Jon Anderon's long and storied career in YES along with his considerable solo output over the years share one undeniable characteristic - that is every new album and musical direction was usually marked by the idea of "perpetual change". From the experimental and questionable long-form prog rock in the 70's (Tales from Topographic Oceans) to embracing emerging trends in the 80's (90125) there was always a newness and audible nuance with each successive project that the legendary singer and frontman would become involved in. So, it's strangely satisfying that his latest package Jon Anderson and The Band Geeks Live - Perpetual Change really offers nothing much in the way of new music as much as it presents a riveting revisitation of his past glories. And - if you ask most of the keyboard warriors online who still post about Jon and YES on a regular basis - that is absolutely alright by them.

It was also just fine for the fans at the Aracada Theater in St. Charles, Illinois where the 10-track album was recorded while Jon and his band of gifted geeks were on their highly acclaimed August 2023 summer tour. The ecstatic applause and enthusiastic response is heard early and often as the opener "Yours Is No Disgrace" comes to an end and the listeners are seemingly shocked that this very YES-like grouping and its leader sound so amazing as they deliver their take on some of the best known tracks from the complex back catalog of the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers.

The Band Geeks began as the house band for the Band Geek podcast - an internet show created by the group's musical director Richie Castellano (Blue Oyster Cult) who was tasked with putting together the cast of enthusiastic younger musicians for the inaugural tour that would ultimately lead to the creation of an album of all-new material by Jon and the band True that itself would be released to much critical acclaim in 2024.

Of the collaboration Jon Anderson said: "It's true, I never left YES in my heart and soul... ever!! Too many amazingly powerful memories... And of course the music never left me... So here I am, still wanting to sing the songs again, and bring MY true feelings to the lyrics... Melody and lyrics has always been my passion... I sing them now with an older and I hope wiser state of mind... I've been wanting to have that feeling again... of performing the songs I lived for, and the music I helped to create and design, with the sound of the band of old around me once more... The first time I heard the BAND GEEKS I truly freaked out – they sound just like the classic YES of the seventies, the YES that I know and love..."

The stunning set includes all of the classic favorites and longer studies on in-concert rarities "Awaken" and "Gates Of Delirium" that have awoken YESFANS out of their slumber in delirious fashion. Now comes word that there will be another chance to celebrate the music yet again as a multi-leg tour for the summer of 2025 with Jon Anderson and The Band Geeks is planned and ready to prog rock one more time. YES!

Related Links: For more information on THIS REVIEW please visit the following links - Review by Rockin' Rich Lynch | Jon Anderson