------------------------------------------------------- MARCH 21, 2004 ------------------------------------------------------- Source: Ground and Sky Prog Reviews Review: Jon Anderson: The Promise Ring By Bob and Conrad BOB: Another CD in the flood of Jon Anderson solo albums that came out in the latter 90s. As I mentioned in my review of Earth Mother Earth, during the time that Riverdance and Celtic music were the hot new fad, Jon "coincidentally" happened to be walking past a bar and overheard the musicians on this disc playing Celtic music. He dreamed up some lyrics (literally, according to the liner notes) that would go along with the music, hired the musicians and recorded this album. You can believe that, or if you're a more cynical person (like myself), it may seem that Anderson was jumping on a bandwagon, hoping to make a quick buck. Musically the album is OK, at least for someone who knows squat about Celtic music (again, like myself). Jon's lyrics mix his usual cosmic stuff about flowers, love, life, fate and his wife Jane in with odes to "Eireland". There's an occasional narrator (not Jon) who spouts some more Andersonish philosophy, with an Irish accent of course. This was another used CD store purchase, and while I'm glad I didn't pay full price for it, I also don't dislike it enough to have resold it. Yet. CONRAD: Strolling past the Frog 'n Peach pub in California one night, Jon and his other half Jane overheard a traditional Irish "session". He was sufficiently interested to not only enter the pub, but also to introduce himself and work towards a collaborative effort with the musicians that became The Promise Ring. The collaboration itself consists of a series of traditional tunes (usually jigs or reels) with Jon Anderson singing a new melody line over the top. Given the potential this has to be truly awful, it is therefore a pleasant surprise to hear the occasional song where Anderson actually hits the mark and creates something worthwhile. Lyrically, this is fairly typical Jon Anderson fare, with all the good and bad that entails. "The Hands of Fate" and "The Promise Ring" tread the treacherous political ground of a united Ireland with a blind Utopian optimism typical of Anderson. The rest is a semi-mystical celebration of the Irish patoral idyll which some will loathe, but that I can't help but have a fond enjoyment of. The musicians (thiry in all) would probably be fairly described as gifted amateurs. Their playing is generally lively and spirited, though a few awkward moments indicate that The Cheiftans are in no immediate danger. If you have a casual liking of Irish music and appreciate Jon Anderson's vocal melodies, this may be worth getting around to. For everybody else it's better to steer clear. Jon Anderson: The Promise Ring Om Town Music (OMCD 3001) UK 1997 Jon Anderson, vocals; June Luttenberger Anderson, duet vocals; The Froggin' Peach Orchestra, guitars, fiddles, dulcimers, flutes, pennywhistles, mandolins, drums, spoons, bodhran, keyboards Tracklist: 1. Born to Dance — 3:57 2. Flowers of the Morning — 4:17 3. Timing of the Known — 5:31 4. True Life Song — 4:18 5. Are You? — 3:46 6. My Sweet Jane — 3:35 7. True Hands of Fate — 5:20 8. The Promise Ring — 5:30 9. O'er — 3:02 total time 39:21 Close Window YesInThePress.com For site comments, inquiries, corrections, or additions, contact yitp@yesservices.com