This release from Frontiers Records is the latest offering from the, both very talented Geoffrey Downes and John Wetton.I thoroughly enjoyed their joint recording under the name “Icon” but was very disappointed with the “Icon Acoustic Broadcast” album/DVD which was frankly, and sadly, below mediocre and both Downes and Wetton looked painfully uncomfortable with the whole thing.

I was thrilled when a tour emerged to promote the “Icon” album and duly went to see them on a cold March night at “The Academy” in Newcastle Upon Tyne. That night the audience enjoyed what could be classed as an intimate gig. It was a great show with, as one would expect a large helping of Asia numbers. Guitar duties were performed by John Mitchell (Kino, The Urbane and now It Bites).

There are no surprises on this offering. The restrictions of a single CD format mean there is no “Hey Josephine”, “Midnight”, “Emma”, “Go” or “Heat Of The Moment”, which were played at the live shows.

I love John Wetton’s very English vocal delivery and persona and Geoffrey Downes is a keyboard player who has nothing to prove. His solo spots on previous Asia live outings have always been entertaining and musical.

This CD speaks for itself. The Asia songs are now classics and the new “Icon” tracks are well written slices of melodic music with classic simplicity.

The performance is workmanlike and dependable. John Mitchell doesn't bring anything new to the sound but puts in a solid sideman's performance. There is no information as to where or when the tracks were recorded but the songs are linked by fade in and fade out arena size crowd noise. It becomes a bit cheesy when one starts to get the feeling you have heard that exact whistle and clap before the last song. They appear to be sound loops to my ears.

Once again to sum up there are no surprises here; it's a solid performance from all involved with a fairly decent live sound recording. I don’t think it will gain them any new fans but for those who saw the tour it’s a nice memento.

Never In A Million Years is scheduled for an October 20th release through Frontiers Records

Let us know your views on 'Never In A Million Years'

Track List

Pane Bruno
The Heat Goes On
Only Time Will Tell
Voice Of America
I Lay Down
Days Like These
Bolero
Meet Me At Midnight
Never In A Million Years
We Move As One; Paradox
Let Me Go
Don’t Cry
Open Your Eyes
The Smile Has Left Your Eyes

Line Up

John Wetton - Bass/Vocals
Geoffery Downes - Keyboards
John Mitchell - Guitars
Steve Christey - Drums