STEVE HOWE - HOMEBREW 4 - 2009

This CD presents us 17 previously unreleased picks from STEVE HOWE's personal recording archives from the 70's to 90's. This makes the album quite unbalanced listening experience, but is probably an interesting album fro serious fans of his work, which I am not though I respect his musical skills.

"Sketches in the Sun" is a delightful and mantra-like opener, having YES sounding chorus. This was performed on stage with ASIA, and later recorded for a GTR album. "Sharp on Attack" is from mid 80's and the electronic drum synth sounds are terrible. Melodies are interesting though, an the song resembles "Machine Messiah" song from the "Drama" album of YES. This track features also an annoying fade out. "The Valley of Rock" is an American country tune, not very much pleasing my taste, though technically brilliant (who could except else?). The first part of "Georgia's Theme" has also some country-like qualities, but in more tasteful manner, maybe resembling songs of PAT METHENY. Second theme is more ethereal solo guitar run, being very beautiful and emotional. This track was dedicated to the guitarists first daughter. As the previous track was dedicated to a young relative, the following "Dorothy" is written for the elder relatives of the player. This is quite sweet easy listening jazz, being still pleasant to listen to. "Meadow Rag" is a short classical rag bringing us the moods of early 20th century. A good performance and a demonstration of a sense of musical styles.

Then "At the Full Moon" starts a batch of songs done during the time of recordings of ABW&H album. The guitarist does also singing here, and he surely is not as good singer as he is a guitar player, but this is still a decent performance, still not pleasing my tastes. "Never Stop Learning" is done with GEOFF DOWNES during same times, and this is quite painful track to be listened due it's 80's AOR sounds. This evolved as "Brother of Mine" song on ABW&H album. "Red and White" continues the straits guided by the last few tracks, and at least here the overall quality of the release starts to suffer in my opinion. "More About You" is a simple acoustic ballad. It's often a surprise to found that Steve was much into this kind of simple folk stuff, after his complex guitar work on YES. "Rare Birds" returns back to the ABW&H era, being a peaceful ethereal tune, most pleasing one of these in my opinion. "Big Love" is another painful track with horrid singing from the maestro, and "Running in the Human Race" is a quite nasty rant from 80's. Terrible "Barren Land" is from ASIA times, and whilst listening the following "Against the Tide" and "Break Away from It All" my mental state collapsed as I couldn't take it anymore. There was only one track left, which I though being interesting: "For This Moment" was recorded at 1972 and it came as a part of "The Tales from Topographic Ocean" album by YES. Sadly it's interesting to be heard only once, as it sounds terrible.

As this compilation emphasizes the 80's-90's era, this should be a pleasing record only if you are fond of this timeline in the guitarists work.
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