Asia’s New Material Rivals Their Best At Recent Ridgefield Stop

By John Voket

RIDGEFIELD — In 2006, the four original members of the prog-rock super group Asia reunited and began touring again, much to the delight of fans, as well as followers of the individual musicians Carl Palmer of ELP; John Wetton of King Crimson; Steve Howe of Yes; and Geoff Downes of Yes and The Buggles.

With nary a new song among them, their first reunion shows consisted of material from the band’s first three albums Asia, Alpha, and Astra. And to extend their shows to the two-hour mark, the band performed material representing each member’s most famous other band: “Fanfare for the Common Man” for Palmer; “Court of the Crimson King” for Wetton; “Video Killed the Radio Star” for Downes; and “Roundabout” for Howe (with Wetton singing).

Further stretching came courtesy of a drum solo from Palmer folded into what became a 10-minute-plus “The Heat Goes On,” and a five- to six-minute break where Howe showcased his dexterity on the acoustic guitar.

Flash forward to 2010 – and Asia still gives Palmer and Howe their few minutes of solo time in concert. But that’s where the comparisons end.

The original members of Asia now have two recent projects under their belt, Phoenix, which was released in 2008, and Omega which dropped last April. With all this fresh material at the ready, Asia is constructing a set list for their current US tour showcasing a generous sampling of new songs.

Sure, long-time fans still get to pump their fist to “Heat of the Moment” and “Only Time Will Tell,” but the band has loosened its grip on convention, giving Wetton and Downes a segment where they duet with a touching rendition of “Don’t Cry,” and later, “The Smile Has Left Your Eyes.”

There are also deeper cuts mixed in like “Time Again” from the band’s debut, and “Go” from Astra to get the hardcore fans worked up.

But during Asia’s sixth stop on its current 28-city tour, an intimate show at Connecticut’s 500-seat Ridgefield Playhouse, something unusual happened.

The band opened with “I Believe,” from Omega, and the crowd went wild. In fact, more than a few members in the audience were singing along.

Two songs later, the house erupted again following some spectacular interplay from Howe and Palmer on “Holy War,” another number from Omega. “Never Again” and “An Extraordinary Life,” both from Phoenix, got similar reactions during the August 8 performance.

On balance, at least at this show, Asia’s post reunion material was as well received as the band’s most familiar material from more than a quarter century ago.

The band’s focus seems to have shifted somewhat as well. There were the aforementioned drum and guitar breaks for Palmer and Howe, but Asia has subtly pushed Wetton to the forefront — exactly where a lead singer should be.

On Omega, and during the entire live set earlier this month, Wetton’s vocals were mixed heavy and he did not disappoint. The depth of his almost regal low register and phrasing were punctuated by soaring high notes which all hit their mark admirably and powerfully.

From the front row, his underrated skill on the bass was also evident. As Wetton thumbed his way around sometimes complex bass arrangements with ease, he often balanced the rhythmic and tonal interplay of his instrument with counterpoint vocals – no easy feat.

Other numbers from Omega that were not part of the show displayed equally good work in their recorded format. Wetton’s comfort and ease seems to have rubbed off on his bandmates, who sound like they are enjoying the opportunity of spreading their creative wings, but are clearly zipping along with their bassist in the driver’s seat.

Compared to the Asia of the early to mid-1980s in concert, this is an entirely new experience. Where early on, the band was a collection of stellar but somewhat narcissistic musicians unified around well constructed musical arrangements, the Asia of 2010 is a band that has arrived at a perfect balance of form and function.

If Wetton, Howe, Palmer and Downes continue on this course, they may achieve something that has caused so many other reunited acts — even those bravely offering new material — to stumble. Asia appears to have what it takes to meet or even surpass its former greatness both musically and in performance.

Perhaps if they continue on this seemingly successful path, the next new project from the original members of Asia should be titled Acquiescent.