Journey Goes Out In Blaze Of Glory At Philly Area Show: Review

TRENTON, N.J. — This is the "Final Frontier" Tour.

And if the classic rock group Journey is calling it quits from touring after this farewell tour, then this San Francisco band went out with a blaze of glory at the Cure Insurance Arena on Thursday night.

Journey — led by original member and guitarist Neal Schon — showed why Arena Rock is built for arenas, with a two-hour spectacle flashing an impressive lighting display, some flames shooting up at the side of the stage, and confetti covering the audience as the strains of the final notes ended the show.

This group could have hidden behind those effects, but this band was firing on all cylinders, running through a hit parade and a deep dive into its catalogue to make this concert one of the better farewell shows you will see.

While it's nearly impossible to replace Singer Steve Perry, who helped the band launch into the pop charts stratosphere during the 1980s, this band comes close — using three singers to get there.

Journey formed in 1973, as Schon and Keyboardist Gregg Rolie split from Santana. Once Perry joined, the band started creating Album Oriented Rock that was a constant presence on FM radio, with many of those classics featured on Thursday.

But it was the arrival of Jonathan Cain on keyboards and piano in 1981 that took Journey to the top of the charts with several power ballads —songs that are now played at weddings.

Cain is leaving the band after the farewell tour. On Thursday, he mainly served as master of ceremonies and handled several Rolie songs of yesteryear, besides providing classical piano and a second guitarist to accompany Schon.

Lead singer Arnel Pineda hits notes headed to the stratosphere. He doesn't have the stature and style of Perry, a phenomenal singer who could capture power and emotion. But Pineda makes up for it with a healthy dose of enthusiasm, dancing constantly around the stage.

Drummer Deen Castronovo is a force to be reckoned with as well, banging on the skins and singing away on harmony and lead vocals without missing a beat.

The band is augmented by Bassist Todd Jensen, a Ross Valory lookalike, and second keyboardist Jason Derlatka, whose soulful voice tackled Perry's "Raised on the Radio" days.

Journey's setlist could be divided into two parts: Before "Escape" and After "Escape."

Cain sang "Just The Same Way," while Castronovo took on the homage to San Francisco on "Lights." Both teamed up for "Anytime" and "Feeling The Way," while the drummer helped debut "Walks Like A Lady."

The band also played some other deep cuts: "Patiently" and "La Do Da," which turned out into a 10-minute jam session.

The band mixed in later-day songs like "Suzanne," and "I'll Be Alright Without You." The "Escape" title track got the crowd jumping while "Dead Or Alive" also came from that classic album." There was also "Ask the Lonely."

While "Be Good To Yourself" might not have been the best show opener, it got the party started. But "Stone in Love" followed with "Only the Young" right after that.

Just performing all of those above songs would have made a pretty impressive show. But this band touts some showstoppers.

There were, of course, the power ballads: "Who's Crying Now," "Faithfully," and "Open Arms" — all featuring the cell phone flashlights flickering from the crowd.

Then came the heavyweights: "Wheel in the Sky," "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin,'" "Separate Ways," and "Any Way You Want It."

And to end it all was the big song, the one that went into music history when it appeared in the last scene of "The Sopranos."

That would be "Don't Stop Believin'" — a show that left the audience alive and on fire yet yearning for more.

That's what a classic rock band does.

Journey may be wrapping up its musical history, but the band did tie it all up with a yellow bow. What a perfect present for fans!