Thirty years ago Asia’s “Heat of the Moment” conquered the
FM airwaves and the group’s debut album sold an estimated 14 million
copies. However, the band’s follow-up
album, “Alpha” failed to live up to commercial or artistic expectations. As a result, the original line-up disbanded
for nearly a quarter century.
In 2007, the original members decided to reform Asia. Musical tastes have certainly changed since
the days when Asia’s power ballads, sprinkled with progressive-rock instrumental
flourishes, captivated audiences.
However, in the past five years the band has released three solid albums
while touring extensively. In musical
terms, today’s Asia is arguably better than ever.
The musical vitality of today’s Asia is was on display October
27th at the Best Buy Theatre in NYC.
At its heart, Asia has always been a band that blends instrumental
firepower with concise songwriting featuring killer musical hooks. Asia’s
music is accessible, even formulaic, but the group is also capable of spell-binding
musical flights that completely push the envelope. On
Saturday night, Asia showed these four exemplary musicians still know a thing
or two about putting on a riveting show.
Whether it’s a scorching rocker like “Soul Survivor,” or a gentle ballad
like “I Know How You Feel” from their latest album “XXX,” Asia can still deliver
the goods, and then some. Indeed, it is
rare to hear a band that is as crisp, energetic, and also telepathic as Asia is
playing right now.
As a unit, Asia is in top form. As for the individual performers themselves: John Wetton husky voice sounds like it’s been
preserved in a time-capsule; Steve
Howe’s guitar solos are as inventive, idiosyncratic, and combustible as ever;
Carl Palmer’s percussion is peerless; and Geoff Downes’ keyboard
textures always seem to suit the music and his fellow band mates perfectly.
Asia’s current set list was ideal too. Songs from the debut album were most
prominent, but the concert featured choice tracks from Alpha, three cuts from
the new album, and at least one song from their other two post-reunion
albums. It has been three decades since
Asia burst onto the scene as a super group.
Their fall from grace was every bit as stunning as their meteoric
rise. But they have risen from the ashes
to become a hardworking band that is in the process of creating a legacy that
is finally worthy of the hype that surrounded the original Asia. The chemistry of the original Asia was there
from the beginning. The latest album and
tour are an indication that their magical X-factor has only improved with age.
