True (Jon Anderson album) explained
True is the sixteenth studio album by former Yes lead singer Jon Anderson. It is a collaboration with the Band Geeks that was released on 23 August 2024 by Frontiers Records.[1]
Background
In March 2024, Anderson announced that a new tour, titled "Yes: Epics, Classics and More" would begin with the Band Geeks as a backing band, who had previously been on tour with Anderson. Alongside this announcement, Band Geeks member and co-producer Richie Castellano also announced that they were working on a new studio album.[2] The label Frontier Records described it as "a collection of songs that harkens back to Yes’s classic 70’s sounds as well as to their latter-day success with the album 90125."[3] Two singles and music videos were released in promotion of the album, "Shine On" on 13 June 2024[4] [5] [6] and "True Messenger" on 29 July 2024.[7]
About the album, Anderson told Classic Rock Magazine: "I’ve got the Yes that I wanted" and called the album "like a gift from the heavens" and the recording process "one of the most wonderful experiences of my life."[8]
Reception
Chris Roberts of Louder Sound was positive towards the album, giving it a 4/5. They described it as his best work since 2016's Invention of Knowledge, hugging "the corners of Seventies (as opposed to Eighties) Yes with just the right balance of mimicry and mutability". The main highlight was the longest track, "Once Upon a Dream" which they stated was reminiscent of the Yes album Fragile.[9]
Personnel
Jon Anderson and the Band Geeks
- Jon Anderson – lead vocals, harp, production, musical arrangement
- Richie Castellano – bass, guitar, keyboards, vocals, production, musical arrangement, engineering, mixing
- Andy Ascolese – drums, percussion, keyboards, vocals, associate production, musical arrangement, engineering
- Andy Graziano – guitar, vocals
- Christopher Clark – keyboards, musical arrangement
- Robert Kipp – Hammond organ, vocals
- Anne Marie Nacchio – additional vocals
Additional contributors
- Sam Stauff – mastering
- Deborah Anderson – album artwork, Jon Anderson photo
- Claudia Morini – album layout
- Rob Schmoll – The Bank Geeks photo
- Jimmy Haun – co-writer on "Build Me an Ocean and Realization Part Two"
References
- Web site: Blabbermouth . 2024-05-08 . YES Legend JON ANDERSON And THE BAND GEEKS To Release 'True' Album In August . 2024-08-25 . BLABBERMOUTH.NET . en.
- Web site: Lewrypublished . Fraser . 2024-03-05 . Jon Anderson announces Yes: Epics, Classics and More tour . 2024-08-25 . louder . en.
- Web site: Ewingpublished . Jerry . 2024-05-08 . Jon Anderson announces he will release a new album in August . 2024-08-25 . louder . en.
- Web site: 5 March 2024 . Jon Anderson and the Band Geeks Announce 2024 Tour Dates . 4 April 2024 . Ultimate Classic Rock . Townsquare Media.
- Web site: 5 March 2024 . Jon Anderson and The Band Geeks Announce 'YES Epics, Classics, and More' Tour for 2024; New Album in the Works . 4 April 2024 . Rock Cellar.
- Web site: Garland . Steve . Featured Interviews: JON ANDERSON OF YES! . 10 April 2024 . Steve Garland's Hot Rock Podcast.
- Web site: Jon Anderson shares video for brand new song True Messenger . 8 August 2024 . Louder. 29 July 2024 .
- Web site: "I contacted Steve Howe and got very little back. Eventually you say, 'OK, I've got to move on'": Jon Anderson is finally over the idea of rejoining Yes . Classic Rock . 21 September 2024 . Louder Sound . 23 September 2024.
- Web site: Robertspublished . Chris . 2024-08-23 . Out now: Jon Anderson and The Band Geeks capture the right essence on True . 2024-08-25 . louder . en.
