The English symphonic prog rock band Asia was formed in 1981 and the starting line-up consisting of Steve Howe (Yes), Geoff Downes (Yes, The Buggles), John Wetton (Uriah Heep, King Crimson, UK) and Carl Palmer (ELP) dubbed them as a supergroup. The debut album Asia (1982) and their sophomore album Alpha (1983) are musically speaking the best and most interesting of Asia's career; especially Asia's debut album was a huge commercial success (reaching number one in several countries) and that one remains their best-selling album to date. After the first two albums the line up started to change and over the years lots of musicians left the band and were replaced, and, sad but true the music deteriorated. In 2007 there was a reunion of the original band, and they released a new album called Phoenix (2008). Unfortunately, guitarist Steve Howe left Asia, again, and now forty-four years after Asia's debut album the band releases a new live album called Live In England. The line up of Asia in 2026 consists of: Geoff Downes (keys), Harry Whitley (lead vocals and bass guitar), John Mitchell (guitar) and Virgil Donati (drums). This album was recorded live on the first of three nights at Trading Boundaries in Sussex and the album contains the nine classic, iconic Asia tracks of their debut album and three bonus songs as well. So, songs like Heat Of The Moment, Sole Survivor, Wildest Dreams and Here Comes The Feeling still sound amazing, but the vocals of mister Whitley cannot be compared to the vocals of the notorious John Wetton (who passed away in 2017) and Mitchell's guitar work, although excellent of course, does not "really" sound like Howe's guitar playing! Two bonus tracks are also worth mentioning and listening of course, Ride Easy is a nice melodic track from the Aurora EP (1986), while The Heat Goes On is of course a wonderful track from Asia's sophomore album called Alpha. However, The Buggles song Video Killed The Radio Star (1979) is a true misser here, utterly superfluous, and only meant to skip! Overall, this is a must have album for die-hard Asia fans, but I would recommend their Fantasia Live In Tokyo album from 2007, which features the original supergroup line up! ***+ Martien Koolen (edited by Tracy van Os van den Abeelen) Where to buy? |
