here are the dates according to PollStar.com –
Wed 03/17/10 Denver, CO Bluebird Theater
Thu 03/18/10 Salt Lake City, UT The Depot
Fri 03/19/10 Henderson, NV Green Valley Ranch Resort & Spa
Sat 03/20/10 Modesto, CA The State Theatre Of Modesto
Mon 03/22/10 Chico, CA El Rey Theatre
Thu 03/25/10 San Juan Capistrano, CA The Coach House
Sat 03/27/10 San Francisco, CA The Fillmore
Tue 03/30/10 Solana Beach, CA Belly Up Tavern
Wed 03/31/10 West Hollywood, CA House Of Blues

the live band features:
Neal Schon, Miles Schon, Marco Mendoza, Prairie Prince and Keith St. John.

Apparently Schon is headed for the studio in April to begin work on the new Journey album so there won’t be any further live dates for Schon and his band until he’s through with the recording sessions. busy guy!

So if you’re on the west coast, be sure to go out and show your support for this rock guitar legend. If these initial set of dates go well, there’ll be a better chance for Schon (and his management) to schedule some more down the road!

Related posts:

1. Keith Emerson and Greg Lake to tour in April 2010
2. Neal Schon interview from Winter NAMM 2010
3. Todd Rundgren – A Wizard A True Star Live Webcast – PPV

anyway, a fellow fan MerryPeary posted the audio of the interview on youtube so be sure to check out the following links and listen for yourself:

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

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Perry noted that “Trial by Fire” and “Don’t Stop Believin’” were two songs of his that helped him through some rough times.

click here to listen to the audio of the song Trial by Fire.

I absolutely love Neal Schon’s tasteful guitar work on this song.

Treasures in the jars of clay
Let the light shine out of darkness
Fallen down but not destroyed
It’s just another trial by fire

In my doubt I can’t believe
Like a wave tossed where the wind blows
Tears of faith temper my soul
Just another trial by fire…
- written by Steve Perry, Neal Schon, Jonathan Cain

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Related posts:

1. Todd Rundgren on Get Ready To Rock Radio
2. Steve Perry – Pipeline Cafe – Hawaii – Journey
3. former Journey singer – Steve Augeri Interview on MelodicRock

In the meantime, Schon is keen on doing some solo shows with his own band which includes his son Miles Schon, Marco Mendoza and Prairie Prince. Hopefully he’ll be doing some gigs near me sometime soon. stay tuned…

Related posts:

1. The Neal Schon Band – live dates in March 2010
2. Steve Perry interview on Planet Rock radio
3. former Journey singer – Steve Augeri Interview on MelodicRock

please note the sound quality will vary here due to these being “bootlegs” obviously.

GTR – Away (No One is to Blame) from the unreleased NeroTrend album (1987). This features Max Bacon on lead vocals and Steve Howe on guitar. Steve Hackett left the group at this point and Robert Berry was his replacement.

Paul McCartney and Elvis Costello – So Like Candy demo from the Flowers In the Dirt Sessions boot (1988). This is a great version that features both McCartney and Costello singing lead.

Todd Rundgren – Slut from the Vancouver August 25, 2006 boot. a great audience recording. It’s a rough and loose rendition with Tony Levin on bass and Jerry Marotta on drums.

Lindsey Buckingham – Go Insane from the Coach House December 10, 1992 boot. an awesome solo performance of his early eighties hit. definitely an improvement over the original recording which sounds a bit dated now due to the heavy use of the Fairlight sampler.

Susanna Hoffs – Darling One from her unreleased columbia album (1994). This is from the album that Columbia Records rejected. Hoffs ended up re-recording this song (along with some others) for her 1996 album “Susanna Hoffs”. This particular version is more upbeat than the officially released one.

Yes – Cinema/City of Love from the June 19, 1994 Canandaigua, NY boot. There are a ton of boots from this tour since the band did a simulcast of each show via “ConcertSonics”. Even though the “Talk” album isn’t one of my favorites, I thought some of the performances on this tour were pretty strong. I definitely miss Trevor Rabin, though. It’s definitely way overdue for Rabin to get back on stage!!

Journey – Send Her My Love from the Detroit Raised On Radio simulcast in 1986. It’s not the greatest sounding live recording but the “Raised on Radio” tour is fascinating to me for a multitude of reasons – one of which is the presence of Randy Jackson (of American Idol) on bass for this tour. listening to these old live recordings of Journey make me miss Steve “the voice” Perry even more!

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Happy Friday, everyone!

Related posts:

1. Paul McCartney – Hey Tokyo – 1993
2. the Friday Free for All – Macca in Rio
3. the Friday Free for all – September edition

I’m impressed that they were able to sell enough of those DVDs especially when I personally couldn’t find the title at my local Super Walmart last week. (most WalMarts SHOULD have them in-stock by now.)

Anyway, Congrats to Arnel Pineda and Journey. It’s too bad they just finished up their 2009 tour. I’m sure they would have seen a huge surge in ticket sales for their live shows due to the “Oprah Effect“.

One thing to look forward to is the upcoming documentary on Pineda by filmmaker Ramona S. Diaz titled Don’t Stop Believin’: Everyman’s Journey. I’m not sure exactly when the film will be released but check out the two-part sneak peek up on youtube:

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Related posts:

1. Journey Live in Manila DVD – to be released Oct. 2nd
2. Journey – 2009 summer tour dates – Arnel Pineda
3. Journey with Pineda in Vegas

Check out the tracklist – they’ve included pretty much all the songs that they’ve been playing the last two years including some lesser performed numbers like “When You Love a Woman”, “Turn Down the World Tonight” and “Where Did I Lose Your Love”.

Another big plus about the DVD is the fact that Arnel sang the songs during the March 14th show in the original key. Like I mentioned in my concert review of the Greensboro show, hearing these classic songs tuned-down in pitch is a bit of a let-down in my book. So it’s nice to have a live document of the band playing these songs without any compromises.

You can purchase the new DVD set at your local WalMart beginning this friday, October 2nd. Journey will also be appearing on the Oprah Winfrey show on friday to promote the new release.
**UPDATE: 30Sep09** – Journey’s Oprah appearance has been pushed back to Monday, October 5th.

Here’s the tracklist:
Disc One
1. Never Walk Away
2. Only The Young
3. Ask The Lonely
4. Stone In Love
5. Keep On Running
6. After All These Years
7. Change For The Better
8. Wheel In The Sky
9. Lights/ Still They Ride
10. Open Arms
11. Mother Father
12. Wildest Dreams
13. When You Love A Woman
14. Separate Ways
15. What I Needed
Disc Two
16. Edge Of The Blade
17. Where Did I Lose Your Love
18. Escape
19. Faithfully
20. Don’t Stop Believin’
21. Anyway You Want It
22. Lovin’ Touchin’ Squeezin’
23. Turn Down The World Tonight
24. Be Good To Yourself

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Here’s Journey from their recent appearance on the CBS Early Show performing “Don’t Stop Believin’”:

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Related posts:

1. Journey with Night Ranger at the Greensboro Coliseum
2. Journey to appear live in New York City – August 28th
3. Review: Revelation by Journey

As for Journey, I simply had a blast being so close to the stage and having such a great view of the band. Friday night’s setlist was pretty similar to what they had played last summer but it was obvious that Arnel Pineda is now so much more comfortable on stage with the band. I enjoyed his energy, his jumps off the drum riser and his interaction with the audience.

They performed the usual crowd pleasers, with “Open Arms”, “Separate Ways” and “Don’t Stop Believin’” receiving the biggest reactions. I personally enjoyed hearing songs that weren’t played the last time around including “Send Her My Love”, “Keep On Runnin’” and “Still They Ride”. I was also hoping for “Be Good To Yourself” and “Why Can’t This Night Go On Forever” but I guess ya can’t having everything.

From what I saw, “Higher Place” didn’t go over well with the arena-sized crowd along with “Wildest Dream”. I honestly don’t know why they keep “Wildest Dream” on the setlist because it’s not strong melodically and there are better choices off of Revelation, in my opinion, including “Where Did I Lose Your Love” and “Turn Down the World Tonight”.

Another thing they should lose in the set is Jonathan Cain’s harmonica jam. It’s definitely a time waster in my book. Also the “Lovin’ Touchin’ Squeezin’” encore is just lame. A good chunk of the crowd headed for the parking lot during that song including yours truly.

But overall, I still enjoyed the show. Pineda is a joy to watch and Deen Castronovo is just a monster on drums. Oh and Castronovo sounded phenomenal singing “Still They Ride”. and of course I could just go on and on about Neal Schon. He’s simply amazing.

I do have to admit though that the band performing these songs a half-step lower is sort of jarring at times. I’m not sure if the general audience notices that they are performing these classic songs in a lower key but it’s definitely noticeable to me. Is this because I’m a musician and I can hear the original notes in my head or do fans also notice this too? I totally understand the need to lower the key to help preserve Pineda’s voice but some of the energy or spark gets lost when things get tuned down. maybe it’s just me?

Not sure if I’d see them again next summer. Will they have new material ready by next summer? and will they go out with a stronger “packaged” tour like they did last year? I’ll be interested in seeing what they decide. …but I can tell you this.. if the setlist stays the same, you can definitely count me out.

**UPDATE: 22Sep09**: According to Neal Schon’s blog – the band will be working on new material in 2010 and won’t be back on the road until 2011!! So, catch Journey live while you still can! There are only a few more dates left on the 2009 tour.
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Journey with Night Ranger
venue: Greensboro Coliseum
date: Sept. 18, 2009
location: Greensboro, NC

retroGrade: B (Journey), C (Night Ranger)

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Related posts:

1. Journey Live in Manila DVD – to be released Oct. 2nd
2. Journey to appear live in New York City – August 28th
3. Journey – 2009 summer tour dates – Arnel Pineda

Here’s the lowdown:
Journey at the Early Show
when: Friday, August 28th 2009 at 11:30AM
where: 59th and 5th Avenue NEXT to the Apple Store, New York City
if you need more info, contact the Early Show at BRGuest @ cbsnews.com with the subject line: JOURNEY QUESTION

This is a great opportunity for the band to get some exposure so be sure to get on out there to show your support for the guys!

for more info on the current summer tour, see my previous post.

and while we’re on the subject of the band, here’s a recent youtube clip of Journey performing “Only the Young” in Memphis (08Aug09 – Mud Island Amphitheatre)

Related posts:

1. CD Review – Good Evening New York City marred by auto-tune
2. Paul McCartney – Good Evening New York City DVD
3. Journey Live in Manila DVD – to be released Oct. 2nd

Just received info that the doctors want to keep Deen over night again. He’s having some other issues…. but we have decided that we are going to sound check with Steve Toomie his drum tec. and put together a show for Hamburg tonight….
I am now told deen is to be back tomorrow…..
This is the last thing I’ve heard.
Neal, Wednesday, June 24, 2009 – 2:14 am

You may remember Castronovo stepping down from touring with Soul Sirkus (with Neal Schon and Jeff Scott Soto) due to health reasons back in 2005. not sure if the health issues are related.

We’ll see what happens with the Hamburg show.

Hopefully Deen will make a full recovery and will be well enough to continue touring with the band!!

Here’s a video from a couple days ago featuring Deen Castronovo singing “Mother, Father” at the Heineken Music Hall in Amsterdam (17 June 2009)

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quick update (24Jun09) : according to LC73 (Lori) on her blog on JourneyMusic, Steve Toomie did indeed sub for Deen Castronovo at the Hamburg gig!!
Neal just called me and said they all did a good job and Steve Toomie helped get the job done so major congrats! (They were on live TV to boot; no pressure there!)

LC73 – Wednesday, June 24, 2009 – 1:24 pm
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Related posts:

1. Journey with Night Ranger at the Greensboro Coliseum
2. Journey – 2009 summer tour dates – Arnel Pineda
3. Journey reveals track list

Here are the U.S. Summer Tour dates:
July 16, 2009 – Walker, MN – Moondance Jam
July 18, 2009 – Cadott, WI – Chippewa Valley Rock Festival
July 21, 2009 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheater
July 23, 2009 – Paso Robles, CA – California Mid-State Fair
July 25, 2009 – Reno, NV – Reno Events Center
July 26, 2009 – Boise, ID – Boise State University
July 29, 2009 – Pala, CA – Pala Casino
July 30, 2009 – Pala, CA – Pala Casino
August 01, 2009 – San Bernardino, CA – San Manual Amphitheatre
August 02, 2009 – Tucson, AZ – Anselmo Valencia Center
August 04, 2009 – Bossier City, LA – Centurytel Center
August 05, 2009 – Tulsa, OK – BOK Center
August 07, 2009 – Thackerville, OK – WinStar Casino
August 08, 2009 – Memphis, TN – Mud Island Amphitheatre
August 15, 2009 – Youngstown, OH – Chevrolet Centre
August 16, 2009 – Indianapolis, IN – Indiana State Fair
August 18, 2009 – Rockford, IL – Rockford Metro Centre
August 20, 2009 – Kansas City, MO – Starlight Theatre
August 21, 2009 – Louisville, KY – State Fair – Freedom Hall
August 23, 2009 – Des Moines, IA – State Fair – Grandstand
August 25, 2009 – Grand Rapids, MI – Van Andel Arena
August 26, 2009 – Columbus, OH – Schottenstein Center
August 28, 2009 – Darien Center, NY – Darien Lake Performing Arts Center
August 31, 2009 – Uniondale, NY – Nassau Veteran Memorial Coliseum
September 02, 2009 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Saratoga Performing Arts Center
September 04, 2009 – Atlantic City, NJ – The Borgata
September 05, 2009 – Atlantic City, NJ – The Borgata
September 07, 2009 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena
September 09, 2009 – Baltimore, MD – 1st Mariner Arena
September 10, 2009 – Reading, PA – Sovereign Center
September 12, 2009 – Manchester, NH – Verizon Wireless Arena
September 13, 2009 – Wallingford, CT – Chevrolet Theatre
September 15, 2009 – Richmond, VA – Richmond Coliseum
September 16, 2009 – Pikeville, KY – Southern Kentucky Expo Center
September 18, 2009 – Greensboro, NC – Greensboro Coliseum
September 19, 2009 – Alpharetta, GA – Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
September 21, 2009 – Pensacola, FL – Pensacola Civic Center
September 26, 2009 – New Orleans, LA – New Orleans Arena
September 27, 2009 – Beaumont, TX – Ford Pavilion
September 29, 2009 – Austin, TX – Frank Erwin Center
September 30, 2009 – Oklahoma City, OK – Zoo Amphitheatre

Journey: Neal Schon, Jonathan Cain, Ross Valory, Deen Castronovo and Arnel Pineda

Here’s Journey performing “Stone in Love” at Raley Field in Sacramento, CA May 23, 2009

Watching some of these clips on youtube, I’m noticing that the band has already lowered the key to most of the songs now. It’s disappointing since it’s just “not the same” hearing these classic songs in a lower key but I suppose it’s necessary in order to NOT shred Pineda’s vocal cords!!

Related posts:

1. Journey – Arnel Pineda – and the Oprah Effect
2. It's official! – Yes – Asia – Tour Dates – 2009
3. Yes – Asia – summer tour dates – so far