As the lead singer of Asia, UK and King Crimson, plus an extensive solo catalog, John Wetton has lots to offer in concert. Live Via Satellite certainly proves this fact. This double-CD set features two Wetton acoustic solo concerts broadcast on XM radio and previously only available on his website a decade ago.
Opening with the synth strings layers of “The Circle Of St. Giles,” we are quickly into an acoustic version of Asia’s “Heat Of The Moment.” There is a sweet and dark “Battle Lines” with Wetton sounding like Chris de Burgh, and a taped Robert Fripp lead on “Arkangel,” the title track of Wetton’s solo album from 1997. We get a slightly strained vocal on UK’s “Rendezvous 6:02.” The rest of the CD also includes “Emma,” “The Night Watch” and “Starless.”
The second CD repeats much of the same set though it is a much quieter show overall. We get a staccato acoustic version of “Sole Survivor” without the recorded backing tracks. You gotta love Wetton’s acoustic finger flicking pull-off instrumental “Mondrago” going into King Crimson’s “Book Of Saturday.” He also covers the Appalacian folk song, “The Water Is Wide.” The moments that work best of all on Live Via Satellite is when we get John Wetton running through his life’s work by simply singing, playing his acoustic guitar and mesmerizing his audience.
~ Ralph Greco
