Customer Reviews

Military Man

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Hmmmm, doesn't seem like too many even know of this disc's existence. This USO charity CD single is the first studio material released by John Payne's version of supergroup Asia(Heat Of The Moment, etc.). Basically, it's new versions of two signiture Payne-era Asia tunes, a new instrumental written by new keyboardist Erik Norlander, and two 'single edits' of the two Asia tracks. The two Asia tracks, 'MILITARY MAN' (originally from 'ARIA', 1994) and 'LONG WAY FROM HOME' (Originally from 'SILENT NATION', ten years later in 2004) have some extra gloss and clarity but don't stray too far from the originals. Erik Norlander appears to be an adequate replacement for Geoff Downes, adding his own touch where the music permits. The instrumental 'NEUROSAUR' goes even further into the prog/fusion/metal direction with the virtuoso keyboard twiddling, almost as if Rick Wakeman had been the original keyboardist of Asia instead of Downes. This is what they may have sounded like. The two 'edits' are unnecessary, as chopped up versions of songs are really nobody's thing.

A decent single, but the true test for Payne and his alternate Asia lineup will be when they finally release their studio album of new work to parallel the original Asia's own new disc 'Omega' this year. This may tide you over till then.

Military Man is a good song ... Having said that, John Payne needs to get a life. It's disturbing he's putting out material and doing the classic Asia songs, live - without a SINGLE guy in the outfit having originally been in Asia - and he doesn't see anything wrong with it. He needs to get a life, or/and put out more GPS music (which the debut album was good). There's already ASIA ... So there is a couple good songs on the CD but it has no bznz having that name anywhere on it, much less the cover. Too bad Mr. Payne doesn't have a close, tell-it-like-it-is friend tapping him on the shoulder and saying: "John - stop it."