Journey More Than Just Back In Time

70s and 80s rockers Journey made a definitive statement in Kelowna last night; this band is so much more than just a group from yesteryear. Going much further than merely including songs from their most recent CDs, which they did, along with a parade of past hits, they also revisited and re-invented and breathed all sorts of energy into songs from their early albums. There was no doubt that this band was totally in the moment, in the right now. For their entire set they had the Prospera Place audience right there with them.

Having had numerous huge hits over the span of their career, and of course the mega-hit Don’t Stop Believin’, could easily render even a very good band immobile. However, Journey goes way beyond being just a very good band. All of the things that have allowed them to sell over 80 million records so far, the great song writing, the serious musicianship and musicality of each of the band members, and once again the combination of soaring tenor vocals and inventive guitar playing, were present last night and impossible to ignore.

Mixing in newer songs with older tunes early in the night served only to start things building towards what would be a climactic performance of Don’t Stop Believin’ later on. Never Walk Away, Any Way You Want It, City of Hope, Resonate and others brought us to an early change of pace where guitarist Neal Schon delivered a unique and expressive version of O Canada that sent chills up the spines of this Canadian crowd. Schon’s brilliance as an instrumental rock guitarist both goes back to his early days with Santana and his own Golden Gate Rhythm Section as well as points to a vital present and future for this suddenly re-invigorated and re-energized band.

The middle section of the concert featured long time members Deen Castronovo on drums and Jonathan Cain on keys both vocally and or their respective instruments . This portion helped to remind everyone there that Journey is a band, and a band comprised of very talented musicians. No weak links here, and significance far beyond Neal Schon and Arnel Pineda.

The final segment of the concert kept upping the intensity and spanned the full spectrum from the deeply personal of Open Arms to the universal of Don’t Stop Believin’. The band and the audience were both “all in” and swept up into an immeasurable and unforgettable moment . The demouement of the final song and the following encore provided just the right release that would send the assembled masses out into the night feeling very good about their evening with a lift that will undoubtedly linger for days.

This was a very well lit show. There seems to be a movement towards simplicity and ambience in concert lighting for anything other than the biggest ultra-productions. Some artists and bands do it well, Journey did it with excellence and sophistication in a way that incrementally added to the band’s performance rather than overpowering it. Nicely done.

All the guitar players in attendance will have left shaking their heads at just how good Neal Schon really is. He just makes playing superbly look so easy, almost like child’s play. Many people will have left having been blown away by the powerful vocals of new singer Arnel Pineda. The man sings with passion and is clearly living a dream beyond any that he has actually dreamt. The comment this reviewer heard most often, though, was “wow, these guys are an amazing band.”

Journey gave this sold out crowd more than they probably expected, everything they could have possible hoped for, and even more. This was a super group playing superbly in what can only be described as an inspired performance to an adoring audience. This one won’t be forgotten soon.