Amhtsa.155
net.music
utzoo!decvax!harpo!eagle!mhtsa!bso
Tue May  4 15:40:46 1982
Asia at the Capitol
As promised, the following is a review of Asia's show at the Capitol
Theater,  April 30.  They were backed up by a band called Johnny and
the Distractions.  If at all possible, plan to miss them.  Now, on to
Asia.

First off, let me disavow any claim of objectivity:  being a guitarist,
watching Steve Howe work his magic from three feet was slightly
overwhelming.  The other three could have stood around drinking beer all
night and I would have been happy.

So with this is mind, Asia was naturally excellent.  They played every
tune off the album (indeed, even "Heat of the Moment" or "One Step
Closer" couldn't ruin the show;  I can barely take these songs on the
record).  And now, the secret of padding a 40-odd minute LP to make an
hour and a half show.  Howe gets a ten minute acoustic set (he played
"The Clap"  surrounded by two pieces I didn't recognize;  they were
probably from his first solo album).  Geoff Downes took a solo in one of
the tunes, and featured the Fairlight digital synth.  I was totally
impressed by Downes' ability to use this beast on stage.  It seemed to
give him a little trouble in the introduction (sounded slightly out of
tune to me anyway), but after, performed very well.  Finally, Carl
Palmer rendered his stock ELP percussion solo, with the rotating platform,
swinging gongs and strobe lights.  This rather predictable display was
not one of the high points.

The stage, designed by ex-Yes associate Michael Tate, places Downes on a
large center platform, five feet above Palmer.  Downes had at least a dozen
keyboards up there (someone said there were seventeen; I couldn't see them
all from the front row).  For one of the two new songs they played, the
whole band clambered up there, with Wetton playing piano, Downes and Howe
playing various other devices, and Carl Palmer diddling with a rhythm
machine.  In order to fit everybody up there, the keyboards were spread out
over about twenty feet, so that when he was alone, Downes was often
running from side to side to make sound changes.  Very showy.

I was also struck by how completely relaxed John Wetton was, so much so that
at times he seemed detached and almost uninterested, although he was
clearly enjoying the whole thing tremendously.  Steve Howe, of course, was
nothing less than amazing.

They ended the set with "Soul Survivor", then came out for two encores,
"Heat of the Moment" and a fun little arrangement of (believe it or not)
"The Man With the Golden Arm."

All in all, I can safely say I am much more impressed by Asia now that I
have seen them live.  If you liked the record from the start, the concert
could only be better.  And if you didn't care for it, you may yet change
your mind.

Progressive rock is alive and well.  Now let's see if we can keep it this
way for awhile!

                                       Bert Olsson
                                       BTL MH 7D307
                                       mhtsa!bso

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