Steve Howe - Interview: Painter's Mill Music Fair (Baltimore MD, April 28, 1982)

What to say about Steve Howe, my oldest and dearest friend from the early Yes days in the UK? By the time of this interview, it had already been about ten years since we recorded ‘Close to the Edge’. Over the years he has also kindly asked me to do some tracks on his solo records. I particularly remember the title track from his 1991 ‘Turbulence’ album having some fire in its belly. I don’t quite know how he ended up on this 1982 documentary; the producers probably tracked him down when he came through Baltimore. I wasn’t there at the interview.

I don’t listen back much to the early Yes stuff. When I do, I’m astonished by the amount of change over many decades. How did we get from analogue there to digital here? What’s better, what’s worse, about the process and practice of music-making in the ensuing 50 years? Many of my generation say things were ‘better’ back then, but they would, wouldn’t they? Too big a subject for this space, perhaps.

At a recent playback of a Steve Wilson Dolby Atmos remix, we listened to ‘Yours is No Disgrace’ - at almost 10 minutes, clearly the lead track of ‘The Yes Album’. I was struck immediately with a rush of feelings and observations. How great and gritty the Hammond organ sounds – two Leslie cabinets. The clarity of the lead voice: the confidence of the backing vocals. Intelligible lyrics that could apply today to Ukraine. How often the drummer stops and starts (six entries and exits in the one song). Little to no use of ride cymbal: almost the whole song the drummer’s right hand is on the hi-hat. How tame the drumming was, or what a light player he was. The unison bass and bass drum at 7.18 (“Yesterday, a morning came…”) sounds like an overdub, but I don’t remember doing one.

Steve Howe, on guitar, was caught just at the right moment when all his influences had coalesced into the singular guitar voice that emerged. Fiddling with the stereo panning on his guitar breaks was a mistake. No one wants to be reminded that there is a recording engineer with the capacity to do that when they’re absorbed in the music.

Pre-Rick Wakeman, the guitar soloist made full use of his dominant position, with organ essentially reduced to chordal support. Fully four minutes of the track is focussed on Steve’s exceptional guitar playing, either as straight-out soloing or fills. The album from which the track is taken continues by leading straight into a 4’ acoustic guitar solo, so I think we can safely say it took a Rick Wakeman to act as a productive counter-foil to occasional guitaristic excesses. Rick's arrival certaoinly changed things up a gear.

None of these observations about 'Yours is No Disgrace', or Steve Howe, are pejorative – they’re just observations. You’d be hard pressed to get anybody’s attention for a ten minute song today. As many have noticed, things don’t change – we do. Thanks for the kind words, Steve!

#billbruford #drumsolos #jazzdrumming #electronicdrumkit #improvisationmusic #rockdrummer #paistecymbals #yes #kingcrimson #tamadrums #billbrufordsearthworks

[nectarinedreams]

Man, in a world where Yes has been broken apart, put back together and broken apart again and again and again with all these different warring factions and battling egos, it warms by heart to see Bill address Steve as his "oldest and dearest friend".

[randlerobbertson]

One remarkable musician acknowledges another.

[paulmurray]

Saw Steve only last night. A long-awaited return to Bristol Beacon (ne Colston Hall). I’m delighted to report that he was on blinding form, incredible to report for a man in his later 70s and at the end of a lengthy tour. Gave his all; practically dead on his feet by 10.15. I’ve seen Yes maybe a dozen times dating back to Crystal Palace 1972….. their first gig without Bill! Bill if you’re reading this I still admire your work on everything you did ie up to ‘Edge’. With Alan sadly departed we need Steve and you on this planet (although the kids did the legacy proud last night)!

[bAgRiMoIrEsS.]

I've always loved Steve, he's great. Your the best Mr. Howe!

[Fritha]

An awesome snippet from the past! I love how Steve in his younger days would have a lingering smile on his face whenever he was interviewed, he was quite animated and even cute =)
Great to hear him talk so warmly about Mr. Bruford - I didn't know Bill had such a notable role in the creation of And You And I!

[MichaelSheffield-oxyd]

Steve's first solo record, "Beginnings, " is an absolute masterpiece. "Doors of Sleep" is non-stop on my playlist. In fact, I am going to listen to it right now.

[donaldanderson]

Perpetual Change on The Yes Album has some awesome drumming.

[markjohnson]

Bruford has a stark clarity in his playing that is rare for a jazz/ rock fusion player. Also he tunes everything quite high, so there isn't alot of decay. The way he 'whips' crash cymbals is really wierd, I haven't seen any other drummer do that. An incredible economy of motion there and lightening fast, like a karate master, Lol..

[Nocturnal_Spectre]

Top class musician talking about another top class musician. Love to see it!

[johnmorrell]

That was a delight to see and hear. In the fractious world of musicians and the music biz, friendships are hard to maintain. I'm glad to see their friendship won out.

[james-n]

Yes was life changing for me. Joy in music

[Chuckles..]

Terrific interview!. Always sounds to me like Bill and Steve had telepathy when they played together live. Unique guitar - drums relationship!!!.

[melvynparkin]

It was a great time for YES Bill Bruford drumming was amazing 👏

[maciejsidor]

Every time I listen to any Yes piece, their music melts me so much, when it peaks I catch myself just shouting 'YES!'
And then I realise it's the band's name... They knew...

[ikkenhisatsu]

What @nectarinedreams said - it's beautiful to hear my favorite drummer and my favorite guitarist speaking about each other so positively. Great interview.

[robinwatson]

wow interesting to see some high quality footage from this period.

[johnhuebner]

Just before one of Asia's first shows ever! Painter's Mill Music Fair Owings Mills, MD. Thanks for posting! Wow!

[Wedge-ro]

Steve giving some love to Bill… very nice.

[robertnobody]

This interview was done while Asia was on tour in 1982, the show was actually in Owings Mills, Maryland at the
Painters Mill Star Theatre.

[ddsdss]

I finally got around to reading The Autobiography. Insightful, revealing, and it applies to all art forms. Great to hear from "vintage" Steve. What a wonderful collaboration they had.