ASIA, the multi-platinum selling English supergroup, formed in London in 1981, is celebrating its 40th anniversary by releasing a five-CD box set, "The Reunion Albums: 2007-2012", on June 11 via BMG. This deluxe clamshell box set features the two-CD live recording "Fantasia: Live In Tokyo" together with the three reunion studio albums "Phoenix", "Omega" and "XXX".
ASIA took the world by a storm with its eponymous debut album, globally the biggest-selling album of 1982. The single "Heat Of The Moment", a huge soft-rock anthem, reached the Top 40 in over a dozen markets. peaking in the U.S. at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart.
The four original members of ASIA — John Wetton (KING CRIMSON; lead vocal/bass), Steve Howe (YES; guitar), Carl Palmer (EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER; drums) and Geoff Downes (THE BUGGIES, YES; keyboards), reunited to celebrate their 25th anniversary in 2006 and 2007 with a world tour. A live album from the tour "Fantasia: Live In Tokyo", was released in 2007 as they returned to the studio together for the first time in a quarter of a century. The reunion would yield three stunning albums, "Phoenix" (2008), "Omega" (2010) and "XXX" (2012) as they celebrated their 30th anniversary. Of these later albums, Palmer said: "The chemistry and energy that conies out when the four of us are working together is reflected in the new material." For his part, Wetton marvelled at how far the band had come. "Each one of us is comfortable as a human being, and the sound reflects the collective maturity of these four people who are not only eager to explore but also relaxed enough to luxuriate in the strength of the material," he said. This box set features the original ASIA lineup, reformed in 2006, and brings together, for the first time. all of ASIA's essential music into one concise collection.
"Fantasia: Live In Tokyo", the two-CD live show from ASIA's 2007 world tour, features many of the tracks from their first two albums, "Asia" (1982) and "Alpha" (1983), and includes "Heat Of The Moment" and "Don't Cry" together with heritage tracks from each of the band members musical history. The band also performed live. for the first time, an acoustic version of "Ride Easy", a B-side from the debut single "Heat Of The Moment". The box set collection is completed by the three reunion studio albums "Phoenix", "Omega" and "XXX". These represent some of ASIA's finest moments and allowed the band to explore fully their rock and progressive roots. These albums are presented together in a superb collector's edition boxset designed by Roger Dean, who produced all of the original albums' artwork. The box set cover image was previously unused and the "Fantasia" sleeve design has been updated by Roger.
Everyone has a plan, till you get punched in the face,
Was there ever a lamer “super group’ than Asia? If anyone can think of one, please list it.
Souther Hillman & Furay - even w/one of my favorite all time drummers, Jim Gordon, that record was a dud to my ears
I loved Asia!
"Super Groups" - usually unions formed by record companies to boost sales. Yes, this can be lame.
Asia was a band made up of some of the biggest heavyweights in pop music. Each player was/is the top of of the game at their instrument. They did formulate a sound more akin to Foreigner, Journey and some of the "corporate" acts of the day, but the playing and songwriting was solid. Listen to "Heat of the Moment" - strip away Wetton's baritone if you need to to hear some seriously solid guitar playing by Steve Howe. That song has some of my favorite pop guitar licks, but you might need to listen to appreciate it. Sort of "pop-prog", but some damned solid playing. When I hear them on the car radio I always crank it up!
Yeah these could be lame but I also really like Asia. I kind of need to be in a mood to listen to them as in some of their stuff is something of a downer. Remember GTR after them that Steve Howe was also in? They only put out one album but it had two radio hits on it.
There have been other supergroups of course. Hey, I liked Bad English which was kinda in the same genre.
Everything in Moderation. Including Moderation.
I love those musicians, but generally, I reach for their earlier stuff when I want to hear Wetton or Hackett or Howe, not Asia or GTR.
Asia and GTR show solid melodic craft and have some great moments but often feel too slick. Plus, I really disliked GTR's singer.
That being said, if you like some of this stuff, check out:
1. "The Tokyo Tapes Live": Steve Hackett, John Wetton, Chester Thompson, Ian McDonald: great recording. They play some Genesis, some Crimson, etc - lovely.
2. "Squackett": this was a really good modern album by Chris Squire and Steve Hackett. Melodic and poppy but really enjoyable.
I like Asia. GTR was interesting with the Hackett Howe combo.
I forgot about Squackett. I have got it and maybe will give it a spin this weekend.
Along the lines of what we are talking about....
Greg Lake put out a live release years ago that has Gary Moore on guitar. Good stuff.
Here is some info
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Biscuit_Flower_Hour_Presents_Greg_Lake_in_Concert
Everyone has a plan, till you get punched in the face,
Its out tomorrow. Here is an interview with Geoff Downes.
https://omny.fm/shows/rock-talk-with-mitch-lafon-1/asias-geoff-downes-talks-reunion-albums
Everyone has a plan, till you get punched in the face,
