ASIA – Asia in Asia ; Live at The Budokan, Tokyo, 1983 [remastered / remixed] (2022)

Iconic English supergroup ASIA are ready to release “Asia in Asia – Live At The Budokan, Tokyo, 1983“, on multiple formats. ASIA; Geoff Downes (The Buggles / YES, keyboards & backing vocals), Steve Howe (YES, guitars & backing vocals) and Carl Palmer (Emerson, Lake & Palmer, drums) with special guest Greg Lake (Emerson, Lake & Palmer, bass & lead vocals), visited Japan at the end of two years of touring to promote their phenomenally successful eponymous debut album (1982) and the follow-up Alpha (1983).
The second of three shows at the historic Budokan Arena in Tokyo, on 6th December 1983, would make history as first live broadcast between Japan and MTV in America, an amazing achievement for its time.
This performance has previously only been available on VHS, and now has been newly remixed / remastered 2022, on various formats for the first time.
The concert featured some of ASIA’s biggest and most memorable tracks including Time Again, Only Time Will Tell, Sole Survivor, Wildest Dreams and the global hit single Heat Of The Moment.

Greg Lake stepped in, at short notice, following the sudden departure of ASIA’s founder member John Wetton ahead of the Japanese dates. Despite a short period for Lake to learn the songs, and some changes to the arrangements to accommodate Lake’s different vocal range, the Japanese shows were hailed a great success.
Carl Palmer was proud of his former ELP bandmate for performing exceptionally in the situation. “Greg Lake did a great job jumping into John’s shoes. So many songs to sing, he did it so well. It was impressive.”

Geoff Downes, too, was pleased with the event, especially given the massive undertaking. “It was a grand and sumptuous affair. The stage was the iconic ‘A-frame’ shape we had for the US tour. I think we pulled it off admirably in the end. There were some good people behind us: crew, lighting designers, cameramen and backing singers, it was quite a production.”

“The show was an important global commitment,” says Steve Howe, “so we had to rise to the occasion, which we did, with Greg’s help. We couldn’t have done it without him, for sure.”

For Downes, the release stands as a testament to the band’s resilience. “It deserves its place in the Asia catalogue. Aside from its musical strengths, it demonstrates the level of professionalism that we have always striven to bring to the ASIA name.”

While first track ‘Time Again’ is in mono – the rest of the recording is in very good sound quality, remastered to obtain the best from the tapes, and benefited by a modern re-mix.
Asia at the time was a real beast performing live, and this album kills.
Highly Recommended

1 – Introduction from Mark Goodman (MTV) (Live Tokyo 1983)
2 – Time Again (Mono) (Live Tokyo 1983)
3 – The Heat Goes On (Live Tokyo 1983)
4 – Here Comes the Feeling (Live Tokyo 1983)
5 – Eye to Eye (Live Tokyo 1983)
6 – Steve Howe Solo (Sketches in the Sun) (Live Tokyo 1983)
7 – Only Time Will Tell (Live Tokyo 1983)
8 – Open Your Eyes (Live Tokyo 1983)
9 – Geoffrey Downes Solo (Ihiri – The Setting Sun – Bolero) (Live Tokyo 1983)
10 – The Smile Has Left Your Eyes (Live Tokyo 1983)
11 – Wildest Dreams (feat. Carl Palmer) (Live Tokyo 1983)
12 – Carl Palmer Solo (Live Tokyo 1983)
13 – Heat of the Moment (Live Tokyo 1983)
14 – Sole Survivor (Live Tokyo 1983)
BONUS:
15 – Here Comes the Feeling (Live Tokyo 1983 – Satellite Telecast)
16 – Sole Survivor (Live Tokyo 1983 – Satellite Telecast)
17 – Only Time Will Tell (Live Tokyo 1983 – Satellite Telecast)
18 – Heat of the Moment (Live Tokyo 1983 – Satellite Telecast)

Geoff Downes
Steve Howe
Carl Palmer
Greg Lake

Pre order:
burningshed.com/asia_asia-in-asia_cd