The Clap / Mood For A Day

Hey there, Zoo Freaks, it’s your groovy pals at THE ZOO radio station, spinning the vibes that keep your souls soaring! Right now, we’re diving into the intricate guitar magic of The Clap / Mood For A Day by Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe from their live album An Evening Of Yes Music Plus [Live] [Disc 1]. This track is a showcase of Steve Howe’s solo acoustic prowess, performed during their 1989 tour at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California. Fun fact: Steve Howe has clarified that the song is called Clap, not The Clap, to avoid any cheeky misunderstandings—apparently, it’s a nod to cheerful applause, not anything else! The medley flows seamlessly from the upbeat, fingerpicking energy of Clap into the serene, classical-inspired Mood For A Day, which Howe wrote to evoke a pastoral, reflective vibe. Fans on Prog Archives have raved about how Howe’s live performance here is a masterclass in precision, with some noting an unlisted instrumental piece slipped between the two tracks, adding a mysterious flair to the set.

Another cool tidbit comes from the concert’s unique structure. The show kicked off with each member of Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe taking the stage solo, and Howe’s guitar spot was a crowd-pleaser, with his “elven topknot” shining under the stage lights as he delivered these pieces with a rare, beaming smile. Reviewers on Amazon have called this DVD one of the best visual captures of the band, with close-ups of Howe’s nimble fingers stealing the show. The energy of the 1989 tour was electric, as the band—basically four-fifths of classic Yes—was forbidden to use the Yes name due to legal disputes with bassist Chris Squire, but they still poured their hearts into every note, proving they were Yes in spirit.

Let’s rewind to how Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe came to be. This supergroup formed in the late 1980s when Jon Anderson, Bill Bruford, Rick Wakeman, and Steve Howe—all former members of the legendary progressive rock band Yes—reunited after years apart. Jon Anderson, the ethereal-voiced frontman, had been with Yes since its inception in 1968 but left in the mid-1980s after creative differences. Feeling the pull to reconnect with his old bandmates, he reached out to Howe, Wakeman, and Bruford, who had each carved out solo careers or played in other projects like King Crimson (Bruford) or GTR (Howe). Their shared history in Yes during the early 1970s, crafting iconic albums like Fragile and Close To The Edge, fueled their desire to create something new. They released their self-titled album in 1989, which was a global hit, and embarked on a world tour that produced the live album we’re spinning today. Though they couldn’t call themselves Yes, their music was a love letter to their prog-rock roots, blending complex arrangements with spiritual lyricism.

For more on these prog legends, check out their official sites: Jon Anderson, Bill Bruford, Rick Wakeman, and Steve Howe. Connect with them on social media too—Jon Anderson on Facebook, Instagram, and X; Bill Bruford on Facebook; Rick Wakeman on Facebook and X; and Steve Howe on Facebook. Fans can dive deeper at YesWorld, the official Yes site, or join discussions at Prog Archives. There’s also a vibrant Yes Fans Facebook Group where Zoo Freaks can geek out with fellow prog lovers. Keep it locked to THE ZOO, and let’s keep the cosmic vibes flowing!