In January 2006 the four original members of Asia - Geoff Downes, Steve Howe, Carl Palmer and John Wetton - quietly reconvened in a London hotel to discuss the possibility of a reunion in the year ahead - the 25th anniversary of the release of their phenomenally successful, self-titled debut album. By the end of the day an agreement had been reached. It was game on. By the time the group reconvened for rehearsals in August, a full tour was in place. The entire debut album would be performed alongside a selection of special acoustic numbers and a new concept for the band; a series of musical snapshots from their pre-Asia careers. In March 2007, the sold-out reunion tour finally reached the band's spiritual homeland, Japan. Captured in Tokyo at the Shinjuku Koseinenkin Hall, this concert (presented on 2CDs and a DVD) features all of Asia's best-loved tracks, notably Wildest Dreams, One Step Closer, Soul Survivor and Heat Of The Moment, plus highlights from the individual members' back catalogues, such as Roundabout (Yes), In The Court Of The Crimson King (King Crimson), Fanfare For The Common Man (ELP) and Video Killed The Radio Star (The Buggles).
B**G
John does not know how to sing.
This band say their spiritual home is Japan. Oh boy are Japan making a fortune out of this band with the most obscene prices they are charging. When I first started to listen to Asia they were a decent band. If you take out John Wetton as the lead singer, the music is still brilliant. John does not have a singing voice. What he does is shout as if in a conversation.
S**N
Not bad Not great
If you consider the pedigree of the band members you need to ask yourself, why this is so bland. Ex members of highly innovative bans, ground breaking bands, yet this is mainly one fairly forgetable track after another, but there are a couple of highlights. Interestingly enough the best songs are the songs that these guys did with the bands they were best known for before joining Asia.Roundabou the Yes song is good if a little pedestrian, Court of Crimson King is good, even Video Killed radio star is good, well the last 2 minutes or so with Steve doing a great solo. Fanfare for Common man is the stand out track on the DVDThe band themselves dont really appear that intersted. The playing is overall very good. Steve Howe looks dreadful like a mad scientist, but plays very well, Geoff looks like a washed up rock star complete with leather trousers, Carl Palmer looks fine and his playing is top notch. John Wetton I just dont get, not that great a bass player, very average singing voice and totally lacking in charisma for the front man of a group, never mind a so called super group. Now he has been with numerous top groups so someone mus like him.i am not over familiar with Asis songs except sole surivor, heat of the moment, and Only time will tell. The set list does comprise most of not all of the first Asia album as well as the cover versions mentioned above so if you are an Asia fan this should please you.3 different sound options on DVD.include DTS and stereo. I played this through a blue ray player and an amplifier. Stereo the mix was a bit low, DTS the sound was much fuller although Steve Howe guitar was very low in the mix, all you could hear was the keyboardsDVD picture quality is very good, good canera work and the concert last almost 2 hours. there is also 40 mintes of interviews with the band. So if you buy this as i did second hand it is good valueThe audience dont help, they are all dressed up to the nines as if they were going for dinner at the Ritz, all suited and booted. The band have very little interaction with them. The band hardly move at all on stageOverall a good DVD great value but could have been so much better
J**Y
A welcome return.
Having been unable, through work commitments, to see the reunion of the original Asia line up I was looking forward to this DVD being released. I was not disappointed I have to say. The only drawback & this is a minor one, is that in the audio mix, the keyboards of Geoff Downes are a lttle too high & rather frustratingly cover up some of the lines played by Steve Howe.The material from the members previous projects was superb with (for me) the stand out track being Fanfare For The Common which was funkier than any version I had heard before.If you missed the reunion shows get this DVD & get some tickets booked for next year, when hopefully, with the return to health of John Wetton the band will be touring & surprising audiences everywhere with how well they can still cut it.A welcome return from a great band.
K**Y
Good blu-ray, tepid performances.
Image quality and sound quality on this blu-ray both very good. Good selection of tracks, so why only 3 stars?The band have no chemistry and John Wetton is not a good front-man. They are all playing as individuals and have no coherence as a band. Any decent guitarist, drummer, keyboard player could have substituted. None of them move, they play their instruments competently and then probably go to separate hotels!
P**S
Asia in Japan rock
Having saw them in concert pleased to find this blu ray available excellent sound and picture quality Very sadly missed
M**Y
Asia - Fant-asia-stic
Having been an Asia fan since day one but never seeing them live i thought the dvd of this concert would be good enough, how wrong i was the Blu Ray is even better.From the (rather embarrassing) opening to the songs we all know and love it captures the essence of a live Asia performance.This disc is especially good at giving an insight into the many memorable hits you never knew Asia members were involved in, fanfare for the common man, video killed the radio star all going towards a bumper greatest hits package live and loud in your front room in glorious Hi-Def.Masters of guitar, keyboards and of course the 3 week drum solo each musician is well practised in the art and their ability shines through even after many years on the road and they gell together to re produce some of the best and iconic songs of the 80's.More please.
M**T
Anything by Asia is great in my eyes (and ears)
Anything by Asia is great in my eyes (and ears). This is an excellent recording featuring the original members. Well worth the money.
A**S
Five Stars
Great DVD and seller highly recommend both.
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