Asia featuring John Payne is slipping this covers album out a couple of weeks after Asia not featuring John Payne releases its Gravitas. Amazon mistakenly has the John Payne version listed as simply Asia. The song selection is really interesting, so I'm ordering it. I'd rather they released the album of originals they've been working on for years.

Here's the Amazon link:



http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00I8ACQMO/?tag=imwan-20

Here are the tracks, copied from my favorite Yes website, Where Are They Now (http://www.bondegezou.co.uk/wnyesm.htm):

"Sirius", originally by the Alan Parsons Project (2:11)
"Eye in the Sky", originally by the Alan Parsons Project (5:03)
"Court of the Crimson King", originally by King Crimson (9:20)
"Highways of the Sun", originally by Camel (4:42)
"I Know You're Out There Somewhere", originally by the Moody Blues (6:55)
"It Can Happen", originally by Yes (5:36)
"Land of Confusion", originally by Genesis (5:52)
"Locomotive Breath", originally by Jethro Tull (3:37)
"Rock and Roll Star", originally by Barclay James Harvest (6:18)
"Nothing to Lose", originally by UK (4:25)
"Lucky Man", originally by Emerson Lake & Palmer (4:23)

It's befuddling why John Payne, who is a talent, continues to use the "Asia" moniker but with that said I would be interested to hear this.

Rick A.

It's because of name recognition, and he has the legal right to do so. I know his Vegas show has been successful, but I'm looking forward to their next album of originals. Their "Seasons Will Change" single is incredible!

Having met John many times and getting to know him I can say he is a first-class talent and guy.

It's obvious the name helps anyone realize he's still making music because something as John Payne wouldn't attract any attention sadly.

This sounds good, the lineup is excellent although I admit I only care about the real Asia.

I wish him very well-plus, he loves cats!

Well yeah, of course of the name recognition and also he would have to have rights legally to use the name or it wouldn't be used. That is obvious

What also is obvious is that its shame for a guy who like IP says is a " first-class talent and guy" and your remarks as well Galley. I have John Payne "Asia" discs in my collection so I know of his talent.

In some ways not to different when "Bad Company" changes singers with Brian Howe. I love that version of Bad Company as well.

The shame is that in today's music business one feels, believes or mandates that they carry-on with a name that they had a "relationship" with.

Rick A.

Ever since the original Asia got back together (2006-2007?) all I've heard from this version of the band is "We're working on our new CD, Architect Of Time, and it's almost done now" and later on it was "We're working on our new CD, Americana, and it's almost done now".

With the last one, he even reported that it was delivered to the record label that he was signed to at the time a few years ago (Steve Vai's Favored Nations) but was then told that he would be better off on some other label. So, instead of finding another label, it's back to "We're working on our new CD, Americana".

Yet for some reason they are pouring their creative energies into a covers album?

Meanwhile, in the space of time that all this is going on, the original Asia has done 4 studio albums plus a live album or 2.

What's the deal here?

One listen to Windows to the Soul by GPS (the almost-Asia featuring John Payne) should confirm there's lots of talent here. Adding Erik Norlander only makes the talent pool deeper. Anyway, I wish either or both AfJP or GPS would put new material out.

Agreed. I loved the GPS studio album as well as the multi-disc live box set from a while back. They were so good that they left me wanting more!

Our whole family met John Payne and Jay Schellen last night after seeing "Raiding the Rock Vault" - we also met Howard Leese, Doug Aldrich and the rest of the gang. The show was even better than expected. No wonder it won "Best of Las Vegas 2014". Highly recommended!

Managed to get Payne and Schellen to sign my red vinyl copy of the new album! Also got a pick from Aldrich (it's sitting on the vinyl in the photo).