MR

Forgetting all of the personal, behind the scenes bs that this forum has been exposed to, let's just judge these guys based on how well they perform, after all, they're working for us when we pay to see them. And with that in mind, I think they all deliver everytime I see them in concert.

Neal plays the hell out of the guitar! One of the best guitar players I've ever seen, very emotional in his playing, never dull, always seems to spice up the solos so they're never quite the same.

Mr. Cain is probably the most consistant as far as his keyboard playing goes. Always attempts to deliver a live performance as close or better than the studio recording, even if he has to trigger some external sequences every now and then.

Ross has to be one of the most steady, reliable, bass players I've witnessed the last 30 years. Knows how to groove, funk, etc. Lays down a low end that is rock solid, time after time.

While Deen might lack the finesse and jazz feel that Steve Smith brought to the band, he makes up for it in raw energy and power. He brings a slightly more aggressive drumming style to the classic Journey tunes. Separate Ways, Escape, Chain Reaction, Stone In Love, etc, all sound more energetic, rockish, with Deen's drumming. Deen has been and still is, one of the better rock drummers performing today.

I'll take the musicianship of these boys over other melodic rock acts performing today anytime.

I guess we will soon find out!

I agree on the Neal and Deen part. Neal is one of the best in Rock, and always has been underrated in my opinion. Some people may be able to play faster, or do more tricks, but none of them touch him in the emotion and finesse catagory.

Deen.... He may not have all the technical blah blah that players such as Neil Peart and Mike Portnoy, but he definately makes up for it in power. He's a pretty hard hitting drummer. Much like Eric Carr (RIP), Randy Castillo (RIP) and Tommy Lee


I'm not much on bass or keys, so I'll stay out of that debate. I pay more attention to drums, guitar and vocals

I don't know of another drummer that appears to have as much FUN as Deen does when he plays.

Andrew wrote:I guess we will soon find out!

Andrew, is an announcement coming soon?

Deen is the man! As a drummer myself, I was truly impressed with the first time I saw him back with Augeri, and equally impressed when I saw him with JSS. I surely am going to miss JSS visiting Deen on the drum riser. Oh well, bring on the tour!!

texafana wrote:Forgetting all of the personal, behind the scenes bs that this forum has been exposed to, let's just judge these guys based on how well they perform, after all, they're working for us when we pay to see them. And with that in mind, I think they all deliver everytime I see them in concert.

Neal plays the hell out of the guitar! One of the best guitar players I've ever seen, very emotional in his playing, never dull, always seems to spice up the solos so they're never quite the same.

Mr. Cain is probably the most consistant as far as his keyboard playing goes. Always attempts to deliver a live performance as close or better than the studio recording, even if he has to trigger some external sequences every now and then.

Ross has to be one of the most steady, reliable, bass players I've witnessed the last 30 years. Knows how to groove, funk, etc. Lays down a low end that is rock solid, time after time.

While Deen might lack the finesse and jazz feel that Steve Smith brought to the band, he makes up for it in raw energy and power. He brings a slightly more aggressive drumming style to the classic Journey tunes. Separate Ways, Escape, Chain Reaction, Stone In Love, etc, all sound more energetic, rockish, with Deen's drumming. Deen has been and still is, one of the better rock drummers performing today.

I'll take the musicianship of these boys over other melodic rock acts performing today anytime.

DEEN is just a blast to WATCH!!! and Yes, Neal shreds with the best of em...

Rick

texafana wrote:Forgetting all of the personal, behind the scenes bs that this forum has been exposed to, let's just judge these guys based on how well they perform, after all, they're working for us when we pay to see them. And with that in mind, I think they all deliver everytime I see them in concert.

Neal plays the hell out of the guitar! One of the best guitar players I've ever seen, very emotional in his playing, never dull, always seems to spice up the solos so they're never quite the same.

Mr. Cain is probably the most consistant as far as his keyboard playing goes. Always attempts to deliver a live performance as close or better than the studio recording, even if he has to trigger some external sequences every now and then.

Ross has to be one of the most steady, reliable, bass players I've witnessed the last 30 years. Knows how to groove, funk, etc. Lays down a low end that is rock solid, time after time.

While Deen might lack the finesse and jazz feel that Steve Smith brought to the band, he makes up for it in raw energy and power. He brings a slightly more aggressive drumming style to the classic Journey tunes. Separate Ways, Escape, Chain Reaction, Stone In Love, etc, all sound more energetic, rockish, with Deen's drumming. Deen has been and still is, one of the better rock drummers performing today.

I'll take the musicianship of these boys over other melodic rock acts performing today anytime.

ABSOLUTELY!! I believe these 4 are each at the top of their game on their respective instruments. IF you'd like to witness some awesome bass playing by Ross, listen to the work he does on Neal Zaza's Staring at the Sun!

texafana wrote:Forgetting all of the personal, behind the scenes bs that this forum has been exposed to, let's just judge these guys based on how well they perform, after all, they're working for us when we pay to see them. And with that in mind, I think they all deliver everytime I see them in concert.

Okay, if you're going to make me forget the personal bullshit, hard as that is to do, then I will give you this one - yeah they still rock. Neal is a great guitar player. I never said otherwise. As a person he needs work, but the playing he's got down about as well he can ever get it. Deen is as awesome drummer. Always liked Ross. Jon... meh. I see you're aiming for a positive thread so I'll leave my comments out. It's just that I never really cared one way or another about the piano/keyboards (/KEYTAR!). I can take it or leave it. I'm a rhythm girl - I dig bass and drums a lot, especially drums. Now, Jon on rhythm guitar playing alongside Neal - THAT I have always liked. They should do more of that. (there I said something nice about Jon. Gimme my Scooby Snack.)

bluejeangirl76 wrote:Okay, if you're going to make me forget the personal bullshit, hard as that is to do, then I will give you this one - yeah they still rock.

That's the $1 million dollar question - will anyone be able to get past all the drama to support them again? Based on what I am seeing on fan forums, I think they are going to have an uphill battle.

Voyager wrote:

bluejeangirl76 wrote:Okay, if you're going to make me forget the personal bullshit, hard as that is to do, then I will give you this one - yeah they still rock.

That's the $1 million dollar question - will anyone be able to get past all the drama to support them again? Based on what I am seeing on fan forums, I think they are going to have an uphill battle.

Totally. Yeah, I'd say the band can still rock, but yanno what? I'm not paying to see it.

bluejeangirl76 wrote:

Voyager wrote:

bluejeangirl76 wrote:Okay, if you're going to make me forget the personal bullshit, hard as that is to do, then I will give you this one - yeah they still rock.

That's the $1 million dollar question - will anyone be able to get past all the drama to support them again? Based on what I am seeing on fan forums, I think they are going to have an uphill battle.

Totally. Yeah, I'd say the band can still rock, but yanno what? I'm not paying to see it.

Great, that'll give me a better chance of getting a front row ticket. btw bluejeangirl, your screen caps on the Official Photoshop thread over at the bash journey forum was frickin' hilarious. even though i'm still a journey fan, i loved reading your captions. too bad they didn't make more music videos!!!

Voyager wrote:That's the $1 million dollar question - will anyone be able to get past all the drama to support them again? Based on what I am seeing on fan forums, I think they are going to have an uphill battle.

Might be an uphill battle of this forum - but that's all it is. A forum. I know it's been said before, but we do represent a distinct minority of the whole ticket and album-buying fanbase. Most people probably aren't aware of the saga that's played out over the last few months.

Not really trying to force a positive thread, just stating the point, all bs aside, if you want to see a group of musicians who don't hold anything back live, these guys are it. Don't get me wrong, I love the vocal structures, the ballads, etc, but dammmnn... whey they kick into some instrumental jammage on Wheel In The Sky, LaDoDa, Edge Of The Blade, Line Of Fire, Dixie Hwy, Sep Ways, Stone In Love, the end of Who's Cryin Now, etc, etc, you can't help but bob your head to the beat, raise your hands, and admire the jams. I think their ability to write music that is both melodically pleasing to the ears while still giving everyone in the band "something to do" is 2nd to none.

fightingilliniJRNY wrote:

Voyager wrote:That's the $1 million dollar question - will anyone be able to get past all the drama to support them again? Based on what I am seeing on fan forums, I think they are going to have an uphill battle.

Most people probably aren't aware of the saga that's played out over the last few months.

That is absolutely true, fightingillini. They are blissfully unaware. Half of them probably been buying lawn sets for 10 years and think it's still Perry.

bluejeangirl76 wrote:

texafana wrote:Forgetting all of the personal, behind the scenes bs that this forum has been exposed to, let's just judge these guys based on how well they perform, after all, they're working for us when we pay to see them. And with that in mind, I think they all deliver everytime I see them in concert.

Okay, if you're going to make me forget the personal bullshit, hard as that is to do, then I will give you this one - yeah they still rock. Neal is a great guitar player. I never said otherwise. As a person he needs work, but the playing he's got down about as well he can ever get it. Deen is as awesome drummer. Always liked Ross. Jon... meh. I see you're aiming for a positive thread so I'll leave my comments out. It's just that I never really cared one way or another about the piano/keyboards (/KEYTAR!). I can take it or leave it. I'm a rhythm girl - I dig bass and drums a lot, especially drums. Now, Jon on rhythm guitar playing alongside Neal - THAT I have always liked. They should do more of that. (there I said something nice about Jon. Gimme my Scooby Snack.)

Do you actually know Neal and Jon?

bluejeangirl76 wrote:

fightingilliniJRNY wrote:

Voyager wrote:That's the $1 million dollar question - will anyone be able to get past all the drama to support them again? Based on what I am seeing on fan forums, I think they are going to have an uphill battle.

Most people probably aren't aware of the saga that's played out over the last few months.

That is absolutely true, fightingillini. They are blissfully unaware. Half of them probably been buying lawn sets for 10 years and think it's still Perry.

Definately true. I've heard so many people after an Augeri show saying "Man, that Steve Perry still can sing..."

They rocked last summer ,only and only cause they had the energizer bunny, JSS with them.
Will they be able to do it again in 2008? I doubt it.I hope Im wrong (Although I will never go see them live) but I doubt it if they will manage to top their last tour, due to age and lack of motivation! I mean take a look at Ross. He looks like he could fall asleep in middle of a song.
And Neal is not underrated. He is a good guitar player that has had the recognition (and $$) he deserves. He has reached his point where he can not get any better, but that doesnt make him any of the best.

There is NO QUESTION that these 4 guys together can still ROCK and can still be EXCITING...

Problem is, are they going to waste all of that talent and creativity on nothing but Nostalgia or
will they put it to good use on some new material, whether it be Arnel or anybody else?

Behshad wrote:He has reached his point where he can not get any better, but that doesnt make him any of the best.

B, I gotta disagree w/ ya on this one and I'm sure I won't be alone.

Schon seems to get better and better EVERY YEAR. Every tour he seems to show anew
side or influence or technique to his playing/sound.

Carlitto H@kk wrote:

Behshad wrote:He has reached his point where he can not get any better, but that doesnt make him any of the best.

B, I gotta disagree w/ ya on this one and I'm sure I won't be alone.

Schon seems to get better and better EVERY YEAR. Every tour he seems to show anew
side or influence or technique to his playing/sound.

A true Journey fan would disagree with me of course! but a true guitar player would agree with me
I still need to make it to the freakin post office to send you your cd/dvds damnit !
love ya man

B

ScarabGator wrote:

Andrew wrote:I guess we will soon find out!

Andrew, is an announcement coming soon?

I really have no idea.

Behshad wrote:They rocked last summer ,only and only cause they had the energizer bunny, JSS with them.
Will they be able to do it again in 2008? I doubt it.I hope Im wrong (Although I will never go see them live) but I doubt it if they will manage to top their last tour, due to age and lack of motivation! I mean take a look at Ross. He looks like he could fall asleep in middle of a song. And Neal is not underrated. He is a good guitar player that has had the recognition (and $$) he deserves. He has reached his point where he can not get any better, but that doesnt make him any of the best.

"Although I will never go see them live" Then please do not critique their live show. Videos while informative never show the full picture, the dynamics, the spontaneous solos, etc, etc. And sadly if you think Neal can't get any better (he certainly has over the years) then either you are not a musician or you don't fully grasp the fact that once technical skills reach a plateau, "tasteful" skills can continue to develop. Playing with emotion, etc. Take Peter Frampton for instance, at his age he certainly has proven his overall guitar skills are still developing. There's more to guitar playing than flash, speed, etc. A nice tasteful, emotional solo almost everytime will outshine speed playing anyday.

"A true Journey fan would disagree with me of course! but a true guitar player would agree with me.."

Wrong again..and agian...and again....etc, etc.

"I mean take a look at Ross. He looks like he could fall asleep in middle of a song." Perhaps you just don't like these guys on a personal level, but to say something like this (after you post you will never see them live) is just strange, because Ross, if you focus on him for quite a while during a live show, will crack jokes visually to the audience and in spoken word to the other band members, during a song. Perhaps it's time to ignore your comments...

Behshad wrote:And Neal is not underrated. He is a good guitar player that has had the recognition (and $$) he deserves. He has reached his point where he can not get any better, but that doesnt make him any of the best.

Crazy4Ross wrote:

ABSOLUTELY!! I believe these 4 are each at the top of their game on their respective instruments. IF you'd like to witness some awesome bass playing by Ross, listen to the work he does on Neal Zaza's Staring at the Sun!

Barb, no offense, but I can tell you stories that would disprove your notion that these guys are all on top of their game. One of them is better than ever, 1 is still solid, 1 is stagnant, and 1 has lost some.

texafana wrote:

Behshad wrote:They rocked last summer ,only and only cause they had the energizer bunny, JSS with them.
Will they be able to do it again in 2008? I doubt it.I hope Im wrong (Although I will never go see them live) but I doubt it if they will manage to top their last tour, due to age and lack of motivation! I mean take a look at Ross. He looks like he could fall asleep in middle of a song. And Neal is not underrated. He is a good guitar player that has had the recognition (and $$) he deserves. He has reached his point where he can not get any better, but that doesnt make him any of the best.

"Although I will never go see them live" Then please do not critique their live show. Videos while informative never show the full picture, the dynamics, the spontaneous solos, etc, etc. And sadly if you think Neal can't get any better (he certainly has over the years) then either you are not a musician or you don't fully grasp the fact that once technical skills reach a plateau, "tasteful" skills can continue to develop. Playing with emotion, etc. Take Peter Frampton for instance, at his age he certainly has proven his overall guitar skills are still developing. There's more to guitar playing than flash, speed, etc. A nice tasteful, emotional solo almost everytime will outshine speed playing anyday.

"A true Journey fan would disagree with me of course! but a true guitar player would agree with me.."

Wrong again..and agian...and again....etc, etc.

"I mean take a look at Ross. He looks like he could fall asleep in middle of a song." Perhaps you just don't like these guys on a personal level, but to say something like this (after you post you will never see them live) is just strange, because Ross, if you focus on him for quite a while during a live show, will crack jokes visually to the audience and in spoken word to the other band members, during a song. Perhaps it's time to ignore your comments...

Yep, Ross will peg you right between the eyes with his squirt gun. He's got great aim. I've never had that happen, but I've heard the stories.

texafana wrote:

Behshad wrote:They rocked last summer ,only and only cause they had the energizer bunny, JSS with them.
Will they be able to do it again in 2008? I doubt it.I hope Im wrong (Although I will never go see them live) but I doubt it if they will manage to top their last tour, due to age and lack of motivation! I mean take a look at Ross. He looks like he could fall asleep in middle of a song. And Neal is not underrated. He is a good guitar player that has had the recognition (and $$) he deserves. He has reached his point where he can not get any better, but that doesnt make him any of the best.

"Although I will never go see them live" Then please do not critique their live show. Videos while informative never show the full picture, the dynamics, the spontaneous solos, etc, etc. And sadly if you think Neal can't get any better (he certainly has over the years) then either you are not a musician or you don't fully grasp the fact that once technical skills reach a plateau, "tasteful" skills can continue to develop. Playing with emotion, etc. Take Peter Frampton for instance, at his age he certainly has proven his overall guitar skills are still developing. There's more to guitar playing than flash, speed, etc. A nice tasteful, emotional solo almost everytime will outshine speed playing anyday.

"A true Journey fan would disagree with me of course! but a true guitar player would agree with me.."

Wrong again..and agian...and again....etc, etc.

"I mean take a look at Ross. He looks like he could fall asleep in middle of a song." Perhaps you just don't like these guys on a personal level, but to say something like this (after you post you will never see them live) is just strange, because Ross, if you focus on him for quite a while during a live show, will crack jokes visually to the audience and in spoken word to the other band members, during a song. Perhaps it's time to ignore your comments...

fuck off please, you troublemaking troll. Just cause I dont agree with you and I dont say things u wanna hear you think my opinons dont count. Journey's future is as bright as you are. This forum is not like your BT. I have my opinions and you have yours but you dont know me well enough to judge me,my opinions and my musical knowledge/skills.

T-Bone wrote:I agree on the Neal and Deen part. Neal is one of the best in Rock, and always has been underrated in my opinion. Some people may be able to play faster, or do more tricks, but none of them touch him in the emotion and finesse catagory.

Deen.... He may not have all the technical blah blah that players such as Neil Peart and Mike Portnoy, but he definately makes up for it in power. He's a pretty hard hitting drummer. Much like Eric Carr (RIP), Randy Castillo (RIP) and Tommy Lee


I'm not much on bass or keys, so I'll stay out of that debate. I pay more attention to drums, guitar and vocals

Ditto!

Deen is definately the funnest drummer to watch also. Loves what he does and it shows.

texafana wrote:

Behshad wrote:They rocked last summer ,only and only cause they had the energizer bunny, JSS with them. ..............
.

"Although I will never go see them live" Then please do not critique their live show. Videos while informative never show the full picture, the dynamics, the spontaneous solos, etc, etc. ...

are you kidding me with this statement??? this was my point exactly when you dismissed Jeff and didn't stay for the whole show.

DWA

right on, Behshad. journey not only rocked, they FREAKIN rocked, 2006-2007. thanks Jeff.

texafana wrote:"Although I will never go see them live" Then please do not critique their live show. Videos while informative never show the full picture, the dynamics, the spontaneous solos, etc, etc. And sadly if you think Neal can't get any better (he certainly has over the years) then either you are not a musician or you don't fully grasp the fact that once technical skills reach a plateau, "tasteful" skills can continue to develop. Playing with emotion, etc. Take Peter Frampton for instance, at his age he certainly has proven his overall guitar skills are still developing. There's more to guitar playing than flash, speed, etc. A nice tasteful, emotional solo almost everytime will outshine speed playing anyday.

"A true Journey fan would disagree with me of course! but a true guitar player would agree with me.."

Wrong again..and agian...and again....etc, etc.

"I mean take a look at Ross. He looks like he could fall asleep in middle of a song." Perhaps you just don't like these guys on a personal level, but to say something like this (after you post you will never see them live) is just strange, because Ross, if you focus on him for quite a while during a live show, will crack jokes visually to the audience and in spoken word to the other band members, during a song. Perhaps it's time to ignore your comments...

Dear Lord, Texarcanna...

Spare us the self-righteous drivel and just say that you disagree w/ B's "opinions", state why you disagree and leave it at that.
Or follow your own and advice and "ignore the comments you don't agree with..."

Yo B, I happen to agree w/ you; Ross DOES look like he'd fall asleep on-stage since he could probably play these same old, worn out songs, LITERALLY, in his sleep... maybe that's why he does clown with the audience, to stay awake