Journey - Where's the fun?

[parfait]

I was watching some youtube vids of Journey and Toto. The thing that I think is clearly lacking in Journey is their groove. Early Journey, (late 1970), like this roadrunner performance http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9zPZnOr0F4 has a good groove. I've been to a few Journey concerts, one with Augeri and one with Arnel, and both of 'em seemed like just a simple routine. Mr. Valory would walk around making those ugly ass faces and Cain would raise his hand up in the air now and then. I'm pretty sure Deen uses a click track or some kind of metronome as well, wich gives no room what so ever for a spontanious solo or even a few simple fills. I'm sure a lot of peeps go to a concert to see the songs performed just like on the CD, but where the hell is the fun with that? I love Journey, I do. But then again I think that in many ways Journey is inferior to bands like Toto. Check this performance of English Eyes out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GspOC33xTxw&feature=channel

The funk and spontanuity(?) is just crazy. I dare you not to get goosebumps when Jenny Douglas starts to sing I simply don't see where the fun is anymore with Journey? I thinks it's been reduced to a corporate machine, witch the replies from Arnel after the Super Bowl, implies as well. He's just a hired mic meant to keep the Journey corporation rolling. Jonathan Cain looks like he's having as much fun as he would getting a bikini wax from Rosie O'Donnell while he's playing live. Toto is clearly better than Journey in some ways. Jeff Porcaro, now Simon Phillips, are both much more talented drummers than Castronovo, and Valory can't play a funky bassline to save his life. But then again, Journey has sold a lot more records, almost the double of Toto I think. What are you guys take on this?

I simply can't see what fun it would be to go to the next Journey concert - cause' we all know it'll be the dirty dozen and a few other picks. Steve Perry can groove like hell, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxQsbaBpjto, and so could Neal in stuff like She Walk like a Lady. But today? Meh... Personally I think they should call it quits or go in a completly new direction - not the oiled and dull machine they have been reduced to, today.

[isla]

I was watching some youtube vids of Journey and Toto. The thing that I think is clearly lacking in Journey is their groove. Early Journey, (late 1970), like this roadrunner performance http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9zPZnOr0F4 has a good groove. I've been to a few Journey concerts, one with Augeri and one with Arnel, and both of 'em seemed like just a simple routine. Mr. Valory would walk around making those ugly ass faces and Cain would raise his hand up in the air now and then. I'm pretty sure Deen uses a click track or some kind of metronome as well, wich gives no room what so ever for a spontanious solo or even a few simple fills. I'm sure a lot of peeps go to a concert to see the songs performed just like on the CD, but where the hell is the fun with that? I love Journey, I do. But then again I think that in many ways Journey is inferior to bands like Toto. Check this performance of English Eyes out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GspOC33xTxw&feature=channel

The funk and spontanuity(?) is just crazy. I dare you not to get goosebumps when Jenny Douglas starts to sing I simply don't see where the fun is anymore with Journey? I thinks it's been reduced to a corporate machine, witch the replies from Arnel after the Super Bowl, implies as well. He's just a hired mic meant to keep the Journey corporation rolling. Jonathan Cain looks like he's having as much fun as he would getting a bikini wax from Rosie O'Donnell while he's playing live. Toto is clearly better than Journey in some ways. Jeff Porcaro, now Simon Phillips, are both much more talented drummers than Castronovo, and Valory can't play a funky bassline to save his life. But then again, Journey has sold a lot more records, almost the double of Toto I think. What are you guys take on this?

I simply can't see what fun it would be to go to the next Journey concert - cause' we all know it'll be the dirty dozen and a few other picks. Steve Perry can groove like hell, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxQsbaBpjto, and so could Neal in stuff like She Walk like a Lady. But today? Meh... Personally I think they should call it quits or go in a completly new direction - not the oiled and dull machine they have been reduced to, today.

You have a choice: To listen or not to listen; to see or not to see. Who are you to tell them "to call it quits or go in a completely new direction"? If you like and prefer Toto over Journey then by all means go for it!

[Jana]

I was watching some youtube vids of Journey and Toto. The thing that I think is clearly lacking in Journey is their groove. Early Journey, (late 1970), like this roadrunner performance http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9zPZnOr0F4 has a good groove. I've been to a few Journey concerts, one with Augeri and one with Arnel, and both of 'em seemed like just a simple routine. Mr. Valory would walk around making those ugly ass faces and Cain would raise his hand up in the air now and then. I'm pretty sure Deen uses a click track or some kind of metronome as well, wich gives no room what so ever for a spontanious solo or even a few simple fills. I'm sure a lot of peeps go to a concert to see the songs performed just like on the CD, but where the hell is the fun with that? I love Journey, I do. But then again I think that in many ways Journey is inferior to bands like Toto. Check this performance of English Eyes out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GspOC33xTxw&feature=channel

The funk and spontanuity(?) is just crazy. I dare you not to get goosebumps when Jenny Douglas starts to sing I simply don't see where the fun is anymore with Journey? I thinks it's been reduced to a corporate machine, witch the replies from Arnel after the Super Bowl, implies as well. He's just a hired mic meant to keep the Journey corporation rolling. Jonathan Cain looks like he's having as much fun as he would getting a bikini wax from Rosie O'Donnell while he's playing live. Toto is clearly better than Journey in some ways. Jeff Porcaro, now Simon Phillips, are both much more talented drummers than Castronovo, and Valory can't play a funky bassline to save his life. But then again, Journey has sold a lot more records, almost the double of Toto I think. What are you guys take on this?

I simply can't see what fun it would be to go to the next Journey concert - cause' we all know it'll be the dirty dozen and a few other picks. Steve Perry can groove like hell, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxQsbaBpjto, and so could Neal in stuff like She Walk like a Lady. But today? Meh... Personally I think they should call it quits or go in a completly new direction - not the oiled and dull machine they have been reduced to, today.

Well, for me I saw Jonathan Cain and Neal Schon clearly enjoying themselves on stage and had a lot of energy, and Deen rocks as a drummer for Journey and gives it his all up there. Multi-talented guy and an asset to the band. Yes, I wish they would change up the setlist drastically since they're touring every year. Can't argue that point with you. But these guys still have a lot of life left in them as a band.

[Don]

I was watching some youtube vids of Journey and Toto. The thing that I think is clearly lacking in Journey is their groove. Early Journey, (late 1970), like this roadrunner performance http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9zPZnOr0F4 has a good groove. I've been to a few Journey concerts, one with Augeri and one with Arnel, and both of 'em seemed like just a simple routine. Mr. Valory would walk around making those ugly ass faces and Cain would raise his hand up in the air now and then. I'm pretty sure Deen uses a click track or some kind of metronome as well, wich gives no room what so ever for a spontanious solo or even a few simple fills. I'm sure a lot of peeps go to a concert to see the songs performed just like on the CD, but where the hell is the fun with that? I love Journey, I do. But then again I think that in many ways Journey is inferior to bands like Toto. Check this performance of English Eyes out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GspOC33xTxw&feature=channel

The funk and spontanuity(?) is just crazy. I dare you not to get goosebumps when Jenny Douglas starts to sing I simply don't see where the fun is anymore with Journey? I thinks it's been reduced to a corporate machine, witch the replies from Arnel after the Super Bowl, implies as well. He's just a hired mic meant to keep the Journey corporation rolling. Jonathan Cain looks like he's having as much fun as he would getting a bikini wax from Rosie O'Donnell while he's playing live. Toto is clearly better than Journey in some ways. Jeff Porcaro, now Simon Phillips, are both much more talented drummers than Castronovo, and Valory can't play a funky bassline to save his life. But then again, Journey has sold a lot more records, almost the double of Toto I think. What are you guys take on this?

I simply can't see what fun it would be to go to the next Journey concert - cause' we all know it'll be the dirty dozen and a few other picks. Steve Perry can groove like hell, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxQsbaBpjto, and so could Neal in stuff like She Walk like a Lady. But today? Meh... Personally I think they should call it quits or go in a completly new direction - not the oiled and dull machine they have been reduced to, today.

You won't have to worry about it for much longer. Neal said the last tour they did was the last big tour for them. This year, the dates will be cut by a third if not half. Arnel isn't going to have to worry about blowing his voice out because he will probably finish up doing less than half the shows Augeri did when it's over. They're close to social security age, AND it's not like they haven't been playing the same songs over and over again. They tried to change it up a little this year, but they can't escape their past. ROR had 5 singles released to radio, so they had to play at least four of them live, but Revelation hasn't had a new release of a single since the first month it was out, so they're stuck playing the same old songs over and over again to keep the crowd interested. No wonder they're on autopilot.
Of course there is only so much motivation you can show playing the dirty dozen in loop mode for 20 years.
The good news is, with decreased touring, Arnel, who started with the band after the age of 40, will be the one to benefit the most, as his health shouldn't be ruined like the previous singers and he'll be able to preserve his vocal cords for his solo career back in the Philippines or the Vegas circuit when it's all over.

[wildcat75]

I was watching some youtube vids of Journey and Toto. The thing that I think is clearly lacking in Journey is their groove. Early Journey, (late 1970), like this roadrunner performance http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9zPZnOr0F4 has a good groove. I've been to a few Journey concerts, one with Augeri and one with Arnel, and both of 'em seemed like just a simple routine. Mr. Valory would walk around making those ugly ass faces and Cain would raise his hand up in the air now and then. I'm pretty sure Deen uses a click track or some kind of metronome as well, wich gives no room what so ever for a spontanious solo or even a few simple fills. I'm sure a lot of peeps go to a concert to see the songs performed just like on the CD, but where the hell is the fun with that? I love Journey, I do. But then again I think that in many ways Journey is inferior to bands like Toto. Check this performance of English Eyes out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GspOC33xTxw&feature=channel

The funk and spontanuity(?) is just crazy. I dare you not to get goosebumps when Jenny Douglas starts to sing I simply don't see where the fun is anymore with Journey? I thinks it's been reduced to a corporate machine, witch the replies from Arnel after the Super Bowl, implies as well. He's just a hired mic meant to keep the Journey corporation rolling. Jonathan Cain looks like he's having as much fun as he would getting a bikini wax from Rosie O'Donnell while he's playing live. Toto is clearly better than Journey in some ways. Jeff Porcaro, now Simon Phillips, are both much more talented drummers than Castronovo, and Valory can't play a funky bassline to save his life. But then again, Journey has sold a lot more records, almost the double of Toto I think. What are you guys take on this?

I simply can't see what fun it would be to go to the next Journey concert - cause' we all know it'll be the dirty dozen and a few other picks. Steve Perry can groove like hell, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxQsbaBpjto, and so could Neal in stuff like She Walk like a Lady. But today? Meh... Personally I think they should call it quits or go in a completly new direction - not the oiled and dull machine they have been reduced to, today.

Arnel may just be a hired singer but he's just happy and felt honor to be given a chance to sing w/ Journey and i guess that's enough for him that Neal and company has a leap of faith w/ him to continue to do what they love doing, on the other hand i agree w/ you that they need to sing those new songs from their new album but i disagree that they need to quit and go in a new direction, these guys needs to earned a living for their family.

[PowerChords]

I was watching some youtube vids of Journey and Toto. The thing that I think is clearly lacking in Journey is their groove. Early Journey, (late 1970), like this roadrunner performance http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9zPZnOr0F4 has a good groove. I've been to a few Journey concerts, one with Augeri and one with Arnel, and both of 'em seemed like just a simple routine. Mr. Valory would walk around making those ugly ass faces and Cain would raise his hand up in the air now and then. I'm pretty sure Deen uses a click track or some kind of metronome as well, wich gives no room what so ever for a spontanious solo or even a few simple fills. I'm sure a lot of peeps go to a concert to see the songs performed just like on the CD, but where the hell is the fun with that? I love Journey, I do. But then again I think that in many ways Journey is inferior to bands like Toto. Check this performance of English Eyes out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GspOC33xTxw&feature=channel

The funk and spontanuity(?) is just crazy. I dare you not to get goosebumps when Jenny Douglas starts to sing I simply don't see where the fun is anymore with Journey? I thinks it's been reduced to a corporate machine, witch the replies from Arnel after the Super Bowl, implies as well. He's just a hired mic meant to keep the Journey corporation rolling. Jonathan Cain looks like he's having as much fun as he would getting a bikini wax from Rosie O'Donnell while he's playing live. Toto is clearly better than Journey in some ways. Jeff Porcaro, now Simon Phillips, are both much more talented drummers than Castronovo, and Valory can't play a funky bassline to save his life. But then again, Journey has sold a lot more records, almost the double of Toto I think. What are you guys take on this?

I simply can't see what fun it would be to go to the next Journey concert - cause' we all know it'll be the dirty dozen and a few other picks. Steve Perry can groove like hell, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxQsbaBpjto, and so could Neal in stuff like She Walk like a Lady. But today? Meh... Personally I think they should call it quits or go in a completly new direction - not the oiled and dull machine they have been reduced to, today.

Hm, new frontman, successful 2008 European and sold out US tour, 500k albums sold, 44 mil in gross revenue, SuperBowl invite - yeah, they should call it quits and avoid this train wreck altogether.

[finalfight]

Arnel may just be a hired singer but he's just happy and felt honor to be given a chance to sing w/ Journey and i guess that's enough for him that Neal and company has a leap of faith w/ him to continue to do what they love doing, on the other hand i agree w/ you that they need to sing those new songs from their new album but i disagree that they need to quit and go in a new direction, these guys needs to earned a living for their family.

Or in Neal's case - families.

It's defiantly been a great opportunity for Arnel and what a wild and successful ride. However, the initial excitement has died down for me now and there is just something chalk and cheese about Journey at the moment. It's like they are a two in one - 'Journey feat. Arnel Pineda' and I felt it was the same with Jeff as well, maybe their strong presence just takes too much attention away from the rest of the group during performances. That's not a disparging remark either as the both have great stage presence.

All things considered I can't help but think they would have been better off with Kevin Chalfant. A great fit vocally and not likely to divert attention away from the whole. Just a better fit all round. It's all about the Benjamins though so rock on!

[hoagiepete]

They need to do SOMETHING to change it up.

I agree...they need to bring back some spontaneity. Guitar solos, jam sessions, drum solos...something. They don't have to be long solos (that send people to the beer line and pisser)...just extend things a bit to mix it up.

The thing that would cause me to go out of my way to take in at least one show on the tour woud be to bring back Rolie!

[Jana]

Arnel may just be a hired singer but he's just happy and felt honor to be given a chance to sing w/ Journey and i guess that's enough for him that Neal and company has a leap of faith w/ him to continue to do what they love doing, on the other hand i agree w/ you that they need to sing those new songs from their new album but i disagree that they need to quit and go in a new direction, these guys needs to earned a living for their family.

Or in Neal's case - families.

It's defiantly been a great opportunity for Arnel and what a wild and successful ride. However, the initial excitement has died down for me now and there is just something chalk and cheese about Journey at the moment. It's like they are a two in one - 'Journey feat. Arnel Pineda' and I felt it was the same with Jeff as well, maybe their strong presence just takes too much attention away from the rest of the group during performances. That's not a disparging remark either as the both have great stage presence.

All things considered I can't help but think they would have been better off with Kevin Chalfant. A great fit vocally and not likely to divert attention away from the whole. Just a better fit all round. It's all about the Benjamins though so rock on!

That's interesting how people have different perceptions. I thought with Arnel in concert Neal really stood out on stage and commanded a lot of attention with his playing.

[finalfight]

Arnel may just be a hired singer but he's just happy and felt honor to be given a chance to sing w/ Journey and i guess that's enough for him that Neal and company has a leap of faith w/ him to continue to do what they love doing, on the other hand i agree w/ you that they need to sing those new songs from their new album but i disagree that they need to quit and go in a new direction, these guys needs to earned a living for their family.

Or in Neal's case - families.

It's defiantly been a great opportunity for Arnel and what a wild and successful ride. However, the initial excitement has died down for me now and there is just something chalk and cheese about Journey at the moment. It's like they are a two in one - 'Journey feat. Arnel Pineda' and I felt it was the same with Jeff as well, maybe their strong presence just takes too much attention away from the rest of the group during performances. That's not a disparging remark either as the both have great stage presence.

All things considered I can't help but think they would have been better off with Kevin Chalfant. A great fit vocally and not likely to divert attention away from the whole. Just a better fit all round. It's all about the Benjamins though so rock on!

That's interesting how people have different perceptions. I thought with Arnel in concert Neal really stood out on stage and commanded a lot of attention with his playing.

I would imagine it's definitely an energetic show as well but I'm old now and would take class over enthusiasm.

[Rhiannon]

The thing that would cause me to go out of my way to take in at least one show on the tour woud be to bring back Rolie!

Gregg = the epitome of kickass.
I hope to the baby Jesus he's back around here this summer. The old boy is still as great as he was back in the day. Love what he added to Journey, but am completely content to see him as the star of his own show.

[finalfight]

The thing that would cause me to go out of my way to take in at least one show on the tour woud be to bring back Rolie!

Gregg = the epitome of kickass.
I hope to the baby Jesus he's back around here this summer. The old boy is still as great as he was back in the day. Love what he added to Journey, but am completely content to see him as the star of his own show.

Yeah, Gregg is the total umm 'package' alright!







Giggety!

[Jana]

They need to do SOMETHING to change it up.

I agree...they need to bring back some spontaneity. Guitar solos, jam sessions, drum solos...something. They don't have to be long solos (that send people to the beer line and pisser)...just extend things a bit to mix it up.

The thing that would cause me to go out of my way to take in at least one show on the tour woud be to bring back Rolie!

That would be the best for me, seeing Rolie on stage with the guys.

[Rhiannon]

Yeah, Gregg is the total umm 'package' alright!







Giggety!

You'd be so lucky as to see him tinkering on that smooth, warm organ!

[finalfight]

Yeah, Gregg is the total umm 'package' alright!







Giggety!

You'd be so lucky as to see him tinkering on that smooth, warm organ!

Pah, I've seen Cain play with his whale. After that nothing comes close!

[Rhiannon]

I've seen Cain play with his whale. After that nothing comes close!

Um, that's what she said?

[Don]

Neal and Jon can feed their family's from songwriting royalties alone. If it was about the money, they could already be retired like Perry.
Arnel, Deen and to smaller extent Ross are probably the ones that need the money, but they're not in charge of the band.
I just see scaled back touring, that's all.
And for those trumpeting Journey's position at #17 on the money list this year, they were at #15 in 2006, and that happened with them changing their singer in mid tour. It's not about the money, it's about running out of creativity and rehashing the same material over and over again. Escape and Frontiers each had four songs released as singles, ROR had five. Revelation is following Arrivals path, two singles, one hitting the A/C charts and a lot of hoopla about a new singer. But as is always the case, where are the other singles? Where is the Revelation dominated setlist? Where is the moving forward and not living in the past mentality? What about taking chances and doing an acoustic set or going on Soundstage? or playing a whole album at one concert?
Not getting a sales bump from their SuperBowl appearance must be killing these guys. I think they were looking for a spark to start off this year, the kind they had when Arnel first joined the band and got everyone excited. I think it has finally dawned on them that they are getting old and it will never be 1983 again.

[DracIsBack]

Neal and Jon can feed their family's from songwriting royalties alone. If it was about the money, they could already be retired like Perry.

I think the difference is that Perry has never been married and subsequently divorced. Ex-spouses have a nasty habit of sucking away money, regardless of how successful you are.

[StoneCold]

I've seen Cain play with his whale. After that nothing comes close!

Um, that's what she said?

Neish.

[Rhiannon]

I've seen Cain play with his whale. After that nothing comes close!

Um, that's what she said?

Neish.

THANK YOU!!!!

[Tomulator]

I've got an idea...

Why don't Journey get Steve Perry to come back and sing for them?!!!



That would surely generate excitement!!!

[finalfight]

I've got an idea...

Why don't Journey get Steve Perry to come back and sing for them?!!!



That would surely generate excitement!!!

WE'LL SEE

[Deb]

I was watching some youtube vids of Journey and Toto. The thing that I think is clearly lacking in Journey is their groove. Early Journey, (late 1970), like this roadrunner performance http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9zPZnOr0F4 has a good groove. I've been to a few Journey concerts, one with Augeri and one with Arnel, and both of 'em seemed like just a simple routine. Mr. Valory would walk around making those ugly ass faces and Cain would raise his hand up in the air now and then. I'm pretty sure Deen uses a click track or some kind of metronome as well, wich gives no room what so ever for a spontanious solo or even a few simple fills. I'm sure a lot of peeps go to a concert to see the songs performed just like on the CD, but where the hell is the fun with that? I love Journey, I do. But then again I think that in many ways Journey is inferior to bands like Toto. Check this performance of English Eyes out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GspOC33xTxw&feature=channel

The funk and spontanuity(?) is just crazy. I dare you not to get goosebumps when Jenny Douglas starts to sing I simply don't see where the fun is anymore with Journey? I thinks it's been reduced to a corporate machine, witch the replies from Arnel after the Super Bowl, implies as well. He's just a hired mic meant to keep the Journey corporation rolling. Jonathan Cain looks like he's having as much fun as he would getting a bikini wax from Rosie O'Donnell while he's playing live. Toto is clearly better than Journey in some ways. Jeff Porcaro, now Simon Phillips, are both much more talented drummers than Castronovo, and Valory can't play a funky bassline to save his life. But then again, Journey has sold a lot more records, almost the double of Toto I think. What are you guys take on this?

I simply can't see what fun it would be to go to the next Journey concert - cause' we all know it'll be the dirty dozen and a few other picks. Steve Perry can groove like hell, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxQsbaBpjto, and so could Neal in stuff like She Walk like a Lady. But today? Meh... Personally I think they should call it quits or go in a completly new direction - not the oiled and dull machine they have been reduced to, today.

IMO, Journey's funk and spontaniety, left with JSS.

[The Sushi Hunter]

I can understand why Journey put out those re-recordings as part of the new album that was released. Now that Arnel has demonstrated that he's all about talking the talk and walking the walk, I think what they should do now though is just promote, release and perform all new material....period....from here on out.

From a project manager's thought process, it was all about high level risk, low level risk. Meaning...making it on new music alone that no one knows for sure how everyone will like and/or except, or.... making it on music which has already been proven....tried and true. So obviously the decision was made to use a little bit of both, which was not a problem. Now it's time to focus on the new only, in my opinion. The new album did great, and I consider disk 2 to be that new album, not disk 1 and DVD. Disk one along with the DVD was included as a bonus in my opinion, and it did exactly what it was supposed to do, ref: Talk/Walk. Arnel filled those shoes better then anyone else for that matter, which is unfair and unfortunate to both AP and SP. But it was something associated with the high and low level risk factors involved that I've mentioned.

Thus far, I have no complaints at all. But Journey I think should really consider just doing new original songs from here on out. In doing so, it will help calm alot of the issue, which would be fair to the both AP and SP.

[Gideon]

I can understand why Journey put out those re-recordings as part of the new album that was released. Now that Arnel has demonstrated that he's all about talking the talk and walking the walk, I think what they should do now though is just promote, release and perform all new material....period....from here on out.

Thus far, I have no complaints at all. But Journey I think should really consider just doing new original songs from here on out. In doing so, it will help calm alot of the issue, which would be far to the both AP and SP.

I agree wholeheartedly.

Personally, I'm tired of hearing all the old shit. I realize that in order to appeal to the casual fan that they must hook the biggest singles -- DSB, OA, Faithfully -- but Neal and company fumbled the ball by pulling relatively obscure songs out, running the gamut from "La Do Da" to even "Stone In Love" (which, while popular, isn't one of their biggest hits).

Why not wrap up six or seven of the biggest hits and then the rest be new material? They're too old and too experienced to think they'll have a second coming.

[Duncan]

I think the only reason they keep touring is for the adulation and if it's not that it has to be for the money. Neal is on record as saying that he is not really into Journey music and he certainly looks bored shitless on stage most of the time. I'm sure he would much rather be playing something more experimental.

----------------
Now playing: ALiBi - No Reason

[The Sushi Hunter]

I think the only reason they keep touring is for the adulation and if it's not that it has to be for the money. Neal is on record as saying that he is not really into Journey music and he certainly looks bored shitless on stage most of the time. I'm sure he would much rather be playing something more experimental.

----------------
Now playing: ALiBi - No Reason

He probably sits and plays all the experimental stuff when he's alone. I would say that experimental is not as main stream as what Journey plays now and is known to play in the past. So with that said, why would anyone want to step backwards, as what it would be doing if he just started doing experimental stuff only?

[Gideon]

I think the only reason they keep touring is for the adulation and if it's not that it has to be for the money. Neal is on record as saying that he is not really into Journey music and he certainly looks bored shitless on stage most of the time. I'm sure he would much rather be playing something more experimental.

----------------
Now playing: ALiBi - No Reason

Oh, I don't know.

I've watched countless clips of Journey on tour this year, and it seems like Arnel's exuberance really has rekindled Neal's flame. He's smiled, he's carried on with the rest of the boys, he's interacted with Arnel, he's even ran all away across the damn stage! Which is surprising given Neal's characteristic stoic behavior. It was always my contention that the Neal Schon swagger, smirk, and searing fingers (the triple S, if you will) were enough to compensate for a lackluster stage performance.

As far as Neal's experiments are concerned, you'd think he'd want to get down to his more progressive or harder edged roots, but he really hasn't delivered on the goods. The closest he's come to that is with SS. Bad English had hard rock moments and Hardline had more than that, but they were typical hair metal.

I'm hoping that he'll push strongly for a heavy rock to ballad ratio for the new Journey album.

[RocknRoll]

[quote="GideonI agree wholeheartedly]

Personally, I'm tired of hearing all the old shit. I realize that in order to appeal to the casual fan that they must hook the biggest singles -- DSB, OA, Faithfully -- but Neal and company fumbled the ball by pulling relatively obscure songs out, running the gamut from "La Do Da" to even (which, while popular, isn't one of their biggest hits).

Why not wrap up six or seven of the biggest hits and then the rest be new material? They're too old and too experienced to think they'll have a second coming.[/quote]


Hey, these are 2 of my favorite songs. I was in heaven when La Do Da was played with JSS and Arnel.

Today, people come to concerts to hear the music they're familiar with, a lot of fans know Infinity on while some others only recognize from Escape on. It's been said over and over again, Classic Rock fans (the majority of Journey concert goers) come to hear the songs they remember and accept a few new songs thrown in and please don't bore me with accoustics in concert. Save those for the TV appearance.

[FishinMagician]

they would change things if most people liked music as opposed to nostalgia and tradition