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Columbia Reissues
Steve Perry


If emotions are a language that can be converted into sound, they’re translated articulately and eloquently by Steve Perry. He is, quite simply, a master of musical interpretation. And every note is wrenched from him with such passion and conviction that there’s little doubt life has often driven a stiletto heel straight through his heart. Even his upbeat vocals are tinged with a wistfulness that suggests hard-won happiness.Yes, Steve Perry can carry a tune — the way power lines carry high voltage. The expanded reissues of Perry’s solo ventures — Street Talk, For The Love Of Strange Medicine, and Greatest Hits — strip away the insulation and lay bare the voltage that jolted Journey into a global superpower after he joined. And exposed a talent that thrived beyond the boundaries of any band.

Perry’s self-produced solo debut, 1984’s upbeat, poppy Street Talk hit the pavement after the release of Journey’s Frontiers album. Backed by a band as tight as a vacuum-packed jar, Perry co-wrote all the material, including chart-chargers “Oh Sherrie” and “Foolish Heart.” There’s also the bright synth-rock of “It’s Only Love,” the catchy, buoyant “Strung Out” and “Running Alone,” whose sweeping majesty showcases Perry at his emotive best. The five bonus tracks are some of the album’s standouts, like the rollicking rocker “Makes No Difference,” displaying Perry hitting a stratospheric high note;“Harmony,” in which his crooning tenderly caresses the delicate accompaniment; and the tangy, horn-honking Motown groove of “Don’t Tell Me Why You’re Leaving.”

For The Love Of Strange Medicine, in contrast, sighs with longing and aching poignancy. It’s replete with ballads, but that’s not a criticism — Perry quite stylishly wears his heart on his sleeve. And Lincoln Brewster’s compatibly stunning, wailing blues guitar seems to sympathize. Together, they perform a synchronized, graceful dance on bittersweet ballads like “I Am,” “Donna Please” and “One More Time,” as well as the funky, animated harmonica-and-syncopation-saturated “Friends of Mine.”

As for Greatest Hits, it should instead have been titled The Comprehensive Steve Perry. Hardly a bunch of filler, it’s a meaty collection of hits, demos and previously unreleased material flaunting a voice that could powerfully and ardently sing about aluminum siding, lint or crabgrass. Heck, he could probably even sing with a chorus of angels. And upstage them.

~ Merryl Lentz

©Copyright 1997, 2006 Vintage Rock

[quote="Gianna15"]


Columbia Reissues
Steve Perry


If emotions are a language that can be converted into sound, they’re translated articulately and eloquently by Steve Perry. He is, quite simply, a master of musical interpretation. And every note is wrenched from him with such passion and conviction that there’s little doubt life has often driven a stiletto heel straight through his heart. Even his upbeat vocals are tinged with a wistfulness that suggests hard-won happiness.Yes, Steve Perry can carry a tune — the way power lines carry high voltage. The expanded reissues of Perry’s solo ventures — Street Talk, For The Love Of Strange Medicine, and Greatest Hits — strip away the insulation and lay bare the voltage that jolted Journey into a global superpower after he joined. And exposed a talent that thrived beyond the boundaries of any band.

Perry’s self-produced solo debut, 1984’s upbeat, poppy Street Talk hit the pavement after the release of Journey’s Frontiers album. Backed by a band as tight as a vacuum-packed jar, Perry co-wrote all the material, including chart-chargers “Oh Sherrie” and “Foolish Heart.” There’s also the bright synth-rock of “It’s Only Love,” the catchy, buoyant “Strung Out” and “Running Alone,” whose sweeping majesty showcases Perry at his emotive best. The five bonus tracks are some of the album’s standouts, like the rollicking rocker “Makes No Difference,” displaying Perry hitting a stratospheric high note;“Harmony,” in which his crooning tenderly caresses the delicate accompaniment; and the tangy, horn-honking Motown groove of “Don’t Tell Me Why You’re Leaving.”

For The Love Of Strange Medicine, in contrast, sighs with longing and aching poignancy. It’s replete with ballads, but that’s not a criticism — Perry quite stylishly wears his heart on his sleeve. And Lincoln Brewster’s compatibly stunning, wailing blues guitar seems to sympathize. Together, they perform a synchronized, graceful dance on bittersweet ballads like “I Am,” “Donna Please” and “One More Time,” as well as the funky, animated harmonica-and-syncopation-saturated “Friends of Mine.”

As for Greatest Hits, it should instead have been titled The Comprehensive Steve Perry. Hardly a bunch of filler, it’s a meaty collection of hits, demos and previously unreleased material flaunting a voice that could powerfully and ardently sing about aluminum siding, lint or crabgrass. Heck, he could probably even sing with a chorus of angels. And upstage them.

~ Merryl Lentz

©Copyright 1997, 2006 Vintage Rock[/quote

......................................

Thanks! A wonderful read.



Thank you!

I thought this was a "Journey" board...

STEVE PERRY IS, WAS AND WILL EVER BE THE SUCCESS OF JOURNEY! Get your head out of the sand, petty one.

Don't worry G. A lot of these folks are trying to move on, again. You notice the lack of response to your post. It'll get a lot of hits tho. Tell them to read it and weep.

Columbia Reissues
Steve Perry


If emotions are a language that can be converted into sound, they’re translated articulately and eloquently by Steve Perry. He is, quite simply, a master of musical interpretation. And every note is wrenched from him with such passion and conviction that there’s little doubt life has often driven a stiletto heel straight through his heart. Even his upbeat vocals are tinged with a wistfulness that suggests hard-won happiness.Yes, Steve Perry can carry a tune — the way power lines carry high voltage. The expanded reissues of Perry’s solo ventures — Street Talk, For The Love Of Strange Medicine, and Greatest Hits — strip away the insulation and lay bare the voltage that jolted Journey into a global superpower after he joined. And exposed a talent that thrived beyond the boundaries of any band.

Perry’s self-produced solo debut, 1984’s upbeat, poppy Street Talk hit the pavement after the release of Journey’s Frontiers album. Backed by a band as tight as a vacuum-packed jar, Perry co-wrote all the material, including chart-chargers “Oh Sherrie” and “Foolish Heart.” There’s also the bright synth-rock of “It’s Only Love,” the catchy, buoyant “Strung Out” and “Running Alone,” whose sweeping majesty showcases Perry at his emotive best. The five bonus tracks are some of the album’s standouts, like the rollicking rocker “Makes No Difference,” displaying Perry hitting a stratospheric high note;“Harmony,” in which his crooning tenderly caresses the delicate accompaniment; and the tangy, horn-honking Motown groove of “Don’t Tell Me Why You’re Leaving.”

For The Love Of Strange Medicine, in contrast, sighs with longing and aching poignancy. It’s replete with ballads, but that’s not a criticism — Perry quite stylishly wears his heart on his sleeve. And Lincoln Brewster’s compatibly stunning, wailing blues guitar seems to sympathize. Together, they perform a synchronized, graceful dance on bittersweet ballads like “I Am,” “Donna Please” and “One More Time,” as well as the funky, animated harmonica-and-syncopation-saturated “Friends of Mine.”

As for Greatest Hits, it should instead have been titled The Comprehensive Steve Perry. Hardly a bunch of filler, it’s a meaty collection of hits, demos and previously unreleased material flaunting a voice that could powerfully and ardently sing about aluminum siding, lint or crabgrass. Heck, he could probably even sing with a chorus of angels. And upstage them.

~ Merryl Lentz

©Copyright 1997, 2006 Vintage Rock

I would love to shit down your mouth, HOTS. I hate you and your gay Perry movement. I like Steve, just despise you. You are embarrassing.

AR wrote:

Columbia Reissues
Steve Perry


If emotions are a language that can be converted into sound, they’re translated articulately and eloquently by Steve Perry. He is, quite simply, a master of musical interpretation. And every note is wrenched from him with such passion and conviction that there’s little doubt life has often driven a stiletto heel straight through his heart. Even his upbeat vocals are tinged with a wistfulness that suggests hard-won happiness.Yes, Steve Perry can carry a tune — the way power lines carry high voltage. The expanded reissues of Perry’s solo ventures — Street Talk, For The Love Of Strange Medicine, and Greatest Hits — strip away the insulation and lay bare the voltage that jolted Journey into a global superpower after he joined. And exposed a talent that thrived beyond the boundaries of any band.

Perry’s self-produced solo debut, 1984’s upbeat, poppy Street Talk hit the pavement after the release of Journey’s Frontiers album. Backed by a band as tight as a vacuum-packed jar, Perry co-wrote all the material, including chart-chargers “Oh Sherrie” and “Foolish Heart.” There’s also the bright synth-rock of “It’s Only Love,” the catchy, buoyant “Strung Out” and “Running Alone,” whose sweeping majesty showcases Perry at his emotive best. The five bonus tracks are some of the album’s standouts, like the rollicking rocker “Makes No Difference,” displaying Perry hitting a stratospheric high note;“Harmony,” in which his crooning tenderly caresses the delicate accompaniment; and the tangy, horn-honking Motown groove of “Don’t Tell Me Why You’re Leaving.”

For The Love Of Strange Medicine, in contrast, sighs with longing and aching poignancy. It’s replete with ballads, but that’s not a criticism — Perry quite stylishly wears his heart on his sleeve. And Lincoln Brewster’s compatibly stunning, wailing blues guitar seems to sympathize. Together, they perform a synchronized, graceful dance on bittersweet ballads like “I Am,” “Donna Please” and “One More Time,” as well as the funky, animated harmonica-and-syncopation-saturated “Friends of Mine.”

As for Greatest Hits, it should instead have been titled The Comprehensive Steve Perry. Hardly a bunch of filler, it’s a meaty collection of hits, demos and previously unreleased material flaunting a voice that could powerfully and ardently sing about aluminum siding, lint or crabgrass. Heck, he could probably even sing with a chorus of angels. And upstage them.

~ Merryl Lentz

©Copyright 1997, 2006 Vintage Rock

Dude, you've become VERY anti-Perry as of late. What's up with that? I, like you, thought FTLOSM sucked too, but I see no reason to post weird pictures, even if I do agree to an extent.

Dude, you've become VERY anti-Perry as of late. What's up with that? I, like you, thought FTLOSM sucked too, but I see no reason to post weird pictures, even if I do agree to an extent.

It's not Perry, it's the gay hero worship shit. Oh my God Stevie the voice, he can do no wrong shit that I fucking hate. He hasn't recorded anything good in years. He was a fantastic singer, but it's just annoying.

AR wrote:

Dude, you've become VERY anti-Perry as of late. What's up with that? I, like you, thought FTLOSM sucked too, but I see no reason to post weird pictures, even if I do agree to an extent.

It's not Perry, it's the gay hero worship shit. Oh my God Stevie the voice, he can do no wrong shit that I fucking hate. He hasn't recorded anything good in years.

Agreed.

heardonthestreet wrote:Don't worry G. A lot of these folks are trying to move on, again. You notice the lack of response to your post. It'll get a lot of hits tho. Tell them to read it and weep.

If you want to "read it and weep" look no further than FTLOSM album sales. Fuck, that would even make Perry cry.

saint John wrote:

heardonthestreet wrote:Don't worry G. A lot of these folks are trying to move on, again. You notice the lack of response to your post. It'll get a lot of hits tho. Tell them to read it and weep.

If you want to "read it and weep" look no further than FTLOSM album sales. Fuck, that would even make Perry cry.

I can't wait til HOTS tries to defend this statement. I mean I really can't wait that long. Years will go by before she can adequately defend that.

Hey HOTS!! Is your friend Gianna related to your old friend Giovanni, from the old VH 1 board?

Gianna15 wrote:And every note is wrenched from him with such passion and conviction that there’s little doubt life has often driven a stiletto heel straight through his heart...

Backed by a band as tight as a vacuum-packed jar...

...flaunting a voice that could powerfully and ardently sing about aluminum siding, lint or crabgrass. Heck, he could probably even sing with a chorus of angels. And upstage them.

OK...I'm glad this guy likes the remasters but come on. Is he Steve Perry's new gay lover? Is he in line for a spot on Perry's will? The review is just too sugary sweet.

I will always give Steve Perry a large amount of credit for getting Journey to be as successful as they have been...AND I will say that the orginal guy(or gal) knows the true meaning and emotion behind the songs they help write. At the sametime, I do think music can be interpreted in different ways by different artists or fans. There isn't anything wrong with that.

Thanks for the review. I love Steve Perry and always will, I am greatfull for the new music he gave us on the reissues, and I am hoping for more from him. I think that JaSS does a great job and my sister and me had a great time at the Dallas concert. Please cant we just appreciate what each one has to offer without beating either one of these talented men up?

Carlitto H@kk wrote:I thought this was a "Journey" board...

No its a Jeff board

SPECTACULAR REVIEW!!!

I'm LOVING the new music on these re-issues , and I'm so very glad that Perry added all those GREAT new songs to the cds!! The music is HEAVENLY!!!

Steve Perry is the BEST, and I will remain a fan of his forever!!!

Lori

Lemme get this straight...
Somebody posts a 3rd parties' review of Perry CD's on a Journey board and gets shredded for it!?!
It was somebody else's opinion!

Why is it that "Journey fans" on this board cannot handle any former members (mainly Perry) garnering praise?
It does not reflect badly on Journey when good things are said about Perry. Quite the opposite in fact, as to most casual rock fans, his name will always be associated with the band no matter who the current singer is.

I finally located a copy of Street Talk yesterday. I also enjoy Steve Perry GH+5, which has some great stuff on it.

If you want to "read it and weep" look no further than FTLOSM album sales. Fuck, that would even make Perry cry.

By the way, I believe that FTLOSM outsold every non-Perry Journey album before or since.
I'm not saying that sales alone determine if a record is good or not, just pointing out that that particular statement doesn't hold any water.

Johnny Mohawk wrote:If you want to "read it and weep" look no further than FTLOSM album sales. Fuck, that would even make Perry cry.

By the way, I believe that FTLOSM outsold every non-Perry Journey album before or since.
I'm not saying that sales alone determine if a record is good or not, just pointing out that that particular statement doesn't hold any water.

The album sucked and was a flop. For those reasons, it DOES hold water. I'm as big a Perry fan as there is , but that album simply blew ass. I love EVERY other album he was on.

saint John wrote:

Johnny Mohawk wrote:If you want to "read it and weep" look no further than FTLOSM album sales. Fuck, that would even make Perry cry.

By the way, I believe that FTLOSM outsold every non-Perry Journey album before or since.
I'm not saying that sales alone determine if a record is good or not, just pointing out that that particular statement doesn't hold any water.

The album sucked and was a flop. For those reasons, it DOES hold water. I'm as big a Perry fan as there is , but that album simply blew ass. I love EVERY other album he was on.

I actually like FTLOSM better than "Street Talk". Granted, the good songs on ST are better than those on FTLOSM, with the exception of "Missing You", in my opinion. However, the bad ones on ST are worse. I've always hated "Strung Out". Can't stand it.

AR wrote:[

Hey hon, any of these you????

Gianna15 wrote:

Columbia Reissues
Steve Perry


If emotions are a language that can be converted into sound, they’re translated articulately and eloquently by Steve Perry. He is, quite simply, a master of musical interpretation. And every note is wrenched from him with such passion and conviction that there’s little doubt life has often driven a stiletto heel straight through his heart. Even his upbeat vocals are tinged with a wistfulness that suggests hard-won happiness.Yes, Steve Perry can carry a tune — the way power lines carry high voltage. The expanded reissues of Perry’s solo ventures — Street Talk, For The Love Of Strange Medicine, and Greatest Hits — strip away the insulation and lay bare the voltage that jolted Journey into a global superpower after he joined. And exposed a talent that thrived beyond the boundaries of any band.

Perry’s self-produced solo debut, 1984’s upbeat, poppy Street Talk hit the pavement after the release of Journey’s Frontiers album. Backed by a band as tight as a vacuum-packed jar, Perry co-wrote all the material, including chart-chargers “Oh Sherrie” and “Foolish Heart.” There’s also the bright synth-rock of “It’s Only Love,” the catchy, buoyant “Strung Out” and “Running Alone,” whose sweeping majesty showcases Perry at his emotive best. The five bonus tracks are some of the album’s standouts, like the rollicking rocker “Makes No Difference,” displaying Perry hitting a stratospheric high note;“Harmony,” in which his crooning tenderly caresses the delicate accompaniment; and the tangy, horn-honking Motown groove of “Don’t Tell Me Why You’re Leaving.”

For The Love Of Strange Medicine, in contrast, sighs with longing and aching poignancy. It’s replete with ballads, but that’s not a criticism — Perry quite stylishly wears his heart on his sleeve. And Lincoln Brewster’s compatibly stunning, wailing blues guitar seems to sympathize. Together, they perform a synchronized, graceful dance on bittersweet ballads like “I Am,” “Donna Please” and “One More Time,” as well as the funky, animated harmonica-and-syncopation-saturated “Friends of Mine.”

As for Greatest Hits, it should instead have been titled The Comprehensive Steve Perry. Hardly a bunch of filler, it’s a meaty collection of hits, demos and previously unreleased material flaunting a voice that could powerfully and ardently sing about aluminum siding, lint or crabgrass. Heck, he could probably even sing with a chorus of angels. And upstage them.

~ Merryl Lentz

©Copyright 1997, 2006 Vintage Rock

Great read - nobody ever came close to Perry - except Jimi Jamieson maybe - thats who they shoulda got in - instead of hip swinging mime artists..........by the way - Hi to John in Boston - John we used to e-mail each other sometimes - you will prob be able to work out who i am!

80s man wrote:
Great read - nobody ever came close to Perry - except Jimi Jamieson maybe - thats who they shoulda got in - instead of hip swinging mime artists........

I agree 80s man - it was a well-written and passionate review....and as for Jamison....well, Perry once said "that guy has no class" but I reckon he would have been the right choice for Journey a few years ago too.

conversationpc wrote:

saint John wrote:

Johnny Mohawk wrote:If you want to "read it and weep" look no further than FTLOSM album sales. Fuck, that would even make Perry cry.

By the way, I believe that FTLOSM outsold every non-Perry Journey album before or since.
I'm not saying that sales alone determine if a record is good or not, just pointing out that that particular statement doesn't hold any water.

The album sucked and was a flop. For those reasons, it DOES hold water. I'm as big a Perry fan as there is , but that album simply blew ass. I love EVERY other album he was on.

I actually like FTLOSM better than "Street Talk". Granted, the good songs on ST are better than those on FTLOSM, with the exception of "Missing You", in my opinion. However, the bad ones on ST are worse. I've always hated "Strung Out". Can't stand it.

I like more of the songs on FTLOSM than on Street Talk too. I love both, but the emotive quality of FTLOSM appeals to me more than most of Street Talk.

Loved the review, and of course I agree with every word.

Gianna15 wrote:

Columbia Reissues
Steve Perry


If emotions are a language that can be converted into sound, they’re translated articulately and eloquently by Steve Perry. He is, quite simply, a master of musical interpretation.

Have to say....I totally 100% agree with that sentence!

Gianna15 wrote:STEVE PERRY IS, WAS AND WILL EVER BE THE SUCCESS OF JOURNEY! Get your head out of the sand, petty one.

AMEN!!!!!!

Is Perry talented? NO DOUBT!
However...a person who REFUSES to use all that talent just makes it so they are about equal to a person who has no talent.
All the great and talented people throughout history used their talents until their dying day.
Perry's decision to not use his talent amounts to sticking his head in the sand and telling everyone to go away.
So he locked himself away with the old Journey tapes and changed a few things, that is a WASTE of his talents. He should be make making NEW music. Even if he cannot sing anymore, he can still WRITE like nobody else. But he won't or he doesn't...for whatever reason and all that talent just goes to waste.