Asia Web Release

Geoffrey Downes, Steve Howe, Carl Palmer, John Wetton

The Four Original Members of ASIA

are delighted to announce the following dates have been confirmed for their September 2006 US tour.

1 - JIM THORPE, PA - Penns PeakSat
2 - ATLANTIC CITY, NJ - Trump Marina CasinoSun
3 - MASHATUCKET, CT - Foxwood �Casino
7 - BOSTON, MA - Avalon Ballroom
8 - NEW YORK, NY - Nokia Theater
9 - NEW YORK, NY - Nokia Theater
10 - NORWALK, CT - Oyster Festival
12 - RED BANK, NJ - Count Basie Theater
13 - PHILADELPHIA, PA - Keswick Theater
15 - CLEVELAND, OH - House of Blues
16 - CHICAGO, IL - Park West
17 - MILWAUKEE, WI - Pabst Theater
20 - LONG BEACH, CA - The Vault
21 - LAS VEGAS, NV - House of Blues
22 - FOUNTAIN HILLS, AZ - Radisson Casino
23 - AGOURA HILLS, CA - Canyon Club
24 - PALM DESERT, CA - McCallum Theater


This makes me doubleplushappy!

John Wetton - Rock of Faith (2003)

When I think of John Wetton, my thoughts hearken back to the early 80s Asia stadium anthem, Heat of the Moment. To call it a song, is to call Bach just “another classical composer” or the Beatles just “another rock band.” Rightly so, Wetton was 1/4th of that 80s supergroup which was equal parts Yes (Steve Howe on guitar), The Buggles (Geoff Downes on keyboards), Emerson Lake & Palmer (Carl Palmer on drums), and King Crimson (John Wetton on vocals and bass).

Part of the chemistry of that line-up was the superlative songwriting of Wetton and Downes. Much like Nirvana in the early 90s. Asia spoke to only a single generation before the various members went their separate ways. They were known for hits describing heartache and general teenage lust. Wetton’s trademark impassioned vocals took songs that would have sounded cliché being performed by lesser singers and gave them a heavy dose of credibility… then again Wetton’s passionate vocals could give the phone book credibility.

Fast Forward to 2002-- for the first time in over 10 years John Wetton once again found himself writing material with Geoffrey Downes… on the very same piano they used in their heyday in Asia. Wetton’s solo catalogue has produced albums worth of anthems which hearken back to his days in Asia, mixing hints of seventies prog-rock with deeply passionate, and more often than not autobiographical, lyrics.

Wetton’s latest, Rock of Faith, is no exception. With each listen I find myself growing more attached to this gem of a CD. The highlights of the CD are the two songs co-penned by former Asia bandmate, Geoffrey Downes, I’ve Come to Take You Home and I Lay Down but truly there are no weak spots on the album. The album is peppered with Eastern European influences, heavenly choirs, Supertramp-esque keyboards and saxophones, and even hints of Beach Boy, Brian Wilson’s multi-layered vocal harmonies. The instrumental tracks, Mondrago and Altro Mondo are lush and absolutely beautiful. All-in-all it’s a shame that this album goes largely undiscovered due to it’s Japanese/European only release—other than his work with Asia and King Crimson, Wetton’s solo work is known in the United States only by a handful of very devoted fans.

Asia - Enso Kai (Live in Tokyo) (2001)

I'm a HUGE fan of John Wetton, but I really must commend Greg Lake on his performances on this CD. His vocals are so close to Wetton's that it's hard to believe that it's not Wetton.

There's a good reason that Wetton "replaced" Greg Lake in King Crimson and it's with much similar reason that Lake briefly "replaced" Wetton in Asia... their voices are so eerily similar it's amazing. Lake's British accent shows a little bit more in his singing voice but only if you're really listening for it.

Carl Palmer's drumming is fantastic as always, Downes keyboard playing is exceptional and Steve Howe... well it's Steve Howe... what more needs to be said?

The sound quality on this disc is supposedly superior to the Live In Hallowed Halls CD with Wetton on vocals, but I don't have that CD so I have no room for comparison.

Good song selection but I miss Daylight and where's Don't Cry? I have an mp3 of Lake singing Daylight that's absolutely fantastic... Why it didn't make this CD release is beyond me. This disc would get 5 stars if not for the omission of those 2 tracks. Still a solid performance.

John Wetton - Akustika: Live in Amerika (1996)

Wetton may not be the best singer in the world but he is certainly one of the most passionate. Unfortunately, Wetton seems to tone down his performances on this CD, while they're still passionate they seem to lack that level of intense deep to the core of the soul passion that I know he's capable of after hearing some of his other live performances. I've heard live versions of Hold Me Now that have just about moved me to tears. Unfortunately this CD lacks that level of emotion.

The CD is still well worth getting if for no other reason than to hear Christina and Wetton's acoustic version of Don't Cry which is exceptional on this CD. Those 2 songs alone make this CD WELL worth getting, the rest of the material, while very good, isn't up to the standards I normally expect of Mr. Wetton however.