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THE JOURNEY ZONE
http://www.journey-zone.com
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THE REVIEWS
October, 2002
Neil Blaisdell Center
Honolulu, Hawaii
October 10, 2002
Reviewer: Tim Ryan, Honolulu Star Bulletin
It's been 16 years since Journey performed in Honolulu, but the band returned to the Blaisdell Center Arena last night with no luster lost,
diminished energy or relying on history.
"The journey continues," declared new lead singer Steve Augeri, and it was no overstatement.
Opening with "State of Grace" from their about-to-be-released album "Red 13" -- Journey's 13th -- Augeri and original Journey guitarist
Neil Schon slid fluidly into the classic "Separate Ways," which had the more than 6,000 people attending, from post 50-year-olds to
preteens, on their feet and clapping.
Augeri led the charge throughout the night, sending into the memory pile any doubts that he can't replace former Journey lead singer
Steve Perry.
The high-energy, two-hour, 20-minute, 22-song set last night was made up mostly of classic Journey hits -- "Only the Young," "Don't
Stop Believing," "Stone in Love," "I'll Be Alright" and the two encore tunes, "Anyway You Want It" and Journey's signature song,
"Lovin', Touchin'."
A third song was Schon's rendition of Jimi Hendrix's heavy-metal guitar playing of the "Star-Spangled Banner," which brought the
audience to its feet .
"Only the Young" seemed an anthem to old and young audience members who stood and danced and sang in sync to a smiling Augeri
and Schon. Augeri handled "I'll Be Alright," one of Journey's biggest hits, perfectly with its plaintive plea of self-convincing by a lover
who has been left.
"I'll be all right," Augeri pleads in the song, "I keep telling myself."
The concert at times seemed more a reunion of old friends, though some band members like Augeri are new. The band also includes
Jonathan Cain, keyboards; Ross Valory, bass; and Deen Castronovo, drums.
Journey has always been fan-friendly, and last night's concert wasn't any different. Fans were allowed to gather at the stage to touch
Augeri or Schon's hands or rub their shoes, as a few did. Stage security was even taking pictures of fans in front of the performers.
At one point, Schon knelt down so he could be in the same picture with a couple posing stage front.
Journey did three songs from the new album, including "Liberty," inspired by the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
Transitions between songs were flawless, as was the transition from "Only the Young" to "Lights" when Augeri asked the audience to
"take a trip with me to the bay."
Cain's keyboard solo lead into "Open Arms," followed by "Feeling That Way" and "Anytime." He also played "I'll Be Alright Without
You" -- a sort of ultimate breakup song -- perfectly.
Augeri, to his credit, thanked the audience for their aloha in attending but also "for accepting a couple of us new guys in such a great
band with such incredible music."
Attending last night's concert were singers Nancy Sinatra and Tiffany and the Tubes' bass player, Kakuno.
Journey: Red 13
October, 2002
Reviewer: Classic Rock Revisited (E-mail HERE)
Journey has released a four song EP of new songs via their website for fans in the USA and on Frontier Records for Europe and Asia.
The band split from their major label record company when they felt that the record company didn’t stand behind and promote their last full-length release
Arrival. They took the next four songs they wrote and decided to go out and do it themselves.
The result is a very interesting CD. The strongest track on the CD is “State Of Grace.” This is Infinity era Journey. Neal Schon finally gets to play some lead
guitar on this sucker! “The Time” shows some of his fastest fretwork in recent years. Surprisingly, Jonathan Cain seems at home in the older style Journey songs.
His keyboard work and vocal work are very impressive. Steve Augeri is convincing in his role as Steve Perry as well. In fact, sometimes he is so good you forget
that it is not Perry. This is Journey gearing up for a new record and if these four songs are any hint as to what is to come then we are in for the hardest rockin’
Journey CD since the 70’s!
Everything seems to be coming together for the band. We can only hope that Schon can lead Journey into new and exciting areas culminating the pop smart
ballads with an edge not seen in recent years. Perhaps, with the band playing for the love of music again, true Journey fans can look forward to the most honest
music this band has made in some time. Arrival came close and was the starting point for the band but with Red 13 Journey seems to be poised to do something
great again. “Walking Away From The Edge” melds Cain’s heartfelt songwriting with Schon’s guitar prowess. Give this album your support as what the band is
trying to accomplish is in the best interest of classic rock music fans across the world.
Last Updated 14 April, 2004 (JRNYDV)
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