Red Bank, New Jersey was hopping when Geoff Downes, Steve Howe, Carl Palmer & John Wetton brought their reformed outfit to the Count Basie Theatre on Tuesday, September 12, 2006. Kicking off promptly at 8 PM the band was gathered to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of their historic multi-platinum debut album. The founding members of ASIA emerged from classic rock icons Yes, Emerson Lake & Palmer, King Crimson, and The Buggles, and released one of the most enduring and commercially successful debut albums of all time, simply entitled ASIA. The reunion of the band's original line-up marks the first time all four original members are playing together since 1983 and never in our "Wildest Dreams" would we have predicted how good this show would be.

Beyond the hype of the reunion lies the fact that the Asia tour is a special one for aficionados. With some of music's best known players like Steve Howe and Carl Palmer in the house fans flocked to the foot of the stage before the show to gawk at the gear. The onlookers were interested in taking pictures of Palmer's cool blue Ludwig drum set and viewing Howe's collection of guitars. Wetton's set-up included a tiny high-tech monitor with a crisp screen, while Downes had a wall of keyboards all lined up and ready to go. Thus the stage was set to see what goods Asia had to offer.

What Asia delivered on this night was a surprisingly strong form of rock song craft deeply steeped in prog traditions. Since the original Asia only played together for a short time they are better known for their radio hits that belie the power they brought to the songs in the Red Bank live setting. The first three tracks - "Time Again", "Wildest Dreams", and "One Step Closer" - were delivered with both precision and punch and proved the band was getting closer to being back on top. The well-publicized treat of the night was that the show would include forays into each band member's past careers. This segment allowed Asia to educate the world on progressive rock and exactly where they came from.

Steve Howe and company performed an ambitious four-man production of "Roundabout" by Yes as well as some solo acoustic material. Howe seemed comfortable in his resurrected role as six-string man for the outfit and his soaring sonic approach added intricate layers to the radio-friendly fare Asia is most known for.

Carl Palmer proved that Asia is indeed alive by performing a clinic during his rapturous drum solo that featured many proprietary tricks delivered in a powerful rambunctious style. Wetton introduced ELP's "Fanfare For The Common Man" as a track that would feature Geoff on keyboards. The whole band ignited for a hot version of this seminal piece of 70's classic rock.

John Wetton was a member of King Crimson so the guys whipped up a version of the complex "In The Court Of The Crimson King". By delivering solid versions of these intricate rock classics Asia proved they are musicians worthy of their "supergroup" title and left many wondering just what else these players are capable of.

Steve Howe dazzled with his leads and fills and got the fans to clap along!

Geoff Downes took center stage for a rendition of "Video Killed The Radio Star" by The Buggles complete with Wetton on bullhorn. This song was the first video ever played on MTV Music Television and the channel played a big part in the promotion of the quartet early on. In modern times, Asia has a few other classic television shows and the big screen to thank for their part in the band's resurgence.

In the recent past Asia's "Heat of the Moment" has been used as a cultural marker in TV's Mystery Science Theater 3000 and South Park comedy series. The use of the song as a running joke in the wildly popular The 40-Year-Old Virgin movie and soundtrack also gave the band and unexpected boost on the road to their return.

Overall, the 2-hour plus performance was powerful from start to finish drawing many standing ovations and wild cheers from the central New Jersey capacity crowd. While the electric portion of the set and the featured past catalogue material was exciting, a whole additional side of the band was portrayed during several acoustic moments. The double shot of "The Smile Has Left Your Eyes" and "Don't Cry" revealed a unity of purpose as the members closed ranks around each other for poignant renditions of these tracks. Carl Palmer emerged from his drum kit to stand and sing with tambourine in hand. Wetton was in command of his voice all night but his particularly melodious tone stood out in the unplugged sets.

Asia closed out the show with, "Heat Of The Moment", their biggest radio hit and the hottest number of the night. The crowd sang along as Howe added fiery licks and searing guitar work to help burn down the house. The energy of the performance was palpable and the band has already promised that there will be a DVD released from this tour. The question of whether or not the band will record again remains to be answered, but if they bring the energy and enthusiasm they showed at this concert to producing new material, look out!

Since the break-up of the original line-up in 1983 there have been numerous editions of Asia with lone founding member Geoff Downes carrying the mantle for the group over the years. But, the perception has long been that the real band faded away after the departure of Wetton, followed by Howe, early on when the guys were just hitting their stride.

"This is the REAL ASIA," says guitarist Steve Howe. "There have been other versions of the band, but this original line-up is the one that the public truly embraced. Since we only toured for a couple of years, it will be nice, finally, to play for audiences all over the world, many of whom never had a chance to see the group in concert, until now."

John Wetton handled front man duties with precise professionalism!

Whatever the reasons are for the original Asia's quick exit from map the fracture in the band proved not to be a continental divide as the band members appear to have stayed in touch over the years.

"We've waited a long time to put the original line up back together once again," says vocalist and bassist, John Wetton. "Although we always remained friendly, we had all moved on to other musical commitments. With the 25th Anniversary coming up, it just seemed like the right time to bring back the music we made as ASIA."

What was apparent before, during and after the concert was that along the way fans had clearly made a connection with the band. Prior to the concert an army of fans with albums and posters were making their way into the theater. After the show, and at all concerts on this reunion tour, Asia is taking the opportunity to re-connect with their fans. Taking their place behind the well-stocked merchandise table (filled with tour posters, newly designed shirts, and CDs) the members of Asia were available for an up-close-and-personal meet and greet and to sign the items the fans had bought or brought with them.

After 25 years the original Asia is out on the road appreciating the opportunities their brief union a quarter of a century ago has to offer them. By extending their concert set with new music, performing juiced-up versions of their radio hits, and taking time to personally thank their supporters - it looks like Asia is finally exporting their message flawlessly.

SETLIST:
- Time Again
- Wildest Dreams
- One Step Closer
- Roundabout
- Without You
- Cutting It Fine/Clap (Steve Howe solo)
- Fanfare For The Common Man
- The Smile Has Left Your Eyes (Acoustic)
- Don't Cry (Acoustic)
- In The Court Of The Crimson King
- Here Comes The Feeling
- Video Killed The Radio Star
- The Heat Goes On
- drum solo
- Sole Survivor
ENCORE
- Ride Easy (Acoustic)
- Heat Of The Moment

Scenes from the Asia show in Red Bank, New Jersey!

Related Links: For more information on ASIA and the other organizations mentioned please visit the following links -- OriginalAsia.com | Buy Asia DVD | Buy Asia CD | CountBasieTheatre.org

Originally Published: 09/16/2006 on Kweevak.com