The 'NEW Steve Howe Album

[Koko]

It's Wednesday 16th October 2002

I've just received a phone call from a friend of mine...and Steve Howe has a 'NEW' album due out in 2 weeks...(UK Release date
MondayNovember 4th 2002)...does anyone else know about this or have 'any' information?

:-))

K.

[Martin Riley]

Amazon.uk says it's out on 28th October and it's called Skyline

[Dances w/PURPLE]

available in the UK only?

[Martin Riley]

US Amazon say it's available 5th November @ $16.98. Is that a normal, reasonable price?

[Koko]

I have been given a 'promo copy' of the Cd...and I have to say it is 'THE BEST' Solo album by Steve....it really is an excellent album.

I'm happy to say more...(ie)Give a brief review, but I don't want to spoil it for anyone......

Whaddya think...I'll check back in a while if someone says No!..I won't if not I will.

Cheers!

K.

[Koko]

THis is a (Very) Brief reflection on Steve Howes new Album
'Skyline' .

Length 60 minutes (exactly) 12 tracks



The immediate thing that strikes me about this album is that it is Full of Gorgeous melodies...some tracks have interweaving layers of many all at once....the production is tight and crisp yet warm and subtle..much like the music.....each track is different..yet each leads beautifully into the next.....also it is somewhat paradoxical...as it is minimal in it's arrangements , and yet it is full to the brim with little bits of sound that seem to multiply in number with each hearing....

1. Small Acts of Human Kindness:
There's a real sense of Tibet about the music in this...a Vocal Chant.....with understated 'soaring guitar' underplayed percussion and bands of synths.....((.we all know that the tracks that were to be the bones of the second ABW & H album and eventually materialised as much of the Union albumcame from Steve, and what would become the later release The Grand Scheme of Things))
...and the first track..could so easily have been a 'prime' Yes Song.....even so it is still Splendid.

2. Meridian strings: This has an AL Dimeola (Return to Forever) type flavour to the guitar sound and playing......again the music is underplayed...yet complex and full of multi layers

3.Secret Arrow: Simply Gorgeous...full with gentle melodic emotion
really sneaks up on you...and you find yourself humming the melody and thinking where did that come from?

4. Mooon Song: This gives GOOSE BUMPS as big as Apples!!...
Imagine yourself on the clearest of moonlit nights..out in the wilds...calm, warm and breathtaking in the heavenly view...with the magic of the Moon and the Stars...that's this track....

5. Shifting Sands:..I always remember when I heard 'Into The Lens' from the drama album for the first time....(I was one of those die hards..who was gonna hate this buggle infected yes music...etc)...and when Steve Howe plays that enchanting guitar...that is like the swirling waters..when Trevor horn sings...'There By The wWaters Side'....well the music in this IS...Shifting Sands...it 'feels' like a cross between Africa and the Mojave Desert in the US.

6. Avenue De Bel Air: George Benson meets Steve Howe...the jazzy licks are just Yummy!....the guitar sound is like a cross between Wes Montgomery (a venture sound) and ...something else.....all played over a stumbling/wandering soft staccato bass.

7.Resonance: Definitely a nod towards Steve Hackett here...the acoustic rhythm guitar is like something from Foxtrot..yet it's very Yes like....

8.The Anchor: Sad and Haunting (pedal steel just weaving and wrapping around the rest of the music).. unhurried and 'delicate' great night time listening...


9. Moment In Time: Subtle melodies that creep up on ypou...and again you find yourself humming them...hours later thinking what's that.....then suddenly the tempo/mood changes for a moment and then onto new patures of melodies....

10. Simplification: Swooning synths like rainbowed ribbons falling unending on a swrling gentle wind.....again there is the paradox of the music being 'expansive' yet almost held back...without losing a thing...

11. Camera Obscura: Perfect music for the ending to a 'romantic/passionate movie'.....the melody is handed from guitar/instrument to guitar/instrument..teasing and weaving as they both interact and play off one another...in a Very Gentle/Subtle way.......

12. Small Acts: Like a BIG BEAUTIFUL ORANGEY,RED SUNSET..the sun slipping slowly behind rooftops, trees and a big wide Ocean....

I LOVE YES MUSIC TOTALLY AND COMPLETELY...(like all of you....)..and I haven't 'always' liked 'some' of Steve's Solo work....
But 'Skyline' for me is his Master Stroke..in the Compositions, the Playing, The Melodies....

A Beautiful Album. ****1/2


Hope I haven't Spoiled it for Anyone

In Beauty May We Each Walk

:-)

Kokopelli.

7.

[headrott]

Hi all,
I also think this is a great album by Steve! I must say that I think his first two solo albums are the best, then Grand Scheme, then this one. But, I've only heard it twice so far...... My choice may change in the future. I wanted to say that if anyone would like to get the Greman copy of this CD you should look on ebay. There is a guy selling the German copy for $16.99 (for the buy it now option, there is also free shipping!!). He ships the CD extremely fast so you will recieve it very quickly. I'm sure he would appreciate the business and you will appreciate the CD. Go check it out, I don't think you will regret it.

Greg