Asia/ NJ,USA 2017 & more

ASIA has started a new journey after losing John Wetton. Their latest and best live album is here. Wetton passed away in January of this year. ASIA’s tour had been scheduled before that, but Wetton was scheduled not to participate due to cancer treatment. He was supposed to return to the tour in the second half of 2017, but Wetton’s condition suddenly worsened after that. He passed away before the tour. While mourning the news of his death, ASIA started the tour as originally planned, appointing Billy Sherwood as a substitute. They are currently touring North America. First, let’s organize the current situation. January 12: Wetton announces absence from tour January 31: Wetton dies March 15-April 4: North America #1 (13 shows) June 5-July 28: North America #2 (30 shows) ←★here★ November 26-30: Wetton memorial show (cancelled) This is the live schedule that has been announced so far. Once, a Wetton memorial show was announced in November with Steve Howe returning, but it was canceled “for reasons beyond our (ASIA) control.” Now, this work is a report of the sound that conveys such “the current ASIA.” It is a two-disc audience set with “Englewood show on June 17, 2017” on disc 1 and “Worcester show on June 19, 2017” on disc 2. Both shows are the 8th and 9th shows of “North America #2” currently in progress. It is the latest live album. This work is of superb quality that will make you stare and doubt your ears. Both performances are the work of different recorders, but both are “modern masters” who are no less inferior. Although the real enthusiasm is engraved with the proof of the audience recording, the superb musical sound / singing voice is wonderful to kick away a poor sound board. What is amazing is the transparency. Although it is slightly wrapped in the sound of the venue, it is extremely transparent. I often write that “the details of the musical sound are not hidden,” but that is not the case. What can I say, the air floating in the venue is as transparent as a 3000-meter-class high mountain. Of course, in such a transparent air, the musical sound is extremely vivid and direct. It is vivid so that every guitar picking, every word of the lyrics, and even the rumbling of the bass shines. The “current ASIA” drawn with that quality also gives you a shining show. Billy Sherwood, who is the most notable, is doing an unexpected good fight. Of course, we can’t expect the “depth” of Wetton, and it’s hard to shake off the feeling of being a little unfamiliar. However, his unexpectedly solid singing voice doesn’t detract from the beauty of the melody, and is enough to shoulder the heavy responsibility of a lead singer. The bass is even better, and the sound is not just stable but has a great presence. While respecting Wetton’s original… no, it’s because of that respect that they don’t end it safe. The set is a golden hit parade for both performances, but the Englewood performance (Disc 1) is even more than that. This day was a memorial performance for Wetton entitled “AN EXTRAORDINARY LIFE”. There was also a Q&A corner after the show (not included in this work), but the set is also special. There are many more songs than the regular set of the Worcester performance, with “Go”, “Ride Easy”, “Video Killed The Radio Star”, “Fanfare For The Common Man”, etc. added. This is not the first time for either of them, but they only played on this day on the 2017 tour. The highlights are “Lucky Man” and “Heat Of The Moment”. “Lucky Man” may have been featured in memory of Greg Lake, but this was the first performance of ASIA (although it doesn’t suit Billy’s vocal range very well, so it’s quite tough). And for the last song, “Heat Of The Moment”, Wetton’s wife Lisa appears. While playing the sub drum set, she plays “Heat Of The Moment” with Carl on a twin drum. Just like YES, who lost Chris Squire, ASIA chose to continue singing their classic songs. This work also captures the audience who are intoxicated by the melody and very happy. They are living in the present and keeping the classic songs alive. Even if you want to decide whether it is right or wrong, you must first know the reality through the sound. Are you grateful for the appearance of the vibrant classics, or do you give up and leave? This is a piece that allows you to experience the “current ASIA” with crystal clear sound. DCU Center, Worcester, MA. USA 19th June 2017 TRULY PERFECT SOUND Disc 1(75:51) Live at Bergen Performing Arts Center, Englewood, NJ. USA 17th June 2017 “An Extraordinary Life” Celebration 1. Intro. 2. Wildest Dreams 3. Sole Survivor 4. Time Again 5. Don’t Cry 6. Keyboard Solo 7. Go 8 Ride Easy 9. The Smile Has Left Your Eyes 10. Lucky Man 11. Video Killed the Radio Star 12. Fanfare for the Common Man (incl. Carl Palmer Drum Solo) 13. Only Time Will Tell 14. Heat of the Moment (with Lisa Wetton in addition to Carl Palmer on drums) Disc 2(44:36) Live at DCU Center, Worcester, MA. USA 19th June 2017 1. Wildest Dreams 2. Sole Survivor 3. Time Again 4. Don’t Cry (incl. Carl Palmer Drum Solo) 5. Keyboard Solo 6. The Smile Has Left Your Eyes 7. Only Time Will Tell 8. Heat of the Moment Carl Palmer – Drums, Percussion Geoff Downes – Keyboards Sam Coulson – Guitar Billy Sherwood – Bass, Vocal