Wow. I just got back from seeing the
Prog-Rock band
Asia, at the
Turning Stone Resort and Casino.
I first saw Asia on April 23, 1982 at
Utica's Stanley Theater. I hadn't originally planned to go, but at the last minute, a friend who couldn't go, gave me his seat. That show was one of the coolest shows I have ever seen, and who would have thought these 26 years later, I'd be seeing them up close, with my left elbow resting on the stage as they played.
For those who aren't aware, Asia is made up of four guys, who were (and still are) in some of the greatest progressive rock bands of the 1970's.
Geoff Downes, while not necessarily having the pedigree that the other three members of the band have, has an impressive list of projects nonetheless including Yes, and
The Buggles.
Steve Howe of course was the guitarist in the band
Yes, in any part of the band's arc that actually mattered.
Carl Palmer is most famous for pounding the skins in the band
Emerson, Lake, and Palmer. And lastly, but not leastly,
John Wetton is known for having been in the bands
King Crimson, and
UK. For me, John Wetton IS the voice of progressive rock and roll.
OK, I'll admit it. I've always liked Asia, and despite the fact that their music isn't as progressive as the member's earlier projects, it still is good, inventive rock and roll, with great playing. When I was in high school and my friends and I got together for a pizza party, I can guarantee you that the first Asia record was playing.
They started the show out with Daylight, which some Asia fans might not recognize because it wasn't originally released on the
vinyl LP, or the original mastering of the Alpha CD. It was released on the
cassette, and later
CD releases.
They ended up playing about seven tracks from their first album, and about four from Alpha, while managing to squeeze in hits from their former bands.
They also played two songs from their brand new album, Phoenix, which, while not exactly sterling examples of prog-rock, or even necessarily comparable to their first two records, they were good examples of rock and roll.
It was a joy to see these guys playing together again. I had secretly been hoping that they would re-form, and getting to witness the reformation allowed to me to time-travel back 26 years to when I originally saw them in 1982, and also on their second tour in 1983.
If you have the opportunity to see them, definitely check them out.
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