Progarchives.com has always (since 2002) relied on banners ads to cover web hosting fees and all. Please consider supporting us by giving monthly PayPal donations and help keep PA fast-loading and ad-free forever.
Joined: February 18 2004
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 26371
Posted: February 02 2015 at 01:19
cstack3 wrote:
I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned John's short-lived band "Qango" yet!
p.s. as usual, I agree with our friend Ivan (above).
John Young and Carl Palmer were involved I think? I did buy a the live CD but rarely play it.
There is a nice story of Keith Emerson turning up to one of their gigs unannounced and then joining in on Hoedown. Palmer was a little bit surprised to say the least.
Joined: July 20 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ USA
Status: Offline
Points: 6797
Posted: February 02 2015 at 02:33
I just found this nice little clip of Wetton & Fripp jamming away! This shows how John brought a finger-style funky tone to the bottom end of the band, vs. the more piano-like, plectrum-staccato approach of Greg Lake.
Joined: February 10 2010
Location: Barcelona Spain
Status: Offline
Points: 5128
Posted: February 02 2015 at 03:24
richardh wrote:
cstack3 wrote:
I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned John's short-lived band "Qango" yet!
John Young and Carl Palmer were involved I think? I did buy a the live CD but rarely play it.
There is a nice story of Keith Emerson turning up to one of their gigs unannounced and then joining in on Hoedown. Palmer was a little bit surprised to say the least.
Yeah I have that one too but also rarely listen to it. Wetton, Palmer, John Young and David Kilminster playing a mix of ELP and Asia-debut-album tracks, they sound quite different due to Kilminster's guitar which is of the 'modern-school' style, completely different than Howe.
Joined: June 22 2004
Location: England
Status: Offline
Points: 16130
Posted: February 02 2015 at 07:29
He's made some drek in his time, but then so have Genesis and they're my favourite band. I just embrace the good and reject the crap. Simples. No one is obliged to listen to Asia. Thankfully.
Joined: January 04 2007
Location: Grok City
Status: Offline
Points: 16436
Posted: February 03 2015 at 08:47
tamijo wrote:
ExittheLemming wrote:
The only original proggers who didn't try their hand at mainstream rock/pop were those who died before we reached the 80's.
My God---Is Fripp Dead ?????
I sincerely doubt that ExittheCartoonComputerGame meant it that way at all ... I rather think that he was lifting his number one finger like Mad magazine once did!
Music is not just for listening ... it is for LIVING ... you got to feel it to know what's it about! Not being told! www.pedrosena.com
The only original proggers who didn't try their hand at mainstream rock/pop were those who died before we reached the 80's.
My God---Is Fripp Dead ?????
Not even Fripp & Co were exempt from attempting a more accessible mainstream style in the 80's e.g. the Discipline, Beat and Three of a Perfect Pair trio of albums all contain elements of new-wave, proto-techno, world music and radio friendly Pop etc. Robert has also confirmed that his solo Exposure and League of Gentlemen projects were both attempts at a more commercial approach. (I enjoy all these records hugely) Although Live at the Orpheum would suggest otherwise, his demise has not been greatly exaggerated
Edited by ExittheLemming - February 07 2015 at 00:55
Joined: January 19 2013
Status: Offline
Points: 1136
Posted: February 07 2015 at 13:33
Wetton's short tenure with Wishbone Ash is an interesting one. Bassist, frontman and principle songwriter Martin Turner had parted company with the band after a disagreement over musical direction. In came Wetton, who seemed to be the perfect replacement - same sort of bass style and could sing and write songs. Even Turner, though cheesed off with what had happened, is on record as saying he thought JW would be a good fit. However, the band had other ideas and although Wetton offered them some songs (including "Here Comes The Feeling"), he found that he was only engaged to play bass and that Andy Powell and Laurie Wisefield would be sharing lead vocals (even though neither had a strong voice). Wetton left the band before they toured the Number The Brave album (he was replaced by Trevor Bolder) and only one of the songs on the album was written by him. A case of an opportunity missed for Wishbone Ash as things went downhill for them after that, whilst Wetton found success with Asia.
Joined: June 20 2012
Location: Oklahoma
Status: Offline
Points: 7946
Posted: February 08 2015 at 14:50
SteveG wrote:
^How you or anyone perceives Wetton's career is valid, Garard. I don't think that's an issue. But I would just like to point out that it may appear a bit too focused on just one individual. Yes, Genesis et al, all went the commercial route, as it was a fixture of that era. Good God, even Renaissance made a dreadful pop album (Time Line) that I don't like, but I understand why they had to go in that direction.
That's right it was part of a larger trend back then. The 80s make just make me gosh darn mad. A few exceptions; Zappa, Henry Kaiser, Adrian Belew, King Crimson, Marillion and so on contributed some good output, but the overwhelming tide was...oh, I'm getting grumpy. Anyway, on the positive side, I don't have any problem revising any view I have of any artist, Phil Collins included, if they start or return to playing Prog.
Joined: March 03 2013
Location: USA
Status: Offline
Points: 587
Posted: February 08 2015 at 22:05
I always thought of Wetton as one of the most respectable musicians to grace the world of rock. His foibles can be chalked up to his being human and wanting to put some food on the table at times when the recording industry wasn't at its most supportive.
His record in KC speaks for itself, and I think the original UK album is a testimony to his ability. I just wish UK stayed in Alaska instead of going for the Danger Money. Considering the volume of material that has been recorded since Edison's little invention, it's safe to say that few musicians have left as large a footprint as John Wetton.
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
This page was generated in 0.148 seconds.
Donate monthly and keep PA fast-loading and ad-free forever.