By 1982, the record companies no longer were interested in sophisticated extended progressive rock songs. Asia packed so much into these shorter songs - amazing the Asia album was the most sold album in the US that year.
@@gilbertspader7974 Very dense, largely because the keyboard orchestrations are off the chain so much of the time. I always thought that Carl Palmer's bass drums sounded weirdly tubby on every track.
Asia took a lot of heat of Genesis that was getting all the slings and arrows after Gabriel left. I always found Asia Pop Prog. It wasn't pop but it was classic Prog. They did a good job being unique and having some complexity. My big problem with the 'Prog Snobs' is they crap on it because it isn't Close the Edge, Red, Trilogy, etc....... They discount it greatly but when you ask them to play it, say Heat of the Moment they are in the wrong key, miss the time change or completely butcher the outro guitar solo, especially the falsettos.
Produced by Mike Stone, who I had the pleasure of spending one 40-hour week with at The Record Plant recording studio Los Angeles in early '81. I was 18 and for my Senior Project in high school, I got to work there and explore what it could be like be a recording engineer. He told me to be on the lookout for a new album he had recently finished to hit the stores soon, a group called "Asia"!
@@DrMackSplackem The album being worked on and finished while I was there was a solo album by Tom Johnston (if you remember, he was away from the Doobie Brothers at this point and not-too-successfully fighting his personal demons). When Stone told me about the Asia album,, other than telling me their name and that it was going to be a great rock album, he said nothing else about them. So I had it in my mind that it was literally a band from somewhere in Asia, and that didn't interest me. I was pleasantly surprised, therefore, when I heard "Heat of the Moment" and made the connection!
@@michaelrouten6169 Nice! Thank you for relaying that info. I wish I could've been there as well, but at least that record I've had all this time is even more precious now.
Yep, wildest dreams and time again are great songs to dwell. I always loved Asia, saw them in 2007 in Lisbon. Love John Wetton, RIP. I think they were the first band to broadcast a live concert in MTV, from Japan. Available on You Tube.
You can't imagine how big this song and album were. I was just starting high school when it came out on the radio and it was instantly the song that everyone was requesting. You heard it playing from every car in the parking lot. You heard people humming it in the hallways. It was massive. I loved it instantly as well. So much so that when I was at a carnival I won a novelty mirror and it had the Asia album cover art on it. I still have that mirror too.
Asia is one of my all time favorite bands. So sad that John Wetton is no longer with us. I would highly recommend you check out their second album, Alpha.
As one who lived through it, that song was absolutely inescapable at the time. It was one that I didnt' think I'd ever be able to listen to again. But, after a good 30 years away, it was fun to watch it with you! Yeah, they sold a lot of those records. Love your channel, Doc!
Their first album is really good with many gems. I was lucky enough to see this lineup live in London sometime in 2008 I think. They played this whole album, an unforgettable experience.
I have seldom heard an album with a Roger Dean cover that I did not like. His books with his art, like Views and Dragon's Dream, are worth their money, so inspiring.
Well, Doug, one more thing you should do is listen to their other big hit from Asia's first album, which is Only Time Will Tell. Another big song from their next album is Don't Cry and worth listening to. They have other good songs, like the song titled Go from their third album. Definitely some good songs from them in the 2000's. Faithful, I Know How You Feel and Face On The Bridge are good songs plus others. Asia is a great band worth giving more of a listen to.
I haven't heard this song in many years! I still have their first album I bought when it came out. Great sound! I didn't realize Roger Dean created the cover art. Now that I know, I can definitely see it. Thanks again for another excellent, and informative, reaction!
I used to play Hammond and other keyboards in a band over in Rutland, England in about 2011 - 2013, and were very much looked after by a management company who oversaw ASIA, Martin Turner's Wishbone Ash, Emerson, Lake and Palmer, FOCUS, Uriah Heep etc. It's no overstatement to say that we were massively influenced by such bands and in 2012 we were able to make use of the management's studio and recorded by Steve Rispin, who is currently doing the sound on tour for Steve Hackett of Genesis. To see musical dissections like this is amazing. During recording our album, we saw and used instruments that musicians from these bands both used/owned, and equally had a couple pop by the studio whilst we were recording (Martin Turner, John Wetton) Memories that I'll never forget!
@@ericcire7709 Oh yeah should have mentioned Phoenix as well! For some reason I missed that one when I realized not long ago that they had done a bunch of new albums with Whetton back!
Asia have been consistently releasing excellent material, my favorite being Phoenix released in 2008. Heroine and An Extraordinary Life are absolutely beautiful tunes.
Phoenix is a fantastic album, It is pure ASIA at their best and probably more "progressive" sound. But check out Omega and XXX they too are really good albums.
As a die-heart fan of this wonderful band, i need to tell you that "nothing's forever" always gets me (specially the end with the guitar and keyboards)... And the cover of "orchard of mines" (globus song) with a brilliant arrangement It Is glad to find someone, capable of getting the spirit of this remarkable album, starting with the mitic bird and the landscape painted by Roger Dean, and ending with the beautyful "an extraordinary life" Kind regards from México
This was written to sell singles and albums. Which it did very well. Like you said, ploished, simple, infectious...and the exact opposite of what we were expecting from them. If someone asked you what rock music sounded like in 1982 you showed them this song. I've got the cd...around here someplace! Don't forget about the group "GTR". Formed to try and put the guitar back in the fore-front, when synthesisers, drum machines and production technics were taking over.
Always thought “The Smile Has Left Your Eyes” from their second album was such a gorgeous song … “The Very Best of Asia” compilation is actually a good representation of their best work if you’d like to dig deeper.
I read that the loud fuzz guitar at the beginning of Owner of a Lonely Heart was Trevor’s way of poking fun at Steve. I doubt Steve found it very amusing.
That would have been something. Howe was on fire all over this album and I think this is the only album of the two of his initial go-round that has any significant Howe writing on it.
Great to see you reacting to ASIA. One of those bands I always love to get back to. Learned quite a few things actually, as I'm not someone who needs to dig for informations about the music I like. Great stuff as usual 💖 Thanks for your work as usual 👍🏻
@timdavis6091 Do you happen to know this early version of the song recorded by John Wetton and French band Atoll before he joined Asia ? ruclips.net/video/AA-mQf6jFX8/видео.htmlsi=6n2Mc4gxT6M64TpM
One of my favourite groups of all time - favourite track is probably "Don't Cry" from the "Alpha" album although there are loads of brilliant tracks - "Soul Survivor", "Who will stop the rain?" and "Wishing". "Heat of the Moment" is probably one of their simplest tracks (but I do like the track) 🥰
Thanks Doug really interesting I remember when this album came out and it brings back some happy memories and practicing for hours to trying to learn the drum parts I got there in the end but it wasn't easy anyway thanks again
Every time I see this artwork/ hear any song from this LP, I recall how it came out JUST before I graduated High School. It was an impressive debut, indeed.
You should give that whole album a listen, there are some progressive gems in there, Wildest Dreams being the most successful and one that would be a great “react to”. Top to bottom, one of the best albums from the 80’s.
Finally!!!! You need to react for.this wonderful group, tracks More elaborated such "Time again", or "the heat goes on", "midnight sun" But if sometime you could react to "lying to yourself" you will find a lot of musicianship encapsulated on less than 5 minutes "Heat of the moment" was a last and a hurry composition for the ephonimous album, by the way, that talks about the vast capabilities of these 4 musicians Kind regards from México
I believe you are correct. It’s interesting, while listening to it in the moment, I heard it the other way, but listening to it again, I do think you are correct. 🙂
I second the recommendation that you check out the eponymous debut from U.K. The initial line-up was the late Wetton and Bill Bruford, along with violin and keyboards from Eddie Jobson - and the unearthly guitar talent that was the late Allan Holdsworth: a mix of jazz/prog, from a quartet of ace players. Some "icing on the cake" is it will expose you to the Yamaha CS-80 synth, which was just developed around that time.
The summer this album rolled out, my brother and I had it on constant rotation (literally and figuratively) - cranking up the stereo, and placing the speakers facing out the windows of our parent's livingroom. A couple of decades later, I saw Asia as they were the opening act, double-heading with Yes. By this time, they had the original lineup performing. I noted how Steve Howe (as a member of both bands) had played the entire concert.
Saw the original Asia 4 times. Twice in 1982. Once at the Tower and then 3 months or so later at the Spectrum in Philly. The following year for Alpha before Wetton was fired, again at the Spectrum. and 2008 for their reunion stint at the Whitacker Center in Harrisburg, PA. I love all the bands they are from and this band as well. They made prog songs into 3 and a half minute hits. Never understood why a lot of prog fans didn't care for them. So silly. They figured out how to make prog accessible to people who didn't like prog. That's genius.
Exactly. Asia are in the Bon Jovi / Van Halen / Boston / Foreigner / Queen category of Rock. There's nothing prog about them, although some of the post-reunion material on Phoenix starts to get a bit like Yes in places. One thing that characterizes Asia is Wetton's extensive multi-tracked vocals, which he himself acknowledged was a tribute to Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys era of "Pet Sounds". Wetton's major influences, in addition to the Beach Boys, were Chuck Berry, Eagles, Marvin Gaye, Steely Dan, Bob Dylan, The Beatles and Steve Winwood.
A quick Google search doesn't give me the exact date but it was about a decade ago, my wife and I were fortunate to watch both Yes & Asia at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga, California. John Wetton was awesome (RIP) as was Carl Palmer. Steve Howe played with both Asia and Yes. Good times.
During their reunion I saw the band 4 times, Shepherds Bush Empire x 2, HMV Forum Kentish Town and at the High Voltage Festival. They did a post concert meet and greet for fans at one of the Shepherds Bush concerts and I have a poster with all four of their signatures framed and ready to hang. At HMV Forum I somehow landed myself at the after show drinks at the bar upstairs and was able to talk briefly with John and Carl. I went to the WC and found myself standing next to Geoff - what do you say to one of your rock heroes when your both trying to answer natures call !
I saw them on their 2nd tour date ever in 1982, and then the next summer on their Alpha tour. Then when they finally reformed the original band in 2005 or so I saw them twice more.
Holdsworth, Bruford, Jobson, Wetton, need i say more? yes, i do, Jobson, Wetton, Bozzio. Two outstanding records that got missed by too many. the live album is also so underrated.
Since a few years, Asia has become one of my favourite bands, I was always aware of the old Wetton-era stuff from the 80s; I used to ignore the John Payne-era of the group (1992-2005) but there is much to enjoy from that period as well
ASIA has an extensive catalog and went through several style changes and lineups, until finally coming back around to the original group. and released even more music. But one of their best songs and also a crowd favorite, I seen them a lot through the years, is "Widest Dreams", also from the first album. It is a great song that tells a story. It is probably the most "progressive" song on that album. Which explains why everyone loves it, Even with the dark story.
"most progressive" Maybe in some aspects, but in others, I'd mention "Time Again" and "Here Comes the Feeling". Being a fan of Downes in particular, the conclusion to "Cutting It Fine", "Bolero", is also wonderful.
Don't forget Carl Palmer was in The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, a fun and crazy band, as well as Atomic Rooster, a great band in its own right that did a bunch more great albums after Carl left. Check 'em out!
In '83, as they were planning a tour of Japan, Wetton fell off the wagon hard and the band let him go. They were going to be live-broadcasting one show on MTV, so it was a real crisis for this band. They brought in Greg Lake on very short notice and paid him a fortune to fill in. Videos of Greg on lead vocals and bass are available on RUclips. It's a fraught topic for Asia fans. Wetton's and Lake's vocal ranges are a bit different, and Greg had some trouble with the higher parts. Some say he killed it, and others say it isn't Asia without Wetton. It's also worth mentioning that Carl Palmer was replaced with Cozy Powell for the ELPowell album because he was finishing up his obligation to Asia. He seems to harbor some resentment about that from what I've heard him say in interviews. He says it was only a matter of waiting for him for a few weeks. Also interesting is the fact that Greg was King Crimson's first vocalist and John was their fourth, so John ended up singing KC songs Greg had.
The original release was on a VHS Videocassette and Laserdisc, and called "Asia in Asia" (how old does that make me sound?) in 1984. Fortunately because the show was a live satellite broadcast, the sound was mixed separately for the Budokan auditorium and then fed out to the TV trucks, where it was bounced down to a MONO signal before being sent to the transmitting dish. It was only then artificially separated to 2-channel stereo for the broadcast relay at the satellite receiving station Stateside. This was necessary because the show was being syndicated to around 240 local radio stations via Westwood One, and it was not technically possible to broadcast the stereo signal over the satellite link. The stereo sound and video required different frequency bands and it would not be easy to remain synchronised with each other. Remember this pre-dates the introduction of NICAM (near instantaneous companded audio matrix). The original VHS used the broadcast relay sound, i.e. the simulated 'artificial' stereo. The 2022 BMG release replaces this with a remastered version of the much higher fidelity auditorium sound, except for "Time Again", which is in the original mono. However, persevere as far as track 3 and you are back in the Budokan stereo mix and the subsequent tracks sound quality is vastly improved. Budokan translates as "Martial Arts Hall" and was built for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics to host the Judo competition. It was totally unfit for live satellite concert broadcasts, and a bespoke control room had to built at the rear of the auditorium to turn it into effectively a TV studio. The band brought in their stage set from the US Tour with some modifications - you'll notice Greg uses two video prompters in the concert but even so he fluffs a few lines (singing them in the wrong order mostly) - given he only had around 6-7 weeks to learn the music and lyrics, and rehearse the show, and then do it all live in front of an audience of millions, he pretty much nailed it.
Nice! This was there biggest, true, also "Only time will tell" were famous. But if you want to hear some more interesting structures and creativity I suggest you to try some other songs on the Album such as "Time again" "Wildest Dreams" "Cutting it fine", "Here comes the feeling" or "Sole Survivor" you will discover more from their adventurous past 😉
It was after the punk scene, many other established prog groups were putting out shorter, radio friendly songs around this time. And many completely remade their sound/identity; Yes, Genesis, Moody Blues, etc. etc. Crosby Stills & Nash were considered a supergroup as was Cream, Capt. Beyond, Cactus...
"Time Again" off this album sounds like something off of Yes's /Drama/ album, but absolutely resentful. It's the Asia song that I heard first, and from them I eventually worked my way back through Yes and ELP. I wouldn't *know* about, let alone enjoy, progressive rock, were it not for this album serving as a wonderfully pleasant, gentle introduction.
Another short lived "supergroup" worth checking out is the one on Steve Hackett's Tokyo Tapes recording (available as a DVD as well) - featuring Steve Hackett, John Wetton, Chester Thompson (Genesis live), Ian McDonald (King Crimson) and Julian Colbeck. Some really good versions of Steve Hackett's solo work, Genesis, King Crimson, Asia and John Wetton solo material.
Your reaction was like our reaction when it came out. We were all way into Yes, Crimson, and ELP. The simplicity was stunning. That’s Carl Palmer? Wetton? As the guitar player I found plenty of tone to dissect but overall we were confused by a lack of virtuosity in the musicianship. Well crafted, yes, but not Yes, y’all. Steve Howe though shines brightly!
Asia was my favorite band for a long time. I own their albums Asia, Alpha, Astra, Then and Now, Aqua, Arena, Aria, and some others I can't remember at this time, and I saw them live in Germany in the early 2000s touring with Kansas. I checked out your channel to see if you also reacted to more modern music, and since you do, I can recommend that you take a listen to the Japanese band Band-Maid. They have a catalogue of over 120 great songs, and although you can't truly go wrong with any of them, my suggestion would be to start with the official live performance of Domination.
![GEEK TIMË [OFFICIAL AUDIO]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/ry-6RvkH880/mqdefault.jpg)
By 1982, the record companies no longer were interested in sophisticated extended progressive rock songs. Asia packed so much into these shorter songs - amazing the Asia album was the most sold album in the US that year.
And still, there's a lot going on. Downes' keyboard orchestrations are magnificent.
Maybe that's why I never warmed to Asia, too pop oriented maybe? I dunno, I just don't like'em...
This sounded so slick and produced back in the day.
@@gilbertspader7974 Very dense, largely because the keyboard orchestrations are off the chain so much of the time. I always thought that Carl Palmer's bass drums sounded weirdly tubby on every track.
Asia took a lot of heat of Genesis that was getting all the slings and arrows after Gabriel left. I always found Asia Pop Prog. It wasn't pop but it was classic Prog. They did a good job being unique and having some complexity.
My big problem with the 'Prog Snobs' is they crap on it because it isn't Close the Edge, Red, Trilogy, etc....... They discount it greatly but when you ask them to play it, say Heat of the Moment they are in the wrong key, miss the time change or completely butcher the outro guitar solo, especially the falsettos.
I waited 41 years for someone to try to decode how this song works. Thank you, Doug!
I was privileged to see the original lineup perform this album in its entirety at a tiny venue in Long Beach, Ca in 2010-ish. RIP John Wetton.
They put on great shows. Saw them twice, always sounded as good or better than the album with lots of solo works sprinkled in to the mix.
John Wetton is on my Mount Rushmore of bassists, just a monster musician. His playing from '72-'74 with King Crimson is monumental.
I so love the sound of the bass in this album.
RIP John Wetton. He was the driving force for this band
The band UK was amazing as well.
And don't forget the short-lived GTR.
UK was even more interesting than Asia! More variation in their songs! 😉👍
@@peterbacke1804 Listening to the Night After Night album as I reply. Just incredible musicians. What a sound.
Produced by Mike Stone, who I had the pleasure of spending one 40-hour week with at The Record Plant recording studio Los Angeles in early '81. I was 18 and for my Senior Project in high school, I got to work there and explore what it could be like be a recording engineer. He told me to be on the lookout for a new album he had recently finished to hit the stores soon, a group called "Asia"!
Wow. That must've been something else, and even more so with the benefit of hindsight.
@@DrMackSplackem The album being worked on and finished while I was there was a solo album by Tom Johnston (if you remember, he was away from the Doobie Brothers at this point and not-too-successfully fighting his personal demons). When Stone told me about the Asia album,, other than telling me their name and that it was going to be a great rock album, he said nothing else about them. So I had it in my mind that it was literally a band from somewhere in Asia, and that didn't interest me. I was pleasantly surprised, therefore, when I heard "Heat of the Moment" and made the connection!
@@michaelrouten6169 Nice! Thank you for relaying that info. I wish I could've been there as well, but at least that record I've had all this time is even more precious now.
John Wetton, one of the most underrated musicians. This is the best debut album in my opinion from anyone.
Boston would like a word with you about that claim.
I don't know who would underrate Mr. Wetton after his amazing work with King Crimson and UK, among others. His bass chops are legendary.
@@stevenhymowech9931 Guns N Roses also would like a word.
@@stevenhymowech9931 only my opinion, have you heard the album in it's entirety? an opinion.
@michael-po1vb I bought it the week it came out in 1982. Good album, but not at the level of Boston, VH I, or Zep 1, in my opinion
Dear Doug, i"m happy you discover Asia with these magnifient members. Cheers from Normandy, France.
What a band they were! Some classic super-group rock! All superb musicians!
Hey Doug, you will not lose your smile, if you listen to the whole first album of Asia. (Wildest dreams, Time again, Here comes the feeling...)😊
Wildest Dreams was the first song from this group that I heard on the local AOR station. I was hooked right away.
It's absolutely one of my favorite albums.
Yep, wildest dreams and time again are great songs to dwell. I always loved Asia, saw them in 2007 in Lisbon. Love John Wetton, RIP. I think they were the first band to broadcast a live concert in MTV, from Japan. Available on You Tube.
Asia is a great band! They have another amazing songs. Thanks !
You can't imagine how big this song and album were. I was just starting high school when it came out on the radio and it was instantly the song that everyone was requesting. You heard it playing from every car in the parking lot. You heard people humming it in the hallways. It was massive. I loved it instantly as well. So much so that when I was at a carnival I won a novelty mirror and it had the Asia album cover art on it. I still have that mirror too.
I miss John so much, wish I appreciated Uk and asia while he was still around
Asia is one of my all time favorite bands. So sad that John Wetton is no longer with us. I would highly recommend you check out their second album, Alpha.
Thanks, Doug! Asia is part of the soundtrack of my life!
If you like this song, you'll love Only Time Will Tell. Bloody marvellous.
Wildest Dreams is pretty awesome as well.
As one who lived through it, that song was absolutely inescapable at the time. It was one that I didnt' think I'd ever be able to listen to again. But, after a good 30 years away, it was fun to watch it with you! Yeah, they sold a lot of those records. Love your channel, Doc!
Their first album is really good with many gems. I was lucky enough to see this lineup live in London sometime in 2008 I think. They played this whole album, an unforgettable experience.
I have seldom heard an album with a Roger Dean cover that I did not like. His books with his art, like Views and Dragon's Dream, are worth their money, so inspiring.
Try 'One Live Badger' by Badger....
Dean tells a great story of Asia album covers all started off a water color painting.
Indeed! I bought Badger's first album solely on the basis of the album Art and was not disappointed!! I still listen to it!
Well, Doug, one more thing you should do is listen to their other big hit from Asia's first album, which is Only Time Will Tell. Another big song from their next album is Don't Cry and worth listening to. They have other good songs, like the song titled Go from their third album. Definitely some good songs from them in the 2000's. Faithful, I Know How You Feel and Face On The Bridge are good songs plus others. Asia is a great band worth giving more of a listen to.
I wanted to add, that the third one Astra, is one of the best produced albums I listened to.
Their later albums such as Phoenix, Omega, XXX and Gravitas (minus Steve Howe) are all amazing. Much more mature in lyrics as they aged.
@@bradstucky4621 I totally agree.
I haven't heard this song in many years! I still have their first album I bought when it came out. Great sound! I didn't realize Roger Dean created the cover art. Now that I know, I can definitely see it. Thanks again for another excellent, and informative, reaction!
Closest to a perfect album I have ever heard. The production, songwriting, and musicianship is unmatched.
I used to play Hammond and other keyboards in a band over in Rutland, England in about 2011 - 2013, and were very much looked after by a management company who oversaw ASIA, Martin Turner's Wishbone Ash, Emerson, Lake and Palmer, FOCUS, Uriah Heep etc. It's no overstatement to say that we were massively influenced by such bands and in 2012 we were able to make use of the management's studio and recorded by Steve Rispin, who is currently doing the sound on tour for Steve Hackett of Genesis.
To see musical dissections like this is amazing. During recording our album, we saw and used instruments that musicians from these bands both used/owned, and equally had a couple pop by the studio whilst we were recording (Martin Turner, John Wetton) Memories that I'll never forget!
Time and Time Again, and Wildest Dreams from the same album are a bit more proggy, with some great playing.
Agreed, the deep cuts are what make the first album so interesting!
time again is the best song they had composed
There is another great version of this song played by Steve Hackett in Tokyo with John Wetton on vocals and guitars.
Loved this first album, always felt they should have developed much further than they did.
Their most recent albums after they all got back together (Omega, XXX, Gravitas) are quite good to me.
@@hackbodI thought Phoenix was the best of the 4
@@hackbod Agreed. Asia is one of the few bands to pull off a return to form. Most attempts fall flat. Phoenix and Omega have some lovely moments.
@@hackbodVery much agree here. Those reunion albums are top notch.
@@ericcire7709 Oh yeah should have mentioned Phoenix as well! For some reason I missed that one when I realized not long ago that they had done a bunch of new albums with Whetton back!
Asia have been consistently releasing excellent material, my favorite being Phoenix released in 2008. Heroine and An Extraordinary Life are absolutely beautiful tunes.
Phoenix is a fantastic album, It is pure ASIA at their best and probably more "progressive" sound. But check out Omega and XXX they too are really good albums.
I've been a huge Asia fan for forever. Although I will say their post-reunion records are their best by far.
As a die-heart fan of this wonderful band, i need to tell you that "nothing's forever" always gets me (specially the end with the guitar and keyboards)... And the cover of "orchard of mines" (globus song) with a brilliant arrangement
It Is glad to find someone, capable of getting the spirit of this remarkable album, starting with the mitic bird and the landscape painted by Roger Dean, and ending with the beautyful "an extraordinary life"
Kind regards from México
Yes, it was a huge song in 1982. I was 13, and I remember it well. And, yes, whatever the 'reason', they had a very unique sound.
You get a massive thumbs up for Asia
This was written to sell singles and albums. Which it did very well. Like you said, ploished, simple, infectious...and the exact opposite of what we were expecting from them. If someone asked you what rock music sounded like in 1982 you showed them this song. I've got the cd...around here someplace! Don't forget about the group "GTR". Formed to try and put the guitar back in the fore-front, when synthesisers, drum machines and production technics were taking over.
Always thought “The Smile Has Left Your Eyes” from their second album was such a gorgeous song … “The Very Best of Asia” compilation is actually a good representation of their best work if you’d like to dig deeper.
Absolutely one of my favorites. I love the group and Geoffrey Downes keyboards.
This song was in heavy play rotation on the radio almost as soon as it came out. Catchy guitar riff.
One of the most arresting song openings ever followed by a beautiful melody. Powerful stuff.
I read that the loud fuzz guitar at the beginning of Owner of a Lonely Heart was Trevor’s way of poking fun at Steve. I doubt Steve found it very amusing.
My first time seeing Steve Howe. Great show at the Merriweather Post Pavillion. My 1st out of state concert. 18 yrs old, but still love that album.
That would have been something. Howe was on fire all over this album and I think this is the only album of the two of his initial go-round that has any significant Howe writing on it.
The whole album is equally great as this song! Please react to all of it. :-)
I've been waiting so long for you to get into ASIA. That album is a masterpiece in its own right!!! You should to listen to ALL songs Doug!!!
I totally agree.
Doug it's amazing how you developed your talent so well.
This was a HUGE MTV hit in ‘82.
This was the first album I ever owned. Got it for Christmas 1982. Still love it. "Soul Survivor" is my favorite song from the album.
Great to see you reacting to ASIA. One of those bands I always love to get back to. Learned quite a few things actually, as I'm not someone who needs to dig for informations about the music I like.
Great stuff as usual 💖 Thanks for your work as usual 👍🏻
The criticism of Asia was in fact the simplicity you mentioned, given the pedigree of the players. Still, it’s a very catchy tune.
Love this album...Here Comes the Feeling is one of my favorite songs in the history of music.
@timdavis6091 Do you happen to know this early version of the song recorded by John Wetton and French band Atoll before he joined Asia ? ruclips.net/video/AA-mQf6jFX8/видео.htmlsi=6n2Mc4gxT6M64TpM
There is no need to look for sophistication without Jon Anderson Doug. He has spoilt us.
A huge album for these guys! Probably the first time Wetton, who is overlooked prog God, made some real money.
One of my favourite groups of all time - favourite track is probably "Don't Cry" from the "Alpha" album although there are loads of brilliant tracks - "Soul Survivor", "Who will stop the rain?" and "Wishing". "Heat of the Moment" is probably one of their simplest tracks (but I do like the track) 🥰
Thanks Doug really interesting I remember when this album came out and it brings back some happy memories and practicing for hours to trying to learn the drum parts I got there in the end but it wasn't easy anyway thanks again
Every time I see this artwork/ hear any song from this LP, I recall how it came out JUST before I graduated High School. It was an impressive debut, indeed.
Love Asia, and would also love your evaluation of my favorite song by them 'Don't Cry'.
You should give that whole album a listen, there are some progressive gems in there, Wildest Dreams being the most successful and one that would be a great “react to”. Top to bottom, one of the best albums from the 80’s.
"Wildest Dreams" (on the same Asia album) has an excellent Carl Palmer feature. You'd love it.
Finally!!!!
You need to react for.this wonderful group, tracks More elaborated such "Time again", or "the heat goes on", "midnight sun"
But if sometime you could react to "lying to yourself" you will find a lot of musicianship encapsulated on less than 5 minutes
"Heat of the moment" was a last and a hurry composition for the ephonimous album, by the way, that talks about the vast capabilities of these 4 musicians
Kind regards from México
80s rock and classical music had a marriage back then even my music teacher loved 80s rock and was our choir pianist
I saw Asia in 1982 during their first tour. Still have my tshirt.
Got the first 3 albums too.
Steve Winwood has an epic musical journey that will lead you through many many rabbit holes
I see the debut King Crimson LP in the background !!
Probably my most favorite album of all my 68 years !!!
"Smile as the puppets dance"
Doug... Douglas, Dougy-baby !!! ❤👍Top shelf
Interesting that you count it 4/4, 4/4, 2/4. I was thinking 3/4, 3/4, 4/4. Whatever....thanks for reviewing this song!
I believe you are correct. It’s interesting, while listening to it in the moment, I heard it the other way, but listening to it again, I do think you are correct. 🙂
I second the recommendation that you check out the eponymous debut from U.K. The initial line-up was the late Wetton and Bill Bruford, along with violin and keyboards from Eddie Jobson - and the unearthly guitar talent that was the late Allan Holdsworth: a mix of jazz/prog, from a quartet of ace players.
Some "icing on the cake" is it will expose you to the Yamaha CS-80 synth, which was just developed around that time.
Thanks for the video. ❤
The summer this album rolled out, my brother and I had it on constant rotation (literally and figuratively) - cranking up the stereo, and placing the speakers facing out the windows of our parent's livingroom. A couple of decades later, I saw Asia as they were the opening act, double-heading with Yes. By this time, they had the original lineup performing. I noted how Steve Howe (as a member of both bands) had played the entire concert.
I love Asia! My mom introduced me to the band and ever since I love them!
Saw the original Asia 4 times.
Twice in 1982. Once at the Tower and then 3 months or so later at the Spectrum in Philly.
The following year for Alpha before Wetton was fired, again at the Spectrum.
and 2008 for their reunion stint at the Whitacker Center in Harrisburg, PA.
I love all the bands they are from and this band as well. They made prog songs into 3 and a half minute hits. Never understood why a lot of prog fans didn't care for them. So silly. They figured out how to make prog accessible to people who didn't like prog. That's genius.
Exactly. Asia are in the Bon Jovi / Van Halen / Boston / Foreigner / Queen category of Rock. There's nothing prog about them, although some of the post-reunion material on Phoenix starts to get a bit like Yes in places. One thing that characterizes Asia is Wetton's extensive multi-tracked vocals, which he himself acknowledged was a tribute to Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys era of "Pet Sounds".
Wetton's major influences, in addition to the Beach Boys, were Chuck Berry, Eagles, Marvin Gaye, Steely Dan, Bob Dylan, The Beatles and Steve Winwood.
I love Wildest Dreams on this record. The BEST!
Now that you brought him up, Carl Palmer is an amazingly underrated drummer. Just listened to ELP’s Trilogy. Freaky good.
In 1982 I was graduating from high school and playing in a Hard Rock band.
Damn I miss those days.
🎼🎶🎶🎵🎶🤘😎🤘
A quick Google search doesn't give me the exact date but it was about a decade ago, my wife and I were fortunate to watch both Yes & Asia at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga, California. John Wetton was awesome (RIP) as was Carl Palmer. Steve Howe played with both Asia and Yes. Good times.
I enjoy your observations
During their reunion I saw the band 4 times, Shepherds Bush Empire x 2, HMV Forum Kentish Town and at the High Voltage Festival. They did a post concert meet and greet for fans at one of the Shepherds Bush concerts and I have a poster with all four of their signatures framed and ready to hang.
At HMV Forum I somehow landed myself at the after show drinks at the bar upstairs and was able to talk briefly with John and Carl. I went to the WC and found myself standing next to Geoff - what do you say to one of your rock heroes when your both trying to answer natures call !
I saw them on their 2nd tour date ever in 1982, and then the next summer on their Alpha tour. Then when they finally reformed the original band in 2005 or so I saw them twice more.
Good for you! Those three reunion albums got better as they went IMO.
The first and really great super group in prog rock history was UK. Don’t hesitate Doug.
Holdsworth, Bruford, Jobson, Wetton, need i say more? yes, i do, Jobson, Wetton, Bozzio. Two outstanding records that got missed by too many. the live album is also so underrated.
Since a few years, Asia has become one of my favourite bands, I was always aware of the old Wetton-era stuff from the 80s; I used to ignore the John Payne-era of the group (1992-2005) but there is much to enjoy from that period as well
Great tune from my youth.
ASIA has an extensive catalog and went through several style changes and lineups, until finally coming back around to the original group. and released even more music. But one of their best songs and also a crowd favorite, I seen them a lot through the years, is "Widest Dreams", also from the first album. It is a great song that tells a story. It is probably the most "progressive" song on that album. Which explains why everyone loves it, Even with the dark story.
"most progressive"
Maybe in some aspects, but in others, I'd mention "Time Again" and "Here Comes the Feeling". Being a fan of Downes in particular, the conclusion to "Cutting It Fine", "Bolero", is also wonderful.
If I recall correctly, I believe "Wildest Dreams" was one of Downes favorite songs and it shows in his playing.
Ya, I was 11 when this album came out. My brother bought the album and played it all the time. I loved it.
Don't forget Carl Palmer was in The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, a fun and crazy band, as well as Atomic Rooster, a great band in its own right that did a bunch more great albums after Carl left. Check 'em out!
In '83, as they were planning a tour of Japan, Wetton fell off the wagon hard and the band let him go. They were going to be live-broadcasting one show on MTV, so it was a real crisis for this band. They brought in Greg Lake on very short notice and paid him a fortune to fill in. Videos of Greg on lead vocals and bass are available on RUclips. It's a fraught topic for Asia fans. Wetton's and Lake's vocal ranges are a bit different, and Greg had some trouble with the higher parts. Some say he killed it, and others say it isn't Asia without Wetton. It's also worth mentioning that Carl Palmer was replaced with Cozy Powell for the ELPowell album because he was finishing up his obligation to Asia. He seems to harbor some resentment about that from what I've heard him say in interviews. He says it was only a matter of waiting for him for a few weeks. Also interesting is the fact that Greg was King Crimson's first vocalist and John was their fourth, so John ended up singing KC songs Greg had.
In fact, the concert that took place in Japan, with the controversial participation of Lake, was officially released in 2022, by BMG
@@afersol00 A special box set was released in 2022.
The original release was on a VHS Videocassette and Laserdisc, and called "Asia in Asia" (how old does that make me sound?) in 1984.
Fortunately because the show was a live satellite broadcast, the sound was mixed separately for the Budokan auditorium and then fed out to the TV trucks, where it was bounced down to a MONO signal before being sent to the transmitting dish. It was only then artificially separated to 2-channel stereo for the broadcast relay at the satellite receiving station Stateside.
This was necessary because the show was being syndicated to around 240 local radio stations via Westwood One, and it was not technically possible to broadcast the stereo signal over the satellite link. The stereo sound and video required different frequency bands and it would not be easy to remain synchronised with each other. Remember this pre-dates the introduction of NICAM (near instantaneous companded audio matrix). The original VHS used the broadcast relay sound, i.e. the simulated 'artificial' stereo.
The 2022 BMG release replaces this with a remastered version of the much higher fidelity auditorium sound, except for "Time Again", which is in the original mono. However, persevere as far as track 3 and you are back in the Budokan stereo mix and the subsequent tracks sound quality is vastly improved.
Budokan translates as "Martial Arts Hall" and was built for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics to host the Judo competition. It was totally unfit for live satellite concert broadcasts, and a bespoke control room had to built at the rear of the auditorium to turn it into effectively a TV studio.
The band brought in their stage set from the US Tour with some modifications - you'll notice Greg uses two video prompters in the concert but even so he fluffs a few lines (singing them in the wrong order mostly) - given he only had around 6-7 weeks to learn the music and lyrics, and rehearse the show, and then do it all live in front of an audience of millions, he pretty much nailed it.
Wow, first time I’ve heard this story. Thank you!
@@jeremybalchin6872I recorded it on VHS live. That makes me pretty old as well.
Loved this song when it came out. I bought the album into art class and traced the cover onto a shirt and printed it as my project. I was 12 lol.
Nice! This was there biggest, true, also "Only time will tell" were famous. But if you want to hear some more interesting structures and creativity I suggest you to try some other songs on the Album such as "Time again" "Wildest Dreams" "Cutting it fine", "Here comes the feeling" or "Sole Survivor" you will discover more from their adventurous past 😉
This was my last year at high school so remember it well but we were listening to Pink Floyd - The Wall still and The Police and Dire Straits.
You should do Asia's Wildest Dreams some other time. Great lyrics!
It was after the punk scene, many other established prog groups were putting out shorter, radio friendly songs around this time. And many completely remade their sound/identity; Yes, Genesis, Moody Blues, etc. etc. Crosby Stills & Nash were considered a supergroup as was Cream, Capt. Beyond, Cactus...
"Time Again" off this album sounds like something off of Yes's /Drama/ album, but absolutely resentful. It's the Asia song that I heard first, and from them I eventually worked my way back through Yes and ELP. I wouldn't *know* about, let alone enjoy, progressive rock, were it not for this album serving as a wonderfully pleasant, gentle introduction.
Great Song and Great Supergroup
Four Prog virtuosos get together to make a pop masterpiece.
41 years ago I immediately bought this album and the sleeve art by Roger Dean was one of the reasons.
Another short lived "supergroup" worth checking out is the one on Steve Hackett's Tokyo Tapes recording (available as a DVD as well) - featuring Steve Hackett, John Wetton, Chester Thompson (Genesis live), Ian McDonald (King Crimson) and Julian Colbeck. Some really good versions of Steve Hackett's solo work, Genesis, King Crimson, Asia and John Wetton solo material.
My Bro come Uncle wisit from 🇨🇦 to 🇫🇮, sometimes 82, and bought it for me...nwr heard, but BIG infuence 🤘😁👍💙🇫🇮
Your reaction was like our reaction when it came out. We were all way into Yes, Crimson, and ELP. The simplicity was stunning. That’s Carl Palmer? Wetton? As the guitar player I found plenty of tone to dissect but overall we were confused by a lack of virtuosity in the musicianship. Well crafted, yes, but not Yes, y’all. Steve Howe though shines brightly!
Asia was my favorite band for a long time. I own their albums Asia, Alpha, Astra, Then and Now, Aqua, Arena, Aria, and some others I can't remember at this time, and I saw them live in Germany in the early 2000s touring with Kansas.
I checked out your channel to see if you also reacted to more modern music, and since you do, I can recommend that you take a listen to the Japanese band Band-Maid. They have a catalogue of over 120 great songs, and although you can't truly go wrong with any of them, my suggestion would be to start with the official live performance of Domination.
Flashback to my junior year of high school 🙂
Perfect mix of prog and AOR. Superb band. The John Payne version is worth checking out too.
One of my favorite tracks from that album is "Time Again", which is a bit more prog-rock than the other tracks.
That said, I loved Wetton's contribution to Crimson
I went through 2 cassettes & got to see them in '83.
The versions on Steve Hackett's album Tokyo Tapes will always be my favourite version.
4 masters of prog coming together for a bit of a pop commercial project.
The drum track on this is one of my favorites.
One of the 1st albums that I ever purchased.