Much routine, little innovation.

"Page Of Life" is the fourth and probably last album by the duo Jon & Vangelis. It originated in 1991, eight years after the last collaboration ("Private Collection").
In the meantime, luck was the two performers weighed differently. While Vangelis after 1983 quite colorful set of albums presented, extremely erratic in style and claim, but actually always remarkable and praised by the critics, buckled Jon Anderson qualitative form curve both solo and with his group Yes very strong one, although he - perhaps even because of it - had now boast a wider audience, not least the charts of the world made uncertain because of the Yes-over hit "Owner Of A Lonely Heart", with which he only half a year after "Private Collection". Just at the time of working on "Page Of Life" the interest in Yes was also awakens again after the regular formation and the union had decided from ex-members, to make common cause as octet ("Union"). With this experience in killing the duo went again to the studio to herumzutüfteln together on pieces.
The album does not give the impression that the men had been under greater pressure. What would you 1991 can do everything on conditions on the part of the record label to get delivered market-grade material, instead it seems to have Jon Anderson and Vangelis given free rein, making an album was created, which was completely out of time. It tied thematically with some time-critical texts, and not least also the in Anderson inevitable anyway literary bonds and fantastic ideas of earlier pieces, while Vangelis with an obviously developed synthesizer Park did his best to reinforce the impression with ingratiating melodies and arrangements. In this way arose twelve pieces that - with the possible exception of the falling out of the frame instrumental piece "Jazzy Box" - have a loose, relaxed atmosphere. About Album distance that happens with an almost outrageous dexterity. Musical trivialities are transformed by skillful use of overdubs and pleasing arrangements in small earwigs, while the Vangelis's own bombast occasionally sneak to eventually take over the helm with a steady hand, without really imposing. This is where Anderson's preference for quirky kitsch on the routine of a seasoned soundtrack composers.
In principle, Jon & Vangelis make so everything right. There is also very little on this album suspend. But therein lies the big problem of "Page Of Life". Between the complacency, the routine and the relaxation both StarStudded forget the demands on her own work. On the three previous releases, there were some outstanding pieces, where one could rub zuweil very good, but always aufzeigten the potential of the two musicians and their progressive roots, such as "Curious Electric" on the debut, "The Mayflower" or the title track of "The Friends Of Mr. Cairo" or "Horizon" to "Private Collection". Although it is possible Jon & Vangelis first album over distance, to maintain the level fairly constant and to avoid large fluctuations in quality, but in the given case, unfortunately, this also means that "Page Of Life" has to offer no outstanding pieces. Thus, "Page Of Life" to a beautiful, cozy gathering after a long pause, in which you realize that all those involved have become older and more experienced, which lacks the desire but to want to show it all again really. They say that what you have to say, and that is neither a boring nor stupid way, but refused the next logical step. So bottom line, an album that you do not necessarily need, but with the acquisition to make a fan of Jon Anderson and Vangelis also no big mistake, as long as you can live with it, that the big aha moments fail.