Steve Howe - 1994 "Not Necessarily Acoustic"

Not Necessarily Acoustic is a live album recorded on Steve Howe's first solo tour and released in 1994.

Recorded in intimate club performances in late 1993, this live and nearly unplugged collection ably spans three decades of Howe's releases. Lead vocals are always a weak spot for him, and so he wisely constrains most of this album to solo instrumentals. The result is a headphone treat, as if you're sitting right in front of his amp and his famed collection of guitars. Of special interest is his one vocal and guitar piece, a seamless medley of each movement from Tales from Topographic Oceans; it's as close to a Tales demo session as fans will ever get. Because Howe's albums are a pastiche of already ripened styles -- a "Meadow Rag" here, a steel guitar twang in "Cactus Boogie" there, and a flamenco-tinged "Mood for a Day" to top it off -- the material on Not Necessarily Acoustic has hardly dated, and it sounds less like a retrospective than a unified new album. The one unfortunate omission is that while the concerts had a nod to his psychedelic days with Tomorrow's "My White Bicycle," there's nothing from that era on this disc.

Steve Howe is my hero.His fellow Yes bandmembers are as well,but Steve has become my ...Hero!...I've always enjoyed the Man's guitar playing,but have only become aware more recently how deeply his creative genius has affected me.This recording almost definitively describes these qualities.A live offering,the show is almost unbelievable in how warm a performance it is.Personally speaking,I even love when he sings!The show has a flow and rhythm,an intimacy to it that is so often absent from proceedings such as these.Mr.Howe's enthusiasm for his craft shines through brightly and easily.At one point,early in the performance,he remarks,mildly "I'm sorry,but my guitar is tired!"-Whereupon he immediately disproves what he's said,and makes one wonder just what that instrument would sound like had it gotten a good night's rest.Joyous,playful,poignant and astounding...everyone I've ever played this for has enjoyed it immensely.One of the finest guitar performances I've ever heard-as highly recommended as is possible-once you've heard this,you, too will love Steve Howe..

After being dismissed from Yes following the "Union" tour, Steve recorded "The Grand Scheme Of Things" and decided to undertake his 1st ever solo tour.

On December 13, 1993, Steve arrived in Philadelphia - one of his favorite cities - and decided to record a live CD.
Steve's set was divided into four segments:
(1) Scharpach 6-string acoustic; (2) Kohno nylon string acoustic; (3) Martin 12-string acoustic; & (4) Steinberger 6-string electric.

Steve played completely solo - no pre-recorded backing tracks.

The Tracks:

(The nylon string set) "Heritage" , a previously unreleased piece, is a soothing Spanish/Classical piece which sets a peaceful mood.

"Arada" is a traditional piece which features some sliding bass notes in it's sub-minute appearance.
The "Topographic Oceans" medley features a section from each of the four movements,and vocals from Steve.
His solo from 'The Ancient' highlights the medley.
"Corkscrew" from 'Grand Scheme' follows an unusual pattern and is an acquired taste.
"Concerto in 'D'- 2nd movement" actually benefits from this solo arrangement as opposed to the electric/orchestral arrangement from 1979.
"Surface Tension" copies the 1979 version to the letter.
The last of the nylon pieces is the 1971 classic "Mood for a Day". The clarity is so much better on this digital recording.
(The 12-string acoustic set) Only two songs from the 12-string set made the album.
"Sketches in the Sun", originally done as an electric 12-string piece on 'GTR', features a "drop-D" tuning, which has Steve flat-picking the lower strings, while finger-picking the upper strings. The effect is much like a harpsichord, and very melodic.
"Masquerade" was recorded for "Union" and was Grammy-nominated. It combines ekements of folk and classical.

(Steinberger 6-string electric set) The first electric piece is my favorite piece on the album, "Bareback".
This tune takes pages from Chet Atkins, Merle Travis & James Burton , with it's "chicken pickin'", as well as the high-low note exchanges. Steve's tone is crystal clear, and he's playing his a** off.

"Dorothy" is a somber echo-y tribute to Steve's late aunt, that was originally demoed as a jazzy saxophone and arch top piece. The solo electric treatment conveys the sentiment far better.

"Meadow Rag" gets the electric treatment next, which makes it even more slippery and twangy than the original from 1979.
The last electric tune is a medley of "Swedish Rhapsody / Whispering", the first based on Chet Atkins' version, while the second is taken from Les Paul's version.

(The 6-string acoustic set) The acoustic 6-string set, which has a decidedly country feel, with tracks like "The Valley of Rocks", "Country Mix", "Cactus Boogie", "Second Initial" , "The Glory of Love", "Ram" ,and Steve's signature piece, "Clap".
Steve is on the top of his game in this performance. 5 Stars.

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Tracks Listing:

1. The Valley of Rocks (3:03)
2. Heritage (2:32)
3. Arada (1:08)
4. Country Mix: White Silver Sands/Green Bay... (2:57)
5. Excerpts from Tales from Topographic... (9:18)
6. Bareback (2:42)
7. Sketches in the Sun (2:58)
8. Cactus Boogie (2:09)
9. Second Initial (2:47)
10. Corkscrew (3:45)
11. The Glory of Love (1:14)
12. Dorothy (2:10)
13. Meadow Rag (2:26)
14. Concerto in D, 2nd Movement (2:34)
15. Surface Tension (3:22)
16. Masquerade (2:03)
17. Mood for a Day (2:59)
18. Swedish Rhapsody (0:53)
19. Whispering (1:00)
20. Roundabout (2:33)
21. Ram (1:51)
22. Clap (3:43)

Total Time: 60:07

Personnel:

- Steve Howe / guitars