WETTON John / DOWNES Geoffrey: Icon

Cover	Release	Style
	2005-05-16	melodic rock / AOR
	Label
	Frontiers
	Website
	www.geoffdownes.com / www.johnwetton.com
	Contact

	Playing Time	Cat. N°
	46:19	FR CD 242
	Review by / Translated by	Rating
	Jo De Boeck / Geert Fieuw	8,5/10
nederlands	Review

First, a small trip back in time... John Wetton (King Crimson, Roxy Music, UK, Wishbone Ash, Asia) and Geoffrey Downes (The Buggles, Yes) were at the basis of one of the greatest British bands in music history : ASIA. The band's debut clearly showed both gentlemen to be able to write some fantastic songs together, with the hit single "Heat Of The Moment" to prove the point. Unfortunately, the tale didn't last and in 1990 John Wetton's Asia-era came to an end. In the year 2002, both of them met again at a Philadelphia fan convention, and with Geoffrey Downes participating on Wetton's solo album "Rock of Faith", quite some people started hoping for a further collaboration. Well, that hope has become real: on may 16th, the album "Icon" is released and available! Frankly put : I think early-Asia fans can already fill in their number 1 album for 2005 ! ;o)) After a small introduction that sets you in the mood, "Let me Go" takes you back in time 20 years - and play after this one the song "Never in a Million Years" from Asia's Alpha, and you'll know what I mean ;o)). Next songs "God walks with us" and "Meet me at Midnight" could have equally well fitted on earlier Asia albums. "Hey Josephine", one of my favourites on "Icon" shows a lot of Survivor-influences, in "Spread Your Wings", John Wetton shows, once again, how excellent a singer he is, while "In The End" gets an extra touch by Annie Haslam's warm voice. Musically, everything is well balanced, but with a line-up like on this album you cannot really expect things to go wrong, can you... If you know that John Mitchell plays the guitar for Arena and Kino, and that Steve Christey plays drums with Jadis, there is no explanation needed that this is an experienced and gifted quartet, and I'm not even mentioning the guests and excellent production. To be honest : for me, this is one of the CD's of the year. On the other side, I can imagine that a lot of readers of this review may disagree with me because it all sounds a bit too eighties, and I must admit, they're right. If you like Asia, Survivor, Journey, Foreigner etcetera, than by all means you can add Icon to your album collection. If however, you thought that Downes and Wetton were going to surprise you with something completely new and refreshing, think again ... Conclusion : as an Asia fan, I quote this album 9,5/10, as a reviewer 8,5/10.
Musicians
John Wetton: vocals, bass Geoffrey Downes: keyboards Jon Mitchell: guitars Steve Christey: drums guests Annie Haslam (Renaissance) Ian McDonald (Foreigner, King Crimson) Hugh McDowell (ELO) Mike Stobbie
Tracklist
Ouverture / Paradox Let me go God walks with us I stand alone Meet me at midnight Hey Josephine Far away Please change your mind Sleep angel Spread your wings In the end


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