Since parting ways with Yes in 2008, Jon Anderson has continued to record new music and play live alone or in collaboration with others. No matter how he tries to spin it, be it on his own, or with Vangelis, Roine Stolt, Jean-Luc Ponty, or Rick Wakeman and Trevor Rabin, you can’t help but think how much Yes is Anderson and Anderson is Yes. Every other singer in Yes has had to use his voice as the blueprint. So it’s no wonder True with The Band Geeks has a Yes vibe to it. With Jon Anderson out front, it’s unavoidable.
The buzz about Anderson’s work with the American group of musicians has been off-the-charts positive, and True does a lot to validate that point. Similar to how talent was recruited to replace Anderson in Yes, the singer’s connection with The Band Geeks stems from the latter’s superb ability at playing Yes music. The Band Geeks’ “Quarantine” video of “Roundabout” from 2020 is a perfect example of how well they can take the music and replicate the parts. No wonder it’s generated over half-million views!
True is a natural extension of the collaboration between Anderson and The Band Geeks that began in 2023. Working closely with bassist Richie Castellano (whose other big gig is guitarist and keyboardist for Blue Öyster Cult since 2003), Anderson has recorded nine songs that stir up the prog rock waters without sounding derivative. That Yes sensibility is apparent, but The Band Geeks have a chemistry and an enthusiasm that takes it even further.
The foundation lies in many of Anderson’s musical and lyrical ideas brought to life by the Band Geeks’ willingness and extraordinary abilities as musicians. That alone assures a fresh approach many older artists working with younger artists experience. In other instances, Anderson simply adds a lyric and melody to music the Band Geeks present. Now matter how it came together, the opening “True Messenger” quickly asserts where things are going. One minute in, and it becomes obvious that this is the album Jon Anderson and Yes fans have been waiting for.
Spin through “Shine On” or “Still A Friend,” and you may think of 80s Yes, whereas longer pieces like “Counties and Countries” and “Once Upon A Dream” take their inspiration from a wider palette, allowing Anderson to wander into unexplored melodic regions as a band of virtuosos create an infrastructure to attach those ideas. Guitarist Andy Graziano masters both acoustic and electric guitars, while keyboardists Christopher Clark and Robert Kipp nurture a rich garden flowing with Hammond organ, piano and synths. Andy Ascolese’s drumming and Castellano’s bass ably anchor down the whole ship. Altogether, it’s safe to say Jon Anderson has regained his prog rock mojo.
Those looking for the proggiest best will likely find it in the longer pieces, even as the elegance of shorter songs like “Make It Right” or “Realization Part Two,” with Graziano’s wonderous acoustic work on full display, brushing up against Anderson’s ever-green tone, offer yet another glimpse into the craft of alliance. The solemn “Thank God” that ends the record reads like Anderson’s acceptance of being THE voice for the music on True. Whether that means he’s “truer” to the idea of Yes is really up to the listener.
~ Shawn Perry
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