Which CD's should I buy from Journey

[Jos]

Need your help here.
2 Months ago I went on a cruise with Journey, Styx and REO Speedwagon.
I knew Styx and Reo. I had heard of the name Journey but didn't know their music. This is a great band and I want to buy a few CD's.
They have many CD's, which one's are the best?

Jos

[SSKFAN]

"Escape" And "Raised On Radio" is my favourites from Journey

Ronny, Sweden

[PiranhaGirl]

Holy kittens mittens, that's a tough question!

So, you say you'd heard of Journey, but you have never heard ANY of their music? Wow!

Well, if this was your first experience hearing them and you liked them, then I suggest you get the "Arrival" Cd. It is their latest CD, and has Steve Augeri on vocals. Steve Augeri has been Journey's singer since 1998, and he replaced Steve Perry. So if hearing Steve A. was your first exposure to them and you liked it, then I suggest you start there. It's an excellent CD!

On the other hand, I am familiar with their set list and they don't play alot of the "Arrival" material live. They play mostly the old hits...so if you like those old songs and go pick up the older CD's, you're gonna hear them sung by Steve Perry and not the current vocalist. The ESCAPE and CAPTURED cd's are must haves for any Journey fan as well. So I suggest you begin with those, give them a listen, and see what you think. Then post your reviews in here and let us know what you think, then I can suggest some other things for you.

And if you just happened to be astounded by Neal Schon, he has tons of solo material available as well!!!!

I wanted to go on that cruise! But couldn't swing it financially.
Could you give a little review on it? I'd be curious to hear about it.
Did you get any pictures? Care to share any?

[Canuck]

Well, we're talking about one of my favourite bands of all time, so I'd recommend them all. But as far as compilations go, if I was just starting out, I'd get The Essential Journey which came out about four years ago.

My two cents on the Journey catalogue (can't wait for PG to weigh in on this)
Journey (1975) If you're not into progressive rock, stay away from the first three albums. No Steve Perry, no radio-friendly hooks, just musicianship galore. IMHO this is the best of the three.
Look Into The Future (1976) More vocals than the first album (ably handled by keyboardist Gregg Rolie), but still heavily progressive.
Next (1977) My least fave of the first three, but still good. Plus it has "Nickel & Dime", the best Rush instrumental they never recorded.
Infinity (1978) The first album to feature Steve Perry on vocals, also the first to feature Stanley Mouse's awesome artwork. "Wheel In The Sky" and "Lights" are probably the best known songs on this one.
Evolution (1979) "Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin'" , possibly better known to the new curious fan as the "na na na na na na na" song, was the first Top 40 hit for Journey. Other highlights are "Too Late", "Do You Recall", and "Lady Luck".
Departure (1980) Definitely the rawest sounding Journey album, this album features a good deal of rockers for the band. "Anyway You Want It" became another staple for them, plus you got "Where Were You", "Line Of Fire", "Precious Time", and "Homemade Love". Other surprises included the minor hit "Walks Like A Lady", which is the closest Journey ever gets to the blues. At least in the studio.
Dream, After Dream (1980) Not an actual album per se, but a mostly instrumental soundtrack to a Japanese animated film. Features only three songs with vocals, "Destiny", a prog rock throwback to the first album, "Sandcastles", and "Little Girl", a ballad which wouldn't be out of place on one of their "regular" albums. Very hard to find.
Captured (1981) Journey were a very popular, platinum selling band at this point, but they hadn't quite reached the level of superstardom yet. This features all the highlights from Infinity, Evolution, and Depature. Great audience participation and you can tell Steve Perry and the guys really love their fans, in this case their Detroit fans. Also includes two new tracks, the live "Dixie Highway" and a new studio track, "The Party's Over (Hopelessly In Love)", which was a minor hit.
Escape (1981) The big one. "Don't Stop Believin'", "Open Arms", "Who's Crying Now", all came from this album. Just a classic rock album from start to finish. More Journey rockers in the title track, "Keep On Runnin'", "Lay It Down", "Stone In Love", and "Dead Or Alive".
Frontiers (1983) For what it's worth, my personal fave of the studio albums. Definitely the heaviest, not that that matters with this band. "Separate Ways", "Send Her My Love", "After The Fall", and "Faithfully" were all hits this time around. Two of the most rockin' Journey tracks ever in "Edge Of The Blade" and "Back Talk". I love this album.
Raised On Radio (1986) By now Perry pretty much ran the show, after he had a successful solo album and a #3 hit with "Oh Sherrie". Very poppy, R&B influenced album. Some songs border on generic radio music, which means well written songs which could have been done by anyone. All was not lost, we still get some quintessential Journey in "Be Good To Yourself", "Girl Can't Help It", "I'll Be Alright Without You", and "Suzanne". Also features one of my favourite Journey ballads in closer "Why Can't This Night Go On Forever".
Greatest Hits (1988) A good introducion to the band, 15 tracks of pure musical excellence. Good long car trip CD.
Time 3 (1992) For the Journey fan who has to have just about everything, this triple disc set features tons of unreleased goodies, plus a damn good writeup on the band. And if you look close in the booklet, you will see a Y&T reference.
Trial By Fire (1996) The inevitable reunion album isn't bad, but IMHO runs out of steam about halfway through. "Message Of Love" starts off the album in fine fashion, albeit sounding an awful lot like "Separate Ways" (not to mention an identical guitar lick as Tesla's "Changes" - anyone else notice that?) "When You Love A Woman" was the token Adult Contemporary Hit. Steve Perry's reluctance to tour led to his ahem, departure. He is replaced with another Steve, Mr.Augeri. Steve A. was a more than wise choice, capable of singing the old stuff without sounding like a clone.
Arrival (2001) A long wait for this one too, but it was worth it. The most consistent Journey album in a long old time. "Higher Place" and "All The Way" were singles, but record company indifference and musical trends led to this album getting no higher than #56 on the Billboard charts, which is a shame. If more old school fans heard it I'm sure they'd like it.
Red 13 (2002) An EP which longtime fans seem to love or hate. I certainly don't hate it, though it is different for them. A little rawer and it sounds like the band is trying new things.

I'm sure I'll have some disagreements, but this is just one fan's opinion.

[Canuck]

Geez PG ya beat me to it while I was writing!

I'd have to agree, Neal Schon is a guitar god. Melody and speed.

[PiranhaGirl]

Originally Posted by Canuck

My two cents on the Journey catalogue (can't wait for PG to weigh in on this)

Trial By Fire (1996) The inevitable reunion album isn't bad, but IMHO runs out of steam about halfway through. "Message Of Love" starts off the album in fine fashion, albeit sounding an awful lot like "Separate Ways" (not to mention an identical guitar lick as Tesla's "Changes" - anyone else notice that?) "When You Love A Woman" was the token Adult Contemporary Hit. Steve Perry's reluctance to tour led to his ahem, departure. He is replaced with another Steve, Mr.Augeri. Steve A. was a more than wise choice, capable of singing the old stuff without sounding like a clone.


I'm sure I'll have some disagreements, but this is just one fan's opinion.

Most excellent Canuck. I knew you'd chime in here with a great post.

But hell yes I'm gonna disagree on your TBF comment.....runs out of steam?

No way!!! Are you HIGH? ...this CD is nonstop awesomeness from start to finish. I consider it to be a priceless gem, one I wouldn't ever want to be without! And it's not just for sentimental reasons. It did tug at the heartstrings to get excited about having the guys back together and record a CD and have a single nominated for a Grammy award (When You Love A Woman), but then have the dream of a tour ripped away. Ouch. But still, I think this CD was some of their best stuff.

Step away from the crack pipe and listen to it again. It's awesome!

I, too, am a long time Journey fan......
Without a doubt, Canuck's post was the best and most accurate description of Journey's music that I've ever, and probably will ever see.
I'm very impressed.

I would also recommend "The Essential Journey" as my 1st.

Gotta go break out some Journey now.
It's been awhile.

Kudos to Canuck!

[PiranhaGirl]

Originally Posted by Canuck

Raised On Radio (1986) Also features one of my favourite Journey ballads in closer "Why Can't This Night Last Forever".

You re-naming the songs now Canuck?

"Why Can't This Night GO ON Forever".

[PiranhaGirl]

Originally Posted by Canuck

Whoops sorry, didn't proofread. I was thinking of the line from Yngwie Malmsteen's "Heaven Tonight". Keep in mind PG, that I pretty much love everything Journey has ever done. Ever. I was just trying to be objective and the truth is, I just can't get into Trial By Fire past "Don't Be Down On Me Baby". I will listen to it again and see.

I know, I was just teasing you!

Definitely give it a few more listens! Some of the best stuff on there is after "Don't Be Down On Me Baby"!

"When I think of you" (written about Steve's late mother) and "Easy to Fall" ....and the haunting "It's Just the Rain" (my fave). Steve had so much emotion in his vocals on this CD, just gives me chills. Soaring vocals and great harmonies. And I love Neal's solo's on "Can't Tame The Lion" and "Castle's Burning" ...he just wails on that one! Awesome!

[Garth Simpson4]

Is going to be great; personally, 'Captured', and 'Frontiers' are a couple of my faves', but 'Infinity',& ' Evolution' are must haves also. It's hard to say, because all of there releases are good for one thing or another. Yeah, they've been 'cursed' w/ great musicians from the start.

'HSAS', w/ Schon, & S. Hagar is also a great choice. (but this isn't a Journey release.).

Happy hunting!..-G-.