MR

So I saw Journey tonight. First time in maybe 13 or 14 years. It was pretty much exactly what I thought it would be, except for a couple points.

They have definitely built up a solid show for who they cater to. New songs (Faith in the Heartland and Resonate) were clearly bathroom breaks and discussion breaks for many, if not most. As was Mother Father and a few others. Deen was pretty good on MF. Well, outside of Steve Perry, I'd say he was really good.

Cain - It's like he died, they stuffed him and put some very basic animatronics in him, and propped him up. Dude show ZERO energy. Kind of sad, actually.

Arnel did his thing. Was pretty on key most of the night. Saw a few struggles near the end of WITS and DSB. He keeps his energy up and you gotta feel really happy for the guy for the job he is doing and the success he has.

Neal Schon - I have to say that all things aside, this guy can play and you can see his enthusiasm for being out there. True legend. If not for him, this would become a Beck show.

I am truly growing to hate concert crowds, and especially old farts at fairs. Joan Jett comes on, sleep, sleep, sleep, I FUCKING LOVE ROCK AND ROLL - YEAH - AWESOME - WOO HOO, sleep, sleep. And I even felt that the fans were like that for Journey, but definitely not to that extent. But DSB was of course the one everyone stood for and sang as loud as possible. How people can sit through a whole show and only show excitement for a 30+ year old song is annoying.

So overall, two things struck me. Number one, I am a huge Perry fan. And seeing this show was like knowing a really great couple, then finding yourself sitting at one of their weddings because they broke up and one's moving on. The new groom is nice enough and you wish them well, but you just know if the other guy comes through the door, it's fireworks.

And second, unless there is some really strong reason, I will likely never see another Journey show. This was my tenth. They offered me nothing that I hadn't seen before. Nothing to get me excited about any of it. It's not worth the ticket prices to keep hitting repeat on the remote. They felt reduced as an act. People used to go see Journey. Now they go to hear particular songs. I know it's our age and it's always been like that. But now instead of a fun night out seeing a nostalgic act for a few bucks, it's premium dollars. I just don't find it worth it. Outside of watching the Legend of Neal, it was pretty boring.

Of course, this is just my opinion. I know it would be a great show for others.

Memorex wrote:So I saw Journey tonight. First time in maybe 13 or 14 years. It was pretty much exactly what I thought it would be, except for a couple points.

They have definitely built up a solid show for who they cater to. New songs (Faith in the Heartland and Resonate) were clearly bathroom breaks and discussion breaks for many, if not most. As was Mother Father and a few others. Deen was pretty good on MF. Well, outside of Steve Perry, I'd say he was really good.

Cain - It's like he died, they stuffed him and put some very basic animatronics in him, and propped him up. Dude show ZERO energy. Kind of sad, actually.

Arnel did his thing. Was pretty on key most of the night. Saw a few struggles near the end of WITS and DSB. He keeps his energy up and you gotta feel really happy for the guy for the job he is doing and the success he has.

Neal Schon - I have to say that all things aside, this guy can play and you can see his enthusiasm for being out there. True legend. If not for him, this would become a Beck show.

I am truly growing to hate concert crowds, and especially old farts at fairs. Joan Jett comes on, sleep, sleep, sleep, I FUCKING LOVE ROCK AND ROLL - YEAH - AWESOME - WOO HOO, sleep, sleep. And I even felt that the fans were like that for Journey, but definitely not to that extent. But DSB was of course the one everyone stood for and sang as loud as possible. How people can sit through a whole show and only show excitement for a 30+ year old song is annoying.

So overall, two things struck me. Number one, I am a huge Perry fan. And seeing this show was like knowing a really great couple, then finding yourself sitting at one of their weddings because they broke up and one's moving on. The new groom is nice enough and you wish them well, but you just know if the other guy comes through the door, it's fireworks.

And second, unless there is some really strong reason, I will likely never see another Journey show. This was my tenth. They offered me nothing that I hadn't seen before. Nothing to get me excited about any of it. It's not worth the ticket prices to keep hitting repeat on the remote. They felt reduced as an act. People used to go see Journey. Now they go to hear particular songs. I know it's our age and it's always been like that. But now instead of a fun night out seeing a nostalgic act for a few bucks, it's premium dollars. I just don't find it worth it. Outside of watching the Legend of Neal, it was pretty boring.

Of course, this is just my opinion. I know it would be a great show for others.

You're a racist......and it's Bush's fault.

Thanks for the review man. I guess I have enjoyed that Journey has just kept on going, but you're right, it's pretty much paint by numbers these days, with no true surprises. Their touring success these days, because of the dollars they earn, really doesn't demand that they do anything, except the expected.

The last time I saw them was Arnel's 1st tour... it was like seeing a new band.. lots of energy...

That will be my last time.

Thanks for the review. Your thoughts were pretty much dead on as mine were coming out of the St Louis show. I really only went because friends wanted to go, and there was a part of me that just wanted them to rock my face off and re-find that energy. Didn't really happen. Deen's MF version was the highlight of the show for me. That's about it.

When a band actually looks like they are just going through motions, I'm done (Arnel notwithstanding).

Sounds pretty accurate. I last saw them on the Eclipse tour, and Arnel just floored me vocally. Great voice and hit the notes with robotic accuracy. But the band interplay left something to be desired. It reminded me of the last years of the Augeri era. Very little energy or sense of fun. But hey, Arnel is the little vocalist that could and the band is lucky to have found him. Something is def. wrong with Cain. Dude seems soo bored. I would see them again, but not as part of a triple package deal. Fuck that.

The_Noble_Cause wrote:Sounds pretty accurate. I last saw them on the Eclipse tour, and Arnel just floored me vocally. Great voice and hit the notes with robotic accuracy. But the band interplay left something to be desired. It reminded me of the last years of the Augeri era. Very little energy or sense of fun. But hey, Arnel is the little vocalist that could and the band is lucky to have found him. Something is def. wrong with Cain. Dude seems soo bored. I would see them again, but not as part of a triple package deal. Fuck that.

I'm guessing perhaps it's an age difference type of thing between Arnel and the rest of the band (with exception to the drummer) The drummer really can't do to much in way of stage performance since he's sitting behind a drum set. But in regards to the energy point, The bassist, guitarist, keyboardist, and vocalist.....Arnel is so much younger then the rest of them. I think this is the reason for the difference.

The_Noble_Cause wrote:Sounds pretty accurate. I last saw them on the Eclipse tour, and Arnel just floored me vocally. Great voice and hit the notes with robotic accuracy. But the band interplay left something to be desired. It reminded me of the last years of the Augeri era. Very little energy or sense of fun. But hey, Arnel is the little vocalist that could and the band is lucky to have found him. Something is def. wrong with Cain. Dude seems soo bored. I would see them again, but not as part of a triple package deal. Fuck that.

I think Cain is misses making hits. Remember, this was a guy with a magic touch. He joins the band and with Perry, they're geese laying the golden eggs. And it's his songs -- Open Arms, DSB, Faithfully, When You Love a Woman - that dominate the charts and earn Grammy noms. Even a stint outside Journey, with Bad English, cooks up another number one. I now sense great frustration that his true song-writing partner is gone; and that Journey can't seem to settle on a sound that makes all the members content. So they resort to what they know. I'd be bored too. I truly hope they decide to do some co-lining tour with Santana. Having Gregg in the mix again might shake things up and give them an excuse to play some older material.

FamilyMan wrote:

The_Noble_Cause wrote:Sounds pretty accurate. I last saw them on the Eclipse tour, and Arnel just floored me vocally. Great voice and hit the notes with robotic accuracy. But the band interplay left something to be desired. It reminded me of the last years of the Augeri era. Very little energy or sense of fun. But hey, Arnel is the little vocalist that could and the band is lucky to have found him. Something is def. wrong with Cain. Dude seems soo bored. I would see them again, but not as part of a triple package deal. Fuck that.

I think Cain is misses making hits. Remember, this was a guy with a magic touch. He joins the band and with Perry, they're geese laying the golden eggs. And it's his songs -- Open Arms, DSB, Faithfully, When You Love a Woman - that dominate the charts and earn Grammy noms. Even a stint outside Journey, with Bad English, cooks up another number one. I now sense great frustration that his true song-writing partner is gone; and that Journey can't seem to settle on a sound that makes all the members content. So they resort to what they know. I'd be bored too. I truly hope they decide to do some co-lining tour with Santana. Having Gregg in the mix again might shake things up and give them an excuse to play some older material.

... having Gregg around ain't gonna solve whats bugging Cain....

FamilyMan wrote:

The_Noble_Cause wrote:Sounds pretty accurate. I last saw them on the Eclipse tour, and Arnel just floored me vocally. Great voice and hit the notes with robotic accuracy. But the band interplay left something to be desired. It reminded me of the last years of the Augeri era. Very little energy or sense of fun. But hey, Arnel is the little vocalist that could and the band is lucky to have found him. Something is def. wrong with Cain. Dude seems soo bored. I would see them again, but not as part of a triple package deal. Fuck that.

I think Cain is misses making hits. Remember, this was a guy with a magic touch. He joins the band and with Perry, they're geese laying the golden eggs. And it's his songs -- Open Arms, DSB, Faithfully, When You Love a Woman - that dominate the charts and earn Grammy noms. Even a stint outside Journey, with Bad English, cooks up another number one. I now sense great frustration that his true song-writing partner is gone; and that Journey can't seem to settle on a sound that makes all the members content. So they resort to what they know. I'd be bored too. I truly hope they decide to do some co-lining tour with Santana. Having Gregg in the mix again might shake things up and give them an excuse to play some older material.

Agree with most of what you say here. Just for the record though, WISYS was not written by Cain. (Diane Warren tune)

When I went, it was Deen and Arnel that saved the show for me. Arnel was a pleasant surprise and Deen is just so damn fun to watch. Ross is Ross, has been for years. Jon needs to just fucking retire from Journey and focus on Nashville. Worthless up there. Even his monologue was SO obviously scripted. I started looking for a teleprompter. As for Neal, the guy can play. But he still strikes me as someone on stage saying 'Give me the props I deserve, dammit'. He deserves legend status, but it feels like arrogance....

I don't agree at all. I saw them August 31st, my 17th show since 2001. They changed things up this tour, absolutely not auto pilot. If any of the band members are reading this, great job, thanks for keeping things going and playing the newer songs for us too. The crowd loved you.

kmjrr wrote:I don't agree at all. I saw them August 31st, my 17th show since 2001. They changed things up this tour, absolutely not auto pilot. If any of the band members are reading this, great job, thanks for keeping things going and playing the newer songs for us too. The crowd loved you.

had you seen them back in the day? 1986 or prior? Maybe then you'd understand our point.

Neal was really the only one that added anything to anything when I saw them the other night. Maybe your night was an on night for them.

Anyway, as I said in my earlier post, I think they have built quite a show for those that enjoy that kind of evening. I think for dollars and the ability to continue, they are doing what they have to do. It's just not for me.

Memorex wrote:had you seen them back in the day? 1986 or prior? Maybe then you'd understand our point.

Neal was really the only one that added anything to anything when I saw them the other night. Maybe your night was an on night for them.

Anyway, as I said in my earlier post, I think they have built quite a show for those that enjoy that kind of evening. I think for dollars and the ability to continue, they are doing what they have to do. It's just not for me.

No, I was a big fan at the time but unfortunately I did not see them with Perry. I am only commenting on the quality of the show now and of course the one I attended. In my opinion this show was as good and in some ways better than those of the last several years, and definitely better than 2001 to 2006 if only because of Arnel's vocals. For the first time I hesitated getting a ticket mainly because of the distance and the outdoor grass (mud) venue, but also because I feared another predominately dirty dozen show as the 3-bills have been. I was happy to hear the songs from Revelation and Eclipse as well as every member speaking and introducing each other and the songs, Jon's medley, Neal's solo was pretty cool, and the interaction with the crowd at the end of the show was the best I have seen from them.

The_Noble_Cause wrote:....Something is def. wrong with Cain.

Hello,
Long-time lurker, first post...sorry for it to be a downer, but I agree that something seems to be wrong with JC. In addition to being bored musically, I noticed on the video in the Jimmy Barnes thread that he was sans wedding ring. Not sure if this is much ado about nothing, but I've never seen him without it. Here's the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJNKeHIkuo4

It sounds like the same show I seen in 2009 with the same issues and I have not seen them since for your same reasons.

Do yourself a favor and go see Night Ranger. They blow Journey off the stage these days.

Memorex wrote:So I saw Journey tonight. First time in maybe 13 or 14 years. It was pretty much exactly what I thought it would be, except for a couple points.

They have definitely built up a solid show for who they cater to. New songs (Faith in the Heartland and Resonate) were clearly bathroom breaks and discussion breaks for many, if not most. As was Mother Father and a few others. Deen was pretty good on MF. Well, outside of Steve Perry, I'd say he was really good.

Cain - It's like he died, they stuffed him and put some very basic animatronics in him, and propped him up. Dude show ZERO energy. Kind of sad, actually.

Arnel did his thing. Was pretty on key most of the night. Saw a few struggles near the end of WITS and DSB. He keeps his energy up and you gotta feel really happy for the guy for the job he is doing and the success he has.

Neal Schon - I have to say that all things aside, this guy can play and you can see his enthusiasm for being out there. True legend. If not for him, this would become a Beck show.

I am truly growing to hate concert crowds, and especially old farts at fairs. Joan Jett comes on, sleep, sleep, sleep, I FUCKING LOVE ROCK AND ROLL - YEAH - AWESOME - WOO HOO, sleep, sleep. And I even felt that the fans were like that for Journey, but definitely not to that extent. But DSB was of course the one everyone stood for and sang as loud as possible. How people can sit through a whole show and only show excitement for a 30+ year old song is annoying.

So overall, two things struck me. Number one, I am a huge Perry fan. And seeing this show was like knowing a really great couple, then finding yourself sitting at one of their weddings because they broke up and one's moving on. The new groom is nice enough and you wish them well, but you just know if the other guy comes through the door, it's fireworks.

And second, unless there is some really strong reason, I will likely never see another Journey show. This was my tenth. They offered me nothing that I hadn't seen before. Nothing to get me excited about any of it. It's not worth the ticket prices to keep hitting repeat on the remote. They felt reduced as an act. People used to go see Journey. Now they go to hear particular songs. I know it's our age and it's always been like that. But now instead of a fun night out seeing a nostalgic act for a few bucks, it's premium dollars. I just don't find it worth it. Outside of watching the Legend of Neal, it was pretty boring.

Of course, this is just my opinion. I know it would be a great show for others.