Steve Howe: New Yes Album | Topographic Live Tapes | Rick Wakeman's hatred of TFTO | Tormato Album

[@salvelegio1425]

I can’t imagine my life without Yes and their music. They are the trunk in my music tree. I will forever be grateful for sharing my time and life with Yes. Love to Steve and Jon and to rest of the lads. My thoughts to those how gone before us. See you soon in Stockholm.

[@glennpowell3444]

And then there was a bloke in the 50,s calling himself "Little Richard" God only knows what he would of thought of The Yes? Lemmy got it right somehow however.Raw and energetic.Not some dull dribble of random notes in the wrong order.I mean Yes must be the most utterly boring sound there ever was.( Actually Genesis were even duller)

[@awrogers3013]

I have an old strat I’d like you to see. Strings a foot off the neck but we say it’s a Stratocaster

[@salvelegio1425]

Dear@@glennpowell3444, thanks for your thoughts and comment. I’ve heard similar comments before and although it’s hurtful you are in the right to your opinion. If you sit your self down and use your brain for a short time I’m sure you will come to the conclusion that even I as a Yes fan has the same right. I’m also sure that most of the bands that you like are represented in my record collection. Don’t be so small minded open up and express some love. It will make you feel better. Have a nice one and take care.

[@frankshailes3205]

"The trunk in my music tree" what a wonderful expression. Very fitting given their influence, spreading from their own roots out to so many other musicians and listeners.

[@williamweathers8183]

Don't care about other bands in the way I love YES. It is hard to imagine life without YES.

[@yamishogun6501]

Rick Wakeman's problem with Tales wasn't that it was a concept album but that it was padded.

[@louise_rose]

Yes, I get that he wanted a more concentrated album with a clearer direction - but the space it leaves for the band to stretch out is very much part of what makes Tales so great (including for Rick himself on "The Remembering"). This expanded long-form set was an experiment that had to be attempted at the time, and Yes were better equipped than just about any rock band to do it. The album really is groundbreaking in many places, most of all perhaps "The Ancient" (the most free-form sounding piece Yes had ever attempted, and an astonishing evocation of an archaic, primeval world: the stone age or bronze age) and I think the longer format is very successful on sides three and four: there are no longueurs, the logic and groove of the music really carry it all through. The structural expansion fits in with the wealth of material they were able to bring to the project. ""Revealing Science" has some stretches in the middle that I've come to recognize as "padding" in that they don't really hang tightly with the rest in purely musical terms - but I wouldn't want to be without those stretches anyway.

[@carlomatthews6676]

Can't believe how sharp Steve's mind is -- he hasn't lost a step. Amazing

[@misterghee1]

Duuuuh😅🎉🎉🎉🎉 now do grrrrr😅

[@wardka]

Nor has he lost enthusiasm. That's a rarity.

[@bertbecker7532]

Interesting how Steve comes across so amicably giving interviews yet at times in concerts he can be a curmudgeon.

[@martincrockett7113]

Another great interview Barry. It's great to see Steve's passion for TFTO still burns brightly and illustrates how magical those sessions must have been back in the 70's (even with Rick Wakemans sulking). Also interesting to hear they plan to change how they play on stage, as Steve always values his 'space' and his everpresent rug to stand on.

[@williamweathers8183]

The initial sessions for Tales, as described by Jon, went down with him and Howe in a candlelit hotel room, down in my beloved hometown, Savannah, GA. They had just done a show at the Civic Center and went back to the De Soto. There, they were up all night putting together the most beautiful music Prog would ever yield. At the time, I was twelve jamming with John Denver and Mac Davis. It would be 5 years later before I would discover YES and their developing body of work. When I first heard Tales, it took my breath away and stole my heart. I never knew something like TFTO was possible. Later, when I got off my lazy THC-ridden butt, read the album notes, and discovered that its conception was initiated in my hometown, I was broken, humbled, and stricken with a love for beauty in a way that I didn't know beauty could be loved.

[@user-og5kq7ko6j]

I always wondered why he has always played on the right side of the stage? In any band he has been in.

[@CSMuffin]

Another superb interview!

[@classicalbum]

Thank you

[@garyh.238]

Enjoyable interview with Mr. Howe. Great insights!

[@nickmastro6870]

Side 2 of Tales is indeed a hidden gem, I hope they play it again someday.

[@styles8007]

Thank you for sharing this nice interview with Steve Howe. I have been fortunate to see Steve's solo tours twice and numerous times with Yes. I just received Yes's latest album today. I'm looking forward to listening to it. I wish Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman were still in the band. Thanks again for the outstanding interview with Steve.

[@kenm.3512]

It's good to see that Steve is sharp and the captain of Yes in the present day. He earned it, although he was not an original member. Chris is gone and Jon has been through a lot health wise. It's good to see that Jon is doing well on his own. Jon afterall, is THE VOICE of Yes. All Steve can do is find great vocalists who can handle the essential material. I am a guitar player and Steve has always been top 5 throughout my life in influencing my playing. He's a lovely guy and a wonderful guitarist. And, much more. I look forward to checking out the new Yes album. As an old fan, I'm resigned to admit that it's hard to imagine any Yes offering matching the thrill of discovering their music when I was a kid. No matter, it's good to know they are still around in some shape or form. Thanks Barry, for letting Steve talk. I know that you have to ask some questions to keep the interview on point. I appreciate your channel very much.

[@KurtI2525]

I wish he had found "great" vocalists instead of Davison and David.

[@kenm.3512]

@@KurtI2525 Davison has a pretty good voice for Yes music. He has plenty of range and his voice is similar to Jon's. Yes's latest music, in general, is not as intensely kinetic as classic Yes. I don't think that Jon would be up to it at this point in his life. The new album provides a good listen but it won't displace anything from my top ten Yes albums. Who can you get to truly replace Jon Anderson in Yes? I'm not sure of the circumstances involving Jon's separation from the band. The guys from their hayday are in their seventies and already dying off. I don't think Jon would be able to deal with it all at this point. It's good to know he's still around and occasionally making music. He's the spirit horse of Yes. That, cannot be duplicated.

[@rushbravado1972]

Another fantastic interview with Steve. It is a testament to Yes and all of their configurations that they have been able to keep things fresh and intriguing. The interviews keep getting better as he just seems like he is talking with a friend. I would love to hear him expound a little bit more on his time with Asia and especially GTR and Steve Hackett. Great job Barry.

[@georgesonm1774]

re Tales- it's wonderful to see Steve showing love to these so underrated pieces of music, humming 'out in the city...' and the crazy part of The Ancient... Screw Rick and all the Tales-haters - at least Steve gets it ;)

[@shipsahoy1793]

Rick in Yes is like the Roger in Floyd; way too self absorbed to a fault.

[@jimmycampbell78]

Well done Barry, another brilliant interview with Mr Howe

[@alfietomkins7829]

Ive really enjoyed these interviews with Steve, what a lovely insightful bloke. I love the title track of the new album, thankyou Barry for this, it would be great if you could chat with Steve again

[@lucasjharr6]

Steve Howe is so cool. I am super glad for the new Yes. Thanks!

[@chrisgale5634]

What Yes?

[@deansusec8745]

Love this man! Actually, you too for doing these videos! thanks alot

[@BobDaniel]

Steve is such a good interview... very forthcoming... just keeps talking...

[@billmay7364]

YES marches ON. ABWH or AWR is close to that Classic Linup. I heard the new Record. It's certainly better than there last two efforts. DRAMA grew on me. This record reminds me of a Steve Howe Record playing YES . I'll give this record a Chance. I grew up on YES. I'm still in that TIME WARP. Those Early Classic Albums. MILES, ZAPPA, FRIPP Changed Lineups and it Worked. YES , RUSH are different. I love Steve ❤️. Great Guitarist . This new Record getting good press. Jon Anderson, Chris Squire, Alan White. Bill Bruford , Wakeman and Patrick Moraz work on RELAYER can't be overlooked. You can't replace these guys

[@billgonzalezjr.4777]

Still waiting for my deluxe set up but have been through the album twice via the mp3 that came with it. It’s shaping up really nicely. I get the ‘70’s vibes at times which I dig. LOVE the 14 minute title track with the proggy in’s and outs. Great albums have always been growers. Looking forward to my third spin. Nice job boys!

[@classicalbum]

There are people who hated this album before it was released. I rather enjoy it.

[@Nark212]

I’ve played it thru twice so it’s early days… like what I’ve heard, so it sounds promising.

[@williamhopper6602]

Thanks Steve for Tales. I'm currently buying all your solo albums on Cd.Thanks for the music and you still are one of the greatest guitarist out there. And I love Yes and classical music

[@neilcampbell494]

Excellent interview - Steve on top form

[@davegarciaofficial]

Steve seems SO much more relaxed and less uptight these days than he’s been over the past 10-20 years.

[@NigelFortune]

Fantastic interview Barry thoroughly enjoyed this 👍

[@mikeller]

Great interview - very inspirational !!

[@bullobca]

Great interview, Thanks!

[@paulwheeldon3075]

Barry, you really seem to get the best out of Steve in these interviews. He obviously trusts you and respects sensible and interesting questions.

[@arnaudb.7669]

Great interview. Thanks!

[@unchattytwit]

I've never understood the declamations against the music of Topographic, it's a phenomenal album to listen to. If you haven't got a very good concentration span or imagination - I suppose the criticism is understandable.

[@frankshailes3205]

I'm the same with Floyd's Ummagumma...

[@georgesonm1774]

@@frankshailes3205 both wonderful, albeit so different. TFTO is my number one Yes album

[@michellebell5092]

“Not in a retro thinking mood” says Steve. Exactly, I love the new album, it’s so contemporary sounding to me. I hope old Yes Fans ( like I am) would like the new Yes sound

[@shipsahoy1793]

🆗Personally, I can’t figure out where the reviewer‘s head is at. He seems very dry and not really much of a friendly personality, asking some off the wall questions.. I personally don’t like his reviewing style at all, but it was fun to listen to Steve reminisce..👨🏻

[@hanksta34]

Exactly. I listened to the old critics and must dismiss their criticisms of the new album. Maybe they will be left behind for a new audience.

[@shipsahoy1793]

I don’t dislike Quest or Mirror to the Sky; but I do miss what Squire and White brought to the Yes sound, especially back in the day. Personally, I think the guys playing with Steve Howe now are doing great job; big shoes to fill, although I was never crazy about Billy Sherwood in Yes; sorry Billy. I did not like “Open Your Eyes.” Although, his contributions on “The Ladder” CD didn’t bother me. I like that CD. When I listen to Quest or Mirror I’m really missing Chris’ approach to the Bass. Sorry again, Billy.

[@johnbeagley1195]

I hope in 20 years I am as excited and enthused and as inspired!

[@airgead5391]

Tales is and has been my favorite YES album BY FAR! Totally into it.

[@markhenrynoll5601]

I listened to it while walking 2 night ago. I received my deluxe edition yesterday & listened to it 2 more times. I'm loving it more with each listen. I'm 71 & have been a fan since I was 20. I've enjoyed all the lineups & though I prefer the JA, SH, CS, RW, & AW the most, I love the current lineup too. My favorites will always be RELAYER, CTTE, TFTO, FRAGILE, TYA, & GFTO. I'm just happy my favorite band is still putting out music

[@julio_scissors]

Just listened to the new album - it's AMAZING! Way better than the last two.

[@nilsen589]

Really? OK. Will listen 🎶

[@barrypeirson3710]

16:57 Lol spaceships and cows floating across the stage! Wouldnt mind that at all myself!

[@jongpw50]

So happy for you Steve, I hear you 're 'having a ball' with tbe current line up. Aren't we all?

[@jongpw50]

@@chrisgale5634 A farce and a tragedy with a Mickey Mouse soundalike.

[@sunnysideamps]

Tales is my favorite Yes album! :-)

[@jskawaken]

It's a phenomenal album. Bravo Steve and YES👏

[@chrisgale5634]

Lol

[@cosmicdrifter287]

Another very informatie interview.Steve is always enthusiastic and very much into it.Much respect for carrying the quality music flag.

[@michellebell5092]

This is a fantastic interview. Steve Is still alert interesting, engaging and providing some fascinating insights. I just that he is so enthusiastic still and still creative.

[@aviatorjoe4153]

If I could sit the entire current line up down I'd say "Please trust your new direction and play more of Quest and Mirror (and even some of Heaven and Earth - the production killed that one) LIVE!" Loved Yes since I saw them live in MSG on the Tales tour (my fav album as well). While I like to hear the older stuff, I'd really like them to PROGRESS and support their new stuff. It is VERY GOOD! Also would love to hear stuff from Keystudio (Footprints, damn!) as well. My only regret in going to see them in a couple of weeks is that they are not performing ANYTHING from Quest and just one song from Mirror. Still looking forward to it. Yes is all about perpetual change. As much as I love Anderson, Wakeman, etc.) THEY are NOT Yes. Who is? The line up of folks who are creating NEW music that has its root in the music Yes has produced since they started.

[@KurtColville]

Wonderful interview. Steve‘s always so enjoyable to listen to. Many thanks.

[@bondegezou]

Great questions, great answers

[@Vinylathome]

Tales is a phenomenal double album

[@Z-eb]

Nice interview, i read that the tormato cover were originally done for XTC - Go, annd they didnt wanna use it.....

[@georgesonm1774]

xd that's funny

[@georgesonm1774]

As Roger Waters is re-doing DSOTM (whether it's a good idea or not), I'm reminded of Steve's demos of some of the Tales' bits, as well as Jon's brief solo live rendition of The Revealing...(from the 2004 tour I believe) - I wonder if Steve and the band ever considered deconstructing the album in a similar fashion to be played live (in such a way as Steve sometimes used to play To Be Over as an acoustic guitar vignette)? Obviously, 'Leaves of Green' has been played live time and again, but perhaps going a little further, like scavenging snippets of The Remembering or Giants Under the Sun, would be a refreshing idea, especially as it seems quite obvious these pieces will never be played in full version? @Classic Album Review - perhaps you could pitch the idea to Steve some time? :)

[@georgesonm1774]

Another thing I'd love to ask Steve (if I ever had a chance) is on the circumstances of Patrick Moraz' leaving of the band - this event seems to be shrouded in quite a bit of mystery, no Yes member has ever extensively spoken on the subject (not to my knowledge at least), and there's a lot of pretty unpleasant rumours surrounding that situation which no one has ever cleared out

[@56dinosaur]

Perhaps Steve Howe isn't aware (or doesn't want to mention it) but a company from whom Yes rented or leased road cases in the 1970's recently opened those road cases for the first time in decades and found 7 reels of Yes multitrack concert recordings in one of them. The tapes were returned to Yes. Hopefully, these tapes could be mixed down and released at some point in the future.

[@williamweathers8183]

You gotta love Howe.

[@boriskruger4842]

BBC recordings of TFTO DO exist. They were recorded in november 1973 - without audience - (at least sides 1, 2 & 4) and aired in 1973/74. The Yes management should contact the BBC archive folks to sort things out. Peter Banks (R.I.P.) was responsible for the BBC release of their early stuff from 1969/70 in the late 1990s. A 1971 BBC session does exist as well.

[@brunofaetten894]

'Fraid not. One of these "BBC recordings" is cicrulating, and it's clearly the same performance as heard on the album. There's no evidence of any BBC recording sessions around this time, just the broadcasts. The BBC were supposed to film and broadcast one of the shows at the Rainbow in London, but that was cancelled - most likely for technical reason. And that's as close as we're ever going to get to a professional recording from the Tales tour. That said, I wish the interviewer had drilled down a little further on the subject. Specifically, there's some confusion regarding the live "Ritual" included with the Steve Wilson remix a few years back. Apparently, that came from Steve's personal collection, and I find it hard to believe they only taped that one number (or just that one concert, for that matter). Then there's all the live footage they shot from 1974 onwards, trying to make a sequel to Yessongs. What happened to it? No one knows, and no one seems to have done the detective work to track it down. Get Peter Jackson (or his Mexican non-union equivalent) on the case!

[@josemiguelfernandezdemarti7799]

Being Happy with Close to the Edge, Awaken and Relayer, I still believe that Tales from Topographic Oceans is the best prog album ever

[@nieckolai]

Steven and Jon need to bury the hatchet and just do a tour with just the two of them.

[@volpeverde6441]

why should he....? Jon was dumped....but he has the better band now.... YES finished when Chris Squire moved on....

[@nieckolai]

@@volpeverde6441 It would still be a nice end before one of them moves on. But I am TOTALLY Team Anderson.

[@volpeverde6441]

@@nieckolai Steve Howe doesn't have the goods anymore.... I love his past work.... but the last 3 studio albums have been stale.... Jon Anderson is flying at the moment with his new band.... the past is the past....

[@gmartin474]

I have to agree with Rick Wakeman concerning TFTO. I was at the 70's concert in Madison Square Garden of YES doing Tales and it was a big let down. I Love YES but sadly that tour was Not my favorite at all.

[@simonal1989]

"Hatred" is a bit strong!

[@pvs6464]

Nice shirt!

[@user-og5kq7ko6j]

I always wondered why Steve has always played on the left side of the stage in any band he has been in

[@alexandrelamarche42]

He was on the left side of the stage when in Tomorrow and Bodast

[@robinwatson4282]

5:45 - Steve chugs on a bottle of gin.

[@MrDirtybear]

Aside from the band politics around 'Tormato', one of the requirements for playing any of that album live is that the new band would have to play it in a lower key to be able to play it through out the tour. But one song from the album in any new live set would be nice. Which one, though?

[@barrypeirson3710]

"Release Release" God I love that song!

[@georgesonm1774]

Silent Wings, undoubtably... although... there are several underrated gems on that album. Future Times or Release, Release would do just as well!

[@mr.bloodvessel260]

Does Steve live next door?

[@DavidLazarus]

As great as it is that these musicians want to keep composing and touring, I just cannot support a Yes without Jon Anderson; especially now that both Chris and Alan are gone. The sole exception being Drama which, though fantastic, should not have been a Yes album in my opinion. Sorry. I cannot help the way that I feel. Jon Anderson was not only a founding member as well as key lyricist and songwriter, but he was the heart and soul of the band. I know I've made statements like this on the Classic Album Review channel before. So, I won't go on and on about it. It's just that these sorts of interviews stir up negative emotions for me. BTW, I still gave the video a thumbs up because I appreciate the effort that went into it.

[@DavidLazarus]

@@jpirard - Steve quit too. Like Jon and Rick, he quit after Tormato. He quit again after Union. Plus, Steve is not a founding member. Nor is he the heart and soul of Yes. And I think we'll all agree that Jon Anderson has a much better singing voice than Steve. So, if you're looking for a way to discredit Jon. It's back to the drawing board. Also, one can argue that even Chris quit Yes when he did not join ABWH. Sadly, it wasn't seen that way by lawyers since he appears on every Yes album. Well, up until his passing. So, again, your argument is blown out of the water.

[@liliepepe65]

please play rhe side 2 and 3

[@cbr9914]

i think tormato is my most listened to yes album. it's a bonkers record. the arrangements are nuts, it's the band's best vocals on tape, and the cover is hilarious....it's like they're making fun of themselves and the whole "tor" idea. it feels like an inside joke, and yes aren't known for their humor

[@framundajohnson2186]

get ABWH back NOW!

[@michaeljones9301]

Reason I became a YES fan. ABWH was a special time. The live version of CTTE, is the absolute best, followed by SYMPHONIC. That 89-91 period for me....I would love to relive.

[@paulweston3461]

Sadly there's no fire in YES anymore, those blistering moments they created in the 70s no longer shine through its all very pedestrian now. Is it age related in playing ability or just idea's all dried up and their best years were yesteryear?

[@thepaulmacfarlane]

I mostly agree with Rick about Tales ..a fantastic set but my God there are too many meaningless noodling notes in too many places.

[@SandSpock33]

try to listen to live tales each day

[@stevesmith3990]

Thanks, great interview although the Topo live tapes in the description turned out to be just click bait! I like most of the new album although there are still a few really awful tracks.

[@augustuswright8541]

Steve Howe, the man who killed Yes. Bravo, Steve. Well done.

[@markcastillo2757]

Get Anderson back and an outside producer,Steve

[@michaeljones9301]

AMEN

[@davidw5993]

you're interviewing steve Howe...at least wear a yes shirt lol😂

[@classicalbum]

I don't have one

[@awrogers3013]

Topographic live? Christ don’t let him touch the old stuff with all the non stop damage Look man Keep going Don’t call it yes, please

[@KurtI2525]

@@progrockerNZ Haha...someone needs to not be a slavish fanboy. You are fan of a brand name. I mean, you really can't tell me you're excited by the likes of Jon Davison, Billy Sherwood and Jay Schellan.

[@chrisgale5634]

Exactly, it's just a tribute band.

[@terrydavis5915]

Good music....but! PLEASE get a lyricist PLease please please please

[@michaeljones9301]

And a Vocalist. The music isn't bad, but that voice. Ugh!!! I preferred Beniot. Fly From Here was not bad. Hope Jon can work with BandGeeks and release a YES album.

[@chrisgale5634]

Its not Yes.

[@stuartraybould6433]

Steve Howe has been a great guitarist but he really should have retired years ago before producing bland, boring, middle of the road pulp. Alas, too late for that now but someone close to him really needs to tell him this newer stuff is awful, just retire already.

[@stuartraybould6433]

@@jpirard Glad you enjoyed this turgid piece of turd. Each to their own. Personally I want to hear something unique, exciting and imaginative. This is music for old folks who've given up on life. Just my opinion but one thing for sure is, you can in no way compare this, to the superb albums of old.

[@hanksta34]

​​@@stuartraybould6433 You're out of your mind.

[@stuartraybould6433]

@@hanksta34 Really! I'm not one of those lapping up this piece of work. Just because I won't buy mediocrity doesn't make me mad, quite the opposite. I'd look closer to home for that.

[@stevenhicks6660]

Just imagine if Jon Steve Rick Buford Getty made a album ...💯👍