----------------------------------------------------- NOVEMBER 13, 2002 ----------------------------------------------------- Source: MHz Networks Steve Howe – Live at MHz Networks By Jim Kirkhope Following the Yes concert at DAR Constitution Hall on Tuesday, November 12, 2002, Steve Howe was booked for two area media appearances on Wednesday – ostensibly to promote his latest solo release "Skyline." Though he was also scheduled for an XM Satellite Radio interview at 5:30 pm, the public was only invited to the 1:30 pm interview and performance at the MHz studios – a regional cable (and now satellite) network devoted to international news, film and entertainment programming. The show, MHz Presents, is described as a "dynamic concert series showcasing performances from an eclectic array of artists" and is nationally syndicated "to over 50 million households through American Public Television." About 12 fans and a few curious staffers joined the taping of a short solo acoustic set followed by a 20-minute interview conducted by a Washington Post music journalist on the "studio café" soundstage. Howe arrived about 30 minutes prior to taping with his assistant/guitar tech David (though not the same stage hand handing him instruments on stage with Yes the previous evening). He proceeded to warm-up for about 15-20 minutes before the audience was invited into the studio. The performance component featured Howe on acoustic guitar without spoken introductions or commentary. He played "Leaves of Green", "The Little Galliard", "Surface Tension" (?), Vivaldi's "Concerto in D (Second Movement)", "Mood for a Day", and "Beginnings." Most performances were solid, with the exception of some hesitation on the "Concerto in D" and fumbles in "Mood for a Day" prompting him to restart the "Fragile" piece three times before success. He noted that although he was a bit under-rehearsed for this gig, "Mood" was, perhaps, one of his most often-performed pieces and couldn't explain his difficulties. Upon completion, the director noted that the sounds of a helicopter flying overhead had been picked up during the first piece and asked if Howe minded playing it again. "My, that was one of the longer pieces, wasn't it?" he replied. He took a moment, and then began "The Ancient" excerpt again, but was interrupted a second time by the helicopter sound. The third take was completed successfully. The reporter then asked some fairly unenlightening questions – and somewhat uninformed in that he appeared to confuse the acoustic "Natural Timbre" release with his latest, "Skyline." Contrary to recent reports on AMY and elsewhere, though not directly queried, Howe did seem happy with the direction Yes is moving. Speaking mostly in the context of how the band composes, he indicated he is much happier when the band books a studio to write together for about 6 weeks prior to recording as happened for "The Ladder" and "Magnification." Perhaps clarifying on a recent newspaper article, he noted that such arrangements allow everyone to contribute many sections or bits and each can latch onto sections with which they are quite happy. He acknowledged that the process requires significant compromise, but that has been far better for the Yes material. Additionally Howe was hesitant to reveal any "dream collaborators" – musicians with whom he would like to record. Paul Sutin and Martin Taylor were mentioned as previous collaborators leading one to predict future projects with either of those two is likely at some point. He spoke briefly but generously of his recording session with Queen on the "Innuendo" track. He also relayed with some pride being asked to record with Ella Fitzgerald while still a teenager, but that on the day of the recording she had fallen ill and the session was never rebooked. Finally, although not queried directly on any future projects, Howe did intimate that he was working on "an orchestral project that would likely turn some ears." Questions left unasked included drawing him out more on his future plans both as a solo artist and within the context of Yes. He is reported to be turning in a "rock group" direction as a context for solo work early in 2003 on tour, but that does not necessitate the recording of "rock"-based solo album since his tours rarely correspond in content to recorded releases. Therefore, the next year may well see him tour with a small rock ensemble, develop his orchestral project, tour with Yes and record both solo and with Yes. Another unasked question centers on the pacing of Yes pieces on recent tours. I can only speculate that it is Howe who seeks to slow the tempo of songs both to assure he plays them accurately as well as to allow for the changes of instrumentation within a given piece. The show finished taping at 2:45 pm at which point Howe gathered his items and responded to last-minute technical issues before departing to his XM Satellite Radio performance. The show probably won't be broadcast until January at the earliest. The MHz schedule for December has already been made and posted on the website. All they could suggest is to keep checking the website. Close Window YesInThePress.com For site comments, problems, corrections, or additions, contact YesinthePress@aol.com