Asia are making tracks again

There's an expression in the music business that strikes dread into many a young artist: "That difficult third album."

It refers to the fact that after enjoying success with a debut CD, it is quite often possible to produce an equally successful carbon-copy sequel but by the time of the third album the artist is expected to show growth, development and a possible change in direction.

For Asia fans it's been a massive 25 year wait for the band's classic, original line-up to produce album number three.

The band's eponymous debut album was the biggest-selling album in the world in 1982 and spawned the US top 10 singles Heat Of The Moment, Only Time Will Tell and Sole Survivor.

The follow-up 1983 album, Alpha, produced two more top 10 singles and also went multi-platinum.

Now after 25 years the wait is over, with the release of new CD Phoenix in April and a British tour in March which takes in Wolverhampton's Civic Hall . . . and singer/bassist John Wetton couldn't be happier.

"If you like the first Asia album you'll love this!" he laughs on the phone from his Dorset home.

Phoenix marks more than just the rebirth of a band which helped to kickstart the MTV revolution in the 80s (and which continued with a number of bewildering line-up changes before a big reunion two years ago).

For Wetton, in particular, is enjoying his own rebirth after undergoing a triple heart bypass last year which forced the cancellation of the band's tour. That experience and Wetton's journey to recovery form the backbone to an album the band is truly proud of.

One song in particular, Extraordinary Life, sums up Wetton's new philosophy: "Carpe diem - seize the day".

"That song sums up the album, the whole idea of make it happen - it's not a rehearsal it's the real thing," he says.

Wetton's health problems came to a head when the 58-year-old musician went for what he thought was a routine pre-tour health check-up last August.

To cut a long story short, despite that fact that he gave up smoking nearly 20 years ago and drinking three years ago, the doctors found so much calcification of the heart that Wetton "had to have an operation pretty much on the spot that day".

"At least I didn't have a heart attack," he says. "We were due to fly out to Hawaii the next day and I wouldn't have got off that plane alive.

"I stopped drinking three years ago. I was in a bad way with that and it's not something I hide.

"Now my life is one day at a time. I don't think about tomorrow, I don't really think about yesterday, I've only got now and I really appreciate now.

"It's given me an even deeper understanding of that. I'm really grateful for the time I've got now and I really enjoy it."

It might be hard for many younger music fans to understand the excitement when Asia formed in 1982, perhaps the first true supergroup made up from other supergroups. There was Wetton from King Crimson, guitarist Steve Howe from Yes, drummer Carl Palmer from Emmerson Lake and Palmer and keyboard player Geoff Downes who had enjoyed a number one worldwide success with The Buggles' megahit Video Killed The Radio Star.

Songs like Heat Of The Moment and Sole Survivor helped cement the new band's sound, which was big and melodic, accessible yet intricate enough for the prog rock fanbase.

Now there are a host of new songs, including Extraordinary Life, Never Again and Nothing's Forever.

Wetton says: "If you look at Extraordinary Life as my own personal statement, Phoenix is the band's statement. We formed from the ashes of other bands in the first place and now it's come full circle.

"It features all the colours of the band, rockers, ballads and some classical. It's got that big Asia sound."

Asia last played in Wolverhampton two years ago on a tour that marked the original line-up's long awaited reunion. That time they sold out the Wulfrun, now they have moved up to the larger Civic.

"We're enjoying touring now which is a huge step for us," says Wetton.

"The first time there was a lot of pressure. We had to deliver. There's an old saying that you get 20 years to write your first album and 20 minutes to write the second. There was too much pressure at the time.

"We're doing it slowly and surely now. The performances are 100 per cent better than 25 years ago. We're in for the long haul. We want to do this every year, not an album every year but a tour."

Wetton adds: "This tour there will be a few surprises, it won't be the same as last time. There will be some 'new oldies', some songs people aren't expecting." There will also be a couple of songs from Phoenix.

One of the great highlights last time the group toured was the fact that they played one song each from their previous bands - In The Court of the Crimson King, Roundabout, Fanfare For The Common Man and even Video Killed The Radio Star.

"It's a beautiful bit of light relief in the set," says Wetton. "We're quite happy with what we are, we know who we are - four curmudgeons! We were a bit precious in the early days."

Asia are hoping to continue with an experiment launched on the last tour, selling "official bootlegs" of that night's gig to the audience as they leave. Technical limitations meant they couldn't do that at the Wulfrun last time, but fans will be hoping for better things at the Civic.

Wetton admits he hadn't expected the bootlegs to be much of a success: "I was a doubting Thomas but it was so successful last time. People were so happy."

Summing up Asia in 2008, he adds: "Two years ago we fit into the 80s nostalgia scene but we're more than that.

"It's hard to find a band popular 25 years ago that still has all four original members. We're still an organic band, a writing, living unit. A slice of history. We still enjoy playing live, it's not just for the money, although the money's nice."

And as for Phoenix, which fans will be delighted to know get the full Roger Dean artwork treatment: "I like it . . . I'd buy it!"

By Ian Harvey

• Asia play at Wolverhampton Civic Hall on Sunday, March 9. For tickets, costing £17, call the box office on 0870 320 7000, or email boxoffice@wolvescivic.co.uk