The (John Payne era) Asia appreciation thread
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Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Prog Bands, Artists and Genres Appreciation
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URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=109694
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Topic: The (John Payne era) Asia appreciation thread
Posted By: Kingsnake
Subject: The (John Payne era) Asia appreciation thread
Date Posted: December 16 2016 at 05:00
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Let's focus on the material Asia put out with John Payne at the helm, in this thread. One of the longest serving vocalists (and bassist) of the band, and a very important songwriter. In the Payne/Downes era the band put out these albums: Aqua Aria Arena Archiva 1 Archiva 2 Aura Silent Nation As Asia featuring John Payne, John Payne put out these albums: Militairy Man (ep) Recollections (cover album) As GPS, John Payne put out an album with Guthrie Govan and Ray Schellen: Window to the Soul (wich can be seen as a follow-up to Silent Nation) To me, the albums Aria, Arena and Aura are amongst the best pop-rock-neoprog albums ever released. Great production, great musicianship with topnotch musicians (Al Pitrelli, Mike Sturgis, Aziz Ibrahim, Elliott Randall, Guthrie Govan, Chris Slade, Simon Philips, Ian Crichton, Steve Howe, Pat Thrall, Vinnie Colaiuta, Tony Levin, Luis Jardim, etc.) The sound and nostalgic feel really appeals to me. Aria and Aqua are also great, but sound colder and more distant.
Arena and Aura sound warm. |
Replies:
Posted By: Magnum Vaeltaja
Date Posted: December 16 2016 at 10:47
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It's been a while since I listened to any Payne-era Asia but I remember liking a few tracks off of Aqua quite a bit. Possibly my favourite Asia album after the debut. ------------- when i was a kid a doller was worth ten dollers - now a doller couldnt even buy you fifty cents |
Posted By: Tom Ozric
Date Posted: December 16 2016 at 22:21
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I have Aqua but haven't listened to it for years. When I visited Singapore during the early 90's, I got the cover art of the Aqua album printed onto a T-Shirt. Still have it, but it doesn't fit anymore. Cool that Pitrelli was in Megadeth for a while. |
Posted By: Kingsnake
Date Posted: December 17 2016 at 02:05
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I really like Arena, because of the two guitarist involved (Aziz Ibrahim and Elliott Randall). It has a reall nostalgic feel to it. Also Payne and Downes combined are so much better songwriters than Wetton/Downes. Payne also has more soul in his voice.
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Posted By: LTocher
Date Posted: January 22 2017 at 02:00
| Aura is a really good album in my opinion, as is Rare and half of Arena. Aqua had a lot of potential but never seemed to fully realize it, but I do think this period gets a lot less credit than it deserves... Aura in particular. |
Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: September 10 2017 at 02:10
Pitrelli was in Savatage as well and briefly was Alice Cooper's guitarist at some point. Aqua is my favorite Payne era album. I don't think the Payne-Downes collaboration released anything weak.
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Tom Ozric wrote:Posted By: cstack3
Date Posted: September 10 2017 at 22:12
Pitrelli is also a guiding force in Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and the guy can wail! I need to go back and listen to these albums, thanks for the reminder. ------------- I am not a Robot, I'm a FREE MAN!! |
Posted By: Kingsnake
Date Posted: September 11 2017 at 04:58
Al Pitrelli even started out in Danger Danger. Yes, he's done a lot, from progmetal to hairmetal. Also mostly all guitarparts on Dead Winter Dead by Savatage were played by him, because when Jon Caffery joined the band (for the second time) the recordings were already finished. I think when you want to really hear Pitrelli during his stint with Asia, Aria is the album to check out. A very consistent recording, with no guest-musicians, just Downes/Payne/Sturgis/Pitrelli.
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Posted By: SteveG
Date Posted: September 11 2017 at 07:13
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I've been so disinterested in Asia that I don't even know who John Payne is! Seriously! ------------- This message was brought to you by a proud supporter of the Deep State. |
Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: September 11 2017 at 07:16
John Payne was the replacement of Wetton. He sang and played bass in Asia for almost 14 years. |
Posted By: Kingsnake
Date Posted: September 13 2017 at 03:06
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^ and ^^ Read the first post. Payne was an important keymember and songwriter for the band.
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