Forum Home Forum Home > Progressive Music Lounges > Prog Polls
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - Greg Lake or John Wetton
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

Topic ClosedGreg Lake or John Wetton

 Post Reply Post Reply Page  <123>
Poll Question: Who's better with bass and vocal abilities in mind?
Poll Choice Votes Poll Statistics
58 [51.79%]
54 [48.21%]
This topic is closed, no new votes accepted

Author
Message
TGM: Orb View Drop Down
Prog Reviewer
Prog Reviewer
Avatar

Joined: October 21 2007
Location: n/a
Status: Offline
Points: 8052
Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 04 2009 at 06:49
Originally posted by ExittheLemming ExittheLemming wrote:

Probably the only thing they have in common is that classic 'tenor sings rock' vocal range that makes the output of both ELP and King Crimson so separately distinctive. Wetton clearly relished the improvisational opportunities afforded by the version of Crimson he joined, whereas Lake loathed to improvise (despite the best efforts of Emerson and Palmer to encourage this) Lake's basslines are carefully considered and composed right down the last detail and timbre employed (usually a very 'pure' bass tone which he likened to that of trying to imitate the bottom notes on a piano) Wetton's playing, by way of contrast, sounds much more spontaneous and enjoys a much more intimate dialogue with Bruford's drums. His tone is habitually guttural, visceral and borderline distorted in places. They both clearly have very differing approaches to how they see the role of bass in the music they contributed to. When push comes to shove, I prefer Wetton's voice and his bass playing strikes me as being perhaps more integral to the Crimson compositions than that of Lake's with ELP ?

BTW I think Greg Lake is a much better electric guitar player than he is generally given credit for (an avenue of his talent that had precious few opportunities to be revealed with ELP)


Analysis dead on, though I'd go for Lake's vocals almost any day... I can't imagine Wetton really pulling off a song like Moonchild vocally (too much grit). Can't decide for the purposes of the poll.
Back to Top
O666 View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: September 20 2009
Location: TEHRAN-IRAN
Status: Offline
Points: 2619
Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 04 2009 at 06:54
I love ELP and KC. but i think KC is a unique band for all times. I dont listen BAD album from KC. I vote wetton.
Back to Top
Ah_Kin View Drop Down
Forum Newbie
Forum Newbie


Joined: September 25 2006
Status: Offline
Points: 2
Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 04 2009 at 07:20
Originally posted by snobb snobb wrote:

I voted for Lake. Speaking about KC, I think generally Wetton time was better. But Lake has more specific (progressive) voice. (...) Wetton participated in some KC best albums, his work in UK was important. Not sure about Uriah Heep, and even less - about his solo works.


Ditto. The first guy ever who launched the progressive rock world for me is Pete Sinfield. I was hesitating between him and Greg Lake, but I made up my mind. Greg Lake has got more importance in prog rock than Wetton does in the beginning, but I think Wetton did quite a better sound and anthology songs, compared to how boring became Greg Lake once he quit King Crimson.

Go Greg Lake though, the myth before the myth.
Peace
Back to Top
Mellotron Storm View Drop Down
Prog Reviewer
Prog Reviewer
Avatar

Joined: August 27 2006
Location: The Beach
Status: Offline
Points: 13558
Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 04 2009 at 12:58
Originally posted by Sckxyss Sckxyss wrote:

Considering just vocals, it's close. With bass playing in mind, there's no competition; Wetton for sure.

I like both of their vocals but Wetton can be a monster on bass.Check out some of the live KING CRIMSON albums.
"The wind is slowly tearing her apart"

"Sad Rain" ANEKDOTEN
Back to Top
Progosopher View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: May 12 2009
Location: Coolwood
Status: Offline
Points: 6467
Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 04 2009 at 13:26
Originally posted by ExittheLemming ExittheLemming wrote:

Probably the only thing they have in common is that classic 'tenor sings rock' vocal range that makes the output of both ELP and King Crimson so separately distinctive. Wetton clearly relished the improvisational opportunities afforded by the version of Crimson he joined, whereas Lake loathed to improvise (despite the best efforts of Emerson and Palmer to encourage this) Lake's basslines are carefully considered and composed right down the last detail and timbre employed (usually a very 'pure' bass tone which he likened to that of trying to imitate the bottom notes on a piano) Wetton's playing, by way of contrast, sounds much more spontaneous and enjoys a much more intimate dialogue with Bruford's drums. His tone is habitually guttural, visceral and borderline distorted in places. They both clearly have very differing approaches to how they see the role of bass in the music they contributed to. When push comes to shove, I prefer Wetton's voice and his bass playing strikes me as being perhaps more integral to the Crimson compositions than that of Lake's with ELP ?

BTW I think Greg Lake is a much better electric guitar player than he is generally given credit for (an avenue of his talent that had precious few opportunities to be revealed with ELP)


Well said, Lemming, but it's actually Lake's acoustic playing that stands out for me.  As to his bass, he plays exactly what needs to be played and stays with it.  This is fine as far as studio arrangement goes, but I tend to find it very stiff.  Thus, I prefer Wetton's bass playing for many of the reasons mentioned throughout this poll.  I also prefer Wetton's vocals, but I am appreciating Lake more these days.  Now, as to songwriting, I haven't really thought about that much.  This issue has come up several times recently, and it would be nice if the pollsters were more specific about what they are getting at.  Both Lake and Wetton are great prog artists, but they are also multi-faceted.  Are we looking at it overall, or just one quality and if so, which one? Geek
The world of sound is certainly capable of infinite variety and, were our sense developed, of infinite extensions. -- George Santayana, "The Sense of Beauty"
Back to Top
Progosopher View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: May 12 2009
Location: Coolwood
Status: Offline
Points: 6467
Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 04 2009 at 13:28
Okay, it does say bass and vox.  It makes this poll better than some of the others.  Short - term memory loss here.  Unhappy
The world of sound is certainly capable of infinite variety and, were our sense developed, of infinite extensions. -- George Santayana, "The Sense of Beauty"
Back to Top
Hercules View Drop Down
Prog Reviewer
Prog Reviewer
Avatar

Joined: June 14 2007
Location: Near York UK
Status: Offline
Points: 7024
Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 04 2009 at 13:50
Wetton for bass playing, Lake for vocals.


A TVR is not a car. It's a way of life.
Back to Top
mark kraken View Drop Down
Forum Groupie
Forum Groupie


Joined: November 04 2009
Status: Offline
Points: 53
Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 04 2009 at 14:55
for me greg lake  bass  10  vocals 10 greg lake beats john wetton hands down  john wetton bass 8 vocals 6
 
 
 
 
 artist and drummer mark kraken
Back to Top
J-Man View Drop Down
Prog Reviewer
Prog Reviewer
Avatar

Joined: August 07 2008
Location: Philadelphia,PA
Status: Offline
Points: 7826
Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 04 2009 at 14:57
I vote Wetton.

Check out my YouTube channel! http://www.youtube.com/user/demiseoftime
Back to Top
Alberto Muñoz View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: July 26 2006
Location: Mexico
Status: Offline
Points: 3577
Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 04 2009 at 20:25
Lake for me




Back to Top
ghost_of_morphy View Drop Down
Prog Reviewer
Prog Reviewer
Avatar

Joined: March 08 2007
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 2755
Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 04 2009 at 20:31
Since you said overall, I'll go with Lake.
Back to Top
Gentlegiantprog View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: January 31 2008
Location: Stafford
Status: Offline
Points: 238
Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 05 2009 at 08:30
Just in King Crimson, I'd go for Wetton.
But in general, Lake.
Let the maps of war be drawn !

http://kingcrimsonprog.wordpress.com/
Back to Top
elpprogster View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member


Joined: January 02 2005
Location: Portugal
Status: Offline
Points: 463
Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 05 2009 at 10:10
Back to Top
elpprogster View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member


Joined: January 02 2005
Location: Portugal
Status: Offline
Points: 463
Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 05 2009 at 10:11
Lake and Wetton Big smile Big smile
Back to Top
elpprogster View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member


Joined: January 02 2005
Location: Portugal
Status: Offline
Points: 463
Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 05 2009 at 10:12
Lake & Wetton Big smile Big smile
Back to Top
mark kraken View Drop Down
Forum Groupie
Forum Groupie


Joined: November 04 2009
Status: Offline
Points: 53
Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 05 2009 at 11:55
greg lake always vocals john wetton is not in the same league as greg you cant compare them
Back to Top
questionsneverknown View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: June 22 2009
Location: Ultima Thule
Status: Offline
Points: 602
Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 05 2009 at 13:19
Overall, Lake is probably the better singer, especially based on the first KC album and the first set of ELP's.  I mean, that is one beautiful tenor, real English schoolboy stuff, with a touch of terror in the mix.  Terror tenor, yeah.  (Though, judged by recent performances, his voice has definitely seen better days.)  Wetton's voice is certainly rougher, but it's also a real stunner.  Aside from his singing on the KC albums I really like his voice on the first UK album, which I've been listening to a lot again after a long absence.  Wetton, though, is without question (for me, at least) a much, much better bass player.  Bringing it all together, I choose Wetton, but not a simple choice.
Back to Top
The Quiet One View Drop Down
Prog Reviewer
Prog Reviewer
Avatar

Joined: January 16 2008
Location: Argentina
Status: Offline
Points: 15745
Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 05 2009 at 14:39
Very close poll, two vocalist/bass players that I like almost equally and Lemming's description fits perfectly for what I think of both.

I'll go with Wetton since his bass playing and vocals grab me more than Lake's overall.
Back to Top
mohaveman View Drop Down
Forum Senior Member
Forum Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: January 22 2007
Location: Arizona USA
Status: Offline
Points: 409
Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 05 2009 at 15:00

I vote Mr Wetton by a nose

Back to Top
mark kraken View Drop Down
Forum Groupie
Forum Groupie


Joined: November 04 2009
Status: Offline
Points: 53
Direct Link To This Post Posted: November 06 2009 at 10:45
spider
 
greg the best no question
greg lake has a great voice even now he can beat wetton  anytime a true grand singer. who compared these  two at the beginning must have bad hearing , also compare them musically  and not the bands they have been in.result -not in the same league as greg.
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  <123>

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down



This page was generated in 0.146 seconds.
Donate monthly and keep PA fast-loading and ad-free forever.