which of these Yes albums do you think contains Steve's best work?

[onslo]

its so hard to decide but i had to go with Relayer in the end. that solo in To Be Over is... pure energy.

[Jonah]

I had to say CTTE. Wonderful stuff rythmically and melodically. Also, a great variety.

Can I ask if you have a connection with Paladin?

[BrianD]

Why not include the other album's in which he appears so that there is a complete set from which to choose?

[onslo]

Jonah, what do you mean by connection? i have both of their albums if that counts as being connected ;)

and Brian, i included just these albums because i was simply interested in which one of these albums people thought had Steve's best work. he's always been great but i spose i just felt that these albums are the more "classic" Yes albums.

[PO]

I love Howe's work, so I had to put in Tales. He does a lot of great acoustic guitar work which isn't on, for example, Relayer. He does a lot of great slide/pedal work on Relayer. But I love Relayer! I love Tales!

Tales needs representation, and I wouldn't sulk if that's all I had ever heard.

[Dr Yes]

Going for the One for me. It's got everything from acoustic strumming to electric 12-string and steel solos.

[Jonah]

Jonah, what do you mean by connection? i have both of their albums if that counts as being connected ;)




I have a connection to the band in terms of personnel. I wondered if you did too, as it's not very often you see anything Paladin related anywhere these days.

[onslo]

no, no. i'm just a simple fan. but what is your exact connection? :¬.

[Dragonfly]

I voted for GOING FOR THE ONE, albeit reluctantly. I’m one of those TORMATO advocates that cringes at promoting its processor since most fans love GOING FOR THE ONE, but love to hate TORMATO.

But that’s not what this thread is about. GOING FOR THE ONE offers a brilliant display of Steve’s talents. He really shines on this album. In particular are his 12-string work on “Turn of the Century” and his sitar/guitar work on “Awaken”. Both are truly beautiful. Then, of course, there’s Steve showing that he can Rock ‘N Roll with the best of them on the album’s title track.
:heydude:
Not my favorite album (of that period), but a great showcase for our favorite axeman!

Dragonfly :fly:

[swib]

You cannot really judge on which album was steves best work, each album that was put out represents different musical changes.

Diane

[Vic W.]

Tough question. I was about to go with CttE...or Relayer...or GftO... until I thought about Yessongs - not one of the choices but BY FAR his best work IMO, and the Yes Album songs are where is able to most shine on that one (though that CttE opening on Yessongs is absolutely stunning and haunting...)

So I went with Yes Album, as odd as that might seem...

[Phat Khatru]

To me every new note " The Maestro " Plays is the best ! But the album he most shines on is Relayer. There isn't a better LIVE performance than GATES. It's my favorite all time YES track.

Now if only we could get Rick to play it !

[The Whale]

Phat I'm with you I love Gates too. Did you see them play soon just last time through? I got to see them in May at the last show they played it before switching to S.S.T. really lucked out... wow Steve and John just brought us all back down to earth in a good way! I cant wait for next week two shows in three days!!!!!

[yesyadda]

Relayer hands down. The most innovative guitar sounds I've ever heard! Crazy, baby!

[Timmo]

Relayer (which shouldn't surprise anyone who knows me.)

But c'mon, amazing work in "Gates" and mindblowing solos on both "Soundchaser" and "To Be Over."

Tales is a close second.

And he's great on ALL of these albums.

TIM
Venice, CA

[slazman]

Impossible question .. he's got such a wide range.

But his work on Tales moves me.

[mattquarterstein]

I chose Tales, but Steve has made some fantastic Yes moments on other albums.

When Steve's guitar starts playing the main theme in Close to the Edge, it melts my heart. Even the first time I heard it. So beautiful. Mood for a Day was one of the songs that really got me into Yes, too.

[Stever]

Relayer is actually my personal favorite for Steve's work, but I decided to try to be objective. From an all around standpoint, I had to go with Going for the One. It has a a stellar showcase for everything the Steve does on guitar (steel: GFTO - Ripping electric solo(s): Awaken - Beautiful accoustic work AND great electric build: TOTC), whereas my precious Relayer leaves out his accoustic work virtually altogether. Even though it's got to come close for Steve's best electric album, and certainly has to be his best steel album, hands down.

[Earl Grey]

I had to think about it a while, and I'm still not quite happy with my choice, or any choice! Swib is correct here, each period is distinctly different.

I chose CTTE, but of course Relayer is just as important.

Howe is SO diverse, and such an original. Each album just blazes with new facets, up to that point undiscovered... Howe is a man of all seasons

[onslo]

yeah, the fact is... Steve is a great guitarist and his work on all those albums is great.

[soundchaser_micheal]

This was an extremely difficult decision especially since I have only heard a choice few songs. But in the end I had to say The Yes Album. His work on it was complex but very easy to follow during the songs. The two that made me pick were Your's Is No Disgrace and Starship Trooper. It shows some true brilliance on the guitar on his part.

[Yes2Yes]

This is to difficult to call. If I have to chose one album I will go with CTTE.

[wefollowthesun]

That's an impossible question. Every one of those albums have parts that make me say " Howe does he do that"? But Relayer has parts that can make a person fall out of their chair. Tales is right up there too making the brain geetar crazy and CTTE with it's unparalleled imagination !
spinning in creation :fan:

[Jackaranda]

I voted for CTTE.

He really seemed to grow on that album.

[smatt]

This was a hard one. I picked Drama though as I think it's Steve's best ROCK guitar work. In this I agree with Chris who made that statement to me a while back. Although I could make a case for at least 2 other albums as well.

[Timmo]

I'd rate "Drama" #3, after "Relayer" and "Tales."

And yes, it is his best "rock" album. But the versatility of his chops on the other two put them in front of "Drama" for me.

I'd rate "Drama" close to #1 for Chris and Alan, although I think I'd give the #1 for them to "Relayer" as well....by a nose.

[millbuc]

I went for Going for the one too. That little guitar bit at the end of awaken moves me to tears every time & I reckon GFTO showcases our Steve's ability at different tempos.Although Close to the edge is a very close 2nd!

[TempusRoundabout]

I like Relayer, CttE, and Drama

[Topographic][Sardaukar]

Hmmm... My vote goes to Drama, Relayer, and CttE. Drama just because of Tempus Fugit and Owner of a Lonely Heart. Two of my favorites. Relayer is just magical. CttE has Close to the Edge... enough said.

Hey Ben, Owner is on 90125. Steve didn't even play that song.

[TempusRoundabout]

Pardon my short term memory

[rickweber]

I was gonna say "all of the above" but I'll go with Relayer.

[Steve St Thomas]

Damn! I was hoping it was going to be an 'era' poll, rather than individual. That makes it a bit harder to choose. So I gotta do it my way, but not influence the above vote!

Everything from 1970 to 1974. There's just one thing after the other on those albums just saying - wow. Especially Gates of Delirium, Siberian Khatru, Mood For A Day, Wurm, The Remembering (High The Memory), Sound Chaser. Those really stand out.

Moments between 1977 and 1979 stand out, but I'm not sure Steve and I are speaking the same language in this period.

But its right back up there for Drama and 1980. You might as well include his work on the first Asia album as well, I put it in the same league