TNC
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Posts: 231
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Post by TNC on Jul 27, 2021 6:31:29 GMT -8
Neal posted the following yesterday along with a pic of 2 drum kits:
Ok… Double trouble Chicago
@naradamwalden @deenthedrummer
Narada Michael Walden and the return of Deen Castronovo on Drums
I know the ballroom show is going to have an extended set. Maybe Narada on new stuff and the dozen? Then Deen will do Journey Through Time early era cuts? Deen has a few dates lined up with his new band "Generation Radio." Will he be in both bands? Soo many questions....
Neal also confirmed that Marco Mendoza will be on bass as "Randy had previously booked other engagements."
The Lollapalooza show is being streamed live. The ballroom show is being shot for a documentary. For a band down to one original member, it was important to have a bassist, like Randy, with some connective tissue to the past. No knock on Marco - but alot of us were excited to see Randy back in the fold. For a band trying to have a grand relaunch for the umpteenth time, it was also important to have all the primary members to be there. Randy had been promoting the show on social media until recently - so what the hell happened? This is the same band that denied lip syncing allegations so I don't expect any real answers.
After the Perry split, the band used to be contractually obligated to list their members on all promotional materials. Since the Valory/Smith lawsuit, I don't see that anymore. So it's really a guessing game who will show up.
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Post by slucero on Jul 27, 2021 15:37:14 GMT -8
Deen and Marco return... all we need now is Rolie and JTT is complete....
.... sprinkle in some Journey/Look into the Future/Next/Infinity/Evolution/Departure songs... and oh happy days...
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Post by tj on Jul 27, 2021 16:12:47 GMT -8
They still haven't updated the website with even single shots of Narada, Randy or the other guy. Like the team isn't settled yet. Perhaps that's why they only have less than 10 dates scheduled as well. Can't get people's solo schedules aligned with the team? Almost 2 years to figure it out and this is what they have. Not very confidence inspiring.
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Post by slucero on Jul 27, 2021 16:44:56 GMT -8
They still haven't updated the website with even single shots of Narada, Randy or the other guy. Like the team isn't settled yet. Perhaps that's why they only have less than 10 dates scheduled as well. Can't get people's solo schedules aligned with the team? Almost 2 years to figure it out and this is what they have. Not very confidence inspiring.
meh.. it's Journey.... they never really figured out branding/marketing after Herbie left... we should be well conditioned by now to this....
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Post by tj on Jul 27, 2021 19:21:34 GMT -8
They still haven't updated the website with even single shots of Narada, Randy or the other guy. Like the team isn't settled yet. Perhaps that's why they only have less than 10 dates scheduled as well. Can't get people's solo schedules aligned with the team? Almost 2 years to figure it out and this is what they have. Not very confidence inspiring. meh.. it's Journey.... they never really figured out branding/marketing after Herbie left... we should be well conditioned by now to this....
This is why you hire a management team. It's their job to get it. I am amazed somewhat that Azoff let them be as poorly represented digitally as they were with his team. It reflects on the management as much as the band. The new management is not inspiring confidence either. But, then again, you can only work with what you have to work with. Herbie's genius shows more and more each year.
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TNC
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Posts: 231
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Post by TNC on Jul 28, 2021 5:35:51 GMT -8
meh.. it's Journey.... they never really figured out branding/marketing after Herbie left... we should be well conditioned by now to this....
This is why you hire a management team. It's their job to get it. I am amazed somewhat that Azoff let them be as poorly represented digitally as they were with his team. It reflects on the management as much as the band. The new management is not inspiring confidence either. But, then again, you can only work with what you have to work with. Herbie's genius shows more and more each year. Hard to say.... QPrime has definitely lined up some high profile dates for the guy (tho Neal says Narada made a personal call to Clive David to get them on the NYC Central Park show). I saw some articles about Escape reaching diamond status. Alot of those news stories came about because QPrime sent a press release about it. Overall, so far, so good. My biggest gripe - making TWWUTB the lead single. It's a forgettable and muddy produced track.
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Post by steveo777 on Jul 28, 2021 8:24:53 GMT -8
I'm not concerned about Randy, as it's probably true that he had some previously booked activities. Deen back? I'm totally fine with that as long as he can keep it together. Seems at this point the initial gigs are gonna be musical chairs, as far as players. Ok fine. It will be interesting. It either be a success or complete disaster. lol
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Post by tj on Jul 31, 2021 7:02:02 GMT -8
Looks like "Journey" is a 3 man band again, only this time with Arnel instead of SP. Neal, Jon, Arnel and some interchangeable guys. I paid to see the first incarnation with SP, but that was SP. Not sure I would pay to see this one.
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TNC
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Posts: 231
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Post by TNC on Jul 31, 2021 7:55:02 GMT -8
Looks like "Journey" is a 3 man band again, only this time with Arnel instead of SP. Neal, Jon, Arnel and some interchangeable guys. I paid to see the first incarnation with SP, but that was SP. Not sure I would pay to see this one. I mean, to be fair, these aren't no-name session players. Narada's resume is huge. Deen's connection the guys dates back to Hardline/Bad English. Hoping Randy shows up at some point. Even if he doesn't, Deen's return def. helps makes this incarnation feel more like Journey of old (or at least 1998).
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Post by tj on Aug 3, 2021 8:03:33 GMT -8
I saw the SW video and didn't see Walden in it at all. Lots of shots of Deen. Is Deen back in the band? Back up to Arnel these first shows?
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TNC
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Posts: 231
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Post by TNC on Aug 5, 2021 7:54:35 GMT -8
I saw the SW video and didn't see Walden in it at all. Lots of shots of Deen. Is Deen back in the band? Back up to Arnel these first shows? Of the new lineup, everyone was there except Randy (Marco is filling in). Walden and Deen were both on drums and even had a mini-double solo during La Do Da.
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Post by steveo777 on Aug 5, 2021 8:18:57 GMT -8
I saw the SW video and didn't see Walden in it at all. Lots of shots of Deen. Is Deen back in the band? Back up to Arnel these first shows? Of the new lineup, everyone was there except Randy (Marco is filling in). Walden and Deen were both on drums and even had a mini-double solo during La Do Da. I watched the Hulu stream and was pretty impressed, overall. AP got off to a little bit of rough start, but really brought it, once he got warmed up. The line up was energetic and Neal was pretty damn accurate in his playing. During the downtime he practiced and practiced and there was normally a live Facebook vid of him noodling in his house almost everyday. He did what he could to not get rusty. I'd really like to get my hands on a recording of that show, although there are songs on the setlist that I have yet to see evidence of being played.
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TNC
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Posts: 231
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Post by TNC on Aug 5, 2021 8:44:15 GMT -8
Of the new lineup, everyone was there except Randy (Marco is filling in). Walden and Deen were both on drums and even had a mini-double solo during La Do Da. I watched the Hulu stream and was pretty impressed, overall. AP got off to a little bit of rough start, but really brought it, once he got warmed up. The line up was energetic and Neal was pretty damn accurate in his playing. During the downtime he practiced and practiced and there was normally a live Facebook vid of him noodling in his house almost everyday. He did what he could to not get rusty. I'd really like to get my hands on a recording of that show, although there are songs on the setlist that I have yet to see evidence of being played. I agree with this. Neal was the best I've heard him in awhile.
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Post by tj on Aug 5, 2021 9:37:46 GMT -8
Still not understanding why Deen was needed. Glad to have him back, but what's the point of Walden if Deen's gonna be there?
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TNC
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Posts: 231
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Post by TNC on Aug 5, 2021 9:53:38 GMT -8
Still not understanding why Deen was needed. Glad to have him back, but what's the point of Walden if Deen's gonna be there? I think it's pretty cool that the band has two drummers - especially of this caliber. As to the why...who knows. I hope Narada doesn't leave. He's the only reason the band is moving forward.
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