Arnel Pineda’s “Journey” January 14, 2008
Posted by Don Kishote in Music, OFW Blues, Pinas, TV/Movie, nigeria, philippines.Tags: arnel pineda, concert in chile, journey, ofw, pinoy, queen, survivor, the outfield, the zoo, vina del mar
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For a while now, i have been reading volumes of blogs about the feat of a Filipino musician who was tapped to become the lead vocalist for the iconic American band “Journey”.
Since the first time i heard “Open Arms” and “Faithfully” eons ago, i have become a fan of Journey’s music. So when i first read about this bit of news on Arnel Pineda’s success, I started scouring the YouTube for the clips of his gigs in Manila where he sang songs of Journey, Bon Jovi, Survivor and Air Supply, among others… Well, except for distinctive Pinoy lisp, Arnel did mighty sound like Journey.
The news said Arnel was discovered by Journey’s Neal Schon pver YouTube. After he listened to Arnel’s rendition of faithfully, Schon was sure he is the man they were looking for. And as they say, the rest is history.
Anyway, here are some materials about Arnel’s ‘journey’… (pun intended).
Credits goe to the authors/owners of respective blogs and resources.
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From Rodel Rodis blog:
“Don’t stop believing”, the title of the hit song of 70s era rock band Journey, was played at the last scene of the final episode of the HBO hit, The Sopranos. The airplay revived interest in the band which had been performing without its frontman, Steve Perry, since the mid-90s when he quit. Journey’s journey back to the big time would be complete if they could only find a new lead singer.
It was difficult for the band to find a replacement for Steve Perry. “Those anthemic Journey power ballads, sung by Perry in his operatic tenor, have been known to shred vocal chords, and it takes an extraordinary talent to be able to sing them,” reported Paul Liberatore from Medianews.
After months of auditioning prospects without any luck, Journey’s Neal Schon tried the Internet. “I went on YouTube for a couple of days and just sat on it for hours. I was starting to think I was never going to find anybody.” That is until he chanced upon a video of Filipino singer Arnel Pineda singing Journey’s hit “Faithfully” with a Filipino cover band called the Zoo. “After watching the videos over and over again, I had to walk away from the computer and let what I’d heard sink in because it sounded too good to be true,” he said. “I thought, ‘He can’t be that good.’“
Before Pineda knew it, Journey had obtained a work visa for him and had flown him in to San Francisco to audition with the band in Marin. After a few songs, the band members were unanimous that they had found their lead singer at long last. The official announcement was made on December 5 after Pineda returned to record 11 new songs of Journey that will be released in the spring of 2008.
In his blog, Journey record producer Kevin Shirley wrote “Just got back from Vegas last night, after mixing seven new Journey songs. They are outstanding… For the record, I think Arnel is ‘the business!’–the guy can really sing!
He handles the ballads with SO much heart, and belts the rockers as hard, and melodically, as anyone I have heard. The songs are sensational–wonderfully crafted and deep, and so focused, you may wonder where they all came from.”
A news article about Pineda reported that since English is his second language, he was provided with an “accent reduction coach” to work on his phrasing and diction. This was no problem for Arnel but he also had to deal with racism. “When there were rumors about me joining Journey, there was a lot of that,” Pineda told Liberatore. “One of the worst things I read on a fan message board said that Journey is an all-American band and it should stay like that. But I don’t care. I just say, ‘Hey, grow up.’”
“We’ve become a world band,” Journey keyboardist Jonathan Cain said in reply. “We’re international now. We’re not about one color. I kind of like the whole idea of having a singer like him. It’s exotic.”
Don’t stop believing in yourself. Have a happy exotic new year.
Send comments to Rodel50@aol.com or log on to www.rodel50.blogspot.com/) or send your letter to the Law Offices of Rodel Rodis at 2429 Ocean Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94127 or call (415) 334-7800.
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from Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arnel_Pineda
Arnel Pineda
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Arnel Pineda (singer-songwriter) is the newest member and lead singer of the popular American rock band Journey [1] . Pineda has enjoyed a successful musical career in Asia for the last 25 years. His singing style has been influenced by Steve Perry (Journey), John Farnham (Little River Band), Freddie Mercury (Queen), Sting (The Police), Survivor, Heart, The Beatles, Van Halen, Aerosmith, U2, Warrant, Deep Purple, and other bands from that genre.
History
According to one report, as a child, Pineda wanted to become an engineer.
In 1982, when Pineda was just 15 years old, he became the lead singer of a band in the Philippines called Ijos Band. In 1987 and 1988, he won the Best Vocalist award at the World Band Explosion, with the finals held in Budokan Hall, Tokyo.
Arnel then joined a pop/rock Filipino band called Amo as their lead singer. Amo played in clubs in Quezon City, Olongapo and Makati, which are located on the biggest island of the Philippines. Amo was very popular in the renowned Chinese owned Cal Jam club in Olongapo City, which was frequented by United States Military personnel. During his tenure in Amo, Pineda made regular TV appearances in the Philippines.
In late 1990, five of Amo’s original members split from the band leader, Ulysis Ablang (Uly) and formed another band behind Pineda, “New Age”. This occurred prior to the release of Amo’s only album released in 1990 titled “Ang Tunay na Amo” (”The Real Master”) on BMG records which spawned one popular radio hit called “Running Away”. (The song was popularized again in 2006 by another Filipino artist Erik Santos, who won an American Idol type Filipino TV show, Star In A Million.) The remaining members of Amo went on to become “The Boss Band”, while Pineda’s band, New Age played regularly at Fire and Rain in Makati, a city on the outskirts of Manila.
During those performances, a talent agent spotted Pineda and asked him to move to Hong Kong to perform at a very popular entertainment restaurant called Igor’s. With New Age, Pineda performed six nights a week, Tuesday through Sunday, at Igor’s for nine years thereafter. New Age also performed at Grammy’s in Hong Kong.
In 1999, Pineda caught the attention of Warner Bros. record label and flew back to the Philippines on his days off to record a solo album, the self-titled “Arnel Pineda” which he wrote and arranged. Most of the album’s ten original songs are slow ballads, with only two upbeat numbers, one of which carries a Latin style. One of the songs, “Iiyak Ka Rin” became very popular and is now a karaoke favorite in Asia, while another song “Sayang” became a radio favorite. Pineda continued to perform with New Age while making his album and for several years thereafter.
In 2004, three members of the New Age band reformed with a female singer sharing lead vocals with Pineda and called themselves “Most W@nted”. This band played 3-4 hour sets Monday through Saturday at The Cavern Club in Hong Kong.
In 2006, Pineda moved back to the Philippines along with Monet Cajipe, the guitarist who has been in all Pineda’s bands during the last 24 years. They formed the Zoo Band. The Zoo Band has performed several nights a week at clubs in Manila and Olongapo during 2006 and 2007. Shows regularly spanned 3-5 hours. The Zoo’s first album “Zoology” was released by MCA Universal in September 2007 featuring 13 original tracks, several of which were penned by Pineda.
Present
Videos of The Zoo performing cover songs by Journey, Survivor, Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, Air Supply, The Eagles, Kenny Loggins and other popular acts from the 70s, 80s and 90s, began appearing on YouTube.com in February 2007 and now number more than 200 in total. In August 2007, Neal Schon of Journey contacted the YouTube member who uploaded many videos asking for contact information for Pineda. Pineda, along with his manager, Bert de Leon, flew to San Francisco to audition for Journey later in August, 2007.
On December 5, 2007, Pineda was announced as the lead singer of Journey. CNN Headline News ran the story as part of their “News to Me” segment.
El Mercurio Online in Chile notes that Pineda will appear with Journey at the Festival de Viña del Mar at Quinta Vergara Arena in Chile on February 21, 2008. Pineda will also perform with Journey on February 23 at Estadio San Carlos de Apoquindo in Santiago, at Grand Hotel and Casino of Viña del Mar on February 24, both in Chile, and in the US at a private Remax Convention event at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on March 6, 2008.
Journey and renowned producer Kevin Shirley are currently in the studio creating a new album which he is producing, for release in spring/summer 2008. In his online diary, Shirley described the recording sessions as “wonderful, successful, stupidly creative” and said that “Sometimes you just know when there’s history in the making.” In a statement on December 5, 2007, Shirley said “I was stunned at Arnel, who is a monster vocalist. He is the real deal. Just phenomenal.” When speaking about the upcoming album in a later entry in his diary, he said: “Just got back from Vegas last night, after mixing seven new Journey songs. They are outstanding… For the record, I think Arnel is ‘the business!’ - the guy can really sing! He handles the ballads with SO much heart, and belts the rockers as hard, and melodically, as anyone I have heard. The songs are sensational - wonderfully crafted and deep, and so focused, you may wonder where they all came from. And I’m being serious….”
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From Journey Website: http://www.journeymusic.com/index2.html
Band Announcements
Dec 05, 2007
JOURNEY WELCOMES ARNEL PINEDA
WITH “OPEN ARMS” TO THEIR FAMILY
AS THE BAND’S NEW LEAD SINGER
December 5, 2007 — After much speculation…the wait is finally over.
JOURNEY–Neal Schon (guitar), Jonathan Cain (keyboards), Ross Valory (bass), Deen Castronovo (drums)–is proud to introduce fans all over the world to their new lead singer, Arnel Pineda (“pin-eh-da”). He replaces Jeff Scott Soto, who parted ways with the band earlier this year after stepping in for Steve Augeri, who had to leave the band in 2006 for medical reasons.
Arnel hails from Quezon City in the Philippines and has been singing Journey songs–in addition to original material–with his band, The Zoo, for the past couple of years in clubs all over his homeland. Joining the legendary band is a dream come true for him. “It’s so exciting to sing with one of the best bands in the world. It’ll be a lot of hard work on my part and I’m actually looking forward to the scrutiny I’ll get from the hardcore JOURNEY fans. I know they’ll expect me to sound exactly like ‘the voice’ (Steve Perry), but that will never happen. I know there’s only one Steve Perry in this world.”
When it was time for JOURNEY to look for a new lead singer, the internet came to their rescue. Guitarist Neal Schon wanted someone new to the music business, so he turned to YouTube. After finding Arnel singing “Faithfully,” he knew he had found the perfect frontman.
“I was frustrated about not having a singer,” explains guitarist Neal Schon, “so I went on YouTube for a couple of days and just sat on it for hours. I was starting to think I was never going to find anybody. But then I found The Zoo and I watched a bunch of different video clips that they had posted. After watching the videos over and over again, I had to walk away from the computer and let what I heard sink in because it sounded too good to be true. I thought, ‘he can’t be that good.’ But he is that good, he’s the real deal and so tremendously talented. Arnel doesn’t sound synthetic and he’s not emulating anyone. I tried to get a hold of him through YouTube and I finally heard from him that night, but it took some convincing to get him to believe that it really was me and not an imposter.”
Arnel Pineda picks up the story: “My friend Noel picked up the message on YouTube and told me it was from Neal. I thought it was a hoax so I ignored it. Noel said, ‘what if it really was Neal and he wanted to offer you the chance of a lifetime?’ So I e-mailed Neal back and the rest is history.”
“Arnel brings a soulful and passionate voice to JOURNEY,” continues keyboardist Jonathan Cain. “His personality is very well-suited to our music. He’s a sincere, authentic person with a great smile and a big heart. I think fans are really going to love him. With Arnel’s soaring tenor, Journey returns to our heritage sound.”
Schon agrees, “We feel reborn. I think there’s a lot of chemistry between the five of us. At first we were going to go into the studio and just write 4 songs, but now it’s escalated to a lot of great new and diverse material. The stuff sounds tremendous. Everyone’s so stoked about it. We feel very fortunate to have found Arnel.”
JOURNEY is currently working on a new album with legendary producer Kevin Shirley, which they hope to release by spring/summer 2008. Details will be announced early next year.
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Ok, sample YouTube vids.
YouTube - Journey - Faithfully (Cover by The Zoo)
YouTube - Black Dog Cover Song by The Zoo
And for those who do not approve of Arnel:
http://www.classicrockmagazine.com/page/classicrock?entry=are_journey_about_to_do
he’s really one of the best. magnificent voice! i have watched him performed with the ijos band, then amo-ijos in tne mid 80’s. open arms, bohemian raphsody are just some of my favorite songs he sung during those days. go,go,go arnel! good luck! we’re proud of you. rolly & fe.
open arms, faithfully are also in our song line-up in our variety band “ASSESSORS”. open arms is also played in our jazz band group called Jun Javier Jazz Band. and i am the drummer. LONG,LONG,LONG LIVE “JOURNEY” i’ll be waiting for your comeback. ROLLY PALO of Philippines
Nicely done my AMO. I grew up in Olongapo City Philippines and watched Arnel shine on the stage everytime he performs at “CALJAM” in the 87-90’s during my Highschool days. Very impressive and an outstanding singer!!!
Hopefully the Journey ends with Arnel…
Best of Luck and Thanks to Journey for accepting my Filipino brother in their group.
(Hope to meet you in person my friend)
San Diego, California
Rodel
JOURNEY, JOURNEY, JOURNEY…just love to see the new guy sing, saw one oh his videos. AWESOME! Pls. when is your US Tour, hope You’ll stop by Dallas, Texas. we have a nice venue here in Nokia Theatre, or maybe even for a big crowd in American Airline Center. wheww…can’t stop beleiving.
I have always been proud to be a Filipino and am more proud now because of you, Arnel Pineda. Thank you for proving us right. You rock!!!
Im proud to be a Filipino - American upon learning that Arnel Pineda will be part of my favorite group JOURNEY.
I always dreamed of watching JOURNEY perfom since I fell in love with their music two decades ago. Now, I am truly looking forward for their upcoming album and their US tour knowing that the voice I will be hearing would be of another Filipino.
More power to the group and looking forward to your outstanding music.
PS
When will you be playing here in Texas.
to come to the US plus sing as the lead for the most popular band JOURNEY must be an overwhelming feeling. you’re voice is so amazing, you give me goose bumps. i am so happy and excited for you. when will the band play in Temecula, CA area? please let me know.
iam so proud or arnel. i have been listening to journey’s music since i was very young in philippines. i love their music. i watched arnel’s version of the song “faithfully” on you tube over and over. he has an amazing voice. i cant wait until the album is released this spring. i will be the first in store. i hope to meet him someday either in his concert or in philippines.
My wife and I agreed 200% with Mr Jonathan Cain
Journey is now a super power world band,and regar-
dless of ethnic group,once the Journey band perform
their live music concert, the world community will
be united in perfect harmony,like the rainbow from
sky that touches the earth and heaven.We cannot
wait to see ya’ll play a live concert here in Houston
Texas.
Here’s the Quinta Vergara Review…Concert in Chile
Feb 21,2008
“I just witnessed Journey’s great concert at the incredible Quinta Vergara Song Festival in Vina del Mar, Chile. It’s 1am here in Chile (11pm EST)and the festival is just getting started. Arnel Pineda was absolutely incredible.
There was not an empty seat in the house (some 15,000) and the crowd, known as the “Monster” (because they will literally not allow performers they don’t like to continue singing, or they will reward the best by demanding rewards).
As Journey performed, the “Monster” sang, danced and applauded to no end, forcing Journey to come back on stage and receive their “Antorcha de Plata”, which is their Silver Torch Award. After the band played again, they chanted and chanted “Antorcha de Oro” and the hosts awarded Journey with their Gold Torch Award. The band played again and the “Monster” demanded their maximum award, “La Gaviota de Plata” (the Silver Seagull).
It was an awesome event. So much energy from Journey and the “Monster”, it would give you goosebumps. Arnel Pineda was inspired. When he started singing, he asked the “Monster” to “go easy on him”. He didn’t have to. The “Monster” loved him to no end. His performance was so incredible, such an energetic stage presence, and his voice was like hearing Steve Perry… What a talent!
In the crowd, there were lots of older gen that wanted to see Journey, but also tons of teens that were there to see other performers and that may have known at best a couple of songe. But, I believe that having Arnel Pineda perform, a young, hip dude, will inject new life and projection into the band, as the younger generations felt truly identified with his style. And thus they embrace Journey’s music. I believe that he can take Journey through the next 30-40 years. A great formula for any older band.
Congratulations on a great performance in Vina del Mar. I’m sure Arnel will never forget this first huge performance here, at the end of the worls, where it’s summer, the beaches and women are beyond beautiful.
Greg”
I was really moved by the story. I am sure that Journey will be great as always, otherwise they will not have a star in the walk of fame. MORE POWER TO YOU, JOURNEY!! Expect me to buy all your new CD’s.
Open Arms
Journey
D A G/B Bm A G
Lying beside you here in the dark, feeling your heartbeat with mine
D A G/B Bm A G
Softly you whisper You’re so sincere How could our love be so blind
Em Bm A D A G
We sailed on together we drifted apart and here you are by my side
AaddG G AaddG
AaddG DaddE D DaddE/F# D/F# G C9
(c) So now I come to you with open arms Nothing to hide believe what I say
DaddE D Dadde/F# D/F# G C9
So here I am with open arms Hoping you’ll see what your love means
D
to me Open arms
D A G/B Bm A G
Living without you, Living alone, This empty house seems so cold
D A G/B Bm A G
Wanting to Hold You, Wanting you near, How much I wanted you home
Em Bm A D A G
But now that you’ve come back, turned night into day I need you to say
AaddG G AaddG
AaddG DaddE D DaddE/F# D/F# G C9
(c) So now I come to you with open arms Nothing to hide believe what I say
DaddE D Dadde/F# D/F# G C9
So here I am with open arms Hoping you’ll see what your love means
D
to me Open arms
Here’s one way of playing the above chords
G/B AaddG DaddE DaddE/F# D/F# C9
e__3_____0______0_______0________2______3___________________________________
b__0_____2______3_______3________3______3___________________________________
g__0_____0______2_______2________2______3___________________________________
d__0_____2______0_______4________4______2___________________________________
a__2_____0______________________________3___________________________________
e___________________________________________________________________________
Arnel Pineda seems to be the world champ cameleon of vocalists, easily duplicating the essence of all my fav singers. If you check covers by the zoo, he imitates, aerosmith, beatles, and many other singers, that is the bad thing he just imitates voices. I wonder what his own voice sounds like?? he is just a cover band singer and a great imitator
TO BIANGET:
Arnel did record his own album:
“In 1999, Pineda caught the attention of Warner Bros. record label and flew back to the Philippines on his days off to record a solo album, the self-titled “Arnel Pineda” which he wrote and arranged. Most of the album’s ten original songs are slow ballads, with only two upbeat numbers, one of which carries a Latin style. One of the songs, “Iiyak Ka Rin” became very popular and is now a karaoke favorite in Asia, while another song “Sayang” became a radio favorite. Pineda continued to perform with New Age while making his album and for several years thereafter.”
So you can try finding these music and listen to yourself what he sounds like by humself.
I saw the awesome performace of Arnel Pineda and Journey here… (plase follow the link)
http://festival2008.canal13.cl/2008/html/MMomentos/21/333091Ivq1.html
I hope I can see their concert at Cardiff, UK … I’m really looking forward to it… Ariba Arnel Pineda!
Congratulation Arnel and the band! your really did a good job, fantastic voice, just take care of your golden voice and your health so you can give us more awesome performace, I am proud to be a pinoy!!!!!
By the way where can we buy your present album and you future one too? I can’t wait to have one and my friends too.
congrats. more power and god bless - http://www.ofwabroad.com
congrats din. keep it up- http://mnemosynetwin.blogspot.com
Arnel, you are gifted with an amazing voice, only a few can do what you do, and with such ease! Being compared to another good singer is cruel, no two voices will sound exactly the same, so be encouraged, you have that “tenor+rock punch” goin’ on in there, that Neal, Jonathan, Ross and a good singer himself Deen has found in you. You’re a hero for us here in Singapore, taking our home the Philippines to another height. And thank you Journey for giving Arnel the place so uplifting and yet so deserving. Journey rocks! I will always be your fan.
I watched all your performances posted at YT and read almost all articles about you. I very seldom admire singers but when I heard your chameleon voice, I was really amazed of your talent. I am thankful to God for blessing your life. I don’t know what He has stored for you in the future but just to remind you to always acknowledge that this is from God. You have quite a number of detractors; that’s part of life. They can’t deny the fact that you are good, no matter how hard they try to pull you down. All they need to do is open their ears and see or hear for themselves. You are undeniably awesome. There are tons of people who love you not only Filipinos but from other nationalities. Always take good care of yourself and say a simple prayer everyday. God bless you!
http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/lifestyleexclusives/lifestyleexclusives/view/20080420-131512/This-Pinoy-is-a-rock-starbelieve-it
yup i saw him perform with the guys in Chile and he blends well with the other guys. Its really a nice to have a vocalist who performs with heart.
I’m 45 years old and had been rocking during the late 60’s , 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and Journey’s songs sung by Steve Perry is what’s embedded on my sub-conciousness. At first,my impression about Arnel is just a copy cat. I watch and listened to him on youtube on that Chile concert, and was always comparing the voice. However, as a fellow Filipino amazed with his chance to rock with Journey, i searched more from youtube, and chanced upon his performance with Zoo band. I heard him singing non-Journey songs, and that’s when i appreciated his voice and performance. It’s because this time, i’m not comparing him to Steve Perry. I like his rendition of Broken Wings and Amazing. Now, what i did is played his Journey songs once again on Youtube, this time just listening to it. Now, what i heard is not a Steve Perry sound alike voice, but a voice with distinction, with its own entity and style, and that’s the Arnel Pineda style. I played the song Dont Stop Beleiving and Open Arms being sang by Arnel once again on Youtube and this time watched him. This time i admitted that Arnel is really great and can keep up with Journey rock icons. Keep on rocking Arnel.
Oh man what a performance in Chile. I’ve watch their performances in Youtube over and over again and I am just amazed how the Chileans sang, danced, maybe some cried, and what is really amazing is if you look at the crowd, young, middle age, old, seems like everyone enjoyed the show. I am not familiar with those awards that they were given but the way some people described them, they’re not given (all three) to the same group or performers at the same time. I am not really a Journey Fan because of the style (Hard Rock) but they got me hooked now, if 15,000 (25 Million on live coverage) Chileans went crazy for this guys (I’ve never seen anything like it). Loved the performance level these guys gave out, so Fantastic!! Best drummer I’ve seen, Best Lead Guitarist I’ve seen, and for a beginner in big time concerts Arnel Pineda was nothing short of amazing!! I heard they will be doing 52 Concerts in 2 months, wow!! They must be the most sought after Group right now, I’m just hoping that Arnel’s voice will not break down with this kind of schedule, specially that he gives everything on every song, Go Journey more power to all of you, hope to see one of your live performance in the future. Excellent Group of people.
I’m not really a die hard Journey fan but i love their songs..there’s a couple of them that i know by heart…but now with AP as the vocalist, there’s just more meaning to these songs now.He has a pretty amazing voice.Can’t wait for the new album to come out.I tell everybody I know to buy the Journey CD. Good luck & more power to you AP.Now there’s another reason we’re proud to be PINOY!!!!!!!
JOURNEY at Ellen DeGeneres
May 28, 2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pE4DzxvEYCo&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkK3VFrHnyg&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImJMuIa4zxU&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eTur7SEcsY&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXj0R9AmS_s&feature=related
Journey (with Arnel Pineda) concert in UK: june 17 at appolo hammersmith
honestly, i think i like better arnel’s rendition of Faithfully (and other Journey songs) with The Zoo.
In Ellen’s show, it seems like he is a bar lower than the original note. And there’s too much masking (adlibs). Maybe to avoid being accused of aping SP. It seems like his high notes are cracking also…
In Separate Ways, i find no power. unlike in his Zoo version. It seems like his vocal prowess is subdued in this performance. Maybe in prep for their successive concert this year.
While he is trying to inject his own style in rendering the songs, but for the likes of me, i prefer it rendered like the original, not necessarily like SP, but like orig Journey sound. His Zoo covers gives me more goosebumps than this..
Showmanship is good, but too much ad-libbing spoils the feelings for the songs.
Overall, i love Journey music. And i sure am buying their Revelation CD.
Good luck kabayan Arnel.
Some schedule of Journey concert:
9/3 - Manchester,NH
9/5 - Toronto,ONT
9/6 - Cleveland,OH
9/7 - Cincinnati,OH
9/9 - Detroit,MI
09/10 Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, Indianapolis, IN
09/12 First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre, Chicago, IL
09/13 Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre St. Louis, MO
09/19 White River Amphitheatre Seattle, WA
09/21 Clark County Amphitheatre
Frontiers Records is presenting the new chapter in the legendary career of multi-platinum US rockers JOURNEY - Neal Schon (guitar), Jonathan Cain (keyboards), Ross Valory (bass), Deen Castronovo (drums) and Arnel Pineda (vocals) – entitled Revelation.
The brand new record will come in a beautifully packaged two CD set which will include 11 new songs and 11 re-recorded classics and will be released in Europe on Frontiers Records on June 6th 2008.
(NOTE - The U.S. release is June 3rd exclusively through Wal-Mart.)
Revelation is the first Journey album to feature the angelic voice of Filipino singer Arnel Pineda. Guitarist Neal Schon says about him “We feel reborn. I think there’s a lot of chemistry between the five of us. The new stuff sounds tremendous. Everyone’s so stoked about it. We feel very fortunate to have found Arnel”.
“Arnel brings a soulful and passionate voice to Journey”, continues keyboardist Jonathan Cain. “His personality is very well-suited to our music. He’s a sincere, authentic person with a great smile and a big heart. I think fans are really going to love him. With Arnel’s soaring tenor, Journey returns to our heritage sound.”
The first album with lead vocalist Arnel Pineda, Revelation is Journey running on no less than twelve cylinders, a fine-tuned offering that sounds every bit like a band hitting their stride. Schon and Cain penned all 11 of the new tracks on “Revelation”. There is no lack of chemistry in Journey, beginning with the songwriting core of Schon and Cain. “I felt strongly about moving forward and writing new material. It was time,” Schon states. Schon then put the call into Cain and started the song writing process which has now become the album, “Revelation”. “There’s an innate trust and respect for what we each do as we weave our way through this music,” says Cain. Schon adds, “In the alphabet, I might be a Z and Jonathan the A, that’s just how opposite we are musically sometimes. I write mostly rock and Jonathan writes most of the ballads, but when you combine the chemistry of us together, you’ll find that it is the nucleus and sound of what is and has been Journey. And now, with the right voice in place, we have all the right ingredients.”
‘Never Walk Away’ kicks Revelation off with the resilient air and upbeat optimism fans have come to expect from Journey, a melody-soaked and guitar-driven anthem sure to ignite the live circuit just as it lights up the new release. The heartwarming sentiment offered by “Like a Sunshower” gives a more poetic and reflective look at relationships. It’s an uncharacteristic ballad from the more hard rock-inclined Schon. There’s even an instrumental, The Journey (Revelation), at the request of producer Kevin Shirley, who returns to the fold after working with the band on Trial By Fire (1996) and Arrival (2000), the band’s first instrumental since Departure (1980) and Evolution (1979). “This is a special song for me”, Schon says of the sprawling track, “it was extremely gratifying to express myself on my instrument in this way”. This is a great performance from everyone in the band and truly a majestic track.
But every member of Journey shines on the whole of Revelation. Lead singer Arnel Pineda does plenty of head turning of his own throughout the new recordings, as well as the 11 classic hits that the band re-recorded. Jonathan Cain’s keyboards elevate ‘After All These Years’ to new emotional heights. ‘What I Needed’ is a power ballad, driven by heavy guitars, reminiscent of the early Journey that so many bands have modeled themselves after. Deen Castronovo drums up a frenzy during the hard-driving rock song, ‘Wildest Dream’. The talented Castronovo also sings most of the high harmonies heard throughout the album, proving that not only is he an amazing drummer, but he’s a dynamic vocalist as well. Schon’s smoking guitars rip through this track with a cool, eastern flavor. Bassist Ross Valory is steady throughout, a stabilizing force through the albums more driven highs and heartfelt lows.
Revelation tracklisting will include the following songs:
CD1: ‘Never Walk Away’, ‘Like A Sunshower’, ‘Change For The Better’, ‘Wildest Dream’, ‘Faith In The Heartland’, ‘After All These Years’, ‘Where Did I Lose Your Love’, ‘What I Needed’, ‘What It Takes To Win’, ‘Turn Down The World Tonight’, ‘The Journey (Revelation)’.
CD2: ‘Only The Young’, ‘Don’t Stop Believin”, ‘Wheel In The Sky’, ‘Faithfully’, ‘Any Way You Want It’, ‘Who’s Crying Now’, ‘Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)’, ‘Lights’, ‘Open Arms’, ‘Be Good To Yourself’, ‘Stone In Love’.
Source: http://hardrockheavymetal.wordpress.com/2008/04/22/journey-revelation-artwork-tracklisting-revealed/
….wowwwww. I ended up buying 2 albums from online and later at the Wal Mart stand once again after getting sold the first time the album was released….
…of course the soulful melodic power voice of Arnel Pineda does make you wonder where all the voice is resonating from….even Deen Castronovo belted a respectable powerful voice rendition of his own while keeping his beat on the fly….
Vallory’s base guitar just keeps the beat pegged all the way, while Jonathan keyboards convers the melody from start to finish..and of course, Neal’s guitar riffs just slices into our senses…the Journey way…this album hits it right on the spot !!!
..been listening to this album almost everyday…I am a fan of Steve Perry and no one can ever replaced him…that’s a credit no once can take away from Steve…and now the entry of Arnel Pineda as the lead singer of the Journey, just adds a colorful saga of a very talented singer..who finally got a break, with a little luck from the YouTube… and Arnel is having the fun of his life..rocking to the Journey’s hit songs… classic as well as the new tunes !!!! see you at Mandalay bay, July 18….the Journey’s journey continues…..very revealing indeed !!!