Concert Review: Asia LIVE @ The Canyon Club 11/9/2012

Hard to believe it's been 3 decades since "Heat Of The Moment" first came blasting out of stereos and playing non-stop on the brand new cable channel MTV. 

MTV no longer plays music videos and LPs have been replaced by digitally compressed mp3s but on thing you can still count on are bands playing LIVE on stage...


Prog rock's premiere supergroup, ASIA did just that as they took the stage last night at The Canyon Club in Agoura Hills, CA to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their multiplatinum self-titled CD.

A lot has happened since 1982... members being replaced, band break-ups, a whole new ASIA band led by founding member Geoff Downes and then finally in 2006 a full-fledged reunion tour was mounted with all 4 original members.  

The results were stellar and since then the band has released 3 amazing studio albums: "Phoenix," "Omega" & "XXX."  If you're keeping score that's more new music by these 4 members than was produced by them in their 80's heyday!

So how does ASIA hold up in the year 2012?  That's simple... impeccably!!  

John Wetton's voice sounds as sweetly muscular as ever, Steve Howe's nimble fingers move across the fret board with ease, Geoff Downes mans his multi-keyboard set-up like a Starship Captain piloting a space ship and Carl Palmer lays down a technically proficient/entertaining drum solo that will have people coming out of the bathroom instead of heading toward it!

With a perfect mixture of classic FM hits and new material ASIA continues as a force to be reckoned with on stage and in the studio.  Here's to more new music and more tours as the band continues the next chapter in ASIA history.

Drumroll please... 10 out of 10 drumsticks!!

Set List:

1)  Only Time Will Tell
2)  Wildest Dreams
3)  Face On The Bridge
4)  Time Again
5)  Tomorrow The World
6)  Ride Easy
7)  Steve Howe Guitar Solo
8)  I Know How You Feel
9)  Don't Cry
10) The Smile Has Left Your Eyes
11) Cutting It Fine
12) Holy War
13) Carl Palmer Drum Solo
14) Extraordinary Life
15) Open Your Eyes
- encore -
16) Sole Survivor
17) Heat Of The Moment