----------------------------------------------------- SEPTEMBER 1, 1993 ----------------------------------------------------- Source: The Revealing Magazine http://www.lovedbythesun.com/jonpuertorico.html Jon Anderson Live In Puerto Rico, April 1993  By Dian Lau This past April, three friends and I collectively had the trip of a lifetime when we flew to the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico. This was a special occasion indeed... Jon Anderson's first solo tour in over ten years. After a warm-up show in Pasadena, California on March 27th (the only US appearance), Jon and his band headed south for a four-week tour of South and Central America. We were able to catch two shows -- in San Juan, Puerto Rico on Friday and Saturday, April 16th and 17th. We arrived Friday afternoon and checked into our hotel which, by sheer coincidence, was the same hotel in which the band was staying. (Honest!) We could barely contain our excitement and anticipation. We had heard all about the Pasadena performance but we were wondering if Jon would do anything different. The venue for both nights was the 1200 seat Luis Vigoureaux Theater. After attending many Yes concerts in large arenas, we really appreciated the chance to see Jon in this intimate setting. Four large vertical banners hung from the ceiling, emblazoned with what appeared to be ancient Indian designs. Due to some logistical problems the show started almost an hour late on Friday night, but it was well worth the wait. We were treated to a ninety minute set of Yes songs, Jon and Vangelis material, solos showcasing individual band members, and new tunes. Jon wore a cape with a design matching that of the stage banners and was in great spirits. He mentioned that he had last been to Puerto Rico two years prior, and that he had dreamt of returning someday to sing. His lineup, which included four native South and Central American musicians, sounded tight after only two weeks on tour. They also displayed considerable individual talent, especially Luiz Perez, who produced an intriguing array of sounds with exotic percussion and woodwind instruments. Jon's younger daughter Jade appeared on stage singing backing vocals, and Jon seemed as proud as ever when he introduced her to the audience. The new songs and solos were compelling. A number of them had a distinctly Latin flavor, which made the experience quite different from previous shows we had attended. During one composition, Jon gently sang, "They say the the mystics they live in the clouds and they probably love it," while he "played" a large rainstick by turning it and holding it up the microphone. This sublime piece contrasted sharply with the fiery "March of the Toltecs" and the all-out rocker "Sweet Religion." It seems that wherever you go, you will find people who rejoice in Yes' and Jon's music. Puerto Rico was no exception. We found ourselves in the midst of an eager audience who cheered loudly at all the familiar tunes. Jon and company delivered spirited versions of "Hearts," "State of Independence," and a Latin-influenced "Owner of a Lonely Heart." Jon even threw in a few lines from "Roundabout" and "Twist and Shout" near the end of "Owner..."! On the mellower side were emotion-laden performances of "Italian Song" and "One More Time," with nice accompaniment from keyboardist Keith Heffner. So far, everything I've mentioned was also played in Pasadena. We were thus totally unprepared for the following which occurred about midway through the show. After a quiet interlude in which Jon spoke of the origins of music in ancient cultures around the world, the band suddenly and unexpectedly broke into "And You And I." This rendition had to be heard to be believed. After the opening acoustic chords, Jon sang the familiar verses that built up to a wonderfully re-worked "Eclipse" segment. This led to a very neat ending in which he repeatedly sang, "All complete in the sight of seeds of life with you," with spine-tingling key changes and feathery keyboard accents in the background. It was magnificent. Another surprise was a rollicking "I've Seen All Good People" that had everyone in the place on their feet. What an incredible feeling it was, being off the North American continent and 1500 miles from home, yet united with this moving mass of people dancing wildly in the aisles! After the show Jon came out to chat with a dozen or so of us from the audience. It was quite different from the usual backstage mob scene. (In Pasadena there had been an aftershow reception and by the accounts I've heard, poor Jon had barely been able to make it out of there alive.) Jon spoke enthusiastically about the new Yes album, saying that he and Trevor were working together better than they ever had in the past. He said that the album was due for release in the fall (of course this has been delayed for various reasons). We had the opportunity to speak again with Jon the next day when we ran into him in the hotel lobby. We inquired about his new solo album which we had heard was to be called "In Search of Carlos" (since changed to "The Power of Silence"). The album is slated for a September 28 release. Jon also recounted for us his experience playing for the royal family in Thailand in December -- apparently a full-blown extravaganza complete with fireworks. The Saturday night show was similar to Friday's, and we even got one bonus song, "Love Will Find A Way." Jon substituted the line, "Show me what to do" in place of "I eat at chez nous." The emphasis on keyboards rather than guitar gave the tune a different twist. On this night, Jon's older daughter Deborah sang backing vocals, Jade having flown back to London earlier in the day. After the show Jon again came out a chat a while. We left Puerto Rico on Sunday morning with many happy memories of our short but sweet trip. People at work Monday must have wondered about the crazy smile on my face. I couldn't even begin to explain it to them since, as you know, it's something only a Yesfan could understand! We are the mystics, we live in the clouds, and we definitely love it!! Close Window YesInThePress.com For site comments, problems, corrections, or additions, contact YesinthePress@aol.com