ASIA, FOCUS, MARTIN TURNER & CURVED AIR tour?

[Interstellar]

I don’t know whether it’s true, but it’s always been my impression that Ash really failed to take further steps forward out of what could be thought of as an excess of caution. Four seemed like a conscious decision to get back to basics and just be a regular rock band rather than pursue the slightly more rarefied (dare one say progressive?) musical and lyrical direction of Argus. A real shame, because as a straight ahead rock band they were nothing exceptional, whereas much of Argus, and the more adventurous parts of the first two albums, had something genuinely individual and special. I feel like they had the ability to do more in that vein but instead pursued what seemed like a safer path.

Indeed. WA didn't really play to their strengths. They had a sound of their own, and they clearly had the potential to do something good with it, as their later 70s output indicates - some good songs in there, especially the 'epic' ones, and some very fine guitar work. But they kept on making questionable decisions regarding their musical direction.
Martin Turner was a limited vocalist IMHO, but his singing worked well on Argus combined with AP and TT's voices. And then he apparently decided he was also a rocker with a raspy voice, and then (around 1976) he tried to turn into a crooner. I wish they had used the harmony vocals more. Oh well.
(And let's not talk about the fact that, when M. Turner was replaced by John Wetton, Wetton was criminally underused in the vocal department.)

[bondegezou]

Okay, I had to look it up (we have a cabin about 20 miles from the Lake of the Torches casino). That date in WI is a "Voices of Classic Rock" show with Fran Cosmo (Boston) and Steve Augeri (Journey). I wonder if Payne is just flying himself up for that show and there is a different band playing the music that date.

The AFJP poster includes various dates that are with "Voices of Classic Rock" etc. As I understand it, for these dates, AFJP may play a warm-up set as themselves and then they act as the backing band for the guest singers, Augeri, Gramm etc.

[MudShark22]

That’s interesting; I never heard that expressed in that way, but it makes some sense!

My fave non prog example is Queensryche.
Operation: Mindcrime is a 'hit" with the critics; it's Empire that breaks the bank (and recognizing that...QR plays all of O:M as a 2nd set).

Also - U2 The Unforgettable Fire (their best album imo) is followed by the world breaking but inferior Joshua Tree....

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[Mstove]

The AFJP poster includes various dates that are with "Voices of Classic Rock" etc. As I understand it, for these dates, AFJP may play a warm-up set as themselves and then they act as the backing band for the guest singers, Augeri, Gramm etc.

Then that is a seriously expensive back and forth in their schedule. Mexico, northern Wisconsin, Mexico, Illinois makes no sense logistically.

[bondegezou]

Then that is a seriously expensive back and forth in their schedule. Mexico, northern Wisconsin, Mexico, Illinois makes no sense logistically.

I think AFJP are taking what dates they can!

[Mstove]

I think AFJP are taking what dates they can!

Yeah, I get that, but they can't be making much that way.

[Mstove]

I don't know much about Payne aside from the Asia angle. Does he have a fair amount of money on his own that he can essentially underwrite touring because it is fun?

[bondegezou]

Yeah, I get that, but they can't be making much that way.

I'm pretty certain that, indeed, no, they're not making much.

I don't know much about Payne aside from the Asia angle. Does he have a fair amount of money on his own that he can essentially underwrite touring because it is fun?

I don't know. I've not heard of anything. If he was touring for fun, not money, he wouldn't be touring as Asia Featuring, playing lots of Wetton-era songs.

I would guess he's touring to scrape by. He's a jobbing musician.

[Brad 2 the Bone]

I would agree that Curved Air is pretty much unknown except for some hard core proggers.

We used to have a record store chain in Canada called Phantasmagoria - with the Curved Air album cover as their logo - so they must of have had some sort of impact.

[Mstove]

I'm pretty certain that, indeed, no, they're not making much.



I don't know. I've not heard of anything. If he was touring for fun, not money, he wouldn't be touring as Asia Featuring, playing lots of Wetton-era songs.

I would guess he's touring to scrape by. He's a jobbing musician.

Well, it is more fun playing to larger crowds, at least for some folks, and I assume he gets bigger crowds as Asia Featuring than he would under his own name. Good on him for making this work if he's able to make a living.

[arturs]

I don't know. I've not heard of anything. If he was touring for fun, not money, he wouldn't be touring as Asia Featuring, playing lots of Wetton-era songs.

I would guess he's touring to scrape by. He's a jobbing musician.

Payne co-wrote and directed a Vegas show about classic rock about a decade ago. For a while anyway it was very popular, enough so that his partners tried to cut him out of the profits. IIRC he sued and there was a settlement, so there may have been a windfall from that.

Also, more recently, I remember reading somewhere that Payne is involved in the production and the business side of the "Voices of Classic Rock" show. But I just Googled it now and can't find anything about it so maybe I'm mis-remembering.

But at least it now makes some economic sense. The VCR shows draw a lot of casual fans and they get to see "Asia" as a bonus.

[Mstove]

Payne co-wrote and directed a Vegas show about classic rock about a decade ago. For a while anyway it was very popular, enough so that his partners tried to cut him out of the profits. IIRC he sued and there was a settlement, so there may have been a windfall from that.

Also, more recently, I remember reading somewhere that Payne is involved in the production and the business side of the "Voices of Classic Rock" show. But I just Googled it now and can't find anything about it so maybe I'm mis-remembering.

But at least it now makes some economic sense. The VCR shows draw a lot of casual fans and they get to see "Asia" as a bonus.

That does make more sense.

[Derk]

John Payne's Asia are opening for Kansas in September, and there is supposed to be a new AFJP album out this year called Aviana.

[Dan Roth]

John Wetton’s widow shared this statement today:


"When my beloved husband John Wetton realised that he was coming to the end of his life, he revealed in earnest, the wish for his musical legacy to be upheld by those who were closest to him. Consequently, and with great passion Geoff Downes has been at the forefront of keeping that wish alive by touring the music of Asia throughout the past 7 years.

Last August, Geoff brought together an amazing group of musicians to present the best of Asia at the John Wetton Tribute concert in England. The show was the moving final set of a five hour evening, and it was the first time the outside world would hear the phenomenal Harry Whitley on lead vocals.
Most everyone, including myself, was stunned by Harry’s evocative voice which shares an eerily similar tonal quality to that of John Wetton. Geoff introduced Whitley to a wider audience and we all knew this would be the start of something very special - a new chapter for Asia. At least that is what many of us who saw the tribute had hoped.

Fast forward 9 months, and the musical legacy continues as Geoff Downes, along with Harry Whitley on lead vocals and bass, John Mitchell (The John Wetton Band, Wetton Downes’ Icon, It Bites, Lonely Robot, Kino, Frost, Arena) on guitar and Virgil Donati (Planet X, Ring of Fire) on drums takes Asia music to the US East coast along with legends Focus, Martin Turner ex Wishbone Ash and Curved Air.

It would be easy for me to dismiss Asia without its other band members, proclaiming that it’s not really the band so there’s no point in them going on. There’s a problem with this statement. John Wetton himself would have endorsed this tour as he wanted the music to live on. He would have wanted the name to remain, as long as Geoff leads the way. Changing the name would go against John’s wishes. This is still Asia, and the current group have worked closely with Geoff Downes to respect the integrity of the music. I have seen it and feel comfortable with this current lineup. Everyone you will see on the stage (aside from Harry) has worked with John in different projects (John Mitchell was a member of the John Wetton Band and Icon and was also a close friend. Virgil performed on different occasions as the touring drummer in UK).

The current lineup gives the music a fresh energy which I haven’t experienced since John was alive.
I am personally thrilled to get behind this tour, and I know you will be thrilled too. Please support the legacy by coming to a show near you."

~ Lisa Wetton.

[Man In The Mountain]

Of course, what musician wouldn't want their legacy to continue?

I know it's just been on sale a few days, but I would guess maybe only 10% of tickets have sold at the St. Charles Arcada for this, if even.

It's a shame Curved Air & Focus couldn't do a club tour across the states. That would be beyond awesome.

[JJ88]

I know it's just been on sale a few days, but I would guess maybe only 10% of tickets have sold at the St. Charles Arcada for this, if even.

It's a shame Curved Air & Focus couldn't do a club tour across the states. That would be beyond awesome.

Like I suggested, the other bands must be verging on the obscure by now in the US. In fact they play clubs here in the UK. I hope it does well though.

[yodathedog]

And, July 30 is in IL, not MO

Where the hell is Evans, GA?

[gearHed289]

Of course, what musician wouldn't want their legacy to continue?

I know it's just been on sale a few days, but I would guess maybe only 10% of tickets have sold at the St. Charles Arcada for this, if even.

I guess I still have time to ponder this. I just bought an expensive set of tires, a new lawnmower, and a Thunderbird bass, so I'm trying to watch the spending.

[rapidfirerob]

Of course, what musician wouldn't want their legacy to continue?

I know it's just been on sale a few days, but I would guess maybe only 10% of tickets have sold at the St. Charles Arcada for this, if even.

It's a shame Curved Air & Focus couldn't do a club tour across the states. That would be beyond awesome.

Totally agree. It would have been great for Curved Air to have a full band on the tour. Too expensive no doubt.


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[Rajaz]

Well, that statement by Lisa Wetton gives Geoff her blessing and to be the heir to the Asia throne you could say. And with John Mitchell it will sound awesome.

[Proghound]

The Lancaster PA show only lists Asia, wonder how many venues are supporting the entire lineup...

[roylayer]

The Lancaster PA show only lists Asia, wonder how many venues are supporting the entire lineup...

I'm not sure what you're looking at, but the venue's website clearly lists all bands: https://amtshows.com/show/asia-2024/