FabricationsHQ - Putting the Words to the Music
  • Muirsical Thoughts, Muirsical News Last update: March 24th
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  • 2023 Reviews
  • 2023 Featured Album Reviews
    • Heavy Metal Kids - The Albums 1974-1976
    • Anchor Lane - Call This a Reality?
    • Doomsday Outlaw - Damaged Goods
    • Hayley Griffiths - Far From Here Hayley Griffiths Band - MELANIE
  • 2022 Reviews
  • 2022 Featured Album Reviews
    • Moon City Masters - The Famous Moon City Masters
    • Steve Hill - Dear Illusion
    • Kira Mac - Chaos is Calling
    • EBB - Mad & Killing Time
    • The Commoners - Find A Better Way
    • Rebecca Downes - The Space Between Us
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    • Chris Antonik - Morningstar
    • The Milk Men - Spin The Bottle
    • SiX BY SiX - SiX BY SiX
    • Jeff Berlin - Jack Songs
    • Keef Hartley Band - Sinnin' For You The Albums 1969-1973
    • Toby Lee - Icons Vol.1
    • Montrose - I Got The Fire : Complete Recordings 1973-1976
    • Orianthi - Live From Hollywood
    • Valeriy Stepanov Fusion Project - Album No. 2
    • Dan Reed Network - Let's Hear It For The King
    • Ali Ferguson - The Contemplative Power Of Water
    • Edgar Winter - Brother Johnny
    • Joe Satriani - The Elephants Of Mars
    • Dave Cureton - State Of Mind
    • Larry McCray - Blues Without You
    • Tears for Fears - Tipping Point
    • Kris Barras Band - Death Valley Paradise
    • Dan Patlansky - Shelter of Bones
    • Black Lakes - For All We've Left Behind
    • Wille & The Bandits - When The World Stood Still
    • LALU - Paint the Sky
    • Various Artists - Revolt Into Style 1979
  • 2021 Reviews
  • 2021 Featured Album Reviews
    • Dave Bainbridge - To The Far Away
    • Lachy Doley - Studios 301 Sessions
    • Mark Pontin Group - Kaleidoscope
    • The Mentulls - Recipe For Change
    • Plush - Plush
    • Wayward Sons - Even Up the Score
    • Pat Metheny - Side-Eye NYC (V1.IV)
    • Steve Hackett - Surrender Of Silence
    • Sweet Crisis - Tricks On My Mind
    • Amanda Lehmann - Innocence and Illusion
    • Chantel McGregor - Shed Sessions Volume One & Volume Two
    • Troy Redfern ...The Fire Cosmic!
    • NWOCR - Volume One
    • Jeff Kollman - East of Heaven
    • The Damn Truth - Now Or Nowhere
    • Dennis DeYoung - 26 East Vol 2
    • Mark Lettieri - Deep: The Baritone Sessions Vol 2
    • Reach - The Promise Of a LIfe
    • Jane Getter Premonition - Anomalia
    • Mason Hill - Against The Wall
    • Lyle Workman - Uncommon Measures
    • Robert Berry - 3.2 : Third Impression
    • Lifesigns - Altitude
    • Jason Bieler and The Baron Von Bielski Orchestra - Songs For The Apocalypse
  • 2020 Reviews
  • 2020 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
  • Selected 2023 Gig Reviews...
    • The Wilson Brothers - Backstage at the Green, Kinross
  • Selected 2022 Gig Reviews...
    • WinterStorm Rock Weekender - Troon
    • Jack J Hutchinson - Bannermans, Edinburgh
    • Paul McCartney - Pyramid Stage, Glastonbury 2022
    • Daryl Hall - Ryman Auditorium, Nashville
    • Joe Bonamassa - SEC Armadillo, Glasgow
    • Dan Patlansky - Oran Mor, Glasgow
    • Eric Gales - Oran Mor, Glasgow
  • Selected 2021 Gig Reviews...
    • Sweet - The Garage, Glasgow
    • The Damn Truth - Now Or Nowhere Record Release Experiment Live
    • Anchor Lane - Lockdown Live, DreadnoughtRock, Bathgate
    • Laurence Jones - Live From Camden, Powerhaus, London
    • Joe Bonamassa - Austin City Limits, Live Stream
    • Todd Rundgren - Clearly Human Virtual Tour, "Pittsburgh"
  • 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
  • Muirsical Conversations...
    • Rebecca Downes (December 2022)
    • Chris Antonik (November 2022)
    • Pat Travers (October 2022)
    • Robert Berry (August 2022)
    • JW-Jones (August 2022)
    • Mike Ross (July 2022)
    • Dan Patlansky - March 2022
    • Bernie Marsden (December 2021)
    • Robin George (November 2021)
    • Dennis DeYoung (June 2021)
    • Robert Berry (March 2021)
    • Dan Reed (February 2021)
    • Steve Hackett (January 2021)
    • 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)
  • FabricationsHQ Q&As With...
    • Jeff Kollman - August 2021
    • Lyle Workman (March 2021)
    • Jason Bieler (February 2021)
    • 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
    • Home of a Ramblin' Band (Allman Brothers Band Big House Museum)
    • 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)
  • Author Bio & Site Info
  • Contact FabricationsHQ
​The Journey That Time Forgot
Picture
​A significant musical journey began in 1975 with the release of an eponymous debut album.
The band responsible for the album would go on to become a household name in melodic rock and a feature of the 80s Billboard charts and arena shows.

But, unlike the more common occurrence these days where we have countless remastered or re-released versions of early albums by classic bands, there was to be no updated reissue for that debut album in 2010, thirty-five years on from its original appearance.

Nor had there been any special treatment for Journey in 2005 when the album celebrated its 30th birthday, even though songs from the album featured in Journey set lists during the Generations 30th Anniversary tour.

Sadly, those early tunes were not well received on the tour and had been met by most American concert going fans with extreme apathy, confusion or even complete ignorance of the material.
The early fusion songs were long gone from the set by the time the Generations tour got to Europe. 

That's a shame, but maybe not a surprise when you consider Journey’s greatest musical successes (and the line-ups that achieved those successes) were far removed from the Journey that time forgot…


When Journey was released it showcased the precocious talents of guitarist Neal Schon, who had already played live alongside Eric Clapton and had been part of the Santana band for two years.
Manager Herbie Herbert hand-picked the musicians he wanted for his post-Santana management project and ex-Santana musos Schon and vocalist/ keyboardist Gregg Rolie were major components of the Journey that began in 1973.

Musically aiding and abetting Neal Schon and Gregg Rolie were bass player Ross Valory, second/ rhythm guitarist George Tickner and drummer Prairie Prince.

The material Journey originally wrote and performed took its lead from the more fusion styled pieces that featured on the early 70s Santana albums III and Caravanserai.
But 
Journey took the sound a little further – the album incorporated progressive arrangements, jazz-rock structures, long instrumental pieces and non-standard time signatures.

The songs featured on Journey were honed on stage and in studio rehearsals throughout 1973 and 1974, but by the time recordings took place for the album Prairie Prince had jumped ship permanently to The Tubes.
Aynsley Dunbar replaced Prairie Prince behind the kit and was a great fit; technically proficient, Dunbar was more progressive than mainstream in his percussive musicality.
He became the final piece of the jigsaw in Journey’s original, prog-fusion period.


Journey was released in April 1975 but didn’t set the charts alight; it had estimated sales of around 100,000 in its first year.
It was however a critical success and featured some blistering six-string work from Neal Schon.
But sales should never be taken as a measure of quality and Journey’s debut album is so much more than just a footnote in the discography of the band.


The seven tracks on Journey served up a feast of fusion delights, with opening number ‘Of a Lifetime’ setting the musical tone.
Beginning with a soft intro featuring a Gregg Rolie vocal and Neal Schon melody line, the introduction lulls the listener into a false sense of security as the song builds to a heavy rock chorus before stepping up the tempo for a Schon solo run backed by synth remarks from Rolie.
The song finishes with a heavier version of the melody line that opened the song.


The more mainstream musicality of Journey could be found on songs such as ‘In the Morning Day’ and ‘To Play Some Music.’
‘In the Morning Day’ starts innocently enough with an almost balladeering feel, Gregg Rolie singing over a piano and organ backing, before the song kicks into gear featuring great Hammond organ runs from Rolie and a relatively short but blistering Neal Schon solo.
‘To Play Some Music’ opened side two in old record vinyl terms and was Journey’s statement of intent.
It's a great little rock number, with a self-explanatory title.

Adding further contrast is ‘In My Lonely Feeling/ Conversations,’ which starts as a heavy blues before the song segues to a slowly building instrumental section written by Ross Valory, who plays piano on the track.
(The melodic theme of ‘Conversations’ would be revisited and orchestrated to form part of an instrumental piece for Journey’s Dream after Dream soundtrack album five years later). 

Album closer ‘Mystery Mountain’ cranks up the fusion vibe over a standard rock tempo.

Gregg Rolie emphatically delivers the volcanic lyrics while George Tickner weighs in with big, chunky guitar chords; Neal Schon and Aynsley Dunbar then drive the latter half of the song to its fade-out finish.

The other two numbers that feature, 'Kohoutek' and 'Topaz,' are the pick of the Journey bunch; both are prog-fusion instrumental classics (they were also highlights of early Journey shows).

‘Kohoutek,’ like ‘Of a Lifetime,’ starts quietly before stepping up both in power and tempo; at its core is the duelling instrumentation of a seriously fret burning Neal Schon and fast fingered synth-runs of Gregg Rolie.
Ross Valory and George Tickner hold down the main riff of the song while Aynsley Dunbar throws in a few fills and chops of his own before the song returns to its opening remarks.
‘Kohoutek’ was still a feature of Journey shows in 1980, well after the band's transformation to exponents of quality melodic rock.


‘Topaz,’ the other instrumental on Journey, beats out ‘Kohoutek’ as not just the best instrumental on the album, but also as the best track on the album.
It's also one of the most creative songs Journey ever recorded or performed.
Another song starting innocently enough with an atmospheric build up and almost eastern feel, 'Topaz' shifts to a rock shuffle (and pseudo-funky chords and rhythm from George Tickner) before unbridled lead work from Neal Schon kicks in over Gregg Rolie's Hammond washes.
Aynsley Dunbar again has his moments with big, beefy fills while Ross Valory spreads some rippling and funky bass lines around when the song hits its highest gear, before the downtempo fade-out.

​'Topaz' was written by George Tickner and indeed Journey's 'other' guitarist deserves special mention...

George Tickner was the foil to Neal Schon’s rapier like six-string work but he brought so much more to Journey – he knew more chords than most other guitarists out there and was a superb arranger and songwriter.
The usual comment attributed to George Tickner’s departure – that he didn’t like touring and left to pursue medical studies – is correct, but it’s only half the story.

George Tickner was throwing such clever and sometimes complex chord shapes around there were times Neal Schon didn’t know when or where to come down after his solos.
With Neal Schon being such a talent and huge part of the sound it’s perhaps no surprise there was sometimes a clash when Schon met another creative force bringing different six-string shapes to the table.

In Neal Schon’s defence however it can be argued, in hindsight, George Ticker was perhaps the fifth wheel.
With such a solid rhythm section in Ross Valory and Aynsley Dunbar, along with Gregg Rolie’s ability to put a keyboard layer behind Schon’s solos or match/ duel with those solos, Tickner became redundant.

Be that as it may, the part George Tickner played in the sound of that original Journey should not be forgotten or underestimated; he may also have been the best songwriter/ arranger of the band in that fusion era. (Tickner co-writing credits appeared on the two similarly fusion based albums that followed the debut).


And as regards the talents of Neal Schon?
The renowned guitarist will always be known, first and foremost, for six-string work such as the beautifully simple, melody line solo on ‘Who’s Crying Now’ and other outstanding melodic deliveries on later Journeys.
Yet the fact remains that while Neal Schon's most noted solos are associated with the post-fusion Journey era some of his best, unfettered works are in the grooves of albums such as Journey. 


As just about every rock fan knows, by the late 70s it was a very different Journey; one that became a chart topping, melodically rocking success fronted by one of the greatest ever rock tenor voices.

But where the Journey started should not be forgotten.

Journey is one of the best rock-fusion albums of the era, standing shoulder to shoulder (in strength of songwriting, arrangement and musicianship) with records by the likes of British fusion band Colosseum II, who featured such luminaries as drummer Jon Hiseman, keyboardist Don Airey and a guitarist by the name of Gary Moore.

More importantly, Journey is not just a great rock-fusion album 
– it’s a great Journey album.

Ross Muir
March 2011
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