Frontiers/BAM
John Wetton is a living legend. In the seventies he was part of FAMILY, KING CRIMSON, ROXY MUSIC and URIAH HEEP. He then turned his hands to U.K. featuring ALAN HOLDSWORTH and BILL BRUFORD and in 1982 he became a member of ASIA, who´s debut contained the immortal “Heat of the Moment”. Four more solo albums ensued, as well as various collaborations. In 21002 he started working with Geoff Downes again, and in2006 the original ASIA reunited. This album is a collaboration with Billy Sherwood, who counts WORLD TRADE, YES and YOSO to his producing merits. Apart from his multi-instrumentalist producer, h the album features guests from John´s past like Mick Box of URIAH HEEP, Robert Fripp of KING CRIMSON, plus a new addition, a duet with Anneke Van Giersbergen (ex. THE GATHERING, AQUA DE ANNIQUE). The aim of this album has apparently been to retort to rock, without entirely leaving majestic harmonies and symphonic music.
Aw well, we have various notions of want rock is. I´d say that he does as promised in quite a few tracks, but that John is quite soft and pompous after all. The atmospheric yet somewhat raunchy title track, the quite straightforward “We Stay Together” and opener “Lost for Words” are all fine examples of what the info says the aim is. The guitar parts are crucial. “Steffis´Ring” is the opposite, a bard friendly flute framed cozy, yet too soft track for comfort. There is also the mediocrity of the elder feeling “New Star Rising”, something from the vaults perhaps. As pleasant and easy listen as this album is, it still lacks in the spark department. In spite of guests like Tony Kaye, Steve Hackett, and half the who´s who of classic rock I still wish for more.
Track List
Lost for Words
Raised in Captivity
Goodbye Elsinore
Last Night of My Life
We Stay Together
The Human Condition
Steffi´s Ring
The Devil and the Opera House
New Star Rising
Don´t Misunderstand Me
Mighty Rivers
www.frontiers.it www.myspace.com/johnwetton
