OT: ASIA "Arena"

[Rip Rokken]

Never thought about it before but now that you say it....maybe Perry saying na na na na to the girl like a little kid on the schoolyard?

Oh, did you not know that? Neither did I for as many millions of times as I've heard the song, until I had to learn it last year and actually paid attention to the lyrics, and then it hit me -- it is a taunt! A "nah-nah-nah-boo-boo" type of taunt. Great and very inspired writing!

[Rip Rokken]

Yeah, forgot about that one. At least that had a point, what the hell is Chocolate Rain?

It's what comes out of your butt after eating too much Indian food!

[Rick]

Yeah, forgot about that one. At least that had a point, what the hell is Chocolate Rain?

It's what comes out of your butt after eating too much Indian food!

If that's the shit they were eating on "Along Came Polly", no thanks. I have colitis half the time anyway.

[Rip Rokken]

I have colitis half the time anyway.

As in, Pina Colitis? You can get drunk in a hurry downing those things..

[Rick]

I have colitis half the time anyway.

As in, Pina Colitis? You can get drunk in a hurry downing those things..

I wish. Good one though.

[Blueskies]

Never thought about it before but now that you say it....maybe Perry saying na na na na to the girl like a little kid on the schoolyard?

Oh, did you not know that? Neither did I for as many millions of times as I've heard the song, until I had to learn it last year and actually paid attention to the lyrics, and then it hit me -- it is a taunt! A "nah-nah-nah-boo-boo" type of taunt. Great and very inspired writing!

Nope, really never thought about that one before.....that is one of my least favored Journey songs....havent really listened to it for years other then at concerts....fun chant for crowd participation....but to just listen to it on a regular basis....ugh!...too monotonous. See, thats what happens when you carry a grudge...he wrote that as a revenge song and did himself in with it. His payback came back and bit him in the butt....I think that song was the real reason he quit...he couldn't take those na na na na's anymore.

[Abitaman]

I love this album, and discovered it soon after I learned Geoff Downes had still been releasing albums under the ASIA name, so I bought this one, "Aria", and "Arvhiva Vol 1" all at the same time.

I fell in love with the guitar lead in the opening instrumental track, and learned it note for note several years ago. It remains one of my favorite leads to practice, and I was having fun with it for over an hour tonight. Here's a sample:

http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/window/ ... LO,00.html

Arena is my least favorite of the Asia cds. It was too eastern sound for me. How I rank the Asia cds are


A+ Asia 1982
B+ Alpha 1983
B- Live at Budokan 1984 Greg Lake-vocals
B- Astra 1985 Wetton Lead Vocals
C Live in Moscow 1990 Pat Thrall-Guitar
A- Aqua 1992 Payne-vocals
C+ Osaka 1992 Osaka Japan
B+ Aria 1994
C- Arena 1996
B Archiva 1996 Demos and Outtakes 1991-1995
B- Archiva 2 1996 Demos and Outtakes 1991-1995
D+ Aqua Demos and Outtakes 1997
B After UK 1997
A- Anthology 1997 Best of. Wetton songs recorded with Payne on Vocals
A+ Heat of the Moment 2000 Best of 1982-1990
A- Aura 2001
B Live in the USA 2002 Philly
B+ Anthologia 2002 First 3 cds on 2 cds
B- Vienna 2002
B+ Silent Nation 2004 Last with Payne on vocals
B+ Payne Era 2005 best of Payne era 1992-2004
B+ Reunion Tour 2006 Original line up
B Live in Atlantic City 6-23-07

[Rip Rokken]

Arena is my least favorite of the Asia cds. It was too eastern sound for me. How I rank the Asia cds are...

Dude, you definitely know your ASIA! I just got thru listening to "Aura" again tonight for the first time in probably 2 years, and it is outstanding... I think the only song I don't really care for is actually track 1, "Awake". After that, it's excellent melodically and lyrically. I think if I had to pick one song off of that album as my favorite, it would be "Under The Gun". I can relate very much to the lyrics, about a guy who is overwhelmed by the demands of his job, and lashed out at by the people he works for when he needs a break. I really have it much better than that, but I've certainly felt that way in the past when I had deadlines to meet, people waiting on me, and I just couldn't add any more time to the day. You know, come to think of it, I think that song helped me rethink how I approached by job and I've learned how to leave the office completely at the end of the day. Having a kid was the 2nd inspiration for doing just that. Anyway, great commentary on today's frenzied work environment.

As the world is caving in
From the pressures of the day
And you feel that you can't win
But you know you'll have to stay

We have to toe the line
It's so hard to take the pace
You're a better man that I
In the perfect human race

So... we live... Under The Gun...
We live... Under The Gun.

See the writing on the wall
In the city's caves of steel
Hear the echoes of the night
Will the anger ever heal?

So... we live... Under The Gun...
We live... Under The Gun... we live...
Under The Gun... we live...

Your mind control, your gift of lies
You brother, dear we're screaming
You said you cared, we needed you
You mother, now you're leaving

So... we live... Under The Gun...
We live... Under The Gun...
We live... Under The Gun... we live...
Under The Gun...

[ProgRocker53]

Arena is my least favorite of the Asia cds. It was too eastern sound for me. How I rank the Asia cds are...

Dude, you definitely know your ASIA! I just got thru listening to "Aura" again tonight for the first time in probably 2 years, and it is outstanding... I think the only song I don't really care for is actually track 1, "Awake". After that, it's excellent melodically and lyrically. I think if I had to pick one song off of that album as my favorite, it would be "Under The Gun". I can relate very much to the lyrics, about a guy who is overwhelmed by the demands of his job, and lashed out at by the people he works for when he needs a break. I really have it much better than that, but I've certainly felt that way in the past when I had deadlines to meet, people waiting on me, and I just couldn't add any more time to the day. You know, come to think of it, I think that song helped me rethink how I approached by job and I've learned how to leave the office completely at the end of the day. Having a kid was the 2nd inspiration for doing just that. Anyway, great commentary on today's frenzied work environment.

As the world is caving in
From the pressures of the day
And you feel that you can't win
But you know you'll have to stay

We have to toe the line
It's so hard to take the pace
You're a better man that I
In the perfect human race

So... we live... Under The Gun...
We live... Under The Gun.

See the writing on the wall
In the city's caves of steel
Hear the echoes of the night
Will the anger ever heal?

So... we live... Under The Gun...
We live... Under The Gun... we live...
Under The Gun... we live...

Your mind control, your gift of lies
You brother, dear we're screaming
You said you cared, we needed you
You mother, now you're leaving

So... we live... Under The Gun...
We live... Under The Gun...
We live... Under The Gun... we live...
Under The Gun...

I LOVE "Under the Gun." By far my favorite Asia song, great taste there, RR! Plus, it's got one of the most addicting synth riffs this side of Separate Ways!

[Rip Rokken]

I LOVE "Under the Gun." By far my favorite Asia song, great taste there, RR! Plus, it's got one of the most addicting synth riffs this side of Separate Ways!

No, joke! Both the synth and guitar are great in that song. That's very cool! When I got the album, I caught onto that song pretty quick, but it's actually a bonus track, and the lyrics weren't included in the booklet. They also didn't appear on the Web for what seemed like an eternity, and I was straining my ears to figure out a few tough spots I couldn't quite make out. Hell, I just remembered how I first got the lyrics, because it was really irritating me at the time. I actually ended up e-mailing and beseeching Dave Gallant, who runs the official ASIA site, and he got them directly from John Payne and sent them to me! Man, that's been a few years ago...

Speaking of a while back, when I first moved off of CompuServe and got true Internet access back in the mid 90's and started exploring the Web, one of my first finds was Dave's newsletter, "The ASIAN Armada", and I've kept in touch ever since. It was Dave's newsletter that led me to find I'd been missing Payne-era CD's, and I went out and bought "Aria", "Arena" and "Archiva Vol 1" all in the same day. I was in ASIA heaven, dude!

[Rip Rokken]

I just discovered that John Payne released a solo compilation disc called "Different Worlds" in November '07, and #1 song on the track listing is "Under The Gun"! Also features several other ASIA songs, including "Arena". Don't know if these are re-recordings, or the originals, but it looks interesting.

[StoneCold]

ASIA saved '82 from being a rockless year.

[7 Wishes]

Rip Rokken - could not agree more. All the studio albums stand up to anything from 82-85.

[Higgy]

Speaking of a while back, when I first moved off of CompuServe and got true Internet access back in the mid 90's and started exploring the Web, one of my first finds was Dave's newsletter, "The ASIAN Armada", and I've kept in touch ever since. It was Dave's newsletter that led me to find I'd been missing Payne-era CD's, and I went out and bought "Aria", "Arena" and "Archiva Vol 1" all in the same day. I was in ASIA heaven, dude!

Dave's site and newsletter are great (though sometimes more news than your email needs!). Did he and John Payne have a massive falling out? Because since the reunion, if you look at the site, John Payne never existed.

[conversationpc]

Sorry, folks. Other than "Aqua", nothing Asia has done since the debut has even come anywhere close. There's been some good stuff but the debut rules them all.

[Diffworlds]

Speaking of a while back, when I first moved off of CompuServe and got true Internet access back in the mid 90's and started exploring the Web, one of my first finds was Dave's newsletter, "The ASIAN Armada", and I've kept in touch ever since. It was Dave's newsletter that led me to find I'd been missing Payne-era CD's, and I went out and bought "Aria", "Arena" and "Archiva Vol 1" all in the same day. I was in ASIA heaven, dude!

Dave's site and newsletter are great (though sometimes more news than your email needs!). Did he and John Payne have a massive falling out? Because since the reunion, if you look at the site, John Payne never existed.

Officially no. Dave took the original Asia band to handle their website and Michael Milborn (sp? - was the webmaster for Dave Gallent's site) took the John Payne site. Dave professed respect and admiration for John Payne when the split occured. I have never heard anything to contradict that message. Wetton has publically expressed a distaste for Payne, so I always assumed that Wetton would not have a joint site or webmaster handling the "Asia featuring John Payne" name or material. Just my opinion though.

Personally, I love the John Payne material. Even keep a second set of CDs at work so when the mood strikes.

Mike

[FinnFreak]

Personally, I love the John Payne material. Even keep a second set of CDs at work so when the mood strikes.

Mike

I like 'em too. - John Wetton also has a few pretty good solo albums as well.

Battlelines (1994) and Akustika - Live in America (1996) would be my favorites.

[Rip Rokken]

Dave's site and newsletter are great (though sometimes more news than your email needs!). Did he and John Payne have a massive falling out? Because since the reunion, if you look at the site, John Payne never existed.

Officially no. Dave took the original Asia band to handle their website and Michael Milborn (sp? - was the webmaster for Dave Gallent's site) took the John Payne site. Dave professed respect and admiration for John Payne when the split occured. I have never heard anything to contradict that message. Wetton has publically expressed a distaste for Payne, so I always assumed that Wetton would not have a joint site or webmaster handling the "Asia featuring John Payne" name or material. Just my opinion though.

Personally, I love the John Payne material. Even keep a second set of CDs at work so when the mood strikes.

Mike

I'm pretty sure the split between Downes and Payne was nasty, but Dave has always been a mega class act and has kept anything he might know close to the vest. I was one of the early purchasers of a signed and numbered copy of his first ASIA biography, and it's been totally overhauled and re-released since then. I do believe the new edition covers something about the split, but am guessing it's handled with grace. No way to get any dirt out of the ASIA camp.

Speaking of a 2nd set of CDs, a while back my wife discovered my ASIA CDs and fell in love with them. Much to my consternation, I would discover them in her car, sometimes without the case. I've asked her a million time not to touch my CDs, because I handle mine with the absolute greatest of care, whereas I have a theory that she uses hers as padding between her foot and the floorboard of her car. So yesterday I was listening to "Arena" and "Aria" again, and "Aria" started skipping... I checked it out, as well as "Arena", and both were very scratched up! Then I went to examine the rest of my ASIA CD's and found about 2/3 of them in the same condition, and 2 are even missing! Boy was I PISSED! Man, I hate to gig her for something she probably did 2 years ago, but I'm seriously about to put a freaking lock on my music room to keep her the hell out of my CD's. Thankfully she hasn't learned about JSS and Talisman, yet.

So anyway, I as kindly but sternly as possible tell her about the condition of my ASIA CD's, and how I'm going to have to purchase new ones, and you know what she says? "Can have your old ones?" N-i-i-i-i-i-c-e response, there. Lots of remorse, babe! Yes, tonight... a freaking lock is going on that door.

[Rip Rokken]

Sorry, folks. Other than "Aqua", nothing Asia has done since the debut has even come anywhere close. There's been some good stuff but the debut rules them all.

Thanks for straightening that out for us, Dave! I may rethink buying them again... haha!

Actually, I listen to "Silent Nation" again last night, and I don't think I care for it nearly as much the previous ones. To me, it's just weak... But the packaging is awesome!

[Diffworlds]

Sorry, folks. Other than "Aqua", nothing Asia has done since the debut has even come anywhere close. There's been some good stuff but the debut rules them all.

Thanks for straightening that out for us, Dave! I may rethink buying them again... haha!

Actually, I listen to "Silent Nation" again last night, and I don't think I care for it nearly as much the previous ones. To me, it's just weak... But the packaging is awesome!

I think Silent Nation is a great CD, at times. I found myself listening more to my homemade copy - which dropped a couple of songs added "Rise" (JPN bonus) and the tracks from the "Long Way from Home" EP (2 radio edits & 2 acoustic versions from Silent Nation). Aqua - Aura couldn't find any major faults to improve on. Although I keep thinking about making an Aura (part 2) with the live tracks from the tour ("Live in America" CD) & the exclusive tracks from the Armada CD.

Mike

[7 Wishes]

...the top ten stand up to any of the first four Wetton records...

Sad Situation
Who Will Stop the Rain
Arena
Ghost in the Mirror
Ready to Come Home
Lay Down Your Arms
Military Man
U Bring Me Down
You're the Stranger
Love Under Fire
The Day Before the War
We Fall Apart
Feels Like Love
Hands of Time
Forgive Me
Tell Me Why
The Mariner's Dream
That Season
The Coldest Day in Hell

[radman08]

I just registered to post in this thread. All versions of Asia are excellent and Rip and 7 are right about those Payne songs standing up with the Wetton material. And that is no slight on John Wetton. He sounds great now, after some problems a few years ago. Has anyone seen the new Asia DVD from Japan that was recently released?

Payne must own the name outright. The Wetton/Howe/Downes/Palmer version bills themselves as "The Four Original Members of Asia". I'm guessing after the GPS CD came out that Payne may be exercising his rights to the "Asia" name to maybe be able to play the U.S. Either way, I support both versions. All that means is more good music for all of us!

[Higgy]

Payne must own the name outright. The Wetton/Howe/Downes/Palmer version bills themselves as "The Four Original Members of Asia". I'm guessing after the GPS CD came out that Payne may be exercising his rights to the "Asia" name to maybe be able to play the U.S. Either way, I support both versions. All that means is more good music for all of us!

The original 4 released the Fantasia CD as just Asia and they are planning a new studio CD as Asia (I think - correct me if I'm wrong). I know there was a court fight about it, but I think Payne lost (hence "Asia featuring John Payne" rather than jus "Asia"). Again, I'm not sure, just guessing here.

To everyone's credit, all members are class acts. You don't here any of the shit you here from other fragmented bands (Styx's JY, etc) with Asia. Even in the early 80s when Wetton and Howe really hated each other, you didn't get the public soap opera. Other than "I wonder why Greg Lake's on the MTV special" or "Who the fuck is Mandy Meyer?" you wouldn't really have known.

[Rip Rokken]

I just registered to post in this thread. All versions of Asia are excellent and Rip and 7 are right about those Payne songs standing up with the Wetton material. And that is no slight on John Wetton. He sounds great now, after some problems a few years ago. Has anyone seen the new Asia DVD from Japan that was recently released?

Payne must own the name outright. The Wetton/Howe/Downes/Palmer version bills themselves as "The Four Original Members of Asia". I'm guessing after the GPS CD came out that Payne may be exercising his rights to the "Asia" name to maybe be able to play the U.S. Either way, I support both versions. All that means is more good music for all of us!

Hey, dude -- welcome, and thanks for joining! The two major eras of the band (Wetton, Payne) really stand on their own, and should be judged on their own merits for sure. The classic lineup's material is just that -- classic -- no way to top it, really. Payne's era is brilliant all on it's own. There are similarities, but it's just a different evolution for the band.

I never heard about the court battle, but that sounds about right. Up to a few days ago, Pollstar had them listed under both "ASIA" and "All Four Original Members Of ASIA", but I just checked and this appears to have been corrected -- all their shows are listed under the longer description now. I'm not sure really what happened, but I guess both the originals and Payne's group have some claim to it. And yes, there was recent news that their new album, "Phoenix", is due out in a few months. Can't wait!

I have to go on record as saying that I'm not really opposed to Payne continuing to tour as "ASIA Feat. John Payne" Why? Because in the end, there was only 1 original member, and Payne's current troupe contains everyone else that was last attached to the band. I would love to see Payne singing his ASIA songs for sure. From the news on their site, they are working on finally releasing "Architect of Time" under that name. That will be interesting, because much of the original "Architect" tracks ended up being reworked and used on the GPS CD.

One more quick note -- Payne really added some angst to some of his songs. Another great song from "Aura" that was mentioned above is "Come Make My Day", which is about a guy on the edge... haha!

[MarcelJordan]

I just registered to post in this thread. All versions of Asia are excellent and Rip and 7 are right about those Payne songs standing up with the Wetton material. And that is no slight on John Wetton. He sounds great now, after some problems a few years ago. Has anyone seen the new Asia DVD from Japan that was recently released?

Payne must own the name outright. The Wetton/Howe/Downes/Palmer version bills themselves as "The Four Original Members of Asia". I'm guessing after the GPS CD came out that Payne may be exercising his rights to the "Asia" name to maybe be able to play the U.S. Either way, I support both versions. All that means is more good music for all of us!

Hey, dude -- welcome, and thanks for joining! The two major eras of the band (Wetton, Payne) really stand on their own, and should be judged on their own merits for sure. The classic lineup's material is just that -- classic -- no way to top it, really. Payne's era is brilliant all on it's own. There are similarities, but it's just a different evolution for the band.

I never heard about the court battle, but that sounds about right. Up to a few days ago, Pollstar had them listed under both "ASIA" and "All Four Original Members Of ASIA", but I just checked and this appears to have been corrected -- all their shows are listed under the longer description now. I'm not sure really what happened, but I guess both the originals and Payne's group have some claim to it. And yes, there was recent news that their new album, "Phoenix", is due out in a few months. Can't wait!

I have to go on record as saying that I'm not really opposed to Payne continuing to tour as "ASIA Feat. John Payne" Why? Because in the end, there was only 1 original member, and Payne's current troupe contains everyone else that was last attached to the band. I would love to see Payne singing his ASIA songs for sure. From the news on their site, they are working on finally releasing "Architect of Time" under that name. That will be interesting, because much of the original "Architect" tracks ended up being reworked and used on the GPS CD.

Hi. I kind of new here as well, usually posting on the Survivor thread. Just wanted to say the Payne era Asia was indeed pretty good (once I got used to it). However, I liked Aria songs the best. Arena comes 2nd for me.

BTW, with regard to the Wetton era, isn't Heat of the Moment actually a reworking of "Video killed the radio star"?

[Rip Rokken]

Hi. I kind of new here as well, usually posting on the Survivor thread. Just wanted to say the Payne era Asia was indeed pretty good (once I got used to it). However, I liked Aria songs the best. Arena comes 2nd for me.

BTW, with regard to the Wetton era, isn't Heat of the Moment actually a reworking of "Video killed the radio star"?

Hey, thanks for coming up and posting! That first song off of Aria called "Anytime" is a great song... I'm about to pop that one in right now...

I've never heard that about "Heat" before, but that's interesting... The choruses are kinda similar, now that you mention it.

[MarcelJordan]

Hi. I kind of new here as well, usually posting on the Survivor thread. Just wanted to say the Payne era Asia was indeed pretty good (once I got used to it). However, I liked Aria songs the best. Arena comes 2nd for me.

BTW, with regard to the Wetton era, isn't Heat of the Moment actually a reworking of "Video killed the radio star"?

Hey, thanks for coming up and posting! That first song off of Aria called "Anytime" is a great song... I'm about to pop that one in right now...

I've never heard that about "Heat" before, but that's interesting... The choruses are kinda similar, now that you mention it.

Tks for the warm welcome!

ANYTIME is a probably my fav. of the Payne's time. I do think many people do not know how good it is.

About Heat and Video tell me this isn't intentional:

Heat: And now you find yourself in Eighty Two
The disco hotspots hold no charm for you

Video: I heard you on the wireless back in Fifty Two
Lying awake intent at tuning in on you.

Then-

Video : And now we meet in an abandoned studio.
We hear the playback and it seems so long ago.
And you remember the jingles used to go.

Heat: What were the things you wanted for yourself
Teenage ambition you remember well

[Rockindeano]

Fuckin Asia

Those blue hairs are playing a bar down the road from here. They may sell half of the place, maybe, I repeat maybe, draw 250, if they are lucky.

PS- Not being negative here. I think they are very talented. I wish them well.

[Monker]

Sorry, folks. Other than "Aqua", nothing Asia has done since the debut has even come anywhere close. There's been some good stuff but the debut rules them all.

The bottom line for me is the less Steve Howe was involved, the less interesting Asia became. It was not just a Wetton/Downes thing. If you can't hear Steve Howe's influence in the debut and the second album, then you aren't listening. It would be like removing Neal and leaving just Perry/Cain. You would HEAR the difference in the music.

Aqua was an OK CD. But, overall, it was forgettable. They sounded more like Journey then Asia...and that is not a good thing. Also, John Payne looks like a gay version of Axl Rose on the cover...totaly glam...totaly not what I expected from Asia.

[Monker]

That has to be a Guiness Book record. How many times can a lyric be repeated in a song? Wow!

No, that would be the word "Na" in Journey's "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'"

Yeah, forgot about that one. At least that had a point, what the hell is Chocolate Rain?

na na na na na....had a point? Never thought about it before but now that you say it....maybe Perry saying na na na na to the girl like a little kid on the schoolyard?

Yeah, the point is that Perry couldn't think of any other lyrics so he just filled in the na na's for the rest of the song.