Tag: Jonathan Cain

Journey – “Only The Young” – 7″ Single

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In my quest for 80’s Rock Singles with Picture Sleeves, I found this one from the rock band Journey. It was for the song “Only the Young” which was featured on the soundtrack to the movie, ‘Vision Quest’. The single was released on January 8, 1985 and went all the way to #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #3 on the Mainstream Rock Chart. The B-Side, which isn’t listed on the cover, is for Sammy Hagar’s song “I’ll Fall in Love Again” which was also on the ‘Vision Quest’ soundtrack.

The song was originally intended for Journey’s album ‘Frontiers’, but was pulled at the last minute and replaced with “Back Talk” and “Troubled Child”. However, the song didn’t go unused as it was sold to the band Scandal who recorded it for their 1984 album ‘Warrior’. Of course, Journey would still use it for the soundtrack, obviously.

There is a touching story that surrounds the song. Journey received a request from the Make-A-Wish Foundation back in 1983 as a 16 year old boy named Kenny Sykaluk was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. His wish was to meet the band. The band flew out to visit him in the hospital where they showered him with gifts including a signed 49ers Football helmet from the team and a signed Journey Platinum award from the band. They also brought along a walkman that contained the Journey version of “Only the Young”. Kenny was the first person outside the band to hear the song. The event moved the band so much that Steve Perry broke down the second he stepped outside Kenny’s hospital room and had to be taken somewhere privately to regain his composure.

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My Sunday Song – “I’m Not That Way” by Journey

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For My Sunday Song #396, we are now on to Mike Ladano’s sixth pick and this time around it is a ballad from Journey called “I’m Not That Way”. The song is on the 2000 album ‘Arrival’ and sees singer Steve Augeri on lead vocals. Of course you still have Neal Schon and Jonathan Cain two friends that will be friends forever…cough, cough. As well as Ross Valory and Deen Castronovo two other regulars of the band. This song was written by Schon, Cain, Augeri and Kim Tribble

The song seems to be about a guy who loves awoman and that woman was with another man. But they broke up and her heart is broken. He so wants to move in and tell her he loves her and he won’t do the things her old boyfriend did as he’s not that way. But he feels it might be too soon as she is still reeling as he holds her in his arms and she is still crying over the love she just loss. Yeah, dude…probably too soon. You will be a rebound and not the deep, true love you are wanting from her. Be patient…but not too patient as she might rebound with somebody else. Just my two cents.

The song is a ballad as Journey does do those well. A slow tempo, some soft guitar picking by Neal. Augeri’s vocals are as soft and tender as Neal’s playing. You can hear Ross’ bass line lay down a smooth groove. The song though for me, doesn’t pick up enough in the chorus for me to really get connected to it, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a good song as it is, but I don’t know if it is enough to have kept it on the album.

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Journey – “Suzanne” (1986) – 7″ Single

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Journey’s ninth studio albums was 1986’s ‘Raised on Radio’ and the second single off the album was “Suzanne” which was written by members Steve Perry and Jonathan Cain. The song went to #17 on the U.S. Charts and was one of three Top 20 hits from the album. An album that would reach #4 and sell over 2 million albums going double platinum. The band at the time was really only Steve Perry, Jonathan Cain and Neal Schon as Ross Valory was out and during recording, so was Steve Smith which is why you only see 3 guys on the cover of the single.

The song came out in June 1986 and from an album that had 5 total singles. The song was about this guys ex-girlfriend who went on to become very famous and he can’t get her out of his head. Every time he sees here on TV, in the movies or hears her on the radio, he is tormented and can’t stand it. Steve Perry was asked if there was someone real the song was about, he basically said didn’t give a straight answer and said real or not, the girl in the song itself is real.

The version I have of the single is a 7″ Vinyl single and it is a promo as can be seen on the label with the words “Demonstration Not For Sale”. As a result, it is the same song on both sides so no new B-Side here. In the old days, the song would be Stereo on one side and Mono on the other, but by 1986, all stations were basically Stereo so no need for a Mono side.

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Journey – ‘Turn the Page: Live in Atlanta, GA’ (Bootleg)’ (2006) – Album Review (The Jeff Scott Soto Series)

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Journey were on a massive Stadium Tour with Def Leppard in 2006. Journey’s lead singer, Steve Augeri had struggled with throat issues and was really having a hard time vocally. The decision was made by Neal Schon to replace Steve and he needed someone he knew could handle the Journey catalog. Luckily for Neal, he had been working with Jeff Scott Soto in their supergroup Soul SirkUs and knew he was the man for the job. Neal called Jeff and there was no way Jeff could say no, it was a dream of his to sing with Journey. He had already been working with Neal, but now he could do it and sing those classic Journey songs, No way he was turning it down.

Jeff got the call and was on a plane the next day and arrived in D.C. on July 5th 2006 and luckily the band had a couple days off, but Jeff had to be ready to sing as the first show with him was on July 7th in Bristow, Virginia. And Jeff was thrown in to the deep end as he didn’t really get to talk with anyone until the day of the show and didn’t even have a setlist for the show until that day and to top that off, he didn’t even get a soundcheck or any real rehearsal with the band…damn that is insane. The only time he had with the band was on the tour bus prior to the show to discuss the set and show. Jeff, of course, survived and continued on with the band.

Jeff’s stint was supposed to be short term, but he was doing so well and the tour was extended until December. Then on December 19, 2006, Jeff was announced as the official new lead singer with the band. His reviews from the tour were glowing and all was going well. There were plans for a new album and work had begun, but by June 2007, it all fell apart rather quickly and as far as Jeff was concerned, unexpectedly. It was announced on June 12, 2007 that Jeff was no longer in the band and the band was going to take the rest of the year off. I don’t think anyone is really sure what happened, but the band eventually wound up with Arnel Pineda who is still with the band today.

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Journey – Concert Review (Charlotte, NC June 9th, 2018)

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Yesterday, I did the review on the Def Leppard part of the show (since they opened the show they should get the first review).  Now, it is time to talk about Journey’s portion of the show.  After seeing Lep, I was really pumped and excited to finally see Journey live.  I have never had the pleasure and I can’t believe I missed them in the Steve Perry years.  Journey has survived all these years because they have something a lot of bands don’t really have and that is songs.  Journey’s hits are some of the most loved and admired songs ever.  I mean  “Don’t Stop Believin'” might be the most recognizable song around the world.

The band is still pretty much in tact.  At least the band from the era I grew up with. You have founder Neal Schon, Jonathan Cain, Ross Valory and Steve Smith.  All these guys were there doing the early 80’s and their heyday.  11 years ago they added vocalist Arnel Pineda who they found off Youtube and let me tell you what a find he was.  I still wish they would have done more with Jeff Scott Soto, but oh well.  Arnel is pretty darn good vocalist.

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The stage set up was slightly different than Def Leppard’s, but not by much.  They both used the big 40 Foot screen in the back and the 3 large screens up top on the front of the stage.  Journey stripped back all the risers and platforms that Def Leppard used and had a much simpler set up.  Piano on the left, drums in the middle, Ross and Neal up front and Arnel all over the place (more on that later).

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Journey – “Open Arms” (The 45 Single)

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One of the most recognizable songs in the Journey catalog was “Open Arms”.  It was from the ‘Escape’ album and the single was released in January of 1982.  The song did pretty damn good and went to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, but for some reason it couldn’t hit that #1 spot.  However, that is still one of the highest chart positions the band ever reached for a single if not the highest.

The song is believed by many to be one of the greatest power ballads ever written and is said to be one of the main catalyst for starting the power ballad movement in the 80’s.  The funny thing is that most members of the band other than Steve & Jonathan did not want the song on the album.  It was too sugary sweet for their tastes.  As tie has shown, those members of the band were wrong.

Or were they.  The band became known for this sound and it changed everything for the band from that point on.  They had to have power ballads on every album as they were now expected from the band.  And they did end up writing many more great ones and went on to superstar status.  It did get them huge successes and paydays, but was it worth it?  Probably so.

The song was brought to the band by Jonathan Cain as he already had the melody written when he tried to use it for his previous band, The Babys.  However, vocalist John Waite, was not real keen on the song and said it was too syrupy.  Wow, both bands originally stated the same thing…both were wrong.

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“My First Time” with Journey’s ‘Frontiers’

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Love It or Hate It, Journey went down a whole new path with the release of ‘Frontiers’. After the incredible success of the album, ‘Escape’, the ballad became King for Journey. Some feel it was the start of the downfall, others think it is the pinnacle of their success. I think it is a little of both.

With the success of ‘Escape’, Journey was catapulted into the stratosphere of popularity. They were one of the biggest bands in the world.  Steve Perry had the most recognizable voices on the radio and probably one of the absolute best voices on the radio at the time…if not ever.  The man could sing.  But for some reason I still hadn’t bought a Journey album.  When I heard their second single of their latest album, ‘Frontiers’, I finally bought my first Journey album.  The single was for “Faithfully”.

There is so much to love about this album and there is so much to pick on the band for about this album.  Let’s start with the picking on piece first as it is the most fun.  Oh, where to begin…

Let’s start with the album cover…I picture of a futuristic, robotic looking head or maybe a futuristic, human head.  Not sure I get it, but I know it has to do with the name of the album, ‘Frontiers’ as I think the band was saying they were reaching into a new frontier. The amazing artwork from the previous albums was no more.  The whole continuity between all the other album covers was gone…and is sadly missed.

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Friday New Releases – October 21st

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Friday again and we are definitely getting closer to Christmas as there are several Christmas albums on the new release schedule (and I don’t want to listen to any of them!!!).  Thank goodness there are some great rock releases as well. If you like women rockers, there are two great ones coming out today in The Pretty Reckless and The Pretenders.  So many to listen to and can’t wait to hear them. My choices are highlighted in Blue.

  • The-Pretty-Reckless-Who-You-Seeling-For-2016-226x226  Pretty Reckless – Who You Selling For – (Razor & Tie):  Taylor Momsen and gang are ready for the new hard rock release.  Taylor has a great voice that is perfect to rock out.  She is amazing and so is this band. High hopes for this one.

61paiql5ul-_ac_us160_  The Pretenders – Alone – (BMG):  This was an unexpected surprise. So excited that Chrissie Hynde is back. I have followed them since the early 80’s and love everything they do. This is a must for me.

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