Wetton, John and the Les Paul Trio: New York Minute

Here is something a little different from Mr. Wetton. New York Minute is a collection of classic tunes that have had a profound influence on Wetton and was recorded live with the Les Paul Trio on October 14, 2013 at The Iridium in New York City. The performance was for a good cause as money was raised for prostate and testicular cancer research.

Joining Wetton are Nikki Parrott (bass), Rodney Holmes (piano) and Lou Pallo (guitar).

Before I go any further this disc is a short one with a running time of only thirty-eight minutes. Perhaps that was all the time allotted for Wetton and I have no idea who else was on the bill that night. The shortness aside, I rather enjoyed these nine tracks done in a soft rock style and I thought Wetton did an excellent job. Sure it isn't perfect, his voice cracks a little during a highly enjoyable version of Steely Dan's "Do It Again" but he still has that warm tone his fans have come to love. In Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On?" Wetton turns in a moving performance and Holmes' piano is ever present. Also included are lovely versions of Brian Wilson's "God Only Knows" and Blind Faith's "Can't Find My Way Home".

The most rousing song is Hendrix's "All Along The Watchtower" where Pallo's guitar plays much more of a role than in many of the other tracks.

The set ends with "Heat of the Moment" and Wetton's own "Battle Lines", both going for a scaled down mellower approach and come across like a breath of fresh air as both are made for that big piano treatment and Wetton's voice sounds great here.

This set might be too mellow for some and that's okay. For me however, anytime Mr. Wetton stands in front of a microphone I am all ears as he still has one of the best voices in rock and proves it in this live performance.

Track Listing:
1. Do It Again
2. What's Going On?
3. God Only Knows
4. Can't Find My Way Home
5. All Along The Watchtower
6. New York Minute
7. Lady Madonna
8. Heat of the Moment
9. Battle Lines

Added: August 24th 2015
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Artist's Official Site
Hits: 1913
Language: english

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