Random Thoughts on Macca and Journey
Random Thoughts as I get back into the swing of things after being in Chicago for a few days for the Wizard World Comic-Con:
Paul McCartney is playing a free show in Quebec City:my pal Timmy B sent me a text this morning to let me know Macca would be playing his first Canadian gig since 2005 to celebrate Quebec’s 400th birthday. Tim was wondering whether or not I’d like to go to the show, which I may have considered some years ago. But having two trips so close together (Las Vegas/Los Angeles and Chicago) and with our big move coming up in just a few weeks, I wasn’t too interested in seeing “The Cute One” in concert, even if it is for free. I’m sure I’m among the minority though; a free show by a remaining member of the Fab Four is sure to be a big draw for a lot of people. I’ve seen Paul McCartney 3 times (including a first row experience at the CNE in 1993) and it’s always a great concert, though I sure wish he’d play Side 2 of Abbey Road in its entirety some time. THAT would be spectacular.
A Revelation about Journey: to all those Journey fans who took me to task a few months ago about my lack of love for the band, let me simply say that you were right and I was wrong. I hope you’re happy. The band has some seriously catchy and strong songs. I discovered this fact while on the road to Chicago last Thursday when my pals and I put on Disc 2 of the new Journey album “Revelations”. This was the rerecordings of classic Journey tunes with new singer Arnel Pineda. First of all, we were all impressed with Arnel’s uncanny resemblance to Steve Perry. The guy has the goods. The next thing that impressed me was just how solid the songs were. And it wasn’t just “Don’t Stop Believing”, which is timeless. It was tunes like “Wheel In The Sky” and “Lights” too, songs that I caught myself singing along to and humming once they were done. So there you go - you were right, I was wrong. I’ll have more on the new Journey album (exclusively available at Wal-Mart) later this week.
Your bonus code for today is ARNEL. Use it for lots of points, whydoncha.
July 3rd, 2008 at 12:11 am
Hey Andrew,
You are the MAN! Took some balls to admit that a man was wrong. lol. Anyway, love the re-records myself and honestly, personality aside and just listening to the songs, some of these songs are actually (I was gonna say better, then, I remember the Perry Loons will probably chew me for it) ok, I’ll say that I prefer some of the re-records like Lights, Open Arms and Only the young over the originals. It’s my opinion and I’m sure the Perry loons will disagree with that but I challenge you to listen with an open mind to the orig. and the re-records of these 3 songs mentioned above and tell me what you think Andrew. Thanks.
July 3rd, 2008 at 9:18 pm
I was really impressed with the re-record too…The new ones are even better though especially the “heavy ballads” i.e. Like a Sunshower, After All these Years and Turn Down the world Tonight”..I think Journey has found a gem in hiring Arnel Pineda. Thanks
July 3rd, 2008 at 11:12 pm
I went to every concert I could when I lived in Montreal as I knew the promoter and always got the best seats, but the one I didn’t go to was McCartney and I can’t remember why as I wanted to, but my bestfriend did and the friend she took, got sick and lefft her there alone and she (my bestfriend) came over to my place after so high from the show, she was singing tunes at full blast, so we went out to celebrate and she told me that she’d never take that friend to a show again and apologized for not taking me in the first place as she said it was the best show she ever saw (and needless to say her friend wasn’t that sick ass he went back to my bestfriends house and ordered pizza with my bestfriend boyfriend, so when she got home and saw her supoosed sick friend eating pizza with her beau, she was mad as heck (and I don’t blame her.) I would therefore love to see him since my chance was taken from me years ago, but the trip is too far, too bad!!
July 4th, 2008 at 8:04 am
Wow. Didn’t know they re-recorded all the classics. I looked for it on iTunes, but it’s not there yet. You can check out my song about Journey in the meantime! It’s called How Journey Saved My Life!