Interview with Jon Anderson in 2011
Jon Anderson of Yes fame is the top music celebrity we are pleased to present here at NewAgeMusic.nu & NewAgeMusicWorld.com. With a successful music career spanning five decades, John Anderson’s presence as a vocalist and instrumentalist has made an admirable impression on millions of people over the course of many years.
This can be said regarding his lengthy tenure as lead singer for the Progressive Rock band Yes, his collaborations with other celebrated artists, and over the years as a popular solo artist. Jon Anderson’s influence and starring role in music over five decades is legendary. It is estimated over 38 million records were sold during his years as the dynamic lead vocalist with Yes, and throughout his successful solo career.
Today, Jon Anderson is preparing for his North American concert tour in support of his new CD release; Survival & Other Stories. Knowing Jon Anderson’s significant influence in music it is our privilege to present this interview about a fascinating artist with a long and enduring music legacy. Review publicist John Olsen recently interviewed the personable Jon Anderson prior to his tour in 2011. We are pleased to present their conversation to Jon’s fans and our site visitors.
Jon Anderson interview April 2011:
John P. Olsen: Thank You for agreeing to this interview on such short notice Jon. We realize our interview request arrives at a time interval days prior to your opening concert, so we do appreciate your enthusiasm for this interview, and your willingness to take time out of your schedule for us.
You are starting your concert tour publicized as “An Acoustic Evening With Jon Anderson.” Would you give some insight to concert attendees about the atmosphere and variety of music they will experience during an evening with Jon Anderson?
Jon Anderson: Well, it’s really like being in my ‘front room’. I’m singing Yes songs as I originally wrote them, singing ‘Jon and Vangelis’ songs, telling stories, how songs came together, the meaning behind the songs, talking about my life so far, and doing new songs from my new album.
JP Olsen: Your new release Survival & Other Stories is due to be released April 2011. Can you provide some details about your new release, and how Survival & Other Stories varies from other albums you have produced?
Jon Anderson: This album is #1 of 3 albums I will release over the next 2 years. I put an ad on my website saying ‘musicians wanted’… I was finding it hard to get the guys in Yes interested in using the Internet to write songs, I put the ad out there, I got so many people sending me their musical ideas, it was like this musical ‘door’ had opened, and I found myself writing so many great ideas, with some very talented peeps…. I still do this every week. Music is endless.
JP Olsen: You have collaborated with other celebrated musicians like yourself, including Vangelis, Kitaro, Mike Oldfield, Rick Wakeman, and a host of other talents. Every artist has their own strength and viewpoint about an album production, so when collaborating with other musicians, how does a “meeting of minds” customarily transpire during album composition and production?
Jon Anderson: It’s very simple really, it has to be Fun, an element of Trust and a feeling of Adventure, I sing melodies and find lyrics to the music I hear, it’s a very instant thing, and if it’s working great, we tend to trust ourselves, and let the music take us on the journey.
JP Olsen: Recently you teamed up with Mike Oldfield for a Kanye West sample track titled Dark Fantasy, which topped the Billboard chart as the #1 album in the country. In addition you just produced a great album with colleague and Yes member Rick Wakeman titled The Living Tree. Do you find teaming up with other esteemed musicians just as rewarding as your solo projects?
Jon Anderson: I feel thankful to have these connections, they don’t come all the time, they are rewarding on so many levels. I’m singing on Jonathan Elias’s new ‘Prayer Cycle’ along with Sting and others, released June 1st, that song I sang was right in the middle of my illness in 2008, it was such a gift to sing with that music, very inspiring.
JP Olsen: To me and many others the voice of Jon Anderson is one of the easiest to identify in an ocean of vocalists. Did you have professional vocal instruction at any point in your career?
Jon Anderson: No, I just sang since I was a kid, sang as I went to school, sang when I worked on the farm, and just kept singing about the joys of life.
JP Olsen: Early in your career you were leader of Yes, a phenomenal and popular Rock group, yet you also produced music in less mainstream genres, including New Age and Contemporary Christian music. What was the attraction of performing in respected, but less mainstream music?
What 2011 concert goers can expect during “An Acoustic Evening With Jon Anderson” - Well, it’s really like being in my ‘front room’. I’m singing Yes songs as I originally wrote them, singing ‘Jon and Vangelis’ songs, telling stories, how songs came together, the meaning behind the songs, talking about my life so far, and doing new songs from my new album. Jon Anderson
Jon Anderson: Music takes on your Sacred Journey, I have a deep belief that we are changing for the better , again , music can be a sign post to what is happening around the world, people all over the world ‘love’ music, so why not enjoy being a part of the ‘new age’…
JP Olsen: You wrote the song lyrics during your tenure in Yes, and likewise during your solo career. Your lyrical phrasing is beautifully expressive, and positive in nature. Do you have a lyrical theme or message you want to convey to your audience?
Jon Anderson: Like most people I am seeking for Truth to Life, and singing about this helps me, I live to understand the great mystery, and how we are part of Mother Earth, and ‘why’…. so lyrics dance around me every day, I do feel honored to be a musician.
JP Olsen: During the early Yes years some music critics downplayed the influence Yes was achieving as a music act. I believe it would be accurate to say many people didn’t realize at the time that Jon Anderson, and a handful of others, were essentially inventing a music genre we identify today as Progressive Rock. Did you and other band member recognize at the time you were making a profound impact in the music scene?
Jon Anderson: We hoped that Yes Music would stand the test of time, and it seems to have done, but 40 years, wow!! I meet so many young people who have just bought ‘Close to the Edge’, they find out how exciting the music is, and they will go on the same musical journey as I did, it’s amazing to realize this.
JP Olsen: Your contribution as lead vocalist was an important factor, but why do you believe Yes as a Progressive Rock group so successful?
Jon Anderson: I worked hard within the Yes band as the musical director of sorts. I was surrounded by so much talent, I would come up with plans for the music, sing ideas constantly, and the Music we created is unique I never dreamed it could become so wonderful, I kept on coming up with ideas, and Yes Music will last forever, Weeeeeee!
Jon’s reply about the major influence Jon Anderson and progressive rock group Yes had in music; We hoped that Yes Music would stand the test of time, and it seems to have done, but 40 years, wow!! I meet so many young people who have just bought ‘Close to the Edge’, they find out how exciting the music is, and they will go on the same musical journey as I did, it’s amazing to realize this. Jon Anderson
JP Olsen: You have been a successful vocalist and instrumentalist practically your whole life. Do you believe your achievements are due to your musical talents, hard work, a combination of both, or do you believe in destiny?
Jon Anderson: Practice, Practice. Well I just have fun playing every day, I sing every day, think about the ‘great work’ to be done, as for destiny, hummm, not sure what that means, I believe that I will be part of a great Awakening.
JP Olsen: What do you feel is your greatest achievement or most rewarding experience to date Jon?
Jon Anderson: Still being around, feeling valid in this world music scene, not getting carried away with fame. Singing with the school of rock and youth orchestras, and I enjoying being around ‘young’ musicians while helping to create some very good and interesting music to date.
JP Olsen: I read on your Facebook page you rarely do endorsements for advocacy groups but are involved with 600million.org, a non-profit organization created by the co-founder of PETA, Alex Pacheco. Would you like to tell us about your contribution and charitable endorsement for 600million.org?
Jon Anderson: My youngest Daughter Jade introduced me to the project earlier this year. I was really sad about the plight of our fellow creatures, dogs are truly man’s best friend, and they can be so healing and funny to be around, so to see so many millions in distress, made me want to help in any way I could, so I made a short video to help.
JP Olsen: Thank You again for spending time with us by way of our interview Jon. We look forward to the day when we can follow-up by another interview together. In closing, do you have anything you would like to express to the people who will be attending a concert this year, or the many fans that have supported you throughout your career?
Jon Anderson: Have fun!!! And thanks for all the support, and enjoyment I have at the concerts I do, I cannot thank you enough…. Cheers!!!
Again everyone, Jon Anderson is currently beginning his 2011 North American concert tour billed as “An Evening With Jon Anderson.” We wish Jon and every concert goer an enjoyable evening together during a concert event that is sure to be memorable.
Visit the jonanderson.com homepage for news and concert information. Then read our pages dedicated to Jon Anderson.
Concert photos courtesy Robin Kauffman & jonanderson.com.
Kitaro Spring 2011 Asia Tour
Kitaro is currently on the road in Asia, and has one show left to do in Malaysia (at Arena of Stars tomorrow, April 16). Kitaro has also donated HK$100,000 to aid Japan while on tour.
Here you can see pictures from the tour so far.
See also Domo Music´s Kitaro page
An Acoustic Evening With Jon Anderson
Music legend Jon Anderson of Yes fame, has just announced concert dates in his upcoming 2011 concert tour in North America, beginning April 23rd, 2011 at Somerville Theatre in Somerville, Massachusetts.
Publicized as “An Acoustic Evening With Jon Anderson,” the 2011 concert tour is comprised of many U.S. cities, along with several concert venues in Canada and Mexico. This tour in support of his new CD release – Survival and Other Stories, is sure to be an extraordinary event for every person in attendance! This is your chance to hear a true music legend!
The 2011 Spring showcase tour “An Acoustic Evening With Jon Anderson” will present an exciting mixture of cultural material from Jon Anderson’s prolific solo career, collaborations with Vangelis and classic Yes songs, along with some brand new compositions from his soon to be released CD, Survival and Other Stories.
Jon’s new CD release sounds promising since it is said to have a positive message of inspiration, with down to earth themes regarding love, life, understanding, healing and survival. To me, it sounds like a personal message of inspiration you will want to hear for yourself! Below is your need to know concert tour information.
Visit jonanderson.com for music news and more tour info. You can follow Jon on his FaceBook & Twitter pages. Photos and tour info courtesy jonanderson.com.
An Acoustic Evening With Jon Anderson 2011 Concert Tour dates;
4/23/2011 – Somerville Theatre – Somerville, MA
4/26/2011 – Havana New Hope – New Hope, PA
4/28/2011 – Infinity Hall – Norfolk, CT
4/30/2011 – B.B. Kings Blues Club & Grill – New York, NY
5/02/2011 – Musikfest Cafe ArtsQuest Center at Steel Slacks – Bethlehem, PA
5/04/2011 – Theatre of Living Arts – Philadelphia, PA
5/06/2011 – Princeton University – McCarter Theatre – Princeton, NJ
5/07/2011 – New Jersey Performing Arts Center – Victoria Theatre – Newark, NJ
5/09/2011 – Rams Head On Stage – Annapolis, MD
5/11/2011 – Rams Head On Stage – Annapolis, MD
5/13/2011 – The Flying Monkey Movie House & Performing Center – Plymouth, NH
5/15/2011 – Bates College Olin Arts Center – Concert Hall – Lewiston, ME
5/18/2011 – Tupelo Music Hall – Londonderry, NH
5/19/2011 – Tupelo Music Hall – Londonderry, NH
5/21/2011 – Woodstock Town Hall Theatre – Woodstock, VT
5/25/2011 – Ellsworth Grand Auditorium – Ellsworth , ME
7/09/2011 – 07/10/2011 – Vancouver MusicFest Exhibition Grounds – Courtenay BC, Canada
7/12/2011 – The Triple Door – Seattle, WA
8/05/2011 – The Arcada Theatre – St. Charles, IL
8/07/2011 – Festival of Friends – Jerseyville, ON Canada
11/25/2011 – Riviera Maya Festival Mamita’s Beach Club – Playa Del Carmen Q. Roo, Mexico
Mike Oldfield to perform live in June
This may or may not be an April fool´s joke: Mike Oldfield is part of this years line up on the “Spirit of 1971” stage on Saturday 25th June at this years Glastonbury Festival. This according to Tubular.net and Somerset Guardian:
Included in the line-up this year will be The Edgar Broughton Band, 70s pop-festival stalwarts whose chant of “Out, Demons, Out” echoed across many a festival field. Tubular Bells creator Mike Oldfield is also playing, along with Steve Hillage, Arthur Brown and Nick Lowe, who played at the 1971 festival with his band Brinsley Schwarz.
More news on this as we get it.
We don´t feel certain that it is true, but it would be nice to see Mike live again.
Live Concert on Electric Cello
Matthew Schoening is a professional cellist who caught my attention recently. I primarily became interested since his current release Elements (Live and Uncut) is presented as a solo concert recorded in front of a live audience. As it turned out the initial reason I became curious was less important to me after I listened to his Avant-Garde electric cello concert in front of a rather enthusiastic audience.
During his live concerts Matthew apparently does a touch of magic too since this one man cello concert ended up sounding more like a full orchestra of string instruments. In addition to cello, fine resonances of acoustic guitar, violin, double bass, and a variety of percussion rhythms are expertly produced. I also found his tenacity for perfecting his sounds on electric cello are equal to his fine technical skills of live looping and layering in real time. Because no other musicians are present during concerts, and his current release Elements was live and uncut, it greatly increased my admiration for Matthew Schoening.
Matthew is from a family of music professionals and enjoys free reign to pursue his music career, which has led to performance opportunities of several prestigious fundraising events. One significant fundraiser with Mark Steines of Entertainment Tonight was a charitable benefit designed to raise money for relief work in Sierra Leon, West Africa.
Elements by Matthew Schoening is his third Solo Cello release, and the earlier first and second albums; Solo Electric Cello & The Art of Live Looping are like Elements by the Avant-Garde style of cello Instrumentals. In fact, there is also a Cinematic influence in his work I feel shouldn’t be overlooked. Leap of Faith from The Art of Live Looping and then songs Air & Fire from Elements gave me this impression the most.
Elements (Live and Uncut) is a stage session before a live audience of 75 people, and it does create interest by an inherent uncut and recorded in one session format. The original electric cello innovations on Elements are 5 songs titled Water, Air, Fire, Earth, and Spirit, with clapping only at the beginning and end of the 45 minute session.
Matthew performs live concerts and he tours upon request, so if you have a group function or get-together coming up, find out the details at his website. The warm tonal setting and enhanced rhythms of his solo electric cello music is perfect for a wide variety of festive social occasions. In fact I would be interested to hear your group as the next enthusiastic attendees during a live concert venue with Matthew Schoening.
Visit soloelectriccello.com to sample / purchase or by going to his Amazon.com page.
Portrait & cover photos courtesy Greg Gorman.
Christmas with the Beatles — thanks to David Lanz
This weekend David Lanz will be performing in Utah (see his tour schedule here). Newspaper The Salt Lake Tribune has this report:
When the Beatles’ catalog was released on iTunes last month, the only trouble was that many music fans — me included — already own every song the Fab Four recorded.
This weekend, though, we can hear many of the Beatles’ songs for the first time again. Pioneering New Age musician David Lanz will present his unique interpretations of the music John, Paul, George and Ringo popularized nearly a half-century ago.
“When you use Lennon and McCartney as your mentors, you can’t go wrong,” said Lanz in an interview.
Read the article here. Also be sure to read John P. Olsens review of David Lanz’ most recent album on NewAgeMusicWorld.com
Andreas Vollenweider Live in Shanghai
Believe me, dear reader, that THIS is probably the best offer you’ll get all day. What I can give you is the link to a MAGNIFICENT video of a concert held by Andreas Vollenweider and friends on 3 June 2010 in Shanghai, China, at the Shanghai Centre.
The video is free, about 40 minutes long, has excellent quality and is available for playback on Vollenweider’s homepage here – or by clicking the above picture.
I can only say WOW, what energy, what creativity, that is in this music – and this incredible artist. Thank you, thank you, mr. Vollenweider.
Tangerine Dream – the Zeitgeist Concert Recording
At Tangerine Dream’s own Eastgate Music Shop is now the 3 CD recording of the band’s concert in Royal Albert Hall on April 1st 2010 available. The performance started with cellos, leading into a beautiful piano improvisation by Linda Spa – and then getting interrupted by Edgar Froese’s beating with a whip on the grand piano strings and then suddenly the new arrangement of Rubycon 2010!
Tangerine Dream played the Royal Albert Hall for the first time in April 1975. So this concert was actually a 35 year anniversary.The 3 CDset comes with a 16-pages booklet. Below are two videos from the concert taken by the audience.
A truly unique concert!
See the complete track listing here.
3 New Live Videos from Eric Mouquet
If you didn’t get to see Eric Mouquet of Deep Forest/Deep Project’s concert at La Villette/France in May, you can now enjoy three songs from the concert below.
I think it so nice to hear and see Eric do some of the old Deep Forest material, from the World Mix period in the mid 1990s. And wow, Blick Bassy adds a magnificent vocal! Inor Sotolongo is great on the percussion. Some Deep Brasil material would also have been nice of course.
When doing this kind of music live the question is always; how to give life to the ethnical samples and the overall synth/sequenced presentation. The best way is actually shown here; just playback the samples and synth effect and add something extra, like Blick Bassy’s vocal – and even more live instruments.
These videos are true gold for the Deep Forest fan. And don’t forget, we will soon get a brand new Deep Project album called Deep Africa! Eric Mouquet is without a doubt the king of new age music within the ethnic sub genre. With a Grammy (for Deep Forest) and over 10 million album sold and just as many playbacks on Youtube, he is an artist loved by a truly international audience.
Be sure to visit Deep Projects.com.
Deep Forest, Deep Projects, Eric Mouquet | 
Leave a commentTerry Oldfield & Soraya European Tour 2010
Now Europeans have the chance to see some of the best and most inspiring new age music artists live; Terry Oldfield & Soraya will from August to October be performing in Italy, Spain, Germany, Scotland, Holland, Belgium and Sweden. Meditation Workshops will also be given at some of the locations. Believe me, you will not find anyone on earth better to give such a workshop!!
See the full tour & workshop plan here.
30 years of Vollenweider-Sound
The new Dancing with the Lion-Orchestra will on August 21 celebrate the 30th anniversary of Andreas Vollenweider as an artist!
The beautifully picturesque setting at the border of the Lake of Zurich is the backdrop for this event. The music of the three centuries of the Vollenweider-Sound, between Behind the Gardens, Dancing with the Lion and AIR, is being played by the extended Andreas Vollenweider & Friends Orchestra. It is now thirty years since Vollenweider started, and still he enjoys a large and faithful audience. Note that this will be the only concert in Europe this year.
Read about ticket prices ect. on Vollenweider’s homepage.
The New Age Music Masters
The newspaper Hamptonroads.com has an interview with Peter Kater and Nawang Khechog who have recently completed their tour.
First question out is:
Hamptonroads.com: When you helped start the New Age movement, were you consciously trying to start a new musical genre?
Mr. Kater: Absolutely not. I’m classically trained and I grew up listening to pop and rock and Top 40 music, but I was a pianist and not really a singer. I just started improvising, and this style is what came out.
Read the whole interview here.
New Peter Kater album in September
Good news to all Peter Kater fans; he will release a new album in September. Nothing much is known about the album as of today – but we will tell you as soon as we hear anything.
But while we are waiting; why not check out Peter’s tour schedule: lots of great conserts are coming up this July for our US friends! And also make sure to read his latest blogpost: called Unreasonable Happiness.
New age music in the European Song Contest
The European Song Contest is today being held in Oslo, Norway. Last year Alexander Rybak won the European Song Contest with the ballad Fairytale. The song got the most votes in the history of the show. You can see the song performed here.
It is however not a new age song, but the reason I am writing this is because the last time Norway won, in 1995, the winner was Secret Garden with Nocturne – which is very new age indeed. This was the beginning of Secret Garden’s career, which has given us some incredible songs (like You Raise Me Up).
So yes, a new age song can win the European Song Contest, at least back in 1995.
See the performance here – which is a classic moment i new age music history (with some Dutch speaking in the intro):
Kitaro to perform at the Harmony Festival
On Friday June 11 Kitaro will perform at the Harmony Festival on the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa, California. He will perform together with Grand Master Tanaka & Dennis Banks. Here is a presentation of Grand Master Tanaka:
Grand Master Tanaka has been honored by Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs with its prestigious Foreign Ministers Commendation which recognizes his significant efforts in promoting the Japanese art of Taiko drumming. In 2001, he was named a National Heritage Fellow by the United States National Endowment for the Arts, widely recognized as one of America’s highest honors in folk and traditional arts.. Master Tanaka explains, “The essence of Taiko is not only skillful playing of percussive instruments, but also discipline of mind and body in the spirit of complete respect and unity among drummers.”
Dennis Banks:
Ojibwa Native DENNIS J. BANKS is one of the founders of the American Indian Movement (AIM) and has spent much of his life protecting the traditional ways of Indian people and engaging in legal cases protecting treaty rights of Native Americans.
Read more and book your tickets here.
Comment on TD’s Albert Hall concert
One of our readers, John T, recently gave us this comment about Tangerine Dream’s concert on 1 April at the Albert Hall.
I was at the concert. As an old fan – I listened to phaedra at Loughborough Uni in ‘74, at two hours into the concert I wanted to leave. I’d had enough, but with friends? And having waited months for the experience.
The engineering wasn’t that good – the Hall’s normally good, adjustable sonics, weren’t matched and there were a few low req resonances that were quite nasty. It was too loud for this genre. What’s wrong with not driving the amplification into distortion?
The sound scape was very very busy at times with leads and counters fighting for presence – the net effect confusing. There is the suggestion of egos fighting for importance in the lineup.
TD had become too self indulgent and has forgotten about the experience of its audience, at least that’s my impression.
Deva Premal & Miten on tour
Be sure to check out if Deva Premal & Miten are visiting your city. This Friday they are performing in Washington, DC. See the complete tour schedule here.
I can only say that it doesn’t get better than the below video; feel the love, in the light of love – here the couple is filmed in Malibu, California, together with Manose. His flute is as always AWESOME.
Terry Oldfield and Soraya concerts
New Earth Records is reporting the following great news:
Terry Oldfield and his partner Soraya Saraswati will be heading to Europe this fall to play concerts. After they wrap up summer events in their home country of Australia, they will be in Italy, Holland and Belgium among other spots. If you will be in either Australia during the summer or Europe from late August through October, you can look up more informatin on Terry and Soraya’s events at www.terryoldfield.com.
Tangerine Dream at the Albert Hall review
Major British newspaper The Times has posted a review of Tangerine Dream’s concert on 1 April at the Albert Hall.
Reviewer Will Hodgkinson asks this rhetorical question:
Way back in 1970 Tangerine Dream was a revolutionary proposition. Pioneering the use of early sequencers, digital technology and 30-minute musical pieces devoid of choruses, vocals or indeed song structures of any kind, Edgar Froese’s band created about as much atmosphere as three motionless German men lost in a sea of electrical cables are capable of.
That year their concert at the Albert Hall caused a mass outbreak of furrowed brows amid the greatcoat-wearing youth of London. Four decades on, with synthesizer and New Age music long established, even pilloried genres, could Tangerine Dream still weave that magical spell?
Read the complete review here.
Secret Garden’s Korea tour
New age music superstars Secret Garden will in April be on the road in Korea. They will be performing in 5 cities; Nowon, Goyang, Sjeong, Incheon and Gunpo. The duo consists of Rolf Lovland and Fionnuala Sherry.
See information here, where you can also get tickets.
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