Customer Reviews

Not Necessarily Acoustic

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is probably my favorite CD of the last 2-3 years. It seems to have been re-released (hurray!) since I had to get it used a while ago. This wonderful live album shows Steve at his best, all by himself, in front of an audience. He plays a great variety of pieces from classical to the Yes classics in his own solo arrangements. And he rocks on all of it. He plays a Scharpach steel string acoustic, his Kohno classical, a Martin 12-string, and a Steinberger electric. The emphasis is on the Scharpach and the Kohno. Steve is a great musician, not just a spewer of fast leads. Every tune has great rhythm, melody, counterpoint. And, he's having fun and you can tell. If you like guitar music, this album is a must.

I am a fingerstyle guitar player. Steve is an inspiration. I don't know of any other rocker (except maybe Steve Stevens) who can rip it up on a classical (nylon-string) guitar like Steve Howe does on this record. You'll love it. Wish I could give it more than five stars ...

I've been a Steve Howe fan for quite some time and can even play a couple of his tunes (although not well). I purposely wrote this review without reading other reviews although I had seen some previously for various Steve Howe CDs. The one criticism I had seen repeat itself concerns Steve's singing and I think the criticism is largely unwarranted. No, he's no Gino Vanelli but most listen to Steve for his songwriting and gift as a guitarist. On this album he plays some YES vocal pieces. If he didn't sing, the song would probably be just segments in a medley as playing the entire song without any vocal would sound - well, boring. I for one was pleased to hear the entire song. He sings very much on key and in tempo. I, for one can appreciate the talent it takes to not only play a difficult piece on guitar but to sing in tune and all at the same time. His version of Roundabout is wonderful. The liner notes refer to four separate live sets each with a different guitar. On this CD the four sets are randomly sequenced which provides for a nice mix of guitar types. And with 22 songs (62 mins.) it's a great value.

Steve Howe is my hero.His fellow Yes bandmembers are as well,but Steve has become my ...Hero!...I've always enjoyed the Man's guitar playing,but have only become aware more recently how deeply his creative genius has affected me.This recording almost definitively describes these qualities.A live offering,the show is almost unbelievable in how warm a performance it is.Personally speaking,I even love when he sings!The show has a flow and rhythm,an intimacy to it that is so often absent from proceedings such as these.Mr.Howe's enthusiasm for his craft shines through brightly and easily.At one point,early in the performance,he remarks,mildly "I'm sorry,but my guitar is tired!"-Whereupon he immediately disproves what he's said,and makes one wonder just what that instrument would sound like had it gotten a good night's rest.Joyous,playful,poignant and astounding...everyone I've ever played this for has enjoyed it immensely.One of the finest guitar performances I've ever heard-as highly recommended as is possible-once you've heard this,you, too will love Steve Howe...

With the exception of three tracks which feature electric guitar, this album is an acoustic tour de force. All his greatest "acoustic" hits are here on one brilliant collection. Nobody plays acoustic guitar better, or with more feeling, than Steve Howe. Highlights: Valley of the Rocks, Country Miz, Surface Tension and (of course) Clap.

After being dismissed from Yes following the "Union" tour, Steve recorded "The Grand Scheme Of Things" and decided to undertake his 1st ever solo tour.

On December 13, 1993, Steve arrived in Philadelphia - one of his favorite cities - and decided to record a live CD.
Steve's set was divided into four segments:
(1) Scharpach 6-string acoustic; (2) Kohno nylon string acoustic; (3) Martin 12-string acoustic; & (4) Steinberger 6-string electric.

Steve played completely solo - no pre-recorded backing tracks.

This review will be broken into 4 segments.


The Tracks:

(The nylon string set) "Heritage" , a previously unreleased piece, is a soothing Spanish/Classical piece which sets a peaceful mood.

"Arada" is a traditional piece which features some sliding bass notes in it's sub-minute appearance.
The "Topographic Oceans" medley features a section from each of the four movements,and vocals from Steve.
His solo from 'The Ancient' highlights the medley.
"Corkscrew" from 'Grand Scheme' follows an unusual pattern and is an acquired taste.
"Concerto in 'D'- 2nd movement" actually benefits from this solo arrangement as opposed to the electric/orchestral arrangement from 1979.
"Surface Tension" copies the 1979 version to the letter.
The last of the nylon pieces is the 1971 classic "Mood for a Day". The clarity is so much better on this digital recording.
(The 12-string acoustic set) Only two songs from the 12-string set made the album.
"Sketches in the Sun", originally done as an electric 12-string piece on 'GTR', features a "drop-D" tuning, which has Steve flat-picking the lower strings, while finger-picking the upper strings. The effect is much like a harpsichord, and very melodic.
"Masquerade" was recorded for "Union" and was Grammy-nominated. It combines ekements of folk and classical.

(Steinberger 6-string electric set) The first electric piece is my favorite piece on the album, "Bareback".
This tune takes pages from Chet Atkins, Merle Travis & James Burton , with it's "chicken pickin'", as well as the high-low note exchanges. Steve's tone is crystal clear, and he's playing his a** off.

"Dorothy" is a somber echo-y tribute to Steve's late aunt, that was originally demoed as a jazzy saxophone and arch top piece. The solo electric treatment conveys the sentiment far better.

"Meadow Rag" gets the electric treatment next, which makes it even more slippery and twangy than the original from 1979.
The last electric tune is a medley of "Swedish Rhapsody / Whispering", the first based on Chet Atkins' version, while the second is taken from Les Paul's version.

(The 6-string acoustic set) The acoustic 6-string set, which has a decidedly country feel, with tracks like "The Valley of Rocks", "Country Mix", "Cactus Boogie", "Second Initial" , "The Glory of Love", "Ram" ,and Steve's signature piece, "Clap".
Steve is on the top of his game in this performance. 5 Stars.

Great music! A little weak on the lyrics/vocals, but that's not why I listen to the guy anyway.

He is not my best guitarist (mine is Allan Holdsworth and Jan Akkerman maybe) but how I cannot admire him? Here is a great CD you can enjoy his intimate live(all solo guitar playing). Atmoshere is very frendly, family like. There are so many songs and all of them are enjoyable. Because he sings his chorus part of the 'Roundabout' while playing guitar, you can be a lead singer of this greatest prog song (unplugged duet of you and yeah, Steve!). 2 weeks ago, I saw him at YES concert (7.31.2001 Concorde, california). He as well as all other yes members played as usual(Yes-like)! But it was somewhat sad b/c they looked a little bit... Thanks, guys.

I became a fan of the acoustic guitar and of Steve Howe due to this album. Many styles of acoustic (and electric) are represented in a pure, unmasked form. Mistakes are not edited out. It is beautiful to listen to. The timbre of the many guitars used in the show comes across. I have listened to it probably a hundred times since getting it in 2004. I often listen in the car, where my passengers always enquire, "Who is this?". They are impressed that so many different styles and sounds are coming from one person in a single show. They really enjoy it. These are folks who are not Yes fans, nor guitar players.

Yes, what an amazing performance by Steve, Fantastic. Just had to throw in some comments about his singing however--I really LOVE it!! Come on, if you like Yes then we all know that Jon is THE voice. But the first time I heard this (I didn't know there were vocals on it)and during "excerpts from Tales of Topographic", when Steve all of a sudden started singing I was BLOWN AWAY!! His vocals fit the performance perfectly. Maybe it is just me, but I find them quite emotional and powerful. Ok, buy this and enjoy!

I RECIEVED MY COPY OF NOT NECESSARILY ACOUSTIC TODAY AND THOUGHT IT WAS INCREDIBLE. AS A LONG TIME YES AND STEVE HOWE FAN I WAS TRULY PLEASED TO HERE HIS SPECTACULAR BRAND OF GUITAR, SONGS FROM MANY SOURCES ALL IN ONE PLACE. AS AN ASPIRING GUITAR PLAYER I LISTEN IN AWE EVERY TIME I HERE STEVE HOWES PLAYING. SO WHETHER YOU ARE A YES FAN, STEVE HOWE FAN OR SOMEONE WHO WANTS A ROLE MODEL FOR GUITAR PLAYING I SUGGEST YOU GET THIS ALBUM.