For the Geeks, Richie (BOC) Castellano, Andy Ascolese, Christopher Clark and Matt Beck, the self deprecating band name turned out to be something of a joke. On us. It would be hard to find a more capable bunch of musicians. This live album is a snapshot of an unforgettable event, a rejuvenated artist which explores his musical roots with a band of young virtuoso musicians who are able to breathe new life in classic songs that truly need no introduction to the fans!
The entirety of this live recording reproduces original Yes material. “Perpetual Change” is taken from The “Yes Album” (1971). The self explanatory title confirmed what we had already learned. Yes had a continually evolving musical style. Just like Yes did on the original album from which it first appeared (again, The Yes Album), Jon Anderson and the Band Geeks open with ‘Yours Is No Disgrace’.
‘The Gates Of Delirium’, based on Tolstoy’s “War And Peace” has to be one of the most energy sapping songs to do live. How do you mirror the chaos of battle and its aftermath – depicted on the original recording – onstage? Listen and learn.
Elsewhere, Yes favourites, ‘Close To The Edge’,’Starship Trooper’, ‘Roundabout’, ‘And You And I’ and others get another moment in the sun. The very fact that none of these live performances are in any way disappointing is testament to the skill (and indeed stamina) of the Geeks.
The most identifiable aspect of Yes was always their singer. ****
Jon Anderson and The Band Geeks Live is a 2 CD set release. There is also a DVD, and triple vinyl package.
Legendary Yes vocalist/songwriter Jon Anderson launched his partnership with The Band Geeks with a US National tour in Spring 2023. The plan was to perform solely classic Yes tracks from their 70’s repertoire, including: ‘And You And I’, ‘Starship Trooper’, ‘Heart Of The Sunrise’, and epic works like ‘Close To The Edge’, ‘The Gates Of Delirium’, ‘Awaken’ and others!
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 Band Geeks are an amazing group of players and Jon’ voice sounds better than ever at 80 … quite unbelievable!
A 2CD+DVD Audio / Visual record of the hugely successful set Jon Anderson and this amazing band delivered through 2023 and 2024!
The Fat Angel Sings 