The Golden Gate Rhythm Section has traveled a lot of miles since their formation during 1973. Originally formed as a backing band for San Francisco Bay Area bands, fate allowed them to step out on their own, change their name to Journey, and go on to become one of the most successful rock bands in music history. Their albums have sold tens of millions of copies and 18 of their singles have reached the American Top Forty.
This all brings us to the resurrection of vinyl records. The venerable LP format was all but dead during the early 1990s but recently it has been making a comeback. Many artists now release their albums in both a vinyl and CD format. Also, music companies have been re-releasing some of their better selling albums of the past as vinyl LPs. The vinyl record format is now selling millions of records a year and the total is on the rise.
Twenty-three years after releasing their first Greatest Hits album, Journey has returned with Greatest Hits 2. Best of all they have also released the album in a record format via the Legacy label, which has been gracing my turntable for the last couple of days. The material has been remastered especially for the vinyl format. It has been pressed on 180-gram high quality, heavyweight vinyl. If you have an up to date record player and stereo system, the sound can be equal or superior to many CD releases. A free digital download of the complete album also comes with the purchase.
The material will be instantly recognizable to the band’s vast fan base. Covering the period from 1977-1996, it adds to the legacy of their first Greatest Hits album. Songs such as “Stone In Love,” “Just The Same Way,” “Still They Ride,” “Suzanne,” “Walks Like A Lady,” “The Party’s Over,” and “After The Fall” pick up where the first release left off. Add in a few lesser known tracks such as “Mother Father (Live),” “Patiently,” “Anytime,” and “Little Girl” and you have a release that should please new and old fans alike.
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