Asia Album: “Fantasia: Live In Tokyo”

I was a bit more than pleasantly surprised upon my first listen of this fantastic album. Meticulous in every respect, you'd be hard pressed to find four musicians that top these gentlemen. I love their rendition of "video killed the radio star". And truly the finest rendition of "the smile has left your eyes" they've done to date. I too consider John Wetton one of the finest vocalists on earth. And Steve Howe's guitar and mandolin playing never sounded better.

The press and public did them "dirty" a few decades ago, but Asia has staying power and excellent material to see them through. I'm ecstatic that they're back again. I met John Wetton in May 1996. You won't find a finer gent anywhere. And his guitar and bass playing coupled with Downes and Palmer move like a well-oiled music machine. Great album (er`oops CD). Buy it and ride easy.

Straight up, this is a rather dull sounding and boring cd/dvd. Steve Howe's guitar (as good as he is) just simply sounds boring and has no life whatsoever. Bass sounds good and all, drums are good, vocals, so so, but over all this is just a one time listen if you're a fan and put it away forever. Disappointed. If they had some life and punch to their live sound, they'd be pretty awesome. But it's just not here at all. Only 2 stars because I will never have a desire to listen to or watch this again, although it was cool to see them on dvd. Highlight of the concert is Carl's drums in the middle of here comes the feeling.

The Original ASIA line-up back together for the 25th Anniversary!! Wetton's vocals are indeed up to par and the musicianship is as good as ever! This 2-Disc live set also includes intriguing covers of "Roundabout", Intersection Blues", "Fanfare for the Common Man" and "The Court Of The Crimson King" not previously released on CD by the original line-up (Like "Video Killed The Radio Star" was on "Live From Russia"). A must have for any fan of the original ASIA incarnation and their 3 releases (before Thrall replaced Howe and Wetton's departure, and the subsequent line-up). One can only hope that these four re-unite and create new studio music for us die-hard fans! Add this to your ASIA cd collection as fast as you can!

Well, add another half star at least (or don't add anything else, by regarding of the uneven recording), despite of listening to a few "oldies" from the classic prog/romantic scene ("Roundabout", "In the Court of the K.C." and "Fanfare for the common man") being a bit strident in comparison to some more commercial/pop hit singles such as "Heat of the moment" or "A Ride easy", which could make me change idea about the present reunion...but it's a minor question, because except on a strange execution of the above hits (e.g. "Heat of the moment", where S. Howe is not completely into the riff and the aggressive guitar sound of his original take of 1981) as well as within their difficult intro of "Time again" (belonging to a few progressive songs of their debut album here just a bit uneven), the other songs are performed with a good impact, especially by John Wetton, whose voice is almost aligned to his glory days!! I think of a band with such a great experience, even though the set of keyboards used by Downes is not always suitable for their oldies and Steve Howe sometimes seems to be a fish out of water (except on his fine Blues Intersection - even though this latter in their recent concert in Italy at the gig of Asti Festival wasn't so impressive - and of course in the harmonization inside "Fanfare for the common man" or once again regarding of the best guitar parts within "Roundabout").Instead Palmer is always a precise drummer (forget a few breaks through only where the whole band is not completely confident) and as usual excellent in his drum solo or once again within the classic instrumental track from "Works" by ELP.

Long Live Asia!!

I have been an Asia original lineup fan for several years and both of their new recordings were quite a surprise. Songs are somewhat slower than original versions. 'Video Killed the Radio Star' has little resemblance with the Buggles version. Steve does a splendid job, guitar in 'Roundabout' sounds as in Yes several years ago. Carl is more audible than he used to be. Geoff doesn't seem affected by time. John's singing is fine but his voice denotes he may be somewhat tired. Wonderful Roger Dean artwork. Recording and sound, good.