Search - Steve Howe :: Grand Scheme of Things

Howe Finds His Roots

Kevin Caffrey | Fredericksburg, VA | 04/10/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Released in 1993, _The Grand Scheme of Things_ sadly seemed to go out of print here in the US by the end of the 90s. Therefore, I'm sure many Howe/Yes fans have not heard the material that is on this album. Even though it's still not available in the US, it's nice to see that it's now available for a reasonable price as an import._The Grand Scheme of Things_ is very similar to Howe's first solo outing, _Beginnings_, in that it combines instrumentals with songs that feature vocals from Howe. While still not a traditional lead vocalist, Howe's vocals have improved through the years. Personally, I like his vocals because they are warm and intimate. The title track opens up the album nicely with it's steady pulse, and leads into a beautiful instrumental, "Desire Comes First" which features Howe's electric guitar trading lines with a violinst - very nice stuff. "Blinded By Science" might be the 'poppiest' Howe solo tune, and "Too Much Is Taken and Not Enough Given" also finds Howe rocking out - in a politically-conscious sort of way. Howe fans should love this album. Think _Turbulence_ meets _Beginnings_ with an early 90s political-conscious theme to many of the lyrics."

Atmospheric and encompassing, Howe does it again!

Eddie Lancekick | Pacific Northwest | 10/13/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Despite what many hard core Howe fans think, this album is still something worth noting in his now vast solo discography. This album has a truly magical tone to it in places and when its not putting you in a trance with its magic, its switching up to cover sounds in jazz, blues, and rock in a seamless onslaught of Howe sound that only he can bring us! This album has some great songwriting to it and is not concentrating as much in technical virtuoso as much as mood setting themes and tight songwriting. "Grand Scheme", the title track, is nothing short of uplifting and powerful, while at times having an almost Beatles sound to it that reminds me of some James Bond soundtrack with Roger Moore running around chasing bad guys in the background.



"At the gates of the new world" is a track that shows Steve in prime form, often railing off a beautiful melody on a nylon stringed acoustic, while standing out from the still lingering xylophone/synth sounds that are at the backdrop of the beginning of the song. "The fall of civilization" is a beautifully composed song that is very emotional. Just when you think its going in that direction, however, it breaks off into a poppy, fast beat song that despite the 180 degree turn, finishes strong. A little Flamenco here and there doesn't hurt, and if anything again, only adds to the strength of the former "Yes" guitarists arsenal of skill. "Passing phase" is an album that has some great technical prowess coupled with some spanish influence. Melodic to say the least, the track is one of the best guitar solo's I've heard in a long time. "Georgia's theme" is another one ripe with flamenco sound that is much slower and groove driven than some of Steve's other work with this style of guitar playing.



Overall, a great record that really shows Steve is a true artist and not just a "guitar player". Released in 1993, the album to me is timeless and my review honestly does not do it justice."

Un tèrmino medio

J. B. Fresno | Madrid, Spain | 03/31/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Steve Howe es el único miembro de Yes que ha mantenido una cierta coherencia en su carrera en solitario. Aún con altibajos, su sonido, no es que se parezca a Yes, pero mantiene unos niveles de calidad bastante aceptables. Es más en la epoca que siguió a 1983, los discos de Steve Howe son, casi siempre, mejores que los del grupo. Este disco, sin embargo, es, probablemente, el peor de su carrera. En cierta forma es similar a Beginnings, aunque con el lastre de que los temas son peores. La voz de Howe a mi, particularmente, me recuerda mucho a la de Neil Young, aunque con menos garra y, desde luego no es su fuerte, aunque a mi no me desagrada cuando adopta un tono más íntimo como ocurre en los dos discos de Homebrew. Los instrumentales brillan, en este disco, con luz propia, mientras que los temas cantados, además de las mencionadas debilidades vocales de Mr. Howe, son bastante planos. En definitiva, sobra la mitad del disco."