Search - Asia :: Live Acoustic

Something different from Asia!

Jeffery K. Matheus | Indianapolis, IN United States | 03/08/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Asia's simply titled "Live Acoustic" is taken from a one-off September 1997 "unplugged"-style gig at a German "art rock" festival. Geoff Downes said in an interview that the gig was not originally booked as an acoustic gig, but because of equiptment problems and the fact that the band did not have ample time to rehearse with new drummer Bob Richards on board (as it turns out, this was to be his only recording with Asia), the gig sort of just 'evolved' into an impomptu "Asia Unplugged" show. Well, the results are better than what you'd probably expect. Other than a few spots that are a little rough around the edges, the band sounds mostly very tight and confident in this very different format, and they cover a wide variety of material, older and newer. Two of the best tracks are the notably 'mellower' versions of two tracks from Asia's 1994 release "Aria", namely "Summer" and "Military Man" - both sound quite natural and enjoyable in this plantive, piano-based setting, and both feature great soulful vocal performances from the excellent John Payne. (The rockin' studio version of "Military Man" may still the ultimate version of the song, but the acoustic version is an excellent "re-imagining" of it!) Some other tracks that really work well in the acoustic setting are "Different Worlds", "Feel's Like Love", and "Don't Call Me", performed energetically with loudly-strummed acostic guitars and some nice bongo/conga-style percussion from Richards. Guitarist Aziz Ibrahim (who was also featured on the "Arena" album) fills out the music nicely with some slick acoustic-lead picking replacing his usual "rock" riffs. The band sounds like they were really having a good time performing this show, and it's nice to hear Downes & Payne joking around with the audience, and each other. (In fact, Payne can actually be heard cracking up during the encore of "Heat of the Moment - which lends the album a definite aire of fun and spontaniety not usually associated with Asia.) The title track from 1996's "Arena" gets sort of a spanish/flamenco-flavored treatment, and "Sad Situation" adds a guest string-quartet for a version that is far more classical/new age-y than the original recording on "Aria". Granted, a few of these songs will always sound best in their electric, full-band arrangements, such as "Who Will Stop The Rain" and the classic hit "Only Time Will Tell" (Payne sang a much better version of "Only Time" on the bands "Antholgy" compilation from around this same period.) However, all in all, this is an excellent addition to the CD library of any Asia fan, particularly those who don't mind hearing the band do something new and different!"