Just got back from seeing Asia

[Ehwmatt]

John Wetton, Geoff Downes, and Carl Palmer ROCK. Steve Howe licks my nuts at guitar, jesus christ. Other than the crypt keeper Steve, it was a hell of a show. Great setlist with new and old favorites. More tomorrow when I'm awake.

[Frontiers65]

John Wetton, Geoff Downes, and Carl Palmer ROCK. Steve Howe licks my nuts at guitar, jesus christ. Other than the crypt keeper Steve, it was a hell of a show. Great setlist with new and old favorites. More tomorrow when I'm awake.

Steve Howe is the only good thing about that band.

[verslibre]

John Wetton, Geoff Downes, and Carl Palmer ROCK. Steve Howe licks my nuts at guitar, jesus christ. Other than the crypt keeper Steve, it was a hell of a show. Great setlist with new and old favorites. More tomorrow when I'm awake.

Steve Howe is the only good thing about that band.

Listen to ELP, King Crimson & U.K., and Drama (with Geoff on keys) by Yes and try saying that.

[conversationpc]

John Wetton, Geoff Downes, and Carl Palmer ROCK. Steve Howe licks my nuts at guitar, jesus christ. Other than the crypt keeper Steve, it was a hell of a show. Great setlist with new and old favorites. More tomorrow when I'm awake.

Steve Howe is the only good thing about that band.

Listen to ELP, King Crimson & U.K., and Drama (with Geoff on keys) by Yes and try saying that.

Carl Palmer is probably the best musician in that band. Downes is slightly better than average as a keyboard player, in my opinion.

[Rip Rokken]

John Wetton, Geoff Downes, and Carl Palmer ROCK. Steve Howe licks my nuts at guitar, jesus christ. Other than the crypt keeper Steve, it was a hell of a show. Great setlist with new and old favorites. More tomorrow when I'm awake.

Steve Howe is the only good thing about that band.

Steve Howe is a definite, important part of the ASIA sound. But he's horribly sloppy and getting sloppier live as he gets older. He definitely looks like the Crypt Keeper these days.

[verslibre]

John Wetton, Geoff Downes, and Carl Palmer ROCK. Steve Howe licks my nuts at guitar, jesus christ. Other than the crypt keeper Steve, it was a hell of a show. Great setlist with new and old favorites. More tomorrow when I'm awake.

Steve Howe is the only good thing about that band.

Listen to ELP, King Crimson & U.K., and Drama (with Geoff on keys) by Yes and try saying that.

Carl Palmer is probably the best musician in that band. Downes is slightly better than average as a keyboard player, in my opinion.

Geoff used to be a lot more adventurous. He was in the Brit fusion band Isotope in the '70s (not for too long, I think), and his playing on Drama is badass. It's in Asia where his playing became a lot more "safe."

As for Carl, I concur. He's a badass.

[conversationpc]

John Wetton, Geoff Downes, and Carl Palmer ROCK. Steve Howe licks my nuts at guitar, jesus christ. Other than the crypt keeper Steve, it was a hell of a show. Great setlist with new and old favorites. More tomorrow when I'm awake.

Steve Howe is the only good thing about that band.

Steve Howe is a definite, important part of the ASIA sound. But he's horribly sloppy and getting sloppier live as he gets older. He definitely looks like the Crypt Keeper these days.

Dude looked like the Crypt Keeper 10-15 years ago. He's beyond that now.

[conversationpc]

Geoff used to be a lot more adventurous. He was in the Brit fusion band Isotope in the '70s (not for too long, I think), and his playing on Drama is badass. It's in Asia where his playing became a lot more "safe."

I'll have to bust out "Drama" and take a listen sometime soon. I haven't listened to anything from that album besides "Machine Messiah" lately.

[verslibre]

John Wetton, Geoff Downes, and Carl Palmer ROCK. Steve Howe licks my nuts at guitar, jesus christ. Other than the crypt keeper Steve, it was a hell of a show. Great setlist with new and old favorites. More tomorrow when I'm awake.

Steve Howe is the only good thing about that band.

Steve Howe is a definite, important part of the ASIA sound. But he's horribly sloppy and getting sloppier live as he gets older. He definitely looks like the Crypt Keeper these days.

Funny, on a major prog forum a lot of peeps are saying he played with some newfound intensity on the last Yes tour (with vocalist Benoit David, and Rick's son Oliver on keys). I didn't go, so I don't know. Asia and Yes even shared a stage not far from me. I still didn't go.

[Ehwmatt]

Sorry guys, Steve was horrible. Even the people I was with, all non-musicians, felt he was the weak link. He's very choppy and "fumbly," and to make matters worse, he's using digital guitar amps from Line6 that sound like absolute ass.

Carl Palmer is a monster on drums, Wetton's voice is BOOMING still, and Downes is a hell of a songwriter and not a bad keys player. There were some downright chilling Wetton/Downes numbers, including a piano-only version of Don't Cry and the Smile Has Left Your Eyes that really rocked the place.

[Rip Rokken]

Sorry guys, Steve was horrible. Even the people I was with, all non-musicians, felt he was the weak link. He's very choppy and "fumbly," and to make matters worse, he's using digital guitar amps from Line6 that sound like absolute ass.

Carl Palmer is a monster on drums, Wetton's voice is BOOMING still, and Downes is a hell of a songwriter and not a bad keys player. There were some downright chilling Wetton/Downes numbers, including a piano-only version of Don't Cry and the Smile Has Left Your Eyes that really rocked the place.

Does he still do that thing where he steps forward when he hits a chord and looks up at the audience like he's just discovered a pot of gold?

[Ehwmatt]

Sorry guys, Steve was horrible. Even the people I was with, all non-musicians, felt he was the weak link. He's very choppy and "fumbly," and to make matters worse, he's using digital guitar amps from Line6 that sound like absolute ass.

Carl Palmer is a monster on drums, Wetton's voice is BOOMING still, and Downes is a hell of a songwriter and not a bad keys player. There were some downright chilling Wetton/Downes numbers, including a piano-only version of Don't Cry and the Smile Has Left Your Eyes that really rocked the place.

Does he still do that thing where he steps forward when he hits a chord and looks up at the audience like he's just discovered a pot of gold?

Yup, and now the chord sounds all fizzy with digital distortion. Then he palm mutes it too soon. Those Asia albums have rockin guitar sounds - I don't know how they ever got those sounds out of him. His playing/tone fit Yes like a glove, but there just isn't enough balls on his sound or his style to carry Asia songs live. He sounded especially horrible on songs with heavier riffs, like "Go" and Phoenix's "Never Again."

[Rip Rokken]

Sorry guys, Steve was horrible. Even the people I was with, all non-musicians, felt he was the weak link. He's very choppy and "fumbly," and to make matters worse, he's using digital guitar amps from Line6 that sound like absolute ass.

Carl Palmer is a monster on drums, Wetton's voice is BOOMING still, and Downes is a hell of a songwriter and not a bad keys player. There were some downright chilling Wetton/Downes numbers, including a piano-only version of Don't Cry and the Smile Has Left Your Eyes that really rocked the place.

Does he still do that thing where he steps forward when he hits a chord and looks up at the audience like he's just discovered a pot of gold?

Yup, and now the chord sounds all fizzy with digital distortion. Then he palm mutes it too soon. Those Asia albums have rockin guitar sounds - I don't know how they ever got those sounds out of him. His playing/tone fit Yes like a glove, but there just isn't enough balls on his sound or his style to carry Asia songs live. He sounded especially horrible on songs with heavier riffs, like "Go" and Phoenix's "Never Again."

When I saw them a few years ago, I was also disappointed in his opening for "Don't Cry". He steps up to this steel guitar with a slide and was so inaccurate with the notes. That was the first night you could purchase the concert downloaded onto ASIA MP3 bracelets, so I have that memory to cherish for eternity.

[Ehwmatt]

Sorry guys, Steve was horrible. Even the people I was with, all non-musicians, felt he was the weak link. He's very choppy and "fumbly," and to make matters worse, he's using digital guitar amps from Line6 that sound like absolute ass.

Carl Palmer is a monster on drums, Wetton's voice is BOOMING still, and Downes is a hell of a songwriter and not a bad keys player. There were some downright chilling Wetton/Downes numbers, including a piano-only version of Don't Cry and the Smile Has Left Your Eyes that really rocked the place.

Does he still do that thing where he steps forward when he hits a chord and looks up at the audience like he's just discovered a pot of gold?

Yup, and now the chord sounds all fizzy with digital distortion. Then he palm mutes it too soon. Those Asia albums have rockin guitar sounds - I don't know how they ever got those sounds out of him. His playing/tone fit Yes like a glove, but there just isn't enough balls on his sound or his style to carry Asia songs live. He sounded especially horrible on songs with heavier riffs, like "Go" and Phoenix's "Never Again."

When I saw them a few years ago, I was also disappointed in his opening for "Don't Cry". He steps up to this steel guitar with a slide and was so inaccurate with the notes. That was the first night you could purchase the concert downloaded onto ASIA MP3 bracelets, so I have that memory to cherish for eternity.

Didn't hear that because tehy did Don't Cry with just piano and vocals, but he did do a real shitty steel guitar intro to Open Your Eyes.

I take it from the above that you share my overall sentiments on Howe with Asia?

[Frontiers65]

John Wetton, Geoff Downes, and Carl Palmer ROCK. Steve Howe licks my nuts at guitar, jesus christ. Other than the crypt keeper Steve, it was a hell of a show. Great setlist with new and old favorites. More tomorrow when I'm awake.

Steve Howe is the only good thing about that band.

Listen to ELP, King Crimson & U.K., and Drama (with Geoff on keys) by Yes and try saying that.

I own Drama since 1980. I have all YES albums, and have listened to many elp records and I am still saying it. Steve Howe is to good for this band.
I also saw him with YES this year and he kicked ass on guitar...I seen YES 8 times and he always delivered. So to me it is hard to believe someone saying he is sloppy. WTF!

[Monker]

John Wetton, Geoff Downes, and Carl Palmer ROCK. Steve Howe licks my nuts at guitar, jesus christ. Other than the crypt keeper Steve, it was a hell of a show. Great setlist with new and old favorites. More tomorrow when I'm awake.

Steve Howe is the only good thing about that band.

Listen to ELP, King Crimson & U.K., and Drama (with Geoff on keys) by Yes and try saying that.

Try to listen to anything after Alpha, where Howe was not in the band, and you will see why the band took a nosedive without Steve Howe.

[Rip Rokken]

Sorry guys, Steve was horrible. Even the people I was with, all non-musicians, felt he was the weak link. He's very choppy and "fumbly," and to make matters worse, he's using digital guitar amps from Line6 that sound like absolute ass.

Carl Palmer is a monster on drums, Wetton's voice is BOOMING still, and Downes is a hell of a songwriter and not a bad keys player. There were some downright chilling Wetton/Downes numbers, including a piano-only version of Don't Cry and the Smile Has Left Your Eyes that really rocked the place.

Does he still do that thing where he steps forward when he hits a chord and looks up at the audience like he's just discovered a pot of gold?

Yup, and now the chord sounds all fizzy with digital distortion. Then he palm mutes it too soon. Those Asia albums have rockin guitar sounds - I don't know how they ever got those sounds out of him. His playing/tone fit Yes like a glove, but there just isn't enough balls on his sound or his style to carry Asia songs live. He sounded especially horrible on songs with heavier riffs, like "Go" and Phoenix's "Never Again."

When I saw them a few years ago, I was also disappointed in his opening for "Don't Cry". He steps up to this steel guitar with a slide and was so inaccurate with the notes. That was the first night you could purchase the concert downloaded onto ASIA MP3 bracelets, so I have that memory to cherish for eternity.

Didn't hear that because tehy did Don't Cry with just piano and vocals, but he did do a real shitty steel guitar intro to Open Your Eyes.

I take it from the above that you share my overall sentiments on Howe with Asia?

I'm not sure how you feel except for his live performances. On the albums, he was really part of the Asia sound. He does have very unique style, and nobody else sounds like him. Can't be too hard to duplicate though -- John Payne did a wonderful job of minicking his solos perfectly when he and Downes re-recorded their songs for that Greatest Hits album.

[Ehwmatt]

Sorry guys, Steve was horrible. Even the people I was with, all non-musicians, felt he was the weak link. He's very choppy and "fumbly," and to make matters worse, he's using digital guitar amps from Line6 that sound like absolute ass.

Carl Palmer is a monster on drums, Wetton's voice is BOOMING still, and Downes is a hell of a songwriter and not a bad keys player. There were some downright chilling Wetton/Downes numbers, including a piano-only version of Don't Cry and the Smile Has Left Your Eyes that really rocked the place.

Does he still do that thing where he steps forward when he hits a chord and looks up at the audience like he's just discovered a pot of gold?

Yup, and now the chord sounds all fizzy with digital distortion. Then he palm mutes it too soon. Those Asia albums have rockin guitar sounds - I don't know how they ever got those sounds out of him. His playing/tone fit Yes like a glove, but there just isn't enough balls on his sound or his style to carry Asia songs live. He sounded especially horrible on songs with heavier riffs, like "Go" and Phoenix's "Never Again."

When I saw them a few years ago, I was also disappointed in his opening for "Don't Cry". He steps up to this steel guitar with a slide and was so inaccurate with the notes. That was the first night you could purchase the concert downloaded onto ASIA MP3 bracelets, so I have that memory to cherish for eternity.

Didn't hear that because tehy did Don't Cry with just piano and vocals, but he did do a real shitty steel guitar intro to Open Your Eyes.

I take it from the above that you share my overall sentiments on Howe with Asia?

I'm not sure how you feel except for his live performances. On the albums, he was really part of the Asia sound. He does have very unique style, and nobody else sounds like him. Can't be too hard to duplicate though -- John Payne did a wonderful job of minicking his solos perfectly when he and Downes re-recorded their songs for that Greatest Hits album.

That's about how I feel - great on the albums, but horrible live. The producers on those albums really found a way to beef up his normal guitar tone, which is way too clean for a band the likes of Asia. Needs some gain and chunk on there - not metal tone, of course, but something heavier than what he gets.

[Moon Beam]

So where is the set list you spoke of originally Sir Smart Say So?
Thanks for posting about the show.

[SF-Dano]

I picked up that DVD they put out a few years back. I was really disappointed with their live sound on that. Just didn't convey the depth of the songs like on the studio recordings. Maybe they are just a much better studio band. Was a big fan of Howe back in the yes days and even the early Asia days, but the man has really lost something.

[Ehwmatt]

So where is the set list you spoke of originally Sir Smart Say So?
Thanks for posting about the show.

I wasn't drunk, but I was too buzzed to recall with accuracy.

I do know among the tunes were:

I Believe (new Omega tune)
Heat of the Moment
Holy War (new OMega tune)
Extraordinary Life (Phoenix tune)
Never Again (Phoenix tune)
Only Time Will Tell
The Smile Has Left Your Eyes
Don't Cry
Open Your Eyes
Go
Days Like These

Wish I could remember more...

Thankfully, they didn't do any Buggles, Yes, or other shit. When I hear Asia, I wanna hear Asia

[Rip Rokken]

I picked up that DVD they put out a few years back. I was really disappointed with their live sound on that. Just didn't convey the depth of the songs like on the studio recordings. Maybe they are just a much better studio band. Was a big fan of Howe back in the yes days and even the early Asia days, but the man has really lost something.

For some reason they seem to come off weak and tired in some of the live vids - even a streaming concert I watched, but then they sounded incredible just 2 nights later when I saw them live. I think it's that Wetton's heavy reverb doesn't come across on the recordings, so you lose the effect of his voice totally filling the room.

[Ehwmatt]

I picked up that DVD they put out a few years back. I was really disappointed with their live sound on that. Just didn't convey the depth of the songs like on the studio recordings. Maybe they are just a much better studio band. Was a big fan of Howe back in the yes days and even the early Asia days, but the man has really lost something.

For some reason they seem to come off weak and tired in some of the live vids - even a streaming concert I watched, but then they sounded incredible just 2 nights later when I saw them live. I think it's that Wetton's heavy reverb doesn't come across on the recordings, so you lose the effect of his voice totally filling the room.

Good call Rip. They are great live, don't get me wrong with my Howe criticisms. Pound for pound, it was one of the best shows I've seen in a while. Wetton is still awesome, especially in light of his quadruple bypass surgery.

[Duncan]

John Wetton, Geoff Downes, and Carl Palmer ROCK. Steve Howe licks my nuts at guitar, jesus christ. Other than the crypt keeper Steve, it was a hell of a show. Great setlist with new and old favorites. More tomorrow when I'm awake.

Steve Howe is the only good thing about that band.

Steve Howe is a definite, important part of the ASIA sound. But he's horribly sloppy and getting sloppier live as he gets older. He definitely looks like the Crypt Keeper these days.

You try playing accurate guitar when your dying for a piss.

[verslibre]

John Wetton, Geoff Downes, and Carl Palmer ROCK. Steve Howe licks my nuts at guitar, jesus christ. Other than the crypt keeper Steve, it was a hell of a show. Great setlist with new and old favorites. More tomorrow when I'm awake.

Steve Howe is the only good thing about that band.

Listen to ELP, King Crimson & U.K., and Drama (with Geoff on keys) by Yes and try saying that.

Steve Howe is to good for this band.

Steve Howe is an original member of this band. Asia is basically a quartet of '70s prog rockers who wanted to write radio-friendly tunes. The first Asia album went platinum overnight and was condemned by the "critics" before it was even released.

They're all too good for this band, if you wanna be that anal about it.

[Frontiers65]

John Wetton, Geoff Downes, and Carl Palmer ROCK. Steve Howe licks my nuts at guitar, jesus christ. Other than the crypt keeper Steve, it was a hell of a show. Great setlist with new and old favorites. More tomorrow when I'm awake.

Steve Howe is the only good thing about that band.

Listen to ELP, King Crimson & U.K., and Drama (with Geoff on keys) by Yes and try saying that.

Steve Howe is to good for this band.

Steve Howe is an original member of this band. Asia is basically a quartet of '70s prog rockers who wanted to write radio-friendly tunes. The first Asia album went platinum overnight and was condemned by the "critics" before it was even released.

They're all too good for this band, if you wanna be that anal about it.

Yes I know all this....the only good Asia album is the first one. I bought it when it came out. The rest are too syrupy for my taste. I am a diehard Yes fan so my loyalty lies with Mr. Howe.

[Rip Rokken]

John Wetton, Geoff Downes, and Carl Palmer ROCK. Steve Howe licks my nuts at guitar, jesus christ. Other than the crypt keeper Steve, it was a hell of a show. Great setlist with new and old favorites. More tomorrow when I'm awake.

Steve Howe is the only good thing about that band.

Listen to ELP, King Crimson & U.K., and Drama (with Geoff on keys) by Yes and try saying that.

Steve Howe is to good for this band.

Steve Howe is an original member of this band. Asia is basically a quartet of '70s prog rockers who wanted to write radio-friendly tunes. The first Asia album went platinum overnight and was condemned by the "critics" before it was even released.

They're all too good for this band, if you wanna be that anal about it.

Yes I know all this....the only good Asia album is the first one. I bought it when it came out. The rest are too syrupy for my taste. I am a diehard Yes fan so my loyalty lies with Mr. Howe.

The first album is my favorite, but Alpha was also excellent. I even enjoyed Astra to some degree. Quality-wise, Phoenix is just about as good as the earlier two, just a progression. No way to really top those original songs -- that was just a moment in time that can't be repeated.