Asia Live in NYC Oct 27th

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 27^th 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.