John WETTON: Rock of faith CD For fans of IQ, Asia, Toto, Yes, King Crimson, Genesis, Styx, Arena. CHECK audio

Description

Track Listings
1. Mondrago
2. Rock Of Faith
3. New Day
4. I’ve Come To Take You Home
5. Who Will Light A Candle
6. Nothings Gonna Stand In Our Way
7. Altro Mondo
8. I Believe In You
9. Take Me To The Waterline
10. I Lay Down
11. When You Were Young

His finest work since he had left Asia! Although his album ‘Sinister’ was good, it wasn’t as strong as this, which has to be one of the best albums John has ever been associated with throughout his long career. The core of the band was John himself, Steve Christey (Jadis) and John Mitchell (Arena) who are both in his touring band and one Clive Nolan (Arena, Shadowland, Pendragon etc). John Wetton had gone to Thin Ice to record the drums and liked it so much he stayed! Clive’s partner in crime, Karl Groom, engineered the album and the Thin Ice guys co-produced it with John. There are also a few guests, including one Geoffrey Downes who he hadn’t worked with in years, but for this album they also co-wrote two songs together. Something that will most definitely be of interest to all Asia fans.

But what makes this such a strong album? The songs are much more in the melodic/hard rock field, but slower, with an emphasis on orchestral overtones with the main listening point being the vocals. Each song is aimed at maximising the power of the voice, with the music as a vehicle, and this has really allowed John to shine. The album starts with an atmospheric instrumental, where Clive and John Mitchell combine to good effect to build on the emotion, which in turn leads to the title cut which segues in gently, gradually building on John’s vocals.

It is an album that hearkens back to old times while also showing the future, and on the basis of this album that is very bright indeed. It is immediately accessible and enjoyable and one that I have enjoyed playing a great deal.

5.0 out of 5 stars
I’m gonna say right now that this has to be my Album of the Year.
It begins with a haunting instrumental called Mondrago that is not unlike the main ‘theme’ in Hang on to a Dream.
The title track follows and, believe me, you will be knocked out by the incredible depth of feeling conveyed in JWs vocals – this is a man who has been/is in ‘pain’ following a turbulent period in his life over the past couple of years (i don’t know the details).
A New Day follows and it is song about about ‘hope’ – the lyrics are stunning. “How many times have i been on my knees?, Screaming someone, anyone, help me please!”.
Next up is ‘I’ve come to take you Home’ which was co-written by JW and Geoff Downes and then the eerie ‘Who will light a candle?’
A new found ‘belief’ emerges in the track ‘Nothings gonna stand in our way’ which is another co-write with long time JW collaborator Sue Schifrin – very Asia-like with an ‘anthemic’ chorus. This is followed by another instrumental gem called Altro Mondo.
The album just keeps getting better and ends with four stunners!
‘I believe in you’ – “in my life, i commit and you know its true, i believe in you”. The songs builds from a quiet opening to feature a great Guitar-Saxophone duet.
Then the next track – ‘Take me down to the Waterline’ – again a great vocal track with wonderful keyboards and guitar.
Then, for me, the standout track – ‘I Lay Down’ – again co-written with Geoff Downes. This begins with John singing to a string-based backing with acoustic guitar and builds on layer upon layer of synths into a final screaming guitar solo culminating in a big ‘church-organ-type’ finish – all on the back of another set of inspired lyrics
The final track – ‘When We Were Young’ – is an acapella one and it is sensational!! The hairs on the back of my neck stood up listening to the power and beauty of Johns’ performance along with, i think, his own studio-produced backing/harmony vocals.
This is an album that has been made by one of (Prog) Rocks’ great stalwarts. In truth, his turbulent personal life has been the’making’ of this album. It is obvious, in the autobiographical nature of much of the album, that the lyrics and the ‘feeling’ in his delivery come from deep within him.
I have rarely heard an album that conveyed power and feeling in the way that this one does…