“Fantasia: Live In Tokyo”
Artist: Asia
DVD: Fantasia: Live In Tokyo
Worth Buying: Definitely!
You might be interested in this album if you are a fan of: Asia, Yes, King Crimson
Tell Me More: Anyone old enough to remember the release of Asia’s eponymous 1982 debut recalls the success of that album, as well as the group’s subsequent sophomore effort, 1983’s “Alpha.”
One of the world’s first true super groups, singer-bassist John Wetton (King Crimson, U.K.), drummer Carl Palmer (Emerson, Lake & Palmer), guitarist Steve Howe (Yes) and keyboardist Geoff Downes (The Buggles, Yes) broke up after only two albums leaving fans of the talented quartet with little more than a few dozen songs to remember the band by.
However, for fans of Asia, the 25th anniversary of Asia was met with a full-blown, extended world tour that displayed the members’ still-dazzling skills intact. Indeed, I was fully impressed with the band’s full-length concert at Vault 350 in Long Beach in September 2006. In addition, the group recorded a new collection of memorable songs, “Phoenix,” that was released in April 2008 and proved to be one of the best rock albums of the year.
Now fans of Asia can pick up “Fantasia: Live In Toyko,” a wonderful DVD title released by Eagle Rock Entertainment that was issued in October 2007 but that I only recently picked up. Filmed in March 2007, the concert DVD features Asia performing 18 songs from those two well-known early ‘80s albums, as well as seminal material the members recorded with their earlier projects.
So in addition to getting top-notch versions of Asia classics such as “Sole Survivor,” “Heat of the Moment” and “Wildest Dreams,” recommended takes on Yes’ “Roundabout,” the Buggles’ “Video Killed the Radio Star” and ELP’s “Fanfare for the Common Man” are performed.
The aforementioned “Sole Survivor” is particularly powerful, with Howe delivering an extended guitar solo that really builds on the original studio recording. Another highlight is “Don’t Cry,” which showcases Wetton’s emotive tenor and sparse guitar playing, while Howe adds strong textures on mandolin.
Does lightening strike the same place twice? As evidenced by “Fantasia: Live In Tokyo,” it did with Asia.
listen to samples here
Buy the DVD here
“Snakes & Arrows Live”
Artist: Rush
DVD: Snakes & Arrows Live
Worth Buying: A must for fans of Rush
You might be interested in this album if you are a fan of: Rush
Tell Me More: Although I didn’t get to see any of the dates on Rush’s Snakes & Arrows tour a few years back, I feel like I had the best seat in the house at one of the concert dates thanks to the release of a recently-released “Snakes & Arrows Live” DVD.
From the set-opening “Limelight” and arresting “Between the Wheels” to the accessible “The Spirit of Radio” and radio favorite “Tom Sawyer,” the Canadian trio is captured perfectly across this impressive 3-disc set. One of the most ambitious concert DVDs I have ever seen, “Snakes & Arrows Live” was filmed with 21 high definition cameras in 16x9 widescreen format over two nights at the Netherlands’ Ahoy Rotterdam arena. In addition, additional songs not featured during either of those shows were chronicled in Atlanta in July 2008 to complete a winning concert experience for fans of the band.
Extras abound on the DVD, with bloopers bringing the personality of the band more into focus for long-time or new fans of the trio. After watching this notable collection, there is no doubt that few bands possess the sonic firepower of singer-vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson and drummer Neil Peart.
After 35 years of music making, they continue to be the rare band able to fuse progressive and classic rock together with a voice that defies categorization and is simply theirs alone.
Snakes and Arrows on DVD
Snakes and Arrows on Blu Ray
CD and MP3 here
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