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Asia - Fantasia - Live In Tokyo (2007)

Genre: Progressive Rock

Review 1 by Tony Howard @ Buy It at Lowest Price on Amazon

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Asia has always been a guilty pleasure of mine, so when I heard the original quartet reunited and recorded a live album, this attracted my interest. I've heard live CDs from other incarnations of Asia and the sound quality was lacking. For a live CD, the sound is good here. It could be better, but it could be a whole lot worse. Rather than a rehash of the first album, the band also decided to record one song from each of the band members' pasts. They do so with satisfying results. I wondered how Asia was going to pull off "Roundabout" since John Wetton doesn't "communicate with bats" like Jon Anderson can, nor does Jon Anderson have to play Chris Squire's bass lines, but John Wetton handled both vocals and the bass parts seemingly without effort. Geoff Downes is no Rick Wakeman, but he doesn't need to be. He held up his end. Sometimes Steve Howe gets lost in the mix, but the song sounds ok. The band delivered very well.

As the first reviewer mentioned, the acoustic versions of "Ride Easy" and "Don't Cry" are well done. I actually prefer the version of "Don't Cry" here to the original from "Alpha." Steve Howe plays the mandolin while John Wetton handles the acoustic guitar. The band also plays an acoustic version of "The Smile Has Left Your Eyes" (also better than the original) with Steve Howe on dobro. Take away the studio gloss of their first three albums and you discover these guys are very good musicians. Steve Howe plays a variety of stringed instruments, John Wetton unplugs with an acoustic guitar, and Geoff Downes does very well with the piano. Carl Palmer plays flawlessly throughout as always. I don't think he ever has an off night.

Also noteworthy is the band's rendition of "In the Court of the Crimson King." Greg Lake was a fine singer in his day, but John Wetton outdoes him here. The thought of a four-piece band playing "Fanfare for the Common Man" intrigued me since ELP recorded it without guitars, but Asia makes it work. It's a bit ragged, but it doesn't suck. "Video Killed the Radio Star" is a fun listen, especially with John Wetton using a megaphone in places. Steve Howe gets a solo turn with "Intersection Blues" from his "Natural Timbre" solo CD. Good stuff.

Overall, a good CD well worth every penny spent. It's good to have the original quartet back.

Review 2 by E-Duc (Eric) @ :

25 years after the original members of Asia splintered off, leaving Geoff Downes to reassemble the band in a variety of lineups, Wetton, Howe, Palmer and Downes are back together for a tour, live album, and a possible studio album (a quick recovery to Mr. Wetton. Prayers are with you). For those who griped that 4 guys who came from such keystones in progressive music went completely pop should give this a listen. Sure, you have the usual hits and what not; however, Asia dives back into the vault and perform prog classics flawlessly.

The debut Asia album is represented quite nicely with this live album. The usual staples are given to the listener ("Heat Of The Moment", "Only Time Will Tell", "Sole Survivor"), and a nice surprise in the inclusion of "Ride Easy" in an acoustic format. I do wish, however, that more songs from Alpha were included. It would be nice to hear "My Own Time (I'll Do What I Want), "Never In A Million Years" or even the touching "The Last To Know". That's still my favorite Asia disc.

Now, on to what really blew me away: the classics. First and foremost, "In The Court Of The Crimson King" is probably the benchmark of this album. To be quite honest, I would've hoped that they did a King Crimson song that Wetton originally performed (i.e. something from Red), but they really nailed it on this song. Absolutely sublime.

When I heard that "Roundabout" was going to be on here, my first thought was how Wetton would handle those funky bass lines by Squire. Albeit, it would be difficult to match the original; but, Wetton displays the skill on bass that doesn't seem to be the topic of conversation when talking about his body of work. The man is a fine bassist, and the song is successfully pulled off by the band as a whole. Even Downes handles the keyboards quite nicely. The songs pace isn't quite like the original, but still holds one's interest.

The ELP inclusion is "Fanfare For The Common Man"....and it could be my second favorite moment of the album. The band just really grinds it out like the professionals they are, and it's fun to listen to them just completely rock out. Palmer hasn't lost anything and still displays that impeccable timing and finesse.

The Buggles' "Video Killed The Radio Star" is quite fun...but that's about it. Sort of seems out of place amongst the rest of the songs, but adds a bit of levity to the set. Even Wetton breaks out the police megaphone to add a bit of distortion to the verses.

I know the majority of those who came down hard on Asia back in the 80's for not being prog enough won't buy this...which is a shame. Asia did target the pop market, but the songs are still fun to listen to even though I'm much older than when they first came out. I bought this the day it came out and the songs still take me back. Maybe I'm swept up by nostalgia, but it sure is good to see the original Asia back together and playing beautifully.

Tracklisting:

CD 1 (50:54):

1. Time Again (5:14)

2. Wildest Dreams (5:37)

3. One Step Closer (4:20)

4. Roundabout (8:41)

5. Without You (5:45)

6. Cutting It Fine (6:24)

7. Intersection Blues (3:40)

8. Fanfare For The Common Man (7:35)

9. The Smile Has Left Your Eyes (3:39)

CD 2 (54:50):

1. Don't Cry (4:30)

2. In The Court Of The Crimson King (5:01)

3. Here Comes The Feeling (5:39)

4. Video Killed The Radio Star (4:40)

5. The Heat Goes On (9:15)

6. Only Time Will Tell (5:01)

7. Sole Survivor (6:52)

8. Ride Easy (5:27)

9. Heat Of The Moment (8:25)

Total Time: 105:45

Line-Up:

- Geoffrey Downes / keyboards, backing vocals

- Steve Howe / guitars, backing vocals

- Carl Palmer / drums

- John Wetton / bass, lead vocals

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Rating:
2.5 out of 5 by Book123