Saturday, 19 January 2013

LINK: Steve Howe Profile

SAT 15TH JUN

STEVE HOWE

As Steve Howe started playing the guitar over 50 years ago in the 1960's "guitar boom ", he was given some encouragement by his siblings to listen to other styles of guitar playing which lead him to see the broader and more credible approaches that then diversified his own style, quite considerably. Jazz, classical, folk & country where then added to his interest in rock, pop & blues. He listened & watched as Segovia & Julian Bream, Wes Montgomery & Kenny Burrell, Big Bill Broonzy and Albert Lee took the guitar further than what was riding high in the pop charts.

On hearing Chet Atkins' album Teensville, he noticed the compelling mix of technics & approaches that made categorising Chet almost impossible, yet defined the versatility that was brought together in one player. In particular Steve was impressed with Chet's solo arrangements of well known tunes and his own compositions.

On the birth of Steve's first child, Dylan on 4th August 1969, he composed Clap, partly in tribute to Chet, but also inspired by his son's arrival. This was then released on The Yes Album, his first with the band, then performed on most tour dates. Mood For A Day followed on Fragile and Steve's ambition to write solo guitar pieces was established.

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