"Hugging the corners of Seventies Yes with just the right balance of mimicry and mutability": Jon Anderson and The Band Geeks capture the right essence on True

Jon Anderson taps into spirit of Yes, aided by The Band Geeks and that bloke out of Blue Öyster Cult

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Jon Anderson & The Band Geeks: True cover art
(Image: © Frontiers)

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As he approaches his eightieth birthday, sweet-natured former Yes frontman Jon Anderson has been collaborating liberally, seemingly delighted to sing with anyone who can sound like Yes. His voice can still do its unique, high, emotive thing. Some of these hook-ups work; others don’t. This one does, being his best offering since 2016’s Invention Of Knowledge with Roine Stolt. 

The Band Geeks are led and co-produced by Blue Öyster Cult member Richie Castellano, and from the giddy dynamic flurries of True Messenger and Shine On it’s clear they understand the assignment. 

Jon Anderson & The Band Geeks "Shine On" - Official Music Video - YouTube Jon Anderson & The Band Geeks
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They hug the corners of Seventies (as opposed to Eighties) Yes with just the right balance of mimicry and mutability. The 16-minute centrepiece Once Upon A Dream channels the Fragile era with cheek bordering on genius, Anderson even singing the line “heart of the sunrise” as a refrain. “Everything is possible”, he insists. 

Yes diehards won’t say no to this.      

Chris Roberts
Chris Roberts

Chris Roberts has written about music, films, and art for innumerable outlets. His new book The Velvet Underground is out April 4. He has also published books on Lou Reed, Elton John, the Gothic arts, Talk Talk, Kate Moss, Scarlett Johansson, Abba, Tom Jones and others. Among his interviewees over the years have been David Bowie, Iggy Pop, Patti Smith, Debbie Harry, Bryan Ferry, Al Green, Tom Waits & Lou Reed. Born in North Wales, he lives in London.