MR

Neal Schon Teases Journey and Santana Tour, Full-Album Performances of ‘Escape’ and ‘Frontiers’

By Jeff Giles November 25, 2015 9:14 AM

http://ultimateclassicrock.com/journey-santana-tour/

Journey‘s upcoming co-headlining tour with the Doobie Brothers is only one part of what sounds like it’s shaping up to be a very active year of performances for the veteran Bay Area rockers.

Guitarist Neal Schon tends to be very active in the comments of posts on Journey’s Facebook page, and he’s been particularly busy since the band announced it was reuniting with drummer Steve Smith and hitting the road with the Doobies next year. Of particular interest to fans is word on the tour with Santana that Schon’s been promising for months.

Though details have yet to be officially confirmed, Schon has told Facebook followers that Journey will in fact be performing with Santana before they start the Doobies tour. According to one comment he’s posted, they’ll be “doing five shows this year,” though it’s unclear whether he’s referring to a short run in early 2016 or spilling the beans on a surprise round of dates before the New Year.

Meanwhile, over on his own Facebook page, Schon teased the possibility of full-album performances from Journey next year, asking fans if anyone would be interested in seeing them play the complete Escape and Frontiers LPs — and when a fan reacted to the news of Smith’s return by asking the band to bring back former keyboard player Gregg Rolie, Schon responded that “there will be intermingling” between bands when Journey performs with Santana, who will be playing with their original lineup.

None of the above will put an end to the constant calls for a reunion with former singer Steve Perry, but it’s all good news for Journey fans — and with a potential new album also on the horizon, they could have even more to look forward to soon.

Troubled Child performed live...I'm there.

I would love a Escape/Frontiers concert!

But the problem is if they did Escape and then Frontiers, most would leave after Faithfully. So, Journey has to perform the songs in reverse order.

1. Rubicon
2. Frontiers
3. Back Talk
4. Troubled Child
5. Edge of the Blade
6. Faithfully
7. After the Fall
8. Chain Reaction
9. Send Her My Love
10. Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)
11. Open Arms
12. Mother, Father
13. Dead Or Alive
14. Lay It Down
15. Escape
16. Still They Ride
17. Keep on Runnin'
(And then the best for last...)
18. Who's Cryin' Now
19. Stone In Love
20. Don't Stop Believin'

Let's be honest, most of Frontiers isn't that great, besides the singles and one or two album cuts. Escape would work, but doing both albums in one set I think would be a bad idea. The casual fans would be lost, and the hardcore fans would rather hear Infinity or Evolution, if they're gonna do a whole LP.

WalrusOct9 wrote:Let's be honest, most of Frontiers isn't that great, besides the singles and one or two album cuts. Escape would work, but doing both albums in one set I think would be a bad idea. The casual fans would be lost, and the hardcore fans would rather hear Infinity or Evolution, if they're gonna do a whole LP.

Since we've agreed to be honest, I totally disagree with you. I love Frontiers, AND Infinity and Evolution.

although Backtalk is one of Journeys worst songs (save smittys drumming) I would see a Frontiers/Escape whole album concert in a heartbeat. I think Arnel could really do justice to Troubled Child. Anything but the dirty dozen would be very cool.
And yes, do it backwards.

I would love Escape/Frontiers done completely. They are both awesome albums. Now, if they could throw in the complete Infinity album, too, and have Gregg Rolie along for that part of the concert, it would be over-the-top awesome. But then they would have to tour alone to do three complete albums.

scarab wrote:although Backtalk is one of Journeys worst songs (save smittys drumming) I would see a Frontiers/Escape whole album concert in a heartbeat. I think Arnel could really do justice to Troubled Child. Anything but the dirty dozen would be very cool.
And yes, do it backwards.

Me too!!

Frontiers is my favorite Journey album of all time. There's not a bad song on it.

JourneyHard wrote:But then they would have to tour alone to do three complete albums.

These days, in most cases I would prefer to see Journey alone.

There's only a small list of bands that I would be excited to see on tour with Journey.
In no particular order that small list consists of...

Survivor
Santana
Foreigner
Night Ranger
Loverboy
Styx

And they've recently toured with most of those bands anyway.

As much as I love this, thus is pure and absolute murder for any vocalist. Dropped keys or not.

Journey/Survivor wrote:

JourneyHard wrote:But then they would have to tour alone to do three complete albums.

These days, in most cases I would prefer to see Journey alone.

There's only a small list of bands that I would be excited to see on tour with Journey.
In no particular order that small list consists of...

Survivor
Santana
Foreigner
Night Ranger
Loverboy
Styx

And they've recently toured with most of those bands anyway.

I agree. I would rather just see Journey tour alone. They've toured to death with acts like REO, Styx, Night Ranger, Loverboy..etc. I would go see them if they played with Bad Company, Chicago, or maybe Toto.

jrny84 wrote:

Journey/Survivor wrote:

JourneyHard wrote:But then they would have to tour alone to do three complete albums.

These days, in most cases I would prefer to see Journey alone.

There's only a small list of bands that I would be excited to see on tour with Journey.
In no particular order that small list consists of...

Survivor
Santana
Foreigner
Night Ranger
Loverboy
Styx

And they've recently toured with most of those bands anyway.

I agree. I would rather just see Journey tour alone. They've toured to death with acts like REO, Styx, Night Ranger, Loverboy..etc. I would go see them if they played with Bad Company, Chicago, or maybe Toto.

Yeah. I would be happy with Toto or Bad Company too. I've seen Chicago a couple of times. And whereas I like them, I don't love them, so I wouldn't be as into it with them.

tater1977 wrote:when a fan reacted to the news of Smith’s return by asking the band to bring back former keyboard player Gregg Rolie, Schon responded that “there will be intermingling” between bands when Journey performs with Santana, who will be playing with their original lineup.

Best news in this forum right there - be worth it just for that. Of course that's with the presumption they roll out some Infinity or, dare I say, :gasp: something from the first 3?

I like all the Journey songs on Escape and Frontiers. I know people don't like Back Talk, but I love it because it is something different. People who say all Journey songs sound the same haven't heard Back Talk (as well as dozens of other great songs.) People don't like Homemade Love either, but I love that song, too because it fit the purpose. They needed something upbeat to end Departure. It was perfect. Now, I am off topic. Sorry.

Back to Back Talk, Journey should play it in concert along with the whole Frontiers and Escape albums. It would be classic.

JourneyHard wrote:I like all the Journey songs on Escape and Frontiers. I know people don't like Back Talk, but I love it because it is something different. People who say all Journey songs sound the same haven't heard Back Talk (as well as dozens of other great songs.) People don't like Homemade Love either, but I love that song, too because it fit the purpose. They needed something upbeat to end Departure. It was perfect. Now, I am off topic. Sorry.

Back to Back Talk, Journey should play it in concert along with the whole Frontiers and Escape albums. It would be classic.

I love both "Back Talk" and "Homemade Love."

In fact, I'm one of the few (it would appear) that is glad that "Back Talk" and "Troubled Child" made it on to the Frontiers album instead of "Only The Young" and "Ask The Lonely."

I love both OTY and ATL, and I'm glad that they were released the way that they were. But I'm happy that it was BT and TC that were on the Frontiers album.

I'm still hoping for the coheadline tour (not just a few shows) with Santana, although it is tempting to catch them with Smith having rejoined the group. Although Escape and Frontiers are great albums, from the band's perspective, I would rather they draw from those and other albums from their catalog instead of just those two for a tour, just to keep it interesting for them and the fans.

PianoMan1986 wrote:Although Escape and Frontiers are great albums, from the band's perspective, I would rather they draw from those and other albums from their catalog instead of just those two for a tour, just to keep it interesting for them and the fans.

I think doing Escape and Frontiers would be good for everybody. They would still be playing seven of the dirty dozen, plus 13 other fresh songs to keep fans excited. It is a win-win!

Journey/Survivor wrote:Frontiers is my favorite Journey album of all time. There's not a bad song on it.

Agreed

JourneyHard wrote:

PianoMan1986 wrote:Although Escape and Frontiers are great albums, from the band's perspective, I would rather they draw from those and other albums from their catalog instead of just those two for a tour, just to keep it interesting for them and the fans.

I think doing Escape and Frontiers would be good for everybody. They would still be playing seven of the dirty dozen, plus 13 other fresh songs to keep fans excited. It is a win-win!

It's not a bad idea, but I think it'd be more interesting to do different combinations of their albums throughout a tour and spark more interest to attend shows to keep fans guessing, plus keep the band interested. Still just my .02.

perryswoman wrote:It's not a bad idea, but I think it'd be more interesting to do different combinations of their albums throughout a tour

Hmmm... They could do Journey and Look Into The Future for the first two weeks of tour. Then they could do Next and Infinity for next two weeks. Then they could do Evolution and Departure for next two weeks. Then they could do Escape and Frontiers for the next two weeks. Then Raised on Radio and Trial By Fire for two weeks. Then they could do Arrival and Generations for next two weeks. Then finish the tour with two weeks of Revelations and Eclipse. They could record the whole thing and release a live-in-concert Box set. Then they could go home and collapse from exhaustion.

Wouldn't it be great if Journey, with or without Santana, were to do a long residency somewhere and play their entire list of music over several nights?

Bon Jovi did a residency like that in London at the O2 in 2010, playing their entire collection and it went over very well. I think if Journey were to do that, it would be an awesome residency. I just might have to get a ticket for every night just to hear songs we don't get to hear usually.

Journey could do a random concert where they have all their songs flash one by one on a big screen at the concert and then when it stops on a song they perform that song. Here would be an example:
1. Frontiers
2. It Could Have Been You
3. I'm Gonna Leave You
4. I'm Cryin'
5. Nickel And Dime
6. Venus
7. Castles Burning
8. Lay It Down
9. Look Into The Future
10. You're On Your Own
11. Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)
12. Every Generation
13. It's All Too Much
14. She Makes Me (Feel Alright)
15. Live And Breathe

JourneyHard wrote:Journey could do a random concert where they have all their songs flash one by one on a big screen at the concert and then when it stops on a song they perform that song. Here would be an example:
1. Frontiers
2. It Could Have Been You
3. I'm Gonna Leave You
4. I'm Cryin'
5. Nickel And Dime
6. Venus
7. Castles Burning
8. Lay It Down
9. Look Into The Future
10. You're On Your Own
11. Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)
12. Every Generation
13. It's All Too Much
14. She Makes Me (Feel Alright)
15. Live And Breathe

I have a question about your #6 listing. What's "Venus?" I've never heard of a Journey song by that name.

venus-an okay instrumental from eclipse

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbHdQza83cA

scarab wrote:venus-an okay instrumental from eclipse

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbHdQza83cA

I've listened to it a million times on the Eclipse CD.
I just haven't looked at the song listing in so long that I forgot that that is its title.