GRAB A STACK OF ROCK With Mike, Aaron KMA and Tim Durling
Special Edition Episode: An 8 Track Holy Grail & More
This video is years in the making. More than just an “unboxing” video, this is a fun and informative episode that documents one man’s journey to collect his favourite bands on obsolete formats, and another man’s ability to find them.
About four years ago, Aaron provided Tim with a rare 8-track tape that he needed for his collection. Another one of Aaron’s tapes went to Martin Popoff. But there was one tape that Tim needed to “complete” a specific collection. And this summer, Aaron found that one too. He just has a knack for it, and it seems appropriate that it was Aaron who found this last tape. There’s a story that goes with it, and three tapes that went to me as well!
“Complete” is in quotes, because this video is far more than just an unboxing video. This is a philosophical (and fun) discussion about 8-track tapes, collecting, and genuine Australian bubble wrap. We discuss breaks in the middle of tracks, altered track listings, and for good measure, a little bit about vintage Star Wars toys. We also speculate on one tape that may still be out there, but remains unknown.
This episode is in two parts. It begins with Aaron and I unboxing three beautiful 8-track tapes, and a number of birthday gifts. Also inside that box was Tim’s tape, which I mailed immediately to New Brunswick. The video cuts and picks up with Tim, ready to open his treasure in front of the cameras.
Harrison the Mad Metal Man continues to be under the weather, and insisted that I open his parcel in the meantime. So I got Metal Roger on the line and opened Harrison’s box.
My memory is horrible and there is a good chance I already knew about all of this stuff, but here’s what Harrison sent me in a handy-dandy video. Or, if you’re not patient, there are some photos with additional details below as well.
This video is for fans of metal, CDs, and those damned Marvel Lego blind boxes that cursed me last fall! At the end, Roger and I took a brief foray into an interesting subject – the Mount Rushmore of metal mascots. A topic for a future show to be sure.
Thank you Harrison for your generosity once again.
Iron Maiden – Live After Death – remaster in digipack
Food For Thought – Iron Maiden tribute
Dio – Holy Diver – 2005 Rock Candy reissue with bonus interview track
JOURNEY – Departure (1980 CBS 8-track, Remastered 2010 Sony CD)
CD from the set 3 Original Album Classics
Changes were afoot in Journey, and alluded to on Departure. Aside from the Japan-only soundtrack Dream, After Dream, this was the last stand for Gregg Rolie. While he would also appear one more time on the Captured live album, he was not there for the new studio track included. For all intents and purposes, Departure is his “last album”, to use an inaccurate but easy term. For the man who once was Journey’s only lead singer, Departure only has one of Rolie’s lead vocals, and only two co-writes. (In the discography, Departure directly followed 1979’s compilation of early material, In the Beginning, featuring early material and a large number of Rolie vocals.)
With Steve Perry leading the charge, Departure commences with the party anthem “Any Way You Want It”. Those who don’t know it, know it. It has been featured in the Simpsons, twice! A rare honour, and mega-exposure, for good reason. Perry’s impeccably arranged chorus is irresistible. Rolie’s organ is the perfect accompaniment to keep in the realm of classic rock and roll. Of course Schon’s solo is also tasty as heck, but this song is know for its party-hardy chorus. For those who like to dig deeper, Ross Valory’s pulsing bassline goes underappreciated today, and Steve Smith’s smooth cymbal work is often taken for granted.
A surprising twist is taken on track two, the laid back blues pulse of “Walk Like A Lady”. Sounds like Smith is playing with brushes, and Neal really plays it classy. Then, a jab of organ and the players are off to indulge themselves. “Oooh yeah!” shouts Perry, as if enjoying the jamming himself. Soulful harmony vocals by the band really take this out on an authentic note.
Third song, third musical direction: power balladeering! Rolie sings a duet with Perry backing him on “Someday Soon”, a melancholy but punchy ballad. Though it was not a single, perhaps it should have been. There’s a cool, unique angelic vocal section near the end that nicely complements Steve Smith’s drum fills.
“People and Places” is like an exercise in creative vocal arrangements, if not showing off. Neal Schon sings lead with Steve Perry on this complex track. It’s more like the Dream, After Dream material than a lot of Departure. If only the modern Journey were unafraid to create more unique music like this. It still has room for a powerful melody and some warming cascades of guitar. This song moves directly into “Precious Time”, which has a vibe like the still-in-the-future track “Liberty”. Lyrically it foreshadows the “Line of Fire” on side two, and also has Rolie on harmonica. It turns into a more typical Journey rocker by the midpoint. Lots of tasty Schon guitars to be savoured here.
Unusually for an album of 1980, Departure had 12 tracks: five on the first side, and seven on the second. This is where we’d flip.
The big concert rocker “Where Were You” kicks off the back end of Departure. This one pounds the pavement with beats, riffs and boppin’ piano. It too could have been a single, though it did open their concerts on tour. Then, a completely different mood drops: “I’m Cryin'” hits like a cold wave of grief, though not without its musical thrills. Soon it’s over and the rockin’ “Line Of Fire” brings the party back. There’s no better way to describe it than a fast, good time rock and roll song. “So don’t go sayin’ Steve is a liar!” warns Perry to some young lady who done him wrong. “Bye bye bye Susie, so long girl!” (He sure got over what was bothering him on “I’m Cryin'” pretty fast.) Take note of Schon’s technical solo work here.
“Departure” / “Good Morning Girl” is softly progressive, with strings and light guitar, and little else. This is over quickly, and then it’s the ballad “Stay Awile”, one of the sweetest songs Steve Perry or Journey have ever done. Once again, listen to the bass and drums for a different perspective. Perhaps the only thing better than Perry’s lead vocals are when he does it live.
Fortunately, Journey had the wisdom to end the album on a rocker: “Homemade Love”. Some of Perry’s worst words accompany some of his most acrobatic singing. Still, at least it’s a good jam to go out on, with some fretboard burning fingerwork by Neal.
Interesting, the 8-track tape might have what would be called a bonus track here: a reprise of “Line of Fire”. It’s here mostly for timing reasons; there are no songs split between tracks anywhere on this album. So, 8-track buyers got an uninterrupted listen, plus a reprise of “Line of Fire”. Information is scarce, but it would be fun to hear the tape this way,
On remastered CD, we got some slightly more interesting bonus tracks than 8-track offered. “Natural Thing” is a bluesy B-side, which was later released as the B-side to “Don’t Stop Believin'”. Chronologically though, it is from this era and is as strong as any similar material on the album. Funny how some tracks don’t make the cut when others do. If you were told this was a standalone single, you wouldn’t have a reason to doubt it. The CD also includes “Little Girl” from Dream, After Dream which is a difficult album to find and Rolie’s studio farewell. It is a string-laden power ballad, very progressive, and far darker than anything on Departure.
Departure features an unusually rougher sound than other Journey albums. The production seems unpolished despite the complexities of some tracks, with the vocals sometimes occupying a strange space that’s not quite in front of the music. Still, a classic album is a classic album and there are so few flaws with Departure that it’s easy to dismiss them all.
Happy birthday to Jonathan Cain of JOURNEY, as we celebrate his discography today with Tim Durling on this very special episode of Grab A Stack of Rock! We look back at the entire discography of the legendary rock band, all the lineup changes, all the big songs, and a bunch of deep cuts as well. On six different formats, I show you the entire catalogue, with help from Tim to fill three holes in the official collection. (There’s still one or two essential things I need to get, but you’ll have to watch the video to find out.)
Tim Durling is what I would call a “Journey expert”. He knows the facts and the sales numbers and the singles, and he was essential in this video coming to be. Not just the live albums I’m still missing, but also the knowledge and personal history. I was late getting into the band, in the late 1990s. Tim had 10 years on me. Thank you Tim for helping me make this video!
Together we presented CDs, cassettes, vinyl, 8-tracks, Blu-rays and DVDs of all the essential Journey. We looked at imports from Japan, Europe, the US, and Mexico as well as different pressings with different bonus tracks. A wide variety of Journey CD editions are here for you to examine.
Thank you Tim and thank you Journey for the music!
Discography included:
Journey (1975)
Look Into the Future (1976)
Next (1977)
Infinity (1978)
Evolution (1979)
In The Beginning (1979)
Departure (1980)
Dream, After Dream (1980)
Captured (1981)
Escape (1981)
Frontiers (1983 and 2023 40th Anniversary editions)
Raised on Radio (1986)
Greatest Hits (1988)
Time3 (1992 boxed set)
Trial By Fire (1996)
Greatest Hits Live (1998)
Arrival (2000-2001)
The Essential Journey (2001)
Red 13 (2002)
Generations (2005)
Live In Houston 1981: The Escape Tour (2005)
Turn the Page (Live Bootleg w/ Jeff Scott Soto (2006)
Sometimes it is fun to review an album on its first listen, so that’s what we’re doing today with Hagar’s Three Lock Box. I only know a handful of tunes so this will be mostly brand new to me. Released December 6, 1982, Three Lock Box was Sammy’s seventh solo album. Jon Cain (Journey) and Mike Reno (Loverboy) make guest appearances, and it contains Sammy’s biggest charting solo hit. Let’s give it a spin, on this fancy Japanese CD pressing.
The title track is familiar, with its slightly funky riff and rich organ backing. I don’t know why, but that refrain of “One, two, three lock box!” reminds me of the kind of melody and simplicity of a children’s song. But child’s play this is not! A couple minutes in, and the gears shift to full blown hard rockin’. This is a catchy and rhythmically clever little tune.
“Remote Love” might have a bit too much keyboard in the mix, but this is a cool laid back rock ballad. It sounds like something from a past age perhaps. Loud keyboards aside, there’s something purely classic about it, especially when you get to the soulful chorus.
Cain and Reno appear on “Remember the Heroes” (co-written by Cain). Very Journey-esque, but Mike Reno sounds absolutely brilliant! What a powerhouse singer, and when he and Sammy team up on the chorus, it’s mighty great! You could easily imagine Journey doing this song, and perhaps they should have.
“Your Love Is Driving Me Crazy” (#13 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock songs) is clearly hit material. It’s all melody, smooth and polished. The production has the bells and whistles and the track is just really hard to resist.
A haunting tone enters on “In the Room”, a completely different vibe. It almost sounds like a lost Alice Cooper number from the same time period. “I’ve been caught in the room, that moment of sleep when you think you’re awake.” The lyrics match the music perfectly. This is one of those must-have deep cuts, a song that absolutely deserves more attention. It’s so different for Sammy. “Rise of the Animal” follows with spooky sounds, and then a synth pulse. “I just came out from the room…” sings Sammy, continuing his thoughts from the prior song. “I saw the rising of the moon. This ain’t no ordinary night! Look to my left, look to my right.” It starts slow and picks up the pace, and ends with some brilliantly frantic soloing from Sam.
Another great deep cut is the pop rocker “I Wouldn’t Change A Thing”. A radio-ready corker, it could have been a hit in an alternate universe. Let’s call it the Sammyverse. A universe where everything is bright, colourful and shiny. I wouldn’t mind hanging out in the Sammyverse, and “I Wouldn’t Change A Thing” could be its anthem. Wave your red flags high!
“Growing Up” has a highschool-tough sound, while Sammy sings of the girls in their summer clothes. The Sammyverse only has short skirts and high heels. It’s probably the filler track of the album, as it doesn’t seem to have the hooks of previous tracks. Fortunately “Never Give Up” is all hooks. Another pop rocker with memorably melodies and smooth guitars, it’s just a fun song. Easy singalong in the car. Speaking of cars, the Sammyverse is fond of ’em, and the closing track “I Don’t Need Love” races like one of Sammy’s Ferraris. It’s a brilliant rocker and probably the heaviest track on an otherwise pretty mainstream rock album.
Sammy Hagar albums don’t have a lot of pyrotechnics. They are often meat and potatoes, workmanlike and easily accessible. Three Lock Box has its strengths not in the production or flashy performance, but in the songs and the singing. It’s a satisfying listen and I understand why it is so well liked. It may not have a lot of edge, but it’s a fun, feel-good listen.
Journey began scoring hits when they acquired powerhouse vocalist Steve Perry on Infinity (1978) and Evolution (1979). Why not issue a compilation sourced from the band’s first three Perry-less records, with new cover art that ties into their present? Seems like a no-brainer. And so we have Journey’s first compilation album (and a double length at that) called In The Beginning. Thank you Tim Durling for gifting this copy for the collection and for review.
In The Beginning contains five of the seven tracks from Journey’s self-titled debut. It begins with three. As on the original LP, “Of A Lifetime” opens. The long organ and guitar-drenched opening gives way to a slow and passionate Gregg Rolie lead vocal. Were Iron Maiden influenced by this song when they wrote “Strange World” for their own debut? Probably just coincidence, but it can be heard. The main hook in “Of A Lifetime” was the unmistakable guitar hook. At this early stage, Journey boasted two guitar players: Neal Schon and the late George Tickner. They have to share the spotlight with an absolutely raging Aynsley Dunbar on drums and Rolie tearing it up on the synth. Undervalued bassist Ross Valory also must be mentioned, playing concrete but melodic foundations under the feature players.
George Tickner’s instrumental “Topaz” goes second, starting slow and then taking on a jamming, progressive jazz rock fusion vibe. This complex track is not to be taken lightly. Just absorb every different section as they hit you. Once again, Dunbar is a monster. Third is “Kohoutek”, the memorable Schon/Rolie instrumental that was also track three on the debut album. On vinyl, in both cases, it closed Side One. It’s another challenging track with a cool galloping section. (There’s a reason I’ve heard Dunbar referred to as an octopus – he sounds like he’s playing with eight arms!)
Rolie’s “On A Saturday Night” from album #2, Look Into the Future is a completely different style from the first three progressive sprawls. Under four minutes with a bopping piano, this is just great rock and roll! Tickner was out and the band was reduced to a quartet with Schon as the sole six-stringer. Shades here of where the band would head once they figured out their future direction. Schon’s solo is an example of melodic composition. The Beatles cover “It’s All Too Much” from Look Into the Future follows. It fits this new concise straightforward Journey sound, and it is quite excellent. Rolie was the perfect guy to sing a George Harrison song, and the backwards ending is suitably trippy. The blues “In My Lonely Feeling/Conversations” takes us back to the debut album. This Rolie/Valory composition scorches with passionate fretwork. Not surprisingly, the bass is the foundation. Also from the debut, “Mystery Mountain” closes side one. A short, but jamming track with subtle use of the wah-wah pedal.
Opening (cassette) Side Two, “Spaceman” from Next (album #3) was a melodic single. Journey were honing in on that simple pop rock ballad. “Spaceman” is one of their first. As it did on album, “People” follows “Spaceman”, featuring synth and acoustics. Very psychedelic for Journey. The back to album #2, “Anyway” rocks hard and slow, like a monumental Whitesnake track from the 70s. (Dunbar later joined Coverdale & Co. for 1987.) From the same record, “You’re On Your Own” switches from slow and bluesy verses to a pounding chorus, enabled by Aynsley. There’s a Beatles influence here in “I Want You (She’s So Heavy”).
We’re into the last tracks here, as vinyl listeners would have been flipping to side four for “Look Into the Future”, a brilliant ballad and one of the band’s early best. “Nickel and Dime”, a legendary jam from Next feels like a throwback to the first album and for good reason: it’s a leftover Tickner co-write! And finally, In The Beginning closes with the epic “I’m Gonna Leave You”, the same song that closed the debut Journey. Coupling some killer organ with with a heavy riff, this bluesy rocker also boasts some of Rolie’s best vocalizin’. Legendary!
For those who only know Journey as a lovin’, touchin’, squeezin’ band of crooners and balladeers, this compilation would come as a shock to the system. But a shock can be a good thing. In The Beginning is a great way to get many of the key tracks from the first phase of Journey in one purchase. This stuff doesn’t usually make it onto regular Journey compilations. It’s a good set to own.
At 45 minutes long, this is one of the best Tim’s Vinyl Confessions I’ve ever participated in. You can really pick up on our love of Journey, and perhaps our disappointment in recent events since their last album. Fortunately, Neal Schon heard us. Enjoy this episode!
Last month we gave Journey’s new album Freedom a glowing review. We also did an excellent episode of Tim’s Vinyl Confessions to discuss the new album. Though many were sceptical, Tim and I agreed more or less on the entire album. We were both pleasantly surprised at its quality. What was missing was the Japanese bonus 16th track. Neither of us got a hold of it…until now.
The bonus track, exclusive to Japan, is a Jon Cain penned track called “Hard To Let It Go”. If you are predicting the song is a ballad…you would be correct.
Spoiler: Tim’s comment upon hearing “Hard To Let It Go” was “I can see why the Journey track didn’t make the album…so-so.”
Below you can read the full Journey Freedom review, now including bonus track.
What a…well, Journey…it has been! First drummer Deen Castronovo was fired for…reasons we won’t get into. Steve Smith was brought back to replace him, until both Smith and bassist Ross Valory were fired for attempted takeover of the band? One way or another they ended up with Randy Jackson and Narada Michael Walden forming a lethal new rhythm section. Also added was second keyboardist Jason Derlatka. Now Deen is back and the album they created together, Freedom, is a special one compared to all the other post-Perry records. Musically, Freedom is the strongest lineup since the classic era. With Narada on songwriting, there is a clear uptick in memorable material. 16 songs, and a more satisfying listen than the last three or four Journey studio albums. Freedom actually feels like a three sided album, with five songs per side (plus the bonus track). Listen with that in mind and see if you agree.
1. “Together We Run” – Classic 80s sound with a catchy Jon Cain piano opening. Awesome chorus. The “Woah Woah Woah” part is excellent. Top it with a classic Schon solo. Arnel Pineda sounds more soulful than before. 5/5
2. “Don’t Give Up On Us” – This is the “Separate Ways” ripoff. Tell me you can’t hear it. It’s slowed down a tad, but similar. Good tune though! 4/5
3. “Still Believe in Love” – The first ballad. Narada’s really nailing that soul vibe on drums. Really soft/romantic but good. 4/5
4. “You Got the Best of Me” – Second single. Solid Journey style hard rocker. Narada nails this vibe too in a style reminiscent of Steve Smith. Chorus is stellar. 5/5
5. “Live to Love Again” – Jonathan Cain solo writing credit. A bit corny but not more so than other Journey ballads or Bon Jovi for that matter. 3/5
6. “The Way We Used To Be” – First single, so long ago! Darker, more ominous Journey, but absolutely killer. Takes a while to sink it. Works better on the album than as a single. Powerful, with great chorus. 5/5
7. “Come Away With Me” – Uncharacteristic hard rock groover. Randy Jackson for the win. Do I hear an homage to the first album on this one? Relentless song! 5/5
8. “After Glow” – Ballad #3. At least each ballad is different from one another, which is necessary on an album like this. Deen Castronovo on lead vocals. Very Steve Perry circa Trial By Fire. 3.5/5
9. “Let It Rain” – Woah! Completely different. Funk courtesy of Mr. Randy Jackson on bass. Solid unexpected funky groove going on here. Schon is mental! 4/5
10. “Holdin’ On” – Randy’s first co-write. Very much an homage to the first three progressive Journey albums. Time signature is nuts. 4/5
11. “All Day, All Night” – Randy Jackson is MVP for his bass pulse on this soulful, funky groove. Wicked song, An album highlight. Schon just punctuates the air with some chords while the bass carries the verses. Arnel in top voice on the screamin’ outro. 5/5
12. “Don’t Go” – Arnel’s first co-write. Like early 80’s Bon Jovi with an uplifting power chorus. 5/5
13. “United We Stand” – No quite a ballad, but a midtempo tune. Lyrics could be interpreted as about the division in the US. Not a highlight, just kinda sits there. 3/5
14. “Life Rolls On” – A song about aging and rolling with the changes. Begins as a ballad and transforms into a rocker. Nice organ on here by Jon Cain. 4/5
15. “Beautiful As You Are” – Album closing ballad/rocker. Lovely acoustic closer. Understated and perfect until it goes rocker at the end. Arnel in top voice hitting the high notes. Homage to classic Journey at the end – “Anytime”? Walden kicking absolutely ass on the outro. 5/5
16. “Hard To Let It Go” – Ballads can work very well as bonus tracks; an added “coda” to a track listing. “Hard To Let It Go” takes a few listens to like. If it were in the main tracklist, it would fade into the background in the wake of better songs. Slow, deliberate, with an excellent speedy bluesy solo by Neal. (Steve Perry did call Neal Schon one of the best blues players in the world on the Captured live album.) Really though, the song is B-side quality compared to the rest of Freedom. It stands out a little more thanks to its positioning as the last song. 3/5
Freedom is the first Journey since Trial By Fire that really intrigues you enough to go in for multiple listens. This lineup has it all and though health issues have gotten in they way of Randy and Narada touring, the album is a moment frozen in time when Journey had these two awesome veterans in the engine room.
Tim Durling approached me about doing this Journey show…six months ago? A year? Two years? We have been waiting for this Journey album a long time, and a rocky ride it has been. Does this album live up to the hype? Tim and I are remarkably alligned on the new Journey album Freedom. Dig in.
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