Rediscovering Asia
Did you know that the band Asia not only exists still, but exists in two different forms? Indeed. There is the original line-up — your Geoff Downes, Steve Howe, John Wetton, Carl Palmer version — and then another line-up with a bunch of new guys, helmed by the guy who took Howe’s place on their third album, John Payne.
Who the hell is John Payne? Does anyone outside of Asia fans even know? And would anyone publicly proclaim themselves such in 2008?
I step forward, I bought the band’s first three albums as a teenager. For all the great and interesting taste I might have had, it was confounded by some truly dreadful taste in music, of which Asia is certainly the very lowest I ever sunk. You have to understand, being a Yeshead, Asia was the one place I could get new Steve Howe licks. Being a Buggles fanatic, Asia was the one place I could get new keyboard stylings by Geoff Downes.
I was slave to their flip side, “Ride Easy,” which gave Howe the chance to let loose — he was reigned in on that album. Wasn’t that sad?
The second album, I did not like it as much as the first. It had a muddy production, for one. For two, it wasn’t very good. And they reigned in Howe even more. The third album, forget it. Howe had left the band and this guy Payne was in. Not only was Payne no Steve Howe, he was no friggin’ Trevor Rabin — and Asia was left in the dust once Yes reformed anyhow. I understand, intellectually, that Yes is a silly band, but I love them anyhow. And “Owner of a Lonely Heart”; is still fun.
So intent on hearing new work by Steve Howe that I fought for the dorm television to air the Asia Live In Asia special on MTV. Boy, Greg Lake, now there’s a guy who can’t sing — but he didn’t ruin my enjoyment of Howe. Dude! Howe!
Anyhow, I can’t say I’m very interested in either version of Asia that is floating around. It’s been a good 20 years since I’ve bothered to listen to anything by the band, except the lick to “Heat of the Moment” which I was considering sampling for a song. I didn’t. There’s always a chance, though.
Anyhow, I apologize for being such a dork and buying Asia albums.
Next time, we’ll tackle the Fleetwood Mac problem.
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