Traces

[steveo777]

Watching him try and manage the mic cord was a bit painful. He was a master at that before, but on this, he looks like he's gonna trip over it, a couple times. Obviously, he's a bit rusty. I suppose some of that is to be expected, due to his long hiatus. Anyway, as I said, I've preordered the album and my final tally will come after I've heard the whole thing.

[Gideon]

Yeah, I’ve listened to it repeatedly.
On the one hand, it’s Steve Perry and thus there’s a certain level of SQUEE excitement even from me.

On the other hand... the vocals are good and the chorus is infectious, but the rest of the song isn’t really extraordinary at all. Perry was at his best creatively when he was balanced out by other great writers like Cain and Schon. Without that caliber of partner, the rest of the song fails to live up to that superb chorus in a big way.

[perryfan61]

Video of Steve singing in studio

Steve Perry - No Erasin'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oawl9e-tFVM

This is awesome....he still has all the moves, love the hat, reminds me of Street Talk.

[perryfan61]

I get so much joy out of hearing Perry sing again. Truly music from the heart.

Joy is the right word. Long wait to hear his voice again, but worth it.

[The_Noble_Cause]

I think the song is a pleasant feel-good sing-a-long track. As always, Perry's delivery elevates it into the stratosphere. I try not to have expectations. Strange Medicine sounded very little like Street Talk.

[Scarab Pilot]

Perry was at his best creatively when he was balanced out by other great writers like Cain and Schon. Without that caliber of partner, the rest of the song fails to live up to that superb chorus in a big way.

This. They collectively balanced each other between the rockers, mid tempos and the ballads. I would venture to say Journey is missing that same collective balance. I am so glad to see him back out there, doing his thing. I totally had no expectations on his voice other than he'd be ready to go.

This song is nice but feels unfinished and kind of a meandering storyline. Just my $.02.

[JourneyLFN]

I loved not only hearing his voice, but also seeing him perform again. He was,and still is, not only a voice but an incredible entertainer. That's what makes him so special.

[Scarab Pilot]

Perry was at his best creatively when he was balanced out by other great writers like Cain and Schon. Without that caliber of partner, the rest of the song fails to live up to that superb chorus in a big way.

This. They collectively balanced each other between the rockers, mid tempos and the ballads. I would venture to say Journey is missing that same collective balance. I am so glad to see him back out there, doing his thing. I totally had no expectations on his voice other than he'd be ready to go.

This song is nice but feels unfinished and kind of a meandering storyline. Just my $.02.

I am revising my initial thoughts. No Erasin' is really growing on me quickly. Listened to one of his interviews and I am totally stoked. Cancelled my Amazon 10 song cd pre-order for the Target 15 song cd. Now if I can convince my wife to let me order a signed art proof of the album cover.

It is Steve Perry Wednesday for me! Enjoy!

[Gideon]

Perry was at his best creatively when he was balanced out by other great writers like Cain and Schon. Without that caliber of partner, the rest of the song fails to live up to that superb chorus in a big way.

This. They collectively balanced each other between the rockers, mid tempos and the ballads. I would venture to say Journey is missing that same collective balance. I am so glad to see him back out there, doing his thing. I totally had no expectations on his voice other than he'd be ready to go.

This song is nice but feels unfinished and kind of a meandering storyline. Just my $.02.

I am revising my initial thoughts. No Erasin' is really growing on me quickly. Listened to one of his interviews and I am totally stoked. Cancelled my Amazon 10 song cd pre-order for the Target 15 song cd. Now if I can convince my wife to let me order a signed art proof of the album cover.

It is Steve Perry Wednesday for me! Enjoy!

Oh, I’m still on cloud 9 just having new material from him. And Helen Perry’s interview with him was fantastic.
As far as the song goes, though, I gotta stand by it: he sounds great and the chorus is strong, but the results aren’t nearly what they would be from a Perry/Schon/Cain collaboration.

[Scarab Pilot]

Oh, I’m still on cloud 9 just having new material from him. And Helen Perry’s interview with him was fantastic.
As far as the song goes, though, I gotta stand by it: he sounds great and the chorus is strong, but the results aren’t nearly what they would be from a Perry/Schon/Cain collaboration.

Yes, I miss that collaboration. Maybe it'll happen at some point after this wave rolls through. One can hope!

[brywool]

Just glad he's done SOMETHING. I'm enjoying it.

The question I have is HOW will he be relevant to radio with the way that radio is so fragmented and screwed up format wise? Just like any band from that era, they can't get played on the radio. He might be an exception to that, but I'm not sure. I hope he is. But Journey had a tough time with that, Styx had a tough time with that, etc. I don't think it's because 'it's not all original members', I think it's due to a record company having the clout to do that. I dunno. Hope it does well for him.

[Eric]

Amazing to hear him. He looks great.

Didn't love the song.. but who cares.

His popularity remains - the numbers from hits, followers, likes, etc. are stunning.

[Ritchie]

This is great !
It's like meeting up with an old friend after many years and sharing memories from the past.
Welcome back Steve Perry !

[Art Vandelay]

Just glad he's done SOMETHING. I'm enjoying it.

The question I have is HOW will he be relevant to radio with the way that radio is so fragmented and screwed up format wise? Just like any band from that era, they can't get played on the radio. He might be an exception to that, but I'm not sure. I hope he is. But Journey had a tough time with that, Styx had a tough time with that, etc. I don't think it's because 'it's not all original members', I think it's due to a record company having the clout to do that. I dunno. Hope it does well for him.

I would think there are enough avenues via social media and digital/satellite radio that will help spread the word on his new album....even moreso than any exposure he could ever get on radio these days. From the launch of his website and social media feeds, I think he'll do alright!

[brywool]

I would think there are enough avenues via social media and digital/satellite radio that will help spread the word on his new album....even moreso than any exposure he could ever get on radio these days. From the launch of his website and social media feeds, I think he'll do alright!

Maybe so. Radio and getting new music out there is so damned weird now. The process is like decoding the dead sea scrolls.

[ScarabGator]

Wasnt that his "Oh Sherry" video hat he put on then threw??? God Im loving this shit right now!

[Rhiannon]

Watching him try and manage the mic cord was a bit painful. He was a master at that before, but on this, he looks like he's gonna trip over it, a couple times. Obviously, he's a bit rusty. I suppose some of that is to be expected, due to his long hiatus. Anyway, as I said, I've preordered the album and my final tally will come after I've heard the whole thing.

I'm 32 and I couldn't fidget around like that without wiping out. Slick shoes, wood floor. He was grooving about like he was the happiest guy on earth in that video, that was good to see. Of course he's rusty. He's been being a human for 25 years. I like rust. Rust sounds genuine and makes for a better experience.

[Ehwmatt]

The song has grown and grown and grown on me. It's just very cool to see and hear him back in action, especially because I never really saw it as it was happening (like Rhiannon, I'm 32, so I was all of 8 during the FTLOSM era and 10 for TBF).

To my ears, the song is missing that top gear that guys like Schon and Cain could elevate it to -- an extra catchy piano riff or a soaring lead -- and I would prefer it had one. But I can see why he stayed away from that kind of arrangement, as it would instantly give the song an 80s feel. Maybe SP doesn't want to pigeonhole this stuff like that. Just listen to all the cookie cutter stuff the Frontiers label puts out with the same backing band -- I don't want that complete cookie cutter style for SP and his new material.

My personal preference to rearrange a really nice song into a potential killer: move the cool harmonized vocal outro to the bridge section and then have that transition into a soaring guitar solo+chorus combination. For my tastes and preferences, that would make this song incredible. But again, I can see why he stayed away from it.

As for SP's vocals, he sounds really good to my ears. Very on par with TBF, which is a sound I've always loved. Infiniti-era SP ain't walkin through that door anytime soon, and it's asinine to ever think so. If SP can sing like this live, I'd gladly pay huge money to see it.

[Lora]

I really hope this doesn't end up being considered the best song on the record.

Everyone has different reasons/feelings as to what songs speak to them. I enjoyed this song, but it is not my favorite from the entire collection of 15 songs. I think people will find there is something there for everyone.

[JourneyLFN]

I really hope this doesn't end up being considered the best song on the record.

Everyone has different reasons/feelings as to what songs speak to them. I enjoyed this song, but it is not my favorite from the entire collection of 15 songs. I think people will find there is something there for everyone.

So Lora - you have heard all of the songs? What did you think?

[JourneyLFN]

I really hope this doesn't end up being considered the best song on the record.

Everyone has different reasons/feelings as to what songs speak to them. I enjoyed this song, but it is not my favorite from the entire collection of 15 songs. I think people will find there is something there for everyone.

So Lora - you have heard all of the songs? What did you think?

[bluejeangirl76]

As for SP's vocals, he sounds really good to my ears. Very on par with TBF, which is a sound I've always loved. Infiniti-era SP ain't walkin through that door anytime soon, and it's asinine to ever think so.

Exactly. That's what people forget. I have a friend in the business (He's a fan of SP but he also either met him or knew him - Ive seen the pics of them together but i never asked how well he knew him) and the comments on his post today when he shared the link are kind of crazy. Stuff like "That's not the voice I remember" or "not up to SP's talent" and weird shit like that... well DUH. He joined Journey at 27, what do people think happens over the span of 40 years?

[Ehwmatt]

As for SP's vocals, he sounds really good to my ears. Very on par with TBF, which is a sound I've always loved. Infiniti-era SP ain't walkin through that door anytime soon, and it's asinine to ever think so.

Exactly. That's what people forget. I have a friend in the business (He's a fan of SP but he also either met him or knew him - Ive seen the pics of them together but i never asked how well he knew him) and the comments on his post today when he shared the link are kind of crazy. Stuff like "That's not the voice I remember" or "not up to SP's talent" and weird shit like that... well DUH. He joined Journey at 27, what do people think happens over the span of 40 years?

The Internet does that to people. It's easy to think that the people who scream the loudest about this shit represent the majority. The truth is, most people who care about Journey and/or SP will be happy to hear him back in *extremely* respectable form, even if it's not his 27-year-old voice. The Internet hyper-critics are dumb and short-sighted. SP, like other legends who may have lost a bit vocally such as Elton, Sir Paul, Billy Joel, and even Bruce Springsteen, will be respected for what he is and how he sounds today as long as he puts himself out there.

It would be one thing if he was totally fried like Bon Jovi -- then criticism would be more justified. But that appears to be far from the case, at least in the studio.

[Arkansas]

Just glad he's done SOMETHING. I'm enjoying it.

The question I have is HOW will he be relevant to radio with the way that radio is so fragmented and screwed up format wise? Just like any band from that era, they can't get played on the radio. He might be an exception to that, but I'm not sure. I hope he is. But Journey had a tough time with that, Styx had a tough time with that, etc. I don't think it's because 'it's not all original members', I think it's due to a record company having the clout to do that. I dunno. Hope it does well for him.

I would think there are enough avenues via social media and digital/satellite radio that will help spread the word on his new album....even moreso than any exposure he could ever get on radio these days. From the launch of his website and social media feeds, I think he'll do alright!

There are enough upper-middle-aged women watching cat videos on FB that will pass the news around all of their other social media outlets. That's probably Perry's biggest demographic right now.


later~

[Lora]

Watching him try and manage the mic cord was a bit painful. He was a master at that before, but on this, he looks like he's gonna trip over it, a couple times. Obviously, he's a bit rusty. I suppose some of that is to be expected, due to his long hiatus. Anyway, as I said, I've preordered the album and my final tally will come after I've heard the whole thing.

I'm 32 and I couldn't fidget around like that without wiping out. Slick shoes, wood floor. He was grooving about like he was the happiest guy on earth in that video, that was good to see. Of course he's rusty. He's been being a human for 25 years. I like rust. Rust sounds genuine and makes for a better experience.

Nicely said. Anyone expecting a 1978 Steve Perry is going to miss out on how truly wonderful he is today.

[Lora]

I really hope this doesn't end up being considered the best song on the record.

Everyone has different reasons/feelings as to what songs speak to them. I enjoyed this song, but it is not my favorite from the entire collection of 15 songs. I think people will find there is something there for everyone.

So Lora - you have heard all of the songs? What did you think?

Yes, but it was about a month ago. It was quite overwhelming hearing all 15 songs together for the first time. I alternated between not being able to get the smile off my face to crying when a song deeply touched me. One song that stuck with me is "I Need You" - a cover of a Beatles song that George Harrison wrote and sang. It is my favorite GH song so it was amazing to hear how Steve re-worked it.

I can't describe how happy I am for Steve right now. He has worked so hard and gone through a lot to get this record out. It is equally as exciting to see the joy he is bring to so many people who have been waiting so long for him to come back.

[Gideon]

As for SP's vocals, he sounds really good to my ears. Very on par with TBF, which is a sound I've always loved. Infiniti-era SP ain't walkin through that door anytime soon, and it's asinine to ever think so.

Exactly. That's what people forget. I have a friend in the business (He's a fan of SP but he also either met him or knew him - Ive seen the pics of them together but i never asked how well he knew him) and the comments on his post today when he shared the link are kind of crazy. Stuff like "That's not the voice I remember" or "not up to SP's talent" and weird shit like that... well DUH. He joined Journey at 27, what do people think happens over the span of 40 years?

The Internet does that to people. It's easy to think that the people who scream the loudest about this shit represent the majority. The truth is, most people who care about Journey and/or SP will be happy to hear him back in *extremely* respectable form, even if it's not his 27-year-old voice. The Internet hyper-critics are dumb and short-sighted. SP, like other legends who may have lost a bit vocally such as Elton, Sir Paul, Billy Joel, and even Bruce Springsteen, will be respected for what he is and how he sounds today as long as he puts himself out there.

It would be one thing if he was totally fried like Bon Jovi -- then criticism would be more justified. But that appears to be far from the case, at least in the studio.

The like to dislike ratio on Youtube is somewhere like 600 to 1 last time I checked, so it seems by that metric at least, this has been a popular thing.

[slucero]

Yes, but it was about a month ago. It was quite overwhelming hearing all 15 songs together for the first time. I alternated between not being able to get the smile off my face to crying when a song deeply touched me. One song that stuck with me is "I Need You" - a cover of a Beatles song that George Harrison wrote and sang. It is my favorite GH song so it was amazing to hear how Steve re-worked it.

I can't describe how happy I am for Steve right now. He has worked so hard and gone through a lot to get this record out. It is equally as exciting to see the joy he is bring to so many people who have been waiting so long for him to come back.

I'm pretty sure we all got a bit wispy eyed when we heard No Erasn' the 1st time... this is such a big deal for a heck of a lot of fans...

[JourneyHard]

The first line of the new song and the first words out of Steve Perry's mouth: "I know it's been a long time comin'."

Perfect. Perry speaks the truth.

[bluejeangirl76]

One song that stuck with me is "I Need You" - a cover of a Beatles song that George Harrison wrote and sang. It is my favorite GH song so it was amazing to hear how Steve re-worked it.

I'm really looking forward to hearing this one!
I love George Harrison, almost fell over when I saw this on the list.
I liked the way Tom Petty did this one, too - there are a couple live version videos of it on YouTube.