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Review:
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The prolific Jon Anderson has been quite a busy man
lately, having recovered from illness with a new found energy
and passion, a trait that disproves the long held misconception
that rock music is the governance of the young and only
the young. Beyond 71 years of age, he continues to voyage
into unfamiliar territories such as his long delayed cooperation
with Jean-Luc Ponty, a thoroughly successful venture that
yielded the aptly named 'Better Late than Never' album and
subsequent well-applauded tour. Here, he has teamed up with
Swedish mastermind Roine Stolt of the Flower Kings and Transatlantic
fame, to create a very Yes-like opus that proves only that
the creative juices that inspired him in the glory days
of progressive rock, still has a resonating voice and audience
today. Sadly, the judgmental universe that we now live in
will give way to some unfair and foolish criticism from
shameless detractors who need to fuel their pill-fed apathy
(to stay awake at the keyboard at the very least) by puncturing
this symphonic opus with brazen detritus. Well, like they
say at the hardware store: screw them! If you no like, move
the hell on!***
Gathering a rather stellar crew of familiar faces from
both the FK, such as bassist extraordinaire Jonas Reingold,
drummer Felix Lehrmann and former FK bassman Michael Stolt)
and from the Yes side, Tom Brislin, whilst including the
supremely talented Swedish keyboardist Lalle Larsson, the
two protagonists certainly have aimed precisely at what
they wanted to achieve, a classic sounding Progressive Rock
album. Both Anderson and Stolt have never sounded better
and more confident, and truth be said, you can hear the
enthusiasm displayed throughout. Let us be honest first
of all, this collaboration has more musical width and breath
than anything spewed by Yes since , my goodness' since Relayer!***
That being said, the nine tracks do flow into one another
rather seamlessly, a very linear sounding series of arrangements
within each piece that get busy one moment and quite atmospheric
the next, as on the end of 'Knowledge', where the swirling
effects really take hold. As with the Ponty collaboration,
the music is totally uplifting, spirited if not necessarily
overtly spiritual, spiced by occasional bursts of energetic
gusto and dazzling playing by all instrumentalists. Roine
can carve with the best of them, a talented guitarist who
can infuse a variety of styles that span the gamut of influences,
from Howe, Hackett and Gilmour to more oblique talents such
as Allan Holdsworth. He can play fast, controlled and delirious
when prompted. While Squire has always been a giant, Reingold
is one hell of a player, seeing him live seals the deal.
A monster.***
I also cannot help noticing that three songs contain
the sound NO (as opposed to'Yes) in Know, Knowledge and
Knowing. Coincidence? Nah, must be my meds. Yeah, I know
(no). In fact, all the titles have a positive spin and message.
Eat that Steve Wilson!***
The glorious track 'Knowing' is an 11 minute celestial
epic that reeks the most of 'Close to the Edge', owner of
a skilled melody and some complex orchestrations, Lalle's
divine grand piano, screeching synth swirls and a fully
determined vocal performance that is easily among the very
best ever captured by a microphone. The two follow up pieces
'Chase & Harmony' and 'Everybody Heals' are equally masterful
expressions of musical craftsmanship and passionate delivery.
Shorter ditties offer hope and salvation, 'Better by Far'
and 'Golden Light', a lovely diversion that goes straight
to the owner of lonely Heartstrings and pulls on them delicately.
The jazzy, windswept and airy 'Know' is an 11 minute tropical
paradise of topographic ocean breezes, Jon's voice a warm
zephyr that soothes the soul and medicates the mind, a beach
with grandiose piano, shuffling bass, brushed cymbals and
a laid back, laissez-faire attitude. 'An answer to a promise
that delivered you' as Roine swirls his guitar like Carlos
Santana. Totally delicious.***
I enjoyed the whole enchilada, an album that will need
made more listens and new details to discover, so dense
this is. I was expecting something a bit lamer I guess and
I was wrong. The cover artwork, booklet and inlay are truly
first-class and worth the eye candy.***
Tszirmay
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