Long time no see!
I safely made it back to my beautiful Transylvania but fought a terrible jet lag for almost a week…I was so dizzy,I could have made some really interesting contributions in the Booze thread.
I am fine now,my mind is clear and I am happier than ever.
The almost 8 weeks I have spent in the ole US of A changed me in so many ways it’s amazing.
I have a whole new perspective on life,people and …me.This trip was the ultimate eye opener!
I even felt the need to change my username – frankly, “Shania” was already boring me to death,so I ditched her for something that represents me better.
”Transy” is the short for Transylvania,my homeland which I am so proud of.
I am lucky to live here but also be able to travel everywhere I want.The US will be on my list next year too,that’s for sure!
I’ll get to my Journey experience in a minute,I have pics & clips to share and a story to tell.
But first I have to thank someone for welcoming me on the East Coast,our very own MSR!
She offered me the hospitality of her lovely home,and although she said she wanted me to stay with her for 3 weeks,I just couldn’t accept…Actually,I told her before getting to NY that after a while I will want to move on my own – so I did!For 3 days I have explored not only the Big Apple but also I’ve spent another 10 wonderful days sightseeing in the NY/NJ states.
Loved every minute!
In between,Mindy and I took a road trip to Atlantic City and saw Mr.Omg-he-is-so-hot-and-he-still-has-that-awesome-voice Paul Stanley!
A great concert at the House of Blues in AC and some unforgettable memories for me..
Then towards the end of my staying, a huge dream of mine came true: JOURNEY.
The Baltimore show was going to be the real thing I was craving for for such a long time,the way to FEEL for real what I have been just reading about.
Also,it was going to be my way of saying “Fuck You” to 25 years of controlling communism – my revenge for all the years I have been trapped in my country,and refused the right to enjoy rock music freely.
No one was going to tell me what to do anymore.No one ever will.(well,that’s actually one of my life’s guidelines…
)
So,there we were!
Mindy and I complemented eachother so well – she had the tickets to the Journey show,I had the meet & greet passes,so it was a real treat for both of us!
Sadly tho,the meeting session was pretty rushed because of some stage problems and at least Deen was gone before each of the people there had a chance to approach him.Jeff was about to leave too,but he didn't escape me!
I was prepared for this concert both ways – I wanned to simply savor the music,but also to observe Journey with Jeff and make an opinion of my own.
For the latter,I had a little note book with me in which I wanted to write down some things about each song,knowing that after the show everything will get blurry…I believe in the fresh sensations I get when I see a concert,that’s helping me to give an accurate review,although is a personal one.
Fortunately,our tickets were not in the front rows,where,I agree,you can have a more “bodily” experience with the band,but we had the best place in the venue soundwise:in the middle ,close to the mixer.That’s where you get the true sound of a concert,so I heard every note loud and clear.
Because I stayed to see Def Lep too,I can say that DL sounded louder and a bit better than Journey.But that’s a not so important technical thing,won’t get into it.However,it was obvious (for many reasons,including the stage setting) that Journey was opening for DL.I am damn sure that it was just a contractual agreement,because in reality Journey will never be the opening band for anyone.And I am saying this as a big fan of DL.But no one should even stay on the same stage with Journey,and with that being said,I really hope the next tour will be an only Journey show.
Lost in the music…
I really was.Felt amazing to hear those songs for the first time in a live situation,with the band on the stage in front of my eyes,after being used to spin CDs or watch videos.I can’t even describe the sensations…I couldn’t help but singing every word and soon,after a few songs, my voice was shot,but I didn’t care.Jeff was simply forcing me sing along with him.
Message of Love.OMG.I was hoping to hear it and I enjoyed every second of it.I noticed that people sat down and just listened.No surprise,MOL,although an awesome song,was never promoted as it should have been,so for the casual fan it was “new”.Not for me,lol…I sang every line so loud that the two guys in front of me turned around to see who the hell…
I knew the song TOO well to be “just a fan”.LOL
To my pleasure,Jeff followed the original vocal line of Perry form the TBF album,and he did an amazing job changing his tone and range just to capture the magic of that tune…He sure did.Bravo,Jeff!
When “Lights” started,I didn’t imagine what was going to happen to me.Maybe it was that velvety sound of Neal’s guitar,maybe it was Jeff’s soulful voice,all combined with a great slideshow of images from San Francisco on the screen…The song,the view of my fave city in the world,the Journey sound…I started crying like a kid and couldn’t get ahold of myself through the entire song...A woman came up to me and hugged me,asking what’s the matter…I told her those were tears of joy.
Same happened when I heard “Faithfully”…Deen is simply amazing.His voice melted my heart completely.He had a crystal clear voice that night,God bless him.What an amazing talent.Also,his rendition of “Open Arms” was absolutely mind blowing.Perfect drumming while singing like that…Good Lord.Thank you,Deen!
I don’t care what anyone says about Jon Cain’s piano solo being obsolete or lame.Get serious.His piano is such a huge part of the Journey sound!
He is so good and has so much melody in his playing, it would be a shame not to let him have his moment in the spotlight.
It was a great break,loved it!
“Escape” was pure energy,just as it should be.Jeff ran all over the stage while singing with full vocal power,and he didn’t miss one note!And that’s one hell of a demanding song!
He reminded me of…LOL.No,actually,that convinced me that JSS is a natural born entertainer,in full command of his voice.Blew me away…
I heard people saying that Baltimore was one of the best shows from the tour,if not the best.I am tempted to believe that,especially because Jeff hit every single note.Flawless.
What I also loved were Neal’s solos.Although my eyes were following Jeff (o well,whadda ya want?
),my ears were constantly picking up his guitar.That tone is so etched in my mind,I could never mistaken it.Hearing his guitar at full concert volume gave me goosebumps.This unfairly underrated guitarist is responsible for the most beautiful solos in rock music..
One of my faves was I’ll Be Alright Without You,I was so happy they did it that night!What really got me screaming,lol,was the ending of the song,that part wich Journey originally did during the ROR tour…Someday baby… Their voices were in such a great harmony,and Neal’s guitar filling inbetween…OMG,I so would like to hear that one again!
Hell,I want to see another show!
March comes in my mind…
So…What is Journey?
After seeing them live,I had mixed feelings.I was hit by a wave of regret thinking about what I have missed.Their glory days,their larger than life tours from the 70s and 80s and Steve Perry.I realized that I will never see the Perry line-up ever again and I’ll have to only imagine how it must’ve been to be at a Journey concert back then.
I also can understand why so many people are still hurt because of the changes in Journey…Having something perfect and then losing it can leave deep wounds that may never heal completely.
But moving on is a part of human nature too…Journey did,a lot of long times fans do or at least trying,and my take is that with Jeff in the band moving on will be easier.He,nor anyone else as a lead singer,won't be capable of redoing the original magic,but now the band has a chance to convince their fans that they still can do great music and throw a killer show.
Journey should never give up the so called ‘dirty dozen’.Not only is beautiful,precious music,but also proves that they stood the test of time.
From a business/promo point of view,I think both the management and the band should get their act together and think about this new chance they were given.Mgmt. should push this band into a big spotlight and the guys should start acting like the rock stars that they are.They do not need to beg for fame,they already have it…Including Jeff.He is fast.
Btw,I want to publicly thank Jeff for everything in Baltimore.Class act. (remember the good-luck doll,JSS…Keep it up!
)
Pics & clips.
Not the traditional kind of pics,sorry.. .
Also,remind me to ask Mindy why the hell were her hands shaking that bad when she took that pic of Jeff and me???...We are blurry!
(I know why,but I wanna hear your version,too,Mind. )
Well,thanks for reading everyone.
Laura
Mindy & I before the show:
Me & Jeff
Me,after meeting Jeff.
Some video stuff I recorded with my camera...Not too much,cuz it ate up the memory space,and not too steady,cuz I was daaaaaaancing!
Please try to ignore my singing on 'Faithfully'...didn't realize...
http://youtube.com/watch?v=h9yugaNfINQ
http://youtube.com/watch?v=QZUhk_5_hPw&mode=user&search=
http://youtube.com/watch?v=sqOnO_wqQQI
Available @ 