Dukes of the Orient (New John Payne Band)

[dropforge]

We share similar names but I'm not Erik Norlander. I think he has an account here but I don't think he comes here very often.

Have you heard his 2016 album Surreal? I enjoyed it immensely.

You're the other Erik N...Neuteboom, IIRC?

Surreal's alright. I like Seas of Orion a lot more.

[dropforge]

I'm looking forward to Lana Lane's lead vocals on the album.

I look forward to your lead vocals on the album by Sagalicious.

[ytserush]

Payne needs to give up on the Asia thing. It's more irrelevant than ever, at this point.

Been that way for me since 1992.

[taliesin]

I enjoy some of Payne's writing (and of course the hat) but holy crap what a collection of generic song titles.

[ThomasKDye]

I enjoy some of Payne's writing (and of course the hat) but holy crap what a collection of generic song titles.

Yeah, if I had a dime for every song named "Amor Vincit Omnia"...

[taliesin]

Yeah, if I had a dime for every song named "Amor Vincit Omnia"...

Even they may have thought that a title of Love Conquers All would be a bit clichéd.

[bondegezou]

Yeah, if I had a dime for every song named "Amor Vincit Omnia"...

You'd have 70c. Well, at least ASCAP list 7 previous songs with that title, although that's not including Pure Reason Revolution's "AVO" from the album Amor Vincit Omnia.

Henry

[jamesmanzi]

[Guess Who]

It sounds good for my ears.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HkY...ature=youtu.be

Those who appreciate Asia with John Payne (1992 - 2004) and GPS, definitely will like this one as well.

[arturs]

You gotta give John Payne credit for one thing: he doesn't chase trends. He loves his early 1980s AOR and he will go to his grave playing in that style whether he ever makes a dime or not.

[gearHed289]

Sounds very JLT-era Rainbow.

[erik_1099]

It's nice to see the video finally released! We filmed some of it originally in February 2013 over a couple of days and then more recently in September. The video for Seasons Will Change was one of my first music video productions, so it's nice to see this one, which was going to be my second, end up as my most recent production 5 years later! Tempus fugit, I guess.

[erik_1099]

I enjoy some of Payne's writing (and of course the hat) but holy crap what a collection of generic song titles.

Universal themes...

[Dan Roth]

The Making of "Strange Days":



"This has been ten years in the making"

[Dan Roth]

A new video (the 2nd time this song has had a video, though the video from five years ago was put out as Asia featuring John Payne):

[erik_1099]

Interview with John Payne and Erik Norlander about "Seasons Will Change"

[Dan Roth]

Here is a longer track (10 minutes!) from the new album that seems to show them stretching a bit from their previous Asia sound:

[arturs]

^^^ Great track. Thanks for posting. Guthrie on guitar?

[ThomasKDye]

There's some obvious Asia callbacks on this album. The verse of "Time Waits For No One" is reminiscent of "Sole Survivor," with wah wah guitar responses to the vocal lines a la Steve Howe.

[the ferret]

Great album.

Classic rock with a few prog flourishes. It's well played and sung with melodies that stay in your head. If you like John Payne's work at all then this is a must!

[ThomasKDye]

Great album.

Classic rock with a few prog flourishes. It's well played and sung with melodies that stay in your head. If you like John Payne's work at all then this is a must!

I agree with this. I wasn't too inspired by "Strange Days" but the rest of the album is much better and more enjoyable. There's some stepping outside the box and Norlander's keys are tastefully orchestral. If you like Payne's Asia/GPS it's worth getting.

[gearHed289]

Really good track!

[Top Cat]

Here is a longer track (10 minutes!) from the new album that seems to show them stretching a bit from their previous Asia sound:

Thank you for posting this, I wasn't aware this album had been released.
Just ordered the cd on Amazon and got a free download with it to hold me over until the cd arrives.
Sounds like their best work in a long time, and I'm a big Erik Norlander fan as well.

I don't understand the knock on the John Payne Asia era, they did some very good music. I think Arena is one of my favorite albums, and The Day Before the War is very good on that album.
Of course Asia will always be the John Wetton era, but while he was gone I thought they did some great music.

Thanks again, looking forward to a Friday night with beer and the new cd.

[jrw]

http://ultimateclassicrock.com/lou-g...ner-asia-tour/

Guess Payne has to keep using the Asia name to get work.

“Billed as Lou Gramm, the Original Voice of Foreigner and Asia Featuring John Payne, dates covering this year and next are to be announced in the near future.“

[Top Cat]

http://ultimateclassicrock.com/lou-g...ner-asia-tour/

Guess Payne has to keep using the Asia name to get work.

“Billed as Lou Gramm, the Original Voice of Foreigner and Asia Featuring John Payne, dates covering this year and next are to be announced in the near future.“

I had hoped for some tour dates for Dukes of the Orient because we enjoy the cd quite a bit.
John Payne era Asia isn't for everyone, his vocals bring a different flavor to the Asia table, but I think he and Geoff did record some very good songs during their time together.

Wikipedia:
When Downes left in 2006, Payne owned a significant portion of the rights to the band name "Asia"[citation needed], until a legal agreement was set by both bands' management[citation needed]. The original members exclusively continued to perform and record as Asia[citation needed]. On 9 May 2006, John Payne, Geoff Downes, John Wetton, Carl Palmer and Steve Howe contractually agreed that John Payne could continue his 15-year period with Asia as Asia Featuring John Payne. Asia featuring John Payne debuted in 2007 with Payne on vocals/bass, Guthrie Govan on guitar, Erik Norlander on keyboards and Jay Schellen on drums.