The Ancient - Steve Howe solo

[YamaYairi]

You did a wonderful job on that piece, Bill! You have to have some serious chops to play Steve Howe. Tales Of Topographic Oceans is one of my favorite Yes albums, although the band hated it.

[Bob1131]

Very nicely done, Bill. It's been ages since I listened to YES...you've inspired me to dig out one of their albums to give them a listen!!!

[bbrown]

Thanks for the listen Steve, Warren, and Bob!

--Bill

[UKPhil]

AS I said over on YT I am a big Yes fan and this is excellent stuff indeed - well done

Originally Posted by YamaYairi

You did a wonderful job on that piece, Bill! You have to have some serious chops to play Steve Howe. Tales Of Topographic Oceans is one of my favorite Yes albums, although the band hated it.

My recollections is that Rick Wakeman hated it rather than all the members of the band - I could be wrong though

[bbrown]

Here's some interesting info from 'Wiki' (for what it's worth)......

"After rehearsals at Manticore Studios in Fulham,[7] Yes were split in deciding where the album was to be recorded. Anderson and Wakeman wished to record out in the countryside, while Squire and Howe preferred to record in the city. With White having no preference,[8] the band proceeded to record at Morgan Studios, where the country's first 24-track tape machine, produced by Ampex, was installed.[9] According to Squire, Brian Lane, the band's manager, proceeded to decorate the studio like a farmyard to make Anderson "happy".[9] Wakeman described the studio, "There were white picket fences ... All the keyboards and amplifiers were placed on stacks of hay."[9] At the time of recording, heavy metal group Black Sabbath were producing Sabbath Bloody Sabbath in the studio next door. Singer Ozzy Osbourne recalled that placed in the Yes studio was a model cow with electronic udders and a small barn to give the room an "earthy" feel.[10] Anderson recalled that he expressed a wish to record the album in a forest at night, "When I suggested that, they all said, 'Jon, get a life!'"[2]

Wakeman took a dislike to the album's concept and structure from the beginning. He made only minimal musical contributions to the recording, and often spent time drinking at the studio bar and playing darts. He played the piano and synthesiser on the Sabbath track "Sabbra Cadabra".[2] According to Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi, Wakeman refused payment from the band and was compensated with beer for his contribution.[11]"