Flashes of brilliance, but far from perfect Journey show

[tater1977]

Review: Flashes of brilliance, but far from perfect Journey show

http://www.galesburg.com/entertainment/ ... how?zc_p=0

PEORIA —

By PHIL LUCIANO

So much talk about Steve Perry, not enough about Neal Schon.

Any mention of Journey invariably triggers tired complaints that it's not the same band without former frontman Perry. Um, yeah. But life moves on, as does Journey capably - if not seamlessly - under crooner Arnel Pineda.

But the outfit would be nowhere without Schon, whose always masterful guitar work somehow seems to still be getting better in his 58th year. Journey's pop hits include flashes of his brilliance - Exhibit A: the band's signature "Don't Stop Believin'" wouldn't have any punch without his solo - but the group certainly isn't renown (these days) for serious rocking. Yet that's why, even if the notion of "Escape"-era Journey ballads makes your eyelids heavy, the band is entirely worth the price of a concert ticket, as witnessed by more than 6,000 spectators at the Peoria Civic Center on Wednesday night.

Schon's piercing fret work filled the arena, expanding familiar Journey tunes with a lush but rocking soulfulness not captured on recordings. Even a warhorse like "Wheel in the Sky" exploded with barreling power, thanks to Schon's rich guitar underpinnings. And whereas guitar solos usually smack of tiresome self-aggrandizement, his nimble, riveting take on "The Star-Spangled Banner" would make even Jimi Hendrix marvel.

Schon, the lone remaining founding member of the group, enjoyed fantastic support from his bandmates, especially Jonathan Cain. His keyboard work, solid all night, included a glissando-esque piano solo - yeah, a piano solo at an arena-rock show, and it killed - and he even honked on a harmonica for a while. Cool.

Still, the 105-minute set — plenty of lights, but a bare stage save for a slew of video monitors — was far from perfect. The first six songs involved way too many ballads. The stringing together the likes of "Only the Young," "Who's Crying Now" and "Faithfully" did little to create any momentum early.

Meantime, Pineda boasts a commanding set of pipes, just about as strong as Perry's in his heyday. However, and perhaps unavoidably, Pineda lacks the visceral depth breathed into the songs by Perry, who crafted many of them. More apparently, after five years under his belt as the band's singer, Pineda still seemed awkward at times. He exuded energy with his ceaseless dashing and leaping about, but his repeated microphone flips came off as something he is still trying to master in Frontman 101 classes. And his stage patter included only requisite stage exhortations like, "How you doing, Illinois?!"


Earlier, Pat Benatar delivered a tight, punchy 50 minutes. At age 59, she still looks and sounds great, and Wednesday appeared genuinely happy to be doing so. The hits ("Hit Me with Your Best Shot," "Promises in the Dark," "We Belong") came off well, while the rarer gem "So Sincere," from her first album, stood out with heartfelt earnestness. Yet the place went nuts, and appropriately so, when she veered the closing number "Heartbreaker" into a rousing take on Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire."

Meantime, her backing band delivered a meaty sound, led by guitarist and husband (of 30 years), Neil "Spyder" Giraldo. He even tinkered around with a little Led Zeppelin: "Living Loving Maid," after "Heartbreaker," a nod to the Zep tune of the same name.

To start the night, Loverboy offered 35 minutes of hits. Lead singer Mike Reno still sounded great, bounding through the likes of "The Kid Is Hot Tonight," "Hot Girls in Love" and "Working for the Weekend." But he did little on stage except smile, while the band sounded limp. It might as well have been Loverboy Karaoke Night.

[Michigan Girl]

However, and perhaps unavoidably, Pineda lacks the visceral depth breathed into the songs by Perry, who crafted many of them. More apparently, after five years under his belt as the band's singer, Pineda still seemed awkward at times. He exuded energy with his ceaseless dashing and leaping about, but his repeated microphone flips came off as something he is still trying to master in Frontman 101 classes. And his stage patter included only requisite stage exhortations like, "How you doing, Illinois?!"

****WARNING****Post may be considered hateful
Reads like my first review^^^
My mother saw him w/ Journey for the first time Sat. and felt the same way.
He's certainly no Perry, but as long as you're
going to the show to hear the classics sung by a man w/a
great set of pipes and one who can do the songs/band justice ...you're good.

She enjoyed the show, thought AP did a good job ...was great to hear Neal
and Ross again ...she's a loon so she must be a hater!!

[FamilyMan]

Some valid observations here. completely agree, Neal doesn't get enough credit. And I, too, wish they'd let Arnel talk to the audience. I think it would help them connect with him more, and vice versa. His English isn't an issue any more.

[Yoda]

I'll be seeing them in a few weeks.

[Journey/Survivor]

Neal Schon is and always has been the heart and soul of Journey. If you don't have Neal Schon, you don't have Journey.

[The Sushi Hunter]

Neal Schon is and always has been the heart and soul of Journey. If you don't have Neal Schon, you don't have Journey.

Probably very true. But Perry is also much a part of this band as well. Just look at how many songs from the Perry era are still being played at concerts and sold on Journey albums.

[Journey/Survivor]

Neal Schon is and always has been the heart and soul of Journey. If you don't have Neal Schon, you don't have Journey.

Probably very true. But Perry is also much a part of this band as well. Just look at how many songs from the Perry era are still being played at concerts and sold on Journey albums.

I'm not trying to take anything away from Perry. He was an important part too.

[The Sushi Hunter]

If both Perry and Neal left the band at the same time, the band would have been done.

[Lora]

Review: Flashes of brilliance, but far from perfect Journey show

Pineda boasts a commanding set of pipes, just about as strong as Perry's in his heyday. However, and perhaps unavoidably, Pineda lacks the visceral depth breathed into the songs by Perry, who crafted many of them. More apparently, after five years under his belt as the band's singer, Pineda still seemed awkward at times. He exuded energy with his ceaseless dashing and leaping about, but his repeated microphone flips came off as something he is still trying to master in Frontman 101 classes. And his stage patter included only requisite stage exhortations like, "How you doing, Illinois?!"

Spot on and the main reason I won't be seeing a show this tour.

[slucero]

I think this is one case where the writer has no clue regarding Cains songwriting contribution vs Schons...

[jestor92]

Review: Flashes of brilliance, but far from perfect Journey show

he is still trying to master in Frontman 101 classes

Not going to lie this part made me chuckle.

[Voyager]

Meantime, Pineda boasts a commanding set of pipes, just about as strong as Perry's in his heyday. However, and perhaps unavoidably, Pineda lacks the visceral depth breathed into the songs by Perry, who crafted many of them. More apparently, after five years under his belt as the band's singer, Pineda still seemed awkward at times. He exuded energy with his ceaseless dashing and leaping about, but his repeated microphone flips came off as something he is still trying to master in Frontman 101 classes. And his stage patter included only requisite stage exhortations like, "How you doing, Illinois?!"

Neal Schon is and always has been the heart and soul of Journey. If you don't have Neal Schon, you don't have Journey.

It might as well have been Loverboy Karaoke Night.

Likeswise, without Steve Perry all you have is Journey karaoke night. It's no different than Led Zeppelin without Robert Plant, Aerosmith without Steven Tyler, or the Rolling Stones without Mick Jagger.

[The Sushi Hunter]

Likeswise, without Steve Perry all you have is Journey karaoke night. It's no different than Led Zeppelin without Robert Plant, Aerosmith without Steven Tyler, or the Rolling Stones without Mick Jagger.

That's exactly what I've been saying all along. In Journey's situation though, it's partially that they are caught between a rock and a hard place because the classic Perry era tunes are so popular over all the other songs that they do and Arnel does a great job providing the vocals for those specific songs, they continue to do them. And when they do them, it's pretty much a Journey karaoke deal just about. This is primarily the reason why I've stressed that I wish they would not do the classics any longer and just concentrate on new materials. But then you got that factor with the classic Journey songs that are so popular.

And I was just thinking about Steven Tyler and Aerosmith over the weekend while I was listening to one of their albums. I was comparing the situation if Tyler left Aerosmith like Perry left Journey and if a Tyler replacement would work out. I conclude that Aerosmith couldn't be without Tyler for sure.

[jestor92]

Likeswise, without Steve Perry all you have is Journey karaoke night. It's no different than Led Zeppelin without Robert Plant, Aerosmith without Steven Tyler, or the Rolling Stones without Mick Jagger.

That's exactly what I've been saying all along. In Journey's situation though, it's partially that they are caught between a rock and a hard place because the classic Perry era tunes are so popular over all the other songs that they do and Arnel does a great job providing the vocals for those specific songs, they continue to do them. And when they do them, it's pretty much a Journey karaoke deal just about. This is primarily the reason why I've stressed that I wish they would not do the classics any longer and just concentrate on new materials. But then you got that factor with the classic Journey songs that are so popular.

And I was just thinking about Steven Tyler and Aerosmith over the weekend while I was listening to one of their albums. I was comparing the situation if Tyler left Aerosmith like Perry left Journey and if a Tyler replacement would work out. I conclude that Aerosmith couldn't be without Tyler for sure.

If Journey stops playing their classics they might as well stop calling themselves Journey and come up with a new band name. Wait a second. They tried that. The band was called Bad English. It had some minor success. Of course if they tried that now or even Augeri or Arnie came into the band no one would've cared about them as an act because their time had come and gone as mainstream musicians in the 80's. For Schon/Cain it's Journey or bust in terms of making money on a product. Hell Schon was able to prove that when he started Soul SirkUS and Planet US.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Hell Schon was able to prove that when he started Soul SirkUS and Planet US.

PlanetUs never got a shot. With Hagar's name attached and Satch on co-guitar, it could've been somethin killer. Or at least better than Chickenfoot.

[annie89509]

Likeswise, without Steve Perry all you have is Journey karaoke night. It's no different than Led Zeppelin without Robert Plant, Aerosmith without Steven Tyler, or the Rolling Stones without Mick Jagger.

That's exactly what I've been saying all along. In Journey's situation though, it's partially that they are caught between a rock and a hard place because the classic Perry era tunes are so popular over all the other songs that they do and Arnel does a great job providing the vocals for those specific songs, they continue to do them. And when they do them, it's pretty much a Journey karaoke deal just about. This is primarily the reason why I've stressed that I wish they would not do the classics any longer and just concentrate on new materials. But then you got that factor with the classic Journey songs that are so popular.

And I was just thinking about Steven Tyler and Aerosmith over the weekend while I was listening to one of their albums. I was comparing the situation if Tyler left Aerosmith like Perry left Journey and if a Tyler replacement would work out. I conclude that Aerosmith couldn't be without Tyler for sure.

Was it last year, or the year before, that Joe Perry says they're looking for replacement because ST won't commit to the band or touring? Wonder what's happening with Aerosmith currently.

[slucero]

Likeswise, without Steve Perry all you have is Journey karaoke night. It's no different than Led Zeppelin without Robert Plant, Aerosmith without Steven Tyler, or the Rolling Stones without Mick Jagger.

That's exactly what I've been saying all along. In Journey's situation though, it's partially that they are caught between a rock and a hard place because the classic Perry era tunes are so popular over all the other songs that they do and Arnel does a great job providing the vocals for those specific songs, they continue to do them. And when they do them, it's pretty much a Journey karaoke deal just about. This is primarily the reason why I've stressed that I wish they would not do the classics any longer and just concentrate on new materials. But then you got that factor with the classic Journey songs that are so popular.

And I was just thinking about Steven Tyler and Aerosmith over the weekend while I was listening to one of their albums. I was comparing the situation if Tyler left Aerosmith like Perry left Journey and if a Tyler replacement would work out. I conclude that Aerosmith couldn't be without Tyler for sure.

Was it last year, or the year before, that Joe Perry says they're looking for replacement because ST won't commit to the band or touring? Wonder what's happening with Aerosmith currently.

Tyler pretty much got a "quit or we'll replace you" from the band, which he pretty much confirms in his passive agressive announcement when he left.

“After some long…hard…thoughts…I’ve decided it’s time for me to let go of my mistress ‘American Idol’ before she boils my rabbit,” he said. “I strayed from my first love, Aerosmith, and I’m back — but instead of begging on my hands and knees, I’ve got two fists in the air and I’m kicking the door open with my band.”

[tater1977]

Likeswise, without Steve Perry all you have is Journey karaoke night. It's no different than Led Zeppelin without Robert Plant, Aerosmith without Steven Tyler, or the Rolling Stones without Mick Jagger.

That's exactly what I've been saying all along. In Journey's situation though, it's partially that they are caught between a rock and a hard place because the classic Perry era tunes are so popular over all the other songs that they do and Arnel does a great job providing the vocals for those specific songs, they continue to do them. And when they do them, it's pretty much a Journey karaoke deal just about. This is primarily the reason why I've stressed that I wish they would not do the classics any longer and just concentrate on new materials. But then you got that factor with the classic Journey songs that are so popular.

And I was just thinking about Steven Tyler and Aerosmith over the weekend while I was listening to one of their albums. I was comparing the situation if Tyler left Aerosmith like Perry left Journey and if a Tyler replacement would work out. I conclude that Aerosmith couldn't be without Tyler for sure.

Was it last year, or the year before, that Joe Perry says they're looking for replacement because ST won't commit to the band or touring? Wonder what's happening with Aerosmith currently.

http://www.classicrockmagazine.com/news ... ven-tyler/

September 24 2012

Steven Tyler says the stage fall that sent him to rehab in 2009 and led to the near-collapse of Aerosmith turned out to be “magic.” The singer explains: “The guys were angry because it was a great tour, and I was angry. I fucked it up by falling off the stage. I know what I did. I didn’t get back to them and they started to look for other lead singers, which pissed me off even more. It was not nice at the moment. I was totally incensed that these guys didn’t call me back – but I had done something to them. It’s just the boys’ club. We can be rough with each other.”

[tater1977]

Likeswise, without Steve Perry all you have is Journey karaoke night. It's no different than Led Zeppelin without Robert Plant, Aerosmith without Steven Tyler, or the Rolling Stones without Mick Jagger.

That's exactly what I've been saying all along. In Journey's situation though, it's partially that they are caught between a rock and a hard place because the classic Perry era tunes are so popular over all the other songs that they do and Arnel does a great job providing the vocals for those specific songs, they continue to do them. And when they do them, it's pretty much a Journey karaoke deal just about. This is primarily the reason why I've stressed that I wish they would not do the classics any longer and just concentrate on new materials. But then you got that factor with the classic Journey songs that are so popular.

And I was just thinking about Steven Tyler and Aerosmith over the weekend while I was listening to one of their albums. I was comparing the situation if Tyler left Aerosmith like Perry left Journey and if a Tyler replacement would work out. I conclude that Aerosmith couldn't be without Tyler for sure.

Was it last year, or the year before, that Joe Perry says they're looking for replacement because ST won't commit to the band or touring? Wonder what's happening with Aerosmith currently.

http://www.classicrockmagazine.com/news ... ven-tyler/

September 24 2012

Steven Tyler says the stage fall that sent him to rehab in 2009 and led to the near-collapse of Aerosmith turned out to be “magic.” The singer explains: “The guys were angry because it was a great tour, and I was angry. I fucked it up by falling off the stage. I know what I did. I didn’t get back to them and they started to look for other lead singers, which pissed me off even more. It was not nice at the moment. I was totally incensed that these guys didn’t call me back – but I had done something to them. It’s just the boys’ club. We can be rough with each other.”

http://www.aeroforceone.com/index.cfm/p ... pid/302766

17-Sep-12 The Making of 'Music From Another Dimension' - Episode 2
Behind-the-Scenes with the Bad Boys from Boston.

@ 2:37

[jestor92]

Hell Schon was able to prove that when he started Soul SirkUS and Planet US.

PlanetUs never got a shot. With Hagar's name attached and Satch on co-guitar, it could've been somethin killer. Or at least better than Chickenfoot.

You would think that, but they couldn't even get a contract for a record. I remember Hagar saying something like "We have this song that we tried to get in Spiderman, but it was too fucking heavy" or something along those lines. They never got a contract and Anthony and Hagar went back to VH. Schon started Soul SirkUS and was playing in front of a few hundred people at places like the Crock Rock in Allentown, PA. No one cares about Schon or Cain unless they're in Journey at this point. They either put out music under the Journey name or the music falls on deaf ears. PlanetUs, Soul SirkUS, and Hardline was proof of that.

[SF-Dano]

Hell Schon was able to prove that when he started Soul SirkUS and Planet US.

PlanetUs never got a shot. With Hagar's name attached and Satch on co-guitar, it could've been somethin killer. Or at least better than Chickenfoot.

You would think that, but they couldn't even get a contract for a record. I remember Hagar saying something like "We have this song that we tried to get in Spiderman, but it was too fucking heavy" or something along those lines. They never got a contract and Anthony and Hagar went back to VH. Schon started Soul SirkUS and was playing in front of a few hundred people at places like the Crock Rock in Allentown, PA. No one cares about Schon or Cain unless they're in Journey at this point. They either put out music under the Journey name or the music falls on deaf ears. PlanetUs, Soul SirkUS, and Hardline was proof of that.

I disagree. I feel that PlanteUs would have garnered at least as much attention as Chickenfoot has. I also feel the music may have been more "melodic" if Schon was in Chickenfoot (see Out of Harms Way and FITH which Neal has stated were originally written with PlanetUS in mind). The only reason that I know of that PlanteUs did not move forward at that time was Hagar's decision to return to Van Halen. Which Hagar, right or wrong in hindsight, thought was the better move at the time. When that fell apart once again, the PlanetUs projected revamped itself into Chickenfoot. Whether Neal was asked back or not, I do not know. Whether Hagar returning to VH and Neal doing SoulSirkus caused any lasting friction between the two, I don't know but I don't think so. I do know that Journey was achieving more success than they had in a very long time with the release of Revelation around the time period that Chickenfoot was born.