Asia - Resonance: The Omega Tour 2010 Live in Basel Switzerland
Frontiers
www.frontiers.it

Rating: C+

In 2010, Asia hit the world tour trail in support of their new released album Omega. The band has now released a double CD and DVD combination package of a concert from Switzerland from that tour. The band, made up of guitarist Steve Howe, bassist/vocalist John Wetton, keyboardist Geoff Downes and drummer Carl Palmer are consummate musicians who created a worldwide following with the release of their eponymous debut album back in 1982. Since reforming the original lineup people have flocked to see Asia.

The concert is well recorded but the CD is the winner of the two here, as the DVD lighting was not well done. There is too much light in the faces of the performers and the band seem a little lackadaisical on stage for many of the tunes.

The down side of this release is the songs from Omega and other albums that were not hits. The music is not in the same class as Asia’s classics. The upside is the classic tunes, including “Heat of the Moment,” “Only Time Will Tell,” “The Smile Has Left Your Eyes” and “Sole Survivor.” The acoustic version of “Don’t Cry” is another highlight.

All in all, this is a good effort and Asia fans will see it as a collection they must have. At the end of the day, while good, it is not great. One bets that if they would release a similar release with the first album played in it’s entirety that it would be received better.

By Jeb Wright