Steve Howe on MSN Chat.

[ELLIS]

Can someone tell me what was said in this interview as MSN CHAT has closed down in UK.

I understand this was to protect kids from undesirable characters on Internet. I appreciate that, but this is Yes! Since when have they needed to be guarded against? It's up to the parents to supervise what their kids see, not let some company spoil things for us older ones!

Please can someone tell me what Steve said in this "chat"?

[onslo]

yeah, tell us! :o

[Andersonic]

The same problem over here in Holland Ellis..bummer...

[onslo]

they should post an official chat log on the site! mhmm. :)

[Michele]

they should post an official chat log on the site! mhmm. :)
We are archiving all of the chat transcripts at "YES in the Press":

http://yesinthepress.com/index.html

The Jon transcript is already posted. The Steve transcript should be online by tomorrow morning... but in the meantime, here is the text of Steve's interview:

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Source: MSN Chat

Moderated Interview with Steve Howe

DishDiva says: Welcome to MSN Live! This afternoon we are pleased to welcome Yes band member Steve Howe.

DishDiva says: Steve, it is great to see you again!

Steve says: Hello there, good afternoon. Thanks for joining in.

DishDiva says: Let's get started, we have loads of questions!

Obi_Ron1 asks: Does the band plan to continue the acoustic set as part of the live show?

Steve says: hello, Obi. Not necessarily. Thanks for the question. We are not sure we are doing it every night. We are going to switch sets from night to night. I don't know that the acoustic will always be included.

Brandon_Loves_YES asks: What do you plan on doing after the tour?

Steve says: Hi Brandon, In some ways, I don't like to divulge what I am doing until it's done. . .I might be working in Switzerland for a week or two. This is a rather hot question because we may be about to change some plans. Plans for the end of the year haven't been cemented.

BriskVariable asks: Will the band be producing any more LONG songs as in the days of Close to the Edge etc.

Steve says: Hi brisk. Interesting question. I like the big long pieces. We'll have to see on our next studio go whether or not we go to those lengths in the songs. I hope we do. I can't really say 100%. We live in hope. (laughs)

SchindleriaPraematurus asks: Although I'm a bass player I played your signature model the other day and loved it, were you satisfyed with the finished product?

Steve says: The Gibson ES175D is my signature model. I'm pretty happy with the result. I was using it on tour for some of the time in Europe, but not in the UK. And it played very well.

DHightow asks: Steve - are there any songs from your career that capture your exact feeling at the time, the kind of songs that resonate and you never get tired of playing? (As a fan, it's pretty much everything you've done by the way).

Steve says: (laughs) Hi D. I guess I'll start out by saying lots of them do for me. All my tunes have a place for me to think of how I was writing at that time. The song "Will 'o the Wisp" from 'Beginning' was written with a lot of contruction and arranging whilst writing it. Also from "Quantum Guitar" has more simplistic arrangements but busier lead guitar.

ABWHotaku asks: Can you tell us what the song Brother of Mine is about?

Steve says: Hi ABW. (laughs) The song started out (the chorus) I wrote about my brother who moved to Australia and hadn't seen him in 10 years or so. Jon and I expanded the song into a more complex arrangement involving other segments of songs. In that transformation, the song is about a lot of things. (laughs) Jon nicely converted the meaning of the title to a more wordly or more friendly idea more than a personal reference.

Nir_CTTE asks: While working on the symphonic tour you mentioned you have less freedom playing because of the orchestra. Did it ever affect your performance on stage and how do you feel abut it now? Thanks, and please come to Israel!

Steve says: Hi Nir. It was really great playing with an orchestra, the mentioned restrictions were understandable due to the embellishments of the songs by the orchestra. I have a very good view of it, particularly the European segment because only two orchestras toured in the two months tour. These were more complete performances because they really learned the music.

440L???ÇÀLEThICŠ2 asks: What do you prefer 4 string or 5 string Bass Guitars>

Steve says: I don't play bass guitar. I do prefer 4 or 6 string bass.

LocalMarceloPerea asks: Who does the set list for the tours?

Steve says: Quite often Jon starts the ball rolling. Sometimes I get in there as well first. It gets talked over and chewed over by the band and we reach a decision. Jon often has an idea about it. Other times it is a conglomeration, a pool of thinking.

Shark4948 asks: Hello Steve! Enjoyed the new songs during the spring tour. Any surprises for the upcoming leg?

Steve says: (laughs) Yeah, I am not getting giving them away. (laughs) We're attempting to add and subtract from the recent sets that we have played.

-Andy™- asks: How do you prepare for your 2004 tour?

Steve says: Hi Andy. Let's start with what I do before a tour. About a week before a tour I spend time every day working on the music I am about to play. Just listening then playing along with it then detailing little bits. Before a show, I take 45 minutes to relax, do a few exercises and generally prepare myself to go to the guitars with a clear mind.

Saintgeorge2775 asks: You are the Best. What do you look for in drummers?

Steve says: Ever since my first band back in 1961 (the last century laughs) when I first started playing I have always lent towards the glamour a little bit and tried to rock in with him. When I first played with Bill I expanded my expectations of the kind of the thing a drummer does. I am thrilled to say I have two drumming sons who are both different in style yet exciting to play with. A little sidenote. A great jazz drummer is Chico Hamilton.

SEUBEE2112 asks: What is the latest news on the official bootleg series and the forthcoming live boxed set?

Steve says: Hi SEU, ok. The much talked about series may or may not kick off somewhere on one of our future tours. Knowing that many fans like this idea, I haven't been closely involved because the unfinished nature of these CD's will be updated when Rhino releases the Live three box set.

DishDiva says: Steve, thanks for taking the time to chat with fans this afternoon.
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Have a great day!

Michele
YesServices
http://www.yesservices.com

[ELLIS]

Thanks Michel.

I wonder what the surprises will be for the next leg of the USA tour?

No mention of Remedy. Is the live DVD still coming out that was filmed in Newcastle?

[DonnAstral]

Thanks for the transcript Michele! I hate that both Steve and Rick's chats were scheduled so early in the day. I'm still at work and can't participate!

[tardistraveler]

Thanks for posting, Michele - I wasn't able to sign on for this one.

[swib]

Thanks for your help in getting this for us Michelle, I will be hoping to get the rest of these chats. Seems you really have to get in early to get your question in , doesn't last long.

Diane Swible

[The_Fish]

So, I didn't even know about them till they were done :(