naftoli@aecom.UUCP (Robert Berlinger) (12/07/83)
I was one of the 50 million (supposedly) people who listened and watched the Asia in Asia concert (at the Boudakan theatre in Tokyo). It was Greg Lake's debut as Asia's new lead singer and bass player. I always thought that Greg was the perfect singer for ELP. Consider Karn Evil 9 which is really only musical talking. But nevertheless, he did a fine job subbing for John Wetton (back to U.K.?). His singing was a little off at times and very choopy, but the bass playing was right on. Carl did his usual drum solo (it was basically the same as the one I saw and heard at the Meadowlands) which was ok, but he rushed a lot of the fills throughout the concert. Steve's playing was just plain sloppy, he was much better at the Meadowlands. Could be over-exhaustion, cause he's usually premo. Geoff did his solo in the middle of the concert modified somewhat for the rarified atmosphere of tokyo. Not bad. On the whole, the concert was very short (about an hour). Steve skipped some nice classical pieces which he did in Jersey. I assume the concert was short because it was broadcast everywhere and the radio stations wouldn't want it to run too long. Or maybe Greg wanted some time to break in. Will Keith Emerson join the group? "Only time will tell". Robert
rkp@drufl.UUCP (12/08/83)
I would like to add to these comments some of my own. I bought the first Asia album expecting a lot and was kind of disappointed. I never did buy the second album. But, and I hardly ever say this about any group, I think they were better in this concert than I had expected. At least, better than on studio vinyl. The only other band I ever said this about was Emerson, Lake, and Palmer (Gee, what a coincidence). Still waiting to hear "Tarkus," "Karn Evil 9," and "Pictures at an Exhibition" one more time--LIVE! Russ Pierce drufl!rkp
gmk@uicsg.UUCP (12/16/83)
#R:aecom:-29400:uicsg:8300013:000:253 uicsg!gmk Dec 15 20:02:00 1983 I always thought that Greg was the perfect singer for ELP. Consider Karn Evil 9 which is really only musical talking. I like Greg Lake's voice, too, but Keith Emerson did the vocals on Karn Evil 9. Gary Koob ..!pur-ee!uiucdcs!uicsg!gmk
david@randvax.ARPA (David Shlapak) (12/30/83)
Just FYI...
"Karn Evil 9" is a suite from the ELP album "Brain Salad Surgery."
Emerson did only the "computer voice" which occurs at the end of the
third movement...Greg Lake did the rest...trust me, I watched him...
Emerson was always too busy having sexual congress with his (electric)
organ to sing...
Cheers!
--- das