Search - Jon Anderson, London Chamber Academy :: Change We Must

An awesome work from a brilliant artist

02/07/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I admit a strong bias right up front: Yes was always my favorite band, and on top of that, I had the honor and pleasure of working with Jon for five years, during which time I played on two of his albums (although, alas, not this one), directed six of his music videos, helped him to orchestrate a ballet, and performed in a few venues with him. I have since moved away to pursue a different career, but I will always hold Jon in my heart as a very dear friend and mentor. And so this is not a completely unbiased review. But I can tell you in all honestly that he is an absolutely awe-inspiring and brilliant artist, and as kind and gentle and genuine and visionary a human being as exists on this planet. Jon is "for real". And he is continually years ahead of his time."Change We Must" may well be the most enduring, and is certainly my personal favorite, of his solo albums. It also has an interesting history. For various reasons owing to Jon's integrity in the face of politics, the album was never given the launch that it so richly deserved. Still, it remains a sparkling showcase of engineering, arrangement, performance, and songs, not only on Jon's part, but by everyone involved in the production. Like virtually everything Jon does, this album was clearly a work of love.All of Jon's solo works are vastly different from one another, to the point that his sales have probably suffered from record stores never knowing quite which category to put his albums in. This work is no exception, and is usually I suppose tagged as "the classical album". But beyond that, this work, in my opinion, also captures the essence of Jon's magical melodies and angelic voice at his absolute, polished best. I believe that it is for Jon as defining an album as works like "Close To The Edge" and "Magnification" have been for Yes. I only hope that someday it is marketed properly and "rediscovered" as the brilliant masterpiece that it always has been."

Orchestral Anderson

kevin keough | 06/24/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Along with "Olias", all Yes albums from 1970 - 1976 and the beloved Jon and Vangelis recordings, this is essential Anderson listening. I have turned many people (of both genders I may add) to Yes and Anderson with this recording. All songs are given symphonic treatments. These songs consist of Jon and Vangelis tunes (Change We Must, Candle Song, State of Independence), older Anderson tunes from the In the City of Angels (Under The Sun, Hurry Home) and the Yes tune "Hearts". In all instances, I prefer these recordings to the original. Listening to the City of Angels tunes made me feel guilty for originally dismissing that album. Of the new songs, there is a great duet with an opera singer on "Chagal Duet" and a frantic reworking of John Adams' "Shaker Loops". Anderson's voice is in fine form and the orchestra compliments him perfectly. My favourite tracks are certainly "Under the Sun", which combines classical, pop and world musics and "Change We Must" - an intensly spiritual experience. Breathtaking. I would love to hear a sequel to this. More new songs and orchestrations of such great songs as "All in a Matter of Time","Animation", "Song of Seven" and maybe a medley of parts of "Olias" and "Toltec"."

Change we Must

kevin keough | Delaware, USA | 08/25/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Every once in a while a musician is blest to have sacred music come thru. Change We Must is sacred, fun, solemn, joyous, sad, reflective, mysterious. We are so for-tune-ate to be able to hear such music. This piece is a labour of love. My children cherish it. I cry for joy it came thru. Hep Yadda
Dr. Kevin Keough"