Jon Anderson & The Band Geeks: Perpetual Change
(Frontiers Records,
2CD/DVD and 3 LP Set)
LINEUP
Jon Anderson- Vocals
The Band Geeks:
Richie Castellano – Bass, Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals
Andy Ascolese – Drums, Percussion, Keyboards, Vocals
Andy Graziano – Guitar, Vocals
Christopher Clark – Keyboards
Robert Kipp – Hammond Organ, Vocals
Ann Marie Nacchio – Additional Vocals
Being a Yes fan hasn’t always been easy. The bands internal politics about who is playing with who, who has rights to the band name, endless spinoffs and so on. It sure is easy to get lost in roundabout…
I was lucky to see a fantastic show by the reformed ”Tormato” line-up of Jon Anderson, Steve Howe, Chris Squire, Rick Wakeman and Allan White at Sweden Rock Festival in the summer 2003. A year later Anderson was forced out of the band because he fell ill. Wakeman followed suit and since then there have been two camps in the Yesworld. The Howe led Yes band and, for a while, the Anderson, Rabin, Wakeman (ARW) band.
Anderson has also worked with Flower King Roine Stolts for one album, he also recorded music with musicians from all around the world through the help of the internet. In recent years he teamed up with a unit called The Band Geeks, led by multi instrumentalist Richie Castellano. Mr Castellanos “day job” is as guitarist and keyboard player in Blue Öyster Cult. He also has this band of friends and colugues who formed what they call a “Youtube band” called The Band Geeks. Anderson teamed up witn them for a tour called The Yes Epics. And then they made the 2024 album “True” together.
This live album was recorded and filmed on the Yes Epics tour in August of 2023.
In essence this is Jon Anderson’s version of Yes or isn’t it?
What I can wholeheartedly say is that this is the Yes live album I didn’t know that I desperately wanted.
This is a marvellous listen.
Jon Anderson turned 80 last year. He still has that voice! It’s remarkable to hear him sing these songs, to hit those high notes. I sincerely take my hat off!!!
What is even more fantastic are the geeks in the band. This sextet truely nail these songs to a T and still make them flow and swing. There is a live nerve here. A beating heart.
I must admit that on paper this made me highly sceptical, you know, aging rock star delivers his “hits” from the distant past with a pick up band, then releases tired live album of old glories to please the record company. But before you all scream “Chuck Berry” or “Speak of the devil” I want make it clear that these versions are treated with both heartfelt respect and enormous musical skill. This is great fun. I found that I really am enjoying myself and once again rediscovering why I have loved this music since hearing Fragile for the first time back in March of 1988.
Since this was the Yes Epics tour the material is solely focused on the classic 1971-1977 period. So we start off with pieces of The Yes Album and jump off with Awaken.
Both Close To The Edge and Gates Of Delirium are presented here. Epics bonanza indeed. Add some obvious stuff from Fragile and “Album” and you are in for a great gig. As complex as we know this music is the band plays it with a steady eye on studio arrangements but leave enough room to keep it fresh. The secret weapon here is the rhythm section of Richie Castellano on bass and Andy Ascolese on drums. They really push these songs and make them groove when possible.
Check Heart of the Sunrise for a start. It’s also clear that maestro Anderson is really enjoying himself. You can hear him go “wow” in middle of “Close To The Edge”
This is far from just another run through of the old and well tested. This is a joyous celebration! Please check it out!
9/10
Pontus Norsehammar | Now Spinning Magazine
