The Beach Boys and Asia - Episode 93

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Music Worth Buying 01/21/09 Asia & Rush Live DVDss

This review was contributed by guest writer Robert Kinsler

“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.

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“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

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Music Worth Buying week of 08/25/08 (Lost Classic) Jethro Tull

Artist: Jethro Tull

Album: A Passion Play

Worth buying? Yes. The whole album:

You might be interested in this music if you are a fan of: Progressive Rock, Art rock, Blues, Folk, Baroque, and Hard Rock.


Tell me more: When you mention the words Jethro Tull and Concept album, most people think of "Thick As A Brick". But for me the real jewel is "A Passion Play". WARNING: This is not easy listening. This is put on your headphones and close your eyes (or read the lyrics book if you have one) listening.

Now a concept album is supposed to be about something and I think I will quote the band's official website since I feel that they are best qualified to describe this masterwork: "Thematically, the concept album chronicles, as the title implies, a story of life and death, beginning with a recently deceased man viewing his own funeral, descending into purgatory and Hell, then reincarnated"........How'z that for a concept ?

The album begins with the sound of a beating heart. musical themes from the album that you are about to hear shift in and out and build into a dark and maniacal organ driven instrumental. Upon it's crescendo this short instrumental falls back into the heart beat which begins to slow down further and further until....it stops. Finally lead singer Ian Anderson's voice comes into play and the musical journey begins. What follows runs the gamut from folk, baroque, classic, hard rock, and pop. After 20 minutes it leads to the album's very strange midsection. A short interlude (An intermission so to speak) entitled the "The story of the hare who lost his spectacles". Suddenly the band is now backing up a narrator who recites a peculiar non sensical children's story. At the end of the story the band seamlessly picks up right where it left off and the 2nd half of the Passion play begins. This humorous and childlike mid section is in stark contrast to the rest of the albums dark and serious themes, but I enjoy it as much as the rest. Even among Tull fans this album draws sharp opinions. Like the Beatles White Album, some feel it is their best and some feel it is their worst. Personally, I think that at it's best great art generates only passionate feelings, you either love it or hate it. The original vinyl album was of course divided into two sides. On CD or your mp3 player, the album also works as one continuous 45 minute piece of music.

In a world where we are all trying to multi task "Passion Play" asks you to stop and truly listen.....and then listen again. I was richly rewarded for doing so and continue to be richly rewarded each time.

What about the packaging: The new remasterd version comes as an enhanced CD with CD rom features,  An extended booklet with lyrics, new liner notes, and the original theater program. It is packaged in a standard jewel case

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