Classic Performance, Classic Albums On Journey Live Release

Band photo credit: Erik Kabik

Never Stop Believin' in Journey. Nearly 45 years into their career, the band has never sounded stronger, as evidenced on their awesome new DVD/CD "Live In Japan 2017." The disc documents a very special show: the band performing its classic 1981 and 1983 all-time great albums "Escape" and "Frontiers" back-to-back in their glorious entirety.

The band could have easily made an exception and left "Escape" album opener "Don't Stop Believin'" until last. It is, after all, not only Journey's best-known song but also one of the top classic rock songs ever. But to the band's credit Journey stayed faithful to the song order and opened with the timeless hit, creating a challenge right off the bat: maintaining the energy, both band and crowd, that is usually brought to a crescendo by the song.

Journey succeeds here by putting on a fiery, emotional show that is well-paced thanks to the smart running order of both discs. "Don't Stop" is followed by guitarist Neal Schon's mammoth riff that opens another superb outing, "Stone in Love." Next up is the emotional powerhouse ballad, "Who's Crying Now."

Schon's riffs and blazing solos strike with a melodic bite throughout the set, augmented by singer Arnel Pineda's tireless energy and golden, soaring vocals. Bassist Ross Valory never misses a beat, nor does drum maestro Steve Smith. And then there's Jonathan Cain tickling the ivories with unmistakable, trademark piano lines.

Part of the fun of concerts like these is hearing the songs the band doesn't normally play live, or that you don't hear on the radio. Don't be fooled: these tunes are in no way filler; they're hits in their own right. On "Escape" we get the hard charging "Keep on Runnin'", Schon and Cain's tight interplay on "Still They Ride," the dynamic title track as well as "Lay It Down," the barroom boogie of "Dead or Alive" and the urgent, pleading "Mother, Father."

The album does close with another hit, "Open Arms," which along with "Don't Stop Believin'" put Journey on the commercial map in the early Eighties.

Next up is "Frontiers," with the unmistakable synth line that kicks off first track, "Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)." Many wondered if "Frontiers" would be a worthy follow-up to the note perfect "Escape." The chugging, hard rocking "Separate Ways" answered immediately with a resounding yes.

"Send Her My Love" follows, an underrated track that sometimes gets lost among the slew of classics, as is the towering "After the Fall." Another instantly recognizable piano intro brings on "Faithfully," the perfect tale of life on the road. The track, fittingly, was first given its live debut in Japan.

Then there are the back wall hits. These are highlighted by the tough guy machismo of "Back Talk." You also get the solid rarities "Edge of the Blade," "Chain Reaction," "Frontiers" and "Rubicon."

The encore features another treat: "La Raza Del Sol," a track recorded during the "Frontiers" session that didn't make the album. The Latin-flavored, fusion and rock track features an extended jam session with Schon and Smith bringing down the house. Another classic, "Lovin', Touchin,' "Squeezin'" brings the night to an unforgettable end.

Kudos to Journey for going back in time and reliving "Escape" and "Frontiers." It's obvious that the band, and the fans, have held on to that feelin'.