Journey can't shake its corporate-rock vibe in Vancouver
At Rogers Arena on Saturday, July 11
Journey has long been criticized for being one of the prime purveyors of "corporate rock", along with the likes of Foreigner, Boston, Styx, and REO Speedwagon. But anyone who's ever slagged the group for its commercial sensibilities would have to admit that its latest attempt to make even more moola is pretty ingenious. For its current North American tour the band went ahead and made one of its own members the opening act! Now, that's what I call good business sense.
The guest for last night's Journey show at Rogers Arena was Journey guitarist Neal Schon—or Neal "Vortex" Schon, as he's known when pulling double duty. But I, for one, had no problem with the unexpected booking. I've been a fan of Schon's for decades, and not just for his tasty playing on Journey's radio-friendly rock hits. In '93 he plugged in for two Paul Rodgers albums—Muddy Water Blues: A Tribute to Muddy Waters and The Hendrix Set—and a couple of years later proved himself an ace instrumental artist with the new-agey smooth-jazz album Beyond the Thunder. The music on that disc was so beautifully melodic that I chose it as the soundtrack for the birth of my first child. Strangely enough, nowadays my wife has issues listening to it, even though she was only in labour for like 12 or 13 hours.
The music Schon cranked out last night in his warm-up role was not exactly delivery-room material. Along with keyboardist Rachel Z, bassist Jerry Brooks, and Journey touring drummer Omar Hakim—who was called in to replace Deen Castronovo last month, after the latter was charged with rape, assault, and other felonies—Schon ranged through a handful of adventurous tracks from his new double-album Vortex. Hakim was a percussive force of nature, skillfully pounding out the rhythms for the intense jazz-rock and world-music-flavoured instrumentals. "The record's out there if you want to get it," announced Schon. "Very musical record."
After about half-an-hour of Schon showcasing his impressive solo project, it was time for a short break, before he and Hakim returned with their Journey bandmates—singer Arnel Pineda, keyboardist Jonathan Cain, and bassist Ross Valory—for the music most folks had come to hear. Schon didn't start things off by saying, "This is the part of the show where I dumb it down," but, you know, he could have.
Although not as challenging as the material from Vortex, Journey's big radio hits—in particular "Who's Crying Now", "Anyway You Want It", and "Stone in Love"—benefited greatly from Schon's technical virtuosity, killer tone, and great melodic sense. He also enchanted the crap out of the crowd with a stirring rendition of "O Canada" that should put Mark Donnelly out of work for good.
On the downside, Cain looked bored out of his skull most of the time, and Valory didn't seem too thrilled to be there either. Mind you, that's in comparison to Pineda, who was a spark plug throughout. The diminutive Filipino—who Schon discovered via YouTube and brought into the band in 2007 as the next best thing to Steve Perry—did his utmost to incite the crowd, whether that meant leaping about like an acrobat or just grinning like he'd won the lottery.
Despite Pineda's best intentions, though, the Journey show seemed to be missing something—and it wasn't just Steve Perry. "It doesn't seem like a rock band," observed my wife about halfway through, "it just seems like a performance." I had that sense too, like there was something too calculated in the delivery of the music. Or was it a general soullessness in the fabric of the songs themselves? Could "corporate rock" be a thing after all?
Talk amongst yourselves.
Comments
44 Comments
Donna
Jul 12, 2015 at 9:30am
Journey was dead in the water to me as soon as Perry left. I never looked back. Not into sound-alikes that Schon, "found" on YouTube. I'm not into sound-alikes, period. It's the real thing, or nothing. Besides, Schon is an idiot, Always has been, always will be. His ego walks into a room before the rest of him gets in. I met him once, a long time ago. I know people can and do change, be has not. He is a money-hungry, alcoholic idiot, with a lot of alimony to have to pay out. He should have disbanded the group or called it something else when Perry left, (or was fired, depending on whose story one believes) but instead, kept it going with different sound-alikes, until they settled on Arnel, who, sounds a bit like him, but his speaking Philipino accent is still very evident. Not that in of itself is bad, it's just that, Pineda is just an imitator, not a singer. He's making money imitating someone who is not imitatable, in my opinion. Schon is just trying to keep the money train rolling.
yes...
Jul 12, 2015 at 10:17am
...you were watching a band going through the motions and probably asking how much they made after the show..
MelanieS
Jul 12, 2015 at 10:45am
Unlike the Neal Schon-loving reviewer here, I couldn't wait for Vortex to stop. His self-indulgent, over the top, guitar masturbation with his carefully chosen orgasmic rock guitar god face posturing just sucked the energy out of me at the beginning of the evening. It just went on and on and on and I sat there wondering if it would ever end. With regards to Journey, it was disappointing. I do have to give credit to Pineda as well for trying to incite the crowd but it was evident that those that did show up weren't enthused by the overall performance. We noticed that the stage was moved forward significantly which put what we thought were great seats when we purchased them to almost beside the stage. The lack of connection and engagement between the band members really showed and it was disappointing. We had hoped for something a little more fulfilling. Unless the 2 Steves come back, I won't consider going again. Meanwhile, in the ladies' bathroom, the women in there were so upset about the performance, I thought a riot was going to break out. They had a lot to say about the shortfalls of the evening.
BEPC
Jul 12, 2015 at 11:30am
Nice honest write up. I am not a big Journey fan by any stretch but after the first set, I now appreciate Schone's talent. However I felt the Vortex set was more like a tribute to Jeff Beck in the late 80's than that of a solo artist.
As an avid concert goer, I saw Journey a few years back and they actually blew me away... Arnel was fantastic, the band interacted and it was a great show. Arnel pulled off the songs without a hitch. So this time around I went more for my wife and teenage daughters to experience the legendary band. They were excited to go and to sing along with the classic songs they know and love. Unfortunately, the audio in the upper deck was often predominantly guitar and drowning out vocals. It was as if we were listening to Schone's monitor mix. But I agree, the big disappointment was how Cain and Valory let me down. The only enthusiasm was shown during the bows. I couldnt ignore the lack of interaction / performance from stage right. It's obvious if you have seen any of the countless other bands of decades past. Perhaps Cain and Valory should get out and see The Who, Aerosmith, Kiss to name a few. Or perhaps Neil should simply replace these two dud spark plugs and let the show run on all 5 cylinders .
Wess
Jul 12, 2015 at 12:07pm
I fell in love with Journey when I bought their debut album (with Steve Perry) in 1977. I was blown away by the musicianship, and Steve's golden voice. I also really liked when (on the first few albums) how Greg Rollie still did some of the singing before Steve would kick in.
i know it was Steve's decision to leave, and Arnold does have a great voice but it's just karaoke to me now. They are on my bucket list of bands I have never seen, but not with a youtube dude.
As for your Corporate Rock label? It's probably fitting now seeing their age with the karaoke kid singing, but back in the day these bands were "arena rock" that happened to sell lots of tickets gaining major corporate sponsorship. It's not like they were singing about beer and potato chips.
Cheers, Wes
Seamus
Jul 12, 2015 at 12:22pm
all I know is we had a great time last night. Pineda's voice was fantastic. most of the people around me didn't seem to know most of the tunes and only really got into it when they played don't stop believing. Open arms is probably one of my top 5 songs so, corporate or not, hearing it live and loud made my night. We left Rogers super happy. At the end of the day, isn't that what going to live shows is about?
Spanky
Jul 12, 2015 at 1:12pm
I found the opening was a total train wreck simply because they were too loud guitar wise and according to my wife sucked ass.I did not see the same show you saw,the band was tight and watching them from 6 rows back they seemed to be enjoying themselves , you should take up a new career critiquing garden plots
myra weems
Jul 12, 2015 at 1:58pm
Love the sound. Of there music! Makes the day go bye nicely!
Rachel Z Hakim
Jul 12, 2015 at 2:13pm
For those of you who think it's about money for Journey...it's not! They have money. Theu are bringing skilled excellent music to the world in a time where lip synching is accepted and normal and half naked women are cast as singers!
Did none of you actually hear the skill and beauty of the song writing?
Did you not notice that the show focuses on music not antics.
Do you not realized that Jon Cain is not "looking bored" but actually playing a piano-which is not that easy.
Neal Schon is one of the greatest guitarist I have ever played with! Omar Hakim is possibly the greatest drummer in the world.
Just because someone is successful does not mean they are corporate.
These men are sharing their dream with you and brought Omar and I in. They changed our life.
Listen to the actual music...Vortex is beautiful...
Noone even mentioned my piano solos...do you NOt CARE that we play our hearts out for you?
Was my playing also fake corporate stuff-sorry that I was'nt naked!!!
PS LISTEN WITH YOUR HEART
Rachel Z Hakim
Jul 12, 2015 at 2:22pm
PS Steve Perry was imitating Sam Cooke...white people have appropriated rock for years...Arnell Pineta is a genius singer. He has a rich voice whose spirituality is undeniable. He is one of the best singers in rock. Time will prove this!