Asia, the legendary British band, moves into the next phase of its extraordinary career with Gravitas, a brave new album that explores different musical landscapes while embracing its familiar musical past. Produced and written by band members John Wetton and Geoff Downes, Gravitas is deeply introspective within a clearly accessible sound. The album also introduces the world to Asia’s new guitarist, Sam Coulson, who came at the recommendation of Mr. Big’s Paul Gilbert.
Scheduled for release on Frontiers Records on March 5th (Japan); March 21st (Europe); and March 25th(North America), the album will be available in two configurations: a standard CD and a Deluxe Edition, that will include two bonus tracks and a DVD containing the Valkyrie music video, a promotional film, and footage of classic live Asia tracks such as Heat of the Moment, recorded with the Plovdiv Philharmonic Orchestra in Bulgaria.
“Pure, unadulterated and stereotypical Asia, with raw energy, enthusiasm and free from impurities,” says John Wetton. “ It conveys the spectrum of emotion and colour from real life agonies to ecstatic fantasy of escapism. Great songs, fabulous performance. Gravitas is Asia by Asia. At last.”
“With the addition of Sam it allowed us to take the band in a slightly different, and perhaps tougher, direction.” says Carl Palmer. “He brings a different feel to Asia with his guitar work. As a band we have been able to grow, while at the same time, remain true to the classic Asia sound that our fans know and love.”
Gravitas tracklist:
1. Valkyrie
2. Gravitas
3. The Closer I Get fo You
4. Nyctophobia
5. Russian Dolls
6. Heaven Help Me Now
7. I Would Die for You
8. Joe Di Maggio’s Glove
9. Till We Meet Again
10. The Closer I Get fo You (acoustic bonus)
11. Joe Di Maggio’s Glove (acoustic bonus)
Asia will embark on a world tour starting in June, and set to include Japan, UK, Europe, Canada and the United States.
Asia website: http://www.originalasia.com/index.php
Asia tour date list: http://originalasia.com/tour-dates-2/
Ahead of their Cruise to the Edge shows, Yes are in a studio in Los Angeles, recording new material under the watchful eye of producer Roy Thomas Baker. This will be Jon Davison's first time recording new material with Chris Squire, Steve Howe, Alan White, and Geoff Downes. The previous album, Fly from Here, had Benoît David on vocals.
The last time Roy Thomas Baker worked with the band was in 1980 during the aborted Paris Sessions which ended up with Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman leaving the band. The remaining members then returned to England and ended up recruiting Geoff Downes and Trevor Horne and produced Drama.
Still, Thomas Baker met again with Jon Anderson, producing Jon's Christmas themed album Three Ships. He is also famous for having produced Queen in the early days up to and including Jazz.
Yes have posted about six pictures of them in the studio on their Facebook page. They have also added another performance ahead of their Cruise. This new date is at Sands, in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania on the 5th of April. After the Cruise they will embark on the European leg of their "Triple Album Tour" where they play The Yes Album, Close to the Edge, and Going for the One in their entirety.
Triple Album Tour of Canada:
March 19, 2014: Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre, Victoria, BC, Canada
March 20, 2014: Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
March 21, 2014: Prospera Place, Kelowna, BC, Canada
March 23, 2014: Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, Calgary, AB, Canada
March 24, 2014: Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, Edmonton, AB, Canada
March 26, 2014: Pantages Playhouse Theatre, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
March 29, 2014: GM Centre, Oshawa, ON, Canada
March 30, 2014: Southam Hall @ National Arts Centre, Ottawa, ON, Canada
March 31, 2014: Le Capitol de Québec, Québec City, QC, Canada
April 2, 2014: Hamilton Palce Theatre, Hamilton, ON, Canada
April 4, 2014: Borgota Events Center, Atlantic City, NJ, USA
April 5, 2014: Sands, Bethlehem, PA, USA
April 7-12, 2014: Cruise to the Edge II, Caribbean
April/May/June - Tour of Europe.
