When I reviewed Journey's 2001 concert DVD a few years back, I praised their new lead singer Steve Augeri for his admirable job in filling the shoes of the almost-irreplaceable Steve Perry. Augeri sounded amazingly similar to Perry on most of the songs, and I thought at the time that Journey could not have found a better frontman to keep this band going strong into the new millennium. Damn if they didn't go out and top themselves again.
For the casual fan, who is not yet hip to the recent goings-on in the Journey camp, the band had to replace Augeri during their 2006 tour, due to some chronic voice problems he was having. They hired Jeff Scott Soto, who was Neal Schon's bandmate in Soul SirkUS, as a temporary replacement, and he eventually became a permanent member when Augeri was unable to return.
This was short lived however, as the band dismissed Soto the very next year for supposedly not sounding "Journey" enough. In December of 2007, Journey hired Filipino singer Arnel Pineda, after Neal Schon saw him on YouTube singing his ass off on several Journey covers with his band The Zoo.
This June, Journey released a new three-disk set titled Revelation, which includes a CD of brand new songs, a CD of re-recorded Journey classics, and a live concert DVD. All of the music and performances were recorded with Pineda at the helm. Although this is a review of the DVD and not the new album, I will say that Revelation just may be the band's strongest effort since 1983's Frontiers, and I look forward to hearing some of the songs when I catch them on tour this August with Heart and Cheap Trick.
The DVD was filmed on March 8th, 2008, during Journey's performance at the Planet Hollywood Theatre for the Performing Arts in Las Vegas, Nevada. The band played for about 90 minutes that night, but for whatever reason, they edited the DVD down to about an hour, discarding about seven of the songs that were performed. It's pretty hard to complain though, since the DVD is included as a free bonus.
Article comments
1 - Pico
Cue in Glen Boyd with a screed about selling out to Wal-Mart in 3...2...1....
;-)
2 - Glen Boyd
Actually Journey sold out long before WalMart Pico. I'd put that at right about the time they made "Infinity." Neal Schon is still a hell of a guitar player though...
-Glen
3 - Pico
Journey actually got better when Perry came on board, IMO. Those first 3 "fusion" records are way overrated, and this coming from someone who usually loves that kind of wanky stuff.
The decline began with Rolie's departure (no pun intended). Yeah, Schon can still play an axe, regardless.
4 - Glen Boyd
Its basically the Genesis argument with these guys. Do you prefer the prog or the pop. And since that all boils down to personal taste, it's also an argument that can't really be won.
I just remember seeing the pre-Perry Journey open a few shows in the seventies (I think one of them was headlined by Thin Lizzy) and being mesmerized by Schon's playing.
They had decent songs afterwards, and they certainly sold a buttload of records. I just wish they'd have let Schon cut loose a bit more often during their more commercial period.
-Glen
5 - Mark Saleski
funny, i actually bought this set yesterday. it was an impulse purchase. that and it made me feel better about having to be in a freaking walmar (man, i hate that place).
anyhow, the new music is surpisingly good. Schon sounds like he's having a blast.
6 - Glen Boyd
That tour with these guys plus Heart and Cheap Trick? Now that would be a blast.
-Glen
7 - Pico
I picked this up recently, too, Mark. I can't believe how much Pineda sounds like the old Perry. I'll bet even Perry himself can't get that close nowadays.
It does sound straight out of Escape/Frontiers era which wasn't my favorite, but at least they sound committed, and the songwriting for the new tunes is pretty decent. Anyone who does like that era of Journey should love this record.
8 - YouBetterWait
Perry isn't "almost" irreplaceable, he is dead on irreplaceable. There isn't a singer, Mr Pineda included, that can "make you forget" Perry is not up there during a concert. I will be seeing them this August also, but it is the package that is bringing me in, not Journey alone.
Maybe the new album is good, but the re recording of the classic hits with this guy is inexcusable...like WHY? Very cheesey
9 - Mark Saleski
i have to say that i sort of like the new guy's voice better than Perry's. it has all of the range but more power...and less of that whiny yearning thing.
10 - Paul Roy
Pico, I too miss the old Gregg Rolie days. He was awesome on those first few Santana albums too. Steve Perry certainly was/is(?)a great singer and performer, which is why I gave the Live In Houston 1981 DVD a 10/10 rating, but I mostly listen to Journey to hear Neal Schon play. I'll stay out of the debate of whether Pineda is a better vocalist than Perry or not, but it will be interesting to see if his voice will hold up for a whole tour. Look what happened to Augeri.
11 - BD
I agree with YouBetterWait. It was petty of them to re-record the classics. Neil Schon is a great guitar player but also greedy. Re-recording will make him more money by cutting SP out of his share. Neil has said it makes him mad SP still makes money from Journey!! WHY shouldn't he . He gave several grueing years singing hours, nite after nite to get them fame and fortune. SP has the last laugh though because he either wrote or co-wrote all of their greatest hits. "After All These Years" is a joke since most of them have been married several times (Neil Schon 4 times)
12 - PerryGirl
Well said, BD, well said.
13 - Lance
My barometer to the Journey's band if they are really that "hot" are the cons. These people are curious. I am sure they listen to the New songs (revelation) several times like I do. My guess is that, they even have a copy (legal or illegal), and they play it on their car. Otherwise, they won't bother to give their opinions. Reminder, Journey will be at Irvine 7/16. I will be there and I invite those who hate the band, then, we can give our real honest opinion... LIVE!!!
14 - Tony
Schon is still the man as a lead guitarist. Arnel is a very good singer, but, you have to accept the fact that he has a hard time with certain aspects of the English language. It is apparent in every song. This isn't a bash on him, just a fact. If it grinds on your nerves, you aren't going to like him. If it doesn't bother you, you will hear a lot of similarity between the too. Personally, SP is the man and always will be when it comes to singing these songs.
15 - josie
Amen to you Lance, I have said that before too.
I'm sure most of them watched or will watch the show as well.
16 - Tom Johnson
"he has a hard time with certain aspects of the English language"
That's kind of funny because I was able to understand Pineda in places where Perry had mumbled things. I have never bothered to read Journey's lyrics before and understood things I've never been able to figure out before.
As for re-recording their earlier songs, it's likely due to licensing issues. They're not on their previous label, who holds the license to the original recordings, and like most bands who move to a new label, they've put out something with new recordings of their old songs (to which the band holds the license) to make some extra money. It's just paired with the new album this time. It's an old tactic, but the same comments comes up every single time a band does it. And it both helps push sales of the new album and helps prove Pineda can cut it.
17 - ladyspy
I am pretty sure AP will last this concert tour. :-) He's been singing everynight almost in his entire life until Journey found him. It's just another show for him with bigger audience, bigger reception, bigger venues. To Journey, thank you for continuing the legacy. I am now one of your new millions of fans!! I am waiting for your concert here in Mountainview california. !!
18 - Joey
I'm glad they picked this guy. He's so energetic, he doesn't just stand there like the other singers, he really knows how to work the crowd. Perry had a sweeter voice though. But I must say this new guy's got some powerful pipes. See ya all in Irvine.
19 - fbg
Perry is history.. he is old to sing anymore. I bet he could not sing some of the songs he popularized before. It was good though that he quit before his fans will notice the deterioration. He remained to be the voice for most avid fans. Just like a boxer, he retire before the crown will be taken away from him. Good decision for him.
The new Journey with Pineda will be exciting, I believe. The guy has the pipe...power and range.
20 - jack
NS is often referred to as a guitar god in some blogs. Here is a guitar god for you;
21 - Valen
Saw Journey in SA.TX 7-25-08. They were fantastic and ARNEL PINEDA their lead singer was more,.. so FANTASTIC. This young man gave us his all and did the band proud. One could see by the sell out crowd and people on their feet so get use to his name, ARNEL PINEDA lead singer for Journey. The Band has seen heard and seen his talent the concert has introduced him to us. May Arnel enjoy the ride for as long as He wants to. Come on lets give credit where credit is due. Arnel Pineda, you have been blessed with a great voice and showmanship. A BIG FAN
22 - russ
saw the same 7/25 concert. Most excellent. If people enjoy 'Revelation', then they should check out "Arrival' featuring Steve Augeri on vocals. Augeri was their vocalist for close to 10 yrs. A very good CD....
23 - dcnics
choosing bet.sp&ap?ill go with sp.but where he is?doing nothing but practice all your life and you cant' play cause nobody there at front is unfair and unacceptable.journey means continue not stuck.
24 - matilda swanson
Pineda s the real deal. He can sing, perform and let the audience participate.
25 - Leah
Half the magic that to me is missing is that thing called chemistry in the song writing. There was something magical between Schon/Cain/Perry when they wrote which frankly I'm not getting from the new material without his input. Most of it sounds pretty mechanical and formulaic to me on my second listen, even with Arnel's lovely voice. I'm sure Schon/Cain/Valory are thrilled to have a way to pad the retirement (or for Schon, divorce) fund since all the albums before or after Perry until Revelation did virtually nothing in sales. But I notice that not a single song from Revelation has charted, though the album has gone platinum as of this date. I wish Arnel well, and I hope that the technology they have now will help him spare his voice so they don't chew him up and spit him out after touring him into the ground. There were rumors that Augeri wasn't even really singing some nights on stage-Herb Herbert in an interview, if one can ever believe anything Mr.Spiteful says, made some references to almost a "milli Vanilli' thing with Augeri at the end. ARnel has obviously paid dues for many a year and I wish him all the success he can handle. But I'll reserve judgement to see if they can sell an album with all NEW material and no covers of Perry material. For me, forget it. Would be like buying a Beatles album where someone covered John Lennon's vocals after he died just out of a desperation for nostalgia (or to beat Perry/McCartney out of royalties). I would much rather buy an album of Arnel as a solo artist than I would give a dime to the guys who finally had to admit that they couldn't be successful commercially without the sound of Steve Perry, much as it much have gauled them. (Notice I'm not talking about talent, but commercial success-of course Cain and Schon are talented.) And it speaks volumes to me that even though Smith was 'let go' at the behest of Perry during 'Raised on RAdio' that he chose not to soldier on with the rest of the band when they wouldn't wait for Perry to recuperate after Trial by Fire.Wonder why?
Bottom line, can an entirely new Journey album stand on its own and have the songs outlive that tour or have anybody care to download them? Then I might believe that the current Journey is anything more than a tribute band-and that is not a knock on Arnel, folks.