FabricationsHQ - Putting the Words to the Music
  • Muirsical Thoughts, Muirsical News Last update: January 17th
  • Latest Articles (links)
  • Writing the Wrongs... 2020 in Review
  • Jason Bieler and The Baron Von Bielski Orchestra - Songs For The Apocalypse
  • Featured Album Reviews
    • McCartney III
    • Gary Barlow - Music Played By Humans
    • Storm Warning - Different Horizons
    • Reb Beach - A View From The Inside
    • Lykantropi - Tales To Be Told
    • King King - Maverick
    • Jakko M Jakszyk - Secrets & Lies
    • Blue Öyster Cult - The Symbol Remains
    • Fish - Weltschmerz
    • Dyble Longdon - Between A Breath And A Breath
    • Jim Kirkpatrick - Ballad of a Prodigal Son
    • Abel Ganz - The Life of the Honey Bee & Other Moments of Clarity
    • Toby and the Whole Truth - Ignorance is Bliss (25th Anniversary Edition)
    • Everyday Heroes - A Tale of Sin & Sorrow
    • Skintrade - The Show Must Go On
    • Robert Jon & The Wreck - Last Light on the Highway
    • Pat Metheny - From This Place
    • Anchor Lane - Casino
    • 2019 Featured Album Reviews >
      • Fat-Suit - Waifs & Strays
      • Wayward Sons - The Truth Ain't What it Used to Be
      • Flying Colors - Third Degree
      • Steve Hackett - Genesis Revisited Band & Orchestra: Live
      • Burnt Out Wreck - This is Hell
      • Runrig - The Last Dance
      • Scarlet Rebels - Show Your Colours
      • The Blind Lemon Gators - Gatorville
      • Bruce Springsteen - Western Stars
      • Sweet Oblivion Feat. Geoff Tate
      • Rebecca Downes - More Sinner Than Saint
      • Stray - Mudanzas
      • Snarky Puppy - Immigrance
      • Aaron Buchanan And The Cult Classics - The Man With Stars On His Knees
    • 2018 Featured Album Reviews >
      • Simon Thacker's Svara-Kanti - Trikala
      • Jason Becker - Triumphant Hearts
      • Duncan Chisholm - Sandwood
      • Jawbone - Jawbone
      • Steve Perry - Traces
      • Sari Schorr - Never Say Never
      • Joe Bonamassa - Redemption
      • Ben Poole - Anytime You Need Me
      • Hawkwind - Road To Utopia
      • Rainbreakers - Face To Face
      • Frequency Drift - Letters to Maro
      • JCM - Heroes
      • Dana Fuchs - Love Lives On
      • Joe Bonamassa - British Blues Explosion Live
      • W.E.T. - Earthrage
      • The King Lot - A World Without Evil
  • Monthly Album Reviews...
    • 2021 Reviews
    • 2020 Reviews
    • 2019 Reviews
    • 2018 Reviews
  • Selected 2020 Gig Reviews...
    • Jared James Nichols - Garage G2, Glasgow
    • Oscar Cordoba Band - Blue Arrow, Glasgow
    • Rebecca Downes Band - The Ice Box, Glasgow
    • Ben Poole Trio - Room 2, Glasgow
    • Sensational Alex Harvey Experience - DreadnoughtRock, Bathgate
    • The Aristocrats - Liquid Rooms, Edinburgh
    • Fat Suit - Drygate, Glasgow
    • Francis Dunnery's It Bites - St Lukes, Glasgow
  • Selected 2019 Gig Reviews...
    • WinterStorm Rock Weekender IV - Troon
    • Hawkwind - 02 Academy, Glasgow
    • Opeth - SWG3 Galvanizers, Glasgow
    • Félix Rabin - Nice 'N' Sleazy Glasgow
    • Anchor Lane - G2, Glasgow
    • Stray - Backstage at the Green, Kinross
    • Danny Bryant - Backstage at the Green, Kinross
    • Talon - Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow
    • Lifesigns - Smiles of Musical Travel
    • A Whole Lotta Rock 3 - featuring Rattlesnake Tattoo, Prestwick
    • Chantel McGregor - Hard Rock Cafe Glasgow
    • Pete Way Band - Customs House Hotel, Greenock
    • Raintown and Katee Kross - Village Theatre, East Kilbride
    • Danny Vaughn - DreadnoughtRock, Bathgate
    • NR Rocks 2019 - DreadnoughtRock, Bathgate
    • Arran Rock 'N' Blues Fest 2019
    • Cheap Trick - 02 Academy, Glasgow
    • The Blind Lemon Gators - Tolboth, Stirling
    • Midnight Oil - 02 Brixton Academy, London
    • Ana Popovic - Oran Mor, Glasgow
    • Joe Bonamassa - SEC Armadillo, Glasgow
    • Eden's Curse - The Garage G2, Glasgow
    • Félix Rabin - Nice N Sleazy, Glasgow
    • Her Way to Hell - DreadnoughtRock, Bathgate
    • The Quireboys and FM - The Garage, Glasgow
    • Erja Lyytinen - Backstage at the Green, Kinross
    • Wille & The Bandits - Hug & Pint, Glasgow
    • Sari Schorr - Oran Mor, Glasgow
    • Frankie Miller's Full House - Oran Mor, Glasgow
    • A Whole Lotta Rock 2 featuring Brian Downey's Alive and Dangerous, Prestwick
    • John Verity Band - Borders Blues Club, Innerleithen
    • King King (with Sari Schorr) - 02 Academy, Glasgow
    • Burnt Out Wreck (with Scarlet Rebels) - Hard Rock Cafe, Glasgow
    • Buckcherry / Hoobastank / Adelita's Way - SWG3 Glasgow
  • Muirsical Conversations...
    • John Verity (September 2020)
    • Steve Hackett (July 2020)
    • Gary Moat (March 2020)
    • Steve Hackett (October 2019)
    • Rebecca Downes (May 2019)
    • Ben Poole & Wayne Proctor (January 2019)
    • Dan Reed (November 2018)
    • Del Bromham (October 2018)
    • Brian Downey (September 2018)
    • Raintown - Paul Bain & Claire McArthur Bain (May 2018)
    • Hamilton Loomis (December 2017)
    • Alan Nimmo (October 2017)
    • Erja Lyytinen (September 2017)
    • Suzi Quatro (September 2017)
    • Biff Byford (August 2017)
    • Dan Patlansky (June 2017)
    • Graham Bonnet (May 2017)
    • Simon Thacker (April 2017)
    • Sari Schorr (March 2017)
    • Stevie Nimmo (February 2017)
    • Dan Reed (February 2017)
    • Adam Norsworthy (January 2017)
    • Colin James (December 2016)
    • John Lees (October 2016)
    • Sari Schorr (August 2016)
    • Mike Vernon (August 2016)
    • Wayne Proctor (July 2016)
    • Laurence Jones (April 2016)
    • Chantel McGregor (March 2016)
    • John Young (January 2016)
    • Michael Schenker (November 2015)
    • Martin Barre (October 2015)
    • Chris Norman (September 2015)
    • Joanne Shaw Taylor (August 2015)
    • Fee Waybill (July 2015)
    • Ian Anderson (June 2015)
    • John Lodge (June 2015)
    • John Lawton (May 2015)
    • Steve Hackett (May 2015)
    • Manny Charlton (April 2015)
    • Ben Poole (April 2015)
    • Alan Nimmo (February 2015)
    • Popa Chubby (December 2014)
    • Paul Young (July 2014)
    • Bernie Shaw (June 2014)
    • Lee Kerslake (December 2013)
    • Pat Travers (September 2013)
    • Steve Hunter (August 2013)
    • Joy Dunlop (March 2013)
    • Gwyn Ashton (Dec. 2012)
    • Greg Lake (October 2012)
    • Ned Evett (August 2012)
    • Steven Lindsay (July 2012)
    • Dave Cureton (June 2012)
    • Jon Anderson (May 2012)
    • Jeremey Frederick Hunsicker (March 2012)
    • Amy Schugar (Feb. 2012)
    • Robert Fleischman (November 2011)
    • Ivan Drever (Sep. 2011)
    • Michael Sadler (June 2011)
    • James Evans (April 2011)
    • Alyn Cosker (Nov. 2010)
    • Scott Higham (Nov. 2010)
    • Kevin Chalfant (Oct. 2010)
    • Francis Dunnery (Sep. 2010)
    • Duncan Chisholm (Aug 2010)
    • Barbara Rubin (July 2010)
    • Alan Reed (June 2010)
  • Muirsical Q&A with...
    • Félix Rabin (February 2020)
    • Chantel McGregor (August 2019)
    • Greig Taylor (July 2019)
    • Adam Norsworthy (June 2019)
    • Erja Lyytinen (March 2019)
  • Muirsical Articles...
    • 2019AB?
    • The Fool Guitar - The Fool Story
    • Alex Harvey - Framed in Words. And pictures
    • Journey - That Time Forgot
    • KISS - Elder Statesmen, Elder Statement?
    • Phil Lynott - Remembering Pt. 3
    • Freddie Mercury - The Days of His Life
    • Gary Moore - Last Exit
    • Mott - Without any of the Hoople-la
    • Muirsical Six of the Best
    • Music Town: A Decade of the Darvel Music Festival
    • Pat Travers - The Forgotten Power Trio
    • Playing Tribute
    • Gerry Rafferty - Humblebum to Multi-Million Seller
    • Cliff Richard - The Rock and Roll Juvenile
    • Slade - Thanks For the Memories
    • The Sweet - A Cut Above the Rest
    • Talon - On Eagles Wings
    • Wild Horses - Thoroughbreds or also-rans?
  • A Personal Journey: Definitive Edition (eBook)
  • Steve Perry (vocalist): One in a Million (eBook)
  • A Writer's Muirsings...
    • A Writer's Muirsings: Introduction
    • Superbowl XLVII MVP: Beyoncé (February 2013)
    • Michael Jackson: The Alternative Verdict (Nov 2011)
    • True Colours (November 2010)
    • It's a New Language, Old Bean (October 2010)
    • Finger Pointing (July 2010)
    • Suffer the Little Children (April 2010)
    • Hey 'Banker', can you spare a dime? (February 2010)
    • Earlier Muirsings... >
      • Muirsical Christmas #1's (December 09)
      • 3-D, or not 3-D, Avatar? (December 09)
      • Pains, Planes and Automobiles (November 09)
  • A Man of Letters...
    • A Man of Letters (Introduction)
    • Letter to Danbury Mint #1
    • Letter to Danbury Mint #2
    • Letter to The Catholic League
    • Letter to SKY #1
    • Letter to SKY #2
    • Letter to SKY #3
    • Letter to Leeds City Council Parking Services
  • Author Bio & Site Info
  • Contact FabricationsHQ
Lost and Found...
Steve Perry - Traces
Picture
"I know it’s been a long time comin’…"

Not only is it that first line sung on 'No Erasin’,' the opening number on Traces, Steve Perry’s first solo album in nearly a quarter of a century, it also nods to the patience of the long-standing fans who have waited through a couple of false dawns for new material from the ex Journey vocalist.

'No Erasin’' is a classy and ear-catching, geared for radio slice of melodic rock that both heralds the return of Steve Perry to a microphone and vocally belies the fact it’s been twenty-two years since his Journey ended in a Trial By Fire and two decades from his last solo statement, the more significantly titled than anyone could have foreseen at the time, 'I Stand Alone,' from the animated movie Quest For Camelot.

Vocally, it doesn’t sound like twenty years.
There may have been half a dozen or so guest backing vocal appearances on other artists albums but, as a lead instrument, the voice of "The Voice" hadn’t even been flexed in the shower, such was Steve Perry's detachment from music these last couple of decades, until his stage comeback with The Eels on three walk-on appearances with the band in 2014 and, more lately, sound-check sing-a-longs with the likes of Toad the Wet Sprocket.

Yet, while vocally thinner and carrying a huskier rasp than heard on For the Love of Strange Medicine (1994) and Trial By Fire (1996), Steve Perry hasn’t lost any of that distinct rich tone, vocal resonance or ability to express himself through a musical vocabulary and vocal intelligence only the truly great singers have 
(the vocal bridges and vocal arrangements on Traces are a true strength of the album). 

'We’re Still Here,' which follows 'No Erasin’,' is a beautifully framed soul ballad that also highlights the Perry paradox of Traces – the sparser the arrangement, the stronger and fuller the vocal becomes.
'We’re Still Here' also sets up the album in terms of its lighter weight and lyrical themes
– eight of the ten songs are smooth and soulful, or R&B flavoured ballads, most of which are shaped by the profound loss that led to Steve Perry finding his voice again...

At the end of 2012 Steve Perry’s girlfriend, Dr Kellie Nash, lost her battle with breast cancer.
An inseparable couple during their two years together, Perry’s promise to uphold Kellie Nash’s wishes that he not return to isolation have culminated in the cathartic and emotional outlet that is Traces, through the rhythmic pulse that beats behind the atmospheric ballad 'Most Of All,' the piano led and orchestrated 'In the Rain' (both written before Steve Perry met Kellie Nash) and other tracks such as 'No More Cryin’.'

The latter song recalls Journey's 'Stay Awhile' but not in any "sounds like" sense; more the feel and pocket of the song, courtesy of renowned drummer Vinnie Colaiuta, who features on six of the ten tracks.

The pocket and rhythmic feel created on many of the songs is another strength of Traces, but then the fact Steve Perry played bass and knew his way around a drum kit well before joining Journey (he also contributes some bass parts to the album) means he gets rhythmic phrasing, and timing (musically and vocally), like very few other singers.

Sitting central on the album and acting as the up-tempo buffer to the ballads is 'Sun Shines Grey.'
A rockier number featuring guitarist John 5 (and some high-cryin' backing vocal harmonies from Perry), 'Sun Shines Grey' lifts the Traces tempo while lyrically keeping to the reflective themes of the album.

The final quartet of songs are as soulful as they are poignant.

'You Belong To Me' is another piano and strings number; 'Easy To Love' is built over a slow, finger-clicking soul meets gospel rhythm; George Harrison’s 'I Need You' has been reinterpreted as a slow R&B ballad;
'We Fly' is an ethereal closing remark that has Steve Perry at his soul-baring best, vocally floating over synth textures, piano and perfectly placed guitar remarks from Thom Flowers (who co-produced, recorded and mixed the album with Perry).

A US Deluxe Edition of Traces features five bonus songs that all have something a little different to offer.
'Angel Eyes,' which arguably should have made the standard edition of Traces, is 60s soul-pop meets Motown meets the Street Talkin’ Steve Perry; the reggae-lite 'Call On Me' concludes with a personal and poignant love & laughter outro; 'Could We Be Somethin’ Again' is a calypso cool, "ya-ya" lovin’ bit of fun; 'Blue Jays Fly' is a haunting, "all alone" lullaby to profound loss.    

Pick of the five however is torch song 'October in New York.'
Composed, fully orchestrated and beautifully arranged in Great American Songbook style, you could be forgiven for thinking it was written seventy years ago and transported to the present Perry day.

The album, complete with interesting and beautifully painted cover artwork 'tracing' Steve Perry’s past history (with no symbolic stone left unturned, no matter what’s under it), will be too ballad heavy for the rock brigade or those who would rather he just sang Journey all day (best of luck with that).

But whether heard as a couple of ballads too many or appreciative and understanding of the cathartic and melancholic nature of Traces, this is a remarkable return by a remarkable singer.

Still One in a Million?

Perhaps so, and on that (vocal) note you will have to excuse me, I have to start the update to that very eBook, which hopefully won’t take as long to reappear as Steve Perry did.

Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ

Website and text contents © FabricationsHQ and Ross Muir
All Rights Reserved