------------------------------------------------------- OCTOBER 1975 ------------------------------------------------------- Source: Progrography http://www.connollyco.com/discography/steve_howe/beginnings.html Review: Steve Howe: Beginnings By Dave Connolly Beginnings Produced by Steve Howe and Eddie Offord Released on October 1975 Steve Howe’s first solo album might have soared if not tethered to the guitarist’s tight leash of a voice. Suffice to say his vocal range is dwarfed by comparison to Jon Anderson, as the words “sleepy” and “humble” come to mind. That said, Beginnings is a better record than it’s given credit for, worth seeking out for “The Lost Symphony” alone. Stepping back from the epic scale of recent Yes albums, Steve offers up a collection of songs and instrumentals that could be seen as eclectic or eccentric (similar in scope to Steve Hackett’s Please Don’t Touch). As one of that band’s principal musical architects, listeners won’t have to look far for similarities between the two, including a strong dose of “The Clap” on “Ram.” And yet Beginnings is not a case of Yes firing on fewer cylinders (despite the participation of Alan White, Bill Bruford and Patrick Moraz). Howe is going for a homier sound, at times suggesting Camel (whose Andy Latimer is saddled with a similar voice), Steve Hackett and even George Harrison. His stringed arsenal is, as always, impressive -- bass and electric guitar, steel guitar, mandolin, banjo and dobro guitar all find their way into the mix at some point. Beginnings isn’t the “lost” Yes album that some have deemed Olias of Sunhillow and Fish Out of Water, but it’s a good place to start in Steve’s solo catalog. TRACK LISTING 1. DOORS OF SLEEP (Steve Howe/Alice Meynell) 4:06 2. AUSTRALIA (Steve Howe) 4:14 3. THE NATURE OF THE SEA (Steve Howe) 3:54 4. LOST SYMPHONY (Steve Howe/Jan Howe) 4:38 5. BEGINNINGS (Steve Howe) 7:29 6. WILL O' THE WISP (Steve Howe/Jan Howe) 5:59 7. RAM (Steve Howe) 1:52 8. PLEASURE STOLE THE NIGHT (Steve Howe/Jan Howe) 2:53 9. BREAK AWAY FROM IT ALL (Steve Howe) 4:20 CREDITS STEVE HOWE -- guitars, banjo, bass, dobro guitar, harpsichord, mandolin, Moog, organ, pedal steel, steel, vocals, washboard ALAN WHITE -- drums Malcolm Bennett -- bass (3), flute (8) Gwyd Brooke -- bassoon (5) Bill Bruford -- drums, percussion (8,9) Colin Gibson -- bass (4) James Gregory -- flute, piccolo (5) Patrick Halling -- violin (5) Peter Halling -- cello (5) Chris Laurence -- bass (5), double string (8) John Meek -- viola (5) Patrick Moraz -- grand piano, harpsichord, Mellotron, Moog, piano, orchestration (4,5,6) David Oberle -- drums (3) William Reid -- violin (5) Sidney Sutcliffe -- oboe (5) Graeme Taylor -- guitar (3) Eddie Offord -- engineer Paul Northfield -- engineer Declan O'Doherty -- engineer Jeremey Stenham -- engineer Roger Dean -- artwork Close Window YesinthePress.com For site comments, inquiries, corrections, or additions, contact yitp@yesservices.com