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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Great Comeback!, April 9, 2003
Wetton's years was over and Asia got a new singer, whose name was John Payne. He replaced Wetton's place as well as it was possible. Aqua shows that Asia's era was not going to end in the early 1990s. This comeback album has many marvelous ja exciting moments. My favourite tracks are outstanding "Who Will Stop the Rain?" and terrific "Someday". I recommand 'Aqua' those people who like to listen catchy rock music
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Asia's 1991 release is a Triumph!, October 10, 2002
This album, released in 1991 was the beginning of a new chapter of music for the 80's supergroup, Asia.
After the release of the 1990 "Now and Then" an album that consisted of the bands greatest hits plus some newly recorded tracks, thus given the name, the band planned to go forward with a new recording. But the abrupt departure of lead vocalist and bassist John Wetton put a stop to that plan.
But founding member and keyboardist Geoff Downes decided to continue on adding to the then ever changing line-up of the band with vocalist and bass player John Payne. Payne's vocals and song writing abilities are a welcome addition to the band.
Joined by Downes, original members drummer Carl Palmer, guitarist Steve Howe, and the addition of rhythm and lead guitarist Al Pitrelli, "Aqua" is released in late '91 and is a fine effort.
The album is at the time, one of the band's better releases in their nine year career. The disc starts with the lull of the ocean and Howe's acoustic guitar on the opening track "Aqua" then breaks into the rocking "Who Will Stop the Rain".
There are many rocking songs on this disc including; "Lay Down Your Arms", "Back in Town", and "Some Day".
The Asia collaboration of Payne and Downes still continues today, as the band celebrated its twentieth anniversary this year. Their latest effort "Aura" released in 2001 is one of many great recordings the band has put out through the years. Start with this one and you'll find out what you've been missing all these years!
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1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
A Brand New Asia, October 18, 2003
I was very excited to pick up this CD when it first hit the shelves in '91-'92. I'm a huge fan of Asia, but I wasn't aware of a new disc being released. I was sure that there were new band members, but no listing of musicians on the back of the disc..., hmmm. There's only Geoff Downes name listed as a producer. That was enough for me at the time. I opened the CD to find the list of musicians, and see Carl Palmer pictured (Very poorly) as drums/percussion, Steve Howe on guitars, as well as Downes on keyboards. I believe that is where my disappointment started. No John Wetton. I listened to all the tracks, and wondered, "Where is Carl Palmer"?
A closer look revealed two other session drummers were playing, and I could tell Carl was playing on one, maybe two tracks (I'm a die hard CP fan). Disappointing.
Steve Howe makes an appearance on two tracks, oddly enough, the title "Aqua" (instrumentals, I&II). Good tracks, none the less, but only two, I did however like the mood the songs set very much.
Geoff Downes plays on all tracks here, but at this point, I didn't really care. I felt a little betrayed by the marketing and lack of information on the back of the disc. It would of been one thing to be proud of the work they did, but instead, I got smoke and mirrors.
This is not an Asia lineup I care to listen to. You can replace all musicians, in my opinion, except the lead singer, and still call yourself Asia. Geoff Downes must own the rights to the name (in fact, I learned much later after this review, John Payne does, he and Geoff no longer speak to each other). This is truly not an Asia effort, but should classify a Geoff Downes/John Payne effort, doing Asia songs on their live shows.
To lighten up a little, they are very big in Japan and Europe (Shall I pun, and say, "With Asia" too?). There are many people in America who prefer this lineup, which has been somewhat steady for over 18 years, that's six times longer than the tenure of the original Asia, less their all too brief 1990-1991 comeback and tour. (Update, the original Asia lineup is currently touring in 2007, and coming to a city near you, Yea!!)
Another bright spot is the track "Who Will Stop The Rain". It mostly reminds me of a top 40 sound (as a matter of fact, I seem to remember it was).
I don't fault all who played on this disc, but the way it was marketed and presented. Even the cover art leads a person to believe it's a Roger Dean Painting, who up until this disc had done all their cover art (It's not, but a well done Rodney Mathews painting with the Roger Dean "Asia" logo).
This disc, for me, is not worth a listen, other than the 2 Steve Howe songs, and you need to be a die-hard fan of his to collect this one.
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