Asia – Fantasia: Live In Tokyo (Eagle Vision DVD)

 

Picture: C+     Sound: B     Extras: C     Concert: C

 

 

Asia was the epitome of a supergroup that was never so super, got very lucky with a few singles and as soon as they thought they could put together a science fiction epic out of Music Videos, imploded quickly.  Heat Of The Moment is a classic clip, but outside of that hit, were a very weak band.  The rest of the few hits were sound-alike and not that memorable.  Fantasia: Live In Tokyo (2007) reunited the band to no avail, all the way to a “we wish we were Yes” cover that this critic could do without.

 

The tracks include:

 

1)     Time Again

2)     Wildest Dreams

3)     One Step Closer

4)     Roundabout

5)     Without You

6)     Cutting It Fine

7)     Steve Howe Guitar Solo

8)     Fanfare For The Common Man

9)     The Smile Has Left Your Eyes

10)  Don’t Cry

11)  In The Court Of The Crimson King

12)  Here Comes The Feeling

13)  Video Killed The Radio Star

14)  The Heat Goes On/Carl Palmer Drum Solo

15)  Only Time Will Tell

16)  Sole Survivor

17)  Ride Easy

18)  Heat Of The Moment

 

 

Even they realize how limited their nostalgia and this are, so many of these songs are from other acts including Yes (#4,) Emerson, Lake & Palmer (#8,) King Crimson (#11) and The Buggles (#13) all done painfully unwell and disappointingly so.  It is hard to believe that so many figures in Rock, especially ones so talented, have fallen from grace so badly in the playback department, but this is a truly sad example of great musicians who have seen better days.  Let’s hope this was a bad night.

 

The 1.78 X 1 digital High Definition image was shot in digital video, likely HD and has some detail limits, part of which could come from the downtrade to DVD, but otherwise cannot be evaluated until the title arrives in the HD formats.  This is not shot or edited very well, then attempts to distort the image or gut the color are amateurish.  The DTS 5.1 is surprisingly good, a little better than the Dolby Digital 5.1 or Dolby 2.0 mixes, but that is no comfort when the performances are so off.  The only extra is an interview with the band.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo