 WETTON
* DOWNES
Icon: Acoustic TV Broadcast
Frontiers Records 2006
www.frontiers.it
What’s the 4-1-1?
Asia co-founders John Wetton and Geoffrey Downes celebrate 2005’s
Icon reunion with an acoustic set featuring songs from all of their
past collaborations.
Genre
Melodic rock / pop rock / soft rock
The Good
Trust me on this one; avoid the DVD version of this release. You have to buy
the CD version to really enjoy it, because the music speaks for itself. If
you try to catch a visualization of this performance, you will become totally
bored and it will ruin your view of the music. That being said, this acoustic
performance is more unplugged than it is acoustic. Geoff is at the piano,
while John handles bass. They also brought along Hugh McDowell on the cello.
The other musicians are off camera (on the DVD).
The familiar Asia hit “Heat
of the Moment” kicks off the set, but there’s nothing familiar
about this version. “Voice of America” is where the duo really
strut their stuff. The combination of moving cello and perfect dual vocal
harmonies really raise the emotional level. This song was meant to be this
way. One of my favorite songs from the Icon release was “Let Me Go,” and
this new unplugged version may supercede it. John is in perfect voice and
Geoff compliments him well.
The spiritual message behind “God Walks
with Us” is engaging and powerful in its delivery. “Sole Survivor” is
more about Downes and Wetton’s vocals than anything else. I kind of
miss the guitar and synth work on the original “Only Time Will Tell,” but
their piano and cello replacements do just fine. The duo is joined by female
vocalist Annie Haslam for the stirring version of “In the End.” The
set rounds out with the bonus track “There in Your Bed.”
The Bad
The guys seem to stumble a bit with the “Heat of the Moment” arrangement,
which turns you off a bit because it’s the first number. They probably
should have had some type of audience for this, rather than an empty studio.
The Verdict
The unplugged versions of Wetton and Downes collaborations are just as enjoyable
and sometimes more refreshing than there plugged-in studio works. Nice
arrangements and beautiful melodies.
Did You Know?
John Wetton and Geoffrey Downes have announced an Asia reunion for the later
half of 2006.
Rating:  out
of 5
Related Reviews:
Wetton * Downes - Icon
Asia - Aria & Arena [Special Editions]
Wetton * Downes - Icon: Acoustic TV Broadcast DVD
--George Dionne
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