John WETTON
&
Geoffrey DOWNES

Icon

(2005)

1. Overture: Paradox / Let Me Go 6'28
(John Wetton / Geoffrey Downes / Richard Palmer-James)
2. God Walks With Us 4'40
(John Wetton / Geoffrey Downes)
3. I Stand Alone 6'09
(John Wetton / Geoffrey Downes)
4. Meet Me At Midnight 2'35
(John Wetton / Geoffrey Downes)
5. Hey Josephine 4'52
(John Wetton / Geoffrey Downes)
6. Far Away 4'05
(John Wetton / Geoffrey Downes / Dylan Wetton)
7. Please Change Your Mind 4'45
(John Wetton / Geoffrey Downes)
8. Sleep Angel 4'13
(John Wetton / Geoffrey Downes)
9. Spread Your Wings 3'46
(John Wetton / Geoffrey Downes)
10. In The End 4'47
(John Wetton / Geoffrey Downes / Richard Palmer-James)

Total Time: 46:20

ICON IS:

  • John Wetton - Vocals & Bass Guitar
  • Geoffrey Downes - Keyboards

    DRAMATIS PERSONAE:

  • John Mitchell - Guitars
  • Hugh McDowell - Cello
  • Ian McDonals - Flute
  • Steve Christey - Drums
  • Annie Haslam - Guest Vocals on "In The End" and "I Stand Alone"

    Produced by Wetton / Downes
    Engineered, Recorded, Mixed and Mastered by 'The Rev' Rob Aubrey at     AUBITT STUDIOS, Southampton, Hampshire, UK
    Sleeve Design / Photography - Michael Inns for     MIXED IMAGES Ltd.
    Geoffrey Downes Photographs - Joe Santaniello and John Orach
    Managament - Martin Darvill for     QED GLOBAL MANAGAMENT, Liscombe Park Buckinghamshire, LUZ OJL, UK

    All Songs Written by John Wetton / Geoffrey Downes Except:
    "Far Away" by John Wetton / Geoffrey Downes / Dylan Wetton
    "Let Me Go" by John Wetton / Geoffrey Downes / Richard Palmer-James
    "In The End" by John Wetton / Geoffrey Downes / Richard Palmer-James

    All Songs Published by JOHN WETTON MUSIC Ltd. / WARNER-CHAPPELL, US

    Licensed through ASIA ICON Ltd.

    Annie's Vocals Recorded at SYNERGY STUDIO, NJ, USA
    Engineered by Larry Fast
    Ian McDonald's Alto Flute Recorded in     PIE STUDIOS, New York, USA

    Special Thanks (from JW):

    Accountancy: Richard B. Rosenberg and Michelle Curtis at SRLV, London.
    Legal: Laurie Soriano at MANETT
    Kirsty MacArthur / Helen McIntosh and COUTTS BANK

    Thanks To all at UNIVERSAL MUSIC ENTERPRISES for their help and support, Larry Fast at SYNERGY (USA) for Annie Vocals - (She sounds outrageously beautiful), Annie Haslam, Dylan

    Ely at PIE STUDIO (U5A) for Ian's Flute
    FERNANDES Guitars, RICKENBACKER Guitars, YAIRI (as always) Acoustics, HARTKE SYSTEMS, SHURE Mikes, John Bickle at KORG UK, Brian Newby from BOOTLEG ENTS, Pat Windenbank and all at DIGITAL VILLAGE, Southampton

    Dylan Wetton (aged 4) wrote the chorus to "Far Away"
    Richard Palmer-James, Martin Darvill Dax Kimbrough, Mark Singer, Denny Zelisko, The EARL of Kinnaired and his wonderful wife Elizabeth, Pam, the lovely Karen Gladwell, Mike Inns, Jain Sandoe, Richard Morgan at Therfield Vlllage Church and of couse ... A Big Thank - you to Mr. Naohiro Yamazaki, for his unshaking confidence

    Special Thanks (from GD)

    to Dax Kimbrogh and all at UNIVERSAL MUSIC ENTERPRISES, Santa Monica, CA, Dave Gallant & Michael Milbourn and The ASIA ARMADA, Martine & Louis Dorey, Adam Parsons & Ace Trump at SIREN ARTISTS MANAGAMENT Inc., Burbank CA, Rob Ayling, Gordon & Heather Downes, Serafino Mario and Giulio of FRONTIERS RECORDS, Kim & Drew Dancha, Ricky Nelson, Arlo Chan at WARNER CHAPPELL, US, Frank & Angela Hund at CREAMWARE AUDIO Gmbh, Dave Ling & Nick Shilton at CLASSIC ROCK, John Kirkman,Ben Woolfonden, Martin Orford, Andy Mac and Southampton Crew, Keith Klavitter at KRK SPEAKERS, ORANGE COUNTY, CA,
    Paul Dorey and his tribe
    Linda Dory, Christina & Alexandra Steen Downes, All at KORG USA and ... Rob Obrey for his patience, and of course JW for the inspiration.

    John Wetton Official Website:
    www.johnwetton.com
    Website and Information: Kim and Drew Dancha

    Geoffrey Downes Official Website:
    www.geoffdownes.com
    Website and Information: Michael Milbourn and Dave Gallant

    All enquiries to qedg@orange.net

    ©Copyright 2005
    Licensed through ASIA ICON Ltd.

    From the New Forest

    ASIA has been through several incarnations since our eponymous recording became the world's highest selling album of 1982. Much to live up to. and although we all went our different ways, there was a consistent demand that Geoff and I recreate the exceptional foundation upon which the ASIA pyramid had been formed. Absence diminishes mediocre passions, and increases great ones, as the wind extinguishes candles, but fans fire. So it was that we gradually rekindled our friendship after I returned from California to the UK to start a new life in the mid nineties.

    For the first time since 1990, we graced the same stage together during 2002's USA fan convention in Philadelphia (thanks. Kim) Geoff contributed to the writing and piaying on my 2003 solo album, "Rock Of Faith", and it became clear that we had some unfinished business. Behind the scenes, amid gentle cajoling from friends and management, a momentum was gathering. It was perhaps predestined that we would soon be in the eight place, at the right time, with the right team. And then we found ourselves in 2004.

    Once again, the two of us sat round the same piano upon which we had written the 1980s anthems. Once again, we had no preconditions. And as we shared our musical and emotional experiences, it was clear that our mutual creativity was undiminished. Once again, the manuscripts were not blank for long.

    To Geoffrey and all of you who have waited patiently for our comet to return, I say thank you for having the courage to hang on and I hope you enjoy the ride.

    - John Wetton
    January 2005

    Postscript - To the enduring genius that was Mike Stone, whose production techniques have been a reference point for the sublime talents of band members Steve Christey and John Mitchell, to our special guests Annie Haslam. Ian McDonald, Hugh McDowell, and Mike Stobbie and to engineer Rob Aubrey.


    Ten million record buyers can't be wrong.

    Cutting their musical teeth on English church music as young boys, each was gifted with an ear for a good tune, be it ABBA or The BEACH BOYS. As young men, they slugged it out in the trenches, reaching varying levels of success on their way to a date with destiny.

    Like a "bolt from the blue", lightning struck in 1981 when as men they came together in the same group, a band whose moniker had to be as big as a continent in order to contain the talent within.

    With ten years of writing, playing and performing together in the 1980s, fate intervened and took them in separate directions - one on the path of a successful solo career, writing highly personal and introspective songs, the other moving to new courses, working with different people and meeting new challenges.

    Fortunately for the rest of us, the pair found their way back towards each other, and rekindled their friendship and writing relationship. The stars aligned, and what was past is now present.

    Ladies and gentlemen, I give you The Music of John Wetton & Geoffrey Downes ...

    David Gallant
    Author, "ASIA: The Heat Goes On"

    E-mail: armada@isn.net




    1. Let Me Go

      Stone cold sober
      So glad it's over
      End of story
      Road clear before me

      There's no deceit again
      I'm on my feet again
      Repeat again
      The song I sing's a simple one
      Leave me alone
    Let me go
    Please don't break my heart again, oh no
    Let me go
    Please let me go
      Tossed, torn and tumbled
      This dream has crumbled
      Beg, steal or borrow
      I'll take tomorrow

      I'm on my own again
      I won't be thrown again
      Disowned again
      The hurricane left me alive
      Sure I'll survive
    Let me go
    Please don't break my heart again, oh no
    Let me go
    Please let me go

    2. God Walks With Us

      God walks with us
      Guides us through the empty spaces
      When we go blind, we walk behind,
      He watches over us
      God walks with us
      Leads us from the evil places
      No we don't mind, don't look behind,
      He doesn't mind at all . .
      God walks with us God walks with us
      Leads us from the evil places
      No we don't mind, don't look behind,
      He doesn't mind

      Walk with me please
      Let me see where your heart's coming from
      So let me see
      Is this for me
      Or let it be ?

      Just think what He would say
      About this world today
      Just think what He would say
      About this world today

      God walks with us
      God walks with us
      God walks with us

      God walks with us
      Guides us from the evil places
      When we go blind, we walk behind,
      He watches over us

    3. I Stand Alone

      This is our destiny
      There's no eternity
      I need security
      You turn your back on me
      I gave my life to you
      So what a thing to do
      Just how can you pursue
      Life with yourself
      And when you see the end
      On what can you depend?
      There's nothing left that you
      You can lean on
      When you did that to me
      It felt like purgatory
      Oh! What a place to be
      Devil or deep blue....
    You, you had the time of your life
    Me, I stand alone
    You, you had the time of your life
    Me, I stand alone
      What was your fantasy ?
      It's just too plain to see
      That same old imagery
      Fading away
      There's nothing more to do
      Whatever happened to?
      All the things we planned
      When we walked hand in hand ?
      And when you see the end
      On what can you depend
      There's nothing left that you

      You can lean on
      When you did that to me
      It felt like purgatory
      Oh! What a place to be
      Devil or deep blue....
    You, you had the time of your life
    Me, I stand alone
    You, you had the time of your life
    Me, I stand alone


      This is our destiny
      There's no eternity
      I need security
      You turn your back on me
      I gave my life to you
      So what a thing to do
      Just how can you pursue
      Life with yourself
      And when you see the end
      On what can you depend?
      There's nothing left that you
      When you did that to me
      It felt like purgatory
      Oh! What a place to be
      Devil or deep blue sea
    You, you had the time of your life
    Me, I stand alone
    You, you had the time of your life
    Me, I stand alone

    4. Meet Me At Midnight

      Oh my love
      Meet me at midnight
      I'll be waiting here in the moonlight

      Please my dove
      Now in the starlight
      Bright is the moment you come to me
    Because what can I do ?
    The only one is you
    All the other girls
    Don't have a clue
    So what can I do ?
    The only one is you
    Meet me here at midnight
    My love
      Melting away
      Like another day
      You hold my heart in your hand
    Because what can
    I do ?
    The only one is you
    All the other girls
    Don't have a clue
    So what can I do ?
    The only one is you
    Meet me here at midnight
    My love

    5. Hey Josephine

      Hey there, beautiful
      Picture in a magazine
      It's you, Josephine
      I wondered where you'd been

      And I think about those diamonds in your eyes
      Do they shine for real, or are they lies ?

      One look, angel face
      One time, another place
      What time cannot erase
      You're gone without a trace

      And I think about those diamonds in your eyes
      Do they shine for real, or are they lies ?
    Hey Josephine
    What did you mean
    When you said you'd come with me?
    Hey Josephine
    What did you mean
    When you said you'd come with me?
    Hey Josephine
    What did you mean
    When you said you'd come with me ?
    Hey Josephine
    What did you mean
    When you said you'd die for me ?
      Hey there, Josephine
      With those eyes of blue
      I never thought in my life
      I'd be sharing you

      And I think about those diamonds in your eyes
      Do they shine for real, or are they lies ?
    Hey Josephine
    What did you mean
    When you said you'd come with me?
    Hey Josephine
    What did you mean
    When you said you'd come with me?
    Hey Josephine
    What did you mean
    When you said you'd come with me ?
    Hey Josephine
    What did you mean
    When you said you'd die for me ?

    Josephine

    Josephine

    Josephine

    Josephine

    Josephine

    Josephine

    6. Far Away

      Don't cry for me
      My love for you is clear to see
      Not all the while
      But yes I do remember smiles

      There were times of pain
      And they will come again
    Far away, far far away
    So far away
    Far enough to breathe
    Where the air is clear
    Here where I hide away
    Fore one more day
    So far away
      And when I'm gone
      You know your life has just begun
      This much is true
      You know that I'll be there with you
      There will be times of joy
      For such a golden boy
    Far away, far far away
    So far away
    Far enough to breathe
    Where the air is clear
    Here where I hide away
    For one more day
    So far away

    Far away, far far away
    So far away
    Far enough to breathe
    Where the air is clear
    Here where I hide away
    For one more day
    So far away

    Far away, far far away
    So far away
    Far enough to breathe
    Where the air is clear
    Here where I hide away
    For one more day
    So far away

    7. Please Change Your Mind

      Right now
      I'm sitting here
      Blinded by this situation
      Trying to find a way
      Cut down
      I'm moving out
      As you plan your celebration
      I live it day by day
      The clouds are rolling in
      The mountains towering over me
      I've got to get away
      Got to find myself another day
      Before it gets too late
      Before it gets too late
    Please change your mind
    And think of what you say
    Please change your mind
    Give me one more day
    Please change your mind
    Or just walk away
      This town
      Is killing me
      Drains the very life from me
      Just want to sail away
      Long nights
      They ran their course
      Never to return again
      Or so, they say
      But words don't mean that much to me
      Nor memories of what used to be
      I've got to draw the line
      Got to move on to some other time
      Not even if you cried
      Not even if you tried
    Please change your mind
    And think of what you say
    Please change your mind
    Give me one more day
    Please change your mind
    Or just walk away

    8. Sleep angel

      Sleep just close your eyes
      And visualize
      A new morning before us
      Keep, this dream alive
      And realize
      The day downing before us
    Sleep angel
    Close to me
    Keep this angel
    Close to me
      Oh, angel divine
      Angel of mine
      My love, my one and only
    Sleep angel
    Close to me
    Keep this angel
    Close to me
      And the time will come
      When nothing hirt us
      We will win
      No faith will desert us
    Sleep angel
    Close to me
    Keep this angel
    Close to me
      Sleep just close your eyes
      And visualize
      A new morning before us
    Sleep angel
    Close to me
    Keep this angel
    Close to me

    Sleep angel
    Close to me
    Keep this angel
    Close to me
      And the time will come
      When nothing hirt us
      We will win
      No faith will desert us
    Sleep angel
    Close to me
    Keep this angel
    Close to me

    9. Spread Your Wings

      No need to hang your head
      For all the things you said
      This place will never be your home, again
      So leave now, take your pride
      Your thoughts will stay inside
      And live to fight another day
    Spread your wings
    And fly into the sky
    Spread your wings
    And fly into the sky
      When you threw me away
      It was like a ricochet
      But I was never aiming at your heart
      And in the afterlife
      You'll find a better life
      No more dancing in the fire
    You'll find a better day
    Than you had yesterday
    Spread your wings and fly away
    Cuts deeper than a knife
    Leaving me, you're still alive
    Spread your wings and fly away

    You'll find a better day
    Than you had yesterday
    Spread your wings and fly away
    Cuts deeper than a knife
    Leaving me, you're still alive
    Spread your wings and fly away

    You'll find a better day
    Than you had yesterday
    Spread your wings and fly away
    Cuts deeper than a knife
    Leaving me, you're still alive
    Spread your wings and fly away

    Spread your wings
    And fly into the sky

    10. In The End

      Start on your journey now
      While the world is beckoning
      And strangers call your name
      Take what your dreams allow
      Everydays awakening
      Is kindling to the flame
      All our memories may serve
      You as friends
      Time is no enemy
      'Cause I will be waiting
    And in the end
    You will find me here again
    If I'm the one you're needing
    Just send a sign

    If you alone
    In my heart you'll find a home
    Where all your roads are leading
    Where you belong
    In the end
      Rest, when the tafe is told
      And beyond imagining
      We'll share the life within
      Sleep when the fires are cold
      And the night is gathring
      That prize you couldn not win
      All our memories return in a song
      Time is no enemy as long as
      You hear me
    And in the end
    You will find me here again
    If I'm the one you're needing
    Just send a sign

    If you alone
    In my heart you'll find a home
    Where all your roads are leading
    Where you belong
    In the end

    And in the end
    You will find me here again
    If I'm the one you're needing
    Just send a sign

    If you alone
    In my heart you'll find a home
    Where all your roads are leading
    Where you belong
    In the end

    In the end ...