Suzanne

[Don]

I saw Journey on the Escape and Frontiers tour but didn't get to see them during ROR. I was in Japan at that time and the band didn't make it over there. Journey had slipped down the ladder a few rungs to other acts like Dokken, Night Ranger, and Bon Jovi by that time so probably it was for the best. Anyway, listening to this rendition of Suzanne, I can say I didn't miss anything. Perry's voice was really blowing. He has one long note he adlibs in this performance but the rest of it sounds like speed metal. Not good at all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oq7LDrfI7NQ

I'm not a fan of ROR but from what I have read here, a lot of MR members were creaming their jeans or soaking their bloomers on this tour so sell me on why it's a great album and why this a great live performance.

[Rockindeano]

Agreed, Sounds like shit. This may be one song Deen beats SP in. This is atrocios.

[Deb]

Agreed, not the greatest. But then Suzanne and Positive Touch were never favorites of mine from ROR. They didn't make it to Canada on the ROR tour either. Two reasons that I would love to have gone to an ROR show..............I would looooove to have heard favorites like Girl Can't Help It and Strung Out, LIVE......that they played on that tour.

[scarab]

hated suzanne back in the day and still do.
positive touch too. whats with the SAX solo???

dont get me started on eyes of a woman!

but in defense of that live version, sounds like someone recorded it on walmart tape recorder

[Deb]

One of my faves from ROR, It Could Have Been You...............love it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIvLX615xUU

[scarab]

now that songs rocks!

as does the rest of ROR

[Jana]

I saw Journey on the Escape and Frontiers tour but didn't get to see them during ROR. I was in Japan at that time and the band didn't make it over there. Journey had slipped down the ladder a few rungs to other acts like Dokken, Night Ranger, and Bon Jovi by that time so probably it was for the best. Anyway, listening to this rendition of Suzanne, I can say I didn't miss anything. Perry's voice was really blowing. He has one long note he adlibs in this performance but the rest of it sounds like speed metal. Not good at all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oq7LDrfI7NQ

I'm not a fan of ROR but from what I have read here, a lot of MR members were creaming their jeans or soaking their bloomers on this tour so sell me on why it's a great album and why this a great live performance.

Funny, I just listening to ROR straight through yesterday. It's not a great album, but all the songs are good and some are really really great. But what IS great on this album is Perry's tone he used or tapped into more in his lower register all the way through and I absolutely loved his vocals on all the songs. Still, for me, like I've said before, some of the datedness of the instrumental part on some songs, like intros and such, stand out to me. It didn't bother me as much yesterday as it usually does, because I haven't listened to Journey much at all this year so didn't compare it to more of their earlier rock sound compared to this '80s pop sound.

Re the clip, the song is sped up, definitely, and he's not so great on many high notes, but his tone in his lower register is what made the song for me anyway and he still has that here live. I imagine the energy of the performance and crowd caught up in a live concert by the band song after song is what made it still magical probably that night for them. Sitting in an audience enjoying a concert is much different than sitting here listening to a performance on a song that wasn't perfect. This song sped up is a little more forgiving to me than some of the others I've heard in the ROR concert, which didn't work at all. But there was a lot of deterioration in his voice noticeable on some songs compared to their last tour three years prior for sure.

[Red13JoePa]

Agreed, Sounds like shit. This may be one song Deen beats SP in. This is atrocios.

I'll bet he could have damn near nailed if they stayed close to the original tempo.
I remember talking with you about this and you went to JSS about the speed on tour and he pretty much confirmed it's a preservation device.

I have the Detroit and Philly shows from this tour.

[Saint John]

Mediocre performance from a mediocre tour in support of a mediocre album. Had Perry simply never graced the stage after Frontiers, his stature would have been that of legends. But he released ROR, FTLOSM and TBF, and completely watered down Journey's/his catalog with 3 albums of absolutely forgettable songs.

[Eric]

now that songs rocks!

as does the rest of ROR

No...the song and album pops.

[ChildInTime]

^
Yup.

To get into analogies, I've always sort of described it as a soda with just a little too much syrup.
Still tastes pretty much fine, but the sweetness sticks to your teeth and makes you sorta sick afterwords, especially if you drink the whole thing.

And the chorus of Happy To Give is where you swallow a whole mouthful of soda syrup and cringe.

[Michigan Girl]

now that songs rocks!

as does the rest of ROR

I agree ...great song, great album and I LOVED the tour!!!
SP was terrific!! You people who rate everything based on a performance ...for shame!!
I'm sure every favorite, great band has put out an album, or two, that were not to your liking ...does
not take away from the legendary status ...btw, didn't watch the tubey it may, very well, be awful ...the tour itself, was great!!

[Rick]

now that songs rocks!

as does the rest of ROR

I agree ...great song, great album and I LOVED the tour!!!
SP was terrific!! You people who rate everything based on a performance ...for shame!!
I'm sure every favorite, great band has put out an album, or two, that were not to your liking ...does
not take away from the legendary status ...btw, didn't watch the tubey it may, very well, be awful ...the tour itself, was great!!

The Youtube is just a bootleg audio. I also like ROR quite a bit. It was definitely different. I couldn't get over how amazed my daughter was when she heard Suzanne about a year ago. She couldn't believe that was Journey. It does kind of have a "Flash Dance" vibe to it.

[Since 78]

I saw Journey on the Escape and Frontiers tour but didn't get to see them during ROR. I was in Japan at that time and the band didn't make it over there. Journey had slipped down the ladder a few rungs to other acts like Dokken, Night Ranger, and Bon Jovi by that time so probably it was for the best. Anyway, listening to this rendition of Suzanne, I can say I didn't miss anything. Perry's voice was really blowing. He has one long note he adlibs in this performance but the rest of it sounds like speed metal. Not good at all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oq7LDrfI7NQ

I'm not a fan of ROR but from what I have read here, a lot of MR members were creaming their jeans or soaking their bloomers on this tour so sell me on why it's a great album and why this a great live performance.

Not a very good performance for sure, but I do like Suzanne, that's one that I listen to a lot. My favorite from ROR is probably, Girl Can't help It.

[Don]

I saw Journey on the Escape and Frontiers tour but didn't get to see them during ROR. I was in Japan at that time and the band didn't make it over there. Journey had slipped down the ladder a few rungs to other acts like Dokken, Night Ranger, and Bon Jovi by that time so probably it was for the best. Anyway, listening to this rendition of Suzanne, I can say I didn't miss anything. Perry's voice was really blowing. He has one long note he adlibs in this performance but the rest of it sounds like speed metal. Not good at all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oq7LDrfI7NQ

I'm not a fan of ROR but from what I have read here, a lot of MR members were creaming their jeans or soaking their bloomers on this tour so sell me on why it's a great album and why this a great live performance.

Not a very good performance for sure, but I do like Suzanne, that's one that I listen to a lot. My favorite from ROR is probably, Girl Can't help It.

The opening notes of Suzanne make me think of Modern Love by David Bowie, not a good thing for a rock band.

[Since 78]

I saw Journey on the Escape and Frontiers tour but didn't get to see them during ROR. I was in Japan at that time and the band didn't make it over there. Journey had slipped down the ladder a few rungs to other acts like Dokken, Night Ranger, and Bon Jovi by that time so probably it was for the best. Anyway, listening to this rendition of Suzanne, I can say I didn't miss anything. Perry's voice was really blowing. He has one long note he adlibs in this performance but the rest of it sounds like speed metal. Not good at all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oq7LDrfI7NQ

I'm not a fan of ROR but from what I have read here, a lot of MR members were creaming their jeans or soaking their bloomers on this tour so sell me on why it's a great album and why this a great live performance.

Not a very good performance for sure, but I do like Suzanne, that's one that I listen to a lot. My favorite from ROR is probably, Girl Can't help It.

The opening notes of Suzanne make me think of Modern Love by David Bowie, not a good thing for a rock band.

Well, the whole album was not a good idea for a rock band. I actually think Perry was going for a Hall and Oates sound or something.

[kgdjpubs]

I saw Journey on the Escape and Frontiers tour but didn't get to see them during ROR. I was in Japan at that time and the band didn't make it over there. Journey had slipped down the ladder a few rungs to other acts like Dokken, Night Ranger, and Bon Jovi by that time so probably it was for the best. Anyway, listening to this rendition of Suzanne, I can say I didn't miss anything. Perry's voice was really blowing. He has one long note he adlibs in this performance but the rest of it sounds like speed metal. Not good at all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oq7LDrfI7NQ

I'm not a fan of ROR but from what I have read here, a lot of MR members were creaming their jeans or soaking their bloomers on this tour so sell me on why it's a great album and why this a great live performance.

I won't swear to it, but I have seen some things written that the recording of this show is actually TOO FAST, and Perry is actually a bit higher-pitched than he was on the actual show as a side-effect of the tape speed. I've heard some good stuff from this tour....and some where it was a bit haphazard. This falls into the latter part. I don't mind fast and rocking, but they sound sloppy--at least on THIS recording.

As far as the album goes, I think it was Perry's attempt to have Journey do a Motown album. He was going down that road with Street Talk, and you get more of it here, but with better songwriting. For those that appreciate that sound combination (and you can count me in on this), there are some very good songs, and Perry's vocals are sublime--probably some of the best he ever recorded. You really hear the Sam Cooke influence in there, and his phrasing ability is miles beyond what it was on Escape.

Of course, there is also the camp that says this is basically a Perry solo album with Journey backing him, and I can somewhat agree with that point also. It certainly doesn't sound like Escape, but neither did Frontiers or any of the Rolie-era albums. If the idea of Journey putting a heavy Motown/R&B sound in their songs appeals to you, it's wonderful. I don't know that a repeat of it would be desired, but it's one of my favorite albums for something a little bit different.

[Michigan Girl]

I saw Journey on the Escape and Frontiers tour but didn't get to see them during ROR. I was in Japan at that time and the band didn't make it over there. Journey had slipped down the ladder a few rungs to other acts like Dokken, Night Ranger, and Bon Jovi by that time so probably it was for the best. Anyway, listening to this rendition of Suzanne, I can say I didn't miss anything. Perry's voice was really blowing. He has one long note he adlibs in this performance but the rest of it sounds like speed metal. Not good at all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oq7LDrfI7NQ

I'm not a fan of ROR but from what I have read here, a lot of MR members were creaming their jeans or soaking their bloomers on this tour so sell me on why it's a great album and why this a great live performance.

I won't swear to it, but I have seen some things written that the recording of this show is actually TOO FAST, and Perry is actually a bit higher-pitched than he was on the actual show as a side-effect of the tape speed. I've heard some good stuff from this tour....and some where it was a bit haphazard. This falls into the latter part. I don't mind fast and rocking, but they sound sloppy--at least on THIS recording.

As far as the album goes, I think it was Perry's attempt to have Journey do a Motown album. He was going down that road with Street Talk, and you get more of it here, but with better songwriting. For those that appreciate that sound combination (and you can count me in on this), there are some very good songs, and Perry's vocals are sublime--probably some of the best he ever recorded. You really hear the Sam Cooke influence in there, and his phrasing ability is miles beyond what it was on Escape.

Of course, there is also the camp that says this is basically a Perry solo album with Journey backing him, and I can somewhat agree with that point also. It certainly doesn't sound like Escape, but neither did Frontiers or any of the Rolie-era albums. If the idea of Journey putting a heavy Motown/R&N sound in their songs, it's wonderful. I don't know that a repeat of it would be desired, but it's one of my favorite albums for something a little bit different.

Summed up superbly ...thank you!!

[Deb]

As far as the album goes, I think it was Perry's attempt to have Journey do a Motown album. He was going down that road with Street Talk, and you get more of it here, but with better songwriting. For those that appreciate that sound combination (and you can count me in on this), there are some very good songs, and Perry's vocals are sublime--probably some of the best he ever recorded. You really hear the Sam Cooke influence in there, and his phrasing ability is miles beyond what it was on Escape.
Of course, there is also the camp that says this is basically a Perry solo album with Journey backing him, and I can somewhat agree with that point also. It certainly doesn't sound like Escape, but neither did Frontiers or any of the Rolie-era albums. If the idea of Journey putting a heavy Motown/R&N sound in their songs, it's wonderful. I don't know that a repeat of it would be desired, but it's one of my favorite albums for something a little bit different.

Couldn't have said that better.

I love those 80s motown-influenced rock singer's delivery/tone over most any other vocal quality. They seem to adlib a little more or something I think, which just adds to a vocal as far as I'm concerned. Perry, Martin, Soto, Summer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Td9syZDyeok are a few that excell at it on the right songs IMO.

[Lora]

I won't swear to it, but I have seen some things written that the recording of this show is actually TOO FAST, and Perry is actually a bit higher-pitched than he was on the actual show as a side-effect of the tape speed. I've heard some good stuff from this tour....and some where it was a bit haphazard. This falls into the latter part. I don't mind fast and rocking, but they sound sloppy--at least on THIS recording.

As far as the album goes, I think it was Perry's attempt to have Journey do a Motown album. He was going down that road with Street Talk, and you get more of it here, but with better songwriting. For those that appreciate that sound combination (and you can count me in on this), there are some very good songs, and Perry's vocals are sublime--probably some of the best he ever recorded. You really hear the Sam Cooke influence in there, and his phrasing ability is miles beyond what it was on Escape.

Very nicely stated. I saw a bunch of shows on the ROR tour and I heard plenty of good stuff. Steve's intro to LTS was incredible - my favorite version of that song from any of their tours.

[kgdjpubs]

As far as the album goes, I think it was Perry's attempt to have Journey do a Motown album. He was going down that road with Street Talk, and you get more of it here, but with better songwriting. For those that appreciate that sound combination (and you can count me in on this), there are some very good songs, and Perry's vocals are sublime--probably some of the best he ever recorded. You really hear the Sam Cooke influence in there, and his phrasing ability is miles beyond what it was on Escape.
Of course, there is also the camp that says this is basically a Perry solo album with Journey backing him, and I can somewhat agree with that point also. It certainly doesn't sound like Escape, but neither did Frontiers or any of the Rolie-era albums. If the idea of Journey putting a heavy Motown/R&N sound in their songs, it's wonderful. I don't know that a repeat of it would be desired, but it's one of my favorite albums for something a little bit different.

Couldn't have said that better.

I love those 80s motown-influenced rock singer's delivery/tone over most any other vocal quality. They seem to adlib a little more or something I think, which just adds to a vocal as far as I'm concerned. Perry, Martin, Soto, Summer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Td9syZDyeok are a few that excell at it on the right songs IMO.

another one...and one of my favorite singers to boot. Not quite the Sam Cooke style of singing, but you hear Motown quite a bit in there.

Jimmy Barnes covering Jackie Wilson's Higher and Higher http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ffi06Gb_MQQ

I only wish his version of Jimmy Cliff's Many Rivers to Cross was on the net. Mind-blowingly good, but he tends to have either a love-it-or-hate-it voice though, I must admit.

[Deb]

Not a very good performance for sure, but I do like Suzanne, that's one that I listen to a lot. My favorite from ROR is probably, Girl Can't help It.

Yep, Perry at his absolute best when it comes to tone/delivery.....especially on the live cut. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Td9syZDyeok Those smiles at around the 1:40 mark just about tear your heart out though.

[kgdjpubs]

I won't swear to it, but I have seen some things written that the recording of this show is actually TOO FAST, and Perry is actually a bit higher-pitched than he was on the actual show as a side-effect of the tape speed. I've heard some good stuff from this tour....and some where it was a bit haphazard. This falls into the latter part. I don't mind fast and rocking, but they sound sloppy--at least on THIS recording.

As far as the album goes, I think it was Perry's attempt to have Journey do a Motown album. He was going down that road with Street Talk, and you get more of it here, but with better songwriting. For those that appreciate that sound combination (and you can count me in on this), there are some very good songs, and Perry's vocals are sublime--probably some of the best he ever recorded. You really hear the Sam Cooke influence in there, and his phrasing ability is miles beyond what it was on Escape.

Very nicely stated. I saw a bunch of shows on the ROR tour and I heard plenty of good stuff. Steve's intro to LTS was incredible - my favorite version of that song from any of their tours.

would that be the normal intro....or the crazy wild not-appropriate-for-children intro he did on some shows? The latter one, which may have been Philly, was NOT my favorite intro!

Personally, I tended to like the sped-up-beyond-belief LTS from the Frontiers & Beyond Philly show. Never was a fan of it normally, but somehow, that edge made it pretty good when you approached the song at a momentum something near the speed of light.

[Jeremey]

ROR showcased Perry's voice at it's best and Journey's instrumental ability at it's worst, if that makes any sense.

[kgdjpubs]

ROR showcased Perry's voice at it's best and Journey's instrumental ability at it's worst, if that makes any sense.

valid point also. I don't think Motown R&B does much for showcasing mastering of instruments nearly as much as getting in the groove and staying there while the vocal wails away. I think Perry achieved what he was going for within the limits of a Journey album, but may have pushed the boundaries of a "Journey album" too far for most people (fans and band-members included).

[Deb]

As far as the album goes, I think it was Perry's attempt to have Journey do a Motown album. He was going down that road with Street Talk, and you get more of it here, but with better songwriting. For those that appreciate that sound combination (and you can count me in on this), there are some very good songs, and Perry's vocals are sublime--probably some of the best he ever recorded. You really hear the Sam Cooke influence in there, and his phrasing ability is miles beyond what it was on Escape.
Of course, there is also the camp that says this is basically a Perry solo album with Journey backing him, and I can somewhat agree with that point also. It certainly doesn't sound like Escape, but neither did Frontiers or any of the Rolie-era albums. If the idea of Journey putting a heavy Motown/R&N sound in their songs, it's wonderful. I don't know that a repeat of it would be desired, but it's one of my favorite albums for something a little bit different.

Couldn't have said that better.

I love those 80s motown-influenced rock singer's delivery/tone over most any other vocal quality. They seem to adlib a little more or something I think, which just adds to a vocal as far as I'm concerned. Perry, Martin, Soto, Summer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Td9syZDyeok are a few that excell at it on the right songs IMO.

another one...and one of my favorite singers to boot. Not quite the Sam Cooke style of singing, but you hear Motown quite a bit in there.

Jimmy Barnes covering Jackie Wilson's Higher and Higher http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ffi06Gb_MQQ

I only wish his version of Jimmy Cliff's Many Rivers to Cross was on the net. Mind-blowingly good, but he tends to have either a love-it-or-hate-it voice though, I must admit.

Now that was cool! My first thought was....what? Jimmy Barnes and Motown?? I obviously don't know much about him, I always thought he was more of a screamer.

[Jana]

ROR showcased Perry's voice at it's best and Journey's instrumental ability at it's worst, if that makes any sense.

It does if I understand you right. LOL That's probably my problem with it in some places. I loved his voice and thought his voice was perfect on every song and it had some great songs and many really good songs But, boy, some of the instrumental intros and beats under the song didn't work in places in some songs for me pop datedwise sounding. I'm not a musician, so I have no idea how to explain it. I liked the way you did Suzanne with the beginning melody.

[Don]

Who ever said Hall & Oates, I think that was a perfect description, when we're talking about the heavy keyboards/Synthesizers on this album and the similarity to a record like H2O and songs like Maneater.

[Deb]

Couldn't have said that better.

I love those 80s motown-influenced rock singer's delivery/tone over most any other vocal quality. They seem to adlib a little more or something I think, which just adds to a vocal as far as I'm concerned. Perry, Martin, Soto, Summer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Td9syZDyeok are a few that excell at it on the right songs IMO.

another one...and one of my favorite singers to boot. Not quite the Sam Cooke style of singing, but you hear Motown quite a bit in there.

Jimmy Barnes covering Jackie Wilson's Higher and Higher http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ffi06Gb_MQQ

I only wish his version of Jimmy Cliff's Many Rivers to Cross was on the net. Mind-blowingly good, but he tends to have either a love-it-or-hate-it voice though, I must admit.

LOL, I feel the same way about EM's LIVE version of Carol King's song You've Got A Friend wish it was on the net. His live version from a show in Tokyo is mind blowingly good in it's motown/r&b delivery. Talking about it here, and recording bits of the studio version, which IMO doesn't do anywhere near the justice of the LIVE version.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EF8f0XMgKI

[kgdjpubs]

Couldn't have said that better.

I love those 80s motown-influenced rock singer's delivery/tone over most any other vocal quality. They seem to adlib a little more or something I think, which just adds to a vocal as far as I'm concerned. Perry, Martin, Soto, Summer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Td9syZDyeok are a few that excell at it on the right songs IMO.

another one...and one of my favorite singers to boot. Not quite the Sam Cooke style of singing, but you hear Motown quite a bit in there.

Jimmy Barnes covering Jackie Wilson's Higher and Higher http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ffi06Gb_MQQ

I only wish his version of Jimmy Cliff's Many Rivers to Cross was on the net. Mind-blowingly good, but he tends to have either a love-it-or-hate-it voice though, I must admit.

Now that was cool! My first thought was....what? Jimmy Barnes and Motown?? I obviously don't know much about him, I always thought he was more of a screamer.

haha....He's known for hard rock, but he's done pretty much everything at one point or another. He's done old country (Bird on a Wire, Big River), blues, pop, rock, rockabilly, old R&B/50s Rock (Little Richard stuff, Shake Rattle & Roll, Sweet Little Rock & Roller), the Living Loud cd with members of Ozzy's old band covering some of those songs and new ones, and of course the popular hard rock that he is famous for. Pick a style and he has probably done a song either with Cold Chisel, solo or one of the random live covers he will do from time to time. I think he's done lead vocals on about 25 albums so far (not counting live, greatest hits, compilation, etc).

He's even done a cd with Cain & Schon writing and playing on it--which is how I heard him originally, and explains how someone living well away from Australia heard someone who never really broke out of Australia. If you find a middle ground between rocking Journey and typical Jimmy Barnes solo hard rock, this is what you end up with although it was done MUCH better live.... Driving Wheels http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MA94-GukYhA


That particular cut (Higher and Higher) was from an album he did called Soul Deep....which I think may still be the highest-selling solo album in Australia. It is actually very good. The sequel, Soul Deeper, not as much, as it was recorded in the midst of major drug/alcohol addiction--which he is thankfully over now.

I'll be nice. Here is Many Rivers to Cross from the same album.
https://www.yousendit.com/download/aHlU ... aWJ2Wmc9PQ