STEVE HOWE (YES) – Guitarscape (2024)

Impressive guitarist STEVE HOWE releases his new solo album ”Guitarscape” on 4th October on his own HoweSound label. ”Guitarscape” marks a new chapter for the YES and ASIA legend as he presents, what amounts to, a guitar masterclass. “What I’m doing,” said Steve, “is focusing on what I do well and what I love to do.”
”Guitarscape” features 14 new instrumental tracks in a host of musical styles, from rock through to acoustic and classical, each bearing that unmistakable Steve Howe sound. Steve plays acoustic, electric, steel guitars, bass, along with keyboards and is joined by his son Dylan on drums.
From the very start, ”Guitarscape” is an album that has all the technical trademarks and diverse hallmarks of Steve Howe written across it. This is an entirely instrumental album, but you never get bored. All songs are short, and the haunting melodies instantly capture you ears.

‘Guitarscape’ is diverse, showing the wide influences and abilities of Steve Howe. Interestingly, it has been approached from an unusual direction for Steve with the use of a keyboard being of particularly of note in the writing process
“This album has given me the opportunity to do something different,” Steve said. “I bought a Novation Summit keyboard and found that it had a wealth of inspiring sounds. It gave me a golden opportunity to create my own keyboard structures – chordal movements and structures that I thought were a bit different.
“I think differently on a keyboard. I don’t see the chords looking the same but then I had fun playing around with the guitar to see where that goes.”

That said, Steve utilises his whole range of guitar application in this recording, using acoustic, electric, steel and bass guitars. Interestingly the approach to working alongside son Dylan has produced outstanding results. Notwithstanding the family relationship, it is clear that as musicians and writers, they have a clear understanding of each other’s work patterns and respect for their abilities. The two brought together have created a fresh and stunning piece of work.
With fourteen songs on show here, it is unnecessary to run through each individual piece. However, looking at where clear musical elements stand out, there is much to appreciate and understand.
This isn’t the longest album, with many pieces being relatively short, yet using an old analogy, this album is about quality over quantity.

Album opener Hail Storm has a rockier feel and an interesting dynamic in the manner in which the song is structured, although the key guitar-playing elements that Steve brings to his work with Yes are clearly on show here. The piece is heavily built on a driving synthesiser sound, at times reminiscent of the ’80s. This creates an interesting flavour to the sound structure, with the enigmatic and quirky Yes feel interwoven throughout.

Spring Board is a softer, gentler piece retaining a central rock feel yet in a more balladlike styling with a very specific tonal feel throughout. Distillations sees the gentle acoustic side of Steve’s playing, with him wringing emotive moments from his guitar, while a layer of soft melody flows throughout.
Similarly, on Passing Thoughts, he remains with the acoustic guitar, though this piece is beautifully offset by the cascade of gentle semi-classical piano playing that underlines the piece.

Because of the dextrous nature of Steve Howe’s playing, the music is always going to stand out. There is always a classiness behind the playing, with an intensity and desire, even after all these years, to produce a stand-out performance.
The man still clearly has a drive and desire to produce the best that he can, and in this album, Steve Howe makes a clear statement of his intent to produce a masterclass in virtuoso guitar playing that it is entertaining at the same time.
Highly Recommended

1. Hail Storm (2.22)
2. Spring Board (2.45)
3. Distillations (1.48)
4. Up Stream (3.17)
5. Secret Mission (3.26)
6. Passing Thoughts (2.36)
7. Touch The Surface (3.21)
8. Spring Rhyme (2.02)
9. Equinox (3.04)
10. Seesaw (2.12)
11. Gone West (3.03)
12. Suma (1.34)
13. Spring Tide (2.41)
14. Steel Breeze (2.57)

Steve Howe – guitars, bass, keyboards
Dylan Howe – drums

Pre order:
amazon.com/Guitarscape-Steve-Howe/dp/B0D9KMGZNY