Jon Anderson
1000 Hands
(Blue Elan)

7/10

By Decibel Report - Aug 8, 2020

His golden Elfin tones now sounding slightly wizened from a lifetime casting his mystical spell across an immense library of Yes albums, collaborations and solo works, Anderson has finally released this long-awaited album which originally began its journey over thirty years ago in cahoots with Alan White and Chris Squire.

Strung together like a row of worry beads, Anderson’s usual positivity gives way sometimes to a cautionary feel on this stripped-back World Music infused album of original songs.

The deliberate DIY feel to this record’s World Music vibe would benefit from a full band backing of instrumentation as, occasionally, it feels like Anderson is hobbling down memory lane alone. Nevertheless, with a cast of elite level guest musicians popping in, the songs are rendered memorable by a melodic acuity that’s translated through stellar flits of musicianship fronted by that voice.

The album’s title, 1000 Hands, is a reference to the starry cast of guest musicians who perform on the album including Ian Anderson, Billy Cobham, Jean-Luc Ponty, Steve Morse, Chick Corea, Zap Mama, Chris Squire, Alan White and Steve Howe.

The opening tropes of Now (which punctuates the tracklisting) and the waterfall of layered vocals on Ramalama and First Born Leaders combine a sunny upbeat vibe achieving the desired uplifting effect. Interestingly, Activate brings the other Mr Anderson into play as Tull’s Ian Anderson blows his inimitable flute on one of the album’s best tracks.

However, of slight annoyance, and it's only slight, is the constant sound of bird tweets flying around most of the songs attempting to project a paradise theme. Yet the folksy musicality of harpsichord, violin, double bass and horns on Twice In A Lifetime would mesmerise any of our feathered friends into awestruck silence. As will the title track with its jazzy abstract movements as flighty violin duels hypnotically with sleek, skittering piano.

All in all, 1000 Hands is a mostly uplifting collection of very listenable recordings, showcasing stellar musicianship, but which ultimately suffers from lacking the dramatic cohesiveness and impact of full-band arrangements.