New Journey CD

Just listening to my copy of Journey's new CD "Eclipse". Much of the album lives in a minor key, so I was a little disappointed at first listen. I like Journey when they are switching through the major keys. "Anything Is Possible" come close but on the whole they have gone for a more guitar based offering. "She's A Mystery" is the stand-out track for me with Ross Valory delivering some lovely bass. It's wall-to-wall acoustic guitars peppered with some nice percussion. "Ritual" and "Someone" may be lifted for 'JOURNEY2TOTO".  Both tracks tread a more positive path and will probably be in the band's live set this summer. The comparisons will  continue as you listen to Arnel Pinedas' vocal delivery. He has clearly graduated from the Steve Perry singing academy with distinction.

Peavey Cirrus

Here is my chosen 'weapon of bass destruction'. Its a Peavey Cirrus with a Bubinga top. It has on-board, active three-band EQ with bass/variable mid/treble boost and cut, two internally active VFL pickups, dual-compression finger bridge, 18 Volt low impedance output and 24 frets. This is my tour bass for Journey 2 Toto.

JOURNEY & TOTO

Coincidence or what? The first and second editions
of Classic Rock Presents AOR have chosen two
bands very close to my heart. If only someone
would put a tribute band together for these two..

My album of the year (so far)

I have been a fan of Mike & The Mechanics since day one. Over the years they have always delivered (with the exception of the previous album 'Rewired', which only had one stand out track, "Perfect Child", on it).  As with Genesis Mike Rutherford takes on both guitar and bass duties. The bass lines are never overpowering  and sit well in the mix. Overall this is a 'song' driven album with "Background Noise" being my favourite. OK so there is no Paul Carrack, and they will never achieve the same popularity as they did with "The Living Years", but I start this album on my ipod and I never feel compelled to use the 'skip' button. Now there's not may albums you can say that about in the 21st Century!