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Location: Phoenix AZ | The other night I got to go see ASIA in concert. Believe it or not, this is the 25th anniversary of their formation and they are touring with all four original members John Wetton, Carl Palmer, Geoffrey Downes and Steve Howe.
I almost missed it, as my flight from San Jose was delayed, but I scrambled to Ft. McDowell straight from the Phx airport just in time. I was probably the only one there in a RL button down shirt and dress slacks. So what. Anyway the show was fan-freaking-tasic. I had seen Asia twice before, once in '81 and once in '82. Other than obviously putting on a few years, the music was spot on perfect. Unbelievable musicianship. Believ it or not, they opened the show with Roundabout! Then they played pretty much the entire two first LPs (the only real Asia LPs). And get this, they even did Video Killed The Radio Star! Great effects and everyone was really strong. Downes had a massive keyboard rig and ran accross it like a monkey on crack. He never got the recognition of others in that genre, but for my money he can smoke any of them. He did a short solo piece featuring parts of Machine Messiah. Very nice.
Wettons vocals were mighty impressive. He's always been one of my favorites all way back to the Crimson and Roxy days. They played parts of Court Of The Crimson King. Incredible. And what can you say about Carl Palmer. He's just amazing and makes it all seem so effortless. Lays back when he needs to, and let's it all out when he gets the chance. He was never considered a "rocker", be the truth is in my opinion he puts all of them to shame. Pert, Collins, etc. close but not really in the same league.
And Steve Howe was utterly amazing. There IS no better all around guitarist. Period. His technique is so perfect. You just watch his left hand and it's like watching a fine classical player. No slop, no cheating, no dragged formations. It's all ultra precise. Equipment consisted most of Gibson gear and of couse the 00-18. His short solo set was incredible including some Yes licks thrown in here and there.
Overall an amazing performance which I am very glad I got to see. I doubt they will tour again as this line up, so in some ways it's the end of an era. A very good era.
Dave |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Just recently read a review that basically said the same thing. Guess I will have to see if they have hit Denver yet. |
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Location: Spain | are the first two albums Asia Aisa and Asia alpha ??? theyre the only two I have.. |
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Location: NJ | They played the Nokia Theatre in TimesSquare just recently . . . now I wish I'd gone . . .
Years ago, I taped an MTV concert entitled "Asia in Asia" (they were playing Japan, I think). Don't know what the circumstances were, but Wetton couldn't make it, and Greg Lake filled in for him. Great show! (wonder if it's on YouTube . . .)
There was a live Steve Hackett CD/DVD a while back, and Wetton was in the band. He did a REALLY great acoustic version of "Heat of the Moment" with Hackett playing solos on a nylon string.
Worth checking out. |
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| Billy Sherwood has a project going, from what I gather, that includes tracks from almost all these guys and including Peter Banks and so many other great Prog rock musicians for a tribute and somewhat of a remake of Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" Album.
This should be interesting.
I really like this lineup of ASIA and I will have to see if they are coming near me soon??
Randy |
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Location: NJ | Originally posted by cliff:
They played the Nokia Theatre in TimesSquare just recently . . . now I wish I'd gone . . .
Years ago, I taped an MTV concert entitled "Asia in Asia" (they were playing Japan, I think). Don't know what the circumstances were, but Wetton couldn't make it, and Greg Lake filled in for him. Great show! (wonder if it's on YouTube . . .)
There was a live Steve Hackett CD/DVD a while back, and Wetton was in the band. He did a REALLY great acoustic version of "Heat of the Moment" with Hackett playing solos on a nylon string.
Worth checking out. http://youtube.com/watch?v=YB1t6yXVZ2o |
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Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | ASIA never did it for me. Given the members, one would think its a killer band... instead they seemed like an overhyped U.S. Olympic Basketball team... bunch of superstars who never really produced the goods as a team... |
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Location: Cicero, NY | The Asia schedule .
Sure, they had to kick off the tour right down the street from me...I was probably mowing the lawn when the word came out. |
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Location: chicago | Dave,
Seen Asia here in Chicago,great show, one of my favorite surprises was fanfare,are you aware of a side band carl has were he plays only elp songs? The catch is theres a kid playing Emersons parts on guitar no boards at all AMAZING!If you get a chance check it out simply called....the Carl Palmer band.
PS Steve how rocks/ how do you like the 0018 SH?
www.guitarsoffire.com |
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Location: Avondale, AZ | I was never a fan of Asia. I heard the comercials for the concert at Fort McDowell for the last two weeks. I didn't recogonize any of the songs except that one that got all the air play in the 80's. Oh well, sounds like you still had fun. Did you play any slots? |
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Location: Minden, Nebraska | Dave - great review! Makes me wanna see 'em even though I was never a fan.
Drummer question: the 'Collins' you mentioned in the same proverbial breath with Neil Peart and Carl Palmer couldn't possibly be Phil Collins, could it? If so, maybe you need to get out more.... :eek:
There is a reason Genesis moved him to vox. He may be a good drummer and even a fine one, but I don't think he's in a league with those guys. (I have seen both Peart and Palmer).
My caffeine must be kickin' in. Back to the main point: great review; thanks! |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Paul, IMHO the Collins work with Genesis was definately not his best. But listen to some of the fusion jazz type stuff, like Brand-X. Seriously, Phil has (had) some serious nads behind the kit. My opinion, Palmer and Buddy Rich are in a class of their own. But that second tier definatly contains Phil Collins, along with others like Simon Phillips, Neil Pert, Bill Bruford, Steve Gadd, Chester Thompson, Jonathon Mover, Alan White, Cozy Powell, ...
Dave |
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Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | And Ringo! Everyone forgets Ringo.....  |
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Location: closely held secret | Not everyone, Phil. He doesn't get nearly the credit he should for the Beatles sound. |
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Location: NJ | brand X DID YOU SAY BRAND X????????????????
I thought I was the only one that bought those albums!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
some smoking music on those records. and Phil was a killer drummer. |
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Location: NJ | "Ish".
I met John Goodsall at a ProgRock Fest in Trenton a few years ago . . .
We got FitShaced in the hotel bar together.
NiceGuy. |
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ASIA
