Skip to content
  • Subscribe
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Email
  • Home
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment
  • Features
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
Suburban Chicagoland

Suburban Chicagoland

Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America

  • About
    • About
    • Advertise
    • Our Writers
      • Ray Hanania
      • Bill Lipinski
      • Biography: Aaron Hanania
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Reach Out
  • Sections
    • Events
    • Opinion
    • News
    • Features
    • Seniors
    • Comic Strip
  • Library
    • “MIdnight Flight” Online Book
      • Midnight Flight Book Overview
      • Midnight Flight Introduction
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 1
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 2
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 3
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 4
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 5
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 6
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 7
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 8
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 9
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 10
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 11
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 12
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 13
    • Villages, Cities & Towns
    • Federal Office Holders
    • County Officials
    • Legislators
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Comment
  • Podcast
    • Ray Hanania on Politics
    • Two Guys on Politics
    • Hanania on Tiktok
  • News Wire
  • Archive 2004-2013
  • Toggle search form
  • Michael Frerichs Illinois Treasurer
    Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs Announces $50 Million Loan Program to Help Federal Workers During Shutdown Economy
  • Kat Abughazaleh 9th DIstrict Congress 2026 candidate democrat
    Federal Grand Jury in Chicago Indicts Six Individuals on Charges of Impeding Federal Agent Engaged in Immigration Enforcement Operations Civil Rights
  • 05-23-25 Jeffery M. Leving
    Little Girl Rescued from Feared Danger and Reunited with Dad News
  • Hastings insurance legislation
    Hastings announces legislation to ensure fair homeowners insurance rates for Illinois families Business
  • Mahnoor Ahmad campaign photo
    Mahnoor Ahmad runs for DuPage County Board seat Democrat
  • Sunday, October 26, the Village of Orland Park formally rededicated its Village Hall in honor of the late former Mayor Fredrick T. Owens
    Village of Orland Park Rededicates Village Hall in Honor of Late Former Mayor Fredrick T. Owens Government
  • Fire at townhome at 13900 block of Berkhansted Court in Orland Park, just before midnight on Monday, Oct. 27, 2025
    Firefighter treated for dehydration battling townhouse fire in Orland Park – no residents injured Fire
  • Firefighters with the Orland Fire Protection District who responded to a fire in an apartment at 15200 block of Al Camino Terrace on Saturday morning said the next day that they did find a kitten that needed respiratory aid that they saved.
    FIRE UPDATE: Fire District releases photos of kitten saved from Orland Park apartment fire Saturday Features
  • two-story apartment building on the 15200 block of El Camino Terrace in Orland Park
    Orland Park apartment fire Saturday morning, no injuries Fire
  • Illinois Senator Michael Hastings addressing the Orland Township Democratic Organization Wednesday Oct. 12, 2022
    Hastings calls for bipartisan action to protect Illinois families from SNAP benefit shutdown Baby Boomers
  • Illinios Industrial Energy Consumers, information ad
    Get information on the Illinois Energy Omnibus Bill in Springfield Business
  • State Senator Mike Porfirio secured over $20 million to support infrastructure improvements and construction in the 11th Senate District.
    Senator Porfirio applauds more than $20 million in infrastructure repairs coming to the 11th District News
  • Dad and daughter reunited Lebving Law firm photo
    Little Girl Recovered and Reunited with Dad After Long Separation Dads' Rights
  • 11-03-25 OFPD Coffee living alone
    Orland Fire hosts meeting on helping Seniors who live alone Nov. 5 Baby Boomers
  • State Senator Michael Hastings introduces law to revive long dormant and degraded Tinley Park Mental Health Center into a Sports Park for the community. Photo courtesy of the State Senate President Don Harmon
    Hastings secures $250,000 grant for Easterseals Academy’s Tinley Park campus Health

Best of old and new

Posted on April 12, 2019April 12, 2019 By Steve Metsch No Comments on Best of old and new
SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  

Best of old and new

Yes singer Jon Anderson shines in solo show

By Steve Metsch

Usually, when you’re at a concert and the band says “here’s a new song,” quite a few fans bolt out to get beverages.

That wasn’t the case Thursday night at the intimate Arcada Theatre in St. Charles where Jon Anderson, famously known as the voice of Yes, brought his solo tour.

Anderson isn’t doing a greatest hits tour this go around. He’s got a new solo album, his first in 30 years, and the songs on it are, frankly, pretty good. And those played Thursday don’t sound much like Yes songs. Rather there songs flavored by jazz,  pop and even reggae in the mix. Put them together with the Yes songs Anderson did dust off – often with new treatments – and it made for a very entertaining two hours.

The show opened promptly at 7:30 p.m., so if you’re going to see tonight’s show in Waukegan, get there on time. “Thank you for coming out. Good to see you all again,” Anderson said before the third song.

Jon Anderson, right, was in fine form Thursday night at the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles. Photo by Steve Metsch.

 

Anderson, backed by eight musicians, kicked things off with the song that reignited Yes’ career in the early 1980s, the funky “Owner of  a Lonely Heart.” Then it was back a bit farther to the rocking “Yours Is No Disgrace.” The crowd gave each song an enthusiastic standing ovation.

Anderson, who has been busy in recent years touring with one of two Yes bands – it is a tad confusing – didn’t share any stories from the old days. While I sort of wanted to hear a few, as we do when a certain Beatles bass guitarist hits town, it was okay as Anderson lives in the now and promoting his new album. Nothing wrong with that.

The third song was the catchy “Ramalama” from his new album, “1000 Hands: Chapter One.” The title speaks volumes.

Anderson talked about how he had started working on a solo album 29 years ago, and then shelved the idea – “things happen in life” – in his garage. Two years ago, keyboardist and producer Michael Thomas Franklin, called and asked about the tapes. One thing led to another and the result is this new album. En route, while it may not have been exactly a thousand hands, quite a few musicians helped Anderson record what is a very satisfying collection of songs.

It’s almost a who’s who of music. I don’t have room here to list everyone, but here are a few:  Rick Derringer, Pat Travers,  Steve Morse, and Steve Howe of Yes are among the guitarists; Chick Corea and Jonathan Cain are among the keyboardists; the late Chris Squire, of Yes, recorded bits for the album on bass; and Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull is on the flute. Yes drummer Alan White shows up. Anderson even has the famed Tower of Power playing horns.

Among the new songs, I really enjoyed “First Born Leaders” with the lyric “everybody wants what they cannot have.” With its Caribbean seasonings, I could almost feel a tropical breeze. And it’s hard to not smile when you listen to “Make Me Happy,” another reggae-tinged song with a sax and trombone in starring roles. It’s funky fun.

Before taking a break midway through the show, Anderson quipped that he would “lie down and have a cup of tea.” Then he played the mesmerizing “WDMCF” which is short for “where does music come from.” It’s very good.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Jon Anderson concert without some Yes songs. With his new band bringing different sounds, the songs we all know sounded fresh. He played “I’ve Seen All Good People” and “Long Distance Runaround,” making them sound new. A faithful take on “Starship Trooper” with the band rising up and delivering a rousing finish to the show.

Throughout the concert, I marveled at Anderson’s voice. The guy is 74, but those years have evidently not done a thing to his voice. He sounded terrific, never struggling to hit the higher notes. And his eternally positive attitude remains. Yeah, he still sort sways in that Jon Anderson way to the music, much like he did the first time  I saw Yes way back in 1978 at the late great International Amphitheatre on Halsted Street.

I recall the encore that night. It’s the same song he played in the encore Thursday night. And if you have to ask what song that was, well, you’re not much of a Yes fan. Of course, he played “Roundabout.. And one of the best rock songs ever recorded sounded fantastic, even as he tweaked it a bit in the middle.

As I was preparing to leave, a woman in the row in front of mine, turned around and said, “I’ve seen him 40 times and this was the best yet. Put that in your review.”  Another fan smiled and said “great, just great.”

It was the kind of show that had folks leaving with smiles on their faces, in a positive mood. You know, kind of like the mood Jon Anderson has been since we first heard his distinctive voice all those years ago.

On the way out, I  bought the new CD for $20. I listened to it on my drive home, over breakfast, and right now as I write this review. Another fan before the show told me he can’t stop listening to it. I know the feeling.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

newswire info
  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Steve Metsch
Steve Metsch
Steve Metsch is an award winning veteran reporter who previously worked for the Daily Southtown Newspapers, Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times. Metsch is a writer and editor at the Southwest News Newspaper group based in suburban Chicago, and a freelance writer a health magazine, the Suburban Life, the Naperville Sun, and other organizations.
Email Steve Metsch at [email protected]
Steve Metsch
Latest posts by Steve Metsch (see all)
  • Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band are still rockin’ - August 10, 2023
  • Weathering personal storms - July 20, 2023
  • Countryside solution irks some - July 20, 2023
NPV: 73
  • Tweet

SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  
 
 
 
           
News, Suburban Chicagoland Tags:"1000 Voices: Chapter One", Arcada Theatre, concert, Jon Anderson, St. Charles, Yes

Post navigation

Previous Post: Recruit Training Command Hosts Regional SeaPerch Competition
Next Post: Arab American Heritage Month, April, celebrated by elected officials

Related Posts

  • Mayor Christopher Getty joined business owner Phil DeGeratto and local officials on Wednesday March 26, 2025 to celebrate the grand opening of Buddy Bear Car Wash’s 17th location at 8136 Ogden Avenue in Lyons.
    Mayor Christopher Getty Welcomes Buddy Bear Car Wash to Lyons Business
  • Lyons Township Democrats Host Fall Fest Sept. 17
    Lyons Township Democrats to host annual FallFest on Sept. 17 Cook County
  • Chicago Wolves versus San Diego Gulls Western Conference schedule
    Wolves win first game in hockey’s Western Conference Finals Entertainment
  • Lyons concert series returns Entertainment
  • Attorney Pat O'Brien announced his candidacy for the Republican Nomination for Cook County State's Attorney on Sept. 3, 2019
    Pat O’Brien runs for Cook County State’s Attorney in GOP primary Crime
  • Red light cameras would be good, if they were fair Opinion

More Related Articles

Thirteen talented seniors have been chosen to compete for the title of 2021 Orland Township Senior American Idol! Join Supervisor Paul O’Grady and the Board of Trustees for an evening of dinner, dancing, and jaw-dropping performances this October. Photo courtesy of Orland Township Orland Township’s Senior American Idol Returning This Fall Baby Boomers
American Flag. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania Illinois Supreme Court appoints Melissa Presser as Resident Judge in Pope County Law
Lightning lit up Chicagoland's skies Monday night in a fantastic display. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania Weather gives Chicago suburbs light show Features
Flames light up the opening of the Wolves Hockey Games at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania Wolves Hockey take first place in AHL Central Division Chicago
Southwest Exelon Pavilion (Photo credit: Wikipedia) Exelon, ComEd Crews Assist in Puerto Rico Recovery National
Wolves Hockey. Photo courses of the Wolves Wolves take Game 5, one Game from winning Calder Cup Finals Entertainment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Login with your Social ID
  • OPINION
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    Your Mortgage Company May Pay Your Taxes — But You Still Need to Watch
    October 17, 2025
  • Mohammed Faheem The Lightning Strike Radio Show small
    The Politicization of the Nobel Peace Prize — and Trump’s Fury Over Losing Again
    October 11, 2025
  • 06-04-25 Two Guys on Politics Background Zoom LOGO with images
    Video Podcast: Trump Kimmel Kirk Great American Divide Illegal Aliens polling and Illegal Aliens and ICE
    September 20, 2025
  • Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch speaking at a West Side affordable housing dedication
    Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, one of the best candidates to become Illinois Governor
    September 7, 2025
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    What You’re Missing on Your Property Tax Bill
    September 5, 2025
Subscribe to Ray Hanania's column graphic

Enter Your Email to Subscribe to Ray Hanania’s Columns

  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png

Mohammed Faheem The Lightning Strike Radio

  • NEWS
  • Michael Frerichs Illinois Treasurer
    Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs Announces $50 Million Loan Program to Help Federal Workers During Shutdown
    October 30, 2025
  • Kat Abughazaleh 9th DIstrict Congress 2026 candidate democrat
    Federal Grand Jury in Chicago Indicts Six Individuals on Charges of Impeding Federal Agent Engaged in Immigration Enforcement Operations
    October 30, 2025
  • 05-23-25 Jeffery M. Leving
    Little Girl Rescued from Feared Danger and Reunited with Dad
    October 30, 2025
  • Hastings insurance legislation
    Hastings announces legislation to ensure fair homeowners insurance rates for Illinois families
    October 29, 2025
  • Mahnoor Ahmad campaign photo
    Mahnoor Ahmad runs for DuPage County Board seat
    October 29, 2025
John Kass Columns

Order the book PoweR PR; Ethnic Activists Guide to Strategic Communications

YOUTUBE VIDEOS

CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO RAY HANANIA'S YOUTUBE VIDEOS


Click here to view the video on YouTube or use the widget below.

Follow Ray Hanania at
Twitter
Facebook
TitkTok
BlueSky
RayHanania Columns

Creative Commons License
All works on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

Categories

Copyright © 2022 Suburban Chicagoland & Urban Strategies Group

Powered by PressBook Premium theme