Customer Reviews

Grand Scheme of Things

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Released in 1993, _The Grand Scheme of Things_ sadly seemed to go out of print here in the US by the end of the 90s. Therefore, I'm sure many Howe/Yes fans have not heard the material that is on this album. Even though it's still not available in the US, it's nice to see that it's now available for a reasonable price as an import.

_The Grand Scheme of Things_ is very similar to Howe's first solo outing, _Beginnings_, in that it combines instrumentals with songs that feature vocals from Howe. While still not a traditional lead vocalist, Howe's vocals have improved through the years. Personally, I like his vocals because they are warm and intimate. The title track opens up the album nicely with it's steady pulse, and leads into a beautiful instrumental, "Desire Comes First" which features Howe's electric guitar trading lines with a violinst - very nice stuff. "Blinded By Science" might be the 'poppiest' Howe solo tune, and "Too Much Is Taken and Not Enough Given" also finds Howe rocking out - in a politically-conscious sort of way.

Howe fans should love this album. Think _Turbulence_ meets _Beginnings_ with an early 90s political-conscious theme to many of the lyrics.

Steve Howe es el único miembro de Yes que ha mantenido una cierta coherencia en su carrera en solitario. Aún con altibajos, su sonido, no es que se parezca a Yes, pero mantiene unos niveles de calidad bastante aceptables. Es más en la epoca que siguió a 1983, los discos de Steve Howe son, casi siempre, mejores que los del grupo. Este disco, sin embargo, es, probablemente, el peor de su carrera. En cierta forma es similar a Beginnings, aunque con el lastre de que los temas son peores. La voz de Howe a mi, particularmente, me recuerda mucho a la de Neil Young, aunque con menos garra y, desde luego no es su fuerte, aunque a mi no me desagrada cuando adopta un tono más íntimo como ocurre en los dos discos de Homebrew. Los instrumentales brillan, en este disco, con luz propia, mientras que los temas cantados, además de las mencionadas debilidades vocales de Mr. Howe, son bastante planos. En definitiva, sobra la mitad del disco.

S.H. did not record any solo albums in the 80's, after 2 in the 70's. Then he did one instrumental album and this one. The early 90's were a tough time for most bands and artists -(whose early 90's albums rate high among their previous and future work?..) So, this is true for this album - unspectacular songs, not much great playing, and a weird, cheap sound to the whole thing. Interesting, but not very good.

One would have thought that Steve Howe learned his lesson on BEGINNINGS: he can't sing his way out of a paper bag.

But, being the arrogant man that he is (one can't be told he is God's Gift to Guitar Humanity for 30+ years without it sinking in a little), Mr. Howe insists on shoving his truly atrocious singing voice down our throats.

Again.

From a guitar perspective, few on the planet can rival him. He is in a class all his own. However, as a composer, Steve tends to get all caught up in his cleverness and is not content until he drives a good idea down a dead-end alley.

He doesn't alway exhibit this proclivity: TURBULENCE is a masterpiece; BEGINNINGS itself is very, very good (if you can ignore the Horrible Howe Voice), and his work with Paul Sutin soars.

This album is out of print precisely because it is one of Steve's weakest efforts. The lyrics are silly and stupid, and the music rarely rises above trite.

Please, Steve. Next time you need a singer, give Jon Anderson a call. I'm sure he'd be happy to work for you.