----------------------------------------------------- 1997 ----------------------------------------------------- Source: Music Monitor http://penduluminc.com/MM/reviews/jonanderson.html Jon Anderson: The Promise Ring By Krystal Jester After recording and releasing Keys To Ascension with Yes you'd think Jon Anderson would sit back and take a break. Instead, not a year later, the tireless lead singer of the 30 year band comes back with yet another fabulous display of his musical talents; taking one seed that was planted perhaps by chance and turning it into an album. Inspired by the same town Yes made their homebase for Keys, San Luis Obispo, California, The Promise Ring is a completely different, yet moving piece of Jon's ever increasing evolution and experiences in life and music. Jon and his wife Jane happened to be out one night when they passed a small pub. The music of happy musicians filtered out to them, prompting Jon to go inside and see who they were and if they could get together. Jon had long considered himself Celtic and had a desire to make the music. One night the lyrics and concept came to him in his dreams, meshing perfectly with the music he had just heard. He dedicates the album to his Scottish father and Irish mother. A little over a year later, Jon, Jane and the 30 musicians came together. The instruments consisted of guitars, mandolins, pennywhistles, dulcimers, violins, flutes, fiddles, and spoons. Drawing upon Jon's dream of Ireland once again being one country, The Promise Ring shines with the traditional sounds of Irish and Celtic music. The joyful sounds of "Born To Dance" begin the record, and you can almost envision a lively town dancing to this jig on a warm spring day. Jane lends duet vocals on several songs, most notably the title track. Jon pays tribute to her on "My Sweet Jane," quite a happy, devotional love song. The folklore images of songs like "Timing Of The Known" flow with the sweet romantic lyrics of "True Hands of Fate," ending with Jon's poetic "O'er," a song to Ireland herself. The Promise Ring is truly a wonderful, upbeat album characteristic of its creator, a free happy spirit stretching his talents once more to take us all to a grand party; a fabulous listening experience full of hope, happiness and harmony. Close Window YesInThePress.com For site comments, problems, corrections, or additions, contact YesinthePress@aol.com