Schon v. Cain v. Perry Solo Material

[Onestepper]

Neal and Jon don't have to sing. But they both have decent voices.

If by "decent", you mean one notch above Edith Bunker from All In The Family, then I will agree with you


John from Boston

i like Neal's singing voice. his power ballad "Softly" from Late Nite is outstanding.

Completely agree. Late Nite is extremely underrated.

[brywool]

I gotta go with Schon. Late Night, Soul Sirkus, and Hardline stand up to me much better than Street Talk or FTLOSM. I love Perry's voice, and when those albums came out, I played the crap out of them, but these 3 of Neal's have stood the test of time where Perry's are pretty dated. His greatest hits album really doesn't count. I think the extras on there were not very good at all.

[Tito]

Well, Perry had Street Talk which was very good. FTLOSM was mediocre, especially over time. I think people including myself liked it a little more at the time because it was something new from the man. Against the Wall (GH +5) had a couple of ok numbers at that was it. He got weaker over his material.

Neal Schon's first CD - Late Nite probably was his best also. Softly is a very good song and I agree with others his vocals on that album are pretty good. Beyond the Thunder is good as well. The rest of them, although I'm not as familiar with those (at I haven't listened to them in years), didn't do for me as much. Now, if you throw in the Schon & Hammer stuff - Look out! Here to Stay is a classic and arguably the best solo album of the three members. But, I made the rules you can't weigh these releases as heavily.

Finally, "The Legend of Franklin Park" Jonathan Cain has a longer solo catalog than the other two. Windy City Breakdown is a must buy and I have reviewed it in detail recently. Moonchild may be one of the best solo songs of the three members. We had to wait nearly 20 years for the next release, Back To The Innonence. This is a real good album. It is better than FTLOSM from the same timeframe IMO. He is clearly 2 for 2 at this point. I believe I only have Piano With A View after that. It's ok but not my cup of tea.

So, in closing I have decided it is too close to call between Neal Schon and Jon Cain. I will officially call it a draw but I will cast a vote for Cain, since he is getting shutout. If I could split the vote I would.

I apologize for not including Steve Smith in this. But, I think his solo career is mostly Vital Information. Although his band, it is a band a not necessarily solo. So, I left him off. Maybe next time.

[Tito]

I gotta go with Schon. Late Night, Soul Sirkus, and Hardline stand up to me much better than Street Talk or FTLOSM. I love Perry's voice, and when those albums came out, I played the crap out of them, but these 3 of Neal's have stood the test of time where Perry's are pretty dated. His greatest hits album really doesn't count. I think the extras on there were not very good at all.

SS and Hardline can't count. If we did this wouldn't be a contest. Bad English and HSAS as well. Strictly solo material, I'll let Schon & Hammer slide as long as it's not weighed heavily.

[S2M]

If those OTHER side projects counted, I agree, there would be NO contest....

Hardline rules them all......

[Onestepper]

Well, Perry had Street Talk which was very good. FTLOSM was mediocre, especially over time. I think people including myself liked it a little more at the time because it was something new from the man. Against the Wall (GH +5) had a couple of ok numbers at that was it. He got weaker over his material.

Neal Schon's first CD - Late Nite probably was his best also. Softly is a very good song and I agree with others his vocals on that album are pretty good. Beyond the Thunder is good as well. The rest of them, although I'm not as familiar with those (at I haven't listened to them in years), didn't do for me as much. Now, if you throw in the Schon & Hammer stuff - Look out! Here to Stay is a classic and arguably the best solo album of the three members. But, I made the rules you can't weigh these releases as heavily.

Finally, "The Legend of Franklin Park" Jonathan Cain has a longer solo catalog than the other two. Windy City Breakdown is a must buy and I have reviewed it in detail recently. Moonchild may be one of the best solo songs of the three members. We had to wait nearly 20 years for the next release, Back To The Innonence. This is a real good album. It is better than FTLOSM from the same timeframe IMO. He is clearly 2 for 2 at this point. I believe I only have Piano With A View after that. It's ok but not my cup of tea.

So, in closing I have decided it is too close to call between Neal Schon and Jon Cain. I will officially call it a draw but I will cast a vote for Cain, since he is getting shutout. If I could split the vote I would.

I apologize for not including Steve Smith in this. But, I think his solo career is mostly Vital Information. Although his band, it is a band a not necessarily solo. So, I left him off. Maybe next time.

Are you calling the poll a draw between Schon and Cain..or just your preference? Cause if you are talking about the poll, you need to learn how poll's work. You can't call a draw to something when the numbers don't match. Unless you are in Cuba

[artist4perry]

If those OTHER side projects counted, I agree, there would be NO contest....

Hardline rules them all......

In your oppinion. And I actually went to see Hardline and talked to the members. The lead singer kept asking me to stand between him and this drunk girl. I got to stand right in front of Neal. The stage was less than a foot off the ground with no barriers. I was less than a foot from him. I enjoyed watching him play. But Hardline better than Street talk? I guess that depends on who is listening.

[stevew2]

I haven't officially decided but I peeked at the results so far and as typical Cain gets 0 respect. No votes. I hope this doesn't sway my decision. One of the reason I didn't want to do a poll.

You want to do a pole the moment your head leaves the pillow. I can guess who the 1 dickbag was that voted for Friga

[Tito]

Well, Perry had Street Talk which was very good. FTLOSM was mediocre, especially over time. I think people including myself liked it a little more at the time because it was something new from the man. Against the Wall (GH +5) had a couple of ok numbers at that was it. He got weaker over his material.

Neal Schon's first CD - Late Nite probably was his best also. Softly is a very good song and I agree with others his vocals on that album are pretty good. Beyond the Thunder is good as well. The rest of them, although I'm not as familiar with those (at I haven't listened to them in years), didn't do for me as much. Now, if you throw in the Schon & Hammer stuff - Look out! Here to Stay is a classic and arguably the best solo album of the three members. But, I made the rules you can't weigh these releases as heavily.

Finally, "The Legend of Franklin Park" Jonathan Cain has a longer solo catalog than the other two. Windy City Breakdown is a must buy and I have reviewed it in detail recently. Moonchild may be one of the best solo songs of the three members. We had to wait nearly 20 years for the next release, Back To The Innonence. This is a real good album. It is better than FTLOSM from the same timeframe IMO. He is clearly 2 for 2 at this point. I believe I only have Piano With A View after that. It's ok but not my cup of tea.

So, in closing I have decided it is too close to call between Neal Schon and Jon Cain. I will officially call it a draw but I will cast a vote for Cain, since he is getting shutout. If I could split the vote I would.

I apologize for not including Steve Smith in this. But, I think his solo career is mostly Vital Information. Although his band, it is a band a not necessarily solo. So, I left him off. Maybe next time.

Are you calling the poll a draw between Schon and Cain..or just your preference? Cause if you are talking about the poll, you need to learn how poll's work. You can't call a draw to something when the numbers don't match. Unless you are in Cuba

A draw between Schon and Cain. the poll should not be the landslide it is.

Also, Hardline was the best of them all. They got jobbed.

[Tito]

I haven't officially decided but I peeked at the results so far and as typical Cain gets 0 respect. No votes. I hope this doesn't sway my decision. One of the reason I didn't want to do a poll.

You want to do a pole the moment your head leaves the pillow. I can guess who the 1 dickbag was that voted for Friga

No need to guess. I said it in my other post.

[annie89509]

Of course, I'm biased. It's always the vocals for me.

Don't have any Neal cd -- just some compilations of videos where he plays/sings those songs. Not bad ... pretty catchy tunes.

Do have 1 of Jon's -- piano something. Talk about snoozefest ....

[S2M]

If those OTHER side projects counted, I agree, there would be NO contest....

Hardline rules them all......

In your oppinion. And I actually went to see Hardline and talked to the members. The lead singer kept asking me to stand between him and this drunk girl. I got to stand right in front of Neal. The stage was less than a foot off the ground with no barriers. I was less than a foot from him. I enjoyed watching him play. But Hardline better than Street talk? I guess that depends on who is listening.

I guess to the SPoons, you would be correct....Anything SMFP touches is 'gold'. He must be Midas or something. To ME, ST is hit and miss. FTLOSM is more miss than hit, and the GH + 5 is more, more miss than either of them. But that's me.

Hardline just kicks ass. Plain and Simple. But like always - your mileage may vary.

[artist4perry]

If those OTHER side projects counted, I agree, there would be NO contest....

Hardline rules them all......

In your oppinion. And I actually went to see Hardline and talked to the members. The lead singer kept asking me to stand between him and this drunk girl. I got to stand right in front of Neal. The stage was less than a foot off the ground with no barriers. I was less than a foot from him. I enjoyed watching him play. But Hardline better than Street talk? I guess that depends on who is listening.

I guess to the SPoons, you would be correct....Anything SMFP touches is 'gold'. He must be Midas or something. To ME, ST is hit and miss. FTLOSM is more miss than hit, and the GH + 5 is more, more miss than either of them. But that's me.

Hardline just kicks ass. Plain and Simple. But like always - your mileage may vary.

I think it is just what you prefer as a person, you are entitled to prefer Hardline. I thought they did a great job. My preference is Street Talk. Tomatoes, tomahtoes, all it boils down to! Everyone wins because of the variety.

[brywool]

The production on Hardline sounds better than any Journey album in my opinion. Everything sounded huge on that record. Best drum sound Deen ever had.

[Michigan Girl]

Of course, I'm biased. It's always the vocals for me.

Don't have any Neal cd -- just some compilations of videos where he plays/sings those songs. Not bad ... pretty catchy tunes.

Do have 1 of Jon's -- piano something. Talk about snoozefest ....

lol........

[whirlwind]

That darn Perry! What the hell is it? He has the world waiting for his next move and we know that it will have depth and soul as it's what he does and it will have perfection as it is what he demands. I'm wondering if the pressure is too great but then again I tell myself that he will again just send a few more of his children off into the world and let them fend for themselves, as with FTLOSM. I always felt that the album was his opening his soul and many didn't get it or didn't want to or maybe I read too much into it.

He is bigger now than when he was at the top of his game and I don't think that it was planned. That darn Steve Perry! What the hell is it about the man anyway?

My guess is that it is all about the way that only he can sing a song.

[Jana]

Whirlwind, he can open his soul, but he still has to keep your attention. There were a few good songs on FTLOSM, but the album dragged for me. It all started sounding the same. I like him better with Journey. My favorite songs with him singing were the songs they created together. I'm not an Oh, Sherrie fan from Street Talk. His voice sounded fantastic, but it just wasn't my kind of song. I guess I'm in the minority on that song, since it was a hit -- just like I'm in the minority on The English Patient (hate, hate, hate, hate that movie).

[Michigan Girl]

FTLOSM Kept my attention.....I love it!!!

I agree, THE ENGLISH PATIENT....YUK!!!!

[Jana]

Michigan Girl, I guess that's like Raised On Radio. I love that album, but a lot of people (seems like more men than women) don't like it b/c it was more of a pop sound type rock album. But I loved it.

[Michigan Girl]

Michigan Girl, I guess that's like Raised On Radio. I love that album, but a lot of people (seems like more men than women) don't like it b/c it was more of a pop sound type rock album. But I loved it.

ME TOO!!!!!

[Don]

Michigan Girl, I guess that's like Raised On Radio. I love that album, but a lot of people (seems like more men than women) don't like it b/c it was more of a pop sound type rock album. But I loved it.

Some one finally gets it.

[whirlwind]

Whirlwind, he can open his soul, but he still has to keep your attention. There were a few good songs on FTLOSM, but the album dragged for me. It all started sounding the same. I like him better with Journey. My favorite songs with him singing were the songs they created together. I'm not an Oh, Sherrie fan from Street Talk. His voice sounded fantastic, but it just wasn't my kind of song. I guess I'm in the minority on that song, since it was a hit -- just like I'm in the minority on The English Patient (hate, hate, hate, hate that movie).

That movie was not a favorite of mine either.
I think that Oh Sherrie was a hit because most thought that it was Journey and the band was on a roll. I don't like the video and Perry probably cringes when he plays it now. I don't like the intro to the song.
All of FTLOSM kept my attention and many of the songs only became more enjoyable with further listening and attention to content. Everyone has their own perception of the content of that album and my first thoughts were that the songs were all so different and had varied themes.
It's obvious that Perrys work with Journey is what he is most remembered for, to date. It was Schons best work imo.

Maybe Perry can get Schon to play lead guitar for this new album in the making. lol.

[Jana]

Whirlwind, forget the music. That I have found people who didn't like The English Patient is a miracle. I literally can't talk to friends who like it. I still remember when we came out of the movie theatre and my sister and I were laughing and I turned around and a man had tears in his eyes and everybody was raving about it. We thought we were on another planet. I thought we were the only two people in the world who didn't like it until Seinfeld did a show about it. Then I felt vindicated.

But I know what you mean about music. Sometimes I buy a new CD and I play it and don't like it. Then play it a few more times and it slowly grows on me, like Gnarls Barkley's CD did. I only liked a few songs on it at first. Now I love it.

[Abitaman]

Neal is the best.
Late Nite
Beyond the Thunder
Voice
I on U
great to awesome cds
everything else he has done yuck to ok.

Perry 2nd
Street Talk great cd
For Love... ok at best

Cain
Back to the Innocence is good
the rest ok/

[whirlwind]

Whirlwind, forget the music. That I have found people who didn't like The English Patient is a miracle. I literally can't talk to friends who like it. I still remember when we came out of the movie theatre and my sister and I were laughing and I turned around and a man had tears in his eyes and everybody was raving about it. We thought we were on another planet. I thought we were the only two people in the world who didn't like it until Seinfeld did a show about it. Then I felt vindicated.

You got it! Some of Rock Hudson's old movies were just as melodramatic. Like they say, "Only in the movies."

[WykkedSensation]

Schon, Cain, or Perry??
Is this a joke??

Perry...Hands down, pisses on those two.

And WTF is wrong with you people regarding FTLOSM? 'A snoozefest'?? You ALL obviously need new a new pair of something thats extremely important when listening to music...Fucking EARS

[Vladan]

As far as I'm concerned, Steve Perry is the only one out of all 3 who actuallly had a hit, and any real solo success outside Journey forum.

Thanks.

[finalfight]

Schon, Cain, or Perry??
Is this a joke??

Perry...Hands down, pisses on those two.

And WTF is wrong with you people regarding FTLOSM? 'A snoozefest'?? You ALL obviously need new a new pair of something thats extremely important when listening to music...Fucking EARS

What they said!

Perry all the way.

[tupchurch]

Steve Perry buries these guys in solo material it is not even funny. Street Talk is different than anything Steve had done. FTLOSM is a true masterpiece of work. Cain's stuff is boring. Schon has done an interesting body of work but in the end is boring also. Perry by a far far far landslide.

Terry

[Saint John]

Tito's rules suck. Perry's material with a bunch of other musicians counts but Neal and Jon with a different singers doesn't? Hardline and Bad English officially count and that is greater than Oh Sherrie, Foolish Heart and Strungout. Neal Schon playing on The Hunger (Michael Bolton) also counts. Neal wins. Next game.