by Geoff Bailie
As a band, the history of Asia is the stuff of soap operas! At least 20 band members, massive success, break ups, loss and reuniting, the band family tree is lengthy. The original line up captured the essence of something that has evolved and changed over the years. And now your find yourself in 2026…
The current line up has been an evolution since 2023’s John Wetton tribute show. It would have been pointless to not include an Asia element in this, but who and how? The first piece of the new Asia jigsaw was the placing of John Mitchell as guitarist. He had not been in Asia but had been a key player on the three great Wetton/ Downes Icon albums, as well as Wetton’s touring guitarist for many years. For singer – well Billy Sherwood had fronted the band live on a tour, and Mitchell could certainly have covered the role, but Geoff Downes turned, instead, to Harry Whitley and … initially many of us went – who? At least, we did until he sang! Downes had been shown some of Whitley’s YouTube Asia covers and recognised that he had the voice for this gig. Those in attendance, and watching the live stream realised within, well, a verse that he was a great choice.
With the Downes/ Mitchell/ Whitley trio in place, plans were made for the next stage of Asia and another wise choice was made. The original Asia line up balanced the commercial appeal of Wetton/ Downes’ writing with the prog / musical credentials of Carl Palmer and Steve Howe. Both were and are masters of their craft and slightly unconventional in their playing styles. They were also both unavailable or uninterested in being in a new Asia, and so capturing Virgil Donati as drummer is a great choice in that he shares the drumming acclaim and the intense chops that Palmer has.
When asked to play three nights at the Trading Boundaries venue, they decided to perform the first three Asia albums. And Frontiers has chosen to release these shows in audio and video, which is why we have Asia – Live in London.
I’ll admit that when this was announced I wasn’t that excited. I’d have much rather heard about a new studio album to see what this line up could do. But I’m happy to say that, having heard the album, I’m glad I got to hear this. Here’s why …
First off this new Asia is out of the blocks with confidence. They really own their versions of these songs. Some tracks, and many parts within them, are so iconic that they just need to be played “right” (as in as per the original record). Other spots have space for improvisation or adjustment, and, within reason, are a chance to make them your own. This line up gets that balance completely right.
The musicianship is incredible. Harry Whitley’s voice is powerful, confident and simply joyful. You don’t need the video to tell this man is thoroughly enjoying this music because it’s actually audible!
Steve Howe brought a unique guitar sound to Asia and some of his successors have brought a rock / metal feel when playing the material live which I never felt worked. This is where John Mitchell is a brilliant fit for the band. Not only does he faithfully reproduce the key Howe parts, but the rest of his playing is very sympathetic to that style. He also has occasional chances to cut loose and do his own thing, such as at the end of Sole Survivor. And he does all of this while also singing – another key strength he brings to this line up. The Asia records had those multitracked Wetton vocals and harmonies, and Mitchell proves to be the best “non-lead singer” vocalist that the band has had! That makes a massive difference to deep cuts like One Step Closer, or even Only Time Will Tell.
To me, Virgil Donati was perhaps a surprise choice for this band, maybe because I viewed him as a “technical drummer” from what I’ve heard of Planet X and Steve Vai. In this performance, Donati brings his enormous skills not by dazzling us with flash and technique, but rather by bringing exactly what the song needs – and that doesn’t always mean playing it exactly like Carl Palmer. It’s hard to describe until you hear it, but the fact is, you probably won’t hear it initially because, it just fits. Repeated listens will show Virgil does some very subtle and clever stuff to give these songs a boost in various spots. Even in the drum feature at the end of Wildest Dreams, his playing is flash without being indulgent. You can also hear that Harry Whitley is playing off what Donati is doing within how he’s responding on the bass guitar. Have a listen to the bridge section of Without You – the musical interplay between all of the band members is excellent.
I realise I haven’t said much so far about founder, writer and keyboard player Geoff Downes. Watching the video elements, you can see that Downes is enjoying playing as part of this band, and his sounds and textures are of all present and essential to this music. As a bonus track we also get a really strong version of The Buggles’ Video Killed The Radio Star. Much kudos must go to Downes for putting together this line up when, with a busy Yes schedule and other musical commitments, Wetton’s passing could have been the perfect reason to retire Asia.
I must also give some praise to three other tracks. First off, Ride Easy, a great Wetton/ Howe song which at the time was a b-side. While the reunited Original Asia played it as an acoustic track, the full band treatment here is great and it definitely fits as an album / set closer. We also get a sneak peek at The Heat Goes On which presumably will be on the live presentation of Alpha. And finally, on the DVD you also get a live version of Alpha b-side Daylight (a track I simply can’t imagine why it didn’t make the Alpha album given its better than many of the existing songs!) which is a very powerful performance.
I must also add what a great sounding album this is. Live albums can often be hit or miss, but once again it’s kudos to John Mitchell who mixed and mastered the live album, which sounds fantastic through my “big speakers”.
In the interview clips on the DVD, Geoff Downes says that “you’ve got to embrace the past, but not let it dictate how you progress in the future”. I can guarantee that by the end of the CD/DVD/Blu-ray you’ll love these songs all over again and will be first in line for the next show and the forthcoming studio album. If you’re an Asia fan at all, this is a live album you should really check out.
Tracklist:
Heat Of The Moment
Only Time Will Tell
Sole Survivor
One Step Closer
Time Again
Wildest Dreams
Without You
Cutting It Fine
Here Comes The Feeling
Ride Easy (Bonus Track)
Video Killed The Radio Star (Bonus Track)
The Heat Goes On (Bonus Track)
Daylight (Bonus Track-Video Only)
Line Up:
Geoff Downes
Virgil Donati
John Mitchell
Harry Whitley
