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Post by Jesse on Jul 21, 2004 20:20:09 GMT -5
Well, thanks to Smileygirl, I saw Journey last night with special guests the Fabulous Thunderbirds, so it's review time.
Journey damn near filled Trenton's Sovereign Bank Arena last night (I don't think it was a sellout, but it HAD to be close) and I don't think anyone left the least bit dissappointed that Steve Perry was no longer with them. Festivities started promptly at 7:30pm with the Fabulous Thunderbirds. It looked to me as if there were 2 original members left (singer and Keybordist) as I highly doubt that the large black guy playing some smokin' leads on a strat was Jimmy Vaughan. Also the drummer and bassist looked a little young to have been in the band in their mid-80's heyday (looked to be mid to late 30's which woulda made them late teens in the 80's). They began the night with some rocking blues numbers that coulda packed the dance floor of any bar anywhere. Unfortunately, about the 3rd song in Kim Wilson (singer) broke out the harmonica and they lit into about a 15 minute, more or less (seemed like more, but was probably less) harmonica jam. Now I will say this: I've seen many bands live who played harmonica and they had, by far, the best sound I've ever heard from a harmonica. HOWEVER, 15 minutes of harmonica was about 13 minutes to many for me. Yeah, there were some cool moments, but too often seemed redundant to me. After they wrapped that up, they went into...."Wrap It Up". By this time, I had to piss like a race horse, but I figured "Tuff Enuff" wouldn't be far behind.....wrong! About 5 songs (and several more harmonica solos) later they finally went into "Tuff Enuff" to close the show. A bit dissappointing IMO. The guitarist had been great all night, but he seemed to be missing some guitar parts on "Tuff Enuff". Hard to explain unless you heard it yourself, but there was definitely some key underlying melodies missing on that song. Overall, take away the 15 minute harmonica jam and they were a pretty good way to start the evening. Their keyboardist was awesome! As was their bassist. Guitarist and drummer were above average, but nothing to write home about. Kim Wilson sang great and was a fine harmonicaist....if you like that sort of thing. (Note-when I got home I looked 'em up and only Wilson was an original member, so, no, the fat Budweiser guzzling keyboardist wasn't an original member as I thought).
To be continued with Journey's review.......
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Post by Jesse on Jul 21, 2004 21:03:45 GMT -5
........ JourneyImmediately after the Fabulous Thunderbirds set, I raced for the men's room, something I shoulda done about 5 songs before I did, but I kept thinking that the next song would be "Tuff Enuff"! ;D This turned out to be a very smart move because when I left the men's room, the line was well out in the hall and I don't think I woulda made it back for Journey's start had I not gone when I did  (plus I mighta wet myself.) I didn't have a watch, but it didn't seem like they took that long in getting the Fabulous Thunderbirds' stuff off the stage and getting ready for Journey. Lights went down and Neal Schon, Ross Valory, Jonathan Cain, Steve Augeri and Dean Castronovo exploded into "Be Good To Yourself" to start the show. Couple things I noticed right away was that Steve Augeri was ON! I had seen him several times before, but he REALLY sounded great last night. Also, noticed how old Ross Valory looked. He's gotta be around the same age as Schon and Cain, but they didn't look nearly as old. Also noticed right away how great a drummer Dean Castronova is. The guy's drum kit was huge and I think he used every tom and cymbal on the first song! Third song in was Neal playing a beautiful version of "Star Spangled Banner" with Cain playing keyboards in the background. This led into "Stone In Love" which had the whole arena rockin' and boppin' along as if it was still 1983! After "Arrival"s "Higher Place", Augeri left the stage handing the vocal duties off to Castranova. I knew the song he did, but I couldn't think of the title. he wore a headset mic and you couldn't hear him real well, but he seemed to be singing his heart out, yet still playing some amazing shit on the drums simultaniously. The only weak spot in their set was a song called "Kiss Me Softly". Not very well known and kind of a snoozer even for those who did know it, this was the only song that the majority of the crowd sat down for. Luckily, they got people on their feet again for "Chain Reaction" which could passed for one of the Pop-ier moments in Iron Maiden's catalog if you didn't know any better. Next was Neal Schon's turn at the mic, playing and singing an incredible version of "Voodoo Chile" which led into Dean getting anothe chance at the mic for "Keep On Runnin'". This time you could hear him a lot better and HOLY SHIT! That guy can sing! I wouldn't say he's better than Augeri, but I would say he's every bit as good and they certainly won't ever have to look very far should they need a replacement for Augeri! The guy BELTED out "Keep On Runnin" all the while flailing away on the drums. After a few other snoozers that happen to be hits ("Open Arms" and "Send Her My Love") Castronova got a third song to sing in "Mother, Father" which has always been one of my favorite Journey songs. He sang it flawlessly, though Augeri joined in at the end for the "Oh OOOOOHHH Oh oh oh AAAHHHHHHH" s at the end. Jonathan Cain sang the Greg Rolie parts to "Just The Same Way", then it was hit after hit until they ended with "Anyway You Want It". The encore was the bluesy "Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin'" which woulda been better had we not already gotten our fill of blues jamming from the Fabulous Thunderbirds earlier in the evening. Then they ended for good with, what I always thought was, the ultimate show closing song: "Party's Over". Overall, it was an outstanding show, should you ever get a chance to see them....GO! Though they're known for their power ballads, this was a ROCKIN' concert! I think Jonathan Cain played guitar almost as much as he played keyboards and Schon proved he is among the best in the business with his majestic leads. Ross Valory is an incredibly underrated as a bassist and in Augeri and Castronova, they have 2 of the best singers in melodic rock today......who needs Steve Perry? |
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Post by Jesse on Jul 21, 2004 21:15:00 GMT -5
SET LISTBe Good To Yourself Only The Young Star Spangled Banner Stone In Love Wheel In The Sky Higher Place ?? (Dean sang it, sounded familiar, but I don't know what the hell it was  ) Lights Kiss Me Softly Chain Reaction Voodoo Chile (Neal vocal) Keep On Runnin' (Dean vocal) Open Arms Frontiers Send Her My Love Mother, Father (Dean vocal) Just The Same Way (Jon vocal) Faithfully Don't Stop Believin' Escape Separate Ways Anyway You Want It Encore: Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin' Party's Over Should Smileygirl or anyone else who might have been there (Eilene?) think I may have some of these songs in the wrong order, feel free to let me know, I did lose track of the order about halfway through. I think I got it right as I recall certain songs that were played back to back, but there could easily be some mix ups. I'm pretty sure that's all the songs they played though. Songs-99% sure of Order-80% sure of
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Post by nightrocker on Jul 21, 2004 22:12:50 GMT -5
Very good review ! sounds like a concert I would enjoy  |
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Post by smileygirl on Jul 21, 2004 22:51:07 GMT -5
Jesse, you AMAZE me!!! How the heck can you remember all of that? You are almost as unbelievable as Journey's drummer's vocals.
Well, everybody, I have to say, Journey was probably one of the best concerts I think I've ever been to. Glad that Jesse and my best friend Mary and her husband Mike went. I think that we all had a good time.
And I have to agree with Jesse, who needs Steve Perry? He definitely wasn't missed by me, that's for sure. I would go see them again in a heartbeat.
So, Jess, when's our next concert, Skynyrd & Marshall Tucker? Or, hey, maybe Heart for YOUR birthday?
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Post by Trexx on Jul 22, 2004 5:44:40 GMT -5
Good work, Jesse.
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Post by JaminJim on Jul 22, 2004 7:00:38 GMT -5
Sounds like a good time was had by all |
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Post by Scott on Jul 22, 2004 7:11:06 GMT -5
?? (Dean sang it, sounded familiar, but I don't know what the hell it was ) Was it 'Mother, Father' from Escape? Excellent review Jesse. |
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Post by eilene on Jul 22, 2004 8:41:20 GMT -5
Jesse great review. I do not know how you can remember like you do also. Glad you made it to the bathroom in time. Nothing like going to the bathroom when you really have too.
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Post by Frank on Jul 22, 2004 9:42:07 GMT -5
JESSE, GREAT REVIEW. WAS THE SONG DEEN SANG MAYBE "HAPPY TO GIVE" OFF THIER RAISED ON RADIO ALBUM? I KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN ABOUT STEVE AUGERI OVER STEVE PERRY. WAY BETTER FIT FOR THE BAND. HE'S A WAY BETTER PERFORMER TOO. GLAD YOU ENJOYED THE SHOW!!  |
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Post by soreboozer on Jul 22, 2004 14:19:35 GMT -5
........ JourneyAfter "Arrival"s "Higher Place", Augeri left the stage handing the vocal duties off to Castranova. I knew the song he did, but I couldn't think of the title. he wore a headset mic and you couldn't hear him real well, but he seemed to be singing his heart out, yet still playing some amazing shit on the drums simultaniously. Jesse, great review! During this tour Deen has been singing Suzanne, Happy to Give and Mother Father. I'm betting the first song was Suzanne. Did you leave Happy to Give off the set list? |
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Post by Jesse on Jul 22, 2004 21:34:39 GMT -5
Jesse, great review! During this tour Deen has been singing Suzanne, Happy to Give and Mother Father. I'm betting the first song was Suzanne. Did you leave Happy to Give off the set list? Dean only sang 3 songs, that I know for sure. I know one was "Keep On Runnin" and another was "Mother, Father". The first song he sang I couldn't hear his vocals very well. I'm only somewhat familiar with "Suzanne' and "Happy To Give", so without the vocal, I probably wouldn't have recognized either. It was probably one of them though. |
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Post by rikki on Jul 23, 2004 3:23:41 GMT -5
Great review Jesse....That'll go up next to the rest of the great reviews on the web ! Thank you all for the great reviews.   |
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Post by Trexx on Jul 23, 2004 3:59:17 GMT -5
Great review Jesse....That'll go up next to the rest of the great reviews on the web ! Thank you all for the great reviews. I thoroughly enjoy the standpoint from a musician. That's especially cool. Thanks again, Jesse. |
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Post by sandi on Jul 23, 2004 11:19:35 GMT -5
I thoroughly enjoy the standpoint from a musician. That's especially cool. Thanks again, Jesse. I agree! Thanks Jesse |
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Post by Pete on Jul 23, 2004 16:00:51 GMT -5
It makes want to go and see them. Unfortunately they dont' seem to be playing in my area anytime soon. |
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Post by sandi on Jul 26, 2004 16:10:49 GMT -5
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Post by Frank on Jul 26, 2004 19:13:05 GMT -5
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