review of JOURNEY
Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2006 11:00 pmSeveral months ago Rich of www.GeorgeTickner.com asked me if I'd be interested in writing a review of JOURNEY's debut album for the George Tickner website. I was immediately excited as I'd never been asked to write something of this stature before. Also, JOURNEY is one of my favorite and most personally influential albums in the catalogue.
It was difficult to find the words to describe the album but Rich wanted me to write in my own quirky fashion so I had to struggle to maintain my quirkiness without having it get too far away! Anyway, I completed it this morning and wanted to share it here. Hope you enjoy!
JOURNEY (1975)
Gregg Rolie – Keyboards, Lead Vocals
Neal Schon – Lead Guitar, Vocals
Aynsley Dunbar – Drums
George Tickner – Rhythm Guitar
Ross Valory – Bass Guitar, Piano, Vocals
Review by: John Lute (2006)
The 1975 self-titled debut album from JOURNEY is a cosmic experience of a lifetime. The album cover provides a sense of the adventure as it presents the five founding band members clad in test pilot jumpsuits bounding about mysterious mountains on some alien sphere. Hovering above this action is a flowing silver JOURNEY logo with its “J” and “Y” extending into wings – ancient symbolism for wisdom and spiritual flight.
This imagery is a reflection of the music and lyrics within as the sweeping, cinematic opening track ‘Of A Lifetime’ implores, “Well, keep your faith – Do what you choose!” This is the empowering call shouted by Gregg Rolie that initiates the experience and takes the listener to a higher place. It also happens to be the call that sent me on my own personal journey over 27 years ago.
I discovered JOURNEY when I was thirteen years old. As most young boys I was of the age where I took up the quest of finding myself. I was directed to a trail that tradition had blazed and left for me. I walked along that trail and slowly realized that it was taking me further away from myself. Then I heard another call. As the famous explorer Fridtjof Nansen expressed:
"We all have a land of Beyond to seek in life. Our part is to find the trail that leads to it. A long trail, a hard trail, maybe; but the call comes to us and we have to go. Rooted deep in the nature of every one of us is the spirit of adventure, vibrating under all our actions, making life deeper, higher, and nobler. There's a whisper of the night-wind, there's a star agleam to guide us, and the Wild is calling, calling. Let us go!"
The call I heard was answered by the lyric “Well, keep your faith – Do what you choose!” which confirmed that I could choose freedom – freedom to find my own way – to blaze my own trail to destiny.
I knew then that I found my journey!
Discovery can bring about a sense of rebirth – light and a new day when the blues can turn into thoughts and desires of love. How fitting that the next track on JOURNEY ‘In The Morning Day’ emulates the sunrise through the magic of Gregg Rolie’s keyboard while the lovelorn daydreamer in us all is echoed in the lyric, “I want to give you happiness just like the sun gives to the day.”
As the day turns to night and the Sun’s light rests in the beyond; distant stars and comets wake from their slumber and illuminate the heavens. The comet Kohoutek was discovered by Czech astronomer Luboš Kohoutek in 1973. The media hyped it as the “comet of the century” because it was theorized that it was an object from the Oort Cloud (an immense spherical cloud surrounding the planetary system) on it’s first journey to the inner solar system, which would result in a spectacular display of outgassing. On the contrary, Kohoutek’s display was considered unremarkable – a dud which led some to nickname it “Comet Watergate.” Closer studies of Kohoutek have identified it as a Kuiper Belt object (a disk-shaped region past the orbit of Neptune).
JOURNEY’s intrumental tribute to Kohoutek begins with a marked foreboding that climaxes into an explosion ushering in the comet’s arrival. The musical praise continues as Kohoutek’s orbit swings it around the Sun to begin a new journey back into the cosmos from whence it came. As it soars past Earth it whooshes a fond farewell – venturing on a solitary path for 75,000 years when it will return again in its time. What marvelous tales will it tell us then!
While others claimed Kohoutek a “dud” JOURNEY championed it. Rather than discrediting the comet for not meeting theorized expectations, JOURNEY celebrated it for the heavenly body that it is. The lesson here is that imposing expectations leads to vanity and bitterness for it’s not the duty of anything in the Universe to fulfill an expectation. Rather, it’s to be expected that the Universe is capable of anything.
Everything is relative. In answer to relativity Dr. Wayne Dyer makes this observation regarding his balding head, "In a bowl of soup – THIS is a LOT of hair.
I prefer Dr. Dyer’s perspective. I consider Kohoutek and say, "In a Universe of heavenly bodies – THAT is an amazing comet."
JOURNEY’s tribute to Kohoutek comes as no surprise. Consider the words of George Tickner, the original rhythm guitarist who also contributed much to the sound of JOURNEY:
“This is who we are. We are the forgotten, the castoffs, the castaways, the unwanted. We were and are the fat, the ugly, the unpopular, the not in your club. We were taken advantage of and abused. That is who we are and so much more.
We were told to stop, not that loud, not that way, don't do that and don't do it here! We love each other and would do anything for each other and the family that we belong to. To the bullies out there, we have banded together and you should be afraid.
I wish everyone the best. Bring out your best art! Be the best person you can be! Help a friend! Help a stranger! Turn an enemy into a friend! Give something back!”
-from www.GeorgeTickner.com
It’s no wonder that JOURNEY reveres Kohoutek – something considered by so many to be less than what it is.
JOURNEY is an expression of graciousness – a voice of gratitude. Further evidence of this is found in the next track ‘To Play Some Music’ where it’s proclaimed, “Say, everybody and everyone – we’ve been waiting so very long – to play some music and have some fun – bring some happiness to everyone.” So clear is the JOURNEY vision quest.
That clarity of mission is carried on in the instrumental ‘Topaz’. Topaz is a gemstone of the setting Sun and the Egyptians believed that it was colored with the golden glow of Ra: the mighty Sun God. This endowed it with a power and made it an amulet that protected the faithful against harm. The mystical, curative powers of Topaz are said to wax and wane with the phases of the moon. JOURNEY’s ‘Topaz’ also waxes and wanes as it bids farewell to the setting Sun.
As the Sun sets loneliness can rise in the heart. ‘In My Lonely Feeling/Conversations’ is an exploration of the lonely heart as it wonders perhaps one of life’s most enduring questions, “Am I the master of my soul?” As the heart converses with itself it changes reasoning. Fear fades away and belief is confirmed, “Yes, I’m the master of my soul!”
This confirmation revives one from the depths of solitary conversations and places one upon the mountain. ‘Mystery Mountain’ speaks to the mighty powers of creation and regeneration:
“Releasing the pressure built over the years
The mountain is crying hot lava tears
Molten rock created under
Vibrations of subterranean thunder!
Ejecting boulders like pieces of sand
The mountain is giving birth to the land!”
More conversation with the mountain:
“Your cumulus cloud glows misty red
As Apollo sets beyond your head.”
How fitting that JOURNEY mentions Apollo – the Greek and Roman God of the Sun and patron of musicians and poets! Apollo carries a lyre (a stringed instrument strummed like a guitar) and his symbol represents the “egg of creation”. An Olympian God and son of Zeus and Leto; Apollo is considered the ideal of manly beauty and a very handsome man might be called an “Apollo”. He is a mortal medical healer who was so successful in ancient times that he was reputed to have the ability to bring the dead back to life.
Being brought back from the dead carries many implications. Doctors revive the dead every day on operating tables around the world. There's also the rebirth of the spirit. This is what I found in JOURNEY so many years ago when I began the walk of life only to find myself on the wrong trail. What a blessing to hear my true calling and being empowered to answer it by JOURNEY's, “Well, keep your faith – Do what you choose!” For me it was a moment when I felt freedom and was reborn into myself. I had arrived and found my trail – my journey.
I’m reminded of the old children’s song ‘Row, Row, Row Your Boat.’
Row, row, row your boat.
(Row your boat and not someone else’s boat.)
Gently down the stream.
(Not madly up the stream but gently with the current.)
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily…
(Happily, joyfully, cheerfully, contentedly…)
Life is but a dream.
(Life is but a beautiful journey.)
With the defining work of JOURNEY Gregg Rolie, Neal Schon, Aynsley Dunbar, George Tickner, and Ross Valory set into motion a journey of a lifetime.
- John Lute
It was difficult to find the words to describe the album but Rich wanted me to write in my own quirky fashion so I had to struggle to maintain my quirkiness without having it get too far away! Anyway, I completed it this morning and wanted to share it here. Hope you enjoy!
JOURNEY (1975)
Gregg Rolie – Keyboards, Lead Vocals
Neal Schon – Lead Guitar, Vocals
Aynsley Dunbar – Drums
George Tickner – Rhythm Guitar
Ross Valory – Bass Guitar, Piano, Vocals
Review by: John Lute (2006)
The 1975 self-titled debut album from JOURNEY is a cosmic experience of a lifetime. The album cover provides a sense of the adventure as it presents the five founding band members clad in test pilot jumpsuits bounding about mysterious mountains on some alien sphere. Hovering above this action is a flowing silver JOURNEY logo with its “J” and “Y” extending into wings – ancient symbolism for wisdom and spiritual flight.
This imagery is a reflection of the music and lyrics within as the sweeping, cinematic opening track ‘Of A Lifetime’ implores, “Well, keep your faith – Do what you choose!” This is the empowering call shouted by Gregg Rolie that initiates the experience and takes the listener to a higher place. It also happens to be the call that sent me on my own personal journey over 27 years ago.
I discovered JOURNEY when I was thirteen years old. As most young boys I was of the age where I took up the quest of finding myself. I was directed to a trail that tradition had blazed and left for me. I walked along that trail and slowly realized that it was taking me further away from myself. Then I heard another call. As the famous explorer Fridtjof Nansen expressed:
"We all have a land of Beyond to seek in life. Our part is to find the trail that leads to it. A long trail, a hard trail, maybe; but the call comes to us and we have to go. Rooted deep in the nature of every one of us is the spirit of adventure, vibrating under all our actions, making life deeper, higher, and nobler. There's a whisper of the night-wind, there's a star agleam to guide us, and the Wild is calling, calling. Let us go!"
The call I heard was answered by the lyric “Well, keep your faith – Do what you choose!” which confirmed that I could choose freedom – freedom to find my own way – to blaze my own trail to destiny.
I knew then that I found my journey!
Discovery can bring about a sense of rebirth – light and a new day when the blues can turn into thoughts and desires of love. How fitting that the next track on JOURNEY ‘In The Morning Day’ emulates the sunrise through the magic of Gregg Rolie’s keyboard while the lovelorn daydreamer in us all is echoed in the lyric, “I want to give you happiness just like the sun gives to the day.”
As the day turns to night and the Sun’s light rests in the beyond; distant stars and comets wake from their slumber and illuminate the heavens. The comet Kohoutek was discovered by Czech astronomer Luboš Kohoutek in 1973. The media hyped it as the “comet of the century” because it was theorized that it was an object from the Oort Cloud (an immense spherical cloud surrounding the planetary system) on it’s first journey to the inner solar system, which would result in a spectacular display of outgassing. On the contrary, Kohoutek’s display was considered unremarkable – a dud which led some to nickname it “Comet Watergate.” Closer studies of Kohoutek have identified it as a Kuiper Belt object (a disk-shaped region past the orbit of Neptune).
JOURNEY’s intrumental tribute to Kohoutek begins with a marked foreboding that climaxes into an explosion ushering in the comet’s arrival. The musical praise continues as Kohoutek’s orbit swings it around the Sun to begin a new journey back into the cosmos from whence it came. As it soars past Earth it whooshes a fond farewell – venturing on a solitary path for 75,000 years when it will return again in its time. What marvelous tales will it tell us then!
While others claimed Kohoutek a “dud” JOURNEY championed it. Rather than discrediting the comet for not meeting theorized expectations, JOURNEY celebrated it for the heavenly body that it is. The lesson here is that imposing expectations leads to vanity and bitterness for it’s not the duty of anything in the Universe to fulfill an expectation. Rather, it’s to be expected that the Universe is capable of anything.
Everything is relative. In answer to relativity Dr. Wayne Dyer makes this observation regarding his balding head, "In a bowl of soup – THIS is a LOT of hair.
I prefer Dr. Dyer’s perspective. I consider Kohoutek and say, "In a Universe of heavenly bodies – THAT is an amazing comet."
JOURNEY’s tribute to Kohoutek comes as no surprise. Consider the words of George Tickner, the original rhythm guitarist who also contributed much to the sound of JOURNEY:
“This is who we are. We are the forgotten, the castoffs, the castaways, the unwanted. We were and are the fat, the ugly, the unpopular, the not in your club. We were taken advantage of and abused. That is who we are and so much more.
We were told to stop, not that loud, not that way, don't do that and don't do it here! We love each other and would do anything for each other and the family that we belong to. To the bullies out there, we have banded together and you should be afraid.
I wish everyone the best. Bring out your best art! Be the best person you can be! Help a friend! Help a stranger! Turn an enemy into a friend! Give something back!”
-from www.GeorgeTickner.com
It’s no wonder that JOURNEY reveres Kohoutek – something considered by so many to be less than what it is.
JOURNEY is an expression of graciousness – a voice of gratitude. Further evidence of this is found in the next track ‘To Play Some Music’ where it’s proclaimed, “Say, everybody and everyone – we’ve been waiting so very long – to play some music and have some fun – bring some happiness to everyone.” So clear is the JOURNEY vision quest.
That clarity of mission is carried on in the instrumental ‘Topaz’. Topaz is a gemstone of the setting Sun and the Egyptians believed that it was colored with the golden glow of Ra: the mighty Sun God. This endowed it with a power and made it an amulet that protected the faithful against harm. The mystical, curative powers of Topaz are said to wax and wane with the phases of the moon. JOURNEY’s ‘Topaz’ also waxes and wanes as it bids farewell to the setting Sun.
As the Sun sets loneliness can rise in the heart. ‘In My Lonely Feeling/Conversations’ is an exploration of the lonely heart as it wonders perhaps one of life’s most enduring questions, “Am I the master of my soul?” As the heart converses with itself it changes reasoning. Fear fades away and belief is confirmed, “Yes, I’m the master of my soul!”
This confirmation revives one from the depths of solitary conversations and places one upon the mountain. ‘Mystery Mountain’ speaks to the mighty powers of creation and regeneration:
“Releasing the pressure built over the years
The mountain is crying hot lava tears
Molten rock created under
Vibrations of subterranean thunder!
Ejecting boulders like pieces of sand
The mountain is giving birth to the land!”
More conversation with the mountain:
“Your cumulus cloud glows misty red
As Apollo sets beyond your head.”
How fitting that JOURNEY mentions Apollo – the Greek and Roman God of the Sun and patron of musicians and poets! Apollo carries a lyre (a stringed instrument strummed like a guitar) and his symbol represents the “egg of creation”. An Olympian God and son of Zeus and Leto; Apollo is considered the ideal of manly beauty and a very handsome man might be called an “Apollo”. He is a mortal medical healer who was so successful in ancient times that he was reputed to have the ability to bring the dead back to life.
Being brought back from the dead carries many implications. Doctors revive the dead every day on operating tables around the world. There's also the rebirth of the spirit. This is what I found in JOURNEY so many years ago when I began the walk of life only to find myself on the wrong trail. What a blessing to hear my true calling and being empowered to answer it by JOURNEY's, “Well, keep your faith – Do what you choose!” For me it was a moment when I felt freedom and was reborn into myself. I had arrived and found my trail – my journey.
I’m reminded of the old children’s song ‘Row, Row, Row Your Boat.’
Row, row, row your boat.
(Row your boat and not someone else’s boat.)
Gently down the stream.
(Not madly up the stream but gently with the current.)
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily…
(Happily, joyfully, cheerfully, contentedly…)
Life is but a dream.
(Life is but a beautiful journey.)
With the defining work of JOURNEY Gregg Rolie, Neal Schon, Aynsley Dunbar, George Tickner, and Ross Valory set into motion a journey of a lifetime.
- John Lute
(new fan here, lol).
lol