Preview ‘1000 Hands,’ a New Solo Album from Jon Anderson of Yes, with Three Songs (LP Out 7/31)

On July 31, vocalist Jon Anderson will release a new album, 1000 Hands — a record nearly three decades in the making — on Blue Elan Records.

On Friday, Anderson, who for years fronted prog-rock masters Yes, premiered a new single from the album. Here’s “Where Does Music Come From”:

Said Anderson of the song:

“WDMCF originates from me singing the first ideas that come to mind each morning. I start by creating vocal rhythmic sounds, very much like the Pygmies in Bambuti and Burundi in West Africa who go foraging and hunting and sing all the time. They sing like the sounds around them…insects, birds, frogs etc..” He adds, “I always dream and think that my best work is yet to come, or there would be no point in creating at all. I just feel so energized, happily surrounded by this world of music.”

As for what has taken so long for 1000 Hands to be finished:

Anderson began working on 1000 Hands (originally called Uzlot – “it means a lot of us”) nearly 30 years ago, working with a group of musicians that included Yes drummer Alan White and bassist Chris Squire. However, due to his heavy touring commitments with Yes, Anderson had to put the record on the back burner. “Before you knew it, I started getting involved in other projects and tours, and years went by,” he explains. “I would listen to the tapes from time to time and think, ‘This could have been a great album! One day I’ll finish it.’”

Here’s “Ramalama,” another song premiered recently by Jon Anderson:

And “Now”: