Asia/Osaka,Japan 2008

The best live in Japan of the “Original ASIA” is here. This work includes “May 9, 2008: Osaka Welfare Pension Hall”. Reunited with the original members, they came to Japan four times in 2007, 2008, 2010, and 2012, but this work is from the album “PHOENIX” era. First, let’s check the tour dates. May 8: Fukuoka Civic Hall May 9: Osaka Welfare Pension Hall [This work] May 11: Chukyo University Cultural Civic Hall May 12: Tokyo International Forum May 13: Shibuya C.C.Lemon Hall All five performances. This Osaka performance is the second performance. In 2007, only the sensation of the original first visit to Japan preceded it, but it was a magnificent return to Japan with the new work “PHOENIX” finished as a powerful work far beyond most expectations. The greatest attraction of this work is the superb sound. After all, it was the master craftsman “Western Japan’s Strongest Taper” who made this work. Even now, countless masterpieces and masterpieces are being released one after another, but it proves that he was as good as ever 9 years ago. Moreover, the position of this work is “the front row right in front of Steve Howe”. It is the best excitement sound that picks up the raw sound of the amp directly because it is right in front, and the glittering guitar stands out in the “on” state. The document drawn with that sound is the best. The recording starts with the SE in the venue before the show starts, but from here it is suddenly a listening point, and the staff in the venue warns, “Can you sit down? It’s a nuisance to the back …”. In fact, Mr. “Strongest” is a fan of Howe, and when he stood up to take the initiative from the front row to liven things up, he was warned. It’s a very heartwarming scene, but this word is also proof of the undeniable “front row”. The show started with “Daylight” on this day as well, and the sound unique to the front row, which feels thick in the mid- and low-range, stands out sharply, with the guitar sound standing out clearly. Just because the guitar stands out doesn’t mean that the sound of other instruments is deep, the grain of the hi-hat and the sound of the extended keyboard are also clearly heard, and the vocal sound is also clear. Wetton’s passionate singing can be fully enjoyed throughout the show. “Roundabout” is also recorded with a very prominent guitar sound, but this is more of an image of “Howe leading with three veteran members” rather than “YES song by ASIA”. The composition can be felt from the sound image, and it is a very fresh feeling. After Howe’s solo time and the acoustic part from “Voice Of America” ​​(because he changed guitars?), the sound changes to a more transparent sound with a good overall balance, but “Ride Easy” is recorded with an excellent sound that picks up even the subtlest weak sounds. On the other hand, the heavy sound of the slow-moving midrange like “Without You” is perfectly captured without even the slightest crackling. What I want you to pay attention to here is the chorus harmony of the four people in “The Court of the Crimson King”. In fact, in the Japanese performances of the “GRAVITAS” era, only Wetton and Downs sang in the chorus at the beginning of “Valkyrie”. The others got by with pre-recorded choruses. However, here you can clearly hear the four people properly layering the harmony with live choruses, and you can feel the appearance of the “singing guitarist: Howe” that Wetton always wanted from this band with a 100% amateur sound. On the other hand, it makes you realize that “Palace” and “Roundabout”, which were the highlights of the show at that time, were possible because Howe was a guitarist who could sing well… That’s how good the sound of this work is. When it comes to the recording of the reorganized AISA, there are titles that focus on Wetton’s bass and voice for some reason, but there are no titles that focus on Howe. In such a situation, this work is a valuable “one where Howe shines”. Moreover, even though the guitar stands out, the other instruments are also wonderful and there is no breakdown in the ensemble. It’s a “real dragon’s blow” because of those four people. Please enjoy it to your heart’s content. Live at Koseinenkin Kaikan, Osaka, Japan 9th May 2008 TRULY PERFECT SOUND(from Original Masters) The All Four Original Members of ASIA Japan Tour Disc 1(68:15) 1. Introduction 2. Daylight 3. Only Time Will Tell 4. Wildest Dreams 5. Never Again 6. Roundabout 7. Time Again 8. Keyboard Solo 9. Steve Howe Solo(incl. Clap) 1 0. Voice Of America 11. The Smile Has Left Your Eyes 12. Ride Easy 13. Open Your Eyes Disc 2(62:31) 1. Fanfare For The Common Man 2. Without You 3. An Extraordinary Life 4. In The Court Of The Crimson King 5. Video Killed The Radio Star 6. The Heat Goes On 7. Drum Solo/The Heat Goes On(reprise) 8. Heat Of The Moment 9. Don’t Cry 10. Sole Survivor John Wetton – Bass, Lead Vocal Steve Howe – Guitar, Vocal Carl Palmer – Drums, Percussion Geoffrey Downes – Keyboards, Vocal