Jon Anderson
Robin 2, Bilston
Concert review by Ian Harvey

It was back to basics as Jon Anderson, the voice behind multi-million selling progressive rock giants Yes, took to the stage at the Robin 2 in Bilston.

Fans had feared they might never see the singer in action again after acute respiratory failure forced him to pull out of Yes’s 40th anniversary tour last year.

See our gig photo gallery below

Sidelined with an illness that nearly killed him and suffering the humiliation of being replaced in the band by a tribute singer, Anderson’s one-man ‘Have Guitar Will Travel’ tour, which kicked off at the Robin 2, is his chance to prove he is THE voice of Yes, without question.

And that he certainly did last night, with his distinctive flute-like voice illuminating highlights from the Yes catalogue, alongside his work with
Vangelis and his diverse solo back catalogue.

Although some of his guitar playing is somewhat ragged Anderson’s voice remains exquisite, never more so than on  Find My Way Home,  Wondrous Stories and  the sublime ‘Soon’ excerpt from The Gates Of Delirium, his wife Jane watching him from the wings.

Often performing just short sections from some songs, it was a performance for the die hard fans, and Anderson endeared himself to the audience on more than one occasion by letting them help out when he forgot his own lyrics. At times it felt more like a singalong at a rehearsal with friends.

He performed a not entirely welcome reggae reading of the beautifully fragile Time And A Word and completely rewrote the melody for the chorus to And You And I, foiling the audience attempts to join in.

But all was forgiven when he sang a new song, sent to him as an MP3 by someone called “Jan in Poland”. It was called Unbroken Spirit, a fitting testament to Anderson and a simply beautiful song, tailor made for the singer.