The musicianship here is creditable: Howe is equally adept at his piercing electric and classically influenced acoustic guitar styles. On bass, however, he only approximates the fine work of Yes cohort Chris Squire. Yes's Alan White and Patrick Moraz (drums and keyboards, respectively) provide backup, and former Yes drummer Bill Bruford is tersely effective on "Break Away from It All."

Unfortunately, good instrumentation is not enough to carry the album. Only an occasional passage shines; in "Will o' the Wisp," for example, dramatically weighty chords lay the framework for a burning guitar solo. The remaining cuts are simply too loose. The title track contains appealing ideas but ends up a meandering orchestral affair. Moreover, Howe's singing is weak and his lyrics embarrassing attempts at romanticism. Blurry engineering only makes matters worse. On the evidence of this album, Howe is a gifted guitarist, but he's not a leader. (RS 208)

CHARLEY WALTERS

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(Posted: Mar 11, 1976)