Search - Jon Anderson :: Promise Ring - Songs of New Eireland

Questionable practice

Jerome N. Scott | Ft. Wright, KY United States | 05/31/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Let me say first that, as a fan of both Celtic and Prog-Rock genres, an album where the two have seemingly converged is immediately appealing to me. I am aware that in traditional music, lyrics may vary from one performer to the next, but to dispense with them entirely and use the melodies to back up one's own lyrical efforts is a questionable practice. So, being familiar with Celtic music may actually diminish one's enjoyment of this collection. It's hard, for example, to listen to "Star of the County Down," one of the melodies used here, and appreciate Jon's lyrical overlay. Contrary to one reviewer, this is a very traditional Irish balad and I think it would have been nice to hear him do that one "as is." Still, Elvis had a big hit with "Love Me Tender," a song which was put together of the same elements, so such a thing isn't unheard of. The band is tight and Jon's voice is good as always, but I think the person who would enjoy this most is the Jon/Yes fan that is looking to hear something a little more raw and organic vs. the seasoned Celtic listener."

1 part Anderson + 2 parts Chieftains = Great!

Thomas Sebring | Philadelphia, Pa USA | 05/26/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"At last - one of my favorite vocalists of all time, performing one of my favorite genres of all time - traditional Celtic! And why not? If you listen to Jon's speaking voice on live albums like YesSongs or YesShows, you can tell he has a slight brogue from the North of England where the Scottish influence is felt, so it seems to me a direction for him that is not totally out of character - kind of like Linda Ronstadt discovering her Mexican roots or Milla Jovovitch's beautiful Ukrainian folk song on her "Milla" album. Yes,it's quite a turn if you're used to the oceans of keyboards that usually accompany him, but to me it's always great to see an artist break out of a set of artistic expectations that an audience has built up about them - like Springsteen with Nebraska or the Beatles with Revolver. And I always find it hard to keep my feet still when those great pub musicians are jigging and reeling away as only an Irish pub band can do. If you're a dedicated Jon Anderson/Yes completist, or if you're a fan of bands like Capercaille, Altan, Silly Wizard or very early Claanad, get this album!"

Great album

Mark A. Wilson | Buffalo NY | 03/31/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It was nice to here a "live intimate" album from Jon. Promise Ring was recorded during a break when YES was in San Luis Opispo during the Union tour.



This album as some great songs from Born to Dance to O'er (basically the entire album IMHO). There is even a song to Jane, Jon's wife.



All in all i would recommend this album to everybody, Yes fan and those people who do not like YES"