OT: ASIA "Arena"

[Monker]

Also, John Payne looks like a gay version of Axl Rose on the cover...totaly glam...totaly not what I expected from Asia.

Sorry, he ooks like a gay version of Slash, not Axl.

[Rip Rokken]

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.

I had to run to the store to grab some supplies and listened to it on the way up... killer song, and has a nice huge sound to it. In my opinion, they muted things down a bit in their later albums, and the production wasn't quite as bombastic for sure. But that song freaking rocks! Great powerful vocals by Payne, and Pitrelli back on strings again. Michael Sturgis on drums! I'm going to listen to it all the way thru tomorrow.

I'd really have to hear those two songs back to back again to catch any similarities, because just looking at the vocals, it would be a stretch. You must be comparing the melodies as well? I don't know if I've ever actually listened to "Video" the entire way thru before, because I never really liked that song... haha! It is a piece of rock and roll history, though, being the first video played on MTV!

[Rip Rokken]

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.

I used to really be into Steve Howe, but later developed the opinion that he was probably the least talented of all the guitarists that followed him. I mean, he has his own style, sure, but his playing sounded rather simplistic compared to the others. Great for the sound of the first few albums, sure... I think there must have been a reason they picked much better players on their later albums.

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.

LOL! Funny you should mention that, because I was just thinking how different he looked on that album -- Slash-style top hat, and Indian feathers. Quite a bit different than his appearance on any of the other discs. J.P. looked best (actually, so did Geoff Downes) on their photos in the Aria booklet -- those were great photos.

[MarcelJordan]

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.

I had to run to the store to grab some supplies and listened to it on the way up... killer song, and has a nice huge sound to it. In my opinion, they muted things down a bit in their later albums, and the production wasn't quite as bombastic for sure. But that song freaking rocks! Great powerful vocals by Payne, and Pitrelli back on strings again. Michael Sturgis on drums! I'm going to listen to it all the way thru tomorrow.

I'd really have to hear those two songs back to back again to catch any similarities, because just looking at the vocals, it would be a stretch. You must be comparing the melodies as well? I don't know if I've ever actually listened to "Video" the entire way thru before, because I never really liked that song... haha! It is a piece of rock and roll history, though, being the first video played on MTV!

Yes, Im talking about the melody in particular, let alone the lyrics. The pace of the words are uncanily about the same, word for word. Not a fan of Video either, however, put it this way Heat is a drastic and exponentially GREATER song. Nonetheless a bit of trivia as you mention being the first video played on MTV.

Asia nonetheless NEEDS Geoff Downes, no way around that (well for me anyway). Except in the case of Payne having the rights to the name, businesswise, can do what he wants. Glad IM not in the music biz, too pressurizing!

[Rip Rokken]

Asia nonetheless NEEDS Geoff Downes, no way around that (well for me anyway). Except in the case of Payne having the rights to the name, businesswise, can do what he wants. Glad IM not in the music biz, too pressurizing!

I'll have to check out both songs back to back then... Thanks for the tip! Agreed on Geoff Downes, and ironic that they did actually tour at least once without him. They used John Young (who is also very good) on 1 ASIA tour, and also in Qango when Geoff pulled out of their previous reunion attempt a few years ago. John is a great and very nice (and hilarious) guy, and I have 2 of his solo CDs -- great stuff! He also plays with a variety of other bands, including Scorpions, Bonnie Tyler, etc.

[MarcelJordan]

Asia nonetheless NEEDS Geoff Downes, no way around that (well for me anyway). Except in the case of Payne having the rights to the name, businesswise, can do what he wants. Glad IM not in the music biz, too pressurizing!

I'll have to check out both songs back to back then... Thanks for the tip! Agreed on Geoff Downes, and ironic that they did actually tour at least once without him. They used John Young (who is also very good) on 1 ASIA tour, and also in Qango when Geoff pulled out of their previous reunion attempt a few years ago. John is a great and very nice (and hilarious) guy, and I have 2 of his solo CDs -- great stuff! He also plays with a variety of other bands, including Scorpions, Bonnie Tyler, etc.

Cool note about Payne, nice guy and all.

Didn't know about Asia, without Downes for one tour.

Got an idea for you. Open two windows in your computer. Go to youtube and get both songs for each window and play them concurrently. I just did it, pretty interesting, not exactly how I thought it was but close enough to hear the resemblances.