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Fantasia: Live in Tokyo_Asia
Product Details
Release Date: 25 June 2007
Format: Audio CD
Label: Eagle
Average Rating: 3 out of 5
As heard on Absolute Radio...
This release features the track '
Heat Of The Moment', as heard on Absolute Radio.
Total reviews (4)
Listened to this constantly over the weekend.
One of the first things I noticed was the mixing. It is just awful.
Carl Palmers drum levels fluctuate on various songs. On some tracks the mixing is ok but on others he is barely audible. A shame as Steve Howe
kind of suffers aswell. Only Downes and Wetton and well upfront. Ironic
as live it was Howe and Palmer that could be heard the most while Downes was constantly buried in the mix.
I saw the band live twice on the UK tour last December and was knocked out
at the power of their sound. This live album has been one of the most anticipated sets I've been waiting years for. I was really hoping for a kick ass live set in the area of what Yes did with Keys To Ascension in '96. Unfortunately Fantasia sounds nothing more than a soundboard recording with overdubs. Even Geoff Downes and John Wetton mention in Downes blog that they've overdubbed various parts.
But don't get me wrong. It's a cracking set list and features the whole of the first album live, 2 tracks from Alpha performed acoustically and 1 track from each of their individual histories. ie. Yes, ELP, The Buggles and King Crimson. You also get a great live acoustic version of fan favourite Ride Easy.
In a way I can still recommend this. John Wetton's voice
sounds better than ever and the rest of the guys can still play really well.
I just wish they could've done a better job recording and mixing it and is
a majorly missed opportunity. Here's hoping they read this and don't screw
up the DVD. Looking forward to the new studio album. CP says they've finished 1 track already.
Rating: 3 out of 5
After going to a recent concert by Asia and buying the "official bootleg" I was swithering whether to buy this album or not, but I am certainly glad that I did. The guys put on a great show and with a bit of tweeking in the studio have produced a top notch cd. This takes me back to my youth. The guys are touring again in December 2007 before releasing a new studio album early 2008. By the way this is the real deal...all four original members.
Rating: 5 out of 5
I saw the reunited Asia in concert in Toronto on Canada Day weekend and this recording doesn't do the band justice. Carl Palmer's drumming at the Toronto show was astounding...he was the driving force behind the performance and his kit sounded incredible. But I find the drums are buried on this recording...I have to strain to hear some of his rolls because they're simply muffled. As well, John Wetton's vocals are too far "up front". The music needs to be a bit louder to achieve a better balance.
All that said, this is still a good performance and the "unplugged" versions of Don't Cry, The Smile Has Left Your Eyes and Ride Easy are fantastic.
Rating: 3 out of 5
I saw the reunited Asia in concert in Toronto on Canada Day weekend and this recording doesn't do the band justice. Carl Palmer's drumming at the Toronto show was astounding...he was the driving force behind the performance and his kit sounded incredible. But I find the drums are buried on this recording...I have to strain to hear some of his rolls because they're simply muffled. As well, John Wetton's vocals are too far "up front". The music needs to be a bit louder to achieve a better balance.
All that said, this is still a good performance and the "unplugged" versions of Don't Cry, The Smile Has Left Your Eyes and Ride Easy are fantastic.
Rating: 3 out of 5
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