Natural Timbre

Steve Howe | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 5, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Spitfire
• ASIN: B00005K2CV
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #284,996 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Distant Seas

2. Provence

3. Intersection Blues

4. Family Tree

5. J's Theme

6. In the Course of the Day

7. Dream River

8. Golden Years

9. The Little Galliard

10. Up Above Somewhere

11. Curls and Swirls

12. Pyramidology

13. Lost for Words

14. Winter

15. Solar Winds

16. Your Move

17. Disillusion

18. To Be Over

Editorial Reviews

Steve Howe's (Yes/Asia) latest cd, Natural Timbre, contains 18 polished gems of acoustic led music that seamlessly weaves together many musical elements. 18 tracks. 2001 release.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A More Mellow Side of Mr. Howe, June 15, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Natural Timbre (Audio CD)

Once again, Steve Howe demonstrates what he does best on his latest album, Natural Timbre, by layering different guitar voices to create a rich musical texture. Other pieces are just Steve by himself on a solo guitar, playing a mix of classical and country pieces. This is the first album Mr. Howe has done that is completely acoustic (with the exception of electric bass). Additionally, there are no vocals. The last three tracks on the album are arrangements of some Yes tunes, with the vocal lines being played on guitars. Of particular interest is "To be Over" (a tune from "Relayer"), where Steve plays the guitar solo on the original version on banjo! Believe me, it's pretty cool.

Steve is in as top form as ever on this album, playing a mix of classical, country, and even some jazzy pieces. Other tunes are in the progressive realm. He gets help from son Dylan on drums and there's some violin, piano, and recorder on some pieces. Those of you looking for a rockin' album may want to pass this one up, but for anyone interested in some great acoustic music from this virtuoso will want to check it out.

As with "The Steve Howe Album", the liner notes have a chart of what guitars are played on each track. Howe plays 22 different guitars on this album.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Consummate Guitar Craft, February 4, 2003

By 

o dubhthaigh (north rustico, pei, canada) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Natural Timbre (Audio CD)

Robert Fripp, take note, this is as consummate a devotion to playing guitar as has ever been undertaken. Howe's dexterity in the service of Yes has carried that troop for decades, but it is the occasional glimpse one had of his accoustic adventures that augured well for this release. And it's an absolute killer. This is a tour de force by a master of his instrument who firmly believes in both melody and technique.
"To Be Over" is the highlight for me, emotionally. It is a wonderful recasting of what seemed at the time a coda for YES. Reset here, it has matured with age, or maybe I have. Deeply reflective, it is a very moving piece. Throughout this disc, you'll find yourself stunned by the power of his playing, the subtlety, the turns and twists in the compositions. This is extraordinary.
Howe's work here will inspire you. Your initial reaction may be to give up any hope of mastering the guitar, but as you continue to listen, this is the musical equivalent of a very long sojourn with Thich Nhat Hanh. You'll come out of the listening experience prepared to put your heart and soul into the playing. Howe will long be remembered for this wonderful record.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Acoustic Tour de Force, August 16, 2001

By 

John C "Cordovan" (Memphis, TN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Natural Timbre (Audio CD)

If you like the way Mr. Howe plays acoustic guitar, you won't be disappointed by this CD. My favorite is the all acoustic version of "To Be Over" from the Yes Relayer album. One thing I like about Steve Howe's solo CDs that he has recently released is the listing of the instruments he uses on each track. On this CD he also references the instrument to the page in the book of his guitar collection. I enjoy looking at the fine instruments in the book and now I can kind of get an idea of what they sound like when in use. If you are in to guitars and the way they sound when played well, you should like this collection of acoustic music.