Band : Asia
Album title : Spirit Of The Night – Live In Cambridge 09
Label : Frontiers Records
Distributor : Rough Trade Benelux
Release date : 15/10/2010
Release : CD

This album comes as a live CD, but there’s also a DVD version available. This show was recorded during the tour they did for the band’s comeback album Phoenix. Why they opted to release a live album only a few months after the Omega album is a riddle to me, cause this sounds like overkill to me.

Songs on this album were taken form their reunion album Phoenix along with a good selection of their classics, and a cover from ELP’s “Fanfare For The Common Man”. Now as far as the music is concerned, I still like their old classics like “Only Time Will Tell”, or “Heat Of The Moment”, but does this justify buying the album.  No, I’m afraid it doesn’t. Because although these guys are musically well versed, I find that at times John Wetton falls through the ice, by which I mean that his vocals sound out of tune, and are in no way powerful enough.  Another remark I’d like to make is that it all lacks power and/or enthusiasm.

It’s not an album I’d recommend, except if you’re a die-hard Asia fan and want a copy of everything they bring out.

60/100

Erik Morren.