You Need Hands
“I had a dream that we all got together with Steve and everybody, just for the enjoyment of it, and that we would do Close To The Edge, Awaken and numerous other tracks that people love.”
“Four years ago [producer] Michael Franklin got in touch and suggested that I finish the album,” says Jon Anderson. “I said, ‘Which album?’ and he said, ‘The one that you’ve got in the garage.’”
From time to time we all unexpectedly come across semi-forgotten possessions in cupboards, lofts, sheds and garages. But Anderson unearthed the tapes of an album, 1000 Hands: Chapter One, which he started nearly 30 years ago and which he reckons is one of the best things he’s ever done.
The album grew out of his collaboration with keyboard player Brian Chatton, who had been Anderson’s bandmate in his pre-Yes group, The Warriors. Speaking via Zoom from his home in California, he explains its genesis.
“I said to [Brian], ‘Why don’t you send me some music on cassette: keyboard ideas, chord progressions and things like that. He sent about eight pieces.