MPBrown Music Reviews

  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 #9   Artist:   Emerson Lake & Palmer Album:   Pictures At An Exhibition Year of Release:   1971 Grade:   4 / 5   Band Members Keith Emerson – Hammond organ, pipe organ, Moog synthesizer, Minimoog, Clavinet Greg Lake – vocals, bass guitar, guitar Carl Palmer – drums, percussion     Background The band was formed in 1970 featuring Keith Emerson of the band The Nice, Greg Lake from the band King Crimson, and Carl Palmer of Atomic Rooster.   Emerson was a master of showmanship on his keyboards by playing them upside down or being spun around as well as stabbing the keys with a knife.   Palmer was a fantastic drummer being a flamboyant soloist.   Lake on the other hand was a solid anchor with his guitar playing and vocals.   The band became known as ELP and was one of the largest selling progressive rock acts.   However, that also came with a negative as they were known for ...

  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...