Wiki
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Release Date
1 July 1976
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Length
8 tracks
"Olias of Sunhillow" is considered by many to be the seminal solo release by Jon Anderson. Singer, composer, and lyricist most known for his many years as a founding member of legendary progressive rock band Yes, his subsequent work with electronic music composers Vangelis and Oldfield. Jon Anderson is one of the most influential founders of progressive and experimental electronic and acoustic music. The depth of his influence on and contributions to the genre are yet to be fully documented.
Often poetic and literary in his lyrics, Anderson always surprises. "Olias of Sunhillow" is Anderson's first solo album and remains both a classic and a favorite among his long-time (and, newly found) fans. Released July 24th, 1976 with an insert that tells the tale in a series of paintings by David Fairbrother-Roe (http://dragondaze.50webs.com/) of the flight of the Mooglade, a fantastic ship carrying a people from a dying world to a new world. Anderson has described the journey he made in composing and recording "Olias … " in several interviews as retiring to his garage-studio, learning to play all of the instruments, then composing and recording the compositions.
The story of "Olias of Sunhillow" was inspired by the paintings in Roger Dean's "exploding world" series, most famously on the cover of Yes' 1972 release, "Fragile". (1976 post-release radio interview with New York DJ Allison Steele.) Anderson has stated that works by J.R.R. Tolkien and Vera Stanley Alder were also an influence, underlying the epic scope of the narrative compressed into the album. (Jon Anderson's webpage: http://www.jonanderson.com/)
Although still difficult to obtain a copy, on February 28, 2006 "Olias of Sunhillow" was re-remastered and released on CD (Wounded Bird Records). Around that time, Anderson announced that he was making a sequel called "The Songs of Zamran: Son of Olias". In 2009, he posted messages on his Twitter and Facebook pages indicating that he was still working on the project. In December of 2010, he discussed during a concert in San Francisco, the possibility of a staging of "Olias" (December, 2010 San Francisco, Ca) an event that fans would fervently welcome.
"Olias of Sunhillow" remains a favorite among fans and critics alike, and possibly, the most poetic and lyrical of Anderson's compositions.
This was one of five solo albums released by members of Yes in 1975 and 1976, along with Chris Squire's "Fish Out of Water", Steve Howe's "Beginnings", Alan White's "Ramshackled", and Patrick Moraz's Story of I. (WIkipedia). Although Rick Wakeman was not a member of Yes at that time, his "Seven Wives of Henry the VIII" is often included in this listing.
David Fairbrother-Roe's other works include cover art for the band Nazareth, and award winning writers Ann McCaffery ("Pern" series), C.J. Cherryh, John Barth, and poster work for the annual Isle of Wright Festival.
Jon Anderson continues to compose, record, tour and sing - to the delight of all. A video shot by a fan of "To the Runner" during his 2010-11 tour can be found here: Somerville Theater 04/23/2011: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6trDfNbQBZ4&feature=related In this clip he discusses a production of "Olias…" in progress.
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