Description
With an illustrious career that has involved some of the biggest names in rock, and with millions of album sales to his name, John Wetton has become a respected icon in the
progressive and AOR rock scene.After recording two albums with Family (Fearless and Bandstand, which included a top ten single). In 1972 sparked the formation of what is now considered by many to be the classic King Crimson line up with Bill Bruford and David Cross. The band recorded four projects together (Larks Tongues In Aspic, Starless And Bible Black, Red and USA Live) and toured the USA and Europe extensively to sold out crowds. Although the outfit met with considerable success, John felt once more that it was time to express his musical creativity elsewhere. Shortly after departing King Crimson, John recorded alongside Bryan Ferry, Phil Manzanera and Brian Eno in Roxy Music. It was during this stint that John met with talented keyboard player Eddie Jobson and in 1978 John teamed up with Jobson, ex- Soft Machine guitarist Allan Holdsworth and old Crimson colleague Bill Bruford to form the band UK. Their eponymously titled debut album is still considered by many to be a critical and commercial milestone. Hot on the heels of their successful debut, the band followed up with the album Danger Money a year later. In 1980 John recorded his first solo album, Caught In The Crossfire which garnered the attention of A&R guru John Kalodner of Geffen Records. Eighteen months later Asia was born – a new supergroup featuring John, Carl Palmer (ELP), Steve Howe (Yes) and Geoff Downes (Yes/Buggles). With the release of their first album, Asia in May 1982, John had finally achieved the commercial recognition that had previously eluded him as Asia went on to be the biggest selling album of that year in the USA. Not only did the album reach Gold and Platinum status; it also spawned two Top 20 singles (Heat Of The Moment and Only Time Will Tell). After five albums with Asia (Asia, Alpha, Astra Live In Moscow and Then & Now) and millions of album sales later, providence moved John to California. John released his second solo album, Battle Lines, produced by the legendary Ron Nevison in late 1994. The album featured the trademark Wetton sound along with a cast of many talented musicians such as Robert Fripp, Steve Lukather and Simon Phillips (both of Toto). An extensive tour of Japan, Europe and the US followed the albums release. The tour spawned a self produced live album entitled, Chasing The Dragon. After spending the latter part of 1997 recording and playing live with Steve Hackett, John returned to the fore in May of the following year with the successfully received follow up to the Battle Lines album. Arkangel again saw John collaborate with a talented cast of musicians including John Young, Steve Hackett, Bob Marlette and Robert Fripp. A lengthy tour with a fresh new band ensued taking in much of Europe where many of the performances were recorded for a possible future live album. June 1999 saw the release of the celebrated Nomansland Live In Poland CD, Johns first release for the GEP label. Nomansland, which also features Dave Kilminster on guitar, Martin Orford (IQ) on keyboards and Steve Christey (Jadis) on drums, contains live recordings of songs from throughout Johns career, including Sole Survivor, Book Of Saturday, Rendezvous 6:02 and a full version of King Crimsons classic Starless, together with songs from Arkangel. After a brief spell in the short-lived Qango, with Carl Palmer, John spent much of 2000 getting the material together for a new studio CD. Some of this material originated from sessions with Canadian and U.S. based songwriters Jim Valance and Jim Peterik a few years back, but with contributions from Johns musical collaborators in Britain (including Robert Fripp and Steve Hackett), the album began to take on a truly transatlantic flavour. With other songs co-written with Ringo Starr and even David Cassidy the new CD, now entitled Sinister is a very varied piece of work, though fans of the multi-million selling first Asia album will find much to their liking on it. Sinister was released in 2001.
track list:
1. Heart Of Darkness
2. Say It Ain’t So
3. No Ordinary Miracle
4. Where Do We Go From Here
5. E Scape
6. Another Twist Of The Knife
7. Silently
8. Before Your Eyes
9. Second Best
10. Real World
Personnel
John Wetton vocals, bass, 12-string guitar, keyboards
Jim Vallance keyboards, vocals, guitars
John Mitchell guitars
Jim Peterik guitar, keyboards
Martin Orford keyboards
Tod Sucherman drums
Robert Fripp soundscape guitar
Ian McDonald alto flute
Dick Wagner guitars
Greg Bisonette drums
Steve Christy drums
Gary Chandler guitars
John Young keyboards
Guy Roche keyboards
Sue Shiffrin vocals
David Cassidy vocals
Ron Komie guitars
Steve Hackett harmonica
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5.0 out of 5 stars Superb album from an unrecognised genius journeyman musician,
I have followed John Wetton for years and own his entire back catalogue-this his 1st offering of new songs for years was eagerly awaited.
John excels as a songwriter and consummate musician. Sinister benefits from an excellent array of fine musicians in the studio.
The songs are Melodic and Wettons super voice excels especially in tracks like Say it ain,t so and Another twist of the knife.
This album has been playing non-stop in our house since it arrived
If you like well constructed AOR with panache-this is for YOU
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5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant Album!!!,
This is a great CD! even the instrumental(E-scape) is 1st class, these are surely modern classics and john wetton should get way more recognition for what he does as he is so good at it. This album is so good it rivals ‘battle lines’ as his finest solo work(it would even have made a good Asia album too!)
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5.0 out of 5 stars John Wettons 2001 studio release “Sinister”,
This is an excellent CD!!!! If you are looking for that Asia sound with a lot of Johns own backing vocals, this is it! Every song could be a hit on the charts if it were released here in the US. I thought all but one song was strong- it was an instrumental. It was very good, I just prefer lyrics. I have “Caught in the Crossfire” and “Chasing the Dragon” and this is, by far, my favorite yet. Excellent album!
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5.0 out of 5 stars THE WORLDs GREATEST VOICE RETURNS
Following two other 5 star albums (BATTLE LINES and ARKANGEL),John Wettons SINISTER is another great album.Sounding more like his Asia and BATTLE LINES music than ARKANGEL,Wetton soars on the powerful leadoff track HEART OF DARKNESS.NO ORDINARY MIRACLE is a terrific ballad that Wetton shines on.Former crimson band mates Robert Fripp and Ian Mcdonald guest on the instrumental E-SCAPE. SECOND BEST,SILENTLY,ANOTHER TWIST OF THE KNIFE and WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE are all typical Wetton: awesome vocals,solid musicianship,and great songs.There is not a weak spot on SINISTER.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Moving in the Right direction.
Wetton brings back some of his early ASIA sounds to this cd. For a moment it seems as though Downes is playing along with Wetton on a few songs! A fresh sound and future classic song co written with Ringo Starr, with Steve Hacket on harmonica!!, “Real World” is a wonderful ending to this CD, the last of 3 of his latest releases. “Twist of the Knife” is really good too! The instrumental sounds wonderful with the help from a King Crimson legacy. 🙂
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5.0 out of 5 stars OUTSTANDING!!!
In my humble opinion, this is the finest solo effort yet from Mr. Wetton. Yes, ARKANGEL was brilliant; as was BATTLE LINES. But on SINISTER, much as Asia have done with their latest effort (AURA), John appears to have hit his stride, so to speak. Gone are the weak spots which were evident on BATTLE LINES (yes, they were there) as well as ARKANGEL (though far fewer than BATTLE LINES). Each song on SINISTER is a five-star effort.
All of the Wetton trademarks are here; only stronger & more consistently. On “Heart of Darkness” John rocks out like he hasn’t done since the first Asia effort. The instrumental “E-SCAPE” is hauntingly beautiful. The ballads here are simply gorgeous, the pop is instantly hummable, the writing is vintage Wetton, and his voice is the strongest it has been since his early ASIA days. (One of the first things that struck me about Asia was the sound of Johns voice. I absolutely loved it, and still do.) Oh, and lets not forget the contributions of Kilminster & Young. GREAT STUFF – some of their best yet with Wetton.
After 30+ years in the business, Mr. Wetton continues to produce some of the most finely crafted music around. This is one of those times when I wish we could rate beyond five stars. Because this one deserves at least 15. Simply the best.
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5.0 out of 5 stars John Wettons 2001 studio release
This is an excellent cd. If you’re looking for the John Wetton sound with his own backing vocals, look no further! Nearly every song is a potential Top 40 hit. There is one instrumental track on this album but the rest of the songs bring you back to those “Asia” days. His voice has only gotten better over the years. I have “Caught in the Crossfire” and “Chasing the Dragon” and this is, by far, my favorite Wetton cd.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Welcome To Heaven!
Sinister (also released as Welcome To Heaven) is one of my very favorite John Wetton CDs. Classic, well-written, incredibly performed music. John is right on the mark with this one. Keep up the great work John!
Written by John Wetton & Jim Vallance. All instruments played by these two except for the lead guitar solo of John Mitchell. Taken from Sinister with Robert Fripp (King Crimson), Steve Hackett (Genesis), Jim Peterik, Martin Orford (IQ, Jadis), Todd Sucherman (Styx), John Mitchell (Arena, The Urbane), as well as Gary Chandler, Ian McDonald (Foreigner), Greg Bisonette and Steve Christey (Jadis) among others.
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