------------------------------------------------------- JUNE 4, 1991 ------------------------------------------------------- Source: Progrography http://www.connollyco.com/discography/steve_howe/turbulence.html Review: Steve Howe: Turbulence By Dave Connolly Turbulence Arranged and Produced by Steve Howe Released on June 4, 1991 Since his last solo album, Steve Howe had undergone some turbulence of his own: the rise and demise of Asia, a brief affair with GTR, and a renewed partnership with members of Yes. Released shortly after the successful Union, Turbulence is completely instrumental, near-quintessential Howe. With backing from Bill Bruford, Billy Currie and others, Howe unsheathes his familiar array of stringed instruments and unleashes ten vibrant, sometimes magical compositions. These aren’t limp, lifeless instrumentals, but rather songs without words. “Running The Human Race” (with its shades of “Soon”) and “From A Place Where Times Runs Slow” sound like lost Yes songs, while “Fine Line” and “While Rome’s Burning” would have flourished in the arms of Asia or GTR. In fact, Howe actually borrows from his work on Union for “The Inner Battle” and “Sensitive Chaos.” The drums and keyboards do help support the arrangements, but they’re buried in the mix behind Howe’s handiwork (“Fine Line” gives Currie a more prominent role, as “The Inner Battle” does Bruford). In lieu of voices, Howe selects various lead instruments with their own unique musical characteristics; a koto on “Hint Hint,” a dobro on “Fine Line,” the familiar steel guitar elsewhere. A chart is included in the picture sleeve that shows what Howe uses when; it’s a nice touch, and far more helpful than the vaguely spiritual comments that constitute the notes for each song (shades of Tales’ inscrutable eye returns). Turbulence is a good reminder not only of Howe’s technical skill, but his songwriting skill as well. As Union illustrated, the members of Yes were still hooked into that original well of divine essence, which Howe finds occasion to tap into repeatedly here, the talented guitarist honing his rapier-sharp attacks for the next worthy venture. TRACK LISTING 1. TURBULENCE 4:57 2. HINT HINT 3:28 3. RUNNING THE HUMAN RACE 4:23 4. THE INNER BATTLE 3:32 5. NOVALIS 2:25 6. FINE LINE 3:25 7. SENSITIVE CHAOS 4:25 8. CORKSCREW 3:56 9. WHILE ROME'S BURNING 4:25 10. FROM A PLACE WHERE TIME RUNS SLOW 3:43 All songs written by Steve Howe CREDITS STEVE HOWE -- electric & acoustic guitars, mandolin, bass, koto, steel guitar, fretless bass, Taurus pedals, dobro, percussion, engineer BILL BRUFORD -- drums BILLY CURRIE -- keyboards, viola Nigel Glockner -- drums (3) Andrew Lucas -- organ (1) Croyden Cooke -- engineer Renny Hill -- mixing Roger Howorth -- engineer Tim Weidner -- engineer Roger Dean -- artwork Close Window YesInThePress.com For site comments, inquiries, corrections, or additions, contact yitp@yesservices.com