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Artist: John Wetton |
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The name of John Wetton is synonymous with band like Family, King Crimson, Uriah Heap, UK and more prominently with Prog legends Asia. But in between all those bands Wetton has also managed to put together five solo albums, with this latest release making number six, and it has to be said, one of his finest. Wetton brings
forth this album that is a musical journey, encompassing the different aspects
of his work over the years and with the help of producer and multi-instrumentalist
Billy Sherwood and a few friends along the way, notably Robert Fripp
(King Crimson), Eddie Jobson (UK), Mick Box (Uriah Heep), Steve Hackett
(Genesis), Steve Morse (Deep Purple) and of course Geoff Downes of Asia
and put together an album that is quite simply stunning. The
album mixes the obvious Progressive elements with some Folkish and Rock,
in an album that spans a multitude of styles and genres that it almost
impossible to pigeonhole and that’s what I like about it. Take
for instance the opener ‘Lost For Words’. This one shows Wetton’s
rockier side with just an air of that Prog Rock sound that you associate
with the Wetton name. Then it’s the title track ‘Raised In
Captivity’ with its gentle haunting intro that leads into another
great mix of Prog elements and that rockier guitar sound. Next
it’s a complete switch with ‘Goodbye Elismore’, a definite turn
toward the Folk Rock sound and a song that wouldn’t go amiss on a Fairport
Convention album, before bring back that rockier edge with just a touch
of funky bass lines for the excellent ‘The Last Night of My Life’. The
next track is pure Prog Rock all the way with ‘Stay Together’ and the sonically stunning
‘The Human Condition’, before bringing back that Folk Rock element
once more with ‘Steffi’s Ring’ and ‘The Devil And The Opera
House’. It’s
back to rockier side of the album with excellent ‘New Star Rising’,
before the ballad ‘Don’t Understand Me’. Then things take a truly
dramatic turn as Wetton teams up with Dutch singer Anneke Van
Giersbergen on 'Mighty Rivers', a great epic, almost symphonic metal
song, that is my favourite track off the album. Talk about leaving the
best for last! This is just simply stunning and wraps up another magical
album courtesy of one of Rocks true legends. |
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Tracklisting: 1.Lost For Words |
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