Ted Nugent on Neal Schon, ca. 1987

[Gideon]

http://www.guitarworld.com/ted-nugent-r ... -interview

"The caliber of guitar playing today," he says as a preface to the rating of the ax players, "is beyond scope. People accept an earth-shattering guitar solo as a good guitar solo. When Neal Schon does a solo at the end of a Journey song, it's acknowledged as a nice bridge when, in fact, he has come close to reversing the axis of the earth in doing such a brilliant guitar solo."

NEAL SCHON: "A brilliant guitarist - the best of rock 'n' roll, jazz, blues and an unknown original stylist. He's underrated; he's one of the most dexterous, fluid players around today. He accelerates Journey's music to the maximum every time. His best work is with Journey."

[Rick]

http://www.guitarworld.com/ted-nugent-rates-other-guitar-players-1987-guitar-world-interview

"The caliber of guitar playing today," he says as a preface to the rating of the ax players, "is beyond scope. People accept an earth-shattering guitar solo as a good guitar solo. When Neal Schon does a solo at the end of a Journey song, it's acknowledged as a nice bridge when, in fact, he has come close to reversing the axis of the earth in doing such a brilliant guitar solo."

NEAL SCHON: "A brilliant guitarist - the best of rock 'n' roll, jazz, blues and an unknown original stylist. He's underrated; he's one of the most dexterous, fluid players around today. He accelerates Journey's music to the maximum every time. His best work is with Journey."

Man, that's a hell of a statement coming from Nugent. He doesn't mince words.

[Abitaman]

That is one of the reason's I am a Journey fan. everyone puts all the credit to Perry, without Perry there would be no Journey. That is crap!!!! Sure without Perry they would not have been the Superstars they were. But there was a Journey before Perry and after. Not as big, but they are still there making music, and yes it still "based" on the Perry legacy.
But what made Journey before, during and after was Neal. Gregg's solo cds were ok, to me he has done nothing near as good as when he was with Journey.
Steve Perry, the voice of Rock, 1st solo cd was goo, the second ok, and the original scrapped cd, I can see why it was scrapped. Only the first came anywhere close to the magic of Journey.
Steve Augeri Tall Stories cds and Tyketto were good. But again lacked the magic of a strong axeman.
JSS- his cds are good, but I can not compare to Journey since he did not get a chance to record a cd with them.
AP- he is doing good. Eclipse ranks up near the top of Journey cds. Rev. the middle.
Neal has had the best solo cds. Some were not my "cup of tea" but still the playing was awesome.

But really what made Journey awesome was the Perry/Schon match up. Perry can sing his ass off, and what hurt is solo cds, he did not have a axe man to match him with the fire and passion of Neal. Neal and Perry had that counterpart in each other. What ever Neal could play, Perry could sing it.

Then add Cain to the mix, and you have one of the greatest song writing combos ever.
But it still goes back to Schon, he can anything and make it his own, and with out him (for the most part), there would have been not Journey

[maverick218]

Neal is the reason that I started playing guitar in the first place. His playing during the since Perry left has lost some of the magic for me. His over processed sound now is border line unlistenable at times. His most brilliant work was done from the first album until Departure, although there have been flashes of brilliance since. I miss his classic sound from the 70's, the melodic solos, and the notes that just go on forever. Now, it's just a noodle fest.

[hoagiepete]

Neal is the reason that I started playing guitar in the first place. His playing during the since Perry left has lost some of the magic for me. His over processed sound now is border line unlistenable at times. His most brilliant work was done from the first album until Departure, although there have been flashes of brilliance since. I miss his classic sound from the 70's, the melodic solos, and the notes that just go on forever. Now, it's just a noodle fest.

+1

[Michigan Girl]

^^^^I'm w/you two ...this is something that should've/deserved
to be said circa 1987...by anyone/everyone!!

[Hustler]

My first time ever posting to this board, though I frequently read it. I'm a hard core Journey/ Neal fan from the very first pre-Perry album , through the Perry years, and right up to today- I've loved it all. In addtion to Nugent's comments from back in 1987 there are 3 prior observations in this thread that reflect my own opinion:

1."Eclipse ranks up near the top of Journey cds." (I know some here beg to differ but just thought I'd get that said right up front, though a bit off the main point which is Neal's guitar playing)

2. "His playing since Perry left has lost some of the magic for me. His over processed sound now is border line unlistenable at times. His most brilliant work was done from the first album until Departure, although there have been flashes of brilliance since. I miss his classic sound from the 70's, the melodic solos, and the notes that just go on forever. Now, it's just a noodle fest."

3. "Neal has had the best solo cds. Some were not my "cup of tea" but still the playing was awesome."


So the issue for me is not that Neal hasn't ever played in his melodic, lyrically interpretative style or in a more classic tonal palette since Departure. Not only have there been have been flashes of brilliance in the Journey catalog, he has released some solo stuff (for example his "Voice" cd from 2001) that is some of the most lyrical and nuanced playing and brilliant tone I've have ever heard from ANYONE, ANYWHERE, and showcases what I think most of us believe is his best attribute- a truly genius sense of melody. He's certainly still capable-- so the bigger question I'd like to understand is why over time has he reduced that melodic element in the context of his soloing in Journey? Given his abilty to shred I can see why he enjoys letting it rip at times (Hell, the reason my name here is 'Hustler" is because that song features one of my all time favorite ripping solos), but as much as I love Neals' playing he has ample outlets to do other projects where that style is more appropriate vs. Perry/Augeri/Pineda era Journey. Although an occasional well placed bit of shredding adds impact, even I get a bit weary of it (and average Journey fans don't want to hear the endless over-processed noodling solos).

I gotta believe he's heard this criticism from several sources, and yet he choses to ignore or just doesn't agree with it...

[musicfan17]

My first time ever posting to this board, though I frequently read it. I'm a hard core Journey/ Neal fan from the very first pre-Perry album , through the Perry years, and right up to today- I've loved it all. In addtion to Nugent's comments from back in 1987 there are 3 prior observations in this thread that reflect my own opinion:

1."Eclipse ranks up near the top of Journey cds." (I know some here beg to differ but just thought I'd get that said right up front, though a bit off the main point which is Neal's guitar playing)

2. "His playing since Perry left has lost some of the magic for me. His over processed sound now is border line unlistenable at times. His most brilliant work was done from the first album until Departure, although there have been flashes of brilliance since. I miss his classic sound from the 70's, the melodic solos, and the notes that just go on forever. Now, it's just a noodle fest."

3. "Neal has had the best solo cds. Some were not my "cup of tea" but still the playing was awesome."


So the issue for me is not that Neal hasn't ever played in his melodic, lyrically interpretative style or in a more classic tonal palette since Departure. Not only have there been have been flashes of brilliance in the Journey catalog, he has released some solo stuff (for example his "Voice" cd from 2001) that is some of the most lyrical and nuanced playing and brilliant tone I've have ever heard from ANYONE, ANYWHERE, and showcases what I think most of us believe is his best attribute- a truly genius sense of melody. He's certainly still capable-- so the bigger question I'd like to understand is why over time has he reduced that melodic element in the context of his soloing in Journey? Given his abilty to shred I can see why he enjoys letting it rip at times (Hell, the reason my name here is 'Hustler" is because that song features one of my all time favorite ripping solos), but as much as I love Neals' playing he has ample outlets to do other projects where that style is more appropriate vs. Perry/Augeri/Pineda era Journey. Although an occasional well placed bit of shredding adds impact, even I get a bit weary of it (and average Journey fans don't want to hear the endless over-processed noodling solos).

I gotta believe he's heard this criticism from several sources, and yet he choses to ignore or just doesn't agree with it...

As I've posted a few other places here on the forum...I totally agree with much of this sentiment. Solo projects by Neal are off the chart good and it saddens me that the attribute I loved the most in his playing (the searing melodic playing with tons of feeling and the occasional blazing run) are more and more rare with him these days.

He does sound over processed. He does waaaaay too much shredding and noodling these days and the concerts from this past tour were honestly kinda boring, with way too much guitar solo shredding and not enough songs played. As stated, he CAN still play that way, it just seems he chooses not to. That is sad really. When he wants to be he is one of the best melodic guitar players ever.

[Jeremey]

The last Neal project that really moved me was "Beyond The Thunder."

Neal's playing and writing without Perry is the same for me as Perry singing and writing without Neal.

[Glenn]

Perfectly stated...Way to go Ted.

[maverick218]

The last Neal project that really moved me was "Beyond The Thunder."

Neal's playing and writing without Perry is the same for me as Perry singing and writing without Neal.

Totally agree Jeremey, and I would add "Voice" to BTT.