Akustika: Live In America & Akustika II: Return To America - Acoustic Music Albums for Relaxation, Road Trips and Coffee Shop Ambience

This was a total surprise in that 1. they would even bother remastering Akustika: Live in Amerika from 1995 (which I have worn out my original copy of). And 2. that they would include a bookend in Akustika II: Return to Amerika from a 2005 fan gig.I was skeptical of II when first reading the press notes on its release, but wow, what an addition to the Wetton canon. He had just gotten sober, according to the liner notes, and his voice in many parts sounds better in 2005 than it did on the first disc in '95. There are some crossover songs and a few that were simply better the first time, but II is a wholly different show, with lots of between song banter and a much more intimate, less-produced feel than Akustika I. If nothing else, get this for Starless alone.We're all still smarting from John's passing earlier this year, but this was exactly the tonic I needed to help. Thanks to Lisa Wetton and his management/estate for making this available. I hope there are more anthology-like releases in the future.