BA v Journey

[Rockindeano]

Andrew needs to chime in here.

I am trying to get back in the saddle so here goes.....

Bryan Adams vs Journey

AJM, in your opinion, who is the "better band" regarding songwriting, dedication to fans, touring, and overall talent. Who are the good guys within both bands?

Thanks.


Just trying to start up some conversation, hope it's ok.

[chf34jmac]

While I'm not Andrew, I hope you don't mind my thoughts on this.

1. I think there are actually a lot of similarities in the songwriting of both groups. Hooky ballads, Midtempos with really good riffs and neither band has any over the top insane rockers.

That is where the two are the similar and that's where it ends. Class towards the fans and band members goes hands down to BA.

[bluejeangirl76]

Class towards the fans and band members goes hands down to BA.

Yup. Agreed. Journey has pretty much sunk to the bottom of the barrel in those departments.

[strangegrey]

I've always viewed Bryan Adams as Melodic Rock's answer to Mellencamp.

His 'thing' is more stripped down and basic. Whereas Journey has a more processed, calculated feel. Viewed from the POV of a musician, you can play a journey song and inject nuances and feel into it...and it sounds all wrong. You can get real loose and off-base with a Badams song, and it still sounds good.

Journey = more structure, still good songs but require more framework
Badams = less structure, great feel, can play his music on an acoustic or with a full band.


I remember a few years ago, Bryan adams did a tour, he played bass, keith scott played guitar and there was a drummer. Thats it. They still pulled off those songs...and it sounded great. without a keyboardist or another guitarist.

Journey, eh, how can you play seperate ways, open arms or whos cryin now without a keyboardist? Try playing escape or keep on runnin without a guitarist?


I go back and forth on this very dichotemy in my musical listening...but it's more so....listening to country vs Melodic rock. At times I want to hear stuff that's stripped down, less processed, less contrived....and thats when I will listen to Keith Urban or Brad Paisley. Sure their stuff is contrived, but the guitarists arent hiding behind slick effects processed marshalls. It's mostly teles plugged straight into amps...

But then I thirst to crank it up a bit, and hear those processed guitars, more chops....and I will thirst to listen to MR or Hair Nation or something.

It's actually a very disconcerting feeling....to go back and forth like that.....it's hard to identify with one thing.

[SteveForever]

Bryan is better lookin than Neal.

[squirt1]

Bryan had a lot going at a young age. My fav's were SUMMER OF '69 and EVERYTHING I DO, I DO IT FOR YOU or at least that is the lyric. The video from the 80's at the drive in was my favorite -Summer of '69.

[bluejeangirl76]

Bryan is better lookin than Neal.

Most people are better looking than Neal.

[Ratgirl]

Andrew needs to chime in here.

I am trying to get back in the saddle so here goes.....

Bryan Adams vs Journey

AJM, in your opinion, who is the "better band" regarding songwriting, dedication to fans, touring, and overall talent. Who are the good guys within both bands?

Thanks.


Just trying to start up some conversation, hope it's ok.

If it was the 80s I would probably think differently about certain things you mentioned.

Songwriting - Sorry Dean.. I dont listen to BA very often so I would have to go with Journey
Dedication to fans - well that's an obvious answer.. if your going with previous members, JSS is the coolest
Touring - 80s would be Journey.. now, possibly BA? Although he doesnt hit the SE very often
Talent - Journey.. amazing musicians but zero class

JMHO..

[Marc S]

Andrew needs to chime in here.

I am trying to get back in the saddle so here goes.....

Bryan Adams vs Journey

AJM, in your opinion, who is the "better band" regarding songwriting, dedication to fans, touring, and overall talent. Who are the good guys within both bands?

Thanks.


Just trying to start up some conversation, hope it's ok.

The main difference is BA has constantly evolved, Journey haven't really, their sound/song structure is the same as it was from Escape onwards, just better production, though Generations sounded cheap.

Adams voice is as good (in its own way - they are not comparable IMO) as Perry's/JSS's and still sounds fantastic. Having seen him a dozen times from 1986-2006, he and the band always delivers. BA comes across as a decent human being with no other agenda, doesn't seem to rip fans off or be cynical. Great band with him too, always the same guys and it really shows. The fact that BA can go out as a pared-down trio and still pull it off shows the basic quality of the songs. Not sure all of Journeys would stand that treatment?

This point in time I guess, and it depends if you like BA in the first place, he nudges ahead...

[Rip Rokken]

I've always preferred Journey to Bryan Adams, though I've seen Bryan live 3 times and thought he was great. Strangely, all three times I was there to see the other band he was playing with. He opened on two of those shows, and headlined the tour with The Storm (I went to see The Storm, as they had just really hit and I was really into them).

The last time I saw him was opening for The Rolling Stones, and I felt a bit bad for him -- people were just there to see The Stones, and weren't really receptive to this great musician and performer. He also pretty much avoided all of his popular ballads during that show, sticking to rockers, and I can understand. A great opportunity to play for sold-out arenas, but still a tough act to open for.

B.A. is great, but I've always enjoyed Journey much more.

[strangegrey]

The last time I saw him was opening for The Rolling Stones, and I felt a bit bad for him -- people were just there to see The Stones, and weren't really receptive to this great musician and performer.

Not many opening acts for the Stones, over the years, have gotten a good reception. Hell, the opening act could be Led Zep...and they'd get trashed by Stones fans.

Rolling Stones fans are the equivalent of Philidelphia Eagles fans. Not only do they not know talent, but they're fucking pricks to boot.

[ieie]

I saw Bryan Adams on tour with Def Leppard. And let me tell you, he sounded GREAT. He sounded exactly the same as he did on his albums and in the 80's. Very very impressive - that doesn't happen often.

And a cool story when we were at Mohegan Sun.. there were quite a few empty seats up toward the front so Bryan Adams told everyone to move up. Security went mental - but he said - come on all this space move up who cares!

haha it was great!

[Behshad]

BA is taller than Neal

[Marc S]

BA is taller than Neal

Isn't just about everybody taller than Neal

[heardonthestreet]

With Perry, I'd pick Journey every time. Without Perry I'd have to ask, "What's a Journey?"

[belar]

I've always been a bigger fan of Journey, but I think Adams is very good, too. I have a few of his CDs, although nothing from the last 10 years.

At least Bryan Adams has never replaced his lead singer!

[Red13JoePa]

Rolling Stones fans are the equivalent of Philidelphia Eagles fans. Not only do they not know talent, but they're fucking pricks to boot.

Double guilty on me then.

[Saint John]

Andrew needs to chime in here.

I am trying to get back in the saddle so here goes.....

Bryan Adams vs Journey

AJM, in your opinion, who is the "better band" regarding songwriting, dedication to fans, touring, and overall talent. Who are the good guys within both bands?

Thanks.


Just trying to start up some conversation, hope it's ok.

Songwriting- Both have excellent songwriting. They talk about life's events and write music relative to our lives. Both get A's in this department, but I'd give Journey a slight edge because of the way those words were emoted by Perry and how he made those lyrics almost transcend music. BA gets an A, but Journey gets an A+.

Dedication to fans- Neal and Jare solely to dedicated to control, money and backstabbing. Steve Perry chooses to live a secluded life, offering his fans no insight into his intentions and/or vocal capacities. While he has, for the most part, remained the band's only major player to remain classy he still falls a bit short in this fan's opinion. Bryan Adams storms away with this category in a big way. His only shortcoming is that he's Canadian.

Touring- Tough one here. Neal, Jon and Ross have shown that they have the ability and stamina to tour at a grueling pace. Bryan Adams keeps his tours at a more rea;istic level and doesn't HAVE to be out on the road to support multiple divorces, child support and possibly a few bastard children. While Journey has more quantity, BA has them in the quality department (in the present). It is only because of Steve Perry and the "S" that he used to wear on his chest during their early 80's touring schedule that I'm going to call this category a draw.

Overall talent- Personal opinions of the current Journey members have to be left at the door in order to even continue writing. Neal Schon is perhaps a Top 20 guitarist of all-time. Steve Smith might be the greatest drummer of the modern era. Ross Valory is an underrated bassist and really, along with Smith, was the backbone of the Journey sound. They really complimented the Perry/Schon show. Jonathon Cain is a dime a dozen and is a MAJOR reason Journey was known as a "wuss" band by a large group of people. His cheesy synth parts in songs like Separate Ways and Ask The Lonely are the biggest reason that Journey never had respect with the pundits. Aside from being a tremendous songwriter, this dude is completely worthless. Bryan Adams has a group of very talented musicians and they seem down to earth with level heads. They seem like they are, in totality, the much classier group of individuals, but there's no way I can call them more talented. they simply aren't. Journey's classic lineup by a pretty wide margin on this one.

Good guys in each band- BA seems like he has all good guys in his band. Journey has/had Greg Rolie, Steve Smith and Ross Valory. These guys have stayed grounded, did their work and were nice to fans. Perry, Cain and Schon have all shown instances where they were power hungry and incorrigible. While Perry grew up and moved on, he did remain evasive, non-committal and mysterious. Not a crime by any means, but not exactly fan friendly either. Neal and Jon have shown themselves to be two of the more sinister guys in the business and I'll leave it at that. Bryan Adams and company win this category going away.

[Deb]

Songwriting - Sorry Dean.. I dont listen to BA very often so I would have to go with Journey
Dedication to fans - well that's an obvious answer.. if your going with previous members, JSS is the coolest
Touring - 80s would be Journey.. now, possibly BA? Although he doesnt hit the SE very often
Talent - Journey.. amazing musicians but zero class

JMHO..

Agree with every word, Ang. Except I'd add SP to that coolest list too. And IMO, when it comes to overall talent etc., nothing but nothing beats the classic Journey lineup.

Gawd I remember the big joke back when BA was in the height of his popularity back here in Canada........he and Cory Hart (Sunglasses at night) were up for the same Canadian music awards alot of the time. What a joke that was, BA has more talent in his pinky finger than Cory Hart has period.

[Deb]

Bryan Adams storms away with this category in a big way. His only shortcoming is that he's Canadian. :lol:

Do you really want to go there again?!

[Moon Beam]

This sums it up for me.....

Bryan Adams is still making new music for the fans.
Journey isn't and with all the singer shuffles in the last while
I've lost interest.
Being lied to about new music in the works with Sir Soto didn't help.

[Arkansas]

I've always viewed Bryan Adams as Melodic Rock's answer to Mellencamp.

I think this a good analogy. I always likened him to Canada's pop-rock Springsteen too.

Actually saw Bryan Adams open for Journey in '83. Then saw The Storm open for Bryan Adams in '92 (I think).
Both great shows.


later~

[lights1961]

JOURNEYS MUSIC is still timeless... and is still 100000% times better than Adams.


Rick

[journeyrock]

Bryan is better lookin than Neal.

Most people are better looking than Neal.

Aw come on, give the guy a break. And you KNOW how I feel about Neal. But.......he was VERY good looking back in the day from Escape through ROR, IMO. Today? Well, that's a whole new ballgame.

[mistiejourney]

Class towards the fans and band members goes hands down to BA.

Yup. Agreed. Journey has pretty much sunk to the bottom of the barrel in those departments.

Oh my god, that has to be the avatar of the year!

[mistiejourney]

Andrew needs to chime in here.

I am trying to get back in the saddle so here goes.....

Bryan Adams vs Journey

AJM, in your opinion, who is the "better band" regarding songwriting, dedication to fans, touring, and overall talent. Who are the good guys within both bands?

Thanks.


Just trying to start up some conversation, hope it's ok.

Bryan Adams vs who?

<sorry, couldn't resist>

[Deb]

Bryan is better lookin than Neal.

Most people are better looking than Neal.

Aw come on, give the guy a break. And you KNOW how I feel about Neal. But.......he was VERY good looking back in the day from Escape through ROR, IMO. Today? Well, that's a whole new ballgame.

Not much of a Neal fan either, but have to say I agree with you. I think he looked his best during the ROR and Bad English days. Looks pretty hot in the rain scene at the end of this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfUMswVj5hg

[Ratgirl]

Bryan is better lookin than Neal.

Most people are better looking than Neal.

Aw come on, give the guy a break. And you KNOW how I feel about Neal. But.......he was VERY good looking back in the day from Escape through ROR, IMO. Today? Well, that's a whole new ballgame.

Not much of a Neal fan either, but have to say I agree with you. I think he looked his best during the ROR and Bad English days. Looks pretty hot in the rain scene at the end of this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfUMswVj5hg

Uhh.. he looks hot in that video.

[bluejeangirl76]

Bryan is better lookin than Neal.

Most people are better looking than Neal.

Aw come on, give the guy a break. And you KNOW how I feel about Neal. But.......he was VERY good looking back in the day from Escape through ROR, IMO. Today? Well, that's a whole new ballgame.

Not much of a Neal fan either, but have to say I agree with you. I think he looked his best during the ROR and Bad English days. Looks pretty hot in the rain scene at the end of this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfUMswVj5hg

Uhh.. he looks hot in that video.

I was speaking present day. I agree he wasn't bad back in the day. '86-'87... not bad.

[Matthew]

The main difference is BA has constantly evolved, Journey haven't really.

I'm not sure I agree with this Marc. Journey changed their sound radically in the 70s and 80s in a way Bryan Adams never did in the equivalent time. Yes, Journey have got stuck in a formula now but I'd say that their back catalogue is much richer and morte varied than BA who has never departed from a very narrow sound. There was that Eurodisco song he did in the 90s but everything else isn't that different from Run To You, etc.

I reckon Richard Marx is better than BA, anyway....


As for treatment of the fans...well, I really couldn't give a shit about that to be honest. Journey have given the fans one classic album after another...and that's enough for me anyway.