Artist: Wetton & Downes
Label: Frontiers Records
Release: 2005
Rating: 3.5/5
What happens when two good friends decide to make a new album after twenty years? The answer is dead simple…they create a MASTERPIECE!
Two prog rock veterans who played in bands like King Crimson, Uriah Heep, Roxy Music, UK (John Wetton) and Yes, Buggles (Geoff Downes) and of course ASIA (ASIA), decided after twenty years to finally record a whole new album.
In a flood of industrial pop that radio and TV stations keep forcing on listeners and viewers, Icon is a real breath of fresh air, and the duo got help making it from top-notch musicians like Ian McDonald (King Crimson, Foreigner), Hugh McDowell (Electric Light Orchestra), Annie Haslam (Renaissance) and two members of Wetton’s backing band (Steve Christey (Jadis) and John Mitchell (Arena)).
I could describe this album track by track, but that just doesn’t work here! This is a whole, made to be enjoyed! You get Downes’ keyboards weaving with guitar parts David Gilmour himself wouldn’t be ashamed of, a rock-solid rhythm section, gorgeous flute and cello, and on top of it all, of course, one of the best voices in rock music. Honestly, any rambling in this review is pointless. To all lovers of real music: get yourself this album as soon as you can, stick it in your CD player, crack open a beer, settle into your armchair and ENJOY!
And one last thought…Icon is definitely not a comeback of ASIA with the two original members, but the return of two old warhorses who, with a little help from their friends, will brighten up many a moment for you.
Lineup
John Wetton – vocals, bass guitar
Geoffrey Downes – keyboards
Steve Christey – drums
John Mitchell – guitars
Hugh McDowell – cello
Ian MacDonald – flute
Annie Haslam – guest vocals on the track “In The End”
Production
John Wetton & Geoffrey Downes
Tracklist
1.Overture: Paradox / Let Me Go
2.God Walks With Us
3.I Stand Alone
4.Meet Me At Midnight
5.Hey Josephine
6.Far Away
7.Please Change Your Mind
8.Sleep Angel
9.Spread Your Wings
10.In The End
