Jon Anderson with the Band Geeks (Photo: Steve Schenck; used with permission)
Legendary YES lead vocalist and songwriter Jon Anderson has released a new album with the Band Geeks, the group with which he’s performing in the “YES Epics, Classics and More” 2024 tour. The nine-song album, simply titled True—which harkens back to classic YES—arrived August 23, via Frontiers. It’s available in the U.S. here and in the U.K. here.
Anderson has previously toured with the acclaimed group of musicians. The second leg of their 2024 tour resumes in September. Tickets are available here.
Even at 79, the singer’s voice sounds as strong and confident as ever. The new album’s centerpieces are two epic tracks, the 16-and-a-half minute “Once Upon a Dream” and the stunning, nearly 10-minute “Counties and Countries.”
In an October 2022 statement, Anderson said, “I never left YES in my heart and soul…ever!! Too many amazingly powerful memories. And of course the music never left me. So here I am, still wanting to sing the songs again, and bring my true feelings to the lyrics.
“Melody and lyrics has always been my passion. I sing them now with an older and I hope wiser state of mind.
“I’ve been wanting to have that feeling again…of performing the songs I lived for, and the music I helped to create and design, with the sound of the band of old around me once more. The first time I heard the Band Geeks I truly freaked out; they sound just like the classic YES of the seventies, the YES that I know and love.”
Anderson, who turns 80 on October 25, 2024, is one of the most recognizable voices in music as the lead vocalist behind YES. Anderson was the author and a major creative influence behind the groundbreaking album Fragile, as well as the group’s series of epic, complex pieces such as “Awaken,” “Gates of Delirium” and especially “Close to the Edge,” which were central to the band’s popularity. Additionally, Anderson co-authored the group’s biggest hits, including “I’ve Seen All Good People,” “Roundabout” and the #1 single, “Owner of a Lonely Heart.” He has worked with many variations of YES, as well as collaborations with Vangelis, Kitaro, Roine Stolt and Jean-Luc Ponty, and released many critically acclaimed solo albums spanning Olias of Sunhillow to, most recently, 1000 Hands.
Watch Anderson perform YES’ “And You And I” with the Band Geeks in 2023
Related: Our wide-ranging interview with Anderson
The Band Geeks began as the house band for the Band Geek podcast, an internet show created by Richie Castellano (Blue Öyster Cult). The band gained popularity on YouTube with its incredibly detailed recreations of music by artists like Queen, Toto, Black Sabbath and Yes, which have earned them over 30 million views.
Listen to the new album’s epic “Once Upon a Dream”
Jon Anderson 2024 Tour Dates (Tickets are available here and here)
Sep 11 – Beverly, MA – The Cabot
Sep 13 – Glenside, PA – Keswick Theatre
Sep 15 – Glenside, PA – Keswick Theatre
Sep 19 – Port Chester, NY – Capitol Theatre*
Sep 22 – Montclair, NJ – Wellmont Theatre*
Sep 25 – New London, CT – Garde Arts Center
Sep 27 – Staten Island, NY – St. George Theatre*
*w/Special Guests The Return of Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Related: Listings for 100s of classic rock tours
Anderson’s solo catalog is available here. YES recordings are available here.
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3 Comments so far
Jump into a conversationHis voice and the band do sound great!
The new album “True” is an excellent album.. imo. To me its not CTTE classic Yes but more Trevor Rabin style Yes that rocks hard combined with Jon’s signature folk. For an 80 year old guy, I’m amazed how his voice has not changed over time.. and the Band Geeks are a truly gifted group of musicians.
While none of us should accept a ‘better than Yes’ review, it takes nothing away from the Band Geeks. These guys are very talented. Obviously Jon regognized it and was willing to put in he work to make an album all Yes fans should enjoy. Thanks Jon. Thanks Band Geeks. Jon is 79, but we can at least hope for more.