Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS
Produced by Joseph Cottrell, Wayne Hall, Ken Fuller and Jeffrey Crecelius
This week, I was delighted to be able to speak to Yes’ lead singer, Jon Davison, in detail about the new Yes album, Aurora. I learned many fascinating things about the record and how it was put together. Unfortunately, Mark was unable to join me for the interview but, as you will hear, we had a great conversation in response to Jon’s answers to my questions.
Thank you to Jon for being so open and friendly and for answering my questions in great detail and to Sharon for allowing us to hear the new album early.
- How did this album come together?
- Is it the same as Mirror to the Sky?
- How much of it will we hear live?
Barry Plummer 2026 Calendar is still available!
Apply £11.00 off with the promo code wh4y4pk3
Enrich your Prog year with iconic images of Yes in the 1970s, taken by the legendary rock photographer, Barry Plummer.
Enjoy 12 beautiful colour and black and white photographs of Yes in the studio and live, capturing the essence of the world’s greatest progressive rock band. With this limited-edition calendar on your wall throughout 2026, you’ll agree that Barry Plummer is, indeed, the Master of Images!
(A flat shipping fee will be added at checkout depending on your location.)
Yes – The Tormato Story & Tales from Topographic Oceans – Yes Album Listening Guide
Available now!
YMP Patrons:
Producers:
- Joseph Cottrell
- Wayne Hall
- Ken Fuller
- Jeffrey Crecelius
Patrons:
| Aaron Steelman | Steve Luzietti | Lind |
| Al Dell’Angelo | Terence Sadler | Lobate Scarp |
| Barry Gorsky | John Thomson | Mark Baggs |
| Bill Whittaker | Steve Perry | Mark James Lang |
| Bob Martilotta | Thomas DeVries | Mark Slater |
| Brian Harris | John Viola | Martin Kjellberg |
| Brian Sullivan | Steve Rode | Michael Handerhan |
| Chris Bandini | Tim Stannard | Michael O’Connor |
| Craig Estenes | Steve Scott | Miguel Falcão |
| Dave Owen | Chip Palmer | Paul Hailes |
| David | Guy DeRome | Paul Tomei |
| David Heyden | Steve Moss | Rachel Hadaway |
| David Pannell | Geoffrey Mason | Robert Nasir |
| David Watkinson | Henrik Antonsson | Robert Vandiver |
| Declan Logue | Hogne Bø Pettersen | Ronnie Neeley |
| Dem | Steven Roehr | Scott Colombo |
| Doug Curran | Todd Dudley | Simon Barrow |
| Fergus Cubbage | John Holden | Stephen Lambe |
| Fred Barringer | Douglas Caldwell | Steve Dill |
| Gary Betts | John Cowan | Jamie McQuinn |
| Geoff Bailie | Ray Riethmeier |
Discover more from Yes Music Podcast
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
13 replies on “In Conversation with Jon Davison about the new Yes album, Aurora – 720”
Hearing you describe the heavier guitar from Steve Howe reminded me of how surprised I was when I heard “Never Again,” the first song from the 2008 reunion album from ASIA, “Phoenix.” I was astounded that they got Steve Howe to play those traditional hard-rock power chords!
Your discussion with Jon Davison fills me with optimism for the new Yes album, “Aurora!”
(Having typed those two album titles here, part of me wants the bands to swap out the titles between them.)
Glad you enjoyed it, Ray. Yes, I suppose one day we will ‘run out’ of decent prog rock album titles!
Great discussion. Thank you. Delighted to hear of more input from Geoff and Billy. Looking forward to the songs that are generically different.
Thanks Jeffrey. It will be fascinating to hear what you think!
Always great to hear Jon Davison interviewed. And I agree with Mark: “Ariadne” is also my favourite song! I look forward to the whole community getting to hear this new album.
Thanks, Henry. Ariadne keeps getting better the more I listen!
Thanks for the interview and i liked the ‘call and response’ style review between the two of you and Jon… kept it interesting.
This was the first time i have not rushed ouf and pre ordered anything from YES, as i just wasnt sure, with the last 2 albums having good highs but (IMO) bad/boring lows.? However your enthusiam has won me over so i have now ordered ( YES should give you commission).
The power of pocasting!
Thanks John. It was good to be able to include Mark, as you say. I hope you enjoy the album like I do.
Your conversation with Jon Davidson has me very excited about the new album. I like the fact that sounds like it’s somewhat query and different but keeping the Yesness in there
Can’t wait to hear the full thing
Roll on June!!
Thanks Steven. I think it’s the album from recent years I will play the most.
Thankyou Kevin for wonderful interview. Great to hear Jon . He has won me over with his warmth and talent. Great also to hear Mark and your take on the album. Despite my initial doubts ,I look forward to hearing it.
Many thanks, Derek. I really hope you enjoy the album as much as Mark and I do.
Fantastic episode, Kevin! I thoroughly enjoyed the ‘call and response’ dynamic with Jon Davison, and hearing about Geoff and Billy’s contributions has made me incredibly optimistic about ‘Aurora’. As an IT compliance auditor based in London, I always pay close attention to how legacy bands and indie creators secure their digital distribution and patron platforms nowadays. While listening, I was actually reading a technical systems audit over at https://guiadedoradobetcolumbia.com/ which covers regional data protection and payment gateway verification standard practices. It made me wonder: from your conversation with Jon, did he touch upon how the band plans to manage the cyber security and validation side for their early digital releases and online emporium shops this year to prevent phishing, or is that strictly handled by the record label’s compliance teams?