Album review: JOHN WETTON – Concentus (10-CD box set)

October 29th, 2024 by GRTR! HQ

Spirit Of Unicorn Music/Cherry Red Records [Release date 15.11.24]

‘Concentus – The John Wetton Live Collection Volume One’ is the latest in a planned series of albums featuring John Wetton and spanning the years 1994-1997. Following last year’s compendium of solo studio work it brings together gigs from places as far apart as Amsterdam and Argentina.

The 10-CD box set is a great entry point for those who have more recently discovered the wealth of Wetton as a solo artist, often overshadowed by his more overt activity in bands such as King Crimson, UK and Asia (there were many more!). All are represented in some shape or form in this collection.

Inevitably there is much duplication in terms of setlists, and buyers should also be aware that some of these recordings first surfaced on the old Voiceprint/Blueprint label. It is a sad indictment of the industry that the hardcore fan may be forced to re-purchase those earlier albums because the box set provides unreleased material, the ubiquitous ‘bonus tracks’, and has been completely remastered by the redoubtable Andy Pearce.

Amongst the genuinely new stuff, a solo tour of Germany in 1995 is captured with bonus rehearsal tracks and a set at Progfest in May 1997 (although three tracks appeared on the ‘Progfest ’97′ CD). There’s also an April 1997 gig from Amsterdam. It appears that the date of the featured 1996 Osaka gig may actually be 2 October 1997 based on the earlier release and contemporary setlists. Jerry Ewing’s liner note is fairly light on the detail of these recordings preferring a career overview approach which I assume has been replicated on the previous box set.

Wetton was an interesting musician, flexible, and a fine vocalist. He told me in 2009 how an early church music background influenced the structuring of his own music and how it was The Beatles that made most impact on his early musicianship.

Amongst the musicians appearing with Wetton in these shows are keyboard players Martin Orford (IQ) and John Young (Asia), members of It Bites, and drummer Thomas Lang.

These live recordings may inspire you to seek out the original solo albums with superb songs like ‘Crime Of Passion’, ‘Caught In The Crossfire’ and ‘Hold Me Now’. The cognoscenti will debate which of these gigs best captures the ‘Heat Of The Moment’ but overall a fine overview from this continuing and celebratory retrospective. ****

Review by David Randall

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Power Plays w/c 28 October 2024

IZZY REIGN Spooky Scary Skeletons (FiXT)
THE RASMUS Rest In Pieces (Better Noise Music)
THE PLAGUE What Else Can I Do (FiXT)
STAR CIRCUS Turn The Tide (indie)
DEFENCES Breathe It In (Long Branch Records)

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09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
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