Jon Anderson and Jon Davison

[John Vehadija]

Post your opinion who should win in a sing-off between Jon Anderson and Jon Davison

Not sure how to do this properly but maybe we'll learn
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(I think it wasn't the best idea so I'm moving it and delete the section... Hope that's ok

Maybe one day we'll see them perform together on stage)

[soundchaser09]

I love Jon Davison's voice and think he is the man for Yes right now- but even I couldn't make a case for him generally over Jon Anderson.

[Inveryes]

You sure you want to go down this road, John? Brace yourself. Incoming! 😉

[Frumious B]

I mean, it depends on what they are singing. If it is show tunes then Davison likely wins.

[luvyesmusic]

Would it include remembering all the lyrics?

Which to me would be/is one of the most difficult parts of being a front person. Sometimes the most well-known song in your/the bands repertiore, that you've sung hundreds of times, you go somewhere else, or hopefully on auto pilot, only to find you have drawn a blank. I would rather see a few mistakes, here and there to see a ton of costume changes, and a lot of running around to a recorded soundtrack, where no one's voice is actually sent out to the crowd.

My question would be, who would have the better voice in their prime? Steve, or Alan, I have never heard sing. Perhaps Alan was just too damn good, for the rest of "the boys"? ;-)

Hard to believe Anderson's voice came back. I was at the Philly show ( he was in the hospital two days later) when he announced his return to YES/ the upcoming YES tour. I thought to myself this will never happen, but I still bought front row tickets to a few few shows up and down the east coast. I:m happy the man can still do what he loves.

[luna65]

I mean, it depends on what they are singing. If it is show tunes then Davison likely wins.

Yeah exactly. I think it was a sing-off of Yes songs then the Elf would win just because we're predisposed to love him, But Juano might have the range for other genres that Napoleon doesn't.

[John Vehadija]

What if Jon Anderson would sing Machine Messiah and Jon Davison Fly from Here?

[luna65]

That would be a challenge for sure, lol.

[Chrisklenox]

I think Davison has a bigger range than Anderson, even in his prime. I love both really but I think Davison would win on an X Factor type show. I dunnno though… depends on what they are singing. I think Anderson would win if it was like a classic R&B song (Imagine both Jon’s doing an Otis Redding song for instance). Davison if it were more of a pop thing.

Jon A has that little rasp that colors everything he does so beautifully. Davison is cleaner, but he almost has to work harder to be engaging because of that.

[Gilly Goodness]

Yep. Sorry not gonna touch this. Some polls don't make sense to me. Basically comes down to a popularity contest, being a subjective issue. Sorry. Not voting this time.



EQUALISE EVERYTHING

[pianozach]

What?!?!

Well, that depends. Are we comparing the two in their prime, like JA back in 1975?

Or as they are today, head to head, a 77-year-old Jon Anderson vs. a 50-year-old Jon Davison?

OK.

JA if it's the former.
JD if it's the latter.

[Ash Armstrong]

I'm with Gilly. Not playing.

[luna65]

Jon A has that little rasp that colors everything he does so beautifully. Davison is cleaner, but he almost has to work harder to be engaging because of that.

Yes, exactly. Juano may have range but Nappy has character. Which is not to say Juano doesn't have his own charm, it's just that they're so different for two people singing the same material.

[John Vehadija]

Maybe let's continue discussion on a more 'peaceful' note... what songs if any would you like to see Jon A and Jon D perform together on stage?

I think if eve we'll get a reunion it would be cool to have them both

And I hope they do at least on of Believe Again, The Ice Bridge or A Living Island

I know chances are slim to none probably

[Gilly Goodness]

Someone should post that photo of the both of them from the RRHOF night. May inspire answers.

What about a neutral. Say. Machine Messiah. Plenty of swapping lines in that one. Plus Steve gets to "dirty" up his guitar.




ELECTRIFY EVERYTHING