Expanded reissue of Jon Anderson's 1982 solo album, 'Animation,' due out later this month

Esoteric RecordingsA remastered and expanded version of former Yes frontman Jon Anderson‘s third solo album, 1982’s Animation, will be released on April 30.

Anderson recorded Animation during his first hiatus from Yes, co-producing the album with veteran producer Neil Kernon and longtime David Bowie collaborator Tony Visconti. Animation featured a variety of notable guest musicians, including Cream bassist Jack Bruce, ex-E Street Band keyboardist David Sancious, former Humble Pie guitarist Clem Clempson and noted session drummer Simon Phillips.

Animation followed Anderson’s respective 1976 and 1980 solo efforts Olias of Sunhillow and Song of Seven. It peaked at #43 on the U.K. chart.

Musically, the album finds Anderson adding modern electronic instrumentation to his signature progressive-rock sound.

The reissue is expanded with two bonus tracks — the single B-side “Spider” and the rare demo “The Spell.” The album is packaged with a booklet featuring a new interview with Anderson.

“Animation came at a point in my life when I felt very creative and adventurous musically and the birth of my third child ‘Jade‘ was the key,” Jon explains. “[W]atching her arrive in this world was truly magical…and I sing about her eyes slowly opening as I was captured by an Angel in disguise as I sang it.”

He adds, “[A]ll these songs relate to my love of life and hope for our future on this amazing planet Earth.”

The reissue was remastered from the original master tapes, and the packaging features fully restored artwork and notes. You can pre-order it now at CherryRed.co.uk.

Here’s the Animation reissue’s full track list:

“Olympia”
“Animation”
“Surrender”
“All in a Matter of Time”
“Unlearning (The Dividing Line)”
“Boundaries”
“Pressure Point”
“Much Better Reason”
“All God’s Children”

Bonus Tracks
“Spider”
“The Spell” (Demo)

By Matt Friedlander
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