JON ANDERSON & THE BAND GEEKS: TRUE

If you read reviews or news or share your experience listening to Jon Anderson's latest record, you'll hear one word everywhere: Yes. Many people consider this record a new Yes album, but it's not.

This journey doesn't start here. After recording Magnification and the tour that followed, the band wanted to revisit an old work-in-progress idea called Fly From Here from 2011. Jon Anderson wasn't interested, and a tough discussion with former band members, along with Geoff Downes joining in, added more tension. In the end, Jon offered a diplomatic solution: "I'm not available to do this because I have a severe case of asthma." So that marked the end of Anderson's time with Yes.

In 2011, he released the good but not great Survival and Other Stories, a pastoral record played mostly by Anderson himself. I was curious about how his asthma affected him? his voice was still strong.

Fast forward to 2014, when the Anderson/Ponty band emerged, and in 2016, we got the underrated Anderson/Stolt. In 2017, Yes was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, followed by a huge tour in 2018 with Anderson, Rabin, and Wakeman, showcasing outstanding performances from the 80s era of Yes. Then, in 2019, 1000 Hands was released, featuring great collaborations.

Since his departure from Yes, Anderson has enjoyed a prolific period of creativity, producing excellent material. It's no surprise that during the pandemic, Anderson, starts his positive tenure with Band Geeks, held amazing concerts featuring the best of the complex Yes era, including long epics tracks from Tales from Topographic Oceans , Relayer, and other classics from Going for the One and Tormato, After that you realize that Jon Anderson is the one real key to his music their signature voice was the main factor to be what it is and nobody get even closer to mimic or imitate. Jon Anderson's True is both a nostalgic journey and a fresh chapter in his legendary career, blending the spirit of Yes with a modern touch. Released in August 2024, this album features Anderson teaming up with The Band Geeks, their instrumental work captures the essence of the best moments of Yes, mixed with Anderson's unique mystical style. Richie Castellano, ex-Blue Öyster Cult, pays tribute to Chris Squire with his excellent bass work, handling both bass lines and backing vocals. Andy Graziano doesn't try to sound like Steve Howe; he brings original guitar work, while Andy Ascolese shines on drums. The band also includes Christopher Clark (ex-Brand X) on keyboards, Robert Kipp on Hammond organ and vocals, and Anne Marie Nacchio on additional vocals. I mention everyone because they've done outstanding work with heart and love.

After their first two strong advances "True Messenger" and "Shine On" were we can hear the true essence on what we didn't feel on any Yes record since the 80's The album highlights are the longer compositions "Counties and Countries," 10-minute odyssey, blends amazing orchestrations and a great guitar work in a way that feels like it's always belonged in the Yes catalog. Anderson and The Band Geeks maintain this balance of past and present throughout, especially in the 16-minute masterpiece "Once Upon a Dream," filled with soaring intensity and intricate layers of sound.

Slower, more introspective moments like "Build Me an Ocean" and "Make It Right" show Anderson's ability to craft emotional ballads, while the energetic closer "Thank God" brings a triumphant finish. True captures the essence of classic Yes while pushing Anderson's sound forward, proving that his creative well is still flowing. The production of True is striking, with an amazing, pristine sound; the cover is also fitting for a Jon Anderson record, for some critics it deserves a better cover from maybe Roger Dean, but if he do that it is just another Yes record. This cover is not great but is Jon on his 80's playing great music.

This is a great Jon Anderson record and an amazing journey through his musical time with Yes. If you ask me, like it or not, this is not a Yes record. Just as Mirror to the Sky isn't a Yes record either, both works share similarities. But after several listens, I can confidently say that True is a special and unique project. The music here reflects the heart and soul of one of the most iconic voices in prog rock history. Out of respect for him, I'd say this is the best Anderson solo record, beyond the comparison with Yes

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