[Heeplist] Heep in Asia

[Bob Winward]

I am surprised that no one has barely mentioned the new Asia release.  A
former Heep member/bassist John Wetton (King Crimson, UK) is fronting the
band and still on the top of his game.  One of the world¹s greatest drummers
Carl Palmer of the legendary ELP, a keyboard player that is the best
Keyboard player (that doesn¹t play hammonds) I have ever heard and a fresh
new guitarist that was bor after Asia was founded.

I am talking Gravitas!!  This is the best Asia cd I have heard since Astra
their 3rd release.  Of course if you do not like Asia music you will not
like this.  But if your roots are Yes, ELP, Heep, Genesis like mine are, it
is outstanding and true to their form.  There are 4 nice rockers Gravitas,
Nyctophobia and I would die for You.  Then 5 great uplifting ballads.  The
Closer I Get is the real deal.  This is my favorite track on the cd and I
think Wetton just really shines on this with, the vocal range and the
emotion.  Track 9 closes out the cd before the bonus tracks and has the
classic Asia blend of rock ballad  Til We Meet Again.

If you do not like the style, nothing I say will convince you to like it.
However I am highly impressed and it is the first Asia cd to dominate in my
car since 1986¹s Astra.  I have had the cd for a month now and only took it
out to listen to the Wilkes Booth Band cds, sent to me by Dave Boothby who
is on our list (lurking but reads every post).

I still cannot get over the scant mention of the new Asia release here on a
heep list!  At least Trouble caused some trouble on the list, but Asia has
not even got a single yawn!  I only remember a post from Dave S, and he was
honest that it was not his style of music.