MPBrown Music Reviews

Album Review #25   Artist:  Icon (John Wetton and Geoff Downes) Album:   Icon Year of Release:   2005 Grade:   4.5 / 5   Band Members John Wetton – vocals, bass, acoustic guitar Geoff Downes – keyboards, vocoder John Mitchell – guitars Steve Christey – drums Hugh McDowell – cello Annie Haslam – vocals on “In The End”   Background John Wetton is one of my favorite singers.  As a member of King Crimson, UK, and Asia, he found much acclaim and success but it was not until Asia when he really found his niche.  Geoff Downes found success in The Buggles (“Video Killed The Radio Star”) then later in Yes and Asia.   After the breakup of the Wetton iteration of Asia after three albums, Wetton focused on solo work.  With newfound sobriety, John Wetton and Geoff Downes began writing songs together.  In some ways, it was a trial run of a potential Asia reunion (which would actually happen then next ...

  Album Review #22   Artist:  Asia Album:   Phoenix Year of Release:   2008 Grade:   4.5 / 5   Band Members John Wetton – lead and backing vocals, bass guitar Steve Howe – electric, acoustic and steel guitars, harmony vocals on "Wish I'd Known All Along" Geoff Downes – keyboards Carl Palmer – drums, percussion   Additional Musicians: Hugh McDowell - cello   Background Asia released their monstrously successful self titled debut album, which was the biggest selling album of 1982.   Their rushed follow up album “Alpha” was released in 1983.   While it was successful, it fell far short in sales than their debut album but still went platinum.   This caused friction in the band.   MTV announced “Asia in Asia” live concert broadcast.   Singer/bassist John Wetton was booted from the band with no notice and shortly before the “Asia in Asia” promotion.   Part of the...

  Album Review #1   Artist:   Asia Album:   Asia Year of Release:   1982 Grade:   5/5   Band Members John Wetton (Bass, Vocals) Steve Howe (Guitar) Geoff Downes (Keyboards) Carl Palmer (Drums)     Background To be honest, this album came out of the blue for me.   I was heavily into music – primarily in the standard rock vein.   The term supergroup was tossed around at the time but to be honest, the only one of the band members that I had heard of previously was Carl Palmer (of Emerson, Lake, & Palmer fame).   Joining him were guitarist Steve Howe (of Yes), Geoff Downes (of Yes and The Buggles), and John Wetton (of King Crimson, UK, Uriah Heep, and Roxy Music).   This was the biggest selling album of 1982 in the US.   Track Listing 1.        Heat Of The Moment (Wetton, Downes) 2.        Only Time Will Tell (Wet...