Review_John Wetton_New York Minute

Classic Rock Radio (Dot CO Dot UK)
05 July 2015
New Music from Classic Rockers
Spotlight: John Wetton and The Les Paul Trio - New York Minute (2015 Primary Purpose)

On the night on October 14th, in the year 2013, John Wetton took the stage with the legendary, Les Paul Trio. The location was a club called, The Iridium, which could be found on Broadway, in one of the coolest places in the world, New York City. A place John Wetton fell in love with back in the early seventies when working with the progressive rock group, King Crimson. Four decades later and he's back in the Big Apple. Performing music that's not only a soundtrack to his life, but many others as well. 

Affecting males of all ages, the focus of the evening, was to raise awareness of prostate and testicular cancer. This is mentioned by John during the recording. But don't think this live recording is all doom and gloom. Minus a drummer, and in what one might call an unplugged performance. Two songs having John's involvement in the writing process, and the rest of the set list, tracks that have according to John while addressing the audience as having a special meaning in his life. Nine tracks, making for a very tight thirty-seven and a half minutes of music that entertains not only the body, but the soul as well.

Some of the songs covered one might have heard Mr. Wetton perform before. Don't turn away thinking, you have been there and done that. For this performance, with these musicians, is completely unique. A must have if a fan of John's, the Les Paul Trio, or just having a fondness for hearing great rock songs in a more acoustic setting. Outstanding piano playing by Rodney Holmes. The groovy bass lines of Nikki Parrott. The superior musicianship of Lou Pallo. John Wetton's vocals are excellent! Outstanding as one has come to expect over the years. Words pronounced and sung with conviction. As much a musical instrument as anything else played on that stage. All songs stripped, restructured, and presented with the usual John Wetton flair. Of course I have favorites; Steely Dan's Do It Again, the Beach Boys God Only Knows, and then one of the best vocal performances of the night. The title track, Don Henley's 1989's hit, New York Minute.

Rating:

Using the one to five star rating system, whereas one star means it sucks dirty New York City puddle water, to five stars meaning it's top of the charts, and worth your hard earned money, Uncle G gives John Wetton and The Les Paul Trio - New York Minute (live at The Iridium, New York, 2013) … 5 stars! An excellent CD that again, spotlights a very important cause; to raise awareness of prostate and testicular cancer. As a male in his fifth decade of existence, I sincerely give a word of thanks to all involved.

Credits

Gary Brown

American Correspondent for ClassicRockRadio.co.uk
Twitter @GBrown0816