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"Page of life is the fourth and last album by Jon and Vangelis. First released in 1991 it contains 12 tracks, of which one "Wisdom Chain" is released as a single. It didn't get much attention. In 1998 however a second version of the same album is released in the USA, with quite a few differences in the songs. Completists will need both versions! The cd-single that was released of the first edition is now highly sought after by both admirers of Jon Anderson, as Vangelis. It contains the lovely "Sing with your eyes" which can not be found anywhere else...
01 Wisdom Chain 05:21
02 Page Of Life 03:16
03 Money 06:07
04 Jazzy Box 03:14
05 Garden Of Senses 06:23
06 Is It Love 04:27
07 Anyone Can Light A Candle 03:46
08 Be A Good Friend Of Mine 04:13
09 Shine For Me 04:10
10 Genevieve 03:48
11 Journey To Ixtlan 05:50
12 Little Guitar 01:45
Line-up/Musicians
- Jon Anderson / vocals
- Brad Ellis / keyboards
- Jim Hahn / guitar
- Rory Kaplin / keyboards
- Derek Wilson / percussion
Studio Album, released in 1983
The third collaboration by Jon and Vangelis was released in 1983, some two years after "The friends of Mr. Cairo". While the first side of the LP might be described as largely predictable, the 23 minute piece on side two is something of a surprise.
The atmosphere is mainly relaxed through the five tracks on side one, "Italian song" and "And when the night comes" being reflective Anderson focused songs. The latter features Dick Morresey's sole contribution to this album (he was used much more on "Mr Cairo") in the form of some atmospheric sax. The line up description of his contribution as "wind" on this site seems a trifle unfortunate though!
Vangelis continues to play the role of orchestrator on "Deborah", a rather slushy open letter by Anderson to his eldest daughter (who would have been about 13 at the time). "Polonaise" has a hymnal quality, the song building in anthemic fashion, while always seeming rather restrained. "He is sailing", which closes the first side, is the only track with any real life. Anderson's multi- tracked chanted vocals are reminiscent of his "Olias" album, while Vangelis finally contributes a little more than mere atmospheres.
"Horizon", which occupies side two, is the opposite of the songs on side one in that here we have Vangelis supported by Jon Anderson. Jon still manages a significant vocal contribution, once more in the vein of his "Olias.." album, but Vangelis takes a much greater performing role here. The piece is pleasantly relaxed, something to sit back and enjoy rather than to get excited by. Indeed, I have to say that each time I listen to this side, and the album as a whole, I find my attention wandering!
In all, this is a well performed but ultimately undemanding album, which offers a good listen but fails to leave any lasting impression.
Track Listings
1. Italian Song (2:54)
2. And When the Night Comes (4:37)
3. Deborah (4:56)
4. Polonaise (5:26)
5. He Is Sailing (6:49)
6. Horizon (22:53)
Toatl Time: 47:35
Line-up/Musicians
- Jon Anderson / vocals
- Dick Morrissey / wind
- Vangelis / synthesizers
Studio Album, released in 1981
Who would of thought in retrospect that the crowning achievement of two differently prolific artists would lie in a brief collaborative effort emanating from a period where Vangelis was touted as a replacement for the moody Rick Wakeman, which fell through because the Greek wanted to remain in Greece. Food for thought what Relayer, Going for The One or Tormato would of sounded with a more sweeping electronic tinge to it ? Probably quite similar to this very original album with the added bonus of Squire's energetic trebly bass and White's steady beat. So Jon Anderson and Vangelis entered the studio to put together a masterwork featuring the most cinematographic expression of the Silver Screen , the title epic "Friends of Mr Cairo" complete with snippets from Peter Lorre's nasal pleas, Jimmy Stewart's hip-hop offering the Moon to Mary ,flapping spools of film, "Bullets flying, taking toll" , all sliding on a bubbling bass-synth carpet , with occasional symphonic swoops and the best vocals ever (akin to Soon on Gates of Delerium). "Bogart, Fairbanks, Maureen O'Sullivan" indeed.... This song remains a gender bending classic in the same breath as the equally theatrical "Bohemian Rhapsody"and both will stand the test of time. "I'll Find My Way Home" is another mini-jewel where the dynamic prog duo simply shine on a simple yet very effective melody. "State of Independence" is another genre crossing composition that was one of disco's only few bright lights (Donna Summer) in the early 80's and then completely reworked by electronica project Moodswings by adding snippets of Martin Luther King's famous speach. This version remains the standard and rightly so. "Mayflower" is another atmospheric piece about adventure with infusion of NASA commentary . This is not complex prog noodling, no zeuhl tendencies, no extended space rock jam, no technical workout video. Just a plain old great melodic album with inventive music played by great musicians. 5 cinema reels
Track Listings
1. I'll Find My Way Home (4:31)
2. State of Independence (7:57)
3. Beside (4:12)
4. The Mayflower (6:39)
5. The Friends of Mr. Cairo (12:10)
6. Back to School (5:10)
7. Outside of This (Inside of That) (5:03)
Total Time: 45:38
"I'll find my way home" was omitted from the original LP release, whose running order was 5,6,7,2,3,4.
Line-up/Musicians
- Jon Anderson / Lead vocals
- David Coker / vocals
- Sally Grace / vocals
- Claire Hamill / vocals
- Carol Kenyon / vocals
- Dick Morrissey / flute, saxophone
- Raphael Preston / guitar
- Vangelis / synthesizer, keyboards, vocals
As much as I like Vangelis (and Jon), I can't give this album more than 2 stars. I bought it in '91 but it was obvious almost right from the start that it would be among the CD's I carry to second hand shops. Wonderful 'So Long Ago, So Clear' in Best of Vangelis had encouraged me to think I must enjoy Jon & Vangelis albums, but after all that stuff is better in small doses, amidst instrumentals. About Short Stories (I didn't see much 'stories' in lyrics), it has some tracks over 6 minutes with some progness - though 'rocking' it is only shortly in few places, and frankly, in an embarrassed way of synth & drum bursts. Otherwise it's sentimental and syrupy songs with an arrangement that makes you only miss a proper band (Raphael Preston plays ac. guitar on one track only). In Vangelis' best albums I never miss anything in sound; safe to say that judged as VANGELIS music this album is of the worse. I don't know about other Jon & Vangelis albums, but none of the tracks I've heard of them is on the level of earlier Vangelis tracks featuring Jon Anderson, not to mention newer output with guest vocalists, in Voices for example.
Surely I don't despise everything here: e.g. 'Each and every Day' and 'The Road' are pretty nice peaceful songs. But as a whole the album is just too sweet and synth-oriented to listen through. 'Love Is' is a real sentimental sugar overdose. If you're a die-hard Jon fan who needs also the (quite similar sounding) Christmas album Three Ships, go ahead.
Studio Album, released in 1980
Track Listings
1. Curious Electric (6:42)
2. Each and Everyday/Bird Song (3:43)
3. Bird Song (1:25)
4. I Hear You Now (5:13)
5. The Road (4:31)
6. Far Away in Baagad (2:50)
7. Love Is (5:13)
8. One More Time (6:18)
9. Thunder (2:14)
10. Play Within a Play (7:02)
Total Time: 53:12
Line-up/Musicians
- Jon Anderson / vocals
- Raphael Preston / acoustic guitar
- Vangelis / synthesizer, keyboards, instruments
