Icon

Artist: John Wetton , and Geoffrey Downes
Label: Avalon Japan
Category: Music

Average customer rating:

Format: Import
Media: Audio CD
Number Of Discs: 1
EAN: 4527516004972
ASIN: B0007OE398

Release Date: 2005-03-31

Icon

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Tracks:

Overture: 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
Heat of the Momet (2005)

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Heat of the Moment

Album Description

Japanese release with Geoff Downes. Details TBA. Avalon. 2005.

Album Details

Japanese Release featuring a Bonus Track: "Heat of the Moment (2005 Version)". The Former King Crimson/Roxy Music Bassist and Former Buggles/Yes Keyboardist who Made Up One Half of the Original Members of Asia Reunite for a Special Duo Project. Wetton's Voice Sounds Better Than Ever and Downes Continues to Straddle the Cutting Edge of Incorporating New Keyboard Technologies Into his Instrumentation.

Customer Reviews:

Japanese Version.......2006-11-29

As much as I enjoy the John Payne Asia albums, there's nothing quite like those early Wetton/Downes Asia collaborations. It goes beyond Wetton's unique voice or Downes's keyboard work. Something about this pair's collaborations always results in some truly memorable music.

Whenever these two musicians come together, you have to take notice. Icon is everything you'd expect from two of the four founders of Asia, but at the same time not what you'd expect. With Icon, Wetton and Downes leave behind much of the early Asia albums' pop sensibility in favor of a more progressive approach. It's not as catchy, but there is a more complex, more emotional feel to the music that brings to mind recent albums by Dare and Marillion. The fact that the pair is supported on this album by members of modern progressive rock bands like Jadis and Kino adds to this overall feeling. There are still moments that sound like vintage Asia, but Icon is definitely not a case of "business as usual".

It goes without saying that Icon will please long time Asia fans, but it's far more than just a throwback album. Icon is a remarkably strong album that most fans of modern progressive rock (as well as AOR and melodic rock) are almost certain to enjoy.

Their work on Icon appears to be a factor behind the recent reformation of the original Asia lineup earlier this year. I'm not exactly happy about the unceremonious dumping of John Payne (whose fine debut with GPS picks up right where Asia's Silent Nation left off), but at the same time I have to wonder what the classic lineup has in store.

PS - Am I the only one who thinks the verses to "I Stand Alone" sound uncannily similar to Ozzy Osbourne's "I Just Want You"? I won't tell Sharon if you won't!

NOTE: This expensive Japanese import version of Icon has since been made obsolete by the 2006 reissue, which contains not only the new version of "Heat of the Moment", but a reworked "the Smile Has Left Your Eyes" as well. Besides that, it's about half the price!

A welcome return.......2005-06-22

Messers Wetton and Downes have not worked together on a complete album since ASIA's Astra in 1985. So it's not surprising that Icon finds them having moved on from that great band, while still retaining its flavor in many places on this special reunion disc. Downes' keyboards add majesty and grace to any album, and his presence here lifts Icon even above the usual quality of Wetton's solo albums. Let Me Go and Hey Josephine could easily have been on Astra or its never-realized followup. McDowell's cello provides an emotional underscoring to the songs. This CD grows on me with each listen. No bad tracks. Icon is a welcome return of the Wetton/Downes team that should please their fans immensely.

Interesting...but classic ASIA fans will be disappointed.......2005-05-30

I purchased the Italian import of ICON. Despite the imprint on the outer cover stating "The incredible reunion of two of the supergroup ASIA founding members" this CD really has nothing to do with ASIA. So if you are hoping for the original ASIA sound you will be seriously disappointed. The artist billing on this CD is Wetton/Downes in that order, and that is appropriate. This is really a John Wetton CD and like all his CD's can be fairly introspective. Though, like all of his efforts, while impeccable, Geoff Downes keyboard work just seems along for the ride. The better cuts on this musical effort are the hymn God Walks With Us, the heartfelt I Stand Alone, the peaceful Sleep Angel, and the crown jewel of this CD In The End. ICON will appeal to the true John Wetton fan. There was not much in it for this Geoff Downes fan. The real bonus of purchasing this CD is the added vocal of Annie Haslam of Renaissance fame. She really shines on In The End. Also of note on this CD is John Mitchell, currently of KINO. If you are a classic line up ASIA fan proceed with caution, on the other hand this is not an unpleasant album.

A Tale Of Two Icons.......2005-05-28

I thought of several clever ways to review John Wetton / Geoff Downes new project "Icon". My first was a little wordy jaunt complete with Asia - isms and nods to the pyramids with every sentence. My next exercise in reviewing was to compare each song on the disc to one from their collective pasts. Then I thought, why not just say what you think of the music and see what happens. Ok, here we go.

I went into this with so much excitement. Since I first heard "Heat of the Moment" way back in 8th grade, I was hooked by Asia. I followed their career with great excitement and when Wetton left the band around 1992, I went with him. They say you can never go home again, but at least they can rent a room.

"Icon" kicks off in the fine Asia tradition with "Let Me Go", a rocky song of defiance in the face of turmoil. To me it sounds like a b - side track left from Astra. That is not a bad thing. I put "Lying to Yourself" and "Daylight" in my Asia top ten. It is great to hear the orchestral keyboards, a Downes trademark throughout the cd. "I Stand Alone" illustrates this fact, a quirky mix of "Pet Sounds" and ABBA. "God Walks With Us" is another stand out track. Self reflecting, haunting and very beautiful. As the disc progresses, the songs become softer and more personal. It appears the duo are not the same two men they were in the 80's and are quite happy where they are now.

Over the years, Wetton and Downes have worked with some brilliant and high profile musicians. "Icon" brings together a collection of some of the best. Ian McDonald (flutes), Hugh McDowell (cello) and Annie Haslam (vocals) blend beautifully with Steve Christey (drums) and John Mitchell (guitars). Mitchell provides a David Gilmour flavor to the songs and once again, shows how underrated he is as a player.

Overall, "Icon" is not the second coming of Asia, it is the return of two old friends.

Asia revisited.......2005-05-18

The Good
"Let Me Go" starts off with a beautiful string introduction that abruptly switches to an in-your-face vocal. Wetton still has the melodic touch, while Downes carries him along with his pulsating key strokes. Their harmonics are spot-on. You tend to think this song is about getting out of a bad relationship, but the two have commented it's about getting out of a record contract. "God Walks with Us" is an inspirational ballad about faith. Wetton flexes his powerful pipes with confidence and conviction. The added pan flute and piano only enhance the track. It's sure to jerk an emotion or two out of you.

Wetton and Downes keep the spirituality theme going with "I Stand Alone". The welcoming church organ section gives way to a driving AOR rocker. "Hey Josephine" has a little bit of everything driving it; clean acoustics, piercing electric licks, and pulsing keyboards. If you listen to the words carefully, it will bring a smile to your face when you figure out what it's about. The serine ballad "In the End" is a duet between John Wetton and Annie Haslan. They sing about their enduring love and devotion.

The Bad
Nothing

The Verdict

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