Olias of Sunhillow [Import]

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
The Yes vocalist's 1976 solo debut for Atlantic. Features eight tracks, including 'Ocean Song' and 'To The Runner'.

Olias of Sunhillow,Jon Anderson,Wea International,New Age,Pop,Popular Music,Prog-Rock/Art Rock,Rock

Olias of Sunhillow [Import]

Average customer rating:

Not for everyone certainly but for those who can appreciate it..

And the word was Quoquak - and behold, it was good.

Nothing compares...nothing.

Artistic Nirvana

Incredible and Fantastic

Olias of Sunhillow
Jon Anderson
Manufacturer: Wounded Bird Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
General | Rock | Styles | Music
Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music
Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
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Fish out of Water

Song of Seven

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ASIN: B000CSUMDA
Release Date: 2006-02-28

Tracks:

Ocean Song
Meeting (Garden Of Geda)Sound Out The Galleon
Dance Of Ranyart Olias (To Build The Moorglade)
Qoquaq En Transic Naon Transis To
Flight Of The Moorglade
Solid Space
Moon Ra, Chords, Song Of Search
To The Runner

Album Description

Jon Anderson is widely known as the lead singer for Yes. He has issued numerous solo albums over the years, Olias Of Sunhillow reached #47 on the Billboard charts in 1976.

Album Description

Jon Anderson is widely known as the lead singer for Yes. He has issued numerous solo albums over the years. Olias Of Sunhillow reached # 47 on the Billboard charts in 1976. Song Of Seven reached # 143 in 1980 & features Jack Bruce. These albums are making their U.S. CD debuts. Wounded Bird. 2005.

Customer Reviews:

Not for everyone certainly but for those who can appreciate it.........2007-06-27

Different. Hard to explain. Alternately childlike, tribal, mythical and fantastic at various times. The sounds at times conjure up primal fantastic scenes, sort of like the best soundtrack for a movie that will never be made -- but it doesn't matter because it HAS been made. The listener's willingness to join and let go and be transported to the inner screen vision that these sounds project to is it's own reward. I feel that Jon took a lot of chances making this - staying true to an inner vision...chasing sonic feeling triggers for myths/archetypes that no one would conceive of - or bother - reaching for. It's simply what came out of him. The album is it's own world.

CAVEATS: Most definitely this album is ** NOT ** for everyone.
If you're looking for the rock 'n roll ca-chooga of any kind - don't waste you're money - this most definitely ain't it. OK? Move on please.... Borrow a copy if you're worried about getting stuck with it.

I also admit to having taken Sound Forge and editing this down to the best 2/3rd's that worked for me. YMMV. If you're looking for a lush inner soundscape/ storytelling journey(no drugs needed btw) then come on in. It'll only work if you aren't a cynical snotburger though and have the freedom to feel and imagine without judgement. The words, the vocalizations... they're just a vehicle to take you to a place inside where the story is told. Don't know what else to tell you. I think the people that love this album all experience it differently but there's a heartfelt agreement amongst them that they do * love * it. 5 Stars.

And the word was Quoquak - and behold, it was good........2007-03-17

In the middle of the 70's, when prog-rock superstars Yes took a break from the band and released solo albums, not many would think that Jon Anderson would come up with one of the best of the solo efforts. Yes is known for its virtuoso musicians, whereas Anderson was just the singer, and for many, an odd one at that. What Anderson did for his 1st solo album was unexpected: instead of calling John Entwhistle (Squire's hero) in to play some thundering and fast bass runs, and instead of calling Jimmy Page and Bill Bruford and Keith Emerson to try to make a Yes album without the Yes guys playing, he locked himself in the studio, surrounded by all sorts of exotic instruments, and painstakingly put a whole album together almost on his own. What he ended up with is what many consider to be one of the best rock albums of all time. A unique album and one that shows how much Anderson brings to Yes! (Attention younger buyers: if you want to find out what was special about the 70s, put some headphones on, light up something like incense, and listen to this! You'll put all your grunge/alternative CDs on Amazon Market Place after that!)

Nothing compares...nothing........2007-01-11

After 30 years, this recording still sounds fresh and wonderful. There's no dated music here. Listen to every other prog album of the 70's and they all sound so 70ish. Not so with Olias of Sunhillow. The music transcends you into the world of Olias. You dance with Ranyart and watch Olias as he builds the Moorglade, clasped with the skins of the fish of the plain. Then with breathless anticipation, board the ship with the others, and set sail into solid space as you search for a new home. Such a brilliant work of art, music, and storytelling. Thank you Jon for this gift.

Artistic Nirvana.......2006-12-23

In this album, Jon clearly demonstrates that he was the Master
behind the YES sound. It was Jon who had the gift to meld the
talents of YES together and produce such epic works as "Close
to the Edge".

The technical skill level of the musicanship is.... well, it's
all Jon. He is no Rick Wakeman, and definitely not a Steve Howe.
So the music is very, very simple, yet effective. But the MIX!!
The MIX is wonderful, and pure Jon. It feels like he borrowed
Rick's keyboard set-up for a month or two, and a truckful of
Steve's acoustic guitars.

Forget the lyrics. They are poetic and phonetically pleasing;
but don't go looking much further than that. :-)

But the harmonies!! The overdubbed harmonies are among the best
that I have EVER heard. And the melodies!! Very hummable. Very
"tap-your-foot"-able. A LOT of fun.

Here is an artist, at the peak of his artistic expression, having
a blast, writing a very fun album.

Incredible and Fantastic.......2006-12-19

This album is about the ultimate Prog album ever. A complete work of art, weaving into itself like a fractal. Only the "Revealing Science of God" in Yes's "Tales" album comes close.

Average customer rating:

The album is fantastic, the packaging isn't
Tales From Topographic Oceans Part 2
Golden, Brilliant, and totally FAAAR OUT!
Flight of the Moorglade
The divine journey continues

Olias of Sunhillow
Jon Anderson
Manufacturer: Wea International
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

New Age | Imports | Stores | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Fish out of Water
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ASIN: B000005S6X
Release Date: 1998-09-22

Tracks:

Ocean Song
Meeting (Garden Of Geda)/Sound Out The Galleon
Dance Of Ranyart/Olias (To Build The Moorglade)
QoQuaQ En Transic/Naon/Transic To
Flight Of The Moorglade
Solid Space
Moon Ra/Chords/Song Of Search
To The Runner

Album Description

The Yes vocalist's 1976 solo debut for Atlantic. Features eight tracks, including 'Ocean Song' and 'To The Runner'.

Album Details

First Solo Record from the Venerable Yes Vocalist. Available as a European Import Only. Originally Issued in 1976, It's Described by the all Music Guide's Bruce Elder as "A Most Pleasing ... Near-Impressionist Piece of Music." .

Customer Reviews:

The album is fantastic, the packaging isn't.......2007-03-10

Well, I'll be brief.

This is perhaps one of my most favorite albums. I ordered the CD because my LP is, well, an LP and subject to wear and tear.

The CD I got was missing the artwork - which is wonderful on the original LP. So, I can send it back and ask for the artwork. But how long would that take?

If the packaging had better quality control I would rate this at 5 stars.

Tales From Topographic Oceans Part 2 .......2007-02-03

This beautiful album was performed by Jon himself and its the best YES solo album ever recorded. It is just as good as Topgraphic Oceans and Close to The Edge. Jon is the high priest of Progressive Rock and this is his creation he left us after a year of work and nearly losing his mind in his studio. Thanks Jon.

Golden, Brilliant, and totally FAAAR OUT!.......2006-12-29

I have been a Jon fan since I was 8. That was in 1986. I had been introduced to his work via his Christmas album, '3 Ships,' which I still adore to this day.

It is now the end of 2006, 20-some years later. I have now listened to 'Olias of Sunhillow' (purchased here at Amazon a couple or so months ago) countless times. I can't get enough of it, just as I can't get enough of Jon's music in general, whether as front-man for YES, collaborating with Vangelis, Kitaro, or whoever else he chooses to make music with or flying solo on his own personal musical 'Moorglade.'

To paraphrase a line from Jon's song "State of Independence," Jon Anderson's music--AND his cosmic, unchangingly beautiful voice--is truly "holy water to my lips"..as well as my ears and spirit. In this wise, "Olias of Sunhillow" is no different an experience. He creates textures with sound that I can only dream about--and I'm an aspiring electronic musician myself. I especially feel this on tracks 4 and 6 of "Olias"...the drums...bells...chimes...chanting...the entire "Solid Space" of it all...I can't help but dance and sing inside as well as out.

If no other works of Jon's ever get preserved after he crosses to the Other Side, let it be "Olias" that stays in the minds of Earthlings as a testament to the wonderous workings and gifts of this man's mind, voice and soul.

Goddess Bless You, Jon...whereever you are, whatever you're doing right now...Goddess Bless you, many times over...

Flight of the Moorglade.......2006-07-17

Jon Anderson's 1976 solo album "Olias of Sunhillow" is one of my favorite pieces of music. It doesn't quite sound like Yes, yet it has that ethereal quality that their classic era records had. (Close to the Edge, Tales of Topographic Oceans, Relayer). Using synthesizers, tape loops, ethnic instruments, sound effects and different voices, Jon creates a rich, evocative world. It's one of the few albums I've entirely uploaded to my MP3 player and I usually listen to the album once every couple of days, and it never gets old for me.

The lyrics tell a story of a fellow called Olias, who lives in Sunhillow, a land where "each man belonged" and where "the slightest confrontation was dissolved before the start". With his friends Ranyart and Qoquaq (pronounced ko-quake) and many others he boards the Moorglade (a ship that can fly, powered by song). On it, they fly into space, past their moon, ascending to the stars, searching, searching...

I remember the first time I heard this record, it was like experiencing a dream, it really, really was. Atmospheres, feelings and adventures floating through the speakers, merging into each other. It's one of the few albums I think can truly be called otherworldly. My favorite segments include "Meeting (Garden of Geda)" with its strange choir harmonies and rather modern sounding beat, "Solid Space" with its uplifting synths and eerie electronic thunder, and "Naon" with its thick percussion and a chant/chorus from Jon that sounds kind of like like a thousand people singing their hearts out from the mountaintops. Beautiful. It's all as detailed and rich as any fantasy novel. I can picture all that is happening just as well, if not better, than some stories.

The album artwork both inside and out is brilliant and just as evocative as the music. I just wish there was more of it.

Highly, highly recommended for prog rock fans, Yes fans, and lovers of fantasy of all kinds.

The divine journey continues.......2006-06-10

I guess there are some of us who know what we like when we hear it. This is it for me. Being a yes fan from 1972 I knew Jon would continue his magic with beautiful sounds that make you think of what's behind the universe if you have any poetic cells at all. Being a musician, I am jealous and yet moved to be able to experience what this music does to me. It makes me feel rich and important as a human. I hope I haven't over done it but what is life without sounds that entertain the angels?

Average customer rating:

Olias of Sunhillow
Jon Anderson
Manufacturer: Wounded Bird
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00005HEGO
Release Date: 2006-02-28

Tracks:

Ocean Song
Meeting (Garden of Geda) / Sound Out the Galleon
Dance of Ranyart / Olias (To Build the Moorglade)
Qoquaq Transic/Naon/Taransic C
Flight of the Moonglade
Solid Space
Moon Ra / Chords / Song of Search
To the Runner
To the Runner

Average customer rating:

Olias of Sunhillow

ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | New Age | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000A1S092
Release Date: 1996-12-11

Average customer rating:

Solo debut

Olias of Sunhillow
Jon Anderson
Manufacturer: Musicrama/Koch
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | New Age | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000DEN29
Release Date: 1999-10-20

Tracks:

Ocean Song
Meeting (Garden of Geda) / Sound Out the Galleon
Dance of Ranyart / Olias (To Build the Moorglade)
Qoquaq Transic/Naon/Taransic C
Flight of the Moonglade
Solid Space
Moon Ra / Chords / Song of Search
To the Runner
To the Runner

Customer Reviews:

Solo debut.......2006-01-04

Originally released 1976 on Atlantic. I have the LP. Very new age. It is a concept album with a fairy tale storyline with a wizard and the flying ship from the cover of Yes' 1971-72 LP "Fragile". Some of the songs are in a language either Jon Anderson made up himself (he has been said to have done that), or an ancient tongue a la Middle Earth (look for his new solo album). It sounds like Greek pre-Yanni electronic music pioneer Vangelis is on here, but he's only listed in the thank yous (they started collaborating in 1975 with "So Long Ago, So Clear"). Recently only available as an EU import (if you buy it new, of course), and reissued in North America on CD officially by Wounded Bird, though I have a Japanese import.

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