Sole survivor (Asia) (LP 1030)

Asia  Fantasia Live in Tokyo (CD, Eagle Rock Entertainment, 2007) ***  

Genre: Prog

Places I remember: The Warehouse

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: Heat Of The Moment 

Gear costume: Sole Survivor 

Active compensatory factors: I continue to have a soft spot for this prog supergroup. Yes - the Geoff Downes synths are cheesy as all get out, yes - Asia songs feel like Yes lite at times, yes - they were a record company's dream of prog pop, and yes - this sometimes feels like prog Karaoke as the big four (Downes, Palmer, Howe and Wetton) celebrate their day job 'hits'.

So what? It's OTT good fun for the most part. The slower paced version of Roundabout doesn't do it for me, nor does The Buggles genuine hit - Video Killed The Radio Star, but the kitchen sink version of Fanfare For The Common Man hits the spot nicely (although there's not much for Chris Squire to contribute to that one).

And the Wetton 'hit' is done well - bizarrely he chose In The Court Of The Crimson King and yes, he was a member of King Crimson, but that song was originally sung by Greg Lake. Maybe it's done as a tribute to Carl's bandmate, because John Wetton sounds eerily like Lake.

BTW - terrible knock-off looking cover, it has to be said.

Where do they all belong? Obviously, this is the CD version of the video, but I don't mind as I can pretty much see the concert thanks to the music on offer. Enough Asia though.

The heat goes on (Asia) (LP 115)

Asia Under The Bridge (Vinyl - The Vinyl Countdown, 2012) ***

Genre: Progressive Rock

Places I remember: The Warehouse (Hastings)

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles:  Heat of The Moment from the live album is always a great source for early eighties memories.




Gear: Soul Survivor

Active compensatory factors: Supergroup Asia's debut was firmly in the prog vein, thanks to sinuous songs, John Wetton's wonderful vocals (sadly John passed away in January this year), Geoff Downes' pop smarts, and great musical chops from Palmer and Howe. 

Under The Bridge is an 'official bootleg' of a show by the original band members from 2008 in San Francisco. One of those shows where legacy bands play a whole album - in this case their debut.

It's pretty good, too.

Sidebar for Under The Bridge: Naff cover is NOT by Roger Dean.

Where do they all belong? Asia would go through numerous personnel changes and I'd lose interest from the debut, persevering with collecting Yes albums instead. 

Open your eyes (Asia) (LP 36)

Asia Alpha (Vinyl - Geffen Records, 1983) ****

Genre: Progressive Rock

Places I remember: Real Groovy in Queen Street, Auckland. 

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: Don't Cry (the first track side one, when John Wetton's vocals start you know all is right with the world). The cheesy Indiana Jones style video should be in a time capsule somewhere!




Gear costume: The Heat Goes On.

Active compensatory factors: Ah, supergroups...sigh. Sometimes they disappoint but often they are AMAZING.

My top 10:

• Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young
• Emerson, Lake, and Palmer
• Cream
• The Traveling Wilburys
• The Plastic Ono Band
• Golden Smog
• Flying Colors
• Chickenfoot
• West Bruce and Laing
• Asia

That first Asia album was pretty special. Similarly, Alpha, their second album, is a worthy addition to the sub genre of supergroup albums.

Asia's pedigree is damn impressive. Members came from bands like Yes, King Crimson, Emerson Lake and Palmer. Together they made a smoothly commercial brand of progressive rock.

John Wetton's voice alone is worth the entry price but the songs themselves are catchy and challenging enough to warrant your sustained interest.

Given all that, I can forgive the slick eighties production sensibilities. Do try it!

Where do they all belong? Yes (the Geoff Downes version), King Crimson (the early records), Emerson Lake and Palmer (the ones that Greg Lake sings on).