Jon Anderson Song Of Seven (Vinyl, Atlantic, 1980) ***
Jon Anderson In The City Of Angels (Vinyl, Columbia, 1988) ***
Genre: prog rock
Places I remember: Little Red Book Shop (Hastings); Amoeba Records (Hollywood)
Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles/ Gear costume: Hold On To Love (ITCOA)
Active compensatory factors: Jon Anderson's solo career is interesting but not essential. I've dipped into it from time to time because I love Yes and Jon Anderson is the voice of Yes.
It's that simple.
These three have their strengths and weaknesses. Olias Of Sunhollow is a sci-fi concept album that doesn't particularly spin my wheels. Jon plays and sings most of the album, so it's a true solo album.
Song Of Seven benefits from a group approach but eighties synth sounds don't mix happily with the organic instruments for my money.In The City Of Angels has better pop songs but too much of the Toto sound can be too much of the Toto sound.
Anderson's earnestness can be admired (or not). I don't know really - I have hippy tendencies but when it's saturating every track it can get a bit too much.
So, it's a case of YES to yes and a meh to the Anderson solo output.
Where do they all belong? All up, approach with caution if you are a Yes fan but if you are a student of the eighties you'll be delighted.
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