John Wetton and Asia

GreggBummer · #1 04-10-2008, 09:08 PM

I just got back from seeing Asia (all four founding members).

What amazing musicianship. I have seen Yes before, but this was my first Asia show. They really did a great job, even working through an obvious equipment issue during the encore.

John Wetton is one the reasons I started playing bass. He was just wonderful. His voice is still great after all these years. His bass playing kicked ass. I got to hear him play Court Of The Crimson King... just great. Does anyone know what that crazy thing on his thumb is?

They also played "Roundabout". Steve Howe- even though he looks like a prop from a zombie movie- was excellent.

Carl Palmer was entertaining... his drum work was bombastic and an example of precision.

Geoff Downs... is hilarious. He looks like he is having fun no matter where he goes. Altough, I wonder why one man needs two mac notebooks, nine keyboards, and a shload of other doodads... he sounded great though. His energy is fantastic.

If they are coming around your way... check them out.

**Winston TK** · #2 04-10-2008, 10:51 PM

Gregg,

That's great that you really enjoyed their show. It's totally cool that all four original members are back together. Despite both Wetton's and Palmer's recent serious health problems, they're back with a vengeance it would seem.

I can hardly wait to pick up their new release, "Phoenix", next week. The boys really are back in good form. I just wish that they would reschedule the canceled Vancouver show from their West Coast tour of last year. (The tour was canceled due to John Wetton's multiple bypass surgery and recovery.) So far, no luck.

GreggBummer · #3 04-11-2008, 05:39 AM

Wetton and Palmer looked great... although it looks as if Wetton lost some weight-probably a good thing with a ticker problem.

They played a few tracks from Phoenix. It sounds like it might be more "edgier" than what you would expect.

I wish I had seen ELP before they fell apart. Asia did play "Fanfare" last night.

G

KPJ · #4 04-11-2008, 06:54 AM

I believe John is just using a thumbpick. There is a great DVD out of their reunion tour, filmed in Tokyo in March of last year. It has interviews with each member and talks about the reunion. They play the entire first album, three songs off Alpha and "Roundabout", "Court of the Crimson King", "Fanfare" and "Video Killed the Radio Star". I wish they play "Exiles" or "Starless" for Wetton's song, as he actually you know played on the originals!

John had a great line about the aftermath of his heart issues, which came about after he decided to get sober. "God didn't save me from drowning just to have me die on the beach."

MonetBass · #5 04-11-2008, 08:16 AM

Very cool! I would love to see them live.

BTW you can listen to their new album in its entirety on VH1.com: http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/asia/2234887/album.jhtml

James Hart · #6 04-11-2008, 08:23 AM

I saw them back during the original time around... it was my first exposure to Wetton and I actually liked him better than Squire at the time (they are both at the top of my influence list).

Unfortunately I missed them this time... hopefully there will be a next time.

JohnLovesRush · #7 04-11-2008, 04:43 PM

ahh they played fanfare?..I saw Emerson play fanfare at Zeppelin last year.. squire there too.. was quite disapointing though!

yeah.. I find the whole thing with the two asias going at the same time a bit strange lol

GreggBummer · #8 04-11-2008, 05:29 PM

John,
I agree, the whole two asia thing is quite strange. I am sorry that I will probably not get to see Greg Lake play with ELP. So far I have seen Rush (too many times!), Yes, ABWH, Asia, Genisis, Pink Floyd... I am missing ELP and Jethro Tull. Although Jethro will be around this summer.

Question: Does anyone know anything about John Wetton's technique? I felt like I was 16 again watching him play. I picked up a few thumb picks on the way home from work....

Gregg

JohnLovesRush · #9 04-11-2008, 05:39 PM

hmm I've seem Yes,Roger Waters, Rush, Zeppelin(who I don't really like but heh.. free gig..didn't cost me a dime), tbh I would love to see Gabriel,King Crimson, radiohead(who i am seeing in june) and Asia would be good too..

In my opinion, the old asia..are musicianship wise.. suppior.. but the tunes of other asia are better I think.

And I want to know how steve how has not fell over and died at this stage.. his arms..are.. just eww .. in all seriousness.. great guitarist..love his stuff.. but..man please wear a big jacket!

oh and one last thing I met Jon and Rick.. from Yes,, at their gig..went over to england for it.. Rick's a really nice salt of the earth guy as is Jon..

anyways getting sidetracked..not too sure about his technique

loendmaestro · #10 04-13-2008, 08:46 PM

The older I get the more I truly appreciate how great Wetton is, Definitely not deserving of the "poor mans Greg Lake" label he had for a few years. His playing on Red, USA, Larks Tongue, & Starless/Bible Black have become so influential on my playing style. Growing up I blacked out my Fender Jazz Bass so it would look more like the one he was playing in the Asia videos. Great player, lyricist & performer. Woefully underrated...

Feyd-Rautha · #11 04-13-2008, 09:01 PM

I'm a huge Wetton fan, Crimson, Roxy Music, UK... he always had one of the best tones out there... What kind of bass was he playing?

Atoz · #12 04-13-2008, 09:55 PM

I completely wore out my UK "Danger Money" cassette in high school back in the early 80s. I've recently started playing it (the CD this time) a lot again, along with the Crimson stuff. Great player.

GreggBummer · #13 04-13-2008, 10:24 PM

I am not sure what kind of bass he was playing... to be honest I am not a huge "gear head"... to my detriment in this case. It was a white bass, with a large roman numeral 2 (II) on it. I think it was a ZOS or Zam or something. He used it for the whole show... it sounded great. If someone knows, fill me in. I would love to check on of those instruments out... not that I could afford one.

The way he played was what interested me the most. I went out to the local shop and bought a few thumb picks. I played a bit with them, but it moves around. I guess that is why he tapes it on his thumb. I am going to try and learn a few songs with the thumb pick... just for fun. I like the idea of a thumb pick... it gives me the option to play with my fingers (thumb on the pickup) or use the pick. I am giving up the ability to slap... something I rarely do anyway.

Again, Whetton was playing bass, synth pedals, and singing. That was the most impressive part. He is the only guy I have ever seen do that other than Geddy Lee.

mozarwasagenius · #14 04-13-2008, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreggBummer

Steve Howe- even though he looks like a prop from a zombie movie- was excellent.

That cracked me up

I always liked John Wetton. Thanks for the reminder

I saw Asia on TV recently and John was playing a Zon with a pick if I recall correctly. Looked like a thumb pick like a banjo player would use. The only other guy I've seen do this is the bassist for Night Ranger (whose name escapes me)

GreggBummer · #15 04-13-2008, 10:36 PM

Zon! That was it!

Couldn't remember the name.... thanks.

He was very aggressive with the thumb pick.

KPJ · #16 04-14-2008, 04:11 AM

Definitely a ZON:
http://www.zonguitars.com/zonguitars/jwetton_bio.html

John was one of the original endorsers. There's some good Wetton stuff out there. There is a live recording from 97/98 from Japan with Wetton, Steve Hackett, Ian McDonald, Chester Thompson doing Genesis, KC, UK tunes. I got the live recording from eMusic and there are video clips of it on YouTube. That's a DVD I'd like.

New Asia out tomorrow!

Marcury · #17 04-14-2008, 08:00 AM

I was never a fan of Asia and only liked the first U.K. album (the one with Bruford) a bit, but Wetton with Crimson!!! Best playing of his career and a major influence on me.

HeebeeJB · #18 04-15-2008, 09:53 AM

The first time I saw John Wetton live it was with Uriah Heep after Gary Thain died.
I remember him playing a white Fender Mustang Bass for much of the gig and doing a bass solo that litterally brought the house down. The plaster was falling from the ceiling of Newcastle City hall like Snow! Made a big impression on me. and the rest of the band. Ken Hensleys Hammond which is normally covered in fag ash and Coke had an extra layer of white powder...

CZGunslinger · #19 04-15-2008, 10:34 AM

I loved Wetton's sound on Red, that bass was seriously angry!!!! But it sounded great with the rest of the music.

pedro · #20 04-15-2008, 11:02 AM

Quote:

That's great that you really enjoyed their show. It's totally cool that all four original members are back together. Despite both Wetton's and Palmer's recent serious health problems, they're back with a vengeance it would seem.

What sort of health problems did Palmer have? As I recall he was a bit of a health/excersize nut.

I saw Palmer twice w/ ELP back in the early 70's but have never seen Wetton. I did spend a lot of time in my college days listening to King Crimson 'Red' album and thought he was very very good. Loved his voice and he got an excellent tone out of his bass. I think he was using a p bass at that time.