Jon Anderson, founding member and vocalist of the band Yes, found himself removed from the band after suffering serious health issues. Thankfully he recovered, though there were times his own survival was in question. With the help of his wife, and his spiritual advisors, Anderson grew stronger, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Now, several years down the road, and no longer a member of the band he started over forty years ago, he has released a very special solo CD titled Survival & Other Stories.

What makes this release unique is that Anderson wrote the songs with his fans. The genesis for the project began four years ago as Anderson explains, “I was waiting for the guys in the Yes band to send me ideas for a project but nothing was coming. I thought there must be peeps out there that would like to work with me, so I just put the ad on my web site; it was very simple really. I just asked for ‘one minute of your musical work,’ it was fantastic to hear so much great music. I picked out a dozen or so peeps and got back to them and we started writing music. They would send ideas, I would sing melodies and lyrics.”

What began as a simply inquisitive project has now blossomed into something very special for the singer, and something that is keeping him very busy, “The talent inspired me. I now get music sent to me all the time. I'm singing with an African sounding band at the moment. It is very exciting. Each week there is a new challenge. I just finished a ‘Violin Concerto for Dance' with Bill Kilpatrick, so there is much more to come out of this unique idea. I must have enough [material] for three albums.”

Anderson says that the musicians whom he decided to work with were “excited and thankful” to hear from him but admits he felt the same way. In fact, this process has changed Anderson’s view on music. “I am more open and more ready to jump into different musical arenas,” Anderson continues, “I push certain peeps to write more like a musical, or even a modern opera, telling stories with music.”

The artistic muse is famous for his lyrics, and this project sees many songs having a spiritual and personal slant to them. “I feel very free about lyrics. When I sing to the track that I've just downloaded I don't listen to the whole track, I just jump on it and sing. This is very much chance music and most of the lyrics pop out almost instantly, which I find to be very special.”

One of the standout songs on Survival & Other Stories is “Sharpening the Sword,” a song that lyrically, is very meaningful to Anderson, “When I was very sick in 2008, my wife, Janee, saved my life. My spiritual teacher told me I was like a samurai sword being sharpened, so I had to accept the fire of the near death moments and not be afraid. That's what the song is about; life is all about looking for the mountain light.”

The “Big Buddha Song” is another song that represents Anderson’s spiritual convictions. “That song has been around for a few years. Kevin Shima took it and did a great arrangement. It's a song about Afghanistan and the doubts about war, and that we have the truth in our hand, not in the sand, meaning oil, and how our four major enlightened beings sing to us constantly.”

Survival & Other Stories ends with a song titled “Cloudz.” Anderson recalls the powerful inspiration from his own triumph over illness that inspired the lyrics, “Wow, that was a song that I sang in the middle of the illness and operations. It is sort of a dream sequence, with Janee by my side. She would say the mantra helping me through the tough nights. I was very sick but she was there showing me love. They were very powerful times.”

Jon Anderson is satisfied with the result of the new album. The music is reminiscent, at times, of Yes, but there is a deeper thread underneath that his true fans will pick up on. Survival & Other Stories sees Anderson comfortable in his own skin and excited to find new energy in making music.

Despite being forced to watch his former band mates go on without him, Anderson seems content with where he is at in his life. When asked if he will listen to the new Yes album, to be released later this year, Anderson answers very matter of fact, “Probably, but it is not foremost on the list of things to do. I still like the guys. I've never been happier, healthier and more creative than I am now. I miss the true Yes moments but I'm thankful not to be around that Drama.”

www.jonanderson.com

Roundabout
We were on tour, traveling from Aberdeen in Scotland to Glasgow, so many roundabouts, and the road through valley was so long, and the clouds so low. It looked like there was no top of the mountains, left and right of the road, as though they came out of the sky. Twenty-four hours later we would be home in London.

I’ve Seen All Good People/Your Move
It's a song about the game of life and how we move from one idea of life to another, like on a chessboard.

The Calling
This is a song about waking up to the power of life and Mother Earth and the sacred journey that we are all on.

It Can Happen To You
You can try to fool yourself but it never works out. Listen to your inner voice, like my new mantra, “It will happen when it happens.”

Long Distance Runaround
I sing about the runaround of religions being hard to figure out and the destruction that comes with war, Kent state and such madness.

Owner of a Lonely Heart
Don't get caught up in the outside world, believe in yourself and be strong. Prove to yourself you are all powerful.

Heart of the Sunrise
Love is all-powerful; city life can hurt you and nature is the great healer.

Big Generator
Be careful of the outside world. It’s very dangerous and it can throw you off course.

Siberian Khatru
This song has so many pictures, the beauty of nature, gold stainless nail is a picture of Christ on the cross; there are so many visuals in this song. “Khatru” is Yemeni for “As you wish” so you can take the lyrics as you wish.”

Ritual
This is such a big idea, starting with how we came from the ocean and what happened to the pure song of life. We must have waited all our lives for this moment.