What is it about this elven sprite that has held old Aunt Catherine's unwavering devotion for over 30 years? Is it his angelic voice? His ethereal lyrics? His professed love of life and spirituality? Yes to all of the above. (Pun most definitely intended.)Jon Anderson was drawn to music at a very early age and formed Little John's Skiffle Group when he was just 10 years old. He played the washboard, which was a far cry from his now trademark harp. From 1963 to 1967, he shared lead vocals with his brother, Tony, in The Warriors and they had a hit in England with Don't Make Me Blue. Jon then joined Mable Greer's Toy Shop, and eventually went on to form Yes with bandmate, Chris Squire, in 1968. The rest is prog rock history.
In attempting to explain the beauty, complexity, and the overall wealth of talent that totals the Yes experience, mere words fail. Only a showcasing of one of their most hauntingly beautiful pieces performed live can give the reader the full impact. I would also suggest reading the "comments section" on You Tube to understand how deeply Yes music affects its fans. One poster says, "Can you get closer to God than this?" Another comments, "This isn't music, it's magic." Agreed.
The video below was filmed in Amsterdam in 2002. The piece is Soon, which is actually the epilogue to The Gates of Delirium on the 1974 album of the same name. Gates is a 22-minute prog masterpiece that was inspired by Tolstoy's War and Peace. Soon comes in at the end of an epic battle as the sun (often Anderson's spiritual centerpiece) rises and a holy man surveys the battlefield from on high, bringing messages of hope and peace. Enjoy.
"Soon, oh soon the light, ours to shed for all time, ours the right."
Anderson, Jon. Jon Anderson Online. Notes From the Edge. 12 March 2010. Web. 12 August 2010.
Soon. By Yes. Perf. Jon Anderson, Chris Squire, Steve Howe and Alan White. Amsterdam. 2002. Performance.
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