Journey at Cruzan Amphitheatre, September 18 Review

[Archetype]

One interesting part, there was a really nice looking well-built guy right in front of us in Tampa and people kept coming up to get their picture taken with him. Finally found out it was Chris Jericho (wrestler) and he was rockin' out and singing along to all the music. He said he had been hanging with the Journey guys before the show. You just never know who's going to show up at a Journey show!!

I can relate to this. Jim Kelly was seated 3 seats away from us at Classic Rock's Main Event in 2003. We didn't even know he was there until Augeri dedicated Don't Stop Believing to his son!

[Lerxst101]

This review pretty much sums it up. However, I do NOT believe that people weren't standing during Foreigner. I'm straight up calling the guy a liar on that one. Anyway, Neal is playing way too much guitar on what was advertised as a GH tour package. People want o hear the SONGS. And Journey, for the last decade has gone, at times, on wild wank fest tangents to end their songs, and they're doing it again. It kills the songs, kills momentum and the fans HATE it. End your songs as they should be ended. All of that extra drumming and guitar shredding is completely unwanted.

You advertised this tour as an 80's GH tour, complimenting your bill with bands that are doing just that. Play all hits and 2 new songs. Period, end of discussion. Lose Edge Of The Moment and La Do Da. Why? Because the fans hate them both! People diving for their seats is an indication that they don't like the songs! Add AIP to replace EOTM and WCN to replace La Do Da, cut back on the wank festing and you'll see a much happier crowd.

'

if you need a rocker in the La Do Da spot, why not Escape? Or how about Cain doing his best Rolie impersonation in Feeling That Way/Anytime?

Excellent points, and I agree.

Let me add my vote to those comments for Feeling That Way/Anytime. Also, this is a 3-band show and is really not the place for the extended solos, individual solos, and other things that bore the average fan. Believe me, I love seeing those things at a Journey concert, but when they are the last of three bands, it's getting late, and they need to keep the energy up, stop bringing the show to a near-halt. I just don't get it. And change up the songs from Eclipse -- use the large number of shows to try out different ones and determine if any are resonating with the more casual fans (and the ones that won't get their heads out of the 80s and get excited to hear near music).

[The_Noble_Cause]

Also, this is a 3-band show and is really not the place for the extended solos, individual solos, and other things that bore the average fan.

Fuck the average fan. Cain takes a solo and Neal takes about 3 solos. None of them are very long. I'm glad the band is playing "La Do Da", other obscure head scratchers like "Higher Place" and "Line of Fire" should be played as well.

[Pelata]

Remember, extended solos are also designed for vocalists to rest.

When I saw Firehouse this last time, CJ only ended up singing 11 songs between Bill's extended guitar intros, Michael's drum solo, and Allen, Michael & Bill all taking lead vocals on thier own songs...

[Gideon]

Also, this is a 3-band show and is really not the place for the extended solos, individual solos, and other things that bore the average fan.

Fuck the average fan. Cain takes a solo and Neal takes about 3 solos. None of them are very long. I'm glad the band is playing "La Do Da", other obscure head scratchers like "Higher Place" and "Line of Fire" should be played as well.

They ought to play more Eclipse tunes before obscure, older tracks. They're trying to push that album, not the back catalog, which doesn't need it.

[Ehwmatt]

wish theyd stop trying to shove they terrible City of Hope down peoples throat. (one of Journeys worst chorus's ever)

Where ya wanna go..to the city of Hope...ugh..

Agreed. It tries too hard to be an anthemic Journey classic, yet at the same time, it is nowhere in the same league as past cd openers like "Higher Place", "Message of Love", or hell, even "Faith in the Heartland." The COH chorus is just total lameass.

My best guess at the thought process was (a) let's make a classic Journey anthem but (b) let's try and make it "edgier" since Neal wants/promised to rock. Enter the Dream Theater-esque chord run leading into the chorus ending with the F#/Bminor chord that sounds weird in Journey, the awful chorus, and the shitty palm-muting guitar behind it.

[jrnyjetster]

They ought to play more Eclipse tunes before obscure, older tracks. They're trying to push that album, not the back catalog, which doesn't need it.

Absolutely and in my opinion they're not doing enough to push Eclipse. The explanation is always we don't have enough time to play the songs we want...I say bullshit...tweek the freakin' setlist and fit in 2 more songs from Eclipse, dammit!

[Abitaman]

Foreigner's Mick Jones as been out sick for a while, anyone know what is wrong?

[Archetype]

Foreigner's Mick Jones as been out sick for a while, anyone know what is wrong?

I'm also curious. Haven't been able to dig up what exactly is wrong with him

[Lerxst101]

They ought to play more Eclipse tunes before obscure, older tracks. They're trying to push that album, not the back catalog, which doesn't need it.

Absolutely and in my opinion they're not doing enough to push Eclipse. The explanation is always we don't have enough time to play the songs we want...I say bullshit...tweek the freakin' setlist and fit in 2 more songs from Eclipse, dammit!

Agree 100%. And as to the solos/vocal rest suggestion, point well taken. It's just frustrating to me to see at a show where the two other bands are just cranking out song after song, and then Journey has high energy, and all of a sudden it grinds to a halt. How about get Deen back into the vocal mix to give Arnel a rest? My guess is that Journey wants to 100% establish that Arnel is THE singer in the band.

[Pelata]

My guess is that Journey wants to 100% establish that Arnel is THE singer in the band.

I think that's absolutely the case. At this point, it's too late for them to attempt to return the band to a multi-vocalist format and have the fans accept it...just like it's too late to try and return them to the non-pop, pre-Perry days.

[zino]

They ought to play more Eclipse tunes before obscure, older tracks. They're trying to push that album, not the back catalog, which doesn't need it.

Absolutely and in my opinion they're not doing enough to push Eclipse. The explanation is always we don't have enough time to play the songs we want...I say bullshit...tweek the freakin' setlist and fit in 2 more songs from Eclipse, dammit!

Agree 100%. And as to the solos/vocal rest suggestion, point well taken. It's just frustrating to me to see at a show where the two other bands are just cranking out song after song, and then Journey has high energy, and all of a sudden it grinds to a halt. How about get Deen back into the vocal mix to give Arnel a rest? My guess is that Journey wants to 100% establish that Arnel is THE singer in the band.

This is a great point. Journey came out with High Energy with SW and ATL then every song after that ground to a halt by an extended intro or a mis timed ballad. The Fans want to hear the ballads but our of 15 songs we had 3 ballads, 2 new songs which most of the fans sat down or went on a beer run for. It just didnt flow. especially after the 2 opening acts just moved through the set list quickly sorta like Journey did on the Leppard tour

[The_Noble_Cause]

At this point, it's too late for them to attempt to return the band to a multi-vocalist format and have the fans accept it...just like it's too late to try and return them to the non-pop, pre-Perry days.

The fans were accepting it. Casual audiences didn't care, just like they didn't care whether it was SA, JSS, or Arnel up there. Deen's got a great tenor voice. The band should utilize it. Herbie has said as much. The only thing better than one eerily similar Perry clone is two.

[Aaron]

Sounds like the same result as Indy with less drama. Night Ranger carried the day there too. I think Joel would have been more entertaining than Mick at Indy. I couldn't tell if he was alive or dead. I kept waiting for someone to come on stage and hit him with the paddles. Looks like he wasn't feeling good for real.

[Pelata]

At this point, it's too late for them to attempt to return the band to a multi-vocalist format and have the fans accept it...just like it's too late to try and return them to the non-pop, pre-Perry days.

The fans were accepting it. Casual audiences didn't care, just like they didn't care whether it was SA, JSS, or Arnel up there. Deen's got a great tenor voice. The band should utilize it. Herbie has said as much. The only thing better than one eerily similar Perry clone is two.

I know what you're meaning...BUT - The large majority of Journey's fanbase only wants to hear established hits and many of them don't even care who's singing them. This subject has been beaten to death here and other places so I won't get too deep into it.

Yes, there are diehard fans who love and accept most if not all of Journey's output and forms over the last 13 years. There's no disputing that.

But, I stand by my statement that it's too late for multi-vocalists & returning to non-hit formula days and add the caveat of "as a mean of generating huge financial success". Ultimately, the majority of ticket buying fans want them to play the GH album and nothing else...no matter how badly Neal wants that to not be true.

Yes, there was a Journey pre-hit singles and there has been a Journey since. But the vast majority of the band's fans, the ones who made Escape #1 30 years ago and who made DSB the most downloaded song of all time...which make up the vast majority of today's ticket buyers...only want to hear the hits they way they remember them. No amount of debate on the subject makes it any less true and no amount of Neal trying to be a noodling guitar hero is going to make these fans change their minds.

Personally, I love Arrival, like Generations, Red 13, Revelation & am still warming up to Eclipse...I accept the fact that the band has many layers and I like it when other members sing (as long as Ross isn't one of them)...as do many here on this board...but we are a tiny minority of Journey's fanbase.

[The_Noble_Cause]

At this point, it's too late for them to attempt to return the band to a multi-vocalist format and have the fans accept it...just like it's too late to try and return them to the non-pop, pre-Perry days.

The fans were accepting it. Casual audiences didn't care, just like they didn't care whether it was SA, JSS, or Arnel up there. Deen's got a great tenor voice. The band should utilize it. Herbie has said as much. The only thing better than one eerily similar Perry clone is two.

I know what you're meaning...BUT - The large majority of Journey's fanbase only wants to hear established hits and many of them don't even care who's singing them. This subject has been beaten to death here and other places so I won't get too deep into it.

Yes, there are diehard fans who love and accept most if not all of Journey's output and forms over the last 13 years. There's no disputing that.

But, I stand by my statement that it's too late for multi-vocalists & returning to non-hit formula days and add the caveat of "as a mean of generating huge financial success". Ultimately, the majority of ticket buying fans want them to play the GH album and nothing else...no matter how badly Neal wants that to not be true.

Yes, there was a Journey pre-hit singles and there has been a Journey since. But the vast majority of the band's fans, the ones who made Escape #1 30 years ago and who made DSB the most downloaded song of all time...which make up the vast majority of today's ticket buyers...only want to hear the hits they way they remember them. No amount of debate on the subject makes it any less true and no amount of Neal trying to be a noodling guitar hero is going to make these fans change their minds.

Personally, I love Arrival, like Generations, Red 13, Revelation & am still warming up to Eclipse...I accept the fact that the band has many layers and I like it when other members sing (as long as Ross isn't one of them)...as do many here on this board...but we are a tiny minority of Journey's fanbase.

Ok, I was just saying Deen has a great voice and should be singing. That is all.

[Pelata]

At this point, it's too late for them to attempt to return the band to a multi-vocalist format and have the fans accept it...just like it's too late to try and return them to the non-pop, pre-Perry days.

The fans were accepting it. Casual audiences didn't care, just like they didn't care whether it was SA, JSS, or Arnel up there. Deen's got a great tenor voice. The band should utilize it. Herbie has said as much. The only thing better than one eerily similar Perry clone is two.

I know what you're meaning...BUT - The large majority of Journey's fanbase only wants to hear established hits and many of them don't even care who's singing them. This subject has been beaten to death here and other places so I won't get too deep into it.

Yes, there are diehard fans who love and accept most if not all of Journey's output and forms over the last 13 years. There's no disputing that.

But, I stand by my statement that it's too late for multi-vocalists & returning to non-hit formula days and add the caveat of "as a mean of generating huge financial success". Ultimately, the majority of ticket buying fans want them to play the GH album and nothing else...no matter how badly Neal wants that to not be true.

Yes, there was a Journey pre-hit singles and there has been a Journey since. But the vast majority of the band's fans, the ones who made Escape #1 30 years ago and who made DSB the most downloaded song of all time...which make up the vast majority of today's ticket buyers...only want to hear the hits they way they remember them. No amount of debate on the subject makes it any less true and no amount of Neal trying to be a noodling guitar hero is going to make these fans change their minds.

Personally, I love Arrival, like Generations, Red 13, Revelation & am still warming up to Eclipse...I accept the fact that the band has many layers and I like it when other members sing (as long as Ross isn't one of them)...as do many here on this board...but we are a tiny minority of Journey's fanbase.

Ok, I was just saying Deen has a great voice and should be singing. That is all.

I agree.