Melodic Playing By Neal

[Rockindeano]

In another thread, O Sherrie and I were differing on whether Generations has more melodic, soulful, soaring guitar. I say it does, perhaps more than any other Journey effort. Sherrie of course disagrees, but that's ok. it's a free, at least for now.

Let's all weigh in on this.

Please vote, but give a reason please for your choice. I already see you working, TNC. Frontiers does not include Only the Young and Ask the Lonely; even those two melodic masterpiecs were written for the album, or in the time era of it. My guess was you would say Frontiers

Let's hear it.


My vote goes for Generations, followed by Escape, then Frontiers.

Faith in the heartland, The Place in Your Heart, A Better Life, Butterfly and Beyond the Clouds all possess beautiful melodic axe work.

[ohsherrie]

My vote is for Escape. My second choice would be Arrival. There's some great work on TBF too. I think he's done outstanding work on all of them, but I may have a different definition of "melodic" than some of you have. I think melodic means that the guitar work expresses or enhances the melody line of the song. His extended, soaring riffs don't always do that. Sometimes it seems as if he's just showing his guitar prowess, which is considerable, with little regard for the melody. It's not that I mind hearing a great guitar riff, I just prefer melodic guitar(as I define it)to the screaming "hard rock" sound.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Not sure on this one.
Leaning towards TBF at the moment.

[Greg]

Man, this is a tough decision! Good thread Deano!

I have to agree with NC on TBF. There were some beautiful melodies on that album. If you're thinking more in terms of electric guitar driven melodies, then definitely Generations is way up there with Escape and Frontiers.

[ohsherrie]

Man, this is a tough decision! Good thread Deano!

I have to agree with NC on TBF.

My favorite work of Neal's is on TBF, I just think that overall there is a greater quantity of melodic playing on Escape and Arrival.

[Rockindeano]

The way I see it, Escape doesn't have half of what Arrival or especially Generations has. WCN, Still they Ride, maybe DSB. No other songs are melodic IMO. Stone in Love is guitar driven, but not melodic. Same with Keep on Runnin...OA has zilch. Escpae has a driven sound. Dead or Alive same, and Lay it Down, driven guitar.

Just my opinion.

[NealIsGod]

I went with Gens. You can make an arument for them all (where was Infinity, BTW), but Gens is fantastic work.

[Greg]

I've been listening to Trial By Fire this week, and I know why I love the album so much. Not necessarily Perry's vox, but the beautiful acoustic melodies from Neal's guitar playing in addition to Jon Cain's ivory work! Still She Cries is a great example of such. But then again, I'm thinking in mostly terms of the music, not so much the vocals.

[jrnyman28]

I really lean to the Holy Trinity albums (Infinity, Evolution, Departure). There was enough melody coupled with some progressive work still. That made their music more unique at the time. By the time Escape came around even Neal's guitar was getting more 'mainstream' sounding. Escape would probably be my 2nd choice because of songs like Still They Ride and Mother, Father. But I guess my pik would go to Departure.

[ohsherrie]

After reading some of these posts I listened to TBF and Arrival again. I'm starting to rethink my choice of Escape, but right now it's a toss up between the other two.

[Red13JoePa]

Arrival.
Got Higher Place, ATW, WWMA, WGW (borderline, what with the very cool hard rock solo by Schon to close it, but still more melodic than anything else to me), TBAA, IGAR, WYL, LOD, LAB, all of those I classify as Journey melodicrock songs, ballad or not. That is a lot. ATT, LTD, NCC, KMS, LBY, fit into different categories of mine.

To me Generations has FITH, TPIYH, EG, ABL, KTYLM, and NTL, maybe OOHW.
It would be either second, or tied for second with TBF.

[ohsherrie]

Arrival.
Got Higher Place, ATW, WWMA, WGW (borderline, what with the very cool hard rock solo by Schon to close it, but still more melodic than anything else to me), TBAA, IGAR, WYL, LOD, LAB, all of those I classify as Journey melodicrock songs, ballad or not. That is a lot. ATT, LTD, NCC, KMS, LBY, fit into different categories of mine.

To me Generations has FITH, TPIYH, EG, ABL, KTYLM, and NTL, maybe OOHW.
It would be either second, or tied for second with TBF.

I'm thinking almost the same thing Joe, for melodic guitar, after reviewing the material I'd put Arrival first. But I'd put TBF second and Escape third. I guess I initially chose my vote to quickly.

[Red13JoePa]

Sherrie, you are a revelation for your willingness to admit that the post TBF material is at least decent.
Rock, this is tantamount to a Big11 referee suddenly calling holding on MeCheatAgain in the "Big House ."

[Abitaman]

GENERATIONS-Eric

[ohsherrie]

Sherrie, you are a revelation for your willingness to admit that the post TBF material is at least decent.
Rock, this is tantamount to a Big11 referee suddenly calling holding on MeCheatAgain in the "Big House ."

I don't get the reference to the Big11, but I'm assuming it's right up there with a leopard changing it's spots. Well, we're talking guitar, and it's the same guitar man on all of them, but yeah, I've come to enjoy some of the new tunes.