Should Steve Howe produce the next album?

[rabin105]

Simple question but after two albums produced by Howe are you guys wanting more from him or are you guys good

[Enlighten]

The jury is still out. Let’s see if he redeems himself on MTTS.

[soundchaser09]

I'd be perfectly fine with Steve doing it, Yes seem to be in a good place at the moment.

[rePete]

No.

They simply do better when they have the right guy from outside. And it serves the music well when one bandmember isn't driving things. An outside producer forces more collaboration.

[madbear]

Can we hear the new album first please? Plenty of bands produce themselves these days, the music biz has changed.

[TerryTT]

No. I want someone who will come in and make them push the boundaries. No comfort zone or handholding. No crutches(orchestra). No less than 2 weeks of them together bouncing ideas around and writing songs. I want Downes to get that hunger again for sound creation he demonstrated on the Drama album. Don't forget though there is a new album a month away so let's not be too hasty

[Soundwaveseeker]

I second the sentiment that we need to hear the new album before we suggest that Howe hangs up his producer's hat for now. He's done ok so far, though I'm also of the mindset that a non-objective set of ears would be great - someone that would inspire the band to reach in deep and deliver something grand is always a recipe for some great Yes music. This outside producer could be Horn, or could be someone totally new and creative who they've never worked with before.

[Homemade Parachute]

I don't know that Steve needs to "redeem" himself, quite, as The Quest was a big step up from H&E, and we've yet to hear MttS, but early semi-embargoed responses seem very positive there. And the band overall has been pretty hit and miss with both outside producers and self-produced albums: Bruce Fairborn was great, RTB less so, and Trevor Horn was great in '83, but maybe less so in 2011 (I, for one, am more interested in the non-FFH tracks and direction that could have been taken but wasn't). I'll be curious to hear how much of MttS was produced remotely, still under pandemic protocols, as I think that may be more of a determining factor — or not, if it turns out they all did it remotely and it's good, there goes my theory! I can't say I found The Quest to be more of a Steve Howe & Friends sounding albums than any others — it sounded like he respected the roles everyone brought to the music, and if individual members sounded "tentative" in the mix, that might have more to do with the overall band's arc, which, it sounds like they're in a good, confident place now, and will hopefully barrel forward full steam ahead.

[Davy]

It is probably better to have a "non-objective set of ears" overseeing things, but, yep, I think Steve did a great job on The Quest.

[yamishogun]

It is probably better to have a "non-objective set of ears" overseeing things, but, yep, I think Steve did a great job on The Quest.

They need outside writers like Monkman.

[Yesed]

If it was twenty years ago I probably wouldn’t care. Today Steve needs to be reminded the band is Yes, and consideration needs to be observed to what progressive Yes should sound like. Also I think he needs someone to tell him where his guitar solos are working, or not, and just sounding like gratuitous jamming. If that’s possible.

[Yesed]

If Steve comes through with Mirror to the sky I’ll feel differently. The Quest made me realize he lost a lot of his Yes sensibilities.

[Enlighten]

If Steve comes through with Mirror to the sky I’ll feel differently. The Quest made me realize he lost a lot of his Yes sensibilities.

Agreed. The dog they put out before The Quest was an indicator that Alan and Chris had lost their Yes sensibilities as well. MTTS could be redemption, let’s see. CftS is a promising start.

[pjt]

If the new album sounds like The Quest, they need a producer. If it sounds as good some people gush about it, then by all means, please continue!

[rePete]

It's not really about Howe needing to redeem himself or not being a capable producer. He doesn't and he is. It's more about the depth that comes from bringing in the extra voice, outside perspective and collaboration. Their best albums tend to be the one's where they've had that outside collaboration.