I saw Yes on the Tormato tour, and people don't understand how amazing they sounded.  In the round.  I love that album, I don't care what anyone says.  It has amazing music on it.  Seeing my hero Steve play on that big Gibson was epic.

I was the graphic designer who collaborated with Jon on the Magnification cover and sleeve designs. I also designed the cover and sleeve for YesSymphonic Live, but on my own since Jon was on tour, and I designed the art for Chris and Billy's second Conspiracy album called The Unknown. A few notes about Magnification, especially given Barry's rather blunt opinion. First, there are many really awful reproductions and copies-of-copies floating around out there. It's mortifying. On Apple Music and Wikipedia, in particular, someone from the band's management inadvertently posted a work-in-progress unfinished version of the cover on those platforms. I was in contact with Yes's management three years years ago about it, and sent them the actual artwork. It has yet to be updated on Apple or Wikipedia. I love the album and I'm proud to have been a part of it. But I assume now my work will be replaced by Roger's art, which is sad, even though I created a 20th anniversary edition of the cover, which was also submitted to management for free. No response. But such is life when it comes to Yes collaborators, I suppose.

Well my copy of 'Open your Eyes' says YES on it so I'll keep it filed there.

17:40 - it sure was nice hearing Steve talking about "my dear friend Jon".  Seriously I hope these two get a chance to do more music someday - even if its not YES.

Saw the band on the Magnification tour. Love the idea of them putting out a “Demagnified” version of the album without the orchestra.

I've seen Steve live four times - The Union Tour in the 90's in London was magical for me.👍👍

Absolutely love the Steve Howe interviews.  He's mostly intact, which is saying a lot about a 1970s survivor.

This explains a lot on the Open Your Eyes album.  It had the feel of Union.  I remember liking only Open Your Eyes on that album and that was it.   Now I know why.

I liked Open Your Eyes. Ladder too.

I love the whole album cover and sleeve design for Going For The One! For me, it fits the music.

I love ‘The Ladder’ and ‘Open your Eyes’.

One day Hackett and the next day Howe, well done Barry, great interview, thanks.

Great interview! And with the utmost of utmost respect to Steve, I happen to like “Open Your Eyes,” and I will defend that album to the end, even though many fans hate it. I realize “Open Your Eyes” was made in an unconventional way, starting out as a Chris Squire solo project before morphing into a Yes album (with Steve being the last band member to be reeled into the sessions, I believe), but I really do enjoy the upbeat nature of the album, and I really do like the songs and the production. And by the way, there’s nothing wrong with Yes doing an album of shorter songs. You can’t have a 15 or 20-minute plus epic on every album, ya know? And while Steve is right that there really wasn’t much room for him to write anything for the album apart from “From The Balcony,” which he did with Jon, I really like all the great lead guitar decorations that Steve does all throughout the album. So while I understand why “Open Your Eyes” is not a personal favorite Yes album of Steve’s (or a substantial number of fans for that matter), I still think Steve made a valid contribution to it. And, goshdarnit, I like “Open Your Eyes.” It’s not a Yes classic by any means, but I still like it a lot, despite the never ending criticism of it. To each their own. 🙂

'Fragile' the best for me! Steve is so still full on with his enthusiasm in his playing keep it going man*****

Wonderful interview!! Steve clearly feels comfortable and respects you, and you're able to get him to speak about so many different topics openly. Thank you and looking forward for your next SH interview
🤟😎❣️🎶

I remember reading about magnification, that Steve was the only one who went back and added parts after the orchestra  was added. And that the album was delayed because it's took a long time to mix. A 5.1 version would be nice.

One of my top five pantheon of chordophonists,   Steve Howe is a legend and a main influence to my own musical ramblings.    I agree with  Barry -  Tales From Topographic Oceans was Yes's  'opus magnum'.  
But as with the other great prog giants - most albums were brilliant in their own right.   A good band for me is a group of talent that are consistent and produce albums that are flawless, or near as dammit...
Even the low-sales of 'Tormato' spawned an eco-warriors  anthem - 'Don't Kill The Whale'...  

For me it was not just Steve's playing that I found compelling, but equally Chris Squire's grunting bass lines - the man was an epitome of the title -  'Big Generator'.   But his opus magnum moment in the studio was undoubtedly  his work on 'Drama'.   Both fellow musicians in perfect sync and ROCKING.   'Drama' is not only one of my favourite Yes albums,  it stands proud as being one of my own 'Desert Island Discs'.  

Excellent interview Barry - with one of the 'Royalty of Rock'.    An absolute treat to listen to a great contemporary composers' recollections and I look forward to 'Open Your Eyes' and all that might be coming down the pipeline...  One thing for sure - Steve Howe has been one of the most prolific musicians of our era - both he and Chris rarely resting on their laurels,  musical workaholics to the end !

I find it ironic that Hackett was interviewed yesterday and Howe today. Sounds like GTR made a brief appearance. I would assume they both don't like to talk about that experience but I loved that album. It was definitely 80s production but still a great listen.

Another  Great  Interview- Steve is always articulate,  and fothcoming with a storyline, an anecdote, or an idea

As a Yes fan I love all of the bands work.