Post Description

1998 solo album from the legendary veteran rocker, a diverse14 track collection featuring stirring orchestral work, emotional acoustic material & hard hitting rock cuts, all featuring his trademark vocals & songwriting talents. Mixed by Pete Schwier (Trevor Horn), it features contributions by Robert Fripp and Steve Hackett.

Arkangel is a pleasing solo album from John Wetton. It was released in 1999. Of the 14 tracks, the last two--"Magazines" and the live "Woman"--are bonus cuts. Also, the album contains two instrumentals, the album-opening "The Circle of St. Giles," which is attractive and atmospheric, and the nicely crafted, dramatic "The Celtic Cross." The material is in a pop rock musical direction. Overall, I find the songwriting to be solid, the musicianship to be skilled, and the sound quality to be impressive. Wetton's meat-and-potatoes singing is distinctive, smooth, and magnetic. The compositions are organic in quality. The songs that I consider to be favorites are "Desperate Times," "You Against the World," and "Magazines." The pretty-sounding "Desperate Times" displays expressive, industrious vocals from Wetton and nice saxophone playing. "You Against the World" is a warm composition with a captivating guitar melody and remarkable singing from Wetton. The regal "Magazines" has engaging keyboard work and a beautiful, melodious guitar solo. Other pieces that I enjoy are "I Can't Lie Anymore," "Arkangel," "Emma," and "Nothing Happens for Nothing." The jaunty "I Can't Lie Anymore" features a catchy chorus and ambitious vocals from Wetton. The plaintive "Arkangel" exhibits a pleasant guitar solo, while the solemn "Emma" sports charming guitar playing, and the fun, bouncy "Nothing Happens for Nothing" features infectious, layered harmony vocals during the refrain and a harmonica solo. The CD booklet includes the song lyrics and an illustration of Wetton; also, there is an illustration of him on the back of the CD jewel case. The disc is almost 58 minutes. Arkangel is a recommendable piece of work. 

Studio Album, released in 1998

Songs / Tracks Listing 
1. The Circle of St. Giles 
2. The Last Thing on My Mind 
3. Desperate Times 
4. I Can't Lie Anymore 
5. Arkangel 
6. You Against the World 
7. Be Careful What You Wish For 
8. Emma 
9. Nothing Happens for Nothing 
10. All Grown Up 
11. After All 
12. The Celtic Cross 
13. Magazines 
14. Woman 


Line-up / Musicians 
- John Wetton / vocals, bass
- Billy Liesgang / guitar
- Steve Hackett / guitar, harmonica
- Robert Fripp / guitar
- Tom Lang / drums
- Misha Calvin / acoustic guitar
- Ramon Vega / acoustic guitar, vocals
- Thomas Radl / bass, vocals
- Richard Plamer-James / guitar, keyboards, programming