John Wetton - Amata

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John Wetton - Amata

Artist:	John Wetton
Title:	Amata
Label:	Metal Mind Records MMP CD 0940
Length(s):	37 minutes
Year(s) of release:	2004
Month of review:	[12/2004]

Line up

John Wetton - vocals, bass, acoustic guitar
John Mitchell - guitar, harmony vocals
Martin Orford - keyboards, harmony vocals

Tracks

1)	The Circle Of St. Giles	1.52
2)	Mondrago	1.35
3)	Heat Of The Moment	4.15
4)	Book Of Saturday	2.53
5)	The Smile Has Left Your Eyes	3.18
6)	Hold Me Now	5.26
7)	Emma	3.01
8)	Battle Lines	5.30
9)	Night Watch	3.11
10)	You're Not The Only One	3.46
11)	I Believe In You	2.28

Summary

If you have followed Wetton over recent years, then you must have noticed the incredible mass of live albums (compatriots Asia, Fish and I could name a few others, have the same problem). The difference with other Wetton live albums is that is an acoustic one. It was recorded in April 2004 in Poland.

The music

The Circle Of St. Giles is a short melodic keyboard intro (so it is not all acoustic, although everything lacks a rock feel). There is something stately about this one, plenty of synth strings. Follow-up Mondrago is a short melodic acoustic tune, quite nice too.

Heat Of The Moment is a must on a Wetton live album. The tone is different here since we are doing things acoustic and not catchy. However within this setting Wetton is likely to focus on the acoustic and balladic tunes, such as the well-known Book Of Saturday. An example of such a ballad is the rather boring The Smile Has Left Your Eyes. We continue with the Wetton ballads in the form of Hold Me Now (the quality is going up), the poignant Emma and Battle Lines (with its instantly memorable chorus).

We interrupt for a short King Crimson tune, the Night Watch. Like Book Of Saturday, it remains a quality song. Back to the Wetton tunes with the mellow You're Not The Only One. Finally we come to I Believe In You, which continues the set line (lighter fluid anyone?). I think I would have liked from more Mondrago like pieces. It all gets to be a bit too romantic for me here.

Conclusion

An acoustic live album, which certainly does not come close to my favourite Wetton live album which is No Man's Land. However, the idea of this album is also quite different and in its way not unsuccesfull. However, I can imagine that people who would want to hear this, to be disappointed about the amount of material present, and the prog lover might be disappointed about the many recent (after 1990) Wetton songs, although to be honest these songs lend themselves best to the treatment.