Jon Anderson (Yes) - True - New Album Review & Unboxing

This is a review and unboxing for the brand new solo album True from former Yes frontman Jon Anderson and his backing band The Band Geeks.
Related video:
Yes - Mirror To The Sky - Album Review
• Yes - Mirror To The Sk...
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[@jeffschielka7845]

Good morning Brendon! TRUE is AWESOME!!! The Band Geeks are incredible and Jon's voice is simply magical. I've been a YES fan for well over 50 years. This album is excellent! Love it!! 10/10. FOREVER YES❣️❣️❣️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️👍😎

[@Lightmane]

Hi Jeff. I wrote my own review of this album on my blog, just for fun. If you'd like to read it, there's a link in my community post on my channel. Thought you might enjoy it : ) Hope all is well with you. I know you were going through some stuff. Hope things are better now.

[@trevorpugh6475]

Great review, thanks! This new album is SUPERB! Jon Anderson sounds every bit as good now as he did back in the early 70’s (when I first became a YES fan) and the Band Geeks are a genuinely talented and exciting band… together they have made a truly wonderful body of music…YES fans will (I hope) agree that this is in everything but name, YES 👉☺✌😎

[@findmusic8797]

Just listened to the album for the first time. It's like he and Castellano took all the Yes music and put it in a blender, and whalah! So I dig that blend of old and new sounds. Every song is well-produced and moving in one way or another, either because of Jon's emotive vocals/lyrics or The Band Geeks amazingly intricate complementary instrumentation, the individual instruments all get their chance to Shine On at times. It really rocks...and rolls! Love the bevy of little fills here and there throughout. Kudos to the band and of course Jon Anderson for creating True Yesmusic.

[@cristianrodrigomedinacarra2356]

I'VE just listened to it and it' s beautiful amazing, full of magic like old days. Jon an the band geeks made a great and a beautiful job. I'm full of emotions I was taken to the past yesyears.

[@jonnyups2312]

The new Yes music has been missing some of that testosterone that early Yes music had. With the addition of these younger but experienced Band Geeks, it brings much of that desired oomph that was missing. Jon sounds fantastic. I can see this album making it into my regular Yes listening rotation for the remainder of my days.

[@2wayplebney]

Jon is the heart and soul of Yes. The songs and the execution on this album are superb. It reminds me of both The Yes Album and 90125. What a combination!

[@rogersongster3967]

Thanks man. This album would never have hit my radar if not for your channel... and I absolutely love it.

[@frankbernard6819]

Best Yes album in a long time.

[@IWallace]

Wrong. That accolade goes to "Mirror To The Sky" which is actually an album by Yes.

[@findmusic8797]

@@IWallace You know what he means. Heh heh.

[@pedrosebaguzman]

​@@IWallacein the legal name but not in the spirit...everyone knows

[@scopification]

The cover is so bad I almost didn’t listen to it but it sounds to me like if Ai created a Yes album this is what it would sound like. Having said that..I really dig it

[@Prog-t9d]

Amazing how good this record is. After all these years Jon still has the heart and soul of Prog.

[@BrendonSnyder]

I’m finding I’ve had to go back and preorder them very early in order to lock in Friday delivery.

[@rexsmetzer]

I’m not an expert on Yes, Or Jon Anderson, but I like the band & bought this album. Boy you are right Brendon, this is a great album!!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@BrendonSnyder]

I’m glad to hear you’re enjoying it.

[@dallasjackson6269]

Loving it - brought up a lot of memories from long ago. Jon sounds fantastic ❤️. Great review!

[@stevendavid5370]

Got this album coming. Heard one track on KZbin and man it was awesome. This album is going to be epic. John Anderson will be 80 in a few months and he sounds really young. Simply amazing!

[@izzyizborn]

I bought the CD and Vinyl both - autographed! I haven't bought vinyl since the '80s, but i was compelled to get this. I am loving this record on first listen! Way to go, guys! Prog record of the year!

[@pergustafsson4440]

Beyond expectations. "Counties and Countries" is in my opinion the best track released this year overall.

[@bélalugrisi]

Amazing tune!! Best to ya~

[@julianllew]

I saw Yes with Jon 3 times. I saw Yes without Jon 1 times. I saw Jon twice without Yes. One of those times was with ARW. From my point of view, you can’t replace Jon. He brings magic with him that is infectious. Seeing Yes without Jon was the last time I saw Chris and Alan play. RIP (Rocking In Paradise).

[@durvalrodrigues9741]

Thanks Brendon, great album absolutely gorgeous.

[@edbrandt8972]

This is a great album. I enjoyed it start to finish. Good vibes and Band Geeks rock!

[@bornagainbornagain6697]

They nailed it. On a scale of 1-10 this is 10000

[@petejp1]

This is an excellent album, I'm really glad jon hooked up with band geeks. I saw them live a couple of months ago, and they played a couple tracks from this album, so I knew it was going to be good. It sounds like a late 70's yes album, except shine on, which reminds me of 80's yes.

[@ivostoyanov4850]

I listen that album all weekend and fealing great

[@lorenzofossi9637]

Countries And Countries !!!! Fantastic !! Fantastic !!! Is a New era of Prog Rock this album....New Music Life for JON payback of all sufferings. Thanks to Geek Band ....000ps ! A Glass with nowaday YES name printed....fall down and broken in million pieces.....!!!

[@sergefernandez3395]

Hello from France brendon 😊. In 1983 , i heard owner lonely heart in the radio. I said myself oh! It's a very good rock'n'roll song😊. I bought the lp. I played the lp and i said wath it is ? It's not a rock'n'roll band😂. I was very disappointed😢. In 1983 i knew nothing about yes , there wasn't internet, no streaming😂. After i understood yes was a progressive rock band😊. Good sunday brendon 😊

[@jazzpunk]

Fans of THE YES ALBUM thru RELAYER should like this...seriously.

[@brianhurl3231]

I’ve been a yes fan from day one and seen them in concert on numerous occasions, having said that this album for me is by far the best yes sounding album in over the last 20 years . The band geeks do a fantastic job in backing Jon’s vocals and even at the ripe old age of 79 he still sounds as good today as he did on close to the edge all them years ago . I hope I get chance to see them in the uk v soon and hope there’s more albums to come in the not too distant future . Welcome back YES 👍👍👍👍

[@hardrockinmofo9742]

I just received my signed copy in the mail yesterday. Looking forward to checking it out! 🎵

[@bélalugrisi]

Quite the buzz, and rightly so! Thanks for reviewing this and enjoy, everyone!

[@johncoviello8570]

Great review and great album. I’m surprised you didn’t mention the song Counties and Countries. In my opinion, it’s the best song on the album. It really captures the essence of those longer early 70s tracks that yes put out. Has a great keyboard section.

[@BrendonSnyder]

It’s certainly a good song, I just preferred the others more. But that doesn’t detract from Counties and Countries.

[@johncoviello8570]

@@BrendonSnyderUnderstood. It seems later Yes albums have much wider opinions regarding best and favorite songs from what I read on the Facebook Yes group. That’s certainly also the case with this JA Geeks album.

[@paulweaver]

Jewel case 👏like it 👍

[@BrendonSnyder]

It’s crazy that jewel cases have become the specialty now. Once the norm, now they’re the oddity and we go for them instead 😂

[@paulweaver]

Going out to the store tomorrow to get jon anderson 👍

[@antonnee]

Yes, no pun intended. Was going to post the same thing.

[@dellblackman4565]

Nice review, Brendon! Absolutely agree with all you've said! I'm astounded and appreciative of this new endeavor by Jon and The Band Geeks!

[@rcpsammy7186]

It is an astounding album. Jon's no fool, he knew this band would help him deliver the goods, and they have.

[@yesmanasia123]

Indeed a very good album. IMO the best track is Counties and Countires, wow!!!

[@loucontino4804]

Agreed, this is a fantastic album! You know what really comes across on this album...they are having fun!

[@harrisrosenberg7992]

I saw Jon and the band geeks live 2 1/2 weeks ago Phoenix. I have been listening to YES for 55 years. I have seen them live 11 times first time was the "Relayer Tour" 1970s. I thought their performance 2 1/2 weeks ago in Phoenix was one of the best performances of "YES" I have ever seen. JON IS "YES" I'm telling you two and a half weeks ago in Phoenix Arizona it may have been called John and the band geeks but it was really yes. I will call it John Anderson's YES. Have not heard the new album yet. But I will look forward to hearing it now that I have listened to your cool groovy uplifting spiritually vibing in the coolest direction review. you got the good vibe bro keep up the good jams and be a great astral traveler.

[@drummusicinc4027]

Fantastic record. 👍

[@robslevin7555]

In a recent interview Jon said that he has a lot of projects in progress, and that 1000 Handd 2 is a priority. Yippee. And his Autobiography is underway also. Looking forward to both here.❤

[@marceror]

I am digging this album. It's crazy how well Jon's voice has held up. I've been following the Band Geeks for several years, and they definitely deserve this opportunity with Jon. My only quibble with this video is I don't think it truly qualifies as an "unboxing", since there was no box. I was going to suggest that it is an "unwrapping", but you had previously unwrapped it before the video. Maybe it is a "sleeve removal"? :P

[@KWSfan2000]

So anxious to hear.....not coming in till Thursday ..so Amazon says.

[@jbognap]

It's on Spotify

[@davewebbtheauthor]

KZbin has all the tracks.

[@mbgaomo]

Just listened to the album and I liked it. I'm sure it will even get better with more listening's.

[@TimC2-q6o]

Brendon, Great review of TRUE, I got it Friday and have listened to it a couple of times over the weekend, it is very good, but I need to listen to it several more times. In reading Where are they Now, Part one of Realization is Make it Right. Build me an Ocean and Thank God which Anderson states were written right after the Ladder recording in Nashville over the Christmas Holidays. I have to hark back to City of Angles and still my favorite Anderson solo, Change we Must as Anderson was in my opinion at the top of his song writing and vocal output. Oh course who does not love Three Ships, no one, and I mean no one on this planet has ever done justice to Oh Holy Night except Jon Anderson, I suppose it’s because no one can hit those high notes but Jon. I do miss the Vocals of Squire along with Jon, as a plug if you don’t have Swiss Squire, buy it if you can find it. I agree with you about the CD cover, it could be so much better, I think Jon’s daughter Deborah was credited with the photos of Jon throughout the booklet. I am excited to read that Jon has Chagall on his front burner, I bought the bootleg off Amazon back in 1997 or so, I didn’t know at the time that it was stolen from Jon, but if he can recreate the music, my goodness there are some fantastic songs on that musical that Jon sings, Color of Love and Beside the waterfalls are songs that must get out there in a proper official release. True is very good, but I doubt that Anderson will do a follow up with the Band Geeks, which is to bad. Anderson has a lot of irons in the fire and now at 80 years old, I hope that he will continue to release more of his music, I think the Band Geeks are a great band of musicians that Anderson would be wise to stay with them and release more of his music. Perhaps if sales of this CD and positive review’s will make Anderson stay with these guys for a while. On another note, I am not interested in the current YES, but I will still go see them because I Love the Classic music so much. I have been a huge YES fan since 1974, and I was so very lucky to get to know Chris Squire through a dear friend in London. I miss him terribly. Keep up the great Videos and hopefully turn as many young people as possible on to YES and Jon, because once you get it, the YES bug stays in your DNA. Cheers, Tim ✨

[@topographic1973ify]

I still have to get it, but i will. There are a number of projects Jon has started but not completed besides 100 Hands. Time to head to Amazon.

[@jeffschielka7845]

1000 Hands👍😎

[@topographic1973ify]

@@jeffschielka7845 typo, I have all the Anderson albums and a Yes collection that would probably knock your eyeballs out. 😁

[@michaelschlitzer8742]

I would listen to Jon sing the phone book.

[@luciusblackwood2640]

This was great. It was just what I was in the mood for. I saw Yes and Deep Purple the other night and of course Purple was great but Yes also really go me interested in the band in a big way.

[@TimsVinylConfessions]

I keep hearing similar things about this album. I may have to get this.

[@BrendonSnyder]

There has not been a single negative quote about the album posted here yet which I think says a lot. Usually it’s 50/50 with people who love it verses those that don’t think it’s “classic” sounding enough. In this case this is the best throwback Yes sound album I’ve heard in the last 25 years since The Ladder. Back when Jon was still in the band.

[@marshallross3373]

Good review. Totally agree with your assessment of the cover. It's got some problems, but at such a small scale, people can get away with it being garish. Personally, the connection between Roger Dean's visuals and Yes music is ideal, like a perfect match. But, he probably costs a lot more than whomever was commissioned to layout this album's cover. Actually, I'd be interested to hear about what the financial realities of releasing recorded music is these days. It may be that outside of essentially promoting a tour, CD and streaming sales are almost worthless, except for those big acts, like T. Swift. For everyone else, it may be a labor of love that they have to find creative ways to monetize. I will add, meanwhile, that the Band Geeks are obviously extremely talented, and they seemed really excited about their efforts on this album, based upon an interview I listened to with the guys. It sounds as if they were passing ideas and demos back and forth with Jon through Zoom calls, working remotely, which a lot of people prefer these days. The compositions feel like a traditional Yes album, and it seems to jive with the Jon+Band Geeks touring collaboration in that way. I hope they continue to work together and look forward to seeing their live performances on KZbin, at least.

[@claychaney-m5m]

I like this...nuff said

[@pedrosebaguzman]

Sumando a que es lo mejor del universo Yes desde 1000 hands, y Magnification, sumaria las giras de la escuela green, muy especialmente la gira AWR (extrañé un trabajo inédito de ese trío, quien sabe si en el futuro ❤️)...en fin de ahí creo Magnification sigue la huella de las piezas maestras (Bach (JS) fue reconocido gracias genios musicales pasado un siglo) hacia el pasado...pero en fin junto entonces con compartir probablemente algo muy compartido en esta hermosa red sensible 🎶...tb quiero sumar la enorme sabiduría que Jon transmite tb a través de sonoridades que vienen de Jon y Vangelis, sus Olimpia, y una fusión tan exquisita de timbres de todos los tiempos...Band of Geek tremeeeeendos....ser un intérprete continuador del legado de Mr Fish wow...tocar simultáneamente al rabin de los 80, al de talk y al Howe del alma de Gates of Delirium, CTTE, GFTO, del the Ladder... qué teclados, dignos de los riempos de viaje al centro de la tierra...una percusion mas de la escuela de Alan Whire 🙏🏼...en fin, solo me nace poesía y gratitud de compartir presente con semejante genio que me lo hace sentir tan cerca ...un hermano, en lo mas sagrado 🎶❤️

[@pedrosebaguzman]

Vale decir que tb considero a Drama un pieza muy privilegiada en mi disfrute del universo Yes

[@pedrosebaguzman]

Y tb la discografia solista y colaborativa de Howe...si me cuesta vibrar con lo álbumes que llevan el timbre de Yes luego de desplazar a su piedra filosofal y hablo de lo musical... quién sabe y más aún puede opinar de las sensibilidades humanas tras los músicos y su apertura a regalarnos más de su creatividad mientras pueden...Jon con este discazo incluso va más allá de la pequeñez egoica... finalmente es la música que es posible regalarnos tanto talento y compañerismo musical

[@PaulMazzoni]

I agree. He sounds great on this album. I think they could have done better with that album cover. 😁

[@davidwendel620]

It's a good album. What I can't understand is the fans have a sick fascination with calling it a Yes album. It's a Jon and BGs album. One would think they would want to Jon the BGs to forge its own identity and would want to promote that brand and not minimize their accomplishments by calling themselves a band they are clearly not. The more I listen to it, the more it sounds like OYE/the Ladder and Anderson/Stoldt, with a sprinkling of 70s type riffs and solos sprinkled over and around it, like wrapping paper and strings.

[@BrendonSnyder]

I totally hear you and unless Jon Anderson wants to revert to the Yes name, it’s not a Yes album. But considering the current line-up of Yes does not have any original members, and only one from their heyday, Jon Anderson is the closest thing to “real” yes out there IMO.

[@davidwendel620]

@@BrendonSnyder original members mean NOTHING for a group that changed its lineup 32 times, has had 20 different members and Jon himself quit 3 separate times. The band would not exist if it were not for Steve joining and creating the Yes sound. If the Yes album were not a success they were done. The current members of yes are a natural evolution of the band. Anderson and the BGS have none of that. They may have made a nice album. It should left as that and promoted as Jon and the BGs album.

[@doopum1]

I was going to pass on this, but then Ken from Laser CD talked it up and I watched the 10 minute video and loved it. This review just cemented my choice...except it's backorder at my store I work at. I might need to just get it and say to hell with waiting for a discount 😄

[@radu-calincondulimazi7876]

I just ordered yesterday the big plastic in blue...

[@tapanim6576]

😎👍

[@giovannicaprini7780]

Domani vado a comprarlo

[@JoeMay-wc6nv]

Yes, the Album cover is bad but in the end it's all about the music & for me the music so GREAT It's in my top 5 of my top 20 for 2024. Great revue by the way.

[@Zack419]

Number 8 Hot 100 on Billboard Chart?!?!? Owner of a Lonely Heart' was Number 1 for 6 weeks.

[@elliothass7000]

This is what I have wanted. Not a fan of the current Yes because the music seems to lack a melodic quality of writing. Not catchy lyrics at all. I liked Yes even more when they took more of a pop direction. This album reminds me of that era and I am enjoying it immensely.

[@AndyTempleman-ot6lu]

Thanks for your review. I look forward to hearing the album myself. Are you familiar with his song on the Streams compilation album? "The Only Thing I Need" is the song. It is great.

[@journstyx]

The music? It's excellent stuff. Jon is in great form, so is the The Band Geeks, but what's up with the cover artwork? Can't really figure why they went with this.

[@timjonesvideos]

Jon's a wonder. I think he & Mickey Thomas from Starship have a bottled potion of eternal youth.

[@gregdale1066]

That cover . Looks like a “ Watchtower “ cover …

[@2wayplebney]

Never mind that. Just listen.

[@josephkwiatkowski7283]

And it sounds like an excellent Prog album with lots of classic YES feels from various eras. Amazing!

[@JeffReams]

Just listened to the album and it sounds more like 'Yes' than Steve Howe's cover band.

[@davidlane2737]

You are so right.

[@johnmarchington3146]

Thanks, Brendon. Another purchase coming up. Perhaps you can help me. Some time I heard what sounded like a solo album of Jon's on KZbin and there was a definite American Indian connection, with quite a lot of associated dialogue, and I've never been able to find out what it was from. Can you help? Thanks.

[@martinhsl68hw]

Sometimes downloading means that you don't have to look at the album art

[@rembeadgc]

Fan of Yes up until the exit of Trevor Rabin. Devotee until the joining of Trevor Rabin. I do feel the greatest is the classic lineup with Bruford. This album is immaculate, which is something I don't care for with Yes. Even with the highly produced Trevor period there was still some organic grittiness. That's gone, IMO. These musicians are great but the music sounds like a band trying to play music within a genre. I always felt that classic Yes was simply being themselves, not trying to be a prog band.

[@albertpiechotta5831]

I love Yes. Frustrated by Jon’s thin range and chord progressions. Saw Jon do classic Yes repertoire with Band geeks and loved it. Just think the compositions are meh. Seems like band filled in behind an existing vocal but progressive elements are telegraphed

[@claudioso66]

don't you think is the worst ever cover image ever seen ? 😀😀😀 but is a really good album !

[@ericmiller1881]

I actually don't have any solo by him. Would you say this would be an okay place to start?

[@cremersalex]

That cover though ... He should have asked Roger Dean.

[@IWallace]

I got to the part where he said that this album sounds more like Yes than Yes and gave it a thumbs down and went to listen to my "Mirror To The Sky" album.

[@BrendonSnyder]

Yes the new Jon Anderson album is better than the latest Yes album Mirror To The Sky 👍

[@IWallace]

@@BrendonSnyder Views are subjective. I don't agree. I much prefer "Mirror To The Sky"

[@BrendonSnyder]

Yes of course they are but commenting that you don’t like someone I said so you’re giving the video a thumbs down is wack. Like you said, people can have a different opinion.

[@bertkarlsson1421]

Do you like Black Metal?

[@donutcookiepie]

16 solo albums. And a grand total of about 50k units moved combined. That really says it all. He’d still be a bartender and or homeless if not for Yes.

[@jasonpp1973]

Still way better than the other Jon.

[@Aleksilausti]

The album cover is just atrocious 😅 But doesn't matter as the content is sublime.

[@BrendonSnyder]

At least I’m not the only one who can’t stand the album cover.

[@liamhemmings9039]

That cover. I have to get past it. I am sure the music works, but album art is essential to Yes.

[@RodrigoWerneck1]

Great album indeed, terrible cover artwork. I still prefer Yes' Mirror To The Sky, though.

[@EvanBNW]

Wait, you dug Open Your Eyes? That’s one of the worst albums of all time in my opinion!

[@BrendonSnyder]

Absolutely…it’s F’ing GREAT!

[@ricknorris1466]

Great… Frickin’ Religious Prog. My worst nightmare.

[@iceclimbers22]

Music - Good. Album cover - pathetic.

[@jaystravelvidstest3071]

Great Album But Artwork is absult crap

[@jasonpp1973]

Should be good, no Jon Anderson, NO YES, with the exception of Drama. Jon Davison is no substitute for Jon A.

[@davidlane2737]

Quite right.

[@grahamdawson-lg5mq]

To me Yes in the 80s was not Yes. They should have been called Cinema.