Steve Howe's Remedy Manchester 7 March 2004

[Trevor Walker]

Wow !!

Sen-flipping-sational show by Steve and the band. Great venue - only small and not full - I'd guess about 600 to 700 fans in attendance (but I could be wrong - I'm no good with numbers.

Met Phil and Rob (what nices guys !!) and recommended Yesfans to the beautiful young lady that sat on my right (Sharon was sat on my left side !), hope she joins the site and meets up with the Yesfans pre-gig gathering in June. My shyness stopped me introducing myself and asking her name !

Steve was on top form playing themes from Yes stuff, lots from his previous solo albums and of course about 3 tracks from Elements - his latest album with Remedy.

The venue was accoustically terrific tho' I didn't like the mix in the 'electric' section during part 2 of the concert. Something didn't sound quite right but can't put my finger on it. That's not meant as a criticism as to say anything negative about such a wonderful night would be churlish.

He played peerlessly. With passion, precission and real energy. He was animated and genuinely enjoying playing his chosen songs. Dylan on drums shone all night and his short drum solo was very good indeed. The rest of the band ably supported the master who was in his 'element' (no pun intended !) fronting and controlling the set.

A truly wonderful night. If you ain't got tickets to see him on the rest of the tour - GO AND BUY SOME NOW . IT'S THE LAW !!

I'll attach some pix - they're not very good but give a general idea of the set (sadly they don't come with sound !).

[Earl Grey]

Ah MAN!

It sounds fantastic Trevor...

I was listening to Remedy all day at work today.

I wish they'd do a tour on this shore...
Well, one never knows, do they?

Did Steve play any Dylan numbers?

:yesbird:

[Trevor Walker]

Hey Earl !

No Dylan numbers. The only thing he did not written by him was America - and he just did the guitar solo and THAT was definitely all Steve as we know ! He also had a good thrash at My White Bicycle !

You'd have loved it, Earl. The accoustic section was magical. Even my wife, who ain't a fan of my 'stuff', really enjoyed that section (except for Jane's Theme - too many shifting themes and melodies for her !).

Wooooooo Hooooooo ! I'll post some pix when I figure out how to reduce the file sizes !

[Trevor Walker]

OK !

Let's try some pix !

First - The Bridgewater Hall from outside
Then me having a quiet drink before the show (BTW - only saw 7 Yes T's including mine !)

[Trevor Walker]

Here's a couple of Remedy during the opening set - sorry about the picture quality, we were on row L so about 19 rows from the front.

[Trevor Walker]

Couple more from the opening set -

[Trevor Walker]

Here's a couple from the opening part of the second half - Steve on Spanish and accoustic

[Trevor Walker]

Last two of Steve on accoustic.

Oh - and BTW Phil, sorry we had to rush off after the concert. We had to go find a taxi to get back to da babysitter and didn't want to get behind a long queue ! Bet we were home before you !

[Philly112]

Trev!
Better pics than you told me they would be! We just made our train, so not too bad on the way home.

Agree with 95% of what you said - actually, I could have listened to Steve play just acoustic all night, and it was also nice to hear him talk a bit.

'Magical' is exactly the word to use to describe his acoustic playing, and his arrangement of TBO is a beautiful treatment of one of my favourite Yes songs.

Not too sure as to the quality of the band though. I honestly didn't think Dylan was too hot (although I am in a minority of one looking at the reviews page!). He certainly played with 'gusto' though, and it suited Steve's style. The bassist was also a bit of a plodder, but there again, who wants a big flashy bassist when Steve Howe's on stage?! (joke intended there folks)

I never expected them to play a couple of tracks from Beginnings and not having played that album in years (25?) I was almost fighting back the tears the memories were so strong!

I never noticed the pretty girl at all!! (OK maybe once or ten times).

Oh, if people want to know how he looked on stage - he looked terrific - smiling, joking, fit, moving about in the way that only he can! And surely playing with more confidence and joy than, well, ever?
Cheers and look forward to seeing you in June!

[Trevor Walker]

Yo Phil !

Digi camera is only 2.1 Megapixels - so pix aren't too sharp ! Also had to shrink 'em to be able to post as .jpgs.

Whereabouts in Cheshire are you from ? Did you have a long way to come into Manchester ? We're only about 5 miles from City Centre - but that was still only my second visit in the last 5 years !! Last time was in November to go to Dawsons to by my boys 1/2 size guitars for Christmas (only £24.99 each !!).

I think Dylan was limited by the size of his kit. Single bass, snare, maybe 3 toms, 3 cymbals and was there a high-hat ? We're spoilt be Alan and his huge equipment, so to speak !!

[Philly112]

YoYo Trev!
Was editing my post and you beat me to it!!
I live in Frodsham - Rob in Whaley Bridge, so we got the train back to his and I stopped over there.
Should really have taken my wife - took here to Steve Hackett and she enjoyed it, and last nights was a better show than that one (and that was great!)
Will maybe use one of my spare tickets in June for her if she can persuade a friend to come along - you get that pretty girls number??!! haha

[Trevor Walker]

Hehehe !!

Didn't even get her name (sigh!) ! I'm much too shy !

Maybe she'll still join the site, eh ?

It's been years since I've been in your neck of the woods ! But I've got a mate that lives in Whale Bridge.

[JaneEyre]

Hey, you guys better watch it or I'll tell Sharon on ya!!

Great pics, my friend! Beer looks great, too!

[Trevor Walker]

Hehehe, Rachel !!

'Twas only a Kronenberg - and I only had one ! Offered to buy Sharon a Champagne cocktail but she wouldn't have one ! Do you like the T ?

[upbgirl]

wow!! that is GREAT, guys!!
i am green with envy over here-never seen steve alone.. [hehe]
philly-"smiling, joking, fit, moving about in the way that only he can! And surely playing with more confidence and joy than, well, ever?
"
this part just LIT me up-to know you say he was better then ever.. wow!!
i am not familiar with the rest of the band tho..
his son, dylan on drums, right?
[never seen the dude-shouldnt judge-but only certain people earn the label 'percussionist' with me]
who were the rest of the band?
did they sell shirts? cd's?

and trevor-i think the pics are just PERFECT for my poor old eyes, dude!! lol!;)
[and that tales shirt is GROOVY!!]
thanx for sharing them, but thanxs for sharing your delight- you, too, philly! it's always nice to read COOl, happy stuff! [and that steve was superb-as he expects of himself]
whoohoo!!
[but i wont pout about missing the steve show for now.. hehe]

[JaneEyre]

Hehehe, Rachel !!

'Twas only a Kronenberg - and I only had one ! Offered to buy Sharon a Champagne cocktail but she wouldn't have one ! Do you like the T ?


Yes, but I'd like it more after a couple of beers!! LOL! :cheers:

[JaneEyre]

BTW, that guy with the beard looks like a complete bastard! LOL!

[Thoughtbecontact]

My, my, my, the goings on in this thread. And I can rat on Trevor to Sharon in person in June--or are you keeping her away from us? HEHEHE!

And how am I supposed to buy tickets if it's the law, eh? Steve ain't playing here. Gonna buy me another airline ticket, Trev? LOOOOL!

[Trevor Walker]

Sorry, Arlene !! I probably said that 'cos I'm a complete bastard !! LOL !!

You never know - Steve just might 'do' some intimate theatres near you in the near future - don't rule it out.

Rachel, It's your turn to crack me up ! Tears running down my face here ! ;)

Mmmmmmm....I can see I MAY have to keep Sharon away from yous guys !! Tho' I have stopped being a serial bridegroom !!

And Kathi - I ain't forgotten ya ! I'll answer your questions on the band later !

[Earl Grey]

Amazing Pics there Trev!

Ah man!

Steve Howe is my HANDS DOWN hero...

As fate would have it, Howe was the last Yesman I ever met...

Fate can be sweet at times. Perfect timing.

I've never seen Stev-O solo, but I will.

But I HAVE met him! And I've shaken his hand~~~~~

The reason I asked about Bob Dylan songs, is because Howe has a ZIMMY fetish as well as I do... We find our avatars in this big 'ol world, and we deal.

Some 'riff' with notes, others 'riff' with words... Poetry is Yesmusic and Dylan meanderings and vice/versits and where's that confounded bridge?
Such is The ZIMM. And SO is Howe.

Howe's version of 'Sad Eyed Lady Of The Lowlands' (With Jon on vocals) is heaven to me... So I had to ask! One never knows.

It sounds/appears that Manchester was quite the night for Howe acolytes!

I wish I'd been there... And I'm SO glad you WERE!

A fine thread, and thank you!

All the best,

Earlie-G:yesbird:

HOWE RULES!

My Hero!

[Trevor Walker]

Thanx, Earl, 'twas a magical evening - I wish you could have been there !

Maybe the maestro will do a similar thing in small intimate theatres in The States after the next Yes Tour - who knows. I hope for ALL yous guys over the pond that he does and comes to a town near you. Trouble is, the theatres would be swamped over there !

The Remedy Tour over here hasn't been very well publicised. I only found out about it from junk mail from The Bridgewater Hall - don't know where they got my name from but glad they did !

There is no Tour stuff for sale at the venues - tho' there maybe something on Steve's website.

Now for Kathi - The Band.

Virgil Howe - Keys. Actually also plays drums for 'The Dirty Feel' - a London based funk/rock trio. Also produces and remixes as 'The Verge' and 'Spiro'.

Dylan Howe - Drums. Play with Ian Dury's group 'The Blockheads' and also plays with 'Gabrielle' and 'The Sheena Davis Group'. He also has his own jazz band 'The Dylan Howe Quintet'.

Ray Fenwick - Guitar. Used to play with 'The Excels' and replaced Steve in 'The Syndicats'. Also played in 'The Spencer Davis Group', 'After Tea', 'Fancy', 'The Ian Gillan Band' and 'Forcefield'. Now produces, teaches and has released solo albums.

Derrick Taylor - Bass. Done lots of session work with 'Bryan Ferry', 'All Saints' and also toured with 'Gabrielle'. Taught Bass for the Jamaican School of Music and played 10 years in Roachford.

I don't want you folks to think I'm an anorak or anything like that ! The above is a precis of the flyer that was available at the gig !

[Koko]

Thanks for the Excellent sharing of the gig and the Photee's Trev.....A Bang Up Job my Man!.

Koko.

(just wish Steve had come to Wales - he seems to be suffering from that same illness that so many other rock acts seem to have contracted....they won't come over the Severn Bridge(s)......mind you £4-60p is a tad expensive to enter the best country in the World!...;)

[Trevor Walker]

Yo Koko !

I think after tonight's gig in Glasgow the nearest he gets to Wales is either Groningen or Amsterdam on the 14th and 15th respectively ! Or is Belgium nearer ?

I hear flights to Holland and Belgium aren't too expensive big fella ;) !

[Philly112]

Trev - the Steve Howe page says that the 8th March Newcastle gig was to be recorded for a possible DVD release. Do you know if this happened? And if so, why weren't the cameras at Manchester (probably heard that us two ugly buggers were in the crowd)
Will have to check it out on the reviews page when they are available for 8th.
And Koko - didn't know that they had introduced a £4.60 fee on the Severn Bridge to come back into England!

[Koko]

Koko - didn't know that they had introduced a £4.60 fee on the Severn Bridge to come back into England!

Naaah it's free to get into INGuh Land...WELL LET'S BE FAIR WHO ON EARTH IN THEIR RIGHT MIND WOULD WANT TO GO THERE.....


:dog:

[Koko]

Yo Koko !

I think after tonight's gig in Glasgow the nearest he gets to Wales is either Groningen or Amsterdam on the 14th and 15th respectively ! Or is Belgium nearer ?

I hear flights to Holland and Belgium aren't too expensive big fella ;) !

YEAH RIGHT ...you pay I'll go!

[Philly112]

Koko ''Naaah it's free to get into INGuh Land...WELL LET'S BE FAIR WHO ON EARTH IN THEIR RIGHT MIND WOULD WANT TO GO THERE.....''


Very true!!

[Trevor Walker]

Trev - the Steve Howe page says that the 8th March Newcastle gig was to be recorded for a possible DVD release. Do you know if this happened? And if so, why weren't the cameras at Manchester (probably heard that us two ugly buggers were in the crowd)
Will have to check it out on the reviews page when they are available for 8th.
And Koko - didn't know that they had introduced a £4.60 fee on the Severn Bridge to come back into England!

Mmmmmmmmm.......

Interesting stuff there Phil ! Don't know if they did record the Newcastle gig - but I hope they did ! I'll buy the DVD if they release it !

Don't know why the Bridgewater Hall gig wasn't recorded - it's a lovely venue and I would have thought the sound quality was up there with any venue in the country. There were twin microphones over Row G (ish). Maybe it was recorded for a possible Live CD ?? And what was that comment by Steve about Radio 3 being behind the stage......?

[Philly112]

I think he was joking about the fact that they are always there recording some classical concert there! (but you never know!)