Steve howe

[Brian Baker]

One of my favorite 80's bands, Asia, has reformed with all four original members and is touring this summer.

Here's a great shot of one of my fave guitarists, Steve Howe, playing his old Martin mando (the same one he used through all the years on those awesome Yes albums...)

Love it!

Brian

[Ted Eschliman]

<Waiting for the first wisecrack about mandolins coming from Asia...>

[Brian Baker]

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[wichitamando]

Which Yes songs feature mandolin? I haven't listened to Yes since I started playing mando 3 years ago and started developing that 6th sense for detecting mandolin in music.

[mandopete]

Yeah, I'm curious as to which Yes songs have mandolin as well. I looked around and the only definitive thing I could find was Howe saying he used a Gibson F-4 on his Skyline recording. I have always thought I heard mandolin on Your Move.

[devilstone_the_bard]

One more request here for a mando song list http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Brian Baker]

OK, busted!

I always thought the beginning of "And You And I" was mando, but I think in concert Steve said it was some kind of Spanish guitar (10 strings, maybe?).

The only one I can think of right off the bat is the intro to "Run Through The Light" from Drama. (No Drama-bashing, please! I dig that album. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif )

Also, I do believe Steve used mando on Pennants from the Steve Howe Album. How's THAT for obscure!

I'll see if I can find any other actual mando sightings from the Yes catalog. (Come to think of it, I can't think of any Asia tunes with mando, either.)

Can any of you guys think of any mandos in Yes or Asia music? (Bail me out here...)
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

Brian

[Brian Baker]

Actually, I think "Your Move" is the song that uses the Spanish guitar. "And You and I" is just a 12-string guitar, I think.

BB

[wichitamando]

I was looking at www.stevehowe.com, and noticed that his solo album Portraits of Bob Dylan shows him playing his Martin mandolin.

[Eugene]

It's an electric Gibson on "Pennants." The Martin style B appears on "All's a Chord" from The Steve Howe Album. How's that for obscure? "Spanish" guitar is simply how Howe refers to the modern classical guitar, which is usually his Kohno (a respected Japanese luthier). "Your Move", I believe, features the Portuguese guitar which is actually a type of cittern and not too much like a guitar at all.

[hokelore]

A couple of songs on the Tormato album used mandolin. I can't recall the titles; I only listened to it once. Your Move used a Portuguese guitarra, which Howe called a vachalia.

[mandopete]

This thread is really taking me back in time. I recall when Fragile came out, I was in high school and that (along with bands like ELP and Genesis) set my musical mind on it's ear, if that's possible. I recall staring at the picture of Steve Howe and circle of guitars for hours and thinking, man, I wish I had all of those instruments.

[mandopete]

Album: The Yes Album
Artist: Yes
1971 Atlantic [UK LP], 2003 Elektra/Rhino [2003 extended and remastered]
CD: 82665-2 [first remaster], R2 73788 [2003 extended and remastered]
Band members:
Jon Anderson: vocals, percussion
Chris Squire: bass guitars, vocals
Steve Howe: electric & acoustic guitars, vachalia [sic], vocals
Tony Kaye: piano, organ, Moog
Bill Bruford: drums, percussion

Additional musicians:
Colin Goldring: recorders (4a, 7)

Produced by Yes and Eddie Offord at Advision Studios, London, autumn 1970; (2) recorded live at the Lyceum, London
Engineer: Eddie Offord
Co-ordination: Brian Lane

Photography: Phil Franks, Barry Wentzell
Design: Jon Goodchild

2003 expanded and remastered release:
Reissue supervision: Steve Woolard, David McLees
Sound produced by Bill Inglot
Art direction & design: Bryan Lasley
Liner notes by Bill Martin


Tracks:
Side one:
1. Yours is No Disgrace [Anderson/Howe/Squire/Bruford/Kaye] (9:36)
2. Clap [Howe] (3:07)
3. Starship Trooper (9:23) [mus: Anderson/Squire/Howe; lyr: Anderson/Squire]
a. Life Seeker [Anderson]
b. Disillusion [Squire]
c. Wurm [Howe]

Side two:
4. I've Seen All Good People (6:47)
a. Your Move [Anderson]
b. All Good People [Squire]
5. A Venture [Anderson] (3:13)
6. Perpetual Change [Anderson/Squire] (8:50)

2003 bonus tracks:
7. Your Move (single version) [Anderson] (3:00)
8. Starship Trooper: Life Seeker (single version) [Anderson] (3:27)
9. Clap (studio version) [Howe] (4:01)

Notes: (*****) Yes's breakthrough album in the UK and still one of their best. The first four tracks became live standards, although "Starship Trooper" was peculiarly not first played live until well into the Close to the Edge tour.

(1) was based on a piece written by Anderson and David Foster, before being extensively arranged by the band as a whole.

(2) was initially listed as "The Clap", a title which raises unfortunate connotations and has always upset Howe. The 2003 remaster corrects it to just "Clap". It was recorded live and had been written by Howe to celebrate the birth of one of his children. (9) is a contemporary studio version, not previously available.

The origins of (3) lie in an earlier piece Yes regularly played live when Peter Banks was in the band called "For Everyone" (available on Something's Coming). "For Everyone" had a different beginning section by Anderson, but then moved into "Disillusion". Its form varied, but it could also have a third section, a lengthy jam based on the first section. "Disillusion" was preserved for "Starship Trooper", which echoed the earlier structure of "For Everyone" with "Life Seeker" replacing the first section of "For Everyone" and "Wurm" replacing its looser jam at the end. Although credited only to Squire, Anderson co-wrote the lyrics for "Disillusion", the pair writing alternate lines.

(7) and (8) are simple single edits.

Although long credited as a vachalia, around three decades later Howe discovered that the instrument concerned was not a vachalia at all, but a Portuguese guitar. Recorder player Colin Goldring is better known for his own band Gnidrolog.

"Your Move" (7), backed with "Life Seeker" (8), was released as a single in the UK in Jul 1971, while "Your Move" was backed with "The Clap" (2) for the US single in Sep.

A number of pieces on the album have been covered by other acts: for instance, a muzak version of "All Good People" has been reported.

The farmhouse were Yes rehearsed for The Yes Album recording sessions is near to Barnstaple in south west England. Howe subsequently bought the property. (HP, 20 Jun 04; revised 18 Jul 04)

[devilstone_the_bard]

Man, I think "The Clap" would sound awesome re-keyed for mando. Way, way way above my head, any of you guitar / mando crossover players up for it http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif?

Please?

Me, I'm a 4 string bassist along with mando, never really did the guitar thing... maybe a little 'Heart of the Sunrise' bassline to mando? just kidding! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[mandopete]

A number of pieces on the album have been covered by other acts: for instance, a muzak version of "All Good People" has been reported.
Anyone else notice that Your Move has now been covered by Shaw-Blades?

Not sure how Clap (corrected title) would work on the mandolin. It's such a guitar-oriented composition. I was thinking that Long Distance Runaround would make a great duet for mandolin and guitar or even mandolin and banjo!

[Michael H Geimer]

No Drama-bashing, please!

Just a shout out for Trevor Horn ... The Man Behind the Curtain of a lot (a whole lot) of music. A modern Phil Spector of sort (without those recently tragic criminal accusations).

I used to be a huge Yes fan, and I'm not aware of any Yes songs with mandolin. SH's solo album Turbulence has some, I think.

Now ... you wanna pick on a Yes album? Tormato is an easy target. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[mandopete]

Benig - I knew all this talk about prog-rock would bring you in. #If you want to bash something, how about Howe's singing?

[Michael H Geimer]

My favorite Yes story ever comes from my old Prog band's bassist, a fine player by the name of Ed. Ed saw Yes at The Greek Theatre in Berkeley, CA (I was also at the show, but with other bandmates). Ed happened to run into Jon Anderson who was killing time strolling around the campus.

Ed asked Jon, "Would you mind autographing my ticket?"
"Sure.", was Jon's reply "What's your name?"
"Ed", said Ed.

"Ed? ... How do you spell that?" http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[mandopete]

Tormato - I had forgotten about that one...

The '70s model of Yes runs out of gas. Recorded in a morale slump and an impending haze of drink, Tormato's decent tunes are sabotaged by Rick Wakeman's increasing penchant for cheesy textures and the band's thin overall sound. "Don't Kill the Whale" was their last successful single for years; the soaring "Onward" almost but not quite redeems the twee silliness of "Arriving UFO" and "Circus of Heaven." Of special interest is the pounding "On the Silent Wings of Freedom," which pushes Chris Squire and Alan White to the front of the mix, establishing the kind of aggressive and straightforward rhythms that would propel the band through the '80s. Bass freaks, take note: this tune also marks one of the few appearances of the Dipthong pedal, accounting for Squire's distinctive "bow bow bow" sound.

[jmcgann]

The "And You and I" studio recording was played by Steve on Chris Squire's Guild 12 string. The beginning was just a tuning check but they kept it in anyway- a great intro I think. Steve used a white Gibson 6/12 string for this tune live as seen in the "Yessongs" video.

Some nice mando on Steve's first solo album "Beginnings". Very European, non-bluegrass approach (go figure, being English and all...)

Steve's work 1970-77 or so is some of my favorite playing on the planet. Be sure to look for my solo mando rendition of the "Awaken/To Be Over" medley on my next CD (just kidding but who knows...) # http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[Michael H Geimer]

Best prog album ever.

http://homepage.mac.com/marc.heijligers/marcmusic/artwork/eddie_jobson_zinc/green_album.jpg

Did you know he was briefly in Yes? He can be seen in the roof top sequences of the "Owner of a Lonely Heart" video, while the band was still called Cinema, and gone before the 90125 ever released.

[mandopete]

Eddie Jobson in Yes? #Was that before or after Patrick Moraz?

...and don't even get me started on "the best prog rock album"!

<grins>

[jefflester]

Best prog album ever.
I'm hardly a prog expert, but I've never even heard of it.

The reviewers at progarchives certainly don't agree.

[jmcgann]

Eddie Jobson in Yes? Was that before or after Patrick Moraz?

Way after "The Swiss Poodle". Eddie was a stunt double for Geoff Downes http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[mandopete]

Steve's work 1970-77 or so is some of my favorite playing on the planet. Be sure to look for my solo mando rendition of the "Awaken/To Be Over" medley on my next CD (just kidding but who knows...) # http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
What no Siberian Khatru?

[jmcgann]

What no Siberian Khatru?

OK, but it's going to be the solo from Roosevelt Stadium '76- the best live bootleg out there (despite the feedback and assorted buzzes, it was a live FM broadcast in NY and PA that I taped on my trusty 8 track cartridge recorder!) and the best Siberian Khatru solo out of about 58 that I've heard from various tours!

May as well add their arrangement of "America" to the medley, since Steve doffs his cap to James Burton and Chuck Berry (and by proxy, Bill Monroe) on that one! The string bends might do me in, however...

[Michael H Geimer]

Eddie was a stunt double for Geoff Downes.

Witness protection double. Eddie was helping Geoff hide from the authorities after the untimely death of that Radio Star.

Progarchives? What do they know ... they gave me 4 stars (which is more than they offered Mr. Jobson). Clearly something has gone out of whack with their rating system.

- Benig ... possibly (probably) the least talented keyboardist ever to grace prog rock.

[mandopete]

Okay, as long as we're morphing this thread...I recall Eddie Jobson from his days with U.K. #I was searching the net for video of Allan Holdsworth to show to my son, who is into "shredding". #IMHO it's Allan Holdsworth, who influenced Eddie Van Halen, who started this metal shred-fest. #

Anyway I was remembering how much I liked U.K. and I found some of their stuff and from there recalled Eddie Jobson. #Now what I can't recall is that band he was in prior to U.K.

...all of which has nothing to do with Steve Howe.

Wait a minute - 6 degrees of separation - didn't U.K. sort of morph into Asia?

Time to do some research.

Update - John Wetton played bass in both U.K. and Asia.

[jefflester]

Anyway I was remembering how much I liked U.K. and I found some of their stuff and from there recalled Eddie Jobson. #Now what I can't recall is that band he was in prior to U.K.
He was in Roxy Music, and then also played with Zappa.

[jefflester]

Update - John Wetton played #bass in both U.K. and Asia.
And possibly more significantly, sang. I think Wetton's voice was a big reason why Asia hit it big.

[jmcgann]

IMHO it's Allan Holdsworth, who influenced Eddie Van Halen, who started this metal shred-fest. #

You are correct sir, and EVH has given AH his propers many times...


I think Wetton's voice was a big reason why Asia hit it big.

The timing of UK was off by a few years- if they came out in 1974 or 1975 instead on 1977/78 they'd have been as big as Yes, but the fashion of the times was more Ramones/Sex Pistols. I saw UK on their 1st tour and the theater wasn't half full (I think everyone was at a Public Image show or something...) I enjoyed that 1st UK album, especially Allan's archtop acoustic intro on "Nevermore"- beautiful-see what happens when you eschew 'licks'? OOPS..wrong thread...

http://emoticons4u.com/evil/509.gif

[mandopete]

See what happens when you eschew 'licks'? OOPS..wrong thread...
Yeah, that and a whammy-bar!

[jefflester]

I saw UK on their 1st tour and the theater wasn't half full (I think everyone was at a Public Image show or something...) I enjoyed that 1st UK album.....
Out of print, but well worth tracking down is U.K. - Concert Classics Vol. 4 (http://www.amazon.com/Concert-Classics-Vol-4-U-K/dp/B00000IN4E/ref=pd_bbs_4/102-7553133-3841756?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1176415875&sr=8-4). A 1978 radio concert from Boston when Holdsworth and Bruford were still in the band. Far superior to the trio "Night After Night" live album. I don't know how hard it is to find, I bought mine when it was first released.

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/B00000IN4E.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_AA240_.jpg

[mandopete]

It's all out of print. I tried finding the U.K. album for my son, but no luck.

[jefflester]

It's all out of print. #I tried finding the U.K. album for my son, but no luck.
Looks to be easily obtained from Amazon. (http://www.amazon.com/U-K/dp/B000003S12/ref=m_art_pr_1/102-7553133-3841756)

[mandopete]

You know, I think I tried that. #I even ordered it only to get a message that it was unavailable. #What's up with that?

BTW - Progarchive is a hoot!

[mandopete]

Is that on vinyl?

[mandopete]

Allright, one more bit and I'll stop dinkin' with this thread. Found these on UToob....

The original:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30c-wEGRwig

A neat copy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqEpGRcMDPU

[Michael H Geimer]

John Wetton played bass in both U.K. and Asia.

Sometimes in the guise of his alter-ego ... Greg Lake.

FWIW: Jobson did a short stint playing with Jethro Tull on their "A" album (right up there with Tormato IMHO).

Gosh ... I know way too much about this genre ... like some kind of freakish Trekkie!

Oh ... sorry to be part of this thread's drift into General Prog Knowledge. Bringing up Jobson was a lame attempt to put something close-ish to a mandolin into the context of Yes as a band. (Jobson plays violin ... and very well)

[Brian Baker]

OK, Benignus, you're freakin me out. It's like I've found my musical alter-ego in an alternative universe! Whoda thunk it - another prog-loving mando player...

I too love the Jobson Zinc album, although I don't have a copy on CD. UK is one of my alltime faves - especially Danger Money (we don't need no stinkin guitars!).

Here's some of my prog faves:
Jobson - Zinc
UK - Danger Money
Yes - everything, including Tormato!
ABWH
Wakeman - Six Wives, Journey to Center
Chris Squire - Fish out of Water
Kansas - Leftoverture, POKR, Masque, Two for the Show
ELP - Tarkus, Pictures, BSS, Trilogy, first album
Crimson - In the Court, In the Wake, Red
Flower Kings - Retropolis, Stardust
Triumvirat - Spartacus
Starcastle - first album (better Yes than some Yes!)

Obviously, I'm a fan of strong melodies, bombastic keyboards, and symphonic arrangements.

Oh, BTW, I stand by my guns on Steve Howe playing mando with Yes: the Run Through The Light intro is definitely mando!
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

Brian

[Brian Baker]

Hey, why don't we see who can post the coolest mando recording of a prog tune, or solo from a prog tune? You could start simple (Moog solo from Lucky Man?), or just flat bust out Mood for a Day from the get-go.

Any takers? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[mandopete]

Here's some of my prog faves:
Jobson - Zinc
UK - Danger Money
Yes - everything, including Tormato!
ABWH
Wakeman - Six Wives, Journey to Center
Chris Squire - Fish out of Water
Kansas - Leftoverture, POKR, Masque, Two for the Show
ELP - Tarkus, Pictures, BSS, Trilogy, first album
Crimson - In the Court, In the Wake, Red
Flower Kings - Retropolis, Stardust
Triumvirat - Spartacus
Starcastle - first album (better Yes than some Yes!)
What, no Genesis?

You know this subject comes up every now and then and I'm not too surprised to find other mandolin players who were or are interested in what is called "Progressive Rock" music. #This was a huge part of my musical upbringing and the only type of music that I listened to in my high school years.

Even though my tastes have drifted more to bluegrass music I don't see it as that huge of a leap as both forms place a high premium on musicianship. I think that an instrument such as mandolin would be a natural fit for this type of music. I often think of the things that groups like Genesis and Yes did with multiple guitars, cross-picking, harmonies, those sort of things.

[Michael H Geimer]

Triumvirat

Oh yeah ... PREMIATA FORNERIA MARCONI!

Pete ... well said!

Long ago ... It was another local prog keyboard player who first opened my ears to folk instruments. I remember being intrigued when this guy mentioned how he always loved the penny whistle ( huh? ), but he then proceeded to write, and record a song at home using it. Sounded really cool compared to the synthetic sounds of the 80's that were all around me at the time.

Just recently, I ran into another keyboardist from that same group of friends and players. I was at an open mic with my wife playing Carter Family songs, and he was there with some type of ethnic wind instruments making really great music combining the pipes with delays ... not gimmicky at all! Very melodic, well composed, etc.

It's interesting to see the where our early influences take us.

[mandopete]

Man, that Progarchive website (http://www.progarchives.com) was a real trip back in time for me. #Bands like Gentle Giant, Hatfield & The North, Van Der Graff Generator, bands I hadn't thought about or heard in years.

Great time waster!

[jmcgann]

Hey, why don't we see who can post the coolest mando recording of a prog tune, or solo from a prog tune? You could start simple (Moog solo from Lucky Man?), or just flat bust out Mood for a Day from the get-go.

Any takers?

I'm giving it some serious thought...

[Michael H Geimer]

I'm not sure what tune to tackle, or how I'll record it (tore down my studio last weekend ... moving), but I'm in too.

[James P]

It's only talk. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZbOdgevxDE)

http://www.thecriticscorner.com/Covers4/KingKrimsonD3-Cover.jpg

brouhaha! # http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[mandopete]

I like this idea of using the mandolin to record something progressive. I have been thinking about taking an Eno-istic approach - maybe loops or some sort of Frippery.

[Santiago]

This is a great discussion, it's too bad I was busy yesterday and couldn't participate. I was trying to play "Roundabout" on mando the other day. When I was in the music industry, about the time "Owner of a Lonely Heart" came out, I got back stage passes for a Yes show at Madison Square Garden in New York. Driving in with my girlfriend at the time we heard that Robert Plant and Jimmy Page were backstage before the show (we were supposed to have "after show" passes). So when I get to the Will Call ticket window, someone had stolen my tickets and passes. Bummer.

[Santiago]

I was always amazed by Steve Howe's song "Mood for a Day" on guitar and I thus assumed he had strong classical training. I was amazed when I saw an interview with him on PBS, and he said he never had a lesson. I wish I could fiddle around with a guitar or mando and just happen upon something of that quality. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[jmcgann]

Mood For A Day on Mando (http://www.johnmcgann.com/moodMcGann.mp3)

[Michael H Geimer]

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Wow. This just made my day. Truly incredible.

[MandoSquirrel]

John Wetton played bass in both U.K. and Asia.
AS well as in the first version of King Crimson to include Bill Bruford on drums.
Mando content: I remember reading an interview with Robert Fripp where he credited his picking pattern as being a mandolin technique.

[mandopete]

Not for nothing, but it ws Greg Lake who played bass in the first version of King Crimson.

[MML]

Nicely done jmcgann, "mood for a day" wow that brings back some memories of my High school days.

[groveland]

Tempest. Gorgon. 1974.

Boy am I ever late on this conversation. Oh well. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

[jefflester]

Not for nothing, but it ws Greg Lake who played bass in the first version of King Crimson.
"As well as in the first version of King Crimson to include Bill Bruford on drums."

AKA the '72-'74 band.

[Crowder]

I can't resist posting this gem from an interview with Paul Craddick (drummer extraordinaire) that I just ran across.


PS: Gotcha. I remember hearing during the Wounded era that Benignus...well, first off, how did Mike Geimer get the name Beningnus?

PC: <laughs> That came from me. I really enjoy to bestow nicknames on people, and when I was at college (a small liberal arts college in this area called St. Mary's College studying philosophy) one of the courses we had - a book we had called Nature, Knowledge and God by a Brother Benignus! This is a catholic college and was setup and kind of administered by the Christian brothers so this book by a Brother Benignus was by a christian brother whose name was Benignus. That's a catholic holy name meaning "good one" or "highest person," that sort of thing - think about words like begnin or benevolent. The latin root of bene meaning "goodness" so Benignus is just a hilarious (to me, at least) name to put on that root. I don't know if he still is, but at that time our Benignus was an atheist, so it seems very appropriate and kind of a funny irony to call him "Benignus," given this catholic holy name.

PS: That's...I'm trying to picture him when you first gave him the title - just looking at you like "huh?"

PC: <laughs> We've always had a tradition within Enchant - especially between Mike and me - of a pompous overly intellectual kind of banter - just having fun, discussing ideas...being serious about it but also kind of making fun of ourselves in the process, so it was something he really took to and appreciated.


Oh Brother Beningus, where art thou???



http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Michael H Geimer]

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

I'm here ... still reeling from that awesome MP3 up top.