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Venue: Glasgow, Barrowland Ballroom Date: 16th February, 2001
Asia's date at the Glasgow Barrowland Ballroom in support of their brand new release, 'Aura', was to a packed house, but only because they were special guests of "The Guv'nor", Paul Rodgers and his
band. Only a small proportion of the bluesey, blokey crowd looked as if they might be receptive to the eighties prog supergoup's traditionally sophisticated symphonic rock/pop blend.
On the way to the show, I gave the new disc a listen and was heartily disappointed - to describe it as "lightweight" is being kind! In comparison to the first Asia release from 1982, this latest
incarnation indeed carries the trademark "big" keyboard washes and features tighter drumming, but lacks any compositional strength - not to mention Steve Howe's frenetic fret board runs, even though the
former full-timer guests on the album. I didn't even notice any guitar work of note till the eighth or so track!
As I listened on, I begin to
wonder if main man Geoff Downes had noticed that, in the intervening years, there's become more to keyboard life than a Roland D50. Also, the heavy reliance on compositional devices such as a dated staccato rhythm track weakens the grand, majestic edge this band should have. The whole is more reminiscent of 80's power pop than anything remotely progular - no widdly bits, no kerrang guitars, in short - nay baws, as they say in Glasgow.
So, back to the Barrowlands and, as I'm going in, I'm thinking well at least I'll be able to get pissed and, later on, give it "Haaaawll right now, baby its a haaaawwl right now!" at the top my lungs.
By the time I join the crowd, Asia are halfway through their first number, 'Awake', the opening cut from the new disc and already the music has something more to offer than on the record. Maybe it's cos it's
belting out at a zillion watts?
Hmm.. Second up, a choice from 'Alpha', 'Heat Goes On', and I'm beginning to reconsider my earlier trepidation. I felt as let down by the second album as this one, but the power put across live, driven by Chris Slade's confident drums, show the material in a different, more fulfilling light.
And light is the word, as the band give us 'Ready To Come Home' from the new CD. John Payne's vocals, far from the keening Greg Lake/John Wetton mould, almost speaking the lines, of this stand-out track,
surprisingly (or perhaps not surprisingly) penned not by the band, but by seasoned songwriting partnership Andrew (Lonely Boy) Gold, and ex-10cc man Graham Gouldman.
But yet there is something missing, and I'm not the only one to think so, as someone in the crowd yells, "turn the guitar up for f*cks sake!"
Guthrie Govan is playing his wee pants off, but can we hear his valiant efforts? A big fat nossir!
I'm beginning to wonder if Downes, lording it behind his Enid-dwarfing keyboard stack, has lost the plot, perhaps because of all the "off the ball" bickering between various past and present members of the
group, and decreed that all instrumentation not required for rhythmic purposes shall be reduced in the mix to obscurity, whether live or on the record. Well, Geoffers mate, it doesn't work!
The whole point of Prog rock, and why 'Asia' is quite possibly the best album ever made, is to blend guitars, keyboards, etc. to make a pleasing intelligent noise!
Meanwhile, John Payne, Lemmy-like in full-across-the-face 'tache, black leathers and t-shirt, is showing his lack of experience in handling this sort of venue as front man. Warbling on about Westlife, also in town
tonight, as "Gayzone", addressing the crowd nearest the front and giving grinning thumbs-ups in response to remarks no-one else can hear, in the all-standing scuzzy room that is the Barras, less than PC.
Every once in a while though, he seems to cotton on to the fact that, as lead vocalist, all eyes are on him, and he dashes across the stage to give a HM fist-in-the-air job, or get his head down with Govan, during
the heavy bits of 'Only Time Will Tell' for example, sometimes only just getting back to the mic in time for the next chorus.
He will get better though - more thought in this respect, I'd say. Harmony vocals courtesy of all members are outstandingly tight throughout, I have to say - unless Sammy Sampler is on the field, these days who can say? Full marks, if deserved.
Before long, we get Asia's own 'Stairway to Heaven', 'Heat Of The Moment', a classic piece of 80's pomp-pop, and they're off, having performed only six songs, promising to return as, it appears, they've enjoyed their
first(?) visit to Scotland.
As have the crowd, including me, despite my earlier deep misgivings, and I'll look forward to seeing if this lineup has settled down, got someone to sort out the sound (both live and recorded), perhaps standing up to
His Downes-ship in the process and gotten used to being a live act.
Dave Steele
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Venue: The Musiktheater, Lorsch, Germany Date: 19th February 2002
Set list: The Heat Goes On; Days Like These; Awake; Arena; Military Man; Wherever You Are; Who Will Stop The Rain; Bad Asteroid; Don't Cry; Kings of the Day; Downe's solo; Video Killed The Radio Star (instr); Love
Under Fire; Sad Situation; The Longest Night; Ready To Go Home; Sole Survivor; Free; Only Time Will Tell.
Encore: Go; Heat of the Moment.
Set length: 120 minutes
When a friend mailed me that Asia was to do a full-length tour of Germany, I could hardly wait to see them.
I had already heard the current lineup, during their support slot of Kansas last year, and that show has had a good and lasting impression on me. So tonight there would be about twice as much time for them, which promised a great night out in the beautiful city of Lorsch.
The Musiktheater is a small and cozy club, and I could hardly believe my eyes when first Guthrie, then Chris and finally John in his leather outfit walked right past us in the crowd. I wished John good luck for
the show and he thanked me for that with a friendly slap on my shoulder.
It was fun to see him again about ten minutes later. He even recognised me and said to me "I'm back again." What a nice chap. I could hardly believe my luck, to talk to one of my favourite musicians as if he was a good mate - we're not worthy!
Asia took to the stage on time and opened up with 'The Heat Goes On'. Then the first surprise of the evening followed with 'Days Like These', which I had never heard live with John on vocals. A friend of
mine had already told me that they would play this - and it sounded magnificent.
Then John said hello to the crowd and told them how much he liked the nice little buildings of Lorsch. There was an echo in his voice, but Roger, the sound man, did a great job correcting it quickly.
The first track from 'Aura' followed: 'Awake'.
It is a great song, but the keyboards could have been a bit more prominent on the live version. Afterwards John introduced a Latin song jokingly saying it was inspired by Jennifer Lopez. Of course, that one had to be 'Arena'. I love that album and it would have been good to have heard more songs from it tonight - but unfortunately, it remained the only one.
'Military Man' is certainly one of the best tracks from 'Aria', and it has been a live favourite ever since, so we were treated to it tonight as well.
By this time the sound had become excellent, and Asia's playing was flawless.
A longer introduction to the next song from 'Aura' followed.
According to John, Chris had painted the album cover on a lazy day off in Mannheim. What a funky idea! John's reference to Graham Gouldman and Wax left no doubt that either 'Wherever You Are' or 'Ready To Go Home' was about to follow. It was the former, possibly the strongest song on their current album. Simply beautiful. 'Who Will Stop the Rain' is one of my favourites and the first song I had ever heard with John on vocals. The funny rumba section at the end was extended a bit and prompted some laughter.
Then another surprise followed: an instrumental composition by Guthrie and this is certainly proof that he is fully integrated into the band.
Finally Asia seem to have a stable lineup. The song was probably called 'Bad Asteroid', but it might have been 'Bad Ass To Ride', I am not sure. Afterwards, John introduced Guthrie, and Chris as the man from many bands and as a short homage, Guthrie played the intro to 'Thunderstruck'.
Guthrie's own tune had sounded unusual for Asia, but the following, 'Don't Cry', was Asia back to their commercially successful period during the early 80s.
Quite different to today's sound, but just as good. This contrast became clear when John announced 'Kings of the Day', one of his favourites from the current album - and also one of mine. I had not expected them to play it tonight, so I was pleasantly surprised ... a very emotional song with stunning harmonies.
Then it was time for Geoff's solo, according to John "a hero in his own lunchtime". Geoff also played an instrumental version of 'Video Killed the Radio Star'.
Young Geoffrey stayed at the keyboards, and it was just him and John for a medley of three ballads from three albums: 'Love Under Fire', 'Sad Situation' and 'The Longest Night'. Simply beautiful, and all ladies and romantics were especially pleased by this choice. There was actually rather a large number of women in the audience showing that Asia's music is not just for prog anoraks like myself.
The next single is supposed to be 'Ready to Go Home', and one can only hope that it will indeed get some airplay. I used to work at a radio station and the reason we didn't play any of the Aura songs was that
we received no promotional copy. I hope that this time the record company will not make that mistake. It has certainly the potential to do well.
Another surprise to me was 'Sole Survivor' which I had heard in various versions by former lead singer John Wetton. I am always happy to hear such a great song as often as possible and thanks go to Asia for
keeping it in their current set list ... a classic with no doubt.
'Free' was new to the set list, and it was also unexpected to me. A return to the proggier times is welcome, and a song of nine minutes which does not seem so long is proof of Asia's composing abilities.
Much more complex than the almost forgotten 'The Day Before the War'.
Another classic rounded the regular set off: 'Only Time Will Tell'. It was good to see Geoff enjoying himself doing one of the songs which had propelled Asia to fame in 1982.
It just belongs into the set list, and I was not disappointed.
Although Asia went off for a few minutes, Geoff assured us that this was just a show biz thing. Two more Asia classics made up the encore: 'Go' and, naturally, 'Heat of the Moment'.
John replaced 1982 with 2002. Has it really been twenty years since I was introduced to Asia? Incredible. This song sounds timeless. 'Heat of the Moment' was dedicated to a friend called Julia, who had been ill - whoever she may be, I am sure the entire audience wished her to get well soon.
Unfortunately, there were no more encores, but the band joined us at the merchandising stand ten minutes later and signed everything we would hand to them. We also had the opportunity to chat briefly with each
band member. It is simply incredible that such a great band cares so much for their fans. Most people in show biz are far too pretentious to do such a thing ... so kudos go to Asia.
Next day's show in Stuttgart was supposed to be recorded for radio, and I hope to record it when it's broadcast in March. It will be good to hear that high quality music is making a comeback on the airwaves.
We should all support that, and thank Asia for such a great time as was had tonight. John told me that they are planning to be back in Europe at the end of the year - and there is also a new album in the works. John's joke suggestions for possible titles were asthma and alcoholica ... but they might move on to words beginning with B...?
After this chat I was ready to go home and do hope that the heat does go on in the autumn ... carry on the good work guys!
Oliver Traxel
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