MR

Been listening to all my Asia cds and boots over the past month, have to say I really like both versions of the band. Today I had the Atlantic City from 6/23/07 in, and realized how much better Howe has got at singing live. I use to hate to listen to Wetton sing live, loved the studio work he did, but did not like the live stuff. But I was dissapointed in the concert too, even though Wetton and the band sounded great and it was a very good sounding boot. They only played songs from Asia and Alpha, but took a song or two from each members solo projects. So why couldn't they have palyed something from Astra, sure it didn't have Howe on the axe, but rest of the orginal band was there. Plus there were some really good songs on that cd, Go, Voice of America, After The War, and Wishing. I would even like to have them sing some Payne era songs, I mean Dowes played keys on all their cds, all eras.
The Asia featuring John Payne plays from all eras, even though there are no original members in his band, execpt he has been in Asia longer than anyone other than Downes. Payne has had vocals on 8 cds and 1 dvd if not more.

So what I am wondering is 2 things
1) Do you thing the orginal band should play all eras like the Payne era of the band and visa versa.

2) Do you think Payne has the right to call himself Asia featuring John Payne? If so why can't Dennis call himself Styx featuring Dennis Deyoung, or should he be called John Payne featuring the music of Asia. Or anything else along the line

I for one like both versions of Asia and think both should play all the songs except for new stuff written by the other band since the break up.

Abitaman wrote:Been listening to all my Asia cds and boots over the past month, have to say I really like both versions of the band. Today I had the Atlantic City from 6/23/07 in, and realized how much better Howe has got at singing live. I use to hate to listen to Wetton sing live, loved the studio work he did, but did not like the live stuff. But I was dissapointed in the concert too, even though Wetton and the band sounded great and it was a very good sounding boot. They only played songs from Asia and Alpha, but took a song or two from each members solo projects. So why couldn't they have palyed something from Astra, sure it didn't have Howe on the axe, but rest of the orginal band was there. Plus there were some really good songs on that cd, Go, Voice of America, After The War, and Wishing. I would even like to have them sing some Payne era songs, I mean Dowes played keys on all their cds, all eras.
The Asia featuring John Payne plays from all eras, even though there are no original members in his band, execpt he has been in Asia longer than anyone other than Downes. Payne has had vocals on 8 cds and 1 dvd if not more.

So what I am wondering is 2 things
1) Do you thing the orginal band should play all eras like the Payne era of the band and visa versa.

2) Do you think Payne has the right to call himself Asia featuring John Payne? If so why can't Dennis call himself Styx featuring Dennis Deyoung, or should he be called John Payne featuring the music of Asia. Or anything else along the line

I for one like both versions of Asia and think both should play all the songs except for new stuff written by the other band since the break up.

1. They should play anything Wetton & Co were on, including Astra, but no John Payne stuff. Agree with you there - Go and Voice of America are two of my all-time faves.

2. WHen Downes left the John Payne incarnation to reform the original Asia, they had a civilized, mutual agreement that Payne could use the name as he does. With Styx, they don't.

I like a lot of the music from both eras, although personally, if I went to see Payne's Asia I'd rather just hear them do stuff from his era of the band. However, the purpose of that band isn't to appease the 50 people who actually know Asia's post-Wetton stuff, but to get festival and fair bookings and play for people who don't give a crap who's singing "Heat Of The Moment". I think it's kind of lame, but the guy does have to make a living. I was really happy to get to see the original lineup in 2007, but I think Payne really got fucked over by Downes after basically facilitating Downes to keep his band going for 15+ years. Sad, really.

WalrusOct9 wrote:I like a lot of the music from both eras, although personally, if I went to see Payne's Asia I'd rather just hear them do stuff from his era of the band. However, the purpose of that band isn't to appease the 50 people who actually know Asia's post-Wetton stuff, but to get festival and fair bookings and play for people who don't give a crap who's singing "Heat Of The Moment". I think it's kind of lame, but the guy does have to make a living. I was really happy to get to see the original lineup in 2007, but I think Payne really got fucked over by Downes after basically facilitating Downes to keep his band going for 15+ years. Sad, really.

I don't own any Payne albums, but I've bought a few tracks. I should really buy Silent Nation, love the tracks I've got from there, esp. Long Way From Home

Abitaman wrote:took a song or two from each members solo projects.

if we are looking at anything Asia-ish.. then add GTR

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iy17kF9myDo