I’ve just got back from watching the prog rock band Asia at the Academy 2 in Manchester. I hadn’t heard a great deal of their stuff (except their latest album Silent Nation, which was OK but not brilliant). Anyway, live they were really good, tight as hell and they do have some really good tunes. I had a very enjoyable night.
I feel I should say a bit about their guitarist, Guthrie Govan. I saw him perform solo at Music Live in Birmingham last year, and he was fairly stunning, but seeing him perform a full set tonight really showed off just how good he is. He is a master of all styles, can shred faster than just about anyone and has a perfect sense of rhythm. Vitally, every note he plays adds something to the song, he never resorts to mindless widdling and he always “says” something with what he is playing. Definately one to watch.
