JOHN WESLEY
''DISCONNECT''
2014
51:14
1 - Disconnect
2 - Any Old Saint
3 - Once A Warrior
4 - Window
5 - Gets You Everytime
6 - Mary Will
7 - Take What You Need
8 - How Goes The War
9 - New Life Old Sweat
10 - Satellite
John Wesley - vocals, backing vocals, guitars
Dean Tidey - guitars
Patrick Bettison - bass guitar
Mark Prator - Drums and percussion
Alex Lifeson - Guitar solo on 3
and others
REVIEW
By progreport.com
John Wesley has spent much of the last decade supporting some of the best bands in the world, including Porcupine Tree and Marillion. With Disconnect, his 8th solo release, he aims to get back in the spotlight with his own music. On the 10 song album, he comes out guitars blazing. Each song showcases his guitar brilliance, not only with shredding, but with on point phrasing and feel. This is not a full on Prog record, but there are many elements that are drawn from his work with Prog acts. You will find the odd times, different song structures and yes, plenty of guitars.
The opening title track and lead single, “Disconnect” is a bit influenced by his work with Steven Wilson and Porcupine Tree, kicking off with a tribal tom beat and vocal swells and odd harmonies. The chorus is deceptive and slowly becomes memorable as the song builds into a powerful rock track. Following the first chorus, Wesley introduces a fabulous guitar interlude before slowing the song down again. In a recent interview with The Prog Report, he describes how he uses solos as an extension of the lyrics and vocals on a song, and this is apparent in songs like “Any Old Saint” which during the last 4 minutes features Wesley soloing without a return to the vocals, and it is executed perfectly.
One of the highlights on the album is the track, “Once A Warrior” which features Rush’s Alex Lifeson on guitar. John’s vocals show now signs of a guitarist trying to be singer. His voice sounds great and fits each track perfectly. Again this song breaks into different guitar oriented sections without worrying about getting back to a verse or chorus immediately. For any Prog fan, this is interesting and enjoyable listening. And the solo is pure Alex Lifeson. His tone and use of the whammy bar is unmistakeable and a treat to have in this song.
On “Window”, Wesley enters into more pop rock territory for a mid temp song which has a very radio friendly feel and chorus. “Mary Will” is a powerful ballad with some of John’s best guitar work on the album. The opening riff carries through the verse and allows the vocals to sign. “How Goes The War” starts off with a guitar and rum assault and abruptly slows to a calm for the verses. This song has a strong chorus filled with harmonies and would fit right into any arena rock show. And “Satellite”, an acoustic song, closes out the record with some nice accompanying strings.
This is an extremely enjoyable and well-written rock record. While his vocals are solid, John’s guitar signs here and is a testament as to why he is the go-to guitarist for Prog bands when they need a lead guitarist. It doesn’t get much better than John Wesley.
OFFICIAL BIOGRAPHY
John Wesley has built a long and varied career as a songwriter, “sideman” guitarist, and recording artist.
His music has been called lyrically sensitive and musically dynamic. His songwriting style incorporates emotionally-charged vocals that evoke the honesty and intimacy of Roger Waters and Patty Griffin coupled with a melodic yet intricate guitar style reminiscent of David Gilmour, Alex Lifeson, Jeff Beck, and Warren Haynes.
Wesley’s guitar-driven acoustic and electric songs represent the cultivation of many inspirations — alternative, progressive, art, and classic rock genres intertwined with poignant lyrics drawn from the poetry of the common man. What really appeals to Wesley’s fans worldwide is a spark of sincerity and sensitivity so oft absent in today’s mainstream music.
Most recently, John Wesley has performed as sideman, guitarist/vocalist for critically acclaimed UK based recording act Porcupine Tree, during the In Absentia, Deadwing, Fear of a Blank Planet, and The Incident world tours. He has performed in the band for nine years, culminating in 2010 with sold out performances at Radio City Music Hall and the Royal Albert Hall.
John Wesley’s professional music career began in the early 1980′s in the Tampa, Florida area where he founded 1991 Southwestern Music Conference’s showcase act Autodrive. The following year Wesley embarked on a solo career and became the premier opening act for British progressive rockers Marillion on seven consecutive tour legs around the world — especially North and South America, the UK and Europe — where he played for hundreds of thousands of fans. In 1998, Wesley embarked with White Lion frontman Mike Tramp on an extensive tour as premier opening act for the prestigious Peter Frampton/Lynryd Skynyrd tour. Following this was several world tours as lead guitarist for Scottish neo-prog legend Fish. In 2001, John Wesley was the primary co-writer of Fish’s Fellini Days album. He began touring as guitarist and backing vocalist for Porcupine tree in 2002, and has continued his role with the band through four album cycles and over 450 shows. In 2011 he performed guitar during Steven Wilson’s North American Grace for Drowning tour. In 2013, Wesley toured as lead guitarist with Simon Collin’s Sound of Contact to support the Dimensionaut album. Wesley has also toured the U.S. and Europe extensively to support his independent releases – performing as opening act for Marillion, Fish, Porcupine Tree, Sister Hazel, and Blackfield.
In 2005, Wes produced and recorded his fifth studio release, Shiver, co-produced by Mark Prator, and mixed by Steven Wilson of Porcupine tree. In 2011, Wesley partnered with UK native Dean Tidey, to produce his EP, the lilypad suite. Tidey has spent the last ten years touring with Feeder and doing hundreds of top-level sessions in the London studio scene with producers such as Giles Martin, Chris Sheldon, Steve Orchard, and Tim Palmer. Wesley’s long awaited sixth full-length studio album, Disconnect, is slated to be released by Inside Out Music on March 31st, 2014.
''DISCONNECT''
2014
51:14
1 - Disconnect
2 - Any Old Saint
3 - Once A Warrior
4 - Window
5 - Gets You Everytime
6 - Mary Will
7 - Take What You Need
8 - How Goes The War
9 - New Life Old Sweat
10 - Satellite
John Wesley - vocals, backing vocals, guitars
Dean Tidey - guitars
Patrick Bettison - bass guitar
Mark Prator - Drums and percussion
Alex Lifeson - Guitar solo on 3
and others
REVIEW
By progreport.com
John Wesley has spent much of the last decade supporting some of the best bands in the world, including Porcupine Tree and Marillion. With Disconnect, his 8th solo release, he aims to get back in the spotlight with his own music. On the 10 song album, he comes out guitars blazing. Each song showcases his guitar brilliance, not only with shredding, but with on point phrasing and feel. This is not a full on Prog record, but there are many elements that are drawn from his work with Prog acts. You will find the odd times, different song structures and yes, plenty of guitars.
The opening title track and lead single, “Disconnect” is a bit influenced by his work with Steven Wilson and Porcupine Tree, kicking off with a tribal tom beat and vocal swells and odd harmonies. The chorus is deceptive and slowly becomes memorable as the song builds into a powerful rock track. Following the first chorus, Wesley introduces a fabulous guitar interlude before slowing the song down again. In a recent interview with The Prog Report, he describes how he uses solos as an extension of the lyrics and vocals on a song, and this is apparent in songs like “Any Old Saint” which during the last 4 minutes features Wesley soloing without a return to the vocals, and it is executed perfectly.
One of the highlights on the album is the track, “Once A Warrior” which features Rush’s Alex Lifeson on guitar. John’s vocals show now signs of a guitarist trying to be singer. His voice sounds great and fits each track perfectly. Again this song breaks into different guitar oriented sections without worrying about getting back to a verse or chorus immediately. For any Prog fan, this is interesting and enjoyable listening. And the solo is pure Alex Lifeson. His tone and use of the whammy bar is unmistakeable and a treat to have in this song.
On “Window”, Wesley enters into more pop rock territory for a mid temp song which has a very radio friendly feel and chorus. “Mary Will” is a powerful ballad with some of John’s best guitar work on the album. The opening riff carries through the verse and allows the vocals to sign. “How Goes The War” starts off with a guitar and rum assault and abruptly slows to a calm for the verses. This song has a strong chorus filled with harmonies and would fit right into any arena rock show. And “Satellite”, an acoustic song, closes out the record with some nice accompanying strings.
This is an extremely enjoyable and well-written rock record. While his vocals are solid, John’s guitar signs here and is a testament as to why he is the go-to guitarist for Prog bands when they need a lead guitarist. It doesn’t get much better than John Wesley.
OFFICIAL BIOGRAPHY
John Wesley has built a long and varied career as a songwriter, “sideman” guitarist, and recording artist.
His music has been called lyrically sensitive and musically dynamic. His songwriting style incorporates emotionally-charged vocals that evoke the honesty and intimacy of Roger Waters and Patty Griffin coupled with a melodic yet intricate guitar style reminiscent of David Gilmour, Alex Lifeson, Jeff Beck, and Warren Haynes.
Wesley’s guitar-driven acoustic and electric songs represent the cultivation of many inspirations — alternative, progressive, art, and classic rock genres intertwined with poignant lyrics drawn from the poetry of the common man. What really appeals to Wesley’s fans worldwide is a spark of sincerity and sensitivity so oft absent in today’s mainstream music.
Most recently, John Wesley has performed as sideman, guitarist/vocalist for critically acclaimed UK based recording act Porcupine Tree, during the In Absentia, Deadwing, Fear of a Blank Planet, and The Incident world tours. He has performed in the band for nine years, culminating in 2010 with sold out performances at Radio City Music Hall and the Royal Albert Hall.
John Wesley’s professional music career began in the early 1980′s in the Tampa, Florida area where he founded 1991 Southwestern Music Conference’s showcase act Autodrive. The following year Wesley embarked on a solo career and became the premier opening act for British progressive rockers Marillion on seven consecutive tour legs around the world — especially North and South America, the UK and Europe — where he played for hundreds of thousands of fans. In 1998, Wesley embarked with White Lion frontman Mike Tramp on an extensive tour as premier opening act for the prestigious Peter Frampton/Lynryd Skynyrd tour. Following this was several world tours as lead guitarist for Scottish neo-prog legend Fish. In 2001, John Wesley was the primary co-writer of Fish’s Fellini Days album. He began touring as guitarist and backing vocalist for Porcupine tree in 2002, and has continued his role with the band through four album cycles and over 450 shows. In 2011 he performed guitar during Steven Wilson’s North American Grace for Drowning tour. In 2013, Wesley toured as lead guitarist with Simon Collin’s Sound of Contact to support the Dimensionaut album. Wesley has also toured the U.S. and Europe extensively to support his independent releases – performing as opening act for Marillion, Fish, Porcupine Tree, Sister Hazel, and Blackfield.
In 2005, Wes produced and recorded his fifth studio release, Shiver, co-produced by Mark Prator, and mixed by Steven Wilson of Porcupine tree. In 2011, Wesley partnered with UK native Dean Tidey, to produce his EP, the lilypad suite. Tidey has spent the last ten years touring with Feeder and doing hundreds of top-level sessions in the London studio scene with producers such as Giles Martin, Chris Sheldon, Steve Orchard, and Tim Palmer. Wesley’s long awaited sixth full-length studio album, Disconnect, is slated to be released by Inside Out Music on March 31st, 2014.
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