Yes’ Steve Howe-written song “Hour of Need” went through a myriad of versions. The song first appeared on Howe’s 2005 solo album Spectrum with the title “In the Hour of Need.” With Howe’s minimalistic production and dry baritone, the feel is totally different.
The full band’s initial version, from 2011’s Fly From Here, sported an enhanced arrangement thanks to Trevor Horn’s production. The combination of Benoit David’s vocals with Howe’s added a completely different nuance to the song, which is about social injustice.
Geoff Downes’ brief synthesizer solo tied in well with Howe’s plaintive acoustic guitar passages. The 3:07 version of “Hour of Need” on Fly From Here offers an interesting contrast to the more than six-minute version on 2018’s Horn-led re-formulation of the album, titled Fly From Here – The Return Trip.
This most recent version includes a soaring Asia-like electric guitar introduction before the main acoustic guitar theme enters, as well as a superfluous instrumental coda.
While the pairing of David’s original vocals seemed to be a better sonic fit, Trevor Horn’s harmonies still add an element missing to the solo Steve Howe editions found on Spectrum and 2006’s Homebrew 6.
Take a listen to the various versions, and decide which you prefer.
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