Fantasia Live In Tokyo

Album Review

As a band Asia were able to do what few from the prog rock era were able to do: combine streamlined pop hooks into very sophisticated songs that included varying instrumental passages where individual members could stretch a bit. Their chart success — especially early on — was formidable. Fantasia: Live in Tokyo is an anniversary concert performed with all the original members: Geoff Downes, Carl Palmer, Steve Howe and John Wetton. Eagle Rock has issued the entire concert, on both on a double-CD as well as DVD. There are 18 cuts here, including the hits as well as tracks by the members' other bands such as "Roundabout" by Yes (that contains guitarist Howe) Downes' "Video Killed the Radio Star" from his stint with the Buggles, and Aaron Copland's "Fanfare for the Common Man," (which was recorded by Emerson, Lake & Palmer). The bookends for this rather indulgent but exciting live show are "Time Again," and, of course, "Heat of the Moment," a live version that 25 years later seems to top the original! For Asia fans, this is a rather indispensable document.