BEGINNINGS

Ooohhh... I love this album! I know that a lot of my prog friends are disappointed with it: I think they all expect long instrumental jams filled with virtuosity and Yes-like arrangements. Instead Steve Howe decided to record an album of shorter songs. And they are all very good! Ok, maybe three instrumentals are not enough, and two of them are quite short. Most Yes fans will rather play his second solo efford (another fine one, by the way, but different).

I still think this an excellent record, with great songs and astonishing musicanship of all involved, but specially Howe himself. He may not be the best of singers, but I like his vocal very much anyway. The guys has an interesting voice and does his parts with passion and conviction. Highlights are Pleasure Stole the Night, Doors Of Sleep and the beautiful classical arranged Beginnings. Production is only adequate, but works well. Maybe it was a bit rushed, but I can live with that.

All in all very fine solo efford. This could be the ultimate self indulgent guitar hero solo album (certainly Howe had credentials for such a thing). But he managed to do a pleasant CD with lots of technique, only with little showing off. The arrangements are subtle and bright. A much maligned album which should be heard with less prejudice. Not perfect, but a four star rating is fair.