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Wetton, John: Raised in Captivity

Recorded in Los Angeles in January 2011, Raised in Captivity is John Wetton's sixth solo album although the bassist's 40 year career is best known for his work with King Crimson, Family, Roxy Music, Uriah Heep, Asia and U.K. Recently Raised in Captivity took a bit of a pasting in the Classic Rock AOR magazine;"risible," was one adjective used to describe "Steffi's Ring". Whilst this record probably won't go down as one of the defining platters of Wetton's distinguished career it is well worth investigating. As you can see from the track listing below Mr Wetton has recruited quite a number of well-known friends to help out on the CD and often this can lead to a disjointed kind of effort but not in this case. Wetton has always had a good ear for a tune and this talent has not deserted him by any stretch of the imagination and several tunes such as "Lost for Words", the title track and "New Star Rising" would fit nicely on any given Asia album although much of the album is a tad heavier than that band.

Wetton's gift for tunage is best utilized on "Goodbye Elsinore" which is utterly lovely, "Steffi's Ring" and "The Devil and the Opera House" which to these ears is the outstanding track on display. In a world where record companies seem to be trying to make fetuses pop stars it is leasing to report that at least one of music's elder statesmen is still in fine form.


Track Listing:
1. Lost For Words (featuring Steve Morse)
2. Raised In Captivity (featuring Robert Fripp)
3. Goodbye Elsinore (featuring Steve Hackett)
4. The Last Night Of My Life (featuring Alex Machacek)
5. We Stay Together (bonus track)
6. The Human Condition (featuring Tony Kaye)
7. Steffi's Ring (featuring Geoff Downes)
8. The Devil And The Opera House (featuring Eddie Jobson)
9. New Star Rising (featuring Mick Box)
10. Don't Misunderstand Me (featuring Tony Kaye)
11. Mighty Rivers (featuring Anneke Van Giersbergen)

Added: August 20th 2011
Reviewer: Simon Bray
Score:
Related Link: Artist Website
Hits: 2368
Language: english

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Wetton, John: Raised in Captivity
Posted by Steven Reid, SoT Staff Writer on 2011-08-20 11:05:14
My Score:

With such an unmistakable voice, it is almost inevitable that everything that John Wetton sings on these days has a reasonably similar ring to it. That's not to say that his output with Asia, Wetton/Downes, or his solo work don't all have their place, but at times they do undoubtedly cross over to quite an extent. So with half of Asia currently touring with Yes, Wetton has for the time being turned back to working under his own name, although what Raised In Captivity does emphasise is just how integral Wetton's songwriting and vocals are to the reformed Asia sound. Although to be fair there is the odd, if slight change of direction on this album.

Tracks such as the mid paced soft rocking "The Devil And The Opera House", or the upbeat, celebratory "We Stay Together" could easily have been lifted from either of the last two Asia discs, however the slightly grittier pomp of "Lost For Words" surprises by sounding strongly akin to the John Payne era of that band. There are high profile guests galore across the album, with King Crimson (another ex-band of Wetton's) mainman Robert Fripp showing up on the pleasantly progressive discomfort of the album's title track, while other notable cameos are provided by Deep Purple guitarist Steve Morse, one time Genesis man Steve Hackett, ex-Yes keyboard man Tony Kaye and Uriah Heep's Mick Box, among others. Wetton's Asia and W/D band mate Geoff Downes also shows up adding keyboards to "Steffi's Ring", where in truth the maudlin tones illustrate the less interesting side of this album. Unlike many artists Wetton allows his guests to stretch out and add their own personality to the songs, which while still undoubtedly his compositions, does give the music interesting new aspects to look out for. It is also worth noting that as with his recent Asia output, this album also finds Wetton in remarkably fine voice.

Good though it may be, outside of John Wetton's existing fanbase it is difficult to imagine Raised In Captivity making a huge impact, but for those who have followed his long and winding career, there is much here to delight and excite.

Wetton, John: Raised in Captivity
Posted by Pete Pardo, SoT Staff Writer on 2011-07-19 08:49:45
My Score:

Surprisingly upbeat & rocking solo affair here from the current Asia singer/bassist, who has made a career out of also playing with legendary acts such as UK, King Crimson, Family, and Uriah Heep. Raised in Captivity sees Wetton in fine form vocally, and he's surrounded by a massive wave of sound on just about every track here, including big guitars, mountains of keyboards, and heavy hitting drums. The title track almost sounds like 90125 era Yes, and "Lost for Words" and "Goodbye Elsinore" wouldn't sound out of place on any Asia album. As with just about anything that Wetton is attached to, you can expect plenty of catchy melodies and soaring hooks, but the somewhat metallic and glossy sheen that permeates all these songs differs greatly from the more acoustic nature of some of his more recent solo outings. I'll take the chunky riffs and powerful vocals of "We Stay Together" and the textured & majestic prog of "The Devil and the Opera House" any day from this legendary musician.

As with just about anything Mr. Wetton touches, expect plenty of class on Raised in Captivity. He's brought an amazing list of guests to help him out on this one (just listen to the lovely Anneke Van Giersbergen on the heart tugging ballad "Mighty Rivers"), and it all amounts to a very enjoyable release, in many ways more so than the recent Asia album.



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