AQUA (1992)
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crusader
Oct 14, 2009, 3:22:10 PM10/14/09
to John Payne Music
Hi all,
Marc Catchpole has suggested us that there should be a discussion of
who is more AOR or more prog: OA or AFJP. I think both versions are
both with AFJP being the more progressive of the two imo. But instead
of having that discussion, since this is a John Payne discussion
forum, I thought let's better have a discussion of the JP-era ASIA
albums. So let's start with AQUA (1992).
Back in 1992 I walked into the music section of the AAFES (Army and
Air Force Exchange) in Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, TX. (I
was in the Air Force at the time) and saw this cd with a flying
dolphin on the cover art and the familiar Roger Dean logo and thought
this was the weirdest cover art Roger Dean has ever drawn (of course,
it wasn't, it was Rodney Matthews). So I bought the cd thinking this
was the THEN AND NOW lineup of ASIA (Wetton, Downes, Palmer). So I put
the cd in the car cd player and hear the nice acoustic guitar-keyboard
intro first track "Aqua" and thought Steve Howe is back and finally
looks like ASIA has recorded a more prog oriented album. Given the
pedigree of the players, I always expected this band to maximize their
potential and give us a true prog album. Then came track #2 "Who Will
Stop the Rain" and initially thought the vocals were weird, followed
by "this is not John Wetton singing" and I'm like WTF?. At this moment
I don't know who the singer is and I'm pissed off is no JW. But I keep
driving my car and then JP sings "please can you stop...the
raaaaaaiiiiiiinnnnnn" and I almost lost control of the car and said to
myself "s*%t, forget Wetton, who is this guy?" So I stop the cd player
and waited to arrive home to listen to it on my home stereo.
As i began to listen to in my home stereo, I'm looking at the cd
booklet and see the pictures of Downes, Palmer and Howe with two new
guys: the guy with the hat John Payne, the new singer and another
guitarist Al Pitrelli and thought "wow ASIA has become Guns N'
Roses" (LOL) After the initial shock I began to like the cd
immediately, a combination of anthemic rock songs with proggy
arrangements and high quality rock ballads. I thought this is what
ALPHA should have been and never was. It wasn't the prog rock album I
was waiting from ASIA but it was better than I expected, like what
they did in the 80's but with a more modern, heavier approach and
proggier, even Yes-ish in places and had a New Age feel to it too that
I sort of like. It was a return to form after the disaster of ASTRA,
even if it was following the same formula ASIA was known for in the
80's.
So it's been 17 years since the release of this, the first of the John
Payne era. What you think of it now ?
Gerardo (Crusader)
Marc Catchpole has suggested us that there should be a discussion of
who is more AOR or more prog: OA or AFJP. I think both versions are
both with AFJP being the more progressive of the two imo. But instead
of having that discussion, since this is a John Payne discussion
forum, I thought let's better have a discussion of the JP-era ASIA
albums. So let's start with AQUA (1992).
Back in 1992 I walked into the music section of the AAFES (Army and
Air Force Exchange) in Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, TX. (I
was in the Air Force at the time) and saw this cd with a flying
dolphin on the cover art and the familiar Roger Dean logo and thought
this was the weirdest cover art Roger Dean has ever drawn (of course,
it wasn't, it was Rodney Matthews). So I bought the cd thinking this
was the THEN AND NOW lineup of ASIA (Wetton, Downes, Palmer). So I put
the cd in the car cd player and hear the nice acoustic guitar-keyboard
intro first track "Aqua" and thought Steve Howe is back and finally
looks like ASIA has recorded a more prog oriented album. Given the
pedigree of the players, I always expected this band to maximize their
potential and give us a true prog album. Then came track #2 "Who Will
Stop the Rain" and initially thought the vocals were weird, followed
by "this is not John Wetton singing" and I'm like WTF?. At this moment
I don't know who the singer is and I'm pissed off is no JW. But I keep
driving my car and then JP sings "please can you stop...the
raaaaaaiiiiiiinnnnnn" and I almost lost control of the car and said to
myself "s*%t, forget Wetton, who is this guy?" So I stop the cd player
and waited to arrive home to listen to it on my home stereo.
As i began to listen to in my home stereo, I'm looking at the cd
booklet and see the pictures of Downes, Palmer and Howe with two new
guys: the guy with the hat John Payne, the new singer and another
guitarist Al Pitrelli and thought "wow ASIA has become Guns N'
Roses" (LOL) After the initial shock I began to like the cd
immediately, a combination of anthemic rock songs with proggy
arrangements and high quality rock ballads. I thought this is what
ALPHA should have been and never was. It wasn't the prog rock album I
was waiting from ASIA but it was better than I expected, like what
they did in the 80's but with a more modern, heavier approach and
proggier, even Yes-ish in places and had a New Age feel to it too that
I sort of like. It was a return to form after the disaster of ASTRA,
even if it was following the same formula ASIA was known for in the
80's.
So it's been 17 years since the release of this, the first of the John
Payne era. What you think of it now ?
Gerardo (Crusader)
Mike Webb
Oct 14, 2009, 11:52:15 PM10/14/09
to jpm...@googlegroups.com
On 10/14/2009 12:22 PM, crusader wrote:
> As i began to listen to in my home stereo, I'm looking at the cd
> booklet and see the pictures of Downes, Palmer and Howe with two new
> guys: the guy with the hat John Payne, the new singer and another
> guitarist Al Pitrelli and thought "wow ASIA has become Guns N'
> Roses" (LOL)
> As i began to listen to in my home stereo, I'm looking at the cd
> booklet and see the pictures of Downes, Palmer and Howe with two new
> guys: the guy with the hat John Payne, the new singer and another
> guitarist Al Pitrelli and thought "wow ASIA has become Guns N'
> Roses" (LOL)
HAHAHA oh man .. I had to laugh at that. But it's so true, if you just
go by those pictures. I remember having a similar reaction the first
time I looked at the Aqua CD liner. And I remember once when a friend
was looking at the CD and said "so what kind of music is it?" and as he
flipped through the pictures, deciding he had answered his own question,
he said "...Oh." in a dry deadpan tone that cracked me up. I tried to
explain that it might not be quite what he expected based on those
pictures, but I think it was a lost cause by that point...
--
=-= Mike Webb =-=
Oakland, CA
mr...@cornell.edu
nightVzn (IM)
http://nightvzn.livejournal.com/
Josh
Oct 15, 2009, 4:45:41 PM10/15/09
to John Payne Music
I pretty much had the same reaction as well when I saw the pictures.
LOL I hadn't been a fan of Asia's music all that much, aside from the
hits, until the summer of 2000. I bought the first Asia album and
became addicted with it. The next one I bought was Arena. I found
myself trying to get used to John Payne's voice, because when I
thought of Asia, I thought of John Wetton's voice. It took a few
listens, but I was hooked. Payne has such great passion, heart, and
soul. He gives the music what needs vocally. But anyway, I'll save
that for the ARENA discussion. LOL
I stumbled upon AQUA in the spring of 2002, on cassette at a used
shop. It was still in it's shrinkwrap. I enjoyed the fact that Steve
Howe was on here and so was Carl Palmer, so I figured this would be a
terrific album. Boy was I right!!!! As I listened to "Who Will Stop
The Rain," I thought, "This is the new "Heat Of The Moment" for Asia."
And it should've been. I found the CD counterpart of it a few months
later and I listened to it constantly. "WWSTR," "Someday," "A Far
Cry," "Heaven On Earth," such excellent, well-played, well-arranged
songs. Unfortunately at that time, I was unaware that there was a song
missing: "Little Rich Boy." Apparently it was omitted because the US
record company that put AQUA out didn't think it fit with the rest of
the album. Phooey! That's an awesome rock-out song! The ballads were
good, too. I love "Crime Of The Heart." Such a beautiful song. "Love
Under Fire" is okay, but I love "COTH" and "Don't Call Me" just a bit
more.
I was kind of disappointed to find out that Steve Howe only played on
a few songs on the album, playing mostly acoustic guitar, and giving a
pretty decent solo on "Who Will Stop The Rain." I saw that there were
other drummers on the album, too, Nigel Glockler, Simon Phillips, and
I later discovered Michael Sturgis as well. Which songs did Carl
Palmer play on? Does anyone know? I know he went back to ELP at the
time the album was made and was only able to contribute to a few
songs. I wondered why his picture was different from everyone else's.
It seems as if it was put there for credibility, and rightly so. After
all he and Steve are original members, even though on this album,
they're no more than just session players in their own band.
Anyways, back to the album! I listen to this very frequently, though
not as much as Aura or Silent Nation, but I do enjoy it and find it to
be a brilliant transition from the 80's sound to a more 90's approach.
Al Pitrelli does some exceptional guitar playing, even though he's
more of a metal guitarist, which is nothing bad, hell Mandy Meyer was
a metal guitarist and he did a damn fine job on ASTRA.
If I were to give anyone who was interested in hearing Asia with John
Payne singing, who had never heard this incarnation before, I'd give
them this album to listen to first. It has some of the quality of the
80's stuff, with a more rocking feel, and it's a great place to start.
I love this album and I think I'm gonna listen to it right now, while
I'm thinking of it. :)
LOL I hadn't been a fan of Asia's music all that much, aside from the
hits, until the summer of 2000. I bought the first Asia album and
became addicted with it. The next one I bought was Arena. I found
myself trying to get used to John Payne's voice, because when I
thought of Asia, I thought of John Wetton's voice. It took a few
listens, but I was hooked. Payne has such great passion, heart, and
soul. He gives the music what needs vocally. But anyway, I'll save
that for the ARENA discussion. LOL
I stumbled upon AQUA in the spring of 2002, on cassette at a used
shop. It was still in it's shrinkwrap. I enjoyed the fact that Steve
Howe was on here and so was Carl Palmer, so I figured this would be a
terrific album. Boy was I right!!!! As I listened to "Who Will Stop
The Rain," I thought, "This is the new "Heat Of The Moment" for Asia."
And it should've been. I found the CD counterpart of it a few months
later and I listened to it constantly. "WWSTR," "Someday," "A Far
Cry," "Heaven On Earth," such excellent, well-played, well-arranged
songs. Unfortunately at that time, I was unaware that there was a song
missing: "Little Rich Boy." Apparently it was omitted because the US
record company that put AQUA out didn't think it fit with the rest of
the album. Phooey! That's an awesome rock-out song! The ballads were
good, too. I love "Crime Of The Heart." Such a beautiful song. "Love
Under Fire" is okay, but I love "COTH" and "Don't Call Me" just a bit
more.
I was kind of disappointed to find out that Steve Howe only played on
a few songs on the album, playing mostly acoustic guitar, and giving a
pretty decent solo on "Who Will Stop The Rain." I saw that there were
other drummers on the album, too, Nigel Glockler, Simon Phillips, and
I later discovered Michael Sturgis as well. Which songs did Carl
Palmer play on? Does anyone know? I know he went back to ELP at the
time the album was made and was only able to contribute to a few
songs. I wondered why his picture was different from everyone else's.
It seems as if it was put there for credibility, and rightly so. After
all he and Steve are original members, even though on this album,
they're no more than just session players in their own band.
Anyways, back to the album! I listen to this very frequently, though
not as much as Aura or Silent Nation, but I do enjoy it and find it to
be a brilliant transition from the 80's sound to a more 90's approach.
Al Pitrelli does some exceptional guitar playing, even though he's
more of a metal guitarist, which is nothing bad, hell Mandy Meyer was
a metal guitarist and he did a damn fine job on ASTRA.
If I were to give anyone who was interested in hearing Asia with John
Payne singing, who had never heard this incarnation before, I'd give
them this album to listen to first. It has some of the quality of the
80's stuff, with a more rocking feel, and it's a great place to start.
I love this album and I think I'm gonna listen to it right now, while
I'm thinking of it. :)
John Sposato
Oct 15, 2009, 7:16:47 PM10/15/09
to jpm...@googlegroups.com
Thought I should jump in here.
It wasn't until seven years ago that I got into AFJP. I was loyal to OA. I once found the French CD at a shop and put in on the hi-fi at home. I decided to give this arc of Asia a go. I eventually got the rest of the albums. The first CD of Aqua I bought was scratched, so I bought the US CD with JP's glam shot in the booklet, but that also got ruined. I then found a UK reissue that never worked better. Now we wait for Architects of Time.
As for Geoff Downes regretting this period, I don't think he does. For him, that ship has sailed and has he come full circle returning to OA. JP has his lineup. This is old news, as we don't have anything new yet again. It's getting late in the year, and at this rate, I wouldn't be surprised if we have to wait until after New Years for the new record.
It wasn't until seven years ago that I got into AFJP. I was loyal to OA. I once found the French CD at a shop and put in on the hi-fi at home. I decided to give this arc of Asia a go. I eventually got the rest of the albums. The first CD of Aqua I bought was scratched, so I bought the US CD with JP's glam shot in the booklet, but that also got ruined. I then found a UK reissue that never worked better. Now we wait for Architects of Time.
As for Geoff Downes regretting this period, I don't think he does. For him, that ship has sailed and has he come full circle returning to OA. JP has his lineup. This is old news, as we don't have anything new yet again. It's getting late in the year, and at this rate, I wouldn't be surprised if we have to wait until after New Years for the new record.
---- Original message ----
From: Josh <jcrea...@yahoo.com>
To: John Payne Music <jpm...@googlegroups.com>
Date: 10/15/2009 5:06:00 PM
Subject: [JPM] Re: AQUA (1992)
I pretty much had the same reaction as well when I saw the pictures.
LOL I hadn't been a fan of Asia's music all that much, aside from the
hits, until the summer of 2000. I bought the first Asia album and
became addicted with it. The next one I bought was Arena. I found
myself trying to get used to John Payne's voice, because when I
thought of Asia, I thought of John Wetton's voice. It took a few
listens, but I was hooked. Payne has such great passion, heart, and
soul. He gives the music what needs vocally But anyway, I'll save
crusader
Oct 15, 2009, 6:07:36 PM10/15/09
to John Payne Music
Josh,
Carl Palmer plays on "Heaven on Earth" and "Voice of Reason"
Gerardo (Crusader)
> > nightVzn (IM)http://nightvzn.livejournal.com/- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
Carl Palmer plays on "Heaven on Earth" and "Voice of Reason"
Gerardo (Crusader)
>
> - Show quoted text -
Curt
Oct 17, 2009, 6:30:48 AM10/17/09
to jpm...@googlegroups.com
Well as i'm sitting here listening to Aqua extended version I just
heard Little Rich Boy and I'm glad to have the E.V. I have to say Aqua
does remind me of the better music that came out of the 80's.
Understand I date myself with growing up with the Beatle's,
Supertramp, Genesis. Rush, Led Zepelin, The Scorpions and of course
The Michael Schenker Group. It's funny that while still in the Army in
Germany I remember JP's The Passion at that time. So JP here's to ya!
Curt
heard Little Rich Boy and I'm glad to have the E.V. I have to say Aqua
does remind me of the better music that came out of the 80's.
Understand I date myself with growing up with the Beatle's,
Supertramp, Genesis. Rush, Led Zepelin, The Scorpions and of course
The Michael Schenker Group. It's funny that while still in the Army in
Germany I remember JP's The Passion at that time. So JP here's to ya!
Curt
Marc Catchpole
Oct 22, 2009, 2:55:23 PM10/22/09
to jpm...@googlegroups.com
As we weren’t, this popped into my mailbox this afternoon.
If anyone's UK based & fancies trolling along, help yourself!
Mansons Guitar Show THIS WEEKEND
!!
Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th October
Manson’s Guitar Show 2009 announces final line-up and timings.
There’s only two days to go before The 2009 Mansons Guitar Show opens its doors at the Riverside Leisure Centre, Exeter.
The coolest guitar show of the year can now announce its final line-up of artists with two packed days of performances, workshops, master classes and demonstrations including appearance by Pink Floyd’s Guy Pratt and Mark Chadwick from The Levellers.
Just announced to the line-up are top blues
guitarist Bernie Marsden (see pic), best known for his time
with Whitesnake, who has subsequently released many solo albums and is
currently touring with ‘a celebration of Rory Gallagher’s music’. Also
confirmed and new to the line-up is Aziz Ibrahim who works as guitarist with Simply
Red, The Stone Roses and their former vocalist Ian Brown in
whose support band he regularly performs. Bernie will be appearing on Saturday
24th and Aziz
on Sunday 25th October.
New exhibitors have been confirmed and include Engl Amps and Hartke
who join over forty top trade stands representing the best musical gear display
under one roof.
From guitars to basses, acoustic to accessories and amps to effects pedals
there a huge range of gear on display. As well as being able to try the gear
there and experts on hand to answers any questions and exclusive incredible
show deals.
Tickets can be ordered from www.mansons.co.uk or via the Manson team on Tel +44 (0)1392 496379 see prices below:
|
For single day tickets - |
For
weekend tickets - |
For an incredible day out, fantastic show deals, electrifying guitar performances, first class demonstrations and signing sessions, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Come and see a display of the best gear you can lay your hands on and much more...
The Manson’s Guitar Show, it’s unmissable.
Mansons Guitar Shop Ltd
McCoys Arcade
Fore Street
Exeter
United Kingdom
EX4 3AN
+44 (0)1392 496379
www.mansons.co.uk
sa...@mansons.co.uk
crusader
Oct 22, 2009, 3:52:40 PM10/22/09
to John Payne Music
Cool info Marc.
I really liked Aziz Ibrahim's playing on ARENA whith his heavy metal
riffs and eastern influences, especially on "U Bring Me Down", and his
playing on LIVE IN KOLN from the ARIA tour was a revelation to me. I
also happen to own an EP of his called MIDDLE ROAD which has three
versions of the song "Middle Road" and the songs "Kills Me" and
"Murrasi". Very cool stuff. It's not like ASIA, it's his own style,
very different but worth having if you can get it.
Gerardo (Crusader)
On Oct 22, 2:55 pm, "Marc Catchpole" <marc.a.catchp...@btinternet.com>
wrote:
> <mailto:sa...@mansons.co.uk> sa...@mansons.co.uk
I really liked Aziz Ibrahim's playing on ARENA whith his heavy metal
riffs and eastern influences, especially on "U Bring Me Down", and his
playing on LIVE IN KOLN from the ARIA tour was a revelation to me. I
also happen to own an EP of his called MIDDLE ROAD which has three
versions of the song "Middle Road" and the songs "Kills Me" and
"Murrasi". Very cool stuff. It's not like ASIA, it's his own style,
very different but worth having if you can get it.
Gerardo (Crusader)
On Oct 22, 2:55 pm, "Marc Catchpole" <marc.a.catchp...@btinternet.com>
wrote:
> As we weren’t, this popped into my mailbox this afternoon.
>
> If anyone's UK based & fancies trolling along, help yourself!
>
> Mansons Guitar Show THIS WEEKEND !!
>
> Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th October
>
> Manson’s Guitar Show 2009 announces final line-up and timings.
>
> There’s only two days to go before The 2009 Mansons Guitar Show opens its doors at the Riverside Leisure Centre, Exeter.
>
> The coolest guitar show of the year can now announce its final line-up of artists with two packed days of performances, workshops, master classes and demonstrations including appearance by Pink Floyd’s Guy Pratt and Mark Chadwick from The Levellers.
>
> Just announced to the line-up are top blues guitarist Bernie Marsden (see pic), best known for his time with Whitesnake, who has subsequently released many solo albums and is currently touring with ‘a celebration of Rory Gallagher’s music’. Also confirmed and new to the line-up is Aziz Ibrahim who works as guitarist with Simply Red, The Stone Roses and their former vocalist Ian Brown in whose support band he regularly performs. Bernie will be appearing on Saturday 24th and Aziz on Sunday 25th October.
>
> New exhibitors have been confirmed and include Engl Amps and Hartke who join over forty top trade stands representing the best musical gear display under one roof.
>
> From guitars to basses, acoustic to accessories and amps to effects pedals there a huge range of gear on display. As well as being able to try the gear there and experts on hand to answers any questions and exclusive incredible show deals.
>
> Tickets can be ordered from <http://dmtrk.com/17S-2AVX-495KE-1CFD6-1/c.aspx>www.mansons.co.ukor via the Manson team on Tel +44 (0)1392 496379 see prices below:
>
> If anyone's UK based & fancies trolling along, help yourself!
>
> Mansons Guitar Show THIS WEEKEND !!
>
> Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th October
>
> Manson’s Guitar Show 2009 announces final line-up and timings.
>
> There’s only two days to go before The 2009 Mansons Guitar Show opens its doors at the Riverside Leisure Centre, Exeter.
>
> The coolest guitar show of the year can now announce its final line-up of artists with two packed days of performances, workshops, master classes and demonstrations including appearance by Pink Floyd’s Guy Pratt and Mark Chadwick from The Levellers.
>
> Just announced to the line-up are top blues guitarist Bernie Marsden (see pic), best known for his time with Whitesnake, who has subsequently released many solo albums and is currently touring with ‘a celebration of Rory Gallagher’s music’. Also confirmed and new to the line-up is Aziz Ibrahim who works as guitarist with Simply Red, The Stone Roses and their former vocalist Ian Brown in whose support band he regularly performs. Bernie will be appearing on Saturday 24th and Aziz on Sunday 25th October.
>
> New exhibitors have been confirmed and include Engl Amps and Hartke who join over forty top trade stands representing the best musical gear display under one roof.
>
> From guitars to basses, acoustic to accessories and amps to effects pedals there a huge range of gear on display. As well as being able to try the gear there and experts on hand to answers any questions and exclusive incredible show deals.
>
>
> For single day tickets -
> Advance tickets £8 (£10 on door)
> 8-16 Students £4 (£5 on door)
> Under 8s FREE
>
> For weekend tickets -
> Advance tickets £12 (£14 on door)
> 8-16 Students £8 (£10 on door)
> Under 8s FREE
>
> For an incredible day out, fantastic show deals, electrifying guitar performances, first class demonstrations and signing sessions, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Come and see a display of the best gear you can lay your hands on and much more...
>
> The Manson’s Guitar Show, it’s unmissable.
>
> Mansons Guitar Shop Ltd
> McCoys Arcade
> Fore Street
> Exeter
> United Kingdom
> EX4 3AN
> +44 (0)1392 496379
> <http://dmtrk.com/17S-2AVX-495KE-1CFD6-1/c.aspx>www.mansons.co.uk
> For single day tickets -
> Advance tickets £8 (£10 on door)
> 8-16 Students £4 (£5 on door)
> Under 8s FREE
>
> For weekend tickets -
> Advance tickets £12 (£14 on door)
> 8-16 Students £8 (£10 on door)
> Under 8s FREE
>
> For an incredible day out, fantastic show deals, electrifying guitar performances, first class demonstrations and signing sessions, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Come and see a display of the best gear you can lay your hands on and much more...
>
> The Manson’s Guitar Show, it’s unmissable.
>
> Mansons Guitar Shop Ltd
> McCoys Arcade
> Fore Street
> Exeter
> United Kingdom
> EX4 3AN
> +44 (0)1392 496379
> <mailto:sa...@mansons.co.uk> sa...@mansons.co.uk
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