During the 1980’s and into the 1990’s one of the most successful and
popular groups was Journey. Literally everything released by the band
was a huge hit. Their signature sound with the vocals of Steve Perry,
the smooth keyboards of Jonathan Cain and the rocking guitar of Neal
Schon filled the airwaves.
As is the case with success over a long period of time, there is always
change. Drummers and bassists came and went. Even American Idol’s
Randy Jackson had a stint with the band, and eventually, singer Steve
Perry left the band.
Regardless of the reasons, Steve’s web site says he is enjoying his
retirement. He certainly earned it with the many standards that he wrote
and recorded with Journey. “Any Way You Want It,” “Wheel In the Sky,”
“Faithfully,” “Lights” and “Open Arms” are just a few of the songs that
Steve Perry’s voice brought to life – and they could never sound the
same with anyone else singing them.
So imagine how happy Journey fans were in the spring of 2008 when word
got out that Journey had a new singer who had a voice that was
comparable to Steve Perry. Arnel Pineda was discovered on YouTube by Neal
Schon while the band was looking for a new singer.
Arnel is from the Philippines and can be seen on YouTube performing
Journey classics with his former band The Zoo. Schon called the rest of
the band, particularly Jonathan Cain, and the result was a call to
Pineda, who was invited to come to America for an audition.
Pineda sounds so much like Perry that you will not believe your ears.
To prove this point, the new three-disc collection from Journey,
Revolution, includes eleven of Journey’s greatest hits re-recorded with Arnel
Pineda on vocals, as well as a DVD of a live show recorded at the
Theater for the Performing Arts at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas.
This is all just the appetizer for the main course. Revelation is
eleven brand new Journey songs with the vocals of Arnel Pineda. Neal Schon
and Jonathan Cain are joined by long-time bassist Ross Valory and
drummer Deen Castronovo on the disc.
“Never Walk Away” opens the disc with the classic Journey sound and
vocal harmonies – close your eyes and it sounds like Journey in their
prime. “After All These Years”, a ballad, is destined to become a staple
of anniversary celebrations, if not weddings, for years to come.
Classic Rock Magazine has nominated “Revelation” for its Album of the
Year award. To back up the praise in this writing, in the first
fourteen weeks after its release, “Revelation” has been no worse than number 2
on Billboard’s Hot 100 albums, peaking at number 1. The band has been
on tour supporting “Revelation” since early summer.
In May of 1984 I was fortunate enough to see Journey live at the old
Capital Centre in Largo, Maryland. I remember how much I enjoyed the
show to this day. I certainly intend to see this classic band again –
back on the road and back at the top of the charts for its long time fans
who “Don’t Stop Believing.”
A Country Rag
Rural Review