Check THIS out!

[Behshad]

Wednesday, October 25, 2006
By Lorilee Craker
The Grand Rapids Press

Neal Schon's interpretation of "The Star Spangled Banner," replete with stunning guitar fretwork, gave me goosebumps -- and I'm Canadian! Not a bad way to kick off almost three hours of rock 'n' roll by two of the biggest bands of the '80s.

Playing for a crowd of the many rabid Def Leppard fans who populated the throng of 7,600, in Van Andel Arena Tuesday night, co-headliner Journey had its work cut out for it. Members of the band had said in interviews they wanted to blow the socks off Def Leppard fans, and what they did was give a splendid, high-voltage show that stole the evening out from under the Brits -- who did just fine themselves, thank you.

Right off the bat, Journey's new lead singer is fantastic. Jeff Scott Soto is a supremely talented vocalist who handled with ease the many sky-high notes and the mile-long range in Journey's repertoire. Steve Perry fans have never gotten over the original lead singer's departure from the band, but I'm here to tell you this guy rocks the role. And yes, if you close your eyes he sounds just like Perry, but -- dare I say it? -- maybe even more passionate and full of verve. Hits such as "I'll Be Alright Without You" and "Wheel in the Sky" showcased his mighty voice.

Deen Castronovo, Journey's also-young drummer, sang lead vocals on two ballads, "Open Arms" and "Faithfully." His voice is gorgeous, especially since we're not always used to hearing a drummer who can sing like that.

"Lights" sparked a constellation of twinkling lighters and cell phones across the arena. Dedicated to bass player Ross Valory's recently deceased father-in-law, the song was moving, inspiring the crowd to take up the chorus of "Whoa's" in a massive chorale.

"Lovin,' Touchin,' Squeezin,'" seized the crowd in its grip, and the whole place came uncorked, the fans belting out the "Na, na, na na, na, na's" as if life depended on it.
Schon, naturally, was mesmerizing with his parade of electric guitars. The man is exceptional. By the time Scott Soto came back to the stage after a clothing change, sporting a popular Detroit Tigers shirt, the audience was putty in the group's hands.

"Don't Stop Believin'" and "Any Way You Want It" caused frenzied screaming and clapping and an outpouring of fan adoration.

Fuel to the fire

Journey was a hard act to follow, but the crowd was fueled for Def Leppard.

Joe Elliott has to be one of the most watchable frontmen in rock. He's masterful at drawing out audience participation, and in seconds, he had everyone with their arms in the air, shrieking and jumping.

Though not as young as Scott Soto, Elliott has a strong and supple voice. At one point, he held a note for an impressively long time. He sounded great on hard rockers "Rock Rock (Till You Drop)," and "Bringin' On The Heartbreak."

Other members were in fine form as well, especially guitarist Vivian Campbell and bassist Rick Savage, who, with his hair-bear mop and muscle shirt, appeared frozen in amber from 1983.
During a quieter moment -- OK the only quiet moment -- Savage performed a bass solo that was hypnotic and a tad contemplative.

"Hysteria" and "Foolin'" had the predictable power to make everyone go nuts, as did a marathon session blending "Photograph" into "Armageddon It" into "Animal." This was big fun and calculated to cause all the 38-year-olds in the audience to pump their fists as if it were 1984 again.

But for my money, the shining moment was the cover of T-Rex's "20th Century Boy," from Def Leppard's new cover CD, "Yeah." It was bouncy, playful and displayed a versatile side of the band, fab and flavored with lots of vintage energy and cheekiness.

Opening for both bands was the surprising and winning singer/songwriter Stoll Vaughn, who seemed somewhat out of place yet won over the rocking crowd with well-crafted heartland rock from his album, "Love Like a Mule." Watch this guy's star rise

[ArnelRox]

Right off the bat, Journey's new lead singer is fantastic. Jeff Scott Soto is a supremely talented vocalist who handled with ease the many sky-high notes and the mile-long range in Journey's repertoire. Steve Perry fans have never gotten over the original lead singer's departure from the band, but I'm here to tell you this guy rocks the role. And yes, if you close your eyes he sounds just like Perry, but -- dare I say it? -- maybe even more passionate and full of verve. Hits such as "I'll Be Alright Without You" and "Wheel in the Sky" showcased his mighty voice.

Deen Castronovo, Journey's also-young drummer, sang lead vocals on two ballads, "Open Arms" and "Faithfully." His voice is gorgeous, especially since we're not always used to hearing a drummer who can sing like that.

I love it. & the part that Journey was a tough act to follow. I think it's time these bands switched. The lepps should be opening for Journey now that Journey has someone like Jeff upfront rocking the nite away. Woo hoo (sorry Dean!)

[Lula]

Great review. I would say that is pretty official sounding-

"Journey's new lead singer is fantastic. Jeff Scott Soto is a supremely talented vocalist who handled with ease the many sky-high notes and the mile-long range in Journey's repertoire."

[journeywoman]

Awesome review! Just only wish Journey will return back on tour to the US after they make an album.And come to a city near moi!

[dcvader]

Great review. I would say that is pretty official sounding-

"Journey's new lead singer is fantastic. Jeff Scott Soto is a supremely talented vocalist who handled with ease the many sky-high notes and the mile-long range in Journey's repertoire."

Yeah, what Lula said

[bluejeangirl76]

Great review. I would say that is pretty official sounding-

You're taking the word of a writer for the Grand Rapids Press as "Official". Are you kidding me?

For the record I personally believe this outcome (JSS being "in") to be probable, but just because some writer from a newspaper in Grand Rapids says it, doesn't make it the "official" word. She was probably handed a fact sheet 20 minutes before the show and doesn't know anything about SA or JSS and was told that Journey has 'new guy" or something.

For one thing, she said that if you close your eyes, JSS sounds exactly like SP, so clearly she has no idea what she's talking about. They both sound awesome in their own ways, and it minimizes JSS's role to say he sounds just like SP. Like he's just another Rent-A-Steve. Not true. That writer should have paid better attention.

[Lula]

Great review. I would say that is pretty official sounding-

You're taking the word of a writer for the Grand Rapids Press as "Official". Are you kidding me?

For the record I personally believe this outcome (JSS being "in") to be probable, but just because some writer from a newspaper in Grand Rapids says it, doesn't make it the "official" word. She was probably handed a fact sheet 20 minutes before the show and doesn't know anything about SA or JSS and was told that Journey has 'new guy" or something.

For one thing, she said that if you close your eyes, JSS sounds exactly like SP, so clearly she has no idea what she's talking about. They both sound awesome in their own ways, and it minimizes JSS's role to say he sounds just like SP. Like he's just another Rent-A-Steve. Not true. That writer should have paid better attention.

Oh geez
Lighten up. The 'official' remark is sarcasm. You'll need a sense of humor to survive here, and it doesn't hurt in life either.

[Behshad]

Great review. I would say that is pretty official sounding-

You're taking the word of a writer for the Grand Rapids Press as "Official". Are you kidding me?

For the record I personally believe this outcome (JSS being "in") to be probable, but just because some writer from a newspaper in Grand Rapids says it, doesn't make it the "official" word. She was probably handed a fact sheet 20 minutes before the show and doesn't know anything about SA or JSS and was told that Journey has 'new guy" or something.

For one thing, she said that if you close your eyes, JSS sounds exactly like SP, so clearly she has no idea what she's talking about. They both sound awesome in their own ways, and it minimizes JSS's role to say he sounds just like SP. Like he's just another Rent-A-Steve. Not true. That writer should have paid better attention.

Oh geez
Lighten up. The 'official' remark is sarcasm. You'll need a sense of humor to survive here, and it doesn't hurt in life either.

I'm with Lula