I love live albums. I wouldn’t care if a band released a disc from every tour they did, year in and year out. It is a wonderful way to follow the energy and creativeness of a band that you love. This time around, Asia has documented the tour of their first studio effort, Phoenix, since reforming. The result is a great track listing that features five songs from their classic debut, five songs from their sophomore effort, Alpha, and a few from the, then, new release.

The set, recorded in 2009, has been released in a Special Edition Box Set that features a CD and a DVD of the performance. The CD includes the bonus track “Midnight Sun” and a remake of the ELP classic “Fanfare for the Common Man” while the DVD slips in the King Crimson classic “In the Court of the Crimson King” complete with a guest flute performance by Crimson alum Ian McDonald.

The DVD is a great addition to the CD. While Asia don’t do much moving around onstage, and, lets face it, Steve Howe makes the worst guitar face ever, the band’s stage set is cool and they are all virtuosos. John Wetton’s voice is still silver smooth, he strains a tad to hit the high notes but he hits them. Howe, Carl Palmer and Geoff Downes are all incredible musicians. Asia are the kings of prog-pop and the live versions of “Only Time Will Tell,” “Time Again,” “The Heat Goes On,” “Solo Survivor” and “Heat of the Moment” show why. They were able to tap into something that had not been done before and make progressive rock palatable for the everyday music lover. There is still enough meat on the bone for the prog snob as well. One should not overlook some of the songs from Phoenix either. “An Extraordinary Life” is one of Wetton/Downes most poignant moments and a highlight on both the CD and DVD.

At the end of the day, it is still hard to believe the original lineup of Asia are back together. They have remained together, this go around, nearly three times longer than back in the day. The band seem to be enjoying their music, once again leaving us hope that they can recapture the magic of the first two studio albums, and prove they can, indeed, do it time and time again.

By Jeb Wright