Spirit Of Love Will Always Connect You

November 25, 2018 4:57 PM

Yes' Jon Anderson released his 4th solo album in 1985 -- the holiday-themed album 3 Ships. It's rather 80s, VERY Jon Anderson, and I think it's charming and fun with excellent flow across its runtime [Full Album (recommended), 39m15s]. One of the few holiday albums I might listen to in July. Side One: Save All Your Love, Easier Said Than Done [video], 3 Ships [video (lower quality)], Forest Of Fire, Ding Dong! Merrily On High, Save All Your Love (Reprise)

Side Two: The Holly And The Ivy, Day Of Days, 2000 Years, Where Were You?, O Holy Night, How It Hits You, Jingle Bells

posted by hippybear (14 comments total)

Fun facts about the album personnel: Trevor Rabin on guitar, percussionists include Frankie Banali of Quiet Riot, R.J. (Jack) Parnell (who was musical director for The Muppet Show), and Paulinho Da Costa who was in Sergio Mendes' band for 4 years.

And Easier Said Than Done was composed by Vangelis.

Also, I had NO idea there were any videos for this album! Wow, discovery after over 30 years!
posted by hippybear at 4:57 PM on November 25, 2018 [5 favorites]

Also, it's about the high note in O Holy Night, really. It's all a journey to that. Take the journey -- no shortcuts!
posted by hippybear at 4:57 PM on November 25, 2018 [3 favorites]

WhY IS 'RUN WITH THE FOX' NOT ON HERE
posted by The otter lady at 5:21 PM on November 25, 2018

Fox is not a Jon Anderson song
posted by philip-random at 5:29 PM on November 25, 2018

Thanks hippybear. I get so sentimental about this album, which I discovered when I was a colllege student in the 80s. The remnants of faith that still linger in my soul are invariably sparked by certain moments and especially by the last few tracks. It's literally one of the things that keeps Christmas alive for me.
posted by vverse23 at 5:31 PM on November 25, 2018 [4 favorites]

vverse23: I'm standing right there next to you, truly.
posted by hippybear at 5:35 PM on November 25, 2018 [3 favorites]

not a Jon Anderson song
Ah, thank you. I have learned a new thing. I just remember that was a song on some Yes album and I had a pet ferret who would go nuts for it.
posted by The otter lady at 5:56 PM on November 25, 2018 [1 favorite]

Got an LP copy of this in '88 at the local alternative record store when I was on a Yes kick. I love Jon Anderson, silly though he is. This is a fun, great, silly album. Good post.

(I wonder, if you hang out long enough in a Forest of Fire, do you get a Fist of Fire (ABWH)?)
posted by edheil at 6:00 PM on November 25, 2018 [1 favorite]

(Shivering, sidles a bit closer to hippybear and vverse to take part in that shared warmth and music, stays for the very good company.)
posted by Nancy_LockIsLit_Palmer at 6:06 PM on November 25, 2018 [2 favorites]

I read Jon’s back cover attire as Beyond Beyond War.
posted by stannate at 7:08 PM on November 25, 2018

One mid-80s (post-90125) Christmas morning, I woke up to "I've Seen All Good People," which thereafter forever became a Christmas song for me. I wouldn't be surprised at all to find out retroactively that "3 Ships" was played immediately thereafter.
posted by kimota at 8:19 PM on November 25, 2018 [2 favorites]

I had this on cassette back in the 80s. I looked for a CD for years and finally found one - I think it was a Japanese release. I always liked the idea that the three ships were spaceships.

I was once in a second-hand record shop in Genoa and they were playing the album in June or July. Maybe it was you, hippybear?
posted by sagwalla at 12:06 AM on November 26, 2018

I've seen all good ships come sailing in
On Christmas day, on Christmas day
I've seen all good ships come sailing in
So satisfied I'm on my way
And what was on those ships of love
On Christmas day, on Christmas day
Sister bluebird flying high above
On Christmas day in the morning
Oh they sailed forward to the sun
On Christmas day, on Christmas day
Hide the mysteries of life on your way
On Christmas day in the morning
Though you've seen them, please say no word
On Christmas day, on Christmas day
What you don't know, I have ne’er heard
On Christmas day in the morning
I've seen all good ships come sailing in
On Christmas day, on Christmas day
I've seen all good ships come sailing in
So satisfied I'm on my way
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 4:51 PM on November 26, 2018 [3 favorites]

Looks like a MeMusic challenge to me!
posted by hippybear at 7:17 PM on November 26, 2018 [1 favorite]