Neal Schon at PRS WNAMM 2010

[Don]

I don't see what the problem would be. Like he said they're still going to have to play the hits at the shows. He just doesn't want to be stuck having to play a song because it's currently on the radio, (like they did with AATY or WDILYL ) because it's getting airplay, even though he already has half the setlist dedicated to Greatest Hits. By staying away from A/C radio singles, he can play any new song he wants every night and not worry about overloading the ballads like they have in the past. Like Neal said, they have enough hits already, time to just do what they want.

[RocknRoll]

I don't see what the problem would be. Like he said they're still going to have to play the hits at the shows. He just doesn't want to be stuck having to play a song because it's currently on the radio, (like they did with AATY or WDILYL ) because it's getting airplay, even though he already has half the setlist dedicated to Greatest Hits. By staying away from A/C radio singles, he can play any new song he wants every night and not worry about overloading the ballads like they have in the past. Like Neal said, they have enough hits already, time to just do what they want.

You get no argument from me on this. All I'm saying, is it would be tough for them to write a Journey record that didn't sound like Journey. Doesn't mean they have to try to write hits, which I'm glad they're not. Hopefully, we'll get some snippits of the new music in the near future.

[Jana]

Another Neal Schon interview at NAMM, with a little Prairie Prince in it also.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbJIBvRNJBY

[fredinator]

I'm pretty sure Neal does the bass lines for Journey now. I remember reading that he did them for Revelation.

If that's the case...then a few thoughts. First, that might further explain why Revelation sounds a bit 'off' to me.

Second...if he's doing that. Then he's no fucking better than Eddie Van Halen (not in any musical sense, but personal)...and that's not good company to be with. Just when I thought I would start listening to the fucker, that little midget starts pulling this shit! Ugh!

I suppose since Steve Lukather is Neal's height he would be a little midget too .

[maverick218]

Anyone think that maybe Neal is laying down the LP guitars out of respect for Les Paul's passing away?

I would think that he would keep playing them out of a tribute of sorts- I think it has more to do with the never ending quest for tone that a guitarist has.

[Saint John]

Another Neal Schon interview at NAMM, with a little Prairie Prince in it also.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbJIBvRNJBY

That was a really cool interview. Neal seems really excited about Journey and TNSB.

[Glenn]

If it makes him more creative, I'm all for him tipping again. Now that Lori is nomore, time to party. This cleaned up image Journey has been pushing the last two years is for the dogs. This is a rock band which entails the procurement of booze and bitches.Time to pull the plug on this god fearing, good people bullshit and get dirty again.

+1

Spectacular post....



and as always, spectacular avatar.

[Red13JoePa]

Per Neal's fb pg: "Been writing w/ Jonathan the past 5 days, really loving what we go going on!"

[The_Noble_Cause]

Per Neal's fb pg: "Been writing w/ Jonathan the past 5 days, really loving what we go going on!"

I really don't know how they're going to pull off a concept record.
When I heard that, I instantly thought of "Iggy Stardust" or "Kilroy was Here".
But Jon and Neal don't do epic, they write about grounded familiar issues of "hot summer nights", "backseat heavy petting", "betrayal/heartache", etc.
I wouldn't be surprised if the whole cd chronicles Arnel's rags-to-riches story, from growing up poor in Manila to rocking the stage.
As lame as that sounds, it WOULD enable the band to milk his background on the TV talk show circuit one more time.

Either that, or Neal finally makes good on the promised title of “Freedom”, and picks up where the song “Liberty” left off.
Putting over 200 years of American history to song.
It’ll be like School House Rock, only with blistering guitar solos. Or not.

[Red13JoePa]

Per Neal's fb pg: "Been writing w/ Jonathan the past 5 days, really loving what we go going on!"

I really don't know how they're going to pull off a concept record.

Could be, and you've pointed this out before, just Neal pulling a "Neal" and putting voice to ideas he's kicking around that could end up not coming true.

"Escape 2000" "Will not add rockers to Arrival" "Will release EPs only from now on" "sell instant cds of shows at the venue" "Warfield DVD" "Dallas DVD" (mitigating circumstances for last 2 to be fair) can you think of any others?

[The_Noble_Cause]

Could be, and you've pointed this out before, just Neal pulling a "Neal" and putting voice to ideas he's kicking around that could end up not coming true.

"Escape 2000" "Will not add rockers to Arrival" "Will release EPs only from now on" "sell instant cds of shows at the venue" "Warfield DVD" "Dallas DVD" (mitigating circumstances for last 2 to be fair) can you think of any others?

During the Main Event tour, didn't Jon and Neal flirt with the idea of doing a Latin rock record or something, right?
Neal also used to talk about putting out a dvd + cd in one, which Revelation sorta was.

[Don]

I think Arnel's voice is too bright for a concept record. Well, my idea of what type of album that would be. I think of Floyd and the low tones, or even Justin Hayward's voice. When I think of tenor and these type of albums, my brain goes right to Kilroy Was Here. I guess it depends on everyone's interpretation of what the definition of concept album is. I hate to think of Journey doing a rock opera or theater. Dream After Dream might be some thing they could use as a template here.

[Jana]

Per Neal's fb pg: "Been writing w/ Jonathan the past 5 days, really loving what we go going on!"

Maybe when they're finished they can pop over and help Steve Perry, since he's been writing for two years, and still not even close to putting out an album.

[Michigan Girl]

Per Neal's fb pg: "Been writing w/ Jonathan the past 5 days, really loving what we go going on!"

Maybe when they're finished they can pop over and help Steve Perry, since he's been writing for two years, and still not even close to putting out an album.

I think they should continue trying to recapture something that will never be again...

[Ehwmatt]

I think Arnel's voice is too bright for a concept record. Well, my idea of what type of album that would be. I think of Floyd and the low tones, or even Justin Hayward's voice. When I think of tenor and these type of albums, my brain goes right to Kilroy Was Here. I guess it depends on everyone's interpretation of what the definition of concept album is. I hate to think of Journey doing a rock opera or theater. Dream After Dream might be some thing they could use as a template here.

Not necessarily, look at the concept albums from the likes of Yes, Rush, and Dream Theater. All tenor vocalists by any stretch of the definition. I just don't know if Journey has the compositional chemistry and/or lyrical sophistication to pull a convincing concept record off.

You need to either have incredibly complex arrangements that segue seamlessly and continuously into each other (eg Dream Theater) or an unbelievable penchant for lyrics (admittedly, many great concept records have some overall cheesy lyrics/story lines, but as long as there's a picture evoked by the lyrics, it's solid). I just don't know if Journey is capable of pulling that off. they write a mean pop song, no doubt, but this is a different game.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Not necessarily, look at the concept albums from the likes of Yes, Rush, and Dream Theater. All tenor vocalists by any stretch of the definition. I just don't know if Journey has the compositional chemistry and/or lyrical sophistication to pull a convincing concept record off.

You need to either have incredibly complex arrangements that segue seamlessly and continuously into each other (eg Dream Theater) or an unbelievable penchant for lyrics (admittedly, many great concept records have some overall cheesy lyrics/story lines, but as long as there's a picture evoked by the lyrics, it's solid). I just don't know if Journey is capable of pulling that off. they write a mean pop song, no doubt, but this is a different game.

Very well said.

[Don]

I think Arnel's voice is too bright for a concept record. Well, my idea of what type of album that would be. I think of Floyd and the low tones, or even Justin Hayward's voice. When I think of tenor and these type of albums, my brain goes right to Kilroy Was Here. I guess it depends on everyone's interpretation of what the definition of concept album is. I hate to think of Journey doing a rock opera or theater. Dream After Dream might be some thing they could use as a template here.

Not necessarily, look at the concept albums from the likes of Yes, Rush, and Dream Theater. All tenor vocalists by any stretch of the definition. I just don't know if Journey has the compositional chemistry and/or lyrical sophistication to pull a convincing concept record off.

You need to either have incredibly complex arrangements that segue seamlessly and continuously into each other (eg Dream Theater) or an unbelievable penchant for lyrics (admittedly, many great concept records have some overall cheesy lyrics/story lines, but as long as there's a picture evoked by the lyrics, it's solid). I just don't know if Journey is capable of pulling that off. they write a mean pop song, no doubt, but this is a different game.

Another issue is how do you tour a concept album? Journey has this stable of songs that have to played no matter what. I would think a concept album needs to be at least half of your setlist initially. Maybe they'll release it without a tour this year because they know they can't really support it live, especially with their fanbase expecting the dirty dozen and seeing anything else as just filler.

[hoagiepete]

I might be the only dummy here, but, how would you define "concept album?" Is it like pornography (can't define it but know it when I see it) or is there a more concise definition?

[Jana]

Per Neal's fb pg: "Been writing w/ Jonathan the past 5 days, really loving what we go going on!"

Maybe when they're finished they can pop over and help Steve Perry, since he's been writing for two years, and still not even close to putting out an album.

I think they should continue trying to recapture something that will never be again...

You call it recapture. I call it still writing and putting out music. I like what they've put out since. Nice to have new music from Journey. I listen to Arrival way more than TBF, and enjoy Revelation and some of Red13 and a few great ones off of Generations. So keep on, boys.

[Michigan Girl]

Per Neal's fb pg: "Been writing w/ Jonathan the past 5 days, really loving what we go going on!"

Maybe when they're finished they can pop over and help Steve Perry, since he's been writing for two years, and still not even close to putting out an album.

I think they should continue trying to recapture something that will never be again...

You call it recapture. I call it still writing and putting out music. I like what they've put out since. Nice to have new music from Journey. I listen to Arrival way more than TBF, and enjoy Revelation and some of Red13 and a few great ones off of Generations. So keep on, boys.

No, I call it a smartass comment, much like yours!!

[Don]

I need to hook up with '78 for one of Neal's Shows in SoCal, make myself a Frig & Fro shirt for the occasion.

[Since 78]

I need to hook up with '78 for one of Neal's Shows in SoCal, make myself a Frig & Fro shirt for the occasion.

Dude, I'm there. Just waiting for place and time.

[Don]

I need to hook up with '78 for one of Neal's Shows in SoCal, make myself a Frig & Fro shirt for the occasion.

Dude, I'm there. Just waiting for place and time.

Cool, just have to keep our eyes open then.

[Ehwmatt]

I think Arnel's voice is too bright for a concept record. Well, my idea of what type of album that would be. I think of Floyd and the low tones, or even Justin Hayward's voice. When I think of tenor and these type of albums, my brain goes right to Kilroy Was Here. I guess it depends on everyone's interpretation of what the definition of concept album is. I hate to think of Journey doing a rock opera or theater. Dream After Dream might be some thing they could use as a template here.

Not necessarily, look at the concept albums from the likes of Yes, Rush, and Dream Theater. All tenor vocalists by any stretch of the definition. I just don't know if Journey has the compositional chemistry and/or lyrical sophistication to pull a convincing concept record off.

You need to either have incredibly complex arrangements that segue seamlessly and continuously into each other (eg Dream Theater) or an unbelievable penchant for lyrics (admittedly, many great concept records have some overall cheesy lyrics/story lines, but as long as there's a picture evoked by the lyrics, it's solid). I just don't know if Journey is capable of pulling that off. they write a mean pop song, no doubt, but this is a different game.

Another issue is how do you tour a concept album? Journey has this stable of songs that have to played no matter what. I would think a concept album needs to be at least half of your setlist initially. Maybe they'll release it without a tour this year because they know they can't really support it live, especially with their fanbase expecting the dirty dozen and seeing anything else as just filler.

That's a GREAT point. A true concept album needs to be played front to back on a true tour.

[The_Noble_Cause]

I might be the only dummy here, but, how would you define "concept album?" Is it like pornography (can't define it but know it when I see it) or is there a more concise definition?

Wikipedia defines it as: "...a concept album is an album that is unified by a theme, which can be instrumental, compositional, narrative, or lyrical".[1] Commonly, concept albums tend to incorporate preconceived musical or lyrical ideas rather than being improvised or composed in the studio, with all songs contributing to a single overall theme or unified story."

For the purpose of example, imagine that the exploits of the "small town girl taking the midnight train" didn't begin and end with track one of Escape, but rather, each track told more of her story going to the big city, having her dreams crushed, and then finding her way back home to the farm again.
That'd be a Journey concept album.

[Don]

Track listing for one of the first concept albums. You can see how everything is unified around the theme (following an "everyman's day" from dawn to night, from awakening to sleep).

Days Of Future Passed

1. The Day Begins
2. Dawn: Dawn Is A Feeling
3. The Morning: Another Morning
4. Lunch Break: Peak Hour
5. The Afternoon
6. Evening
7. Nights In White Satin

[Jana]

Well, color me concerned, but I hope they aren't writing this whole album by themselves, the two of them. I guess they will have a little input ini it by Arnel, like they did with Augeri on Arrival. But they need to bring a little variety in with like maybe Jack Blades again or the other writer they used on Arrival for at least a few songs on the new album or someone else who's a great songwriter just to give it more dimension and freshness in the dynamic of writing the album. Just my thoughts.

[(Crazy)Dulce Lady]

I need to hook up with '78 for one of Neal's Shows in SoCal, make myself a Frig & Fro shirt for the occasion.

Dude, I'm there. Just waiting for place and time.

Cool, just have to keep our eyes open then.

save me a seat.

[koberry]

OH....he's rereleasing the Schons...

You're gonna run out and buy one, aren't you, Frank?

Actually no. I always thought those guitars were fucking ugly as shite...

I just find it interesting that someone's going to release them with his name on them...

Those guitars are ugly, yes, but if they're more affordable than and have a similar feature set to the Schon LP I might think about it if funds are available...

I love both of my Jackson-made Schon guitars. I have one with dual humbuckers and the ferrari tail piece and the other with SSH and a trem. They are so playable, verrrrrry fast necks. They're neck-heavy, though and that's something they'll need to fix. I've never played a Larrivee model, heard they were kind of a POS. I stumbled across a used one at Guitar Center in San Jose around 10 years ago, but it was beat to crap and way too spensive for what was left.

[SwampParty]

New version of the Schon gtr?