Great Allentown Fair

[tater1977]

Journey, Foreigner and Night Ranger bring hits, energy to Great Allentown Fair

Published: Wednesday, August 31, 2011, 10:10 PM Updated: Wednesday, August 31, 2011, 10:26 PM

By Dustin Schoof | The Express-Times

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/music/i ... _ra_1.html


Do you want to know what love is?

Love is the sound of thousands of screaming fans singing in unison at the Allentown Fairgrounds.

Classic rock bands Journey, Foreigner and Night Ranger took the stage tonight at the Great Allentown Fair, bringing with them a karaoke-worthy collection of hits and sing-a-longs.

Sure, the music sounded a bit dated; stuck somewhere in a time warp between Spinal Tap and Skid Row (even the computer-generated "band' on screen behind Foreigner had mullets). But that didn't stop them, or the crowd, from having a good time.

Night Ranger worked the crowd early on, hitting them hard and fast with an array of radio hits, including "Sister Christian'" and a spin through Damn Yankees' "High Enough."

Foreigner followed, though the band's only remaining original member, guitarist Mick Jones, was not in attendance. He was replaced by guitarist Joel Hoekstra, who split his time playing lead with Night Ranger and Foreigner.

Singer Kelly Hansen held his own and demonstrated impressive range, belting out Foreigner staples such as "Double Vision," "Cold as Ice," "Waiting for a Girl Like You,' "Urgent" and "Feels Like the First Time,' while whipping the crowd into a frenzy.

Halfway through the lighter/cell phone-friendly ballad "I Want to Know What Love Is," students from William Allen High School appeared on stage to sing the chorus.

"Makes you want to go back to high school and join the choir, huh?" Hansen joked.

On "Urgent," multi-instrumentalist Thom Gimbel busted out a saxophone solo which literally brought him to his knees and the audience to its feet.

Hoekstra continued to give his fingers a workout, melting his fretboard on a searing -- though by-the-numbers -- rendition of 1978's "Hot Blooded."

The group exited the stage, returning seconds later for the band's 1981 hit, "Jukebox Hero."

By the time Journey took the stage, oversized beach balls could be seen bouncing around the crowd as the band ripped through "Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)."

As singer Arnel Pineda -- who was discovered in 2007 after videos of him singing surfaced on YouTube.com -- showed off his vocal prowess, the first question that immediately came to mind was 'Steve Perry who?"

With founding member and guitarist Neal Schon working his six-string with intensity and focused precision as the band continued into their song "City of Hope." Despite showing their muscle, the early half of Journey's set relied heavily on ballads, including "Stone in Love," 'Edge of the Moment" and the band's 1978 hit "Lights."

The band followed it up with an extended run through "Wheel in the Sky."

However, the focus on slower numbers seemed to sap some of the energy out of the crowd, still charged from Foreigner and Night Ranger's sets.

[S2M]

I don't care how good people think Arnel is...he surely doesn't make people exclaim, "Steve Perry who?"

That's just fucking nonsense....

[Don]

By Dustin Schoof | The Express-Times

Despite showing their muscle, the early half of Journey's set relied heavily on ballads, including "Stone in Love," 'Edge of the Moment" and the band's 1978 hit "Lights."

.

Retard Alert.

[steveo777]

I don't care how good people think Arnel is...he surely doesn't make people exclaim, "Steve Perry who?"

That's just fucking nonsense....

You're right, Arnel is good, but anyone with ears knows he doesn't sound like Steve Perry, although he can emulate him to some degree on the classics,
helping provide a familiar, signature type sound, which Journey is known for. That's a tenor voice with soul and emotion, as Neal says. Sure Arnel can
sound Perry-esque, but he has his own distinct sound. But, hello redundancy! We already knew that.

Think the band slipped the guy a c-note to say shit like that?

[AR]

Cheapest tickets for any night on the tour.

[steveo777]

Cheapest tickets for any night on the tour.

That's because it's the fair. Our county fair includes the price of admission for the concert into the fair admission price, which was $12 this year.
For our money we got to see Brett Michaels and Kenny Rogers. Actually, since my company is a fair sponsor, I got to see the concerts for free this
year. A couple years ago Night Ranger was here for the same deal. You still have to pay $7 for a beer and $4.50 for a fucking corn dog.

[AR]

I hesitate to say this, but must. Having a short Filipino singer, as good as he is, makes Journey look like they have an American Idol contestant fronting them. If you consider them a Hall of Fame Band (not the disgraceful Rock and Roll Hall of Fame mismanaged by the people from Rolling Stone) then touring with Arnel is odd. at least to me. The musical chair lead singer thing lost me after Steve A, but JSS kept me in the fold for another year.

As strange as the current Journey still looks to my eyes - they have made 2 albums/CD's together so the intent is there and enough people are on board with it so that's cool. It's valid, despite any of my reservations.

What really makes the blood boil is the band Boston and their karaoke lead singer from Home Depot with ZERO stage presence. I hate that. Just put an orange Depot apron on him and have him sing the classics while he finds me a pair of vice grips and some drywall.

[steveo777]

I hesitate to say this, but must. Having a short Filipino singer, as good as he is, makes Journey look like they have an American Idol contestant fronting them. If you consider them a Hall of Fame Band (not the disgraceful Rock and Roll Hall of Fame mismanaged by the people from Rolling Stone) then touring with Arnel is odd. at least to me.

As strange as that still looks to my eyes - they have made 2 albums/CD's together so the intent is there and enough people are on board with it so that's cool.

What really makes the blood boil is the band Boston and their karaoke lead singer from Home Depot with ZERO stage presence. I hate that. Just put an orange Depot apron on him and have him sing the classics while he finds me a pair of vice grips and some drywall.

Solution: Just get lawn seats and you won't notice the short Filipino singer. His voice is much bigger than he is.
BTW, how can that seem so odd when you have a midget on lead guitar?

[AR]

I hesitate to say this, but must. Having a short Filipino singer, as good as he is, makes Journey look like they have an American Idol contestant fronting them. If you consider them a Hall of Fame Band (not the disgraceful Rock and Roll Hall of Fame mismanaged by the people from Rolling Stone) then touring with Arnel is odd. at least to me.

As strange as that still looks to my eyes - they have made 2 albums/CD's together so the intent is there and enough people are on board with it so that's cool.

What really makes the blood boil is the band Boston and their karaoke lead singer from Home Depot with ZERO stage presence. I hate that. Just put an orange Depot apron on him and have him sing the classics while he finds me a pair of vice grips and some drywall.

how can that seem so odd when you have a midget on lead guitar?

Got my Journey fix from seeing Steve Augeri this spring and Frontiers once. Paid $15 total. That was enough.

Eclipse was a nice release though.

[steveo777]

I hesitate to say this, but must. Having a short Filipino singer, as good as he is, makes Journey look like they have an American Idol contestant fronting them. If you consider them a Hall of Fame Band (not the disgraceful Rock and Roll Hall of Fame mismanaged by the people from Rolling Stone) then touring with Arnel is odd. at least to me.

As strange as that still looks to my eyes - they have made 2 albums/CD's together so the intent is there and enough people are on board with it so that's cool.

What really makes the blood boil is the band Boston and their karaoke lead singer from Home Depot with ZERO stage presence. I hate that. Just put an orange Depot apron on him and have him sing the classics while he finds me a pair of vice grips and some drywall.

how can that seem so odd when you have a midget on lead guitar?

Got my Journey fix from seeing Steve Augeri this spring and Frontiers once. Paid $15 total. That was enough.

Eclipse was a nice release though.

You cheap bastard!
And, you think you got your Journey fix with Steve Augeri? I'm sure he was in top form.

[portland]

[quote="AR"]I hesitate to say this, but must. Having a short Filipino singer, as good as he is, makes Journey look like they have an American Idol contestant fronting them. If you consider them a Hall of Fame Band (not the disgraceful Rock and Roll Hall of Fame mismanaged by the people from Rolling Stone) then touring with Arnel is odd. at least to me. The musical chair lead singer thing lost me after Steve A, but JSS kept me in the fold for another year.

As strange as the current Journey still looks to my eyes - they have made 2 albums/CD's together so the intent is there and enough people are on board with it so that's cool. It's valid, despite any of my reservations.

[color=red]What really makes the blood boil is the band Boston and their karaoke lead singer from Home Depot with ZERO stage presence. I hate that. Just put an orange Depot apron on him and have him sing the classics while he finds me a pair of vice grips and some drywall. [/quote][/color]


I tend to agree with this.....Micheal Sweet was doing a fine job, there was no need for the Home Depot Guy.

[AR]

I hesitate to say this, but must. Having a short Filipino singer, as good as he is, makes Journey look like they have an American Idol contestant fronting them. If you consider them a Hall of Fame Band (not the disgraceful Rock and Roll Hall of Fame mismanaged by the people from Rolling Stone) then touring with Arnel is odd. at least to me.

As strange as that still looks to my eyes - they have made 2 albums/CD's together so the intent is there and enough people are on board with it so that's cool.

What really makes the blood boil is the band Boston and their karaoke lead singer from Home Depot with ZERO stage presence. I hate that. Just put an orange Depot apron on him and have him sing the classics while he finds me a pair of vice grips and some drywall.

how can that seem so odd when you have a midget on lead guitar?

Got my Journey fix from seeing Steve Augeri this spring and Frontiers once. Paid $15 total. That was enough.

Eclipse was a nice release though.

You cheap bastard!
And, you think you got your Journey fix with Steve Augeri? I'm sure he was in top form.

He was in good form - now that he doesn't have to conform to the ridiculous schedule Journey keeps.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjVy-Mc-5AI

I loved it. Not one of the loons watching every note for an issue. Just rock out and sing it. Not expecting Perry replication. The people in that casino went nuts when he came out. Took people off the slot machines.

[steveo777]

I hesitate to say this, but must. Having a short Filipino singer, as good as he is, makes Journey look like they have an American Idol contestant fronting them. If you consider them a Hall of Fame Band (not the disgraceful Rock and Roll Hall of Fame mismanaged by the people from Rolling Stone) then touring with Arnel is odd. at least to me. The musical chair lead singer thing lost me after Steve A, but JSS kept me in the fold for another year.

As strange as the current Journey still looks to my eyes - they have made 2 albums/CD's together so the intent is there and enough people are on board with it so that's cool. It's valid, despite any of my reservations.

What really makes the blood boil is the band Boston and their karaoke lead singer from Home Depot with ZERO stage presence. I hate that. Just put an orange Depot apron on him and have him sing the classics while he finds me a pair of vice grips and some drywall.

I tend to agree with this.....Micheal Sweet was doing a fine job, there was no need for the Home Depot Guy.

Portland, your avatar looks like he is having sex with that guitar, instead of playing it!

[portland]

[quote="steveo777"][quote="portland"][quote="AR"]I hesitate to say this, but must. Having a short Filipino singer, as good as he is, makes Journey look like they have an American Idol contestant fronting them. If you consider them a Hall of Fame Band (not the disgraceful Rock and Roll Hall of Fame mismanaged by the people from Rolling Stone) then touring with Arnel is odd. at least to me. The musical chair lead singer thing lost me after Steve A, but JSS kept me in the fold for another year.

As strange as the current Journey still looks to my eyes - they have made 2 albums/CD's together so the intent is there and enough people are on board with it so that's cool. It's valid, despite any of my reservations.

[color=red]What really makes the blood boil is the band Boston and their karaoke lead singer from Home Depot with ZERO stage presence. I hate that. Just put an orange Depot apron on him and have him sing the classics while he finds me a pair of vice grips and some drywall. [/quote][/color]


I tend to agree with this.....Micheal Sweet was doing a fine job, there was no need for the Home Depot Guy.[/quote]

Portland, your avatar looks like he is having sex with that guitar, instead of playing it! [/quote]


He looks fine to me

[steveo777]

I hesitate to say this, but must. Having a short Filipino singer, as good as he is, makes Journey look like they have an American Idol contestant fronting them. If you consider them a Hall of Fame Band (not the disgraceful Rock and Roll Hall of Fame mismanaged by the people from Rolling Stone) then touring with Arnel is odd. at least to me. The musical chair lead singer thing lost me after Steve A, but JSS kept me in the fold for another year.

As strange as the current Journey still looks to my eyes - they have made 2 albums/CD's together so the intent is there and enough people are on board with it so that's cool. It's valid, despite any of my reservations.

What really makes the blood boil is the band Boston and their karaoke lead singer from Home Depot with ZERO stage presence. I hate that. Just put an orange Depot apron on him and have him sing the classics while he finds me a pair of vice grips and some drywall.

I tend to agree with this.....Micheal Sweet was doing a fine job, there was no need for the Home Depot Guy.

Portland, your avatar looks like he is having sex with that guitar, instead of playing it!

He looks fine to me

Wouldn't know and you'll get no argument from me on that!

And why are your quotes all fucked up?

[portland]

[quote="steveo777"][quote="portland"][quote="steveo777"][quote="portland"][quote="AR"]I hesitate to say this, but must. Having a short Filipino singer, as good as he is, makes Journey look like they have an American Idol contestant fronting them. If you consider them a Hall of Fame Band (not the disgraceful Rock and Roll Hall of Fame mismanaged by the people from Rolling Stone) then touring with Arnel is odd. at least to me. The musical chair lead singer thing lost me after Steve A, but JSS kept me in the fold for another year.

As strange as the current Journey still looks to my eyes - they have made 2 albums/CD's together so the intent is there and enough people are on board with it so that's cool. It's valid, despite any of my reservations.

[color=red]What really makes the blood boil is the band Boston and their karaoke lead singer from Home Depot with ZERO stage presence. I hate that. Just put an orange Depot apron on him and have him sing the classics while he finds me a pair of vice grips and some drywall. [/quote][/color]


I tend to agree with this.....Micheal Sweet was doing a fine job, there was no need for the Home Depot Guy.[/quote]

Portland, your avatar looks like he is having sex with that guitar, instead of playing it! [/quote]

And why are your quotes all fucked up, but mine are coming out fine?


He looks fine to me [/quote]

Wouldn't know and you'll get no argument from me on that! [/quote]



Not sure?

[portland]

I guess I won't quote.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Seen two shows this tour....Journey's sound guy sux. What a muddy mess. Neal's solos get lost in and out. Foreigner steals the night easily. Not only because Kelly is such a natural talent, but because each instrument comes through as clear as a bell. They were also just an overall much tighter unit. Biggest surprise of the night(s): Joel Hoekstra. The Mick Jones substitute gave the Foreigner songs new life. Hate to say it, but at times, he even made Neal look and sound like an amateur. Arnel, with his powerful pipes, was able to somehow rise above it all, but he still needs work on interacting with the crowd. Great voice tho. Truly the best since Perry. Wow.

[Pelata]

Joel Hoekstra is unreal. I saw him live with TSO and he stole the show. I thought I was going to miss Alex Skolnick, but I did not.

[Saint John]

Just put an orange Depot apron on him and have him sing the classics while he finds me a pair of vice grips and some drywall.

[Pelata]

I tend to agree with this.....Micheal Sweet was doing a fine job, there was no need for the Home Depot Guy.

Part of that, I think, was that Michael refused to sing certain songs ("Smokin" comes to mind) because of the lyrics...

[Saint John]

I tend to agree with this.....Micheal Sweet was doing a fine job, there was no need for the Home Depot Guy.

Part of that, I think, was that Michael refused to sing certain songs ("Smokin" comes to mind) because of the lyrics...

Wow. He sounds like a real pussy.

[SF-Dano]

I'll say it again. If Mick cannot return to the tour, Night Ranger should get the second slot and Foreigner should move to the opening slot.

[S2M]

I'll say it again. If Mick cannot return to the tour, Night Ranger should get the second slot and Foreigner should move to the opening slot.

Foreigner wiped the floor with NR. Mick was replaced, and not missed. Besides, NR doesn't have the catalog to carry the second slot....Hansen is the consumate front man. As good as the new NR is, they just don't bring it on stage...sorry.

[Pelata]

I'll say it again. If Mick cannot return to the tour, Night Ranger should get the second slot and Foreigner should move to the opening slot.

Foreigner wiped the floor with NR. Mick was replaced, and not missed. Besides, NR doesn't have the catalog to carry the second slot....Hansen is the consumate front man. As good as the new NR is, they just don't bring it on stage...sorry.

Don't Tell Me You Love Me
Rumors In The Air
Sing Me Away
(You Can Still) Rock In America
Sister Christian
When You Close Your Eyes
Seven Wishes
Four In The Morning
Sentimental Street
Goodbye
The Secret Of My Success

That's over an hour live and each one is a fan favorite/hit single/video...toss in the requisite DY song and a new song and that's PLENTY of catalog without even leaving the first 4 albums.

[SF-Dano]

I'll say it again. If Mick cannot return to the tour, Night Ranger should get the second slot and Foreigner should move to the opening slot.

Foreigner wiped the floor with NR. Mick was replaced, and not missed. Besides, NR doesn't have the catalog to carry the second slot....Hansen is the consumate front man. As good as the new NR is, they just don't bring it on stage...sorry.

Disagree with you on this (what else is new. lol). Mick was replaced by a current member of Night Ranger. And Night Ranger easily has the catalog to cover a 60 min. set. I saw NR not more than a year and a half ago, they brought it live and then some.

[Deb]

I hesitate to say this, but must. Having a short Filipino singer, as good as he is, makes Journey look like they have an American Idol contestant fronting them. If you consider them a Hall of Fame Band (not the disgraceful Rock and Roll Hall of Fame mismanaged by the people from Rolling Stone) then touring with Arnel is odd. at least to me. The musical chair lead singer thing lost me after Steve A, but JSS kept me in the fold for another year.

As strange as the current Journey still looks to my eyes - they have made 2 albums/CD's together so the intent is there and enough people are on board with it so that's cool. It's valid, despite any of my reservations.

What really makes the blood boil is the band Boston and their karaoke lead singer from Home Depot with ZERO stage presence. I hate that. Just put an orange Depot apron on him and have him sing the classics while he finds me a pair of vice grips and some drywall.

I tend to agree with this.....Micheal Sweet was doing a fine job, there was no need for the Home Depot Guy.

Portland, your avatar looks like he is having sex with that guitar, instead of playing it!

Bahahaha, not as much as this guy. Rudy Sarzo......a guy who truly knows how to handle his bass.

[marco17]

Atown is a decent place to see someone. Saw Def Leppard and the Goo Goo Dolls there with a former GF back in the day. Tickets are never priced that high and you get a great view.

[Michigan Girl]

I'll say it again. If Mick cannot return to the tour, Night Ranger should get the second slot and Foreigner should move to the opening slot.

Foreigner wiped the floor with NR. Mick was replaced, and not missed. Besides, NR doesn't have the catalog to carry the second slot....Hansen is the consumate front man. As good as the new NR is, they just don't bring it on stage...sorry.

Don't Tell Me You Love Me
Rumors In The Air
Sing Me Away
(You Can Still) Rock In America
Sister Christian
When You Close Your Eyes
Seven Wishes
Four In The Morning
Sentimental Street
Goodbye
The Secret Of My Success

That's over an hour live and each one is a fan favorite/hit single/video...toss in the requisite DY song and a new song and that's PLENTY of catalog without even leaving the first 4 albums.

Absolutely agree ...and their new stuff is incredible, I think they're playing
four (4) from SIC!! Heck, they opened for Journey in '09?!?, alone ...no problems pleasing a crowd!!

[brandonx76]

Speaking of JOel - what's going on at the end of this clip?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NThdg9KyLD8