Tag: journey (Page 1 of 2)

When you see Journey now, bickering and fighting on who spends the most on the company credit card, compared to the band that appears on this live release, it feels as though we are in a different universe. This was recorded in 81 days while the band were in their prime and were untouchable within their sphere of aor/melodic rock. I think this originally came out as a DVD and this is the soundtrack of that.

As with all bands at that time you have a keys solo, drum solo, and guitar solo. Although, knowing now how the relentless touring took its toll on Perry’s voice I’m sure he was glad of the break. I’m mean where do you start with the songs, every one is a classic and is a testament to the band that you know them all and can sing along. I’m going for Stone In Love as my favourite. I’ve always loved that song but the version here is killer. I’m a huge fan of Neal Schon’s guitar playing and he gives it plenty throughout.

I prefer to remember the band this way. You will not be disappointed with this recording.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

Is this the greatest AOR / Melodic rock album ever made? Journey were floundering until the arrival of Steve Perry. They were this great bunch of muso’s who could jam with the best of them, but they were lacking in the songwriting department. With Perry’s arrival, the songs became shorter and more melodic, and with his voice they were onto a winner. It was not until the departure of founding member, Gregg Rolie, and the arrival of Jonathan Cain from the Baby’s, that everything finally was in place. So the answer to the initial question is, YES!

Every moment on this record is pure gold – and that includes the ballads! The band could live off of the royalties from Don’t Stop Believin’ alone. It’s such a huge song that has been used so many times on various tv shows, movies, and commercials, but it’s not the best song in the album. I’m not sure any vocalist out there can put as much feeling and emotion into a song as Steve Perry can, but with Open Arms he puts his everything into that song. On Mother Father he reaches his peak for pure emotion alone, and its my favourite track on the album – and I hate ballads.

Schon has been reeled in somewhat on this album, so there is not so many of his rambling shred style solos (I love Schin’s playing by the way). The emphasis is on total melody, and the album is lifted because of that. Yet another in the series of every home should have one.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

This was released three years after their last album, Frontiers, and both Neal Schon and Steve Perry had recorded solo albums, of which Perry’s sold really well and there were huge rumours that he might not return to Journey. We all now know that he did, but he had a lot more control over the songs and direction the band took.

This is very much a Steve Perry album as the songs fit more into an RnB format – much more than any other Perry-Journey album. Also of note here, the band are basically a there piece as both Ross Valory and Steve Smith had been asked to leave. In fact, rockin’ moments are in short supply on this record, there’s only Be Good To Yourself (which is killer and Schon finally gets to let rip), and the title track that feel like classic Journey tracks.

However, a rejuvenated Perry sings his ass off all over the record, especially on heartstring pulling tracks like Once You Love Somebody and It Could Have Been You, where the emotion in his voice is incredible. It’s not a classic Journey album, but it’s still a good record.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.