3 Ships
Encyclopedia
So, are the three ships some mystical reference to three lengthy footnotes in a topographic poem? Has the musically complex mind of Mr. Anderson come up with another new concept which we shall struggle to get inside of to understand the real message of?
Well, no, actually. This is in fact a Christmas
album, including versions of traditional Christmas carol
s and original material. The three ships reference comes from the song "I Saw Three Ships," which states, I saw three ships come sailing in, on Christmas day in the morning.
around that time. Indeed, Vangelis even writes one of the tracks. A number of well known musicians also contribute, including sometime Yes
man, Trevor Rabin.
There's a mixture of traditional Christmas carols, and Anderson composed originals with a festive and/or peace on earth theme. The tracks are mixed together in such a way that one minute you're singing along with a song you have know since childhood. The next, you're entirely unfamiliar with the piece. The contrast between the warm hopeful emotions of the lyrics and the cold precision of the music is, it could be pondered, wonderful. In fact, these songs are full of a sense of wonder and awe. It's just the right mood for contemplating the spirit of the season.
(progarchives.com)
Each card displayed a vibrant image of an authentic Jon Anderson watercolor painting set against a beautiful background. One of cards was chosen especially for the lucky purchaser, and each of the other 4 cards was left blank so you could add your own personal note to someone special.
Singles – Billboard (North America)
Well, no, actually. This is in fact a Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
album, including versions of traditional Christmas carol
Christmas carol
A Christmas carol is a carol whose lyrics are on the theme of Christmas or the winter season in general and which are traditionally sung in the period before Christmas.-History:...
s and original material. The three ships reference comes from the song "I Saw Three Ships," which states, I saw three ships come sailing in, on Christmas day in the morning.
In Review
Anderson may perhaps have been inspired by Greg Lake's surprise success in the singles chart with 'I Believe In Father Christmas,' or he may just have wanted to 'lighten up' a bit and have some fun. Either way, the album, which was originally released in 1985, is dominated by Anderson's vocals and the keyboards of Rhet Lawrence. The presence of Lawrence may be slightly surprising, given Anderson's work with VangelisVangelis
Evangelos Odysseas Papathanassiou is a Greek composer of electronic, progressive, ambient, jazz, pop rock and orchestral music, under the artist name Vangelis...
around that time. Indeed, Vangelis even writes one of the tracks. A number of well known musicians also contribute, including sometime Yes
Yes (band)
Yes are an English rock band who achieved worldwide success with their progressive, art, and symphonic style of rock music. Regarded as one of the pioneers of the progressive genre, Yes are known for their lengthy songs, mystical lyrics, elaborate album art, and live stage sets...
man, Trevor Rabin.
There's a mixture of traditional Christmas carols, and Anderson composed originals with a festive and/or peace on earth theme. The tracks are mixed together in such a way that one minute you're singing along with a song you have know since childhood. The next, you're entirely unfamiliar with the piece. The contrast between the warm hopeful emotions of the lyrics and the cold precision of the music is, it could be pondered, wonderful. In fact, these songs are full of a sense of wonder and awe. It's just the right mood for contemplating the spirit of the season.
(progarchives.com)
Special Edition Release
There was also a special edition package of this album available. The Holiday Card Pack, Jon Anderson Special Edition, came with a personal autograph from Jon, as well as a set of five beautiful Holiday cards printed on high quality heavy weight card stock and complete with envelopes.Each card displayed a vibrant image of an authentic Jon Anderson watercolor painting set against a beautiful background. One of cards was chosen especially for the lucky purchaser, and each of the other 4 cards was left blank so you could add your own personal note to someone special.
Re-Release
After countless years of absence from the market, Jon's renowned "3 Ships" is back and better than ever. This very special, remastered 22nd Anniversary Edition contains all of the album's original carols, as well as 5 bonus tracks. Indeed, 2 of these bonus tracks are previously unreleased and available for the first time.Track listing
Song writing credits given where they could be acredited. Tracks marked by * are included on the remastered 2007 Re-Release of "3 Ships" only.- Give Hope * [recording era of this song is unknown]
- Save All Your Love (Anderson)
- Easier Said Than Done (Vangelis)
- Three ShipsI Saw Three Ships"I Saw Three Ships " is a traditional and popular Christmas carol from England. A variant of its parent tune "Greensleeves", the earliest printed version of "I Saw Three Ships" is from the 17th century, possibly Derbyshire, and was also published by William B. Sandys in 1833...
(Traditional) - Candle Song * [from Jon Anderson's Change We MustChange We MustChange We Must is an album by Jon Anderson, released in 1994. The album contains new material and orchestral arrangements of songs from Anderson's past.-Track listing:...
album, recorded 1993-94] - Forest Of Fire (Anderson)
- Ding Dong Merrily On High (Traditional)
- Hurry Home * [from Jon Anderson's Change We MustChange We MustChange We Must is an album by Jon Anderson, released in 1994. The album contains new material and orchestral arrangements of songs from Anderson's past.-Track listing:...
album, recorded 1993-94] - Save All Your Love (Reprise) (Anderson)
- The Holly And The Ivy (Traditional)
- Day Of Days (Anderson)
- Ave Verum * [from Jon Anderson's ToltecToltec (album)Toltec is a solo studio album released in 1996 by Jon Anderson, formerly of progressive rock band Yes.-About the album:A promo album was released by Geffen called The Power of Silence in 1992. A full release never appeared, but Toltec is essentially the same music, with added narration.The 1996...
album, recorded 1989-90] - 2,000 Years (Anderson)
- Where Were You? (Anderson)
- Oh Holy Night (Traditional)
- How It Hits You (Anderson)
- Jingle BellsJingle Bells"Jingle Bells" is one of the best-known and commonly sung winter songs in the world. It was written by James Lord Pierpont and published under the title "One Horse Open Sleigh" in the autumn of 1857...
(Traditional) - Ray Of Hope * [recording era of this song is unknown]
Recording Credits
- Jon AndersonJon AndersonJon Anderson is an English singer-songwriter and musician best known as the former lead vocalist in the progressive rock band Yes...
: Lead Vocals - "Beyond War Philharmonic" – Orchestration
- Concert Master: Paul Cheng
- Conducted by Bob Esty
- Gospel Choir: Calvary Baptist Church, Santa Monica
- Inspirational Choir, courtesy of Pastor Robert de France, Jr.
- Choir Director: William Bryant II
- Childrens Choir: "Reach For The Stars Singers"
- Choir Director: Marta Woodhull
- Sandra Crouch & Friends: Directed by Andre and Sandra Crouch & Gary Lanier
- Sandra CrouchSandra CrouchSandra Crouch is an American Gospel music performer, drummer and songwriter.-Musical career:She won a Grammy Award in 1985 for "Best Soul Gospel Performance, Female"....
: special guest Duet Vocals on "Oh Holy Night" - Jade AndersonJade AndersonJade Anderson born May 26th 1981 is a singer/songwriter, currently living in Los Angeles.Youngest daughter of singer Jon Anderson and Jennifer, Jade Anderson's earliest musical work is on projects with her father, including appearances on his solo albums 3 Ships , Change We Must , Angels Embrace ,...
: Additional Vocals on "Jingle Bells" - Rhett 'Pepsi' LawrenceRhett LawrenceRhett Lawrence is a record producer and songwriter. He is originally famous for producing the Grammy Award–winning, Billboard #1 Hot 100 and #1 R&B single "Vision of Love" for Mariah Carey. He produced and co-wrote the Kelly Clarkson pop rock hit "Miss Independent” which was #1 for 6 weeks at Top...
: Fairlight CMI, Keyboards - Trevor RabinTrevor RabinTrevor Charles Rabin is a South African born musician, best known as a guitarist, vocalist and songwriter for the British progressive rock band Yes from 1983–1994, and since then, as a film composer.- Early years :...
and Elliot EastonElliot EastonElliot Easton plays lead guitar and sings backing vocals for The Cars. His guitar solos are integral part of the band's hit singles. He studied music at the Berklee College of Music...
: Guitar - Frankie BanaliFrankie BanaliFrankie Banali is an American rock drummer, best known for his work with multi-platinum heavy metal band Quiet Riot. He has been the band's manager during since 1994. He played drums in the heavy metal band W.A.S.P., as well as with Billy Idol...
& R.J. Parnell: Drums & Percussion - Paulinho da CostaPaulinho Da CostaPaulinho da Costa is a Brazilian percussionist born in Rio de Janeiro, considered one of the most recorded musicians of modern times. Playing over two hundred percussion instruments, he has participated in thousands of recording sessions, Grammy Award-winning albums, hit songs, soundtracks, radio...
: Percussion - Novi NovogNovi NovogNovi Novog, born in North Hollywood, California is an American viola player. She is sometimes simply credited as "Novi" and is the cousin of Lauren Wood .-Albums :...
: Electric Viola
Production
- Produced by Roy Thomas BakerRoy Thomas BakerRoy Thomas Baker is a multiple award-winning Anglo-American music producer, songwriter, arranger and Recording Academy Governor, who has produced Platinum and Gold certified pop and rock records from the 1970s to the present.- Career :Baker began his career at Decca Records in England at the age...
for RTB Audio Visual Productions, U.S.A. - Engineered & Mixed by George Tutko
- Assistant Engineering by Jim McMahon
- Additional Mixing by Brad Gilderman
- Recorded at Crystal Studios, Hollywood CA.
- Production Co-ordination by Bob Keasler, assisted by Freddie Henderson & Jem Scott
- Re-Issue Engineering & Mastering by Mike Pietrini
- Executive Producer: Rob Ayling for Voiceprint Group of Companies
- Musical Arrangements by Bob Esty
- Art Direction and Design by KOSH & Larson
- Cartography by Bob Blakeman
Artist Thanks & Dedication
- Thanks to Tony & Elliot, and all at Lookout Management.
- Special thanks to Trevor Rabin
- Rhett Lawrence for 'great stuff'
- George Tutko for 'good ears'
- Thanks to Jackie, Jackie & Brian T @ Crystal Studios
- Dedicated to Jennifer Elizabeth (for love), Deborah Leigh (for spirit), Damion James (for life) & sweet Jade Genavieve (for "Jingle Bells")
- Love to Anne & James, Thanks Serge P.
- Dedicated to "Beyond War"
Charts
Album – Billboard (North America)| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | The Billboard 200 | 166 |
Singles – Billboard (North America)
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | "Easier Said Than Done" | Adult Contemporary | 38 |