Biography
John Roy Anderson, known professionally as Jon Anderson, is an English singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist best known as the former lead singer of the progressive rock band Yes, which he co-founded in 1968 with bassist Chris Squire. He was a member of the band across three tenures between 1968 and 2008. Anderson is also noted for his solo career and collaborations with other artists, including Vangelis as Jon and Vangelis, Roine Stolt as Anderson/Stolt, and Jean-Luc Ponty as AndersonPonty Band. He has also appeared on albums by King Crimson, Tangerine Dream, and Iron Butterfly. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon_Anderson
Album & Cover
Jon Anderson’s first solo album, a progressive rock concept album released in 1976, was the most successful of Yes’ solo efforts, reaching #8 in the UK charts and breaking into the US Top 50. The album tells the story of an alien race and their journey to a new world due to catastrophe. Olias, the title character, is the chosen architect of the glider Moorglade, which will be used to fly his people to their new home. Ranyart is the navigator for the glider, and Qoquaq is the leader who unites the four tribes of Sunhillow to partake in the exodus. https://www.discogs.com/Jon-Anderson-Olias-Of-Sunhillow/
The album’s concept was inspired by the cover art by Roger Dean for the 1971 Yes album Fragile, which depicts a tiny planet breaking apart and a glider escaping into space. Another link to Fragile lies in the fact that both albums have pieces (Fragile’s “We Have Heaven”) consisting of multiple vocal parts, with Anderson singing all of them. Anderson has stated that works by J.R.R. Tolkien and Vera Stanley Alder were also an influence, underlying the epic scope of the narrative compressed into the album.The album sleeve features a series of artworks by the artist David Fairbrother Roe, RA (whose other work included graphics for the Isle of Wight Festival, Nazareth – Hair of the Dog, and the Dragonflight novels of Anne McCaffrey).
Cover Location:
Who Did What: Art Direction – Hipgnosis. Artwork [Portrait Colouring] – Richard Manning. Artwork [Portrait] – Jeff Cummings. Illustration & Design – Dave Roe.
Label: Atlantic SD18180(US), Atlantic K50261(UK)
Source: Vinyl. Album. Cover. Art, The Complete Hipgnosis Catalogue: Aubrey Powell
Tracklist
| Side One Ocean Song Meeting (Garden Of Geda) Sound Out The Galleon Dance Of Ranyart Olias (To Build The Moorglade) Qoquaq Ën Transic Naon Transic Tö Flight Of The Moorglade |
Side Two Solid Space Moon Ra Chords Song Of Search To The Runner |
Credits
Electronics – Brian Gaylor
Engineer – Mike Dunne
Mastered By – Brian East
Performer, Written-By – Jon Anderson
