Trial by Fire

[GollyWally]

They did lose the Grammy to The Beatles. I remember watching the show and being so disappointed.

I also remember hearing that they had been invited to perform the song on the show, but because Perry was battling his hip snafu they declined. Too bad. Wouldn't that have been great to see them perform that song at the Grammys?

[Gordon from Edinburgh]

I think that it is one of their best. Smitty and Cain thought so also, as I recall. Perry's voice had matured so wonderfully and all the guys were at the top of their game, imo.

I think its one of the best too. Ballad heavy yes but some great songs - Forever in Blue and Castles burning do it for me.

[7 Wishes]

TBF is the crown jewel of Journey's musical and lyrical evolution as a band. It's their masterpiece.

I completely agree, although "Castles Burning" makes "Backtalk" seem like "Bohemian Rhapsody" by comparison.

[Socratic Methodist]

Just who did Journey lose that Grammy to? I'm willing to bet some industry fave, or some up and coming newcomer the 'biz' wanted to market with a Grammy nod.

Anyone? Beuller?

The Beatles, swear to God.

For what song?!?!?!?

The'd been apart for 26 years.

[conversationpc]

I think that it is one of their best. Smitty and Cain thought so also, as I recall. Perry's voice had matured so wonderfully and all the guys were at the top of their game, imo.

Matured wonderfully? Don't get me wrong. He sounds good but compared to earlier Perry, it sounds more like it baked wonderfully.

[CatEyes]

Was that the year of the "One" album or some compilation like that?

[edit: that was the year of the Beatle's Anthology and the song was "free as a bird"

Cat

[Socratic Methodist]

I found it.

Free as a Bird? Never heard of it. Just another example of the 'biz' continuing to market a band that hasn't been together in, at that point, 26 years.

WYLAW should have won.

[Gordon from Edinburgh]

TBF is the crown jewel of Journey's musical and lyrical evolution as a band. It's their masterpiece.

I completely agree, although "Castles Burning" makes "Backtalk" seem like "Bohemian Rhapsody" by comparison.

Fair enough. i like it cos of that nasty wah wah guitar AND because it takes them a little beyond their comfort zone.....

[Ms_M]

Was that the year of the "One" album or some compilation like that?

[edit: that was the year of the Beatle's Anthology and the song was "free as a bird"

Cat

That's the one!!

[*Laura]

WYLAW should have won.

I totally agree.FAAB can't be compared to that masterpiece ballad that's WYLAW.
I said it before (and I remember pissing off a Beatles fan,although I didn't mean to),but I'll say it again:that Grammy went to a weak song that had only the power of a name behind it.
Can't even remember the chorus of FAAB,although I've heard it several times.Usually I remember a good song.

[GollyWally]

Laura, I agree with you COMPLETELY. The Beatles beat out Journey strictly based on band stature and not the merit of the songs that were up for the Grammy.

Btw, I love your avatar. Cool pic!

[7 Wishes]

The chorus? Ummm..."Free as a bird...something, something...something rhyming with "bird"...not "turd", something else...Free as a bird".

Something like that.

[*Laura]

The chorus? Ummm..."Free as a bird...something, something...something rhyming with "bird"...not "turd", something else...Free as a bird".

Something like that.

Exactly,Daniel!That's all I remember too.



Thanks for the avatar compliment,GW.That's one of my favorite movies and she's one heck of an actress.

[swataz]

I am a big Beatles fan but even I know the song was a novelty and nothing else.

They had the sad misfortune of being in the same class year as that song.

[Aaron]

TBF was the only Journey cd that pissed me off the first time I listened too it. Schon went on about how they were going to deliver a good rock record but we received a good adult contemporary cd. WYLAW is a great ballad but the rest I can do with out. There just isn't enough rock to keep my interest.

[brandonx76]

I'll tell you what. It's kinda tedious to listen to. Just too many slow/ mid tempo songs. Would it have killed them to rock out a little bit?

I think the record company / management was partly to blame...I remember hearing back in the day, from word of mouth that they (the band) were being closely scrutinzed on the material on TBF. I also recall in interviews (one from Smith) was a 'forced rehearsal' of the songs, prior to recording... It was a different experience than the band was used to, back in their hey day...

[lidobar]

TBF was the only Journey cd that pissed me off the first time I listened too it. Schon went on about how they were going to deliver a good rock record but we received a good adult contemporary cd. WYLAW is a great ballad but the rest I can do with out. There just isn't enough rock to keep my interest.

I agree, TBF was the worst record of the Perry era. There were some nice songs on it but they only grew on me after repeated listenings. Frontiers is their best record imho.

[7 Wishes]

I just don't get it! TBF had 10 incredible tracks...if that record had been released in 1989, it would have been #1. "If He Should Break Your Heart" is one of their 5 best tracks, ever.

[Tomulator]

I believe that most think there are too many ballads and not enough rockers on it.

I will risk getting flamed here, but I think what people expected in terms of SPs voice for this CD were unrealistic. I don't think he was up to singing another "Mother, Father" by the late 1990's, ya know?

In fact, the few heavier tunes on the CD, his voice sounded a bit strained...

I agree. His voice sounds different on certain songs like Don't Be Down On Me Baby. I was wondering if that was one of the last ones they did for TBF because his voice sounds rough in spots on that song.

Wow...to me DBDOMB was perhaps his STRONGEST song vocally on the whole disc! He hits what I believe is the highest note on the whole disc on that song. It may be my fav of the whole record.

Interesting how people can see things so polar oppositely...hmmm.

[NealIsGod]

I just don't get it! TBF had 10 incredible tracks...if that record had been released in 1989, it would have been #1. "If He Should Break Your Heart" is one of their 5 best tracks, ever.

I can think of about 50 songs I would rank ahead of it.

[GollyWally]

TBF, more than any other album, does seem to polorize fans. I guess I'm somewhere in the middle. It's certainly not my fav, but it's not my least favorite either.

I absolutely love Can't Tame the Lion, One More, Easy to Fall, and Still She Cries. Great vocal performances on all, Neil's guitar, and yes, even Friga's piano on Still She Cries are great.

Yet, I could completely do without Castles Burning, Colors of the Spirit and If He Should Break Your Heart--and definitely without Message of Love, which IMO, is sounds like a total ripoff of Separate Ways. But then I rank When You Love a Woman even higher than Faithfully and Open Arms in the ballad category. The more mature arrangement ,the orchestra and such, I think it's incredible. I love the video for that song too.

So, overall, some good tunes, some bad tunes.

[*Laura]

Friga's piano on Still She Cries are great.

Not great,but divine.

Anyone can say anything about Amadeus,however that piano solo is the best thing he had ever done.

[Red13JoePa]

Wow...to me DBDOMB was perhaps his STRONGEST song vocally on the whole disc! He hits what I believe is the highest note on the whole disc on that song. It may be my fav of the whole record.

Speaking of which, toss in Frontiers and go to the incredibly underrated Troubled Child and count off the 9+ seconds he holds "Moon." -----footnote: Deano.

[GollyWally]

Amadeus! Good one. That's too funny. I haven't heard that one before. But come to think of it, when he had that whole curls thing going during the ROR period with his frilly smock, he kinda looked like Tom Hulce!

Yes, his piano solo on that one is his best. And, of course, like everyone else, I love the intro to DSB.