While this isn't the best Asia live cd ("Live Acoustic" easily takes that honour), "NOW-Live In Nottingham" is a fine release. If you want Asia live with original frontman John Wetton, this is a better cd than the two "Live In Russia" releases. Their isn't any obvious overdubbing, the band is tight and the song selection is excellent (with the exception of the somewhat dismal 'Prayin' 4 A Miracle'); well worth seeking out.
Forget anything released beyond "Live in Moscow" -- except this CD. John Wetton shows why he was the soul of Asia in an absolutely blistering set of music. Not to be missed -- one of the best unadulterated Asia shows (i.e. no overdubs) ever recorded!
The Wetton-led Asia has two live disks out, this one and Live in Moscow. Both hail from about the same time period, 89-90 (and yes, we'd all love to see Asia in Asia from '83 released, but I doubt it will ever happen - STOP THE PRESSES!!! Asia in Asia is now available as Enso Kai...see review for that disk!). Both Moscow and Nottingham have their strong points, but I must weigh in on Moscow as being the more enjoyable of the two performances.
Granted, Moscow was a much slicker production, from Rhino records which had more to invest in the product. Plus that disk also 'benefits' from overdubs (a double edged sword). Thus, Moscow is easier on the ears than this Nottingham show. Wildest Dreams sounds like it was done by a garage band on this disk. Its done competently enough, as are all the songs on the disk, but it seems like a far cry from the version on Asia in Asia.
I suppose my two disappointments with this disk are as follows: 1. The audience: It has to be canned! I've never heard an audience at a rock show sound as uninspired as on this disk. They sound as if they're watching Liza Minelli! SNOOZE. 2.The scant photographs that accompany the disk ignore Pat Thrall. He was a huge part of the band during this tour and deserves more recognition. At least in the Moscow disk there's ample recognnition for his efforts.
Now, on to the positives. 1. Song selection - Not better than Moscow, but as good. They were wise to include the two songs from the then current album. Prayin' 4 a Miracle, while not on par with earlier classics isn't bad, and sounds good here. Days Like These rips! They might be playing the song a bit too fast but who cares! It sounds great. Unlike other reviewers, I miss the Crimson and Buggles stuff. If you'd ever been to an Asia show hearing those nuggets was a part of the concert, just as the Clap, or Sketches in the Sunset were. Since they were included on the Moscow disk, I don't mourn them here because leaving them off allows for other stuff from the tour (like P4AM, and DLT)
Overdubs - there aren't any. THAT'SGREAT! No wait, that's bad. Yeah, makes it not as easy to listen to as Moscow, but there are some quaint gaffs here that are gems. At one point, the keys drop out of a song entirely! I love shows without overdubs cause they're raw. I like shows with overdubs cause they're more technically correct. Bottom line, with Moscow and Nottingham, you get the best of both.
Overall, good live outing, not their best. Paired with Moscow its an awesome 1-2 combination...
I missed out in obtaining a copy of Asia in Asia, so I have been looking for a live recording fromo Asia. Though it is not the original four, Pat Thrall does a good job on lead guitar. If you are looking for a good live recording of some of the original songs, this is a good choice. The worst part about the CD is that the audience sounds fairly small, and you don't get the real arena feel as you did in the 1983 concert in Japan. This is a must for Asia fans.
We can only wish that the original band members could work out their differences and stage a comeback with the style and flare they had in the past.
