes lineups releases more power to you, but it’s not a Yes release. It’s not close.
It’s closer to Yes than Yes currently is
To buy...yes !
"...sounds like The Ladder - something some people might say is a bit of a climb...". Hahahaha - love this guy's turn of phrase; half the reason I follow his posts.
Very nice!!!❤
Thank you! 😊
I haven't heard the whole album yet, but I've heard quite enough to be able to say that this is the Yes album I've been hoping for for years, probably since Keys to Ascension.
And it is a Yes album, by virtue of the simple fact it has JA on vocals and a band who genuinely understand the spirit of what Yes music is all about and having the skills to convey it, both compositionally and technically.
It was the same when Jon performed with Todmobile. It's the spirit that matters, something that Steve Howe and his tribute band appear to have no inkling of.
Apart from being excellent in its own right, True serves as a long overdue rebuke to Steve Howe for not finding a way to reunite with Anderson before it's too late.
Having said that, Steve doesn't really have the chops anymore anyway, so a Yes album with Howe and Anderson back together is probably a fantasy best left unfulfilled.
Lastly, how JA is able to sound so rich and musical at nearly 80 is utterly beyond me. I'm just grateful he's still doing it!
Shine on, Jon!❤❤❤
It may not be a bad idea to do a comparison video with True and Mirror To The Sky. Great video as always.
Will it do as well as the real YES album Mirror To The Sky. Good as it may be, I doubt it.
I hope Jon Keeps now creating music more frequently.. We need the real escense of Yes to keep on growing now that he has placed YES back on the Ascending musical path
I was exhilarated by the album! Better than the drivel post his departure with the YES tribute band. Jon and the Band Geeks really deliver!
I agree with everything you've stated. I saw Wobbler at NEARFest in 2003 and after almost fifty years of Yes fandom, concur. But if I could sum your review up with a single quote it would be, "Progtastic!" :p
Excellent record from start to finish!
Great review. Great record.
Lawyers must make a bloody fortune from these band disputes/break ups.
The current "YES" deserves a poke in the eye...they are essentially a cover band. At least Anderson is capitalizing on the legacy of YES while not calling the band YES. He and the Band Geeks are playing the music of YES the way it was meant to be played and True is wonderful - a combo of the best of 70's YES and YesWest. While Howe is an amazing guitarist, he is not the core sound of YES - that belongs almost exclusively to Jon Anderson.
Best sounding Yes album in over 30 years!
It's a cracking album
It is indeed
THANK YOU.. without your throwaway remark this antipodean would never have listened to Wobbler!!
I’m 26 so I don’t have the context of fans who grew up during their hay day but from where I sit, this is the best Yes album since Relayer
This is the best 'Yes' album in decades! Jon Anderson's solo career has been eclectic but he's never gone as full Prog as he has on this excellent album. And when Anderson goes Prog it's going to sound like Yes because Yes history is Jon's history too. I don't need 80 year old musicians reinventing the wheel and making hip-hop albums to try and "stay relevant." Like The Stones did with 'Hackney Diamonds' last year, 'True' is a veteran artist embracing the elements that made them great. The Band Geeks are the perfect band to bring about this "true" Yes music. Along with the Wakeman-esque synth solos, the guitar solos reference Trevor Rabin on some tracks and Steve Howe on others (especially the acoustic bits). With 'True' Jon has thrown down the gauntlet on the subject of who represents real Yes. Hopefully Steve is listening and gives Jon a call. BTW Andy Edwards has a hilarious take on the 'True' album cover (Jon should have given Roger Dean a call).
Um, Jon went "full prog" on his album with Roine Stolt of the Flower Kings, "Invention of Knowledge". A two record set with four or five extended tracks much like Tales From Topographic Oceans. Like much great YES music, it took time and multiple listens for me to "get it" but once I did, it became one of my all time favorites.
What I missed from the last few Yes albums that I notice in the Jon Anderson and The Band Geeks is energy. It was like last Yes albums lack energy. Energy from the musicians and from the singer. Curiously, I think Steve Howe was the one who had the most energy of them. I have heard the first three tracks and this is the music we expected from a band like Yes. Music that has energy, that probably is mostly in major keys but with lots of modulations, time signatures, changes and energy. This means that Jon Anderson needed musicians with energy. And his voice is still really good.
The first three tracks barely scratch the surface of how good this album is. Jon and Band Geeks have delivered a full YES experience on TRUE.
What I've missed from the last few Yes albums is Jon Anderson.
If Jon REALLY wanted to troll Yes, he would have gotten Roger Dean to do the artwork... or done something better than the current cover.
I still think they could have made a better cover. But I never did like Jon Anderson's solo covers. But what is inside is genius and so listenable.
@@Jeffrey.Seelmanagreed
I don't like the cover either but I know that the photo was taken by his daughter, Deborah. The choice is a family thing.
This album reminds me not of 70's yes, but of the 80's incarnation of yes. Very well done but it doesn't quite live up to Fragile or Close to the Edge. I agree with Jon that this is the album the classic Yes band would have made if they were still together. The current incarnation of Yes, is ok, but they sound more like a tribute band than actual Yes. True took me back to classic yes.
Completly agreed
If that's true, then why didn't they? I quite like The Ladder, and that sounds like classic Yes. It even has a guy that channels the spirit of Wakeman
There is no Yes without Jon Anderson.
👍👍👍👍👍👍
Great review Makes me Want to hear this .
Bought it yesterday and I had not heard any tracks before hand. You will not be disappointed. Every song is good.
Howe has turned Yes into Home Brew. He has robbed his fan base of what the love.
Love your work.
It's funny your take on thw album is about the same as mine, Yesness indeed!
Progtastic! 🤣
Thanks Barry. It would be nice to have some UK dates but I'm not holding my breath.
This is a BRILLIANT album we cant call Yes....much like Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe....which I loved, though the electronic drums date some tracks. It is the "Yes" album Ive been waiting for for decades. Its fantastic. I agree Mirror to the Sky was the best album from new Yes... but its not as strong as this to my ears. Im really looking forward to what Steve and Co do with the next album. Its an opportunity to rise the challenge and beat this......
Oh, I would strongly disagree. I've seen YES live over 100 times going back to 1972. TRUE by Jon and The Band Geeks IS YES. Compare it to anything from YES after they kicked Jon out in 2008, and your ears will confirm it -- as you said yourself, "...it is the YES album I've been waiting for for decades..." It is not called YES only because of legal issues regarding the contractual ownership of the band name. That was the same case on the ANDERSON BRUFORD WAKEMAN HOWE album -- they tried to call that album YES but Chris took them to court over the band name and the court ruled that contracts did not allow them to use YES as the band name but it also ruled they could call the ABWH tour "an evening of YES music plus".
@@yeswolf1 I get your point. I think Jon was the Spirit of Yes, and Chris was the heart of Yes. We have the spirit left....maybe?
It sounds more like 90s Yes (KeyStudio, The Ladder, Magnification) which I enjoy. It's a great album but I don't hear Fragile in True
Also I should mention JONS FORGETTING THE ARRANGEMENTS. He’s forgotten the order of the lyrics in I get up I get down and he skips a riff in heart of the sunrise because he forgot it. Yes isn’t Jon, Jon is Jon.
Anderson and Squire are Yes. Period.
This feud between Jon and Steve might turn out to be a sort of Waters-Gilmour battle, if they are not careful. Since Jon and Steve are hardcore vegetarians, would they be throwing veggie sausages at each other instead of heated twits?
TRUE is a true masterpiece!👍⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️😎
If you like yes music it is worth a listen. Got some listens this week and definitely worth more spins.
Disagree that Mirror to the Sky would have been better if Geoff Downes had remembered to plug his rig in. I think MttS has the perfect amount of Downes on it (meaning very, very little).