Journey, Foreigner play inspired @ Darien Lake

[tater1977]

http://www.buffalonews.com/entertainmen ... 518966.ece

Journey, Foreigner play inspired

By Jeff Miers
NEWS POP MUSIC CRITIC


Updated: August 11, 2011, 8:01 AM


DARIEN — If you never had the chance to see Journey or Foreigner the first time around, you’d be forgiven for assuming that both bands still boasted their original lineups.

Wednesday, what appeared to be a close-to-capacity crowd took in inspired sets from both bands at the Darien Lake Performing Arts Center. That neither band can still count among its ranks the singer responsible for its biggest hits—Steve Perry in the case of Journey, Western New Yorker Lou Gramm in Foreigner’s situation — seemed to dampen no one’s enthusiasm. It’s possible that many in attendance didn’t even know the difference.

That’s because Journey’s new singer, Arnel Pineda — the Philippines-born vocalist who joined the group in 2007 — sounds an awful lot like the departed Perry, whose incredible range and Sam Cooke-like propensity for soulfulness has made him an icon, even in retirement.

Pineda nails all the Perry parts with conviction and virtuosity. A cynic might call it killer karaoke, but the legion of Journey lovers — including, no doubt, a host of “newbies” turned on to the band by the use of its music on the “Glee” TV series — remains devoted to this band’s grandiose, anthemic rock.

They got a hits-heavy set of that bigger-than-life sound on Wednesday, as Journey offered only two songs from its new effort, “Eclipse” — the stronger of the two was the powerful, optimistic “City Of Hope”—and instead concentrated on the Perry-era material that made it one of the biggest stadium bands of the late ’70s and ’80s.

The opening one-two salvo of “Separate Ways” and “Ask the Lonely” celebrated the band’s unmatched ability to blend massive pop hooks with arena-rock bombast and killer vocal harmonies. Right out of the gate, guitarist Neal Schon— one of the two remaining founding members, along with bassist Ross Valory — tore into his trademark hybrid of long-toned melodic lines and hyper-speedy pentatonic flurries.

“Only the Young,” “Stone In Love” and “Who’s Crying Now” married pop ballads to epic guitar solos, and throughout, Pineda remained in a form that was pretty damn close to flawless.

Pineda did appear to be struggling with the highest of the high notes during “Faithfully,” but he nailed “Don’t Stop Believin’ ”with the full cooperation of the assembled, most of whom seemed to be singing — make that screaming — along.

Foreigner—with only founding member and leader Mick Jones representing the original lineup — fared nearly as well as Journey.

With new singer Kelly Hanson taking Gramm’s place, the band delivered powerful takes on its biggest hits. “Double Vision,” “Head Games” — with a nice extended guitar solo from Jones — “Cold As Ice,” and the ballads “Waiting For A Girl Like You” and “I Want To Know What Love Is” were performed flawlessly and with an edge that reveals the band’s debt to the Paul Rodgers-led bands Free and Bad Company. The crowd did not reserve all its love for Journey — Foreigner was welcomed with, er, open arms.

Californian power-pop/metal outfit Night Ranger played a short but powerful early set. Singer/bassist Jack Blades, guitarist Brad Gillis and drummer Kelly Keagy offered a set of songs from their ’80s heyday that was pretty smokin’.

The band finished its well-received gig with its two biggest hits, the ballad “Sister Christian” and the top-down, sunny-day rocker, “You Can Still Rock in America.”

Concert Review

Journey and Foreigner

With Night Ranger. Wednesday night in the Darien Lake Performing Arts Center.

[JRNYFan]

I stop reading any review as soon as it says that Pineda sounds just like Perry. They have never sounded alike!

[ebake02]

I would love to see what the official attendance was, that place to packed to the gills. I keep hearing that people are sick of DSB but after that show I don't buy it. The crowd went bat shit crazy why they started playing that song and they sang every word too.

[Don]

I would love to see what the official attendance was, that place to packed to the gills. I keep hearing that people are sick of DSB but after that show I don't buy it. The crowd went bat shit crazy why they started playing that song and they sang every word too.

The Greatest Hits is back in the Top 50 this week and Escape has been selling well, actually outselling Eclipse over the last month. Really, it's not just DSB but the complete Dirty Dozen that people are digging.
When's the last time the band played Tantra live or at least three songs from Eclipse?

[ebake02]

I would love to see what the official attendance was, that place to packed to the gills. I keep hearing that people are sick of DSB but after that show I don't buy it. The crowd went bat shit crazy why they started playing that song and they sang every word too.

When's the last time the band played Tantra live or at least three songs from Eclipse?

The only played City of Hope and Edge of the Moment last night.

[Eric]

Amazing show. Neal must be reading because they corrected the things we complained about on here. Journey brought their A game and needed it because Foreigner was tight as hell. Ranger was fun and I didn't want their set to end. Such a great band that doesn't get enough respect.

And yeah...Darien was JAMMED. I'd like to know if they hit 20k.

What a great show....missed not hearing deep cuts, Deen singing, and more Eclipse....but that is for another show. The crowd was in a frenzy that only Cain's piano subdued. Seriously...combine Open Arms and Faithfully into a quick medley and drop the effing piano solo during a rock show. It drained the energy right out of the crowd.

[ebake02]

Amazing show. Neal must be reading because they corrected the things we complained about on here. Journey brought their A game and needed it because Foreigner was tight as hell. Ranger was fun and I didn't want their set to end. Such a great band that doesn't get enough respect.

And yeah...Darien was JAMMED. I'd like to know if they hit 20k.

What a great show....missed not hearing deep cuts, Deen singing, and more Eclipse....but that is for another show. The crowd was in a frenzy that only Cain's piano subdued. Seriously...combine Open Arms and Faithfully into a quick medley and drop the effing piano solo during a rock show. It drained the energy right out of the crowd.

Yeah, I saw a lot of people making beer and bathroom runs during Jon's solo. I could have done without the harmonica solo during Wheel in the Sky too, they should have stuck with what they did on the Manila DVD, I like that version a lot better. I thought it was a great show too, loved hearing the crowd singing every word to all of the dirty dozen! Arnel running through the crowd totally caught me off guard too, he had them wrapped around his finger the whole set.

[ebake02]

Does anybody who was there know what the first song on Night Ranger's set list was?

[Eric]

Does anybody who was there know what the first song on Night Ranger's set list was?

Was just strolling in but I think it was "Lay it on Me".

[Eric]

Arnel running through the crowd totally caught me off guard too, he had them wrapped around his finger the whole set.

That little bastard got lost for a few minutes during BGTY!

[Rick]

Does anybody who was there know what the first song on Night Ranger's set list was?

Was just strolling in but I think it was "Lay it on Me".

That is an awesome song. Love their new record.

[ebake02]

Does anybody who was there know what the first song on Night Ranger's set list was?

Was just strolling in but I think it was "Lay it on Me".

Thanks, I really liked that one!

[Eric]

Ranger
1. Lay It On Me
2. Sing Me Away
3. High Enough
4. When You Close Your Eyes
5. Don't Tell Me You Love Me
6. Sister Christian
7. Rock in America (with Deep Purple’s

Foreigner
1. Double Vision
2. Head Games
3. Cold As Ice
4. Waiting For A Girl Like You
5. Dirty White Boy
6. Feels Like The First Time
7. Urgent
8. I Want To Know What Love Is
9. Hot Blooded
Encore:
10. Jukebox Hero

Journey
1. Schon Solo/Separate Ways
2. Ask the Lonely
3. City of Hope
4. Only the Young
5. Schon Solo/Stone in Love
6. Edge of the Moment
7. Lights
8. Who's Crying Now
9. Wheel in the Sky (With HSAS’s My Hometown)
10. Cain solo/Open Arms
11. Be Good to Yourself
12. Faithfully
13. Don't Stop Believin'
Encore:
14. Any Way You Want It
15. Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'

[Gideon]

Journey:
1. Schon Solo/Separate Ways
2. Ask the Lonely
3. City of Hope
4. Only the Young
5. Schon Solo/Stone in Love
6. Edge of the Moment
7. Lights
8. Who's Crying Now
9. Wheel in the Sky (With HSAS’s My Hometown)
10. Cain solo/Open Arms
11. Be Good to Yourself
12. Faithfully
13. Don't Stop Believin'
Encore:
14. Any Way You Want It
15. Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'

Sweet Jesus these guys are morons. Thank God they don't have jobs that actually require deeper thought.

[ebake02]

Journey:
1. Schon Solo/Separate Ways
2. Ask the Lonely
3. City of Hope
4. Only the Young
5. Schon Solo/Stone in Love
6. Edge of the Moment
7. Lights
8. Who's Crying Now
9. Wheel in the Sky (With HSAS’s My Hometown)
10. Cain solo/Open Arms
11. Be Good to Yourself
12. Faithfully
13. Don't Stop Believin'
Encore:
14. Any Way You Want It
15. Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'

Sweet Jesus these guys are morons. Thank God they don't have jobs that actually require deeper thought.

[Eric]

Sweet Jesus these guys are morons. Thank God they don't have jobs that actually require deeper thought.

The middle of the set with New Song (Edge of the Moment), Lights and Who's Cryin Now hurt pacing...as did Cain's piano solo...but this was a huge crowd casual fan rock and roll greatest hits show. The energy was high and and they had a tough act to follow in a very tight Foreigner. I want deeper cuts and new songs..but they would have bombed.

[Rick]

Journey:
1. Schon Solo/Separate Ways
2. Ask the Lonely
3. City of Hope
4. Only the Young
5. Schon Solo/Stone in Love
6. Edge of the Moment
7. Lights
8. Who's Crying Now
9. Wheel in the Sky (With HSAS’s My Hometown)
10. Cain solo/Open Arms
11. Be Good to Yourself
12. Faithfully
13. Don't Stop Believin'
Encore:
14. Any Way You Want It
15. Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'

Sweet Jesus these guys are morons. Thank God they don't have jobs that actually require deeper thought.

Actually, I think the fans enjoy singing along to that song.

[ebake02]

The only disappointments last night for me was not hearing Edge of the Blade and Mother Father, Night Ranger's set was too short and Foreigner not playing Starrider.

[RumTumJM]

I have to ask, have the guy finally been playing until 11:00, or are they still leaving with time left?

[Eric]

I have to ask, have the guy finally been playing until 11:00, or are they still leaving with time left?

I think it was around 10:54 when they were bowing....so they could sneak another song in.

[S2M]

All indications point to Hansen & Co. positively mopping the floor with Journey....and the world is back on it's 23 1/2 degree axis.....

[Gideon]

All indications point to Hansen & Co. positively mopping the floor with Journey....and the world is back on it's 23 1/2 degree axis.....

Foreigner—with only founding member and leader Mick Jones representing the original lineup — fared nearly as well as Journey.

As an intellectual, could you try a little harder to conceal or mitigate your bias as to avoid outright lies?

[fightingilliniJRNY]

All indications point to Hansen & Co. positively mopping the floor with Journey....and the world is back on it's 23 1/2 degree axis.....

I wouldn't say "all indications." At all. There are definitely some accounts that tell it that way, but I think more of them say Journey lived up to headlining billing or that they and Foreigner should have shared it.

[Don]

All indications point to Hansen & Co. positively mopping the floor with Journey....and the world is back on it's 23 1/2 degree axis.....

I wouldn't say "all indications." At all. There are definitely some accounts that tell it that way, but I think more of them say Journey lived up to headlining billing or that they and Foreigner should have shared it.

I'd say it falls more into that, where both have been pretty much co-headlining. The shortened setlist Journey has been slinging out there lends to that notion.
Yes, the tour is called Eclipse but with only two songs being played from that album and CD sales being tepid, it's not exactly a stand out moniker.

[DrFU]

"inspired" is not an adverb ...

and the current setlist is anything but

[Vocalsmanvocals]

It was a rockin show! Night Ranger just slayed it! The guys looked like they were havin fun, the whole set just riveted with passion for playing, high energy, and sweet vocals when all the members harmonized! That Kelly Keagy is a rare talent! That guy is really good! That was my first time seeing Night Ranger.

Foreigner was classic...Great vocals, drumming, and guitars! Everyone was on...the only part was Mick Jones just looked kinda down by seeing his facial expressions. I turned to my wife and said he seems like the only one up there who doesn't want to be tonight.

Now hearing all the complaints about Journey's sound guy on this tour, this was another off night. I don't know if we were too close to the speakers, but the bass was way too turned up and distorted sounding..at times I could not stand it..it totally messed up the melodies of the songs. I had to keep telling myself it is just the sound guy f'in up. The band itself, was great. I saw a couple of things, I think only a die fan would pick out....Neal messed up in the first song, Jon did too at one point, and Arnel came in a beat late on a song and was stealing the spotlight from Neal during one of Neal's solos on the walkout part of the stage and almost clocked Neal in head..Neal had to duck LOL .....but nothing major. It was great to finally see the band play WCN....I am pretty sure they did not play that song the last few times around these parts. Huge crowd, good to see the guys again. Glad they are still touring! I was also surprised how well City of Hope was received by the crowd...the crowd rocked it!

[Infinity Vocalist 2010]

I was pretty happy with the show on Tuesday. Other than a douchebag security dummy ordering me to sit down while I was standing and cheering, singing, fist-pumping, etc. during Edge of the Moment, along with all of the security watching me at one point, but what can ya do?

Both Foreigner and Journey kicked major ass and Ontario ate them up. Not a bored soul in the ampitheatre.

[steveo777]

I was pretty happy with the show on Tuesday. Other than a douchebag security dummy ordering me to sit down while I was standing and cheering, singing, fist-pumping, etc. during Edge of the Moment, along with all of the security watching me at one point, but what can ya do?

Both Foreigner and Journey kicked major ass and Ontario ate them up. Not a bored soul in the ampitheatre.

I heard a couple of the YouTubes and it sounded like the crowd was on fire.

[ceedj]

I have heard lots of good things about the show; had the sets been a bit more varied, I might have gone. But it sounds like everyone had a great time, so huzzah. Buffalo has always been a good spot for Journey, so the crowd reaction doesn't really surprise me.

[ebake02]

It was a rockin show! Night Ranger just slayed it! The guys looked like they were havin fun, the whole set just riveted with passion for playing, high energy, and sweet vocals when all the members harmonized! That Kelly Keagy is a rare talent! That guy is really good! That was my first time seeing Night Ranger.

Foreigner was classic...Great vocals, drumming, and guitars! Everyone was on...the only part was Mick Jones just looked kinda down by seeing his facial expressions. I turned to my wife and said he seems like the only one up there who doesn't want to be tonight.

Now hearing all the complaints about Journey's sound guy on this tour, this was another off night. I don't know if we were too close to the speakers, but the bass was way too turned up and distorted sounding..at times I could not stand it..it totally messed up the melodies of the songs. I had to keep telling myself it is just the sound guy f'in up. The band itself, was great. I saw a couple of things, I think only a die fan would pick out....Neal messed up in the first song, Jon did too at one point, and Arnel came in a beat late on a song and was stealing the spotlight from Neal during one of Neal's solos on the walkout part of the stage and almost clocked Neal in head..Neal had to duck LOL .....but nothing major. It was great to finally see the band play WCN....I am pretty sure they did not play that song the last few times around these parts. Huge crowd, good to see the guys again. Glad they are still touring! I was also surprised how well City of Hope was received by the crowd...the crowd rocked it!

They nailed WCN, probably their best performance of the night in my opinion! The attendance is really bugging me, I can't find the figures anywhere. I've never saw a crowd that big there before so I'm curious to see what the number was.