His unmistakable, high-pitched voice drives songs such as Roundabout, I’ve Seen All Good People, Owner of a Lonely Heart and Friends of Mr. Cairo, and provides a familiar backdrop for radio hits such as Gowan’s Moonlight Desires.
That voice belongs to none other than Jon Anderson, who is among the headlining acts next month at Vancouver Island MusicFest 2011.
In a solo performance accompanied by a guitar, dulcimer and piano, the former Yes frontman will tell stories and sing songs from his days with the progressive rock band, from his recordings with Vangelis Papathanassiou, and from his latest release Survival & Other Stories.
“It’s a lot of fun being alone on stage, like being in my front room…and not so loud,” Anderson said from his home in northern California.
He is “very excited” about his first trip to Vancouver Island.
“It will be a wonderful event,” said Anderson, a dual British-American citizen who hails from Lancashire, England.
He and his Yes mates formed the band in the ’60s and released their most critically acclaimed work in the ’70s. Through the years he would leave and rejoin the group, record solo albums, and collaborate with other musicians, including Papathanassiou, who at one time was in the running to replace Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman, an idea thwarted by immigration issues. Jon & Vangelis recorded several albums, including the aforementioned Friends of Mr. Cairo in 1981.
Survival & Other Stories features 11 songs about love, life, understanding, healing and survival, capping a four-year odyssey during which Anderson survived “near death moments” on three occasions.
Three years ago he was hospitalized after suffering a severe asthma attack, later to be diagnosed with acute respiratory failure. But he bounced back, returning to solo touring in 2009 and collaborating last year with Wakeman. Along with touring, the duo recorded an album dubbed The Living Tree.
“I’m just reviewing the show we did together for a possible live CD,” Anderson said. “It’s too funny, and very magical…I love the new songs from The Living Tree. Onstage they sound more complete.”
A “reborn” Anderson is feeling healthier than ever.
“I have written so many songs in the past four years,” said Anderson, who thanks his wife Janee for saving his life. “I have enough for three albums, and there is more each week. I work with people around the world. They send me music every week.”
An ideal situation for a man who “just loves to sing.”
“And now it’s onwards and upwards forever,” Anderson said. “It is part of the sacred journey of life that we all go through.”
MusicFest 2011 runs July 7-10 at the Comox Valley Exhibition Grounds on Headquarters Road. Anderson is scheduled to perform on the Saturday night in the Concert Bowl.
reporter@comoxvalleyrecord.com
