Steven Lake, Toronto
In the three years I have maintained this web page I have not expressed any personal opinions or reviews…until today.
I traveled from Toronto to Syracuse to see my first Journey concert, which was an event of a lifetime for me.
To start off, the show was incredible. I spent $280 (US) to travel and see the show and would definitely do it again any day. I can't see why die-hard fans would pass up Journey in concert because Perry is no longer on vocals.
On with the show…the new Steve was sensational. The reviews from the private rehearsal in California said he looked and sounded nervous, etc, but tonight's show it seemed like he'd been the Journey frontman for years. Great voice and good stage presence. Everyone else did great as well. Deen was pounding hard on the drums, never missing a beat. Neal rocked (my seats were directly in front of him-15 rows back). His guitar pieces were the best of the night. I could close my eyes and really feel like flying. Jonathan played magic on the keyboard. Playing one-handed on some parts of a song, which got the crowd roaring. It was also great to see him come out behind the keyboards to play the guitar on several songs. And, of course, Ross' sense of humor on stage--hugging himself during the introduction to WYLAW--when Steve said for everyone to hug your companion.
The group picked a great selection of classic material to play, including Just The Same Way and Anytime (both with Jon on vocals). I'm glad that they ended the show with When You Love A Woman rather than Ask The Lonely. That was a great touch. Although, I wished they would have played Message of Love and Can't Tame the Lion instead of One More and Castles Burning.
The stage and lighting was great with something different for each song. In all only about 4,000 fans attended (if that). The back half of the arena was curtained off.
To complete the evening I had back stage passes and was able to meet, take photographs, obtain autographs, and also chat with all five members. All of them were really nice and friendly. Deen was really lively. I chatted mostly with Ross about Journey (and The Storm's) presence on the Internet. I, of course, told the members who I was and about my Journey Tribute Page and they all said they know about it and have visited it in the past.
A big surprise was to see Wolfman Black and Chris Turvit in their old rolls. They haven't changed since Journey & Beyond in 1983. I wanted to get both their pictures and autographs, but they were in a rush to get the members off to the next show.
The only disappointment was the sound was too loud and the small choice of memorabilia for sale: Six T-shirts and a small sticker.
I'd love to travel to one of the other cities to watch them again. Now, if I can only find the time.
Journey...forever.
Mike Walsh
Took in Journey at the War Memorial last night, and what a show it was. Great set list.
The instrumental "intermission" was incredible. Neil Rocked, it was really sweet, Unfortunately most of the crowd upon hearing that it was an
intermission left and missed out on some really great music.
Ross Valorie was a huge ham, he looked like he was so happy just to be
working and out of the house.
New singer was OK, (I'm biased, Journey isn't Journey with out Perry) but was drowned out by the instruments. At some points you could barely make him out. This is evident at other concerts when the lead guitarist is the "head of the band", and thus feels he deserves the lead/spotlight.
Another gripe: What the hell is that shimmy/two step "dance" that Steve was doing all night. Fancy footwork my eye! He danced like a dork.
A final question: What is the truth about Steve Perry? It seems like he's more active in the last few years than in the previous decade. But all these mysterious "illness" comments... In an interview in the Syracuse Post Standard, Jonathon commented "There's no light at the end of his tunnel. He can't guarentee he can give 100%. He has a debilitaing injury (not life threatening) and he won't get any better" What is the real scoop?
Fred Stoltz, Ottawa, Canada
Today I am recovering from an evening of magic. I spent the morning
convincing myself that I hadn't
just been dreaming and that it was all true. I have been a huge fan
since first hearing Who's Cryin' Now
on the radio back in 1982. Since I live in Ottawa, Canada, I never had
the opportunity to see Journey
on any of their large tours. I don't know if they ever played Toronto
or Montreal (both cities are within
easy driving distance of Ottawa) but I wasn't aware if they did. Now, I
can finally say I have seen them
live and in person. Journey is the best rock band in the world!
It all began when I found out that Journey was in fact back together
with the new members and were
planning to tour. I was hoping that it would bring them within striking
distance of me. If not, I would
have tried my best to travel to wherever they were. When I saw one date
after another announced on
the website I became more and more excited. Then, when I saw that
Syracuse was confirmed I was in
seventh heaven. I had to get tickets. I did and could not wait until
October 24th. We (my wife and I)
arrived at the arena at 6 o'clock -- the first ones at our entrance.
Chatted with some really nice people
working at the venue including the nice older usher who let us sneak a
peek at the lights and band
during soundcheck. Doors opened at 7 o'clock and we went in to find our
seats were great, 15th row
(only about 20-25 feet from the stage!) just a bit to the right of
center (in front of Neal). >From the
moment the house lights went down I was screaming
The first note of Separate Ways brought the audience to their feet and
they stayed there for most of the
show. The mix of old and newer songs was perfect - it reflected the mix
of older and younger fans in
the crowd. We saw everyone from age 6 to 60. Most were somewhere between
mid 20s-mid 40s.
Most people were totally into it - no problems that some others
encountered with being asked to sit -
everyone was on their feet for most of the show.
As always the band was in top form, playing off each other with
precision. They were proving again
that they are extremely talented musicians. Steve's voice was superb
the whole time and his stage
presence was confident and relaxed. He has the moves and the substance
to go with them. He also
did a great job of working the stage to draw attention off himself and
onto Neal, Ross, Jonathan etc.
Completely the opposite of Gary Cherone in Van Halen who comes across as
a total fake poser and
doesn't seem to fit in with the band. If you closed your eyes and
listened the new Steve was dead on
for alot of the old 'Steve's' songs. Apart from that he was amazing in
his own right and people still loyal
to Steve Perry (justifiably so since he is still an amazing singer)
should give their head a shake and not
miss out on a fantastic opportunity to see the band on their current
tour.
Dean was rock solid and loud on the drums. He didn't miss a beat and
pounded most stuff out like an
animal. The kit looked really sharp (silver flashing everywhere) under
the bright white lights. He and
Ross laid down the perfect rhythm. I enjoyed Ross's goofy facial
expressions. Neal makes it look so
easy. He plays the notes with all the energy and intensity of a
newcomer but with the experience of the
veteran that he is ... the most versatile guitarist in the world. And
Jonathan, the supreme god of the
keyboards had the touch of gold. Because I play keyboards he is my
idol. Did a fantastic job on
rhythm acoustic and electric guitar as well as vocals on Anytime and
Just The Same Way. Their look
was good , Steve had a long pin striped suit jacket (not tails) and
fancier wide collar white shirt
underneath. (My wife thinks he's cute). Ross had a red shirt (matched
the red guitar perfectly) and
black vest, Neal had his Harley shirt, and the others were in similar
'regular' clothes.
The lights were scaled down from the huge mid-80s shows, but suited the
venue well. There was a
great mix of soft hued purple/pinks, some very very cool back drop
lighting projected onto a huge white
screen during Castles Burning that looked just like actual fire burning
up, and some neat white/green
strobe sort of effects. Lots to look at.
I practically lost my voice from singing along and screaming so loud for
so long. They played about 20
songs in just over 2 hours! After the show, we hung around for awhile
and walked out to where the
buses were lined up. We waited there with about 20 other people in the
hope that they guys would
make their way out and sign a few autographs, etc. After about twenty
minutes, Ross, Neal, Jonathan
and Steve slowly made their way to the bus one by one through the group
of fans. I guess Dean snuck
out the back door (a white limo did make a quick getaway). They were
being extremely gracious by
stopping to chat, signing autographs and have their photos taken. We
even talked to 'Wolfman Black'
who, when we asked for his autograph, said 'WHO - me?' in his booming
bass voice. He willingly
obliged. My wife and I were both able to say hi to Neal and Jonathan
personally - which is something I
never thought would happen. I was on cloud nine. We told them we drove
down from Ottawa (they
seemed impressed) and we asked if they were planning to come to Canada
(anywhere near Ottawa)
anytime soon - and both Neal and Jonathan said Yes!! Can't wait!!
The whole experience was too perfect to be true. A night to remember
forever. It must be Journey!
Thanks guys.
P.S. I am definitely going to see you again and again and again.
Walther Perry
The concert in Syracuse was also my first Journey concert and I have been a fan for the last 20 years. I was very skeptical with out Steve Perry at the mic but the "new" Steve did a incredible job of filling Steve Perrys shoes. The show was a little on the loud side but it was outstanding. I was a little bit disappointed to see a half filled arena but I think if a lot of people heard Steve Augeri, they would have come. Journey is one of the few bands that sound as good in the nineties as they did in the eighties.
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