Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *
Despite the popular saying, Time will find ways to wait for the sensational to make itself known, it might not wait for the dull, for those whose belief sees them find ways, despite evidence to the contrary, to class themselves as ordinary and routinely static, but in the hands of the extraordinary, in the matters to which perfection is arguably sought, it will grant a seeming pause in the knowledge that what will appear, will be worth the wait, that the exceptional has the ability to become timeless, even when Time is still moving on.
If it takes a village to raise a child, then a 1000 Hands can be said to bring the astonishing to life, and whilst it may have taken Jon Anderson almost 30 years to bring this particular project to its fruition, then it is worth the time taken, the amount of musicians involved and the energy and spiritual belief spent, to make the sound that emanates through the complexity of emotions one that is justified, cool, and undeniably beautiful.
One of the biggest names to have ever graced the Progressive Rock mantle, Jon Anderson has so much wealth of observation, of prowess, and with a voice that never seems to betray the adulation it has lovingly been coveted by so many, it is understandable that this new album should be considered one of the finest moments in his long and illustrious career.
It may have taken almost 30 years to place the epic feel of the album together, however with tracks such as Ramalama, First Born Leaders, Makes Me Happy, the beautiful arrangements to be found in I Found Myself, Twice In A Lifetime and the enormity to be found in the album’s penultimate track, 1000 Hands (Come Up), Jon Anderson, and musicians and friends such as Steve Howe, the much missed Chris Squire, Alan White, Jonathan Cain, Ian Anderson, Robby Steinhardt, Olga Kopakova and the Orlando Symphony Orchestra, has undoubtedly, and with a huge smile upon the face of the listener because of it, one of the greatest moments in music of the 21st Century.
Truly outstanding, the heart is overwhelmed by the beauty contained and released, the gentleness and the persuasion is enough to say with honour, that it doesn’t matter how long something tales, if it is the epitome of perfection then it will last forever.
Jon Anderson releases 1000 Hands on 14th August via Blue Elan Records.
Ian D. Hall