AVS Discussions
  Go Down

Journey - Escape & Frontiers: Live in Japan 2017 (Blu-ray) review



Plot
On February 7, 2017, Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Journey proved their status as one of rock’s best live bands when they brought their landmark albums Escape (just in time for its 35th anniversary) and Frontiers to the legendary Budokan stage in Japan.

A triumphant evening of music, Journey presented songs from 1981’s Escape and 1983’s Frontiers. These albums, which produced eight Top 40 singles combined, have sold nearly 20 million copies worldwide, and cemented the San Francisco band’s music in the cultural zeitgeist.

My Thoughts
One would think that a movie based on such a bizarre and stunningly true story would be compelling to watch. It turns out it wasn’t. In fact, what could have been an exciting reenactment of what was dubbed the largest burglary in English history turned out to be as much fun as watching paint dry. The setup to the story takes way too long, the pacing is horrendously slow, the execution of the crime is frustrating to watch due to the carelessness of the crew (although this is probably based on real events—they did get caught after all), and finally, the gags are a bit tired and dare I say it—over the hill.

Kicking off the 2-hour set with “Don’t Stop Believin’’’, Journey kicks into high gear, presenting a set not just of their hits, but deep album cuts like Escape’s “Lay It Down” and Frontiers’ “Back Talk,” which haven’t been played live since the albums’ original touring cycles. The concert, presented with a minimal stage set, without big extravagant light shows or monitors, lets the music do the talking.

Although the lead singer has changed, the songs still sound great today. Steve Perry left the band in the 1980’s for a solo career but reunited in the mid-90’s with Trial by Fire, which produced three top hits, a Grammy nomination, and plans for a comeback tour. Unfortunately, Perry was hurt in a hiking accident and needed hip surgery in order to tour. The band then turned to Steve Augeri to be the lead vocalist and went on tour and released a number of albums over the next 9 years.

Augeri developed some vocal problems and had to leave the band, which paved the way for Arnel Pineda to take the helm of lead singer—whose path to the band is quite intriguing. He was already a star in Asia in a band called The Zoo, who performed cover songs from many popular groups from the 1970s, 80s and 90s. Videos started to show up on YouTube in 2007 and Neal Schon (founder/guitarist) of Journey saw them and made contact asking if he’d like to audition for the band. The rest, they say, is history.

Video 4.5/5 (AVC)

Audio 4/5 (DTS-HD MA 5.1)

Stereo Audio 4.5/5 (PCM 2.0)

Song List:

1. Don’t Stop Believin’ Intro

2. Don’t Stop Believin’

3. Stone In Love

4. Who’s Crying Now

5. Keep On Runnin’

6. Still They Ride

7. Escape

8. Lay It Down

9. Dead Or Alive

10. Neal Schon Guitar Solo

11. Mother, Father

12. Jonathan Cain Piano Solo

13. Open Arms

14. Separate Ways Intro

15. Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)

16. Send Her My Love

17. Chain Reaction

18. After The Fall

19. Faithfully

20. Edge Of The Blade

21. Steve Smith Drum Solo

22. Back Talk

23. Frontiers

24. Rubicon

25. La Raza del Sol

26. Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’

Conclusion
The Blu-ray set also includes a 2-CD compilation of “Escape” and “Frontiers” and for fans of the band, this is a great collection. There are quite a few memorable songs included and the new lead singer is very good. Even though I grew up with Perry at the helm, I really didn’t miss him given the job that Pineda does on lead vocals. Highly recommended.         
Blu-ray Reviewer / Technical Writer
Sound & Vision Magazine

Barry

  • *****
  • 843
Re: Journey - Escape & Frontiers: Live in Japan 2017 (Blu-ray) review
« Reply #1 on: March 26, 2019, 01:22:34 PM »
Great review, although it seemed a bit familiar!!  ;D  I am so glad I am not losing these great and important reviews of yours.
McIntosh MX170 Controller: Projector JVC DLA-RS4100; Screen: Stuart StudioTek130: Amps: McIntosh MC-611(center),MC1.25KW (lf&rt);  Krell S-1500 Atmos/Surround; 4kDVD Panasonic UB9000; Speakers: Revel Ultima Salon 2, Ultima Voice 2, (Surround) W 990, Atmos C763L; Subs: SVS SB-13 Ultras;  Cable: 4K Verizon; Broadcast: Mediasonic HW-150PVR; Wiring: Shunyata; Apple TV,

AVSCraig

  • *****
  • 4735
  • Home Theater Lover / Sales / Advice
    • AV Science, Inc
Re: Journey - Escape & Frontiers: Live in Japan 2017 (Blu-ray) review
« Reply #2 on: March 26, 2019, 01:36:54 PM »
Nice - thanks Dave. maybe I should add this to my concert video collection ! :)
Direct (585) 671-2972 8:00am - 4:30pm Pacific 
www.avscience.com  craig@avscience.com
We carry projectors, screens, speakers, receivers etc. !!
Twitter - @AVS_Craig Sacramento CA area

Re: Journey - Escape & Frontiers: Live in Japan 2017 (Blu-ray) review
« Reply #3 on: March 26, 2019, 02:01:25 PM »
Thanks Barry. 
Blu-ray Reviewer / Technical Writer
Sound & Vision Magazine

TRainH2O

  • *****
  • 899
  • Analog guy living in a Digital world
Re: Journey - Escape & Frontiers: Live in Japan 2017 (Blu-ray) review
« Reply #4 on: March 26, 2019, 02:42:43 PM »
David, you already know my views on all things Batman, Bond, and Journey but you have made me curious about this one. I doubt it will come to Redbox or Amazon Prime but I will keep my eyes open for an opportunity to rent it.

Great "first" review. I think you have a bright future ahead of you. ::)

tripplej

  • *****
  • 589
  • A goal without a plan is just a wish!
Re: Journey - Escape & Frontiers: Live in Japan 2017 (Blu-ray) review
« Reply #5 on: March 26, 2019, 03:04:29 PM »
Great Review David. :)

Samsung UN75F8000 LED TV, NAD T-777 (7.2 Receiver), Oppo 103, Sony PS4, Panamax MR-5100, 7 Paradigm Reference series 8" in ceiling speakers (AMS-150R) - 30 degree tilting speakers, 2 Paradigm SE Sub, universal remote MX-450, universal advanced RF base station MRF-3501

Re: Journey - Escape & Frontiers: Live in Japan 2017 (Blu-ray) review
« Reply #6 on: March 26, 2019, 04:17:40 PM »
Greetings,

Nice review Dave! Looking forward to checking in with you here. :)

Re: Journey - Escape & Frontiers: Live in Japan 2017 (Blu-ray) review
« Reply #7 on: March 26, 2019, 05:13:40 PM »
Thanks for all the comments. :)
Blu-ray Reviewer / Technical Writer
Sound & Vision Magazine

Re: Journey - Escape & Frontiers: Live in Japan 2017 (Blu-ray) review
« Reply #8 on: March 26, 2019, 09:03:17 PM »
By the way...I posted more movie reviews in the actual "Movie Review" section a couple of subforums above this one. 
Blu-ray Reviewer / Technical Writer
Sound & Vision Magazine

  Go Up
 

SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2024, SimplePortal