OT - Journey
Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2005 5:22 amObviously, this would be a better fit in the Journey forum, but since we were discussing the CD giveaway in the other thread, and since the group dynamics of Journey are similar to those of Styx, I thought others besides myself might find this an interesting read (from the melrock front page):
NIGHT ONE FOR JOURNEY 2005:
Journey opened their 2005 tour last night in Irvine, Southern California. Copies of Generations hit the streets (and sadly e-bay also) and fans have been quick to post details online. And already debate has commenced...it seems there is a range of opinions on the first show. I've read most of them and what's more, I had someone in the crowd, pen in hand to report back for the site. This is of course, but just one point of view, but it seems to match the general sentiment of other online reviews. Wish I could have been there myself!
Dan Clavadetscher sent in the following details and review of A Night With Journey - Show 1:
(Song title, album lifted from and vocalist if not Steve Augeri)
First Set, 8:06 - 9:14 p.m. PT
1. People and Places Intro. Departure; 2. Kohoutek Journey; 3. Of A Lifetime Journey Cain vocals; 4. I'm Gonna Leave You Into The Future Cain vocals; 5. Nickel & Dime Next; 6. Mystery Mountain Journey Cain vocals; 7. Hustler Next Cain vocals; 8. Daydream Evolution Castronovo vocals; 9. Something To Hide Infinity Castronovo vocals; 10. Patiently Infinity Castronovo vocals; 11. Where Were You Departure Castronovo vocals; 12. Feeling That Way Infinity Cain/Augeri vocals; 13. Anytime Infinity Cain/Augeri vocals; 14. Any Way You Want It Departure. Break, 9:14 - 9:33 p.m. PT
Second Set, 9:33 11:23 p.m. PT
15. Faith In The Heartland Generations; 16. Place In Your Heart Generations; 17. Be Good To Yourself Raised on Radio; 18. Only The Young Vision Quest Soundtrack; 19. Neal Solo Star Spangled Banner; 20. Stone In Love Escape; 21. Out of Harms Way Generations; 22. Self Defense Generations Schon vocals; 23. Butterfly Generations; 24. Lights Infinity; 25. Jon Piano Solo; 26. Open Arms Escape; 27. Gone Crazy Generations Vallory vocals; 28. Every Generation Generations Cain vocals; 29. Wheel In The Sky Infinity; 30. Believe Generations ; 31. Faithfully Frontiers; 32. Escape Escape; 33. Don't Stop Believing Escape; 34. Separate Ways Frontiers.
Encore - Lovin Touchin Squeezin Evolution.
"Eagerly anticipating my new Generations CD, I became alarmed when the ticket taker did not hand me one upon entrance to Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre in Irvine. However, my fears were eased when I came upon a couple of lines of fans in the courtyard area where Journeyville was located. Each ticket is marked so no one can get more than one. An announcement also was made during the intermission. If a fan was unable to pick up their free CD during the show, a table was set up after the show as well.
Journeyville was nothing more than a couple of a video screens that showed videos/clips throughout the band's career. The motorcycle signed by the current band members on display will be auctioned off at the end of the tour.
As I have attended my share of Journey shows dating back to 1983, I really looked forward to this show in particular because I did not know the majority of the setlist. Obviously, the band is going to play the hits, but what else did Journey have up their sleeves? As Cain stated during the show, "This night is for the fans." Despite some obvious vocal problems from Augeri (more on that later), the concert really was for the diehards.
While most bands play only a handful of songs from their new CD, Journey played eight. This was risky, but incredibly gutsy because no one had heard them before. Fortunately, all of the songs sounded fantastic. Some went over well, while others had people scrambling for the snack bar.
As always, Schon was in rare form. Playing the new and rarely-played tunes seemed to re-energize him for what he calls the dirty dozen, a.k.a. the hits. He particularly impressed on the extended guitar solo for Be Good To Yourself.
After opening with a brief vocal on the intro. People and Places, Augeri disappeared for most of the first set. He did, however, don a guitar for the first few songs before exiting the stage. Never has a front man looked more out of place holding a guitar. He returned during Feeling That Way. However, adding to the guitar debacle, Augeri began to experience obvious pitch problems. Whether it was due to the cold weather at the outdoor venue or just opening-night jitters, Augeri really struggled at times. The problem got so bad during Escape that Augeri motioned to Deen Castronovo to take over the high notes. The lead singer also sprayed something into his mouth a number of times, so he could have been suffering from some type of illness. It is left to speculation.
Although far from perfect, the show was one to remember. Some may complain that nothing was played from Arrival, Red-13 or Trail by Fire, but you cannot play everything and you cannot please everyone. The inclusion of material from the first three albums and such deep album tracks as Something To Hide and Daydream made up for the oversight, and were a pleasant and welcome surprise.
One thing that was evident from this show (and the past few times I have seen Journey) is that the band is better than ever and more versatile. Having each band member sing at least one song brings freshness to the performance and allows diehards such as myself to get through yet another sing along to Open Arms and Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin'.
As this is the opening night of the tour, I am sure the set lists will change and evolve as the band determines what they and the crowd enjoy. I just feel fortunate that I had the opportunity to hear some forgotten songs and the vast majority of Generations."
NIGHT ONE FOR JOURNEY 2005:
Journey opened their 2005 tour last night in Irvine, Southern California. Copies of Generations hit the streets (and sadly e-bay also) and fans have been quick to post details online. And already debate has commenced...it seems there is a range of opinions on the first show. I've read most of them and what's more, I had someone in the crowd, pen in hand to report back for the site. This is of course, but just one point of view, but it seems to match the general sentiment of other online reviews. Wish I could have been there myself!
Dan Clavadetscher sent in the following details and review of A Night With Journey - Show 1:
(Song title, album lifted from and vocalist if not Steve Augeri)
First Set, 8:06 - 9:14 p.m. PT
1. People and Places Intro. Departure; 2. Kohoutek Journey; 3. Of A Lifetime Journey Cain vocals; 4. I'm Gonna Leave You Into The Future Cain vocals; 5. Nickel & Dime Next; 6. Mystery Mountain Journey Cain vocals; 7. Hustler Next Cain vocals; 8. Daydream Evolution Castronovo vocals; 9. Something To Hide Infinity Castronovo vocals; 10. Patiently Infinity Castronovo vocals; 11. Where Were You Departure Castronovo vocals; 12. Feeling That Way Infinity Cain/Augeri vocals; 13. Anytime Infinity Cain/Augeri vocals; 14. Any Way You Want It Departure. Break, 9:14 - 9:33 p.m. PT
Second Set, 9:33 11:23 p.m. PT
15. Faith In The Heartland Generations; 16. Place In Your Heart Generations; 17. Be Good To Yourself Raised on Radio; 18. Only The Young Vision Quest Soundtrack; 19. Neal Solo Star Spangled Banner; 20. Stone In Love Escape; 21. Out of Harms Way Generations; 22. Self Defense Generations Schon vocals; 23. Butterfly Generations; 24. Lights Infinity; 25. Jon Piano Solo; 26. Open Arms Escape; 27. Gone Crazy Generations Vallory vocals; 28. Every Generation Generations Cain vocals; 29. Wheel In The Sky Infinity; 30. Believe Generations ; 31. Faithfully Frontiers; 32. Escape Escape; 33. Don't Stop Believing Escape; 34. Separate Ways Frontiers.
Encore - Lovin Touchin Squeezin Evolution.
"Eagerly anticipating my new Generations CD, I became alarmed when the ticket taker did not hand me one upon entrance to Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre in Irvine. However, my fears were eased when I came upon a couple of lines of fans in the courtyard area where Journeyville was located. Each ticket is marked so no one can get more than one. An announcement also was made during the intermission. If a fan was unable to pick up their free CD during the show, a table was set up after the show as well.
Journeyville was nothing more than a couple of a video screens that showed videos/clips throughout the band's career. The motorcycle signed by the current band members on display will be auctioned off at the end of the tour.
As I have attended my share of Journey shows dating back to 1983, I really looked forward to this show in particular because I did not know the majority of the setlist. Obviously, the band is going to play the hits, but what else did Journey have up their sleeves? As Cain stated during the show, "This night is for the fans." Despite some obvious vocal problems from Augeri (more on that later), the concert really was for the diehards.
While most bands play only a handful of songs from their new CD, Journey played eight. This was risky, but incredibly gutsy because no one had heard them before. Fortunately, all of the songs sounded fantastic. Some went over well, while others had people scrambling for the snack bar.
As always, Schon was in rare form. Playing the new and rarely-played tunes seemed to re-energize him for what he calls the dirty dozen, a.k.a. the hits. He particularly impressed on the extended guitar solo for Be Good To Yourself.
After opening with a brief vocal on the intro. People and Places, Augeri disappeared for most of the first set. He did, however, don a guitar for the first few songs before exiting the stage. Never has a front man looked more out of place holding a guitar. He returned during Feeling That Way. However, adding to the guitar debacle, Augeri began to experience obvious pitch problems. Whether it was due to the cold weather at the outdoor venue or just opening-night jitters, Augeri really struggled at times. The problem got so bad during Escape that Augeri motioned to Deen Castronovo to take over the high notes. The lead singer also sprayed something into his mouth a number of times, so he could have been suffering from some type of illness. It is left to speculation.
Although far from perfect, the show was one to remember. Some may complain that nothing was played from Arrival, Red-13 or Trail by Fire, but you cannot play everything and you cannot please everyone. The inclusion of material from the first three albums and such deep album tracks as Something To Hide and Daydream made up for the oversight, and were a pleasant and welcome surprise.
One thing that was evident from this show (and the past few times I have seen Journey) is that the band is better than ever and more versatile. Having each band member sing at least one song brings freshness to the performance and allows diehards such as myself to get through yet another sing along to Open Arms and Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin'.
As this is the opening night of the tour, I am sure the set lists will change and evolve as the band determines what they and the crowd enjoy. I just feel fortunate that I had the opportunity to hear some forgotten songs and the vast majority of Generations."
I'm getting excited to see Journey next week. I'm not a die-hard fan, I didn't recognize a bunch of the songs on the set lists.
I was hoping to get a perspective from someone more familiar with Journey than I am.