TS John Wetton vs. Chris Squire

actually I'm not really into Wetton-era Heep. I'm a Gary Thain guy through and through.

I pick Squire. One of the most distinctive bass guitar sounds of all time.

I know Wetton-era Crimson has the most hipster cred or whatever but I really prefer the first two records w/Lake on vocals. Larks' Tongues and Red are great but Crimson King will always be my jams (having something to do with the fact I bought ItCotCK in 1995 the other Crimson stuff much later).
I've listened to little Roxy Music and even less Asia.

I'd take Squire--Fragile has some of the best bass playing, by anyone, ever

nor alex in nyc!

my vote is for squire -- his style is distinct and unmistakeable.

And add the "Manzanera & Wetton" solo LP to Squire's column.

But I do think he manages to fill both roles at the same time, while Steve Howe is a surprisingly tasteful guitarist for a prog band and manages to step out of the way when necessary.

ugh, it's terrible. I finally heard this after being a fan of everyone involved (well, except for holdsworth) for many years. blah.

best-worst = squire-lake

wetton's is awful but i hate greg lake's voice more than ANYONE ELSE ANYWHERE'S

king crimson had a totally seamless tapestry of world-beatingly dreadful singers -- every now and then this worked for them (viz "ladies of the road", which is a hideously ugly song which puts across the hideously ugly attitudes of those singing and performing it)

squire's voice is kinda weird, but interesting (dominique otm)
wetton was godlike for 2 years in crimson, what a menacing sound he had, but his bass playing since then has been often merely adequate

Wetton's work on the song "Red" is mind-blowing.

First off, they both played Ricks.

Secondly, this idea that Squire was better technically does not remotely hold up if u listen to "Larks Tongues Part Two" or "Fracture," as well as several others from that era. Wetton absolutely SMOKES on those two tracks.

And yes, Squire uses a pick.

And please: Wetton's an EXCELENT and warm singer. He's just sung crap more often than not.

Folks who prefer Squire to Wetton based on tone must be showing early signs of high frequency loss or have not actually listened closely to Wetton-era Crimson records.

Also most (all?) of Wetton's best work was played on a Fender Precision.

Not with Crimson, I don't believe (tho' I could only find this pic of Asia, which is truly remarkable and not very relevant):

http://img3.freestart.hu/images/4/d/39034_b8580a33db_n.jpg

As for tone, agreed -- check "Lark's Tongues Pt. 2" live on USA. Then come back and discuss tone.

The guy on keyboards has a tv on top of his rig.

It's a Fairlight, dood.

This clip is rather wicked.

This clip is rather wicked.

Also most (all?) of Wetton's best work was played on a Fender Precision.

I thought he played a Fender Jazz...?

i like KC better than Yes, but Squire's tone is so kick ass and he's generally awesome, whereas Wetton doesn't really stand out for me and sings like a douche.

"I thought he played a Fender Jazz...?"

Did you actually WATCH that clip?

Folks who prefer Squire to Wetton based on tone must be showing early signs of high frequency loss or have not actually listened closely to Wetton-era Crimson records.

see also: they have different tones. If I'd heard those KC records any more, I'd probably be in the band.

I like the rubber-band-ish sound on the early Yes records. I actually like Wetton's tone too, and you can definitely hear it all over, say, some Ruins songs. Maybe the perfect tone would be Squire plus a bit more *bass* and w/some of Wetton's distortion.

I went to see Asia last fall: Wetton is pretty chubby now and his tone was kinda weak…Carl Palmer is, I think, the most groove-challenged "major" drummer I've ever heard. They did "Fanfare for the Common Man," "Roundabout," "Video Killed…" and "In the Court…" which of course Wetton didn;t even sing on origianlly…

The consensus among the people I chatted with (many of whom were were moms and dads on a date night) was like "these guys are from an era when you had to PLAY YR INSTRUMENTS WELL." sigh.

John Wetton RIP. Not announced officially yet, but all over Twitter and Facebook.

Two KC singers in as many months.

Confirmed. He certainly had an interesting career, never out of work for very long!

Best KC vocalist in my opinion. There's a kind of strained quality in his voice as though he's not sure he's making the notes, but his voice was perfect for RPJ's lyrics. RIP.

^ Yes. He's the only pre 80s singer that sounds like he's singing his own words (even though he's not obvs). Bass fuzz tone on Providence is the gold standard for how that should sound.

Love him. What do you think is his best work other than King Crimson?

Really? Fuck.

Oh man... RIP.

His bass tone and vocals helped make my favourite KC era what it was.

aw shit, he was KC as much as RF while he was in the band

RIP

otm re: his bass tone - I feel like it prefigured a whole generation of not just prog players, but noise rock folks a la Lightning Bolt. His lines were good too -- what he plays in the middle section of Starless makes the song for me.

I guess we're doing the tribute on this thread - that's OK. I really love John Wetton. "What do you think is his best work other than King Crimson?" - Well, depends on whether you're interested in engaging with his songwriting or not. If you are, then UK, Asia, his solo albums, and Icon.

Loved Asia growing up and that was my entry point to his King Crimson work. Rest in peace.

And let's not forget

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kcIs5hJAIw

Aw fuck. RIP :(

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2Bc3FGPXZI

RIP. My favorite KC singer, one of my favorite bassists and the executor of my favorite bass moment of all time (toward the end of Starless... i went on at length about it in some other thread).

https://www.loudersound.com/news/bill-bruford-surprises-fans-with-live-performance-at-john-wetton-tribute-show