One of Jon's more prolific periods was the 90's, and just that decade alone saw a series of rather eclectic releases ranging from Celtic music to modern R&B to celestial spaciness. No two of them were in the same direction. Your mileage may vary with these, but there is some fine material contained within these albums. Here's my ranking - not a definitive rank, just how I enjoy them. I'm sure that with such a diverse 90's discography, everyone will probably rank them differently. What do you think? What is your rank, or maybe just mention your favorites.
In descending order in how I enjoy them:
8) The Promise Ring (1997) - Jon's Celtic style album. Not one I get around to playing too often. Contains another version of Boundaries/Somehow, Someday in O'er. Title track is pretty good too.
7) The More You Know (1998) - I didn't like this too much when I first got it in 1998, but I warmed up to it a little. Not a fan of hip-hop type stuff. I think his other R&B styled album, In The City Of Angels, is way better. Haven't heard it in years, though.
6) Earth Mother Earth (1997) - acoustic in nature, and with a strangely ancient vibe - as in music from some ancient mythical past. If Olias of Sunhillow is an album ABOUT the ancient world of Sunhillow, Earth Mother Earth sounds like music FROM Sunhillow. Like something the ancient Sunhillow people would be strumming and singing around the firepit on one of those moss-covered floating islands. Concerto Uno/Duo comes to mind for that. Whale Watching sounds like it could have been a Yes track if a full-on band approach was used. And as someone who loves cats, I am still charmed by Scraggle Cat & Puss Cat Willum.
5) Lost Tapes Of Opio (1996) - a odds & ends type album of mostly instrumental/ethereal material and world music elements. This was available on Jon's box set.
4) Deseo (1994) - came out not long after the Talk album in the summer of 1994, this is a vibrant Latin-styled album. Kinda dancey and pick-me-up type offering when in the mood for something like this.
3) Angels Embrace (1995) - a new age album which is floaty and sunlit. Relaxing & peaceful ambient work that sounds best on a spring late morning while still tired.
2) Toltec (1996) - the closest to a Yes sound in his 90's output, this is a progressive suite in the Olias mold - a continuous song cycle in three parts. There is the expected new age sound, but also dramatic and cinematic moments as well. Includes Building Bridges and Enter Ye The Mystery School. I know this was supposed to come out in 1994 on Geffen as The Power Of Silence, but never was officially released in that form. I've never heard that version, but Toltec is an engaging listen.
1) Change We Must (1994) - Jon's orchestral album will be my top choice. The orchestra and classy feel of this album is one of Jon Anderson's best moments from the 90's. Shaker Loops is sublime. Lots of expressive piano and choral arrangements on this album. A few older tracks mixed in, though Change We Must doesn't have the feel of a 'Symphonic Music Of Jon Anderson' type album. No slapped-on orchestra, this is well executed. Older tracks like State Of Independence and Hurry Home work well in this format. We also get a version of Hearts from 90125. Change We Must is a very dreamy album, try listening late at night while dead tired but not quite ready to hit the sack, So that's my #1 from the 90's.
I probably should have included Page Of Life (1991) from Jon & Vangelis, but that's a duo project and not a solo album. Though if I did include it, it would probably be slotted in between Angels Embrace and Toltec.
That about covers it, I think. How do you rank them, or what are your favorites?
In descending order in how I enjoy them:
8) The Promise Ring (1997) - Jon's Celtic style album. Not one I get around to playing too often. Contains another version of Boundaries/Somehow, Someday in O'er. Title track is pretty good too.
7) The More You Know (1998) - I didn't like this too much when I first got it in 1998, but I warmed up to it a little. Not a fan of hip-hop type stuff. I think his other R&B styled album, In The City Of Angels, is way better. Haven't heard it in years, though.
6) Earth Mother Earth (1997) - acoustic in nature, and with a strangely ancient vibe - as in music from some ancient mythical past. If Olias of Sunhillow is an album ABOUT the ancient world of Sunhillow, Earth Mother Earth sounds like music FROM Sunhillow. Like something the ancient Sunhillow people would be strumming and singing around the firepit on one of those moss-covered floating islands. Concerto Uno/Duo comes to mind for that. Whale Watching sounds like it could have been a Yes track if a full-on band approach was used. And as someone who loves cats, I am still charmed by Scraggle Cat & Puss Cat Willum.
5) Lost Tapes Of Opio (1996) - a odds & ends type album of mostly instrumental/ethereal material and world music elements. This was available on Jon's box set.
4) Deseo (1994) - came out not long after the Talk album in the summer of 1994, this is a vibrant Latin-styled album. Kinda dancey and pick-me-up type offering when in the mood for something like this.
3) Angels Embrace (1995) - a new age album which is floaty and sunlit. Relaxing & peaceful ambient work that sounds best on a spring late morning while still tired.
2) Toltec (1996) - the closest to a Yes sound in his 90's output, this is a progressive suite in the Olias mold - a continuous song cycle in three parts. There is the expected new age sound, but also dramatic and cinematic moments as well. Includes Building Bridges and Enter Ye The Mystery School. I know this was supposed to come out in 1994 on Geffen as The Power Of Silence, but never was officially released in that form. I've never heard that version, but Toltec is an engaging listen.
1) Change We Must (1994) - Jon's orchestral album will be my top choice. The orchestra and classy feel of this album is one of Jon Anderson's best moments from the 90's. Shaker Loops is sublime. Lots of expressive piano and choral arrangements on this album. A few older tracks mixed in, though Change We Must doesn't have the feel of a 'Symphonic Music Of Jon Anderson' type album. No slapped-on orchestra, this is well executed. Older tracks like State Of Independence and Hurry Home work well in this format. We also get a version of Hearts from 90125. Change We Must is a very dreamy album, try listening late at night while dead tired but not quite ready to hit the sack, So that's my #1 from the 90's.
I probably should have included Page Of Life (1991) from Jon & Vangelis, but that's a duo project and not a solo album. Though if I did include it, it would probably be slotted in between Angels Embrace and Toltec.
That about covers it, I think. How do you rank them, or what are your favorites?
Thank you for the question! 
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