Jon Anderson Olias Of Sunhillow CD

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 Prog/Fantasy/New Age
In 1975-76 the members of Yes decided to take a break to release some solo work. Chris Squire released Fish out of Water, Steve Howe-Beginnings, Alan White-Ramshackled, Rick Wakeman-The Six Wives of Henry the VIII, Patrick Moraz- the Story of I. John Anderson's offering was Olias of Sunhillow, released in 1976. Olias of Sunhillow is classic Anderson:the canned guru that we've all come to know and flinch at. I originally bought this album when it was first released in 1976 and it is definately one of Anderson's best. It's a masterpiece that stands on its own and can't be compared to anything else that he has done before or since. Anderson developed an entire story around the idea of an interstellar exodus from Sunhillow, a Noah's ark set in space if you will. The main characters are Olias, Ranyart, and Qoquoq. A true "solo album" Anderson is credited with playing all the instruments including acoustic guitar, drums, synths, harp, bells, chimes.... although on the original LP he is pictured with his wife and what appear to be other musicians. (don't know who they are). If possible pick up the LP version of this release, since the packaging is stunning featuring a series of artworks by David Fairbrother Roe, directed by Hipgnosis. The artwork and liner notes on the CD sleeve are so tiny, you need a magnifying glass to be able to read any of it or see the intricate detail that's on the original LP release. This is a must have for any Yes fan, but beware, while Anderson's other albums do have their good moments, none come anywhere near this in terms of quality. Erv Janzen
Submitted by Erv (Vancouver B.C.) 
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 Bad sound, good album
Agreed, this is a true classic for fans of Yes, but Wounded Bird Records as usual, just uses the old 90s release of this CD and calls it their own. THE ORIGINAL JAPANESE RELEASE IS EXACTLY THE SAME. I checked, it's bit for bit. Even the tracks are the same length down to the sample. They clearly ripped this straight from the Japanese release, which was never that great to begin with. It still sounds "okay" but it is badly in need of a proper remaster (as is Fish out of Water-same story there with the Wounded release). The only thing different on these "re-issues" are the liner notes, which are worse. I wonder how many others Wounded Bird Records has tricked into thinking they were getting an up to date remaster with their lame re-issues.
Submitted by Dave (Western Massachusetts) 
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 Needs updating
Yes I agreed the Japanese CD is better but the album needs a remaster to bring it up todate. Else listen to the vinyl to hear the harp zing across the room, it doesn't do that that on the current issue.
Submitted by chris.lewry2 (hampshire UK)
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 Jon's best work!!!
In my opinion this is Jon's best work. Here is an album for anyone that is into science fiction. This album is up there with Dark Side of the moon in the way it just flows from one song to the other. However, I recommend picking up the LP for the stunning artwork. :) Enjoy this. Very futuristic. My favorite album.
Submitted by soothsayer2112 (Katy, Tx)
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 A promising start to an enduring career
It's a shame the CD version I have (Atlantic 7567-80273-2 CA 835) doesn't faithfully reproduce all of the very impressive Rodney Matthews (not, interestingly, Roger Dean) artwork, for which reason I shall be hanging on to the LP. There had to be, of course, a Grand Theme to the album; suitably provided by a tale of interplanetary adventuring conceived very much in the style of Mr Tolkein's Silmarillion and, as usual with Mr Anderson, quite Hobbit-like in it's optimistic outlook. Vangelis, recently tried out as keyboard supremo with Yes but dropped in preference to Patrick Moraz, was on hand to assist with matters synthetic on the music front to extremely good effect. Mr Anderson credits himself with playing all the instruments so there are no ego boosting solos here but a well thought out platform to underly the theme of the story at each point. The music presented brings out both Mr Anderson's talent for writing strong melodies and, in keeping with the story, a primitive tribal rythmical form together with various multitracked Jon Andersons reminding us that he was, after all, one of the best vocalists of the seventies. Lyrically he makes more sense than many of the infamous Yes lyrics of the time but there is no sign of the banality which was to follow. He is helped by having to tell a reasonably coherent story but, without the full sleeve notes, it is still a little difficult to follow and he cannot resist the odd flight (sorry) of "poetry" here and there. A lot of the music that accompanied the adventure games of the eighties and onward seemed to hark back to this album; whether inspired by or just following the same rather obvious route is difficult to say but it does help place this album musically and, if you enjoyed the music on those games, you can be reasonable certain of enjoying this. I drop the album a point for being just a little too sedate for what should be a rather exciting tale. It's a good album to relax to as a result and far more interesting to listen to than a lot of "New Age" CDs which imitate the wall coverings just a little too much for my taste. Enjoy!
Submitted by tom (Lisbon, EU)
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