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Produced by Joseph Cottrell, Wayne Hall, Doug Curran and Jeffrey Crecelius
It’s the 50th Anniversary of Jon Anderson’s masterpiece, Olias of Sunhillow this month, so it was highly appropriate that we spoke to the album’s biggest fan, David Watkinson, this week. Dave helps us plot the musical development of Yes’ co-founder to the point at which he felt able to create his first solo album – entirely on his own. We also discuss the amazing packaging and the album’s influence on Anderson and Yes.
Do watch Dave’s interview with artist, Jeff Cummins, which is embedded into the show notes below and check out the photos of my copies of the album and a small selection of Dave’s memorabilia collection.
- Was Jon Anderson ready to create Olias?
- Did he play everything on the record?
- Why isn’t Roger Dean the artist?
Please do add your own comments below.
Kevin’s LP and CD
Some items from Dave’s Olias collection
Yes – The Tormato Story & Tales from Topographic Oceans – Yes Album Listening Guide
Available now!
YMP Patrons:
Producers:
- Joseph Cottrell
- Wayne Hall
- Jeffrey Crecelius
- Doug Curran
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 |
| Brian | 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 | Ken Fuller |
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11 replies on “Olias of Sunhillow 50th Anniversary with Dave Watkinson – 730”
Amazing episode about an amazing album!!
Thank you Peter. Dave is always great value!
Thanks, Peter! Great to hear you enjoyed our conversation.
Another great episode. I was inspired to listen again. Vangelis’ influence more apparent than I recall.
Speaking of the importance of artwork and packaging, I just today received Aurora. Listening to DVD; with lyrics and the brothers articles; so much better than MPwhatever
Thanks Kevin
Thanks, Jeffrey. It’s always a delight to hold records in your hands and listen, I agree.
I long thought it was a shame that Yes didn’t release a record between 1974 and 1977 — primarily, I suppose, because Relayer is my favorite Yes album and I would have loved to have heard another one with that lineup. But I’ve reconsidered. The guys were just worn out. And we got one a masterpiece (Fish Out of Water), a great album (Olias of Sunhillow), and a very good record (The Story of I) during that period. In retrospect, it seems like the break was a wise, and perhaps necessary, thing.
Thanks, Aaron. Yes, imagine if we didn’t have those essential albums at all!
Dave Watkinson is quite the invaluable source of Yes information and inside stories and snippets. His knowledge and insight are fascinating regarding Jon and Yes. I appreciate his insights and knowledge – brilliant guest!
Thanks, Michael. Yes, you are, of course, correct about the redoubtable Dave!
As I’ve said before, Olias to me is Jon’s masterpiece and his greatest solo achievement. I have a very strong connection to it as I got it at my radio station days before it’s US release in June ’76, played it in its entirety on release day, and interviewed Jon about it when I met him & interviewed Yes multiple times on the ’76 US tour, starting on June 8 in Cincinnati, Ohio. And Brian Chatton, who’s told me he was there at Jon’s house for the recording of Olias, has some nice stories about it. Brian told me he “was chief joint roller” while Jon worked on it!
Excellent episode. I really appreciate Dave’s insights! Cheers guys!