Greg Lake or John Wetton

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.

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.

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?

Wetton for bass playing, Lake for vocals.

I vote Wetton.

Since you said overall, I'll go with Lake.

Lake & Wetton  

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.

I vote Mr Wetton by a nose