Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe: Difference between revisions

British rock band

Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe (ABWH) were an English progressive rock band active from 1988 to 1990 that comprised four past members of the English progressive rock band Yes. Singer Jon Anderson left Yes as he felt increasingly constrained by their commercial and pop-oriented direction in the 1980s. He began an album with other members from the band’s 1970s era: guitarist Steve Howe, keyboardist Rick Wakeman, and drummer Bill Bruford, plus bassist Tony Levin (Bruford’s bandmate in King Crimson).

The group released their only studio album, Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe, in June 1989 which reached number 14 in the UK and number 30 in the US. Their 1989–90 world tour was well-received and spawned two live albums, An Evening of Yes Music Plus (1993) and Live at the NEC – Oct 24th 1989 (2012). In 1990, tracks for a second studio album were included with songs recorded by Yes to make the thirteenth Yes album, Union (1991). This marked the end of Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe and the start of the eight-member Yes formation until 1992, comprising Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe, plus Yes musicians Chris Squire, Trevor Rabin, Tony Kaye, and Alan White.

History[edit]

Background and formation[edit]

In 1983, singer Jon Anderson returned to Yes to record lead vocals on their 1983 studio album 90125, which saw Yes adopt a musical direction that was more commercial and pop-oriented. The line-up during this time included bassist Chris Squire, drummer Alan White, keyboardist Tony Kaye, and guitarist Trevor Rabin who wrote the majority of 90125. The release of 90125 saw Yes reach their greatest commercial success which was followed by their 1987 album Big Generator.

In September 1988, Anderson left Yes citing his growing dissatisfaction with the band’s commercial direction.
He had also felt sidelined from the creative process due to the machinations of other band members and producer Trevor Horn.^[1] Anderson spent his summer on the Greek island of Hydra writing songs with Vangelis,^[2] where he first came up with the idea of making music with other members of the 1971–72 Yes line-up of guitarist Steve Howe, keyboardist Rick Wakeman, and drummer Bill Bruford. The only missing member from that line-up was Chris Squire, who remained in the then current version of Yes.

Studio album[edit]

The remains of AIR Studios in Montserrat in 2013.

On his return trip from Hydra, Anderson met Howe in London who presented him with his musical ideas including the chorus of “Brother of Mine”^[2] and “Birthright”. Five weeks were spent producing demo tracks at La Frette Studios in Paris. Anderson asked musician Milton McDonald to help with the project and play additional guitars.^[2] Bruford recalled meeting Anderson, Howe, Wakeman, and former Yes manager Brian Lane, at the airport in London. He said, “Oh, we’re in trouble here. This obviously meant it was some sort of Yes project … I thought I was just going to put some drums on a Jon Anderson solo record”.^[3]

Recording moved to AIR Studios on the island of Montserrat for six weeks.^[2] Bruford saw the recording location as “a deal clincher”.^[4] It was there when Bruford suggested to have his Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe: Difference between revisions