John Payne & Erik Norlander's Dukes Of The Orient ~ Dukes Of The Orient (aka debut) (album review) ... Asia Featuring John Payne ends in glory!

Style: prog rock, hard rock
Label: Frontiers.
Year: 2018
Home: California

Members: John Payne ~ lead vocals/guitars/bass
Erik Norlander ~ keyboards/b. vocals

Additional: Jay Schellen ~ drums
Guthrie Govan, Bruce Bouillet, Jeff Kollman, Moni Scaria ~ guitars
Molly Rogers ~ strings

After the death of original Asia frontman John Wetton, the band Asia Featuring John Payne was retired ... only to be soon reborn as the Dukes Of The Orient with a much anticipated debut album on the home run making label Frontiers Music. I say 'home run', as while there's been albums they've released I've not personally liked, I honestly can't think of anything I've heard that wasn't top notch quality, particularly from older musicians who have been on the scene for decades. Frontiers is great when a musician needs a bit of a re-invention, or shot of inspiration to get back to doing what they do best. Since keyboardist Geoff Downes left Asia to join the re-union of the original line-up, leaving Wetton successor John Payne to carry on as Asia Featuring John Payne, recordings had been numerous by the reunion group but few by the Payne led version. Honestly, I wish it was the opposite. I liked some of what I heard by the re-united original Asia, but there was a lot of filler & a lot of it sounded more like Wetton-Downes than a group effort, while I liked most of what I heard by Asia Feat. John Payne but just wanted more. Payne's writing has always been top-notch & I would propose maybe better than the early overly commercial Asia hits. I also love his deep voice far better than Wetton's. I think he has one of the strongest baritones in the rock world, even more so than Paul Rodgers. While Downes successor in keyboardist Erik Norlander might just be one of the best prog-rock keyboardists on the scene of the last decade. His solo effects I have reviewed here & highly recommend. I also have felt Downes might be a good composer, but he always had a light touch to my ears. Norlander is much more willing to take musical chances & brought a heavier non-commercial feel to the Asia sound. Maybe I'm biased. A decade after first discovering Norlander I can recall many of his keyboard bits, whereas I can't hum a single note I've ever heard Downes play, including from Yes & the Buggles. Thus, every bit of new music from Payne, Norlander & company, even if under a new name & classy retro look, is exciting & much welcomed. Yes, the self-title debut by the Dukes Of The Orient lives up to expectations. There is a fine line between the two entities. Payne & Norlander are now the primary members of the Dukes, but are joined by some past members of Asia Feat John Payne & Asia. While the album includes "Seasons Will Change", which was released years earlier with a video under the name of Asia Feat. John Payne. Its thus hard to persuasively argue that the Dukes is not essentially Asia. Though, I do not know how much else on the album dates from pre-Duke recording sessions. There could be a lot or a little, so that missing info will sway me to if I see this as Dukes or Asia with a new name. For years there was talk of a new Asia Feat. John Payne album tentatively named Americana, so is this those lost recordings? I don't know. For the sake of argument, for a moment let's say there is no difference between the two groups. In that case, thank you god for aligning the stars to have Payne & company release this album. Now, let's say outside some overlap Dukes is a new musical entity. In that case, thank you god for keeping alive the sound of Payne & company that so many of us have enjoyed & supported, even saw in concert (in the famed Manhattan concert of only Payne & Norlander where his keyboard's computer rebooted mid-solo). Asia Feat. John Payne was a powerhouse group making some amazing heavy prog that I didn't hear elsewhere, while Payne's voice hasn't aged a day. When he would sing "Military Man" with earlier line-ups of Asia you felt like he was a proud soldier in the heat of battle, far different than so many of his prog peers who sang with more a cosmic feeling regardless of the lyrical content. When he laments here of "Strange Days" you can feel his heart tearing from his chest. I find myself singing along even. It helps that the album isn't full of cliched cliched songs of love or typical rock odes to one's lustful desires. He has something to sing about & put his heart into. "Brother In Arms", "Time Waits For No One", "A Sorrow's Crown", "A Fourth Of July," "Give Another Reason" are the titles on the Dukes album. Out of 8 songs that's a lot that don't give any hint that this will be a bang bang girl guy cock rock song. As he sings in the rockin' "Brother In Arms": "In this life / do not forsake me / scorch the land of misery ... My brother in arms / I cannot take anymore  ... My brother in arms / why are we fighting this war." Powerful stuff, made even better with a great ascending melody the shows how strong Payne's vocals are. Thus, what was started with Asia continues here without any shortcuts, via great emotional singing & unpredictable musical landscapes. The Dukes craft songs where every instrument contributes to the groove, versus just a bland riff or a beat with some solos. These are well crafted songs that sound inspired. I enjoyed this album when it debuted. Listening again years later to write this review, I come away from the experience with the same feeling as the first listen: I'm left breathless, my heart has been pumping a bit faster, my emotions exhausted after a wonderful musical journey. Its an experience, not just music to listen to in the background. The Dukes website reads: "If you like albums such as Aqua, Aura, or Silent Nation then Dukes Of The Orient is for you!" Honestly, I think this is far better than all three of those album, as Dukes Of The Orient take it up a notch with less filler, a harder edge & more memorable songs. This is the Asia Feat John Payne you've been waiting for, now staking their royal claim.

John Payne's Asia ~ The Collection (hits comp) (album review) ... Don't put a wall around this Asia!

Style: progressive rock
Label: Snapper Music
Year: 2000
Home: n/a

Members: John Payne ~ bass/guitar/vocals
Geoff Downes ~ keyboards/drum programming/b. vocals
Steve Howe ~ lead guitar
Al Pitrelli, Elliott Randall, Aziz Ibrahim ~ lead guitar
Carl Palmer, Mike Sturgis ~ drums

Additional: Simon Phillips, Nigel Glockler ~ drums
Andy Nye ~ keyboards
Scott Gorham ~ guitar

Guests: Tomoyasu Hotei ~ lead guitar
Luis Jardim ~ percussion


There are countless compilation albums out there by the pop-prog early 80's supergroup Asia, which is rather strange considering they only had two successful studio albums before line-up changes leading to a fast fall from the charts & only a couple certified AOR hits in the mix. But, of course, it's always the bands that are one hit wonders or quasi-one hit wonders that seem to have enough hits for a full on compilation & countless variations of such via reissue after reissue ... & the world of music PR & royalty payments would want it no other way. The big bands are too expensive to reissue, but let's maximize the potential of the smaller bands with lower royalty rates & make them the Kmart discount bin favorite & in the end make the hits seem bigger than they really were ... though Asia really did hit the top of the charts with all its glory, they just didn't stay there long. Plus the fact Asia is a catchy memorable name that doesn't belay too much of what the music sounds like, while featuring famed alumni of Yes, the Buggles, King Crimson & Emerson, Lake & Palmer makes them a special quasi-one hit wonder even more ripe for countless run of the mill skimpy packaging reissues for unsuspecting buyers looking for a surprise. But, having said all that, this European compilation might be the most interesting & unique sounding collection of Asia that, intentionally or not, shows a different side to the band. Not the most representative, just unique. But, first, like many Asia collections the contents are a bit deceptive to the unknowing new fan. This is not the original hit making line-up of Steve Howe, Geoff Downes, John Wetton & Carl Palmer, nor the Mandy Meyer third album line-up, but the fourth album Asia featuring keyboardist Downes with new bassist/vocalist John Payne & a rotating mix of drummers & guitarists including future Megadeth guitarist Al Pitrelli in an under-utilized almost throwaway role. The John Payne era, as its regularly labeled, is often featured on compilations with the collected songs starting from album four, Payne's debut, & being deceptively labeled as hits though the hits were already a decade past & with a different line-up. The deception is expanded upon by the inclusion of the early hits, "Only Time Will Tell", "Heat Of The Moment" & "Don't Cry", though that last one is mysteriously missing from this particular release, but all of these having been re-recorded note perfect by Payne & Downes. For the release of the first major official greatest hits package Anthology lawsuits prevented the original songs from being used, thus remakes were created & its these remakes that get reissued & reissued hoping no one will realize the difference or maybe will think they are alternative versions or something is just wrong with the vocal track. The fact that the re-makes are stunningly accurate makes the deception that much worse for consumers. Except for the vocal tone it's hard to even criticize the remakes, though to be fair it would have been better to re-invent the songs. Dumping the remakes, between the two eras a nice greatest hits package could be created ... but this is not it & it has yet to happen & probably never will now that two bands tour under the Asia name one with Payne & his current line-up & the other with the original line-up. While poor Mandy Meyer doesn't get a chance. Thus, we are left with piecemeal greatest hits packages like Anthology & The Collection. The lack of "Don't Cry" here while odd is unintentionally perfect. It indirectly verifies that this Payne era collection is not a greatest hits collection, but just a collection as the title says. While it's a collection featuring an unusual choice of songs, that is things that usually don't make the reissues. The selections are dominated by a more ballady AOR side of Asia, versus the rocking prog that mark the hits. At times it doesn't even sound like Asia in any era. The songs are dominated & driven by Downes keyboards, as they would be for much of the Payne era, while the more gutsy Payne songs are excluded. The guitar focused tracks are the Payne era tracks that featured former member Steve Howe in a guest role & are light weight instrumentals that were no more than transitional moments on the original studio releases, including the Santana sounding "Into The Arena", the classical tinged "Bella Nova", plus "Ginger" & "Aria". These are culled from the studio albums Arena, the third Payne release, & Aria, the second Payne release, & Archiva 1 an outtakes collection. It's as if the reissue grabbed every later era Howe song they could, though actually there's a few missing that might be better choices. Alongside these are two of the standout tracks from the Payne era in "Military Man" & "Someday". Again, this is not a greatest hits album & doesn't even come close to collecting the hits of either era. What remains are lesser tracks from the first three Payne albums (i.e. "Lay Down Your Arms", "Back In Town", "Don't Cut The Wire (Brother)", "Arena", "U Bring Me Down") & some tracks from the two part Archiva albums that collected outtakes, demos, songs that never made the cut & tracks from early in the Downes/Payne partnership (i.e. "Boys From Diamond City", "Don't Come To Me", "The Smoke That Thunders", "Armenia"), plus "A.L.O." that comes from Paynes brief time in ELO. The Collection ends up feeling like something akin to a B-Sides collection. As time went on Asia with Payne would become much more gutsy with more focus on his vocals, but in the early days there was a deliberate attempt to have a smooth transition from John Wetton's lighter vocal approach & with the heavy amount of Archiva tracks that transition moment is the feeling here. The transition time also predates any guitarist other than Payne to contribute fancy leads so thus the cause of the keyboard dominance as Asia really was just a duo at this time. Sadly, some folks may buy this & be surprised when they go to check out other albums by the band. This is always the case with compilation albums, no matter how carefully put together, but maybe even more so with this release. While it may be even sadder the fact that the gutsy feeling Payne brought the band that clearly separates him from the original line-up is lost here.

Asia ~ Aqua (album review) ... Trying hard not to drown!

Style: British, rock, prog rock
Label: InsideOut Music
Year: 1992
Home: n/a

Members: Geoff Downes ~ keyboards/b. vocals
John Payne ~ bass/guitar/vocals
Al Pitrelli ~ guitar

Additional: Michael Sturgis, Simon Phillips, Nigel Glockler ~ drums
Ant Glynne, Scott Gorham ~ guitar
Mats Johanson ~ guitar solo

Guests: Steve Howe ~ guitar/mandolin
Carl Palmer ~ drums

This quasi-comeback album with a retooled line-up is not a bad step in new direction, it was good enough to initiate a new era, but it has some weaknesses. All of the weaknesses, which get heavily debated in Asia fan circles & has led to a division among fans over which line-up they prefer, largely get cleaned-up on the follow-up Aria. The result is this might be the more experimental album when it comes to its musical palette yet also more in line with the old Asia sound, while the follow-up has a stronger set of songs & is closer to what Asia would become. That being said, both albums are important moments on the Asia timeline & necessary purchases for any fan & will rise or fall largely dependent on what sound one wants to hear. While original member Geoff Downes had recruited singer/bassist John Payne to step into the shoes of John Wetton in the new line-up not all the material for this re-tooled line-up was written from scratch. Some songs were new, but others came from Payne's previous band while other came from an earlier reunion attempt & not written for Payne's voice. Payne enters his new gig shining with a strong vocal presence, but there are times the production feels like the band is trying to lesson the wide gap between his & Wetton's singing styles & vocal tones. Personally I find Payne the stronger & more textured singer & thus this cover-up approach on a couple songs ends up weakening the material as it tries to stand too much in the shadow of the past. Partly in response to this Payne's vocals would be up & center with no imitative moments on Aria. It also ends up making this feel like a transitional album versus a clear strong step in new directions, something also repaired on Aria where a majority of the songs were new. Payne's vocals is one of the most noticeable changes on the new album as traditionally Asia had somewhat of a focus around Steve Howe's guitar playing, but here he's only a guest on a couple tracks primarily in some intro/outro instrumentals & not involved with the songwriting. Unable to even begin to emulate Howe's style the remaining guitar playing on the album is in a completely different mode that takes Asia in a new hard rock direction away from the pop prog, all courtesy of famed session player & former Alice Cooper guitarist Al Pitrelli. Successive guitarists would come to find a fusion between Howe's pop prog & Pitrelli's rock for some hard rock & far more interesting prog. Pitrelli does contribute some strong playing by not over-playing, almost to the point of perfect under-playing for the biggest impact, but it leaves the guitar in an accessory position versus an intricate contributor. Though, while it might be some strong playing this is not an album to turn to for his best playing. His soloing skills are under-utilized for instead textured rhythms a la 80's power chords which is indistinguishable from countless sessions he was doing at the time, including Donny Osmond & Taylor Dayne. The fact he didn't write the songs, like Howe, but was called in later in their development, the same as would be done on Aria, would never really give him a chance to shine with Asia while the band would come to move into a more keyboard dominated direction. This lack of contribution & the thin line between member & guest makes Asia less of a band & basically a Downes/Payne outing with some hired hands. This might be the weakest link of both Aqua & Aria as it limits the potential, though in their defense at the time this was the most workable approach to moving Asia into the future. The drumming also deserves mention as this new line-up was touted as only partially new. Promotional material made it look like the new boys were only Payne & Pitrelli, while Downes & Howe had returned along with drummer Carl Palmer. But, this was far from true. Howe's tracks were recorded before Pitrelli was recruited, while Palmer contributed three tracks early on. The rest of the drum tracks would be done by three session drummers imitating Palmer's lines from previous recordings, one of whom was Michael Sturgis who had already been considered for an earlier reunion of Asia & on Aria would be credited as a regular member. So, those who gravitate to this new Asia hoping for Palmer & Howe are going to be greatly disappointed. But, if you put away that need this is a solid album with some good songs & some others you'll probably gloss over, but in the end not be disappointed as the material remains strong underneath its weaknesses & the guys do turn in a solid album even if it needs some tightening. As I started this blog saying, it's not a bad step in a new direction.

Asia ~ Aria (album review) ... This feels like love!

Style: pop rock, prog-rock
Label: Mayhem Recordings
Year: 1994
Home: England/America

Members: John Payne ~ vocals/guitar/bass
Geoff Downes ~ keyboards
Al Pitrelli ~ guitar
Michael Sturgis ~ drums

If you like any of the singles (i.e. "Anytime," "Feels Like Love," "Military Man" & "Desire") that you've heard from Aria you probably will like the whole album, as it doesn't meander too far from the ballady hard rock template these songs demonstrate. Though, really, one's opinion of Aria is essentially down to whether one prefers the early John Wetton led Asia or this the later John Payne led Asia. As bassists/singers & songwriters the two men are quite different in substance & style. It's like comparing Yngwie Malmsteen with Joe Satriani. Yeah, they both play fast with a classical tinge, but really they're very different six string beasts & to lump them too close does at least one of them an injustice. Which John is yours? It's a loaded question, as it might be the same name & for awhile include the same keyboardist in Geoff Downes, but they are really very different bands. While the current incarnations, including Asia Featuring John Payne & Asia the original line-up, have moved even further from their 80's roots, & even the sound of this 1994 Asia. While the previous release Aqua was the official beginning of the Payne era for Asia, its really here that things congeal musically for the rebooted band. Those who decried at the time, & there were plenty for either valid or questionable reasons, that this new Asia led by Payne & Downes - sadly with a rotation of guitarists & drummers, ironically including two guitarists from Billy Sheehan's Talas - was going in a hard rock direction were not far from the truth. Aqua hinted at the musical changeover from the band's pop roots, but here there is no doubt. Though, one might more accurately call this really an Asia for the 90’s, a time where the early pop of "Don't Cry" doesn't really work in the same way that it did a decade earlier. The lyrics take on a more serious feeling while Payne does his best operatic influenced singing. There was a deliberate choice to make the vocals a focus of this album, compared to Aqua, so Payne is front & center pouring his heart out, trying to not make the album more than just some throwaway screaming hard rock but actually a collection of passionately sung songs. On one hand, for those that enjoy his voice, its good, but on the other hand it also keeps the musical aspect of Asia in an odd transitional abyss. Asia was a supergroup of 70's prog luminaries that is often said to have turned into a pop band with those luminaries under-playing, or at least in comparison to their previous bands. The under-playing continues here. Gone are the weaving guitar lines of Yes's Steve Howe, to replaced by a more rock rhythm approach of power chords by future Savatage/Megadeth Al Pitrelli. Sadly, the songs are primarily driven melodically by the keyboards & thus Al is left as a big name under-utilized rhythm guitarist. Having little compositional input is a factor here in his contributions. There's a few solos thrown out, but they tend to be a bit uncanny sounding for him ... if they're even all him & not a bit of Payne. So, the result sounds like a Downes/Payne project with some guests, also including drummer Michael Sturgis formerly of A-Ha & a disbanded line-up of Asia. Ironically, this is what they were trying to get away from. Essentially, though, the problem is that this is the first album of material exclusively written for this line-up & Payne is still finding his footing & this Asia their sound. They're also trying to get new fans & keep the old, a hot debate that continues to the present. Ironically, when Downes left to join a reunion of the original line-up, Payne took the abandoned trio & reformed as GPS, which is a guitar heavy prog affair showing just how much influence Downes probably had in the composing & shaping the pop aspects of the sound. I hate to say Downes is not a good composer as that's not true. The songs move, groove & are great & incredibly memorable & this is a highlight of his songwriter, but the album feels held back instrumentally at time. Though, maybe they're just looking to stay within the Asia mold of old while aiming for a commercial MTV single? I'd be willing to bet my money on this hypothesis, particularly when looking at Downes later work once the commercial influence faded. But, if anything, the restrained music means that at times it doesn't give the same power that Payne is giving the project vocally. He's over-singing & the boys are under-playing or something like that at some various moment. Really, it needs more guitar, it needs less pop & more raw rock & some prog energy ... though that would come later as the band would grow, its just too early here. Though, one needs to give Al some overdue credit. He might be under-utilized, but he has a tremendous amount of restraint in not flooding the music, which a lot of guitarists lack. The album may need more guitar, but in places where the keyboards dominate. But, when Al is strumming out a chorus he nails what the song needs to be driven forward but not cluttered. I've always had this idea of Asia, the early Asia, as sounding cluttered. Though, that just might be my memory of the recording quality. For a band that was replacing Howe it's almost better than they didn't go with another big flashy guitarist. Today, one hears Payne do "Military Man," lyrics penned by Downes for a change according to an interview with Payne, & its a surprise to find out Payne didn't write it. He's so come to wrap these early hits around him & his voice that they've now become his in a way he couldn't do fresh out the door. He's grown into the songs or maybe they've grown into him. Either way, they still hold up all these years later as some of the best by Asia & this album is a highlight of the Payne era. Two interesting albums to check out are Archiva 1 & 2 that feature tracks that never made the final cut for Aqua, Aria & Arena, plus some stuff from Payne's earlier bands ELO Part II & The Passion, & stuff Downes wrote for another potential singer. It's an alternative history of Aqua & it's almost a shame that these missing tracks weren't released, such as "Reality" & the rocker intended for Aqua "Heart Of Gold" that has Al ripping more than ever. Certainly, these lost tracks prove Downes & Payne were willing to experiment musically & that they were probably looking for a cohesive blanket sound for the final product.

Asia Featuring John Payne ~ Military Man (EP) (album review) ... An amazing tribute to the soldiers!

Style: prog-rock
Label: self-released
Year: 2009
Home: California

Members: John Payne ~ vocals/bass
Eirk Norlander ~ keyboards
Guthrie Govan ~ guitars
Jay Schellen ~ drums

Most would probably consider this three track & two radio edits release a single with the obligatory B-sides, which I don't review on this blog, but given the history of AFJP & the lack of ensuing recordings Military Man has come to be an EP in disguise ... being both the introduction & only studio recording of more than just new music but also a new era to the band, if not on some level a new band. In the early 80's supergroup Asia hit the scene with prog-rock stalwarts Geoff Downes, John Wetton, Steve Howe & Carl Palmer. They hit MTV hard with a somewhat prog-ish but heavy commercialized sound, but by their third album had lost the media buzz & even some members. Keyboardist Downes kept the music alive into the next decade with a new line-up, including ex-A-Ha drummer Michael Sturgis & ex-Alice Cooper guitarist Al Pitrelli, who'd go on to Megadeth & Trans-Siberian Orchestra, & brief guest appearances by Howe & Palmer. But, the most important change to this mix was bassist/singer & new frontman John Payne, who also picked up the writing partnership gap left by the departure of Wetton. In an ironic repeat of history the band would find some modest success & some criticism, while everyone would end up leaving, with Payne being the last man standing this time around. The original Asia line-up would regroup, having now produced three albums, but for his efforts Payne would be granted the right to continue now billed as AFJP. Sadly, both group would call themselves the true Asia with fans equally divided. Though, really, they're two completely different bands ... actually three as the reunion is far different now thirty years later. After Downes departure Payne would come to find perhaps the strongest musical foil/partner in his career in keyboardist Erik Norlander. In modern prog-piano circles Dream Theater's Jordan Rudess is often seen as the king of the keys, but due to constant experimentalism & creativity, large output & understanding of when to throw out flourishes & when to hold back Norlander is surely next in line for the thrown if not the real heir, for me anyways, ... but Rudess has the commercial break-through that has eluded Norlander. To inaugurate the permission to continue as Asia, Payne with Norlander, guitarist Guthrie Govan & drummer Jay Schellen, released Military Man with two re-recorded Asia songs while Norlander contributed a re-recorded track from his solo output. Two radio edits were included of the Asia songs, but are completely unnecessary except to fill in space. Two lives tracks would have been a better inclusion, though honestly new music from the quartet would be most welcome. Being that "Military Man" is one of the later era, or the Payne era as it is often referred, Asia songs that was one of their few later day hits this little release comes off as feeling like a single for it. But, the fact that AFJP has yet to release any further studio recordings, live albums are many, though they've been steadily writing, touring & recording, retrospect turns this into an EP. Plus, given the changes to the band its also hard to want to dismiss this as just an EP, but see it as an important point in their timeline. "Military Man" was first heard on the second Payne era Asia album Aria with Pitrelli, Sturgis & Downes, an album that might really live up to its reputation as the best of the Payne era. The changes in the re-recording are subtle yet influential. Pitrelli, taking over from Howe, brought to the band a more hard rock sound that has been retained, while the light touch of Downes has been replaced by the heavier & more varied playing of Norlander. Downes had a sound that sometimes wants to slip into the background, while Norlander carves up an array of layers & nuances missing from the original & steps right into his new spotlight without hesitance. Payne's voice has also slightly changed over the years & has actually become more nuanced, or at least he now sings in a far less restrained manner using his voice to mold the words not just sing them. The ballad "Long Way From Home" appeared on the album Silent Nation that was Downes' swan song & also included Guthrie on guitar & AC/DC drummer Chris Slade. The re-recording of this piece finds a similar outcome with more nuances & inflection than the original, more highs & lows, both in vocals & instrumentation. It's almost as if playing the songs for so long Payne has finally taken them as his own, even if they were both co-written by Downes. The instrumental "Neurosaur" gives all the focus to Norlander & might be the best way of introducing the new guy to the audiences. A re-recording of a track from his debut solo album the new "Neurosaur" is much lighter in feeling. Though technically not an Asia song it fits well into the mix. Asia's comeback Aqua featured some Howe instrumental songs so this is no strange inclusion on that level. "Military Man" might be one of the best songs Payne ever wrote & remains a fan favorite with its patriotic theme & thus its no surprise to be chosen for a new release. Payne & Norlander even reworked acoustically it in 2010 for an online video. So often when a band re-records old songs the result is questionable, if not weaker, & land unceremoniously & immediately on the critic's chopping block. Payne has been no stranger to this after being forced to re-record the early Asia MTV hits for the Anthology release. But, here the result might just be far stronger & less maudlin sounding & without the commercial sheen that the 90's gave to the original release. Further, prog has made a firm comeback so one doesn't have to hide the legacy that Asia stems from & Payne can let his inspiration wander. Many folks will be happy to have the original of these tracks via Aria & Silent Nation, but if for no other reason its worth it to check out this EP just to discover Norlander's genius & hear how much stronger a singer Payne has become. & it's the best that's going to come until AFJP releases its next studio album.

John Payne's Asia ~ Axioms (hits comp) (album review) ... Who will stop the rain in Asia?

Style: prog-rock, greatest hits
Label: Snapper Music
Year: 1999
Home: California

Members: John Payne ~ vocals/bass/guitar
Geoff Downes ~ keyboards
Steve Howe, Al Pitrelli, Aziz Ibrahim, Elliott Randall ~ guitar
Carl Palmer, Michael Sturgis ~ drums

Additional: Anthony Glynne ~ guitar
Simon Phillips, Nigel Clockler ~ drums

Guests: Hotei Tomayasu ~ lead guitar
Luis Jardim ~ percussion

In the early 80's a joining of prog-rock icon/guitarist Steve Howe of Yes, keyboardist Geoff Downes of Yes/Buggles, drummer Carl Palmer of Emerson, Lake & Palmer & bassist/singer John Wetton of King Crimson/Roxy Music created a band that honed in some of the indulgent wanderings of prog-rock for a more radio friendly sound that was better suited to changing national music scenes. They had a few MTV hits with "Heat Of The Moment", "Don't Go" & "The Smile Has Left Your Eyes" before falling apart while touring the second album with Wetton. Downes & Wetton kept the band going as a side touring project before Downes created a new line-up in 1992. This new line-up featured Downes with new bassist-singer & songwriter John Payne, Alice Cooper guitarist Al Pitrelli & A-Ha drummer Michael Sturgis. Howe & Palmer would guest on the first of the two releases of this new Asia, often called the beginning of the Payne era. Aqua & Aria would rekindle the Asia flame while bringing a new sound to the band that was both prog-ish but with a harder edge thanks to guitarist Pitrelli. But, Wetton & Payne are two different songwriters & quite different singers & the fanbase was divided. Pitrelli would soon leave replaced by a series of guitarists, while Downes would take his due, replaced by the amazing keyboardist Erik Norlander, leaving handing the torch officially to Payne. Eventually the original line-up of Howe, Downes, Palmer & Wetton would reunite to record & tour spurring two groups to officially hold the Asia name known as Asia, with the original 80's line-up, & Asia Featuring John Payne. Asia FJP continues to be plagued with fans that want to hear the early 80's hits, seeing this as the direct descendent, while the reunited Asia focuses only on its own compositions. Ironically neither groups sounds like the Asia of the 80's, so theoretically one might even say there's three bands: the original, the John Payne led version & the reunited band. This makes for an interesting history but also poses a problem as there's been no Asia greatest hits compilation that's been able to bridge all three groups. Payne has tried to bridge the gap. The Anthology compilation included both the 80's hits & Payne era favorites, the reunited line-up not yet in existence, but contractual problems required Payne & his then bandmates to re-record the early hits. For those accustomed to Wetton's tenor on "Don't Cry" Payne's baritone is a bit of a shock, while nobody can truly replicate Howe's weaving guitar though the effort is commendable & far from disappointing. There will probably never be a good Asia compilation released & a box set seems unlikely. This is a shame as the Payne era might not be the selling point for the casual Asia listener but it's got a far more friendly sound with more interesting & personalized lyrics & deserves due attention which it may not get without being lumped with the early familiar hits. For those who have the first couple Asia albums but want an introduction to the bigger picture Axioms is one's best bet as it focuses entirely on Payne era. The only thing missing is the current Norlander line-up to make this complete. Axioms might be a bit lengthy with 2 CDs for the casual listener, while longtime fans will already have all the tracks, but it includes both fan favorites (i.e. "Who Will Stop The Rain," "Military Man," "Desire," "Sad Situation," "Feels Like Love") & lesser known tunes plus highlighting some of the line-ups of the Payne era including the cuts with Steve Howe & Carl Palmer including a few instrumentals. The majority of fan & critical favorites come from Aqua & Aria with the Pitrelli/Sturgis/Downes/Payne line-up but Axioms offers more the later Arena & even Payne's take on the Downes song "The Hunter" from the pre-Asia Downes produced GTR, that featured Howe, guitarist Steve Hackett of Genesis & drummer Jonathan Mover who would ironically go on to join Alice Cooper with Pitrelli. For those that like the pop-prog & commercial sheen of early Asia but want some more personal lyrics & more experimental musical forays Asia FJP via Axioms shouldn't be ignored. In terms of greatest hits collections the songs are pulled solely from Arena, Aqua, Aria & the earlier compilation Anthology which isn't necessarily enough albums or certified hits to form a traditional hits collection & on two CDs a majority of the albums, particularly Arena, are duplicated. There's also nothing new on the collection for older fans. But, it's definitely cheaper to buy one album than all four while this is no cheap product but care was put into choosing the best of Asia WJP. An interesting experiment of how musicians change when in the company of different musicians is to compare the songwriting on Axioms, all Downes/Payne songs, with the songwriting on the Wetton Downes Icon releases. Downes shines through as always with his classically tinged keyboard playing but the difference between Wetton & Payne becomes quite obvious. Further, it shows why many fans once upon a time encouraged Payne to step away from the Asia franchise to do his own thing as Asia FJP truly is, in everything but name, his own thing that deserves much more attention with the 80's hits sometimes a heavy & sometimes a light albatross around his neck. Since the publishing of this review Asia FJP has disbanded & refashioned itself as Dukes Of The Orient.

John Payne ~ Different Worlds (hits comp) (album review) ... One of the great voices of rock!

Style: hard rock, prog rock
Label: Devgel Records
Year: 2007
Home: California

Members: John Payne ~ vocals/bass/keyboards/guitar
Andrea Datwyler ~ lead vocals
Steve Howe, Al Pitrelli, Sandro D'Incau, Ian Crichton, Guthrie Govan, Torstein Flakne, Elliott Randall, Joel Bogen ~ guitar
Geoff Downes, Alex Seiberl, Ryo Okumoto ~ keyboards
Tony Levin, Emilio Barrantes ~ bass
Chris Slade, Michael Sturgis, Vinnie Colaiuta, Chuck Sabo, Ronnie Wolf, Jay Schellen, Steiner Krokstad ~ drums
Luis Jardem ~ percussion
Steve Overland ~ b. vocals

For me, one of the most distinctive features of British vocalist/bassist & songwriter John Payne is not his bass playing nor his songwriting, but a distinctive baritone that's unique in the rock world of tenors & screamers. It's made his output over the decades immediately recognizable that includes solo work & the bands Lunatica, CCCP, ELO, GPS & most prominently Asia. His songwriting, which I happen to like, comes in second place only because its changed over the years & with different groups.
But, his distinctive baritone means that the songs on this quasi-career retrospective tend to sound more alike than not. Compilations tend to either have a disjointed approach where you hear a musician go through distinct musical styles, if not also technology changes, but the high quality of the songs keeps it all together or compilations tend to sound more like a complete studio album in itself as if everything was recorded at the same time. Different Worlds could easily be mistaken as an original studio album as the collection flows easily from song to song & style to style, though its far from that. It's also potentially one of the best compilations Payne has produced of his music that's neither a gluttonous affair nor focused just on hits, nor featuring any controversial re-recordings, plus gives one a complete picture of his career versus just of Asia, which might be his step-child but isn't all he's done. Also, pulling, the compilation full shows his diverse compositional skills & creativity. If a listener didn't know Different Worlds was a compilation one might be thinking that this John Payne is a very talented guy whose got his thumb firmly on the modern AOR prog-rock sound a la GTR & Genesis. The problem is, I feel, he's not given the credit he deserves, as the shadow of pre-Payne Asia is an albatross around his neck. The early Asia might have the hits, but I've always enjoyed his singing & his songwriting far more. The thing with Payne, though, which I've already hinted at at the beginning of this review, is that he's never an anonymous backing musician but fully involved from songwriting to production, thus all the songs tend to fall into the same slow rock ballad approach which has become almost a trademark style for him & is really best for his vocal approach that is more comfortable trying to yank the guts out of words than rush through them. Payne has often worked with keyboardists, a regular feature of the prog-rock scene, so his music tends to be more harmonic & keyboard heavy with guitars providing texture instead of just typical riffing. This isn't technically a greatest hits collection as many certified hits are missing but more a general look at Payne's sometimes under-appreciated career that he's hand-picked. For those who only know him via Asia it's a good introduction to the rest of his work & with nine tracks given to Asia it's even a good introduction to his most popular musical child. The one problem with the release is it doesn't tell which tracks belong to what bands as outside of identifying writing credits, such as Payne/Downes is Asia, one would have to do any research to know what song belongs where. Though, its probably already-made fans that will pick up this album so that may not be a problem but compilation albums really should be made for strangers not fans.