NOT NECESSARILY ACOUSTIC

Steve Howe is a cornerstone of Yes. His guitar playing and tone are unique, and his skill on the acoustic guitar is truly impressive; he gave Yes that unmistakable sound we all recognize. The first time I heard Mood for a Day or The Clap, I was blown away. That was the hook that drew me even further to Yes.

Howe's solo career, however, has been full of ups and downs; honestly, more downs than ups. His solo albums are far from the quality of his work with Yes. To be honest, I've never enjoyed Howe's music much outside of the band. I never connected with Asia or GTR, and aside from some solid works like Beginnings, The Steve Howe Album, The Grand Scheme of Things and perhaps Turbulence, the rest, in my opinion, is pretty mediocre and forgettable, especially when he sings; he's a great back up player but a terrible solo singer.

Steve Howe grows a family of extraordinary musicians. His sons Dylan and Virgil, who sadly passed away a few years ago, collaborated with him on The Grand Scheme of Things, his 1994 album, which stands out as one of his best solo works. It was after that album, and following the success of the Yes Union tour that lasted until 1993, that Howe embarked on a solo world tour. Of course, he deserved it, a musician of his quality and track record. I've tried touring with a band, but it didn't quite work out. The market wasn't ready for a solo Steve Howe, and fans primarily wanted to hear Yes, not Howe.

Still, there was something Steve Howe could offer that even Yes couldn't replicate: those intricate and beautiful solo pieces on acoustic, electro-acoustic, or electric guitar that became fundamental parts of every Yes album, and also of Asia, GTR, and his own solo work. Songs like The Clap, Masquerade, and Ram ; the intros to Tales from Topographic Oceans; or Leaves of Green, hidden within The Ancient (Giants Under the Sun), and even Roundabout, which began as a Steve Howe piece before Jon Anderson added lyrics. There was a rich catalog of material that had to be carefully selected and prepared for that single project.

It also needs to be put into context: in 1994, acoustic performances were all the rage. Many bands had revived or redefined their careers thanks to acoustic sets; just ask Kiss. ​​Yes hadn't yet explored that path, and perhaps Steve Howe was the one who opened the door for them. Thus was born Not Necessarily Acoustic: a beautifully executed 100% acoustic concert that strips back and revisits over 30 years of Howe's career, from BODAST to his final solo album, via Yes, Asia, GTR, and addressing his passion for classical music, country, and, especially, his admiration for Chet Atkins. It's like a naked photograph of one of the most original guitarists in history. Over 22 songs mostly instrumental and just over an hour, Steve Howe constantly entertains, moves, and impresses us with his guitar skills. Not Necessarily Acoustic is more than a live album: it's an autobiographical set.

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