[tobytanzer]

I know there are some Asia haters and some fans here, but I don't apologize for any of my opinions about Asia...to either group.

Pat and I saw Asia last Saturday night at Casino Rama. Let me first say that we are not and never have been fans of Asia, but I also don't hate them. I was very dissappointed in their music when their early albums came out, because I expected progressive rock from these guys.

So why did we go when I could have stayed home and caught Tom's show?
1. The venue is close to me.
2. The venue has a few good restaurants.
3. Carl Palmer and Steve Howe were playing.
4. Hoped for some ELP, Yes, or KC tunes
5. I felt an obligation to support these guys, who have given me so many great musical memories, although not with Asia.
6. I hoped the music would improve with age, in my ears.

As to the music... My low expectations were fully met. I still think Asia was thrown together as a blatant attempt to make money. It was manufactured to appeal to a wide (ie pop) audience. There was no passion or emotion I could detect. The songs were all in 4/4 time, Wetton's voice is good but only within a 5 note range. The chord progressions are the same 3 or 4 chords repeated endlessly. The lyrics are insipid.

There were a few decent solos by Howe that were always cut short after a few bars. Nothing inspiring from Wetton's bass or Downes keys.

That's the negative side. On the positive side there was an extended solo by Howe on acoustic guitar. The medley of Mood for a Day and Valley of the Rocks was the high point of the show for me. He still has it.
The other high point was THE Palmer drum solo. The one from ELP's Tank... the same solo he's made a career out of. Still great but not new. And not Asia. There were some ok tracks from their latest album Omega, but it sounded just like the early albums.....


When we awoke after the encore thankfully the drive home was short, and we did enjoy the meal.