Anyway, it doesn't matter if you like or hate the idea of a Latin rhythm album. I'd like to invite you to check out the songs. I know it's odd reading lyrics without a soundtrack but use some imagination! Jerry Seinfeld wrote a book several years ago and his introduction explained that if you don't find the book funny then it's your fault. His responsibility was to write and the reader's is to inject the comic timing. Same thing here. Make up a melody and sing away! Imagine Neal's guitar winging out a solo that you can glide over. Have Deen and Ross pound out any rhythm you like while Jon's keys fill in the holes. Then take a deep breath and scream out your best SP, GR, RF, SA, JSS, or whomever impression.
Here's the update (have fun!):
JOURNEY'S founding manager Herbie Herbert had laid out a pre-defined sequence for their album titles. This sequence began with their Infinity album and continued according to plan up until 1986's Rasied On Radio. Herbie had planned this to be titled Freedom however the Steve Perry produced album took a different course.
I've often wondered how the Freedom album would've been. Freedom is a word that means many different things to many different people which makes it an extremely challenging expression. Writing about freedom can result in something either quite insincere or deeply moving.
Despite the risks I wanted to give it a shot. How would JOURNEY speak to the subject? They did include a previously unreleased song called Liberty on their Time 3 compilation. It's an excellent song with imagery of mountains and being free among them in the company of an eagle and a woman. Downright American! I played off the positive message and earthly images of that song. The result is freedom being a metaphorical pass somewhere out on the horizon of life.
I dedicate this to Herbie Herbert and the lost Freedom album. Maybe one day it will find it's destiny.
FREEDOM PASS
Painted into a corner
Trapped in a world of disorder
Turning to the left and right
A prisoner who's done his time
My soul was born to fly
Kicking down the walls
Tearing through the halls
I hear destiny
Calling me - "Oh, say, can't you see?"
"You've got to fight to be free!"
CHORUS
Up ahead is Freedom Pass
Where heaven meets the swaying grass
The fire of the eastern wind
Blows away the fears within
Along the trail I chase the dream
Holding on to my beliefs
Looking up and falling down
Reaching out and standing proud
A shining star beyond the clouds
CHORUS
BRIDGE
I need to find my looking glass
Take me through Freedom Pass
CHORUS
,, think randy travis