Search - Jon Anderson :: Earth Mother Earth

One of Jon's Three Best Solo Albums

Kirk Lott | adrift on the seas of life | 09/29/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I gotta set the record straight on this album - it's one of Jon's three finest solo recordings, along with "Olias of Sunhillow" (by far his best) and "Toltec".



There's not much to say in this review, because the album is quite simple: it's Jon singing with acoustic guitar, and Jon singing with harp. Like Olias, it's (mostly) Jon solo, with (almost) no accompanying musicians. And like Olias, the album has a very serendipitous, interconnected feeling to it.



Is it flawed? Sure. On a couple tracks, Jon's wife Jane recites poetry or says "here kitty kitty." Faux pas. We all know rock stars should never, ever let their wives 'join the band,' but anyone who has seen a Yes concert in recent years knows Jon ADORES Jane, so let's cut Jon some slack. Plus with your cd player or ipod, it's easy to avoid the tracks with Yoko Ono, whoops I mean Jane.



If you admire Jon's singing, and admire the wonderful, celestial musical atmospheres he creates, and admire his wonderfully positive vibe, do yourself a favor and check out this album, because it's great!"

Anderson has produced the first folk-new age album with cd.

Kirk Lott | 12/06/1998

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Earth Mother Earth provides Yes fans with a glimpse of very unrefined Jon Anderson sounds. This album reminds me of Pete Townshends 1972 lp entitled "Who Came First" which showed Who fans what Pete was like sans the Who. It's as if Anderson is just sitting on your front porch singing away while strumming away at a variety of stringed instruments. There are songs about cats, whales, trees, the wind and of course, love and light. It took me several listens to get used to Townshends "Who Came First" with it's countrified sounds and basic backbeats back in 72'. Now 26 years later I found myself wondering what to make of Andersons simplified sounds on "Earth Mother Earth". After all, this is the same man who concieved "Tales from Topographic Oceans" et al. But before I knew it, I found myself enjoying the various melodies with all their catch phrases and harmonies. Anderson's voice is in great form and quite pleasant in this home-brewed style. His wife and soul mate Jane along with daughter Deborah chip in with various backing vocals. Chirping cardinals, clicking whales and whisping winds also add to the overall melodies. This cd should be required listening for Yes fans the same way Who fans needed to hear "Who Came First" all those many years ago. (sorry Jon, I couldn't resist)."

Its all good.

Kirk Lott | 06/08/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is classic Jon Anderson album in that he partially revisits some of his earlier sounds in Yes. However this album differs from others in that this is more improvisational, more acoutic and very much an inspiration of the heart. The lyrics and the music are uplifting and re-affirm living a life of love and joy in a way that washes over you. Though I enjoy many songs on the album, my personal favorites are Earthmotherearth, Take a Little Time Out, and Treehugging. Its a great album."