In the rock era, there has NEVER been a better combination of a guitar and voice than Neal Schon and Steve Perry. The tone and style of Neal's playing combined with Steve Perry's melodic, soulful, and soaring vocals is just perfection.
You are correct, sir, regarding your comment on Neal Schon and Steve Perry. I think the Escape/Frontiers line-up was the best assembly of talent. They've had some killer music come out since Perry's departure, and I can only imagine how good some of those post-Perry songs would be if Perry himself (in his prime) had been singing on them. Imagine Perry singing Higher Place.
There is not a bad track on Escape. One of the greatest rock albums of all time and one of my favorites. I loved it in 1981 and just as much today. Thank you, Journey.
I hear you on that - I was in 3rd grade , my mother bought the cassette and I’ll never forget thinking how odd it was that I just wanted to sit in the room and simply listen to this music - it didn’t seem like a normal thing to me , but that’s how entrancing and hypnotic the music was
This was my first LP purchased with my own money. It was in '81 when I was 13. To make it worthwhile, studied every track on my track. I still think the title track is my favorite.
Even when well-imitated, never truly duplicated. It’s just so distinctly him. I think Arnel Pineda does a great job, and keeps the spirit admirably, but I can still always tell the difference between his voice and Steve Perry’s.
E5C4P3 is one of the greatest albums EVER produced. What an amazing soundtrack to so many of our teen years, completely unequaled in both musicianship and mixing.
This made me tear up and smile. I remember being 11 years old riding in the back of the car on vacation with my ear pressed up against one of those flat, rectangle mono cassette players listening to this entire album, but this song got me every single time and it's still the one that stays on my iPod and when shuffle brings it back to me I tear up and smile again. Of every Journey song I've ever loved, this one has the greatest impact on me every time. Thank you for acknowledging and recognizing it's melancholic beauty. 🖤
Mother Father hit me hard because when it came out I was beginning to realize the fallibility of my family. Still hits hard. Not all of us made it through.
This is when Journey was firing on all cylinders all full power from every member, every song on this album is a winner but I wasn't expecting this level of virtuosity. Excellent choice.
@@KT-rz7ue I think it's largely because he's obviously associated with Journey, a band the critics don't like. He is fantastic, I agree. Great writer too! I honestly prefer when he's playing at his most rhythmic and melodic, though I know he can shred with the best of them and enjoys letting loose in the tunes when he can. Like Toto, all of those cats can seriously jam, but really shine at writing killer pop/rock tunes.
@@TheDivayentahis voice is gorgeous, but his larynx is too high to be considered bel canto in my opinion. It’s bell canto in the sense it’s ‘beautiful singing’ but not in terms of musical style
I've recently gone into a deep dive into his solo albums (listening right now actually). His tone and emotional delivery is amazing. Like he's telling stories with his instrument. So beautiful. I've loved watching him post jams on Instagram. Love him.
Rick is amazing, so genuine, and obviously passionate about music and what he's doing. Now this guy would be fun to hang with. Thank you Rick for all you do!!!
My girlfriend introduced me to Journey and Toto in 1981 and 1982, and it forever transformed my life; Neal has been my main influence since. Mother, father, and Still they Ride continue to astound me. Thank you for making this video.
Still one of my favorite albums ever. Vocals on Mother, Father still amaze me near the end where Steve is singing so high it is unworldly. Schon still one of the best.
I instantly fell in love with Only the Young when I dug out my dad's Journey Greatest Hits CD and listened several years ago. I also instantly fell in love with Ask the Lonely on that CD as well.
They really were a phenomenal band of musicians. Fronted by one of the best singers in rock history. Amazed I lived through most of it. Pretty sure in 100 years people will be playing these tracks.
Rick you are brilliant human being!!!The ultimate storyteller !!! Growing up during the 70s 80s I consider myself very blessed ....... Thank you wholeheartedly for carrying the torch.......
This album is probably their best ever. Truly a powerhouse. Steve Perry with his insanely haunting melodies, Neal Schon with his progressive fusion guitar licks (remember, he was the 16 year-old prodigy of Carlos Santana), Jonathan Caine bringing in all those pop melody hooks, Ross Valery funkin' away on the bass and Steve Smith rounding out with his jazz inspired beat keeping. What's not to like? Straight out of the box, this is nothing short of a masterpiece and a case study on how to use your hooks wisely. Great video, Rick. Keep'em coming.
Just spent the last 30 mins or so, learning and then teaching myself all these voicings for the guitar. And I all can say is, THANK YOU SO MUCH! Especially for reintroducing me to this song. I was about 15-16 years old when this album hit, and had only started playing guitar a few years earlier. Talk about good timing?! Neal’s playing has been, and will always be, a HUGE influence on my playing. Man, this song… and that solo?! Holy moly, thank you again. 🙏🏻
Isn't it great when you can revisit songs later in life and you actually have the musical knowledge and abilities to play them? Been learning some Steely Dan and Phish tunes recently I never thought I'd be able to play. ✌️❤️
I too, like many others, was 15 when this album hit. I had been playing guitar for almost 9 years by this time and mainly stuck to Pink Floyd, Rush, Triumph but Neal Schonn grabbed me with this album. By the time I was 17, I was playing this song and "Mother, Father" almost daily with my HS band (The Hilltoppers).
@@hamsandwichson dude, was thinking the same thing. When I think of how I played when starting to learn to where I'm at now, it blows my mind. Especially cause I've walked away from it completely multiple times. Sold the guitar, amp, etc. Time to work on important things. Golf. Then one day I thought, why the hell can't I do both? Now I'm way better guitarist than I am a golfer. And I'm cool with that.
I can’t listen to feeling that way without immediately singing “ooooohhh anytime that you want me”. They go perfectly together and almost feel like one song to me
Journey Escape always brings me right back to summer ('82, '83?), throwing the frisbee with friends. Ozzy, Foreigner 4, Quiet Riot, Billie Jean, Friday Night Videos, sleepovers, sneaking whiskey from the parents' liquor cabinet....
You hit the nail on the head brother! Such a great time to be growing up. Stealing whiskey if we were lucky. Usually it was some mixer crap that we would end up barfing on. One night we took vermouth …yikes! 😂
One of my all time favorites. I love how Rick lights up and gets so excited describing an incredible section of a song. These songs just hit special centers in my brain, light it up Neal Shon!
Oh my God... Have tears in my eyes right now. "Still They Ride" was so important to me, back when Escape was first out. As a musician, the voicings...the call and response...the bass movement...just everything about this song fascinated me. Then... That i was a street racer, for a brief time, made the lyrics mean so much more. Was my "escape" song while driving my '69 SS Chevelle 396. All the emotions come flooding back. Great song Great band. Great medicine, then...and now. With so much going wrong again in my life, Good to know i too can "still...Ride."
I’ve grown over the years to appreciate this band and Neal’s guitar work. On top of it the bands blend of money notes and playing. Than what blows it out of the atmosphere is The Voice. You can pick it out of anywhere. Thank you Rick amazing videos, I’ve learned so much from you. God bless you buddy.
Rick is dead on about Neal’s soloing. Any competent guitarist can pick out bits and pieces of the solos, the beautiful melody parts and vibrato, but when he kicks it into hyperdrive it’s better to just sit back and be stunned by the beauty and madness all colliding together. My favorite guitarist since I was 12.
Lights, Still they Ride, and Patiently all phenomenal underrated ballads. Greatest rock vocal and guitar duo. Neal’s playing style just highlighted Steve’s voice. Both exceptional.
This has always been one of my all time Journey favs. When S. Perry carries "Chasing Thunder" and then starts back up with"Spinning Around" Man! That sends chills down my spine. Don't know how many times I hit stop, rewind, play on that part of the song. The solo is so beautiful. N. Schon is such a master at controlling his speed in his solos and he creates such a dramatic effect with that control.
No matter how “out there” I’ve gone in my listening tastes over the years, I will always credit this era of Journey with my sense of melody and pocket. This song is a master class in itself.
I believe this was their fourth single off "Escape". I was close to entering high school, and remember this song getting airplay on the mainstream FM radio stations. I have always loved this song...
Dean has an amazing voice. Heard him sing quite a few lead in a concert when Steve Augeri was having his voice problems. I was blown away. Singing lead and playing drums at the same time. Wow.
My heart pounded in my chest as i saw the album Rick was about to reference for his "best song" choice. "Please! Let him pick "Still They Ride!"" Then...Joy! And melancholy...He did chose it!
Journey was so good when they were the current, hot, new releases, but Journey is like a fine wine that gets better with age. No one writes and sings like this anymore.
A lot of bands way back for me are like that. I mean it was all great back then but listening now it's like wow that was really really nice stuff. I think maybe some of that fine wine you are feeling could also be a longing for times past and a more refined ear that comes with age? What do you think About that statement?
@@johnb6850 Well....partly true. There was a place in pop music for people who weren't supermodels, but the cute have always had a place/advantage in music (and every other field of human endeavor)
Bless you Rick Beato. You are a true teacher at heart. Your content is priceless. I look forward to every video you release. They are entertaining, educational, and very enlightening. As a veteran professional musician myself, even I have learned a thing or two from watching your channel. It's one of the best on TH-cam. Thank you for doing what you are doing.
Steve Perry amongst other influences took some signature Sam Cooke licks and placed them effortlessly into Rock music. Absolutely brilliant ❤️ my favourite male vocalist EVER!!
I was lucky to be in a band that covered, Mother , Father back in the 1980's , I learned to love / respect Neal Schon and Journey's playing and compositions ..... true Master Works of performance, execution and composition . Leave it to Mr. Beato to present the contents, expressions, nuances of the songs that breaths with Life !!!! No one does it with excitement and passion like Mr. Beato.
Schon is the ultimate combination of musicality and technical skill and the x factor of knowing when and where to utilize each. Truly one of the greatest.
I really wish you would break down "Mother, Father", live in Houston or the album cut. The lyrics, the moods, the chords, the VOCALS. It's so crazy good.
When Rick was building up to the reveal I thought he was going to break down Mother, Father. But I think he actually has done some commentary of that in one of his videos somewhere
It is full of beauty, elegance and emotions, it is shining like the true sun. The drummer and the bassist add their skills to this unity of ballad. Rick, I like it as much as you.💚
Out of all the huge Journey hits that got air play on the radio over the years, this song somehow (fortunately in retrospect) slipped through the cracks from the mainstream, yet remains my absolute favorite by this incredible band of geniuses. From the opening note, it is one of those songs that takes your senses through all the instrumental highs and lows with perfectly executed vocal transitions that only Perry could deliver. Thank you Rick for your masterful breakdown of this Journey classic that still sleeps peacefully in the shadows waiting to be discovered for generations to come.
Hate to contradict you, but I remember listening to AT40 and it was on the charts. Just now checked and it was No. 19. But you're correct, it did kind of fall through the cracks, in my opinion, it is in their top five.
And he is still killing it and his live sound is even better than ever. Saw them with Toto in Grand Rapids a couple months ago. It was so great to hear Luke and Schon at the top of their game. Incredible.
I was gutted when you first paused it on the “Traffic lights…” line the first time :) So glad you went back to it and emphasised it :) Still gives me chills after 40 years.
Rick, you're the man! I was already a competent musician and had a good grasp on theory when I discovered you in 2020, but I've still learned so much from you that I couldn't imagine continuing to write and play music without this new knowledge and understanding. You are a gift to the world of artistry and deserve wide spread recognition. What you've accomplished with this channel is going to be a fundamental aspect of any future movement of popular music to return to appreciating creativity and talent and abandoning the monotonous, synthetic garbage that's poisoned the musical well for the last 20 years plus. I was so terrified when I saw the video yesterday entitled, "Nothing lasts forever" that I almost cried thinking it was going to be bad news while waiting for my over-encumbered pc to load the video!! lolol True story, I'm not even exaggerating. I just hope your younger fans, or any fans of yours that might be new to playing/writing/understanding music realize how lucky they are to have you as a teacher on this platform. I spent so much time and money chasing this knowledge for the last 15 years and STILL learned more here.
And Neal is left handed. Jonathan plays rhythm guitar on some songs, and also, is left handed. Props to you Rick, my mother in law was listening to something last week and I recognized your voice 😳 She is 88 yrs old and loves music 🎼
Excellent video. I never really listened to a song like this. Journey is such an under rated band musically. Steve Perry will always be one of the greatest male vocalists to Rock the stage. Thank you.
I don't know a whole lot about chords and musical theory but I love your content. I'm a big Journey fan, and I am so glad you chose to spotlight this song. It is one of my favorites.
I've spent a lot of time thinking of what makes an amazing ballad soloist like Schon, and it's almost as though you know where he's going, ergo your ears are anxious for the resolve, and it's astonishing how he plays over time to do it.....especially here where he mirrors the chorus. He's astonishingly good....as are you Rick, love your work so much.
This video is validation for me as an artist. So much of the pieces of this are not something you grind through and come up with. It's inspiration, as in you marinate on the basic parts and you hear the other pieces come to you naturally as the song evolves. That's what's great about Neil Schon all these great pieces and parts that he just hears in his head and plays it out and it fits so naturally because it was natural to him.
@@timothyhingham3672 What an incredible thing that must be; to be able to illustrate perfectly what you hear in your head through the coupling of inspiration and ability.
So glad the song turned out not to be the obvious "Don't Stop Believin'" or "Open Arms". What an amazing song, probably my favorite on the album, up there with "Who's Crying Now".
I JUST rediscovered this song recently and have been playing it for the last couple weeks and now Rick comes out with this video 🤯. Definitely one of Journey’s best.
So cool. We just went to a Journey concert here in New Mexico a couple of weeks ago, and man, they are still soo good. Put me into a deep dive into Journey and the band members' solo albums. So great. Love this song. Very cool that you picked this one. Here's me hoping that you'll invite Neil Schon for an interview soon. That would be fabulous.
Saw Journey in the early ‘80s, fantastic show. Only Brad Delp could match Steve Perry. Tough to pick between the two, really. I knew Brad so maybe I’m a touch biased, but he could reach those notes, also sing them with power and sustain. Steve Perry, incredible. RIP, Brad Delp. So sad.
Brad had that one-in-a-million (maybe *billion*) voice. His falsetto was unbelievable. But it wasn't just that he could hit high notes. His tone and phrasing were unmistakable. He was able to sing with the perfect combination of passion and control.
Had the chance to meet him in ‘79. Asked him what was the big difference in his life after Boston hit it big and he said, “I don’t have to stop drinking Heinekens between paydays.” Genuinely a nice guy who didn’t have to take the time to talk to me but did.
Brad Delp was a killer vocalist, what he did on Boston’s records, especially the first one, will never be replicated. The songs are just perfectly written and perfectly executed.
Listening to Journey the past couple of days and am just filled 🥰🎶… today I thought the next step is to hear what Rick has to say about Journey. So enjoyable, love seeing how excited you are about this beautiful song.
Stumbled on your channel about 4 months ago. Very enjoyable my friend! And this song simply moves my soul. There are many of Journey's tubes that do that though. Steves voice is magical. Keep up the good work
Steve Perry is my favorite vocalist of all time. I know there's a lot of great singers with huge voices, from Aretha to Stevie Wonder, but Steve Perry pulls on my heart strings like no other singer. Steve Smith and Neal Schon, are also great. Those modal chords are definitely what made them stand apart in my ears.
I'm SOOOO glad you highlighted THIS song on the album. I just listened again to the whole thing last week. Escape was one of our 'cruisin on the weekend' albums.
Neal Schon has been a guitar God to me since 1979 when I was 11 years old. He’s the reason I learned to play guitar. 43 years later he’s still the biggest influence to my playing. This song is Neals greatest solo. It shows how soulful he can make a guitar sing. Add that to SP’s vocal.And it’s an awesome combination.
I do like this song very much, but not enough to call it a favorite. I really love their older works when Greg Rolie and Steve Perry were sharing lead vocals. From the Infinity album it is Feelin' That Way/Anytime and from the Departure album it's Someday Soon. Steve's vocals near the end of the song are hauntingly angelic. I still get teary-eyed when I hear it.
'Still They Ride' is an incredible song, one of my favourites, and I will have trouble losing that chorus melody for the next few hours. 'Escape' is a Journey masterpiece with 'Captured' joining it to make an awesome collection of music. 😎
I realized later why i loved journey/Steve Perry so much.. it's their originality ! Their songs are never generic sound .. never get tired of listening to them everyday 🎧❤️
Escape was my summer album after graduating high school in 2009. I still have the Houston ‘81 live concert on DVD lol That era of Journey blew me away. Their energy as a whole was definitely a force to be reckoned with
I remember when Journey was working on this album. I was working at a place called Electronics Plus in San Rafael, CA., Johnathan Cain, who had just left 'The Babys', and Steve Perry had come in on occasion. Johnathan was quite personable and told me about the album they were working on they called Escape. Needless to say, it was much more than I expected.
Neil Schon and Alex Lifeson are similar soloists. They both solo with so much emotion, a great sense of melody, lots of bends; always-concise solos that never bore.
It is indeed a fantastic tune. IMHO Ross never got enough credit for his bass playing, which was always stellar. In this song he really shines in his unassuming way.
Totally agree! Songs like these (and Toto) are why I argue every single day that the 80’s are the sweet spot in music history. Lots of great stuff in other decades, but there is so much quality songwriting and performances and all time greats - like Steve, Whitney Houston, MJ’s Thriller, etc. in the 80’s that that decade takes the top spot!
Ah, "Still They Ride" is such a great song. I always thought the title track "Escape" was an underrated song from this album. I used to crank that one a lot.
It’s so fun to watch you geek out over this. My best friend was related to one of the band members when this came out and we were every show that came through town in the early 80s. So great.
Everyone was so "Open Arms" on this album and I was always like, "Still They Ride" is better, but the girls specifically wanted the romantic message in Open Arms. Again, the trio of Cain, Schon, and Perry all showcase their talents on this masterpiece. Steve Smith is also grade A percussion on this tune!
Exactly right, Open Arms was for the girls. Same thing with Foreigner and Waiting for a Girl Like You and 4. I think of Escape, it’s all about Stone in Love, Still They Ride and DSB. Just an unbelievable album. 1981 was an absolute killer year for a lot of classic albums.
Those two haven't done anything musical together since the Trial By Fire album in the mid-1990s, and the last time they were seen together in public was at the hall of fame in 2017. Perry has no interest in doing anything Journey related anymore.
Not just one of my favorite Journey songs, but one of my FAVORITE songs ever! Steve Perry's sustaining 'thunder' vocal after the instruments stop still gives me chills to this day.
In the rock era, there has NEVER been a better combination of a guitar and voice than Neal Schon and Steve Perry. The tone and style of Neal's playing combined with Steve Perry's melodic, soulful, and soaring vocals is just perfection.
You are correct, sir, regarding your comment on Neal Schon and Steve Perry. I think the Escape/Frontiers line-up was the best assembly of talent. They've had some killer music come out since Perry's departure, and I can only imagine how good some of those post-Perry songs would be if Perry himself (in his prime) had been singing on them. Imagine Perry singing Higher Place.
I think Sting and Andy summers are great as well maybe even better. Andy was such an amazing guitarist and stings voice could kill you so beautifully.
Agreed❗️
You can't forget Boston. Tom Scholz destroys..
Sholz. And Delp, Mercury and May, Kerry Livgrin Steve Walsh.
There is not a bad track on Escape. One of the greatest rock albums of all time and one of my favorites. I loved it in 1981 and just as much today. Thank you, Journey.
I hear you on that - I was in 3rd grade , my mother bought the cassette and I’ll never forget thinking how odd it was that I just wanted to sit in the room and simply listen to this music - it didn’t seem like a normal thing to me , but that’s how entrancing and hypnotic the music was
Oh my gosh! I agree not a single bad song on it!!! Frontiers is near perfect as well, the only song on that one I do not like is Back Talk.
This was my first LP purchased with my own money. It was in '81 when I was 13. To make it worthwhile, studied every track on my track. I still think the title track is my favorite.
100% fact!
10 amazing songs
I WANT a schon interview immensely! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!
Steve smith's drum parts were soooooo good. And his drum sound was perfect!!
Perry has one of the purest, clearest voices ever.
Even when well-imitated, never truly duplicated. It’s just so distinctly him. I think Arnel Pineda does a great job, and keeps the spirit admirably, but I can still always tell the difference between his voice and Steve Perry’s.
@@0okaminoArnel's tone and power is actually pretty close to Steve's. His pronunciation/accent lets him down though
E5C4P3 is one of the greatest albums EVER produced. What an amazing soundtrack to so many of our teen years, completely unequaled in both musicianship and mixing.
This made me tear up and smile. I remember being 11 years old riding in the back of the car on vacation with my ear pressed up against one of those flat, rectangle mono cassette players listening to this entire album, but this song got me every single time and it's still the one that stays on my iPod and when shuffle brings it back to me I tear up and smile again. Of every Journey song I've ever loved, this one has the greatest impact on me every time. Thank you for acknowledging and recognizing it's melancholic beauty. 🖤
Mother Father hit me hard because when it came out I was beginning to realize the fallibility of my family. Still hits hard. Not all of us made it through.
same.
This. 🥺
This is when Journey was firing on all cylinders all full power from every member, every song on this album is a winner but I wasn't expecting this level of virtuosity. Excellent choice.
Neal Schon can get more out of a long bend than ANYONE. his phrasing is just unbelievable. he's an absolute monster player.
It’s always irritated me beyond words how underrated he is.
@@KT-rz7ue I think it's largely because he's obviously associated with Journey, a band the critics don't like. He is fantastic, I agree. Great writer too! I honestly prefer when he's playing at his most rhythmic and melodic, though I know he can shred with the best of them and enjoys letting loose in the tunes when he can. Like Toto, all of those cats can seriously jam, but really shine at writing killer pop/rock tunes.
and writing
I’m an operatic tenor and still one of my biggest influences will forever be Steve Perry. The freedom the man had with his voice is just inspiring.
As a former opera singer I concur.
@@singingdane3916 Bella voce!
Steve is operatic- very bel canto!
@@TheDivayentahis voice is gorgeous, but his larynx is too high to be considered bel canto in my opinion. It’s bell canto in the sense it’s ‘beautiful singing’ but not in terms of musical style
@@LeeJCanderanyone can learn bel canto techniques. With Steve, it’s how he sings mostly open vowels.
Neal Schon is a master musician. His guitar work is out of this world. Love it!
Of course he is; he was touring with Santana while still in his teens.
I've recently gone into a deep dive into his solo albums (listening right now actually). His tone and emotional delivery is amazing. Like he's telling stories with his instrument. So beautiful. I've loved watching him post jams on Instagram. Love him.
Rick is amazing, so genuine, and obviously passionate about music and what he's doing. Now this guy would be fun to hang with. Thank you Rick for all you do!!!
My girlfriend introduced me to Journey and Toto in 1981 and 1982, and it forever transformed my life; Neal has been my main influence since. Mother, father, and Still they Ride continue to astound me. Thank you for making this video.
What a pleasant surprise, I didn't expect to be "Still They Ride" what a fantastic song.
Steve Perry has one incredible voice, one of the best ever in Rock and Roll.
Still one of my favorite albums ever. Vocals on Mother, Father still amaze me near the end where Steve is singing so high it is unworldly. Schon still one of the best.
This song is epic. I don't know why this isn't their most popular song. Steve is so good. The band is perfect, also.
Neil, Jonathan and Steve were just pure magic
The older that i get the more i love their music. Only The Young is one of my fav's👍
I instantly fell in love with Only the Young when I dug out my dad's Journey Greatest Hits CD and listened several years ago. I also instantly fell in love with Ask the Lonely on that CD as well.
Absolutely amazing track, pretty much like everything they did.
They really were a phenomenal band of musicians. Fronted by one of the best singers in rock history. Amazed I lived through most of it. Pretty sure in 100 years people will be playing these tracks.
The best singer of all time, in my opinion.
@@charliedavidarnott1537 journey has a very original sound for the time for sure
@@charliedavidarnott1537 Greatest rock singer... it's pretty hard to argue against it
@@charliedavidarnott1537
Yes, I rank him, Freddie Mercy, and Ronnie James Dio as the GREATEST Rock & Roll & Metal singers of all time.
@@kingofhearts1072 Lou Gramm would e up there for me and Mickey Thomas as well. Brad Delp too.
I forgot how good Journey was. These were the anthem songs for my college years. So good to have you around, Rick. All this content is a treasure.
My favorite too, and I've found is criminally underrated by almost 99% of the world all along 43 years... Incredible.
The only way I can describe how I feel when I hear this song is "homesick." It really makes me miss the early 1980s like a long-lost love.
me too. it was all ahead then... the triumphs and the tragedies hidden behind time's veil...
@@banaabekwegirl5731 absolutely beautiful sentiment ♥️
I feel the same…
Melancholy
Me too, really 1975- 1989
Rick you are brilliant human being!!!The ultimate storyteller !!! Growing up during the 70s 80s I consider myself very blessed ....... Thank you wholeheartedly for carrying the torch.......
This album is probably their best ever. Truly a powerhouse. Steve Perry with his insanely haunting melodies, Neal Schon with his progressive fusion guitar licks (remember, he was the 16 year-old prodigy of Carlos Santana), Jonathan Caine bringing in all those pop melody hooks, Ross Valery funkin' away on the bass and Steve Smith rounding out with his jazz inspired beat keeping. What's not to like? Straight out of the box, this is nothing short of a masterpiece and a case study on how to use your hooks wisely. Great video, Rick. Keep'em coming.
Just spent the last 30 mins or so, learning and then teaching myself all these voicings for the guitar. And I all can say is, THANK YOU SO MUCH! Especially for reintroducing me to this song. I was about 15-16 years old when this album hit, and had only started playing guitar a few years earlier. Talk about good timing?! Neal’s playing has been, and will always be, a HUGE influence on my playing. Man, this song… and that solo?! Holy moly, thank you again. 🙏🏻
Same here, killer album. Such great hot summers listening to Escape
Isn't it great when you can revisit songs later in life and you actually have the musical knowledge and abilities to play them? Been learning some Steely Dan and Phish tunes recently I never thought I'd be able to play. ✌️❤️
Escape came out in the summer of 1981. I too, was 15. About to turn 16, and 11th grade that Fall. Great memories for me. The good ole days for sure.
I too, like many others, was 15 when this album hit. I had been playing guitar for almost 9 years by this time and mainly stuck to Pink Floyd, Rush, Triumph but Neal Schonn grabbed me with this album. By the time I was 17, I was playing this song and "Mother, Father" almost daily with my HS band (The Hilltoppers).
@@hamsandwichson dude, was thinking the same thing. When I think of how I played when starting to learn to where I'm at now, it blows my mind. Especially cause I've walked away from it completely multiple times. Sold the guitar, amp, etc. Time to work on important things. Golf. Then one day I thought, why the hell can't I do both? Now I'm way better guitarist than I am a golfer. And I'm cool with that.
That chorus always gives me goodbumps...so so good. Love me some Journey.
"Feeling That Way" is my favorite Journey song, love Rolie and Perry's joint vocals.
Agreed
I 3rd that!
I 4th it!
I can’t listen to feeling that way without immediately singing “ooooohhh anytime that you want me”. They go perfectly together and almost feel like one song to me
@@RK-fh4bp Exactly right!!!!!!!
I saw them live in December, and Neal is still absolutely shredding and he’s almost 70!
Journey Escape always brings me right back to summer ('82, '83?), throwing the frisbee with friends. Ozzy, Foreigner 4, Quiet Riot, Billie Jean, Friday Night Videos, sleepovers, sneaking whiskey from the parents' liquor cabinet....
Awesome! And I would respectfully throw in Rush "Moving Pictures"! 1981-1985 were amazing years for music!
You hit the nail on the head brother! Such a great time to be growing up. Stealing whiskey if we were lucky. Usually it was some mixer crap that we would end up barfing on. One night we took vermouth …yikes! 😂
The number of great rock albums that came out in 82-83 is mind blowing.
Don't forget Weird Al Yankovich
Oh my... totally related.
Great music, great years!
One of my all time favorites. I love how Rick lights up and gets so excited describing an incredible section of a song. These songs just hit special centers in my brain, light it up Neal Shon!
Oh my God...
Have tears in my eyes right now.
"Still They Ride" was so important to me, back when Escape was first out.
As a musician, the voicings...the call and response...the bass movement...just everything about this song fascinated me.
Then...
That i was a street racer, for a brief time,
made the lyrics mean so much more.
Was my "escape" song while driving my '69 SS Chevelle 396. All the emotions come flooding back.
Great song
Great band.
Great medicine, then...and now.
With so much going wrong again in my life,
Good to know i too can "still...Ride."
Hope things get better for you soon. Sometimes the roller coaster ride in life can seem unbearable, just ride it out my friend.
@@peterpereda154 thank you.
Thoroughly underrated Journey ballad.
Possibly the most underrated….
Totally agree with you. I continually played it when I got the album. Drove my brother crazy.
Not
I’ve grown over the years to appreciate this band and Neal’s guitar work. On top of it the bands blend of money notes and playing. Than what blows it out of the atmosphere is The Voice. You can pick it out of anywhere. Thank you Rick amazing videos, I’ve learned so much from you. God bless you buddy.
Rick is dead on about Neal’s soloing. Any competent guitarist can pick out bits and pieces of the solos, the beautiful melody parts and vibrato, but when he kicks it into hyperdrive it’s better to just sit back and be stunned by the beauty and madness all colliding together.
My favorite guitarist since I was 12.
Lights, Still they Ride, and Patiently all phenomenal underrated ballads. Greatest rock vocal and guitar duo. Neal’s playing style just highlighted Steve’s voice. Both exceptional.
This has always been one of my all time Journey favs. When S. Perry carries "Chasing Thunder" and then starts back up with"Spinning Around" Man! That sends chills down my spine. Don't know how many times I hit stop, rewind, play on that part of the song. The solo is so beautiful. N. Schon is such a master at controlling his speed in his solos and he creates such a dramatic effect with that control.
No matter how “out there” I’ve gone in my listening tastes over the years, I will always credit this era of Journey with my sense of melody and pocket. This song is a master class in itself.
I believe this was their fourth single off "Escape". I was close to entering high school, and remember this song getting airplay on the mainstream FM radio stations. I have always loved this song...
Thank you for covering this song. It's one of my favorite Journey songs. So beautiful. Steve Perry's voice is like magic.
Love Steve's triplet fill coming out of the guitar solo....amazing fill
Journey’s drummer Deen Castronovo does a great job singing lead on this song also.
Dean has an amazing voice. Heard him sing quite a few lead in a concert when Steve Augeri was having his voice problems. I was blown away. Singing lead and playing drums at the same time. Wow.
Putting in a pitch for Journey's Infinity album. A true masterpiece.
Hah, somehow I knew it would be 'Still They Ride'. Just an all time gorgeous melody and of course Perry is stunning on it.
My heart pounded in my chest as i saw the album Rick was about to reference for his "best song" choice.
"Please! Let him pick "Still They Ride!""
Then...Joy!
And melancholy...He did chose it!
One of my favorites! This and Mother Father. Gives me goosebumps still sometimes with the marriage of every single soaring guitar with voice!
Journey was so good when they were the current, hot, new releases, but Journey is like a fine wine that gets better with age. No one writes and sings like this anymore.
A lot of bands way back for me are like that. I mean it was all great back then but listening now it's like wow that was really really nice stuff. I think maybe some of that fine wine you are feeling could also be a longing for times past and a more refined ear that comes with age? What do you think About that statement?
Back when bands were famous because of their musical talent and not their looks.
@@johnb6850 Well....partly true. There was a place in pop music for people who weren't supermodels, but the cute have always had a place/advantage in music (and every other field of human endeavor)
@@johnb6850 really,have you seen the stadium tour?beside Def Leppard .
black hole sun, won't you come
Bless you Rick Beato. You are a true teacher at heart. Your content is priceless. I look forward to every video you release. They are entertaining, educational, and very enlightening. As a veteran professional musician myself, even I have learned a thing or two from watching your channel. It's one of the best on TH-cam. Thank you for doing what you are doing.
Steve Perry amongst other influences took some signature Sam Cooke licks and placed them effortlessly into Rock music. Absolutely brilliant ❤️ my favourite male vocalist EVER!!
I was lucky to be in a band that covered, Mother , Father back in the 1980's , I learned to love / respect Neal Schon and Journey's playing and compositions ..... true Master Works of performance, execution and composition .
Leave it to Mr. Beato to present the contents, expressions, nuances of the songs that breaths with Life !!!!
No one does it with excitement and passion like Mr. Beato.
One of, “THE BEST” Journey songs!! Thank you for doing this. This teared me up a little. Long live the 80’s and Journey.
Schon is the ultimate combination of musicality and technical skill and the x factor of knowing when and where to utilize each. Truly one of the greatest.
I really wish you would break down "Mother, Father", live in Houston or the album cut. The lyrics, the moods, the chords, the VOCALS. It's so crazy good.
Agreed. It builds so well... so much intensity. The live version is arguably even better, as you alluded to.
When Rick was building up to the reveal I thought he was going to break down Mother, Father. But I think he actually has done some commentary of that in one of his videos somewhere
It is full of beauty, elegance and emotions, it is shining like the true sun. The drummer and the bassist add their skills to this unity of ballad. Rick, I like it as much as you.💚
Perry’s vocals are incredible in this song, so much timber in his voice. Definitely in my top 5 Journey songs. Felling that Way being number one.
Out of all the huge Journey hits that got air play on the radio over the years, this song somehow (fortunately in retrospect) slipped through the cracks from the mainstream, yet remains my absolute favorite by this incredible band of geniuses. From the opening note, it is one of those songs that takes your senses through all the instrumental highs and lows with perfectly executed vocal transitions that only Perry could deliver. Thank you Rick for your masterful breakdown of this Journey classic that still sleeps peacefully in the shadows waiting to be discovered for generations to come.
Hate to contradict you, but I remember listening to AT40 and it was on the charts. Just now checked and it was No. 19. But you're correct, it did kind of fall through the cracks, in my opinion, it is in their top five.
More Journey breakdowns, Rick! Neal's playing is incredible.
And he is still killing it and his live sound is even better than ever. Saw them with Toto in Grand Rapids a couple months ago. It was so great to hear Luke and Schon at the top of their game. Incredible.
Neal’s solo work is highly recommended. My favorite oh his is Beyond the Thunder
I’m so glad you picked this tune. I think it’s the best thing they recorded.
How “Stone In Love” didn’t make their Greatest Hits album I’ll never know.
Looove Stone in Love. One of the few I actually learned on guitar (I actually play bass but really enjoyed figuring out “stone” on the guitar).
Amen brother. It's my favorite Journey song.
These things happen when you have more than two dozen incredible songs. 😅
yeah really
Because they put one of the other 100 power ballads on it.
So glad someone else appreciates this tune as well as I let it play every time it’s on. This song has brought me through a lot, still does.
I was gutted when you first paused it on the “Traffic lights…” line the first time :) So glad you went back to it and emphasised it :) Still gives me chills after 40 years.
I love this type of harmonisation, bass moving upward over a downward leading voice, the opposing forces create beauty!
Rick, you're the man! I was already a competent musician and had a good grasp on theory when I discovered you in 2020, but I've still learned so much from you that I couldn't imagine continuing to write and play music without this new knowledge and understanding. You are a gift to the world of artistry and deserve wide spread recognition. What you've accomplished with this channel is going to be a fundamental aspect of any future movement of popular music to return to appreciating creativity and talent and abandoning the monotonous, synthetic garbage that's poisoned the musical well for the last 20 years plus. I was so terrified when I saw the video yesterday entitled, "Nothing lasts forever" that I almost cried thinking it was going to be bad news while waiting for my over-encumbered pc to load the video!! lolol True story, I'm not even exaggerating. I just hope your younger fans, or any fans of yours that might be new to playing/writing/understanding music realize how lucky they are to have you as a teacher on this platform. I spent so much time and money chasing this knowledge for the last 15 years and STILL learned more here.
Ditto!
"Monotonous, synthetic garbage" is a very good description of modern pop music. You could also throw in 'cynical', 'lazy', 'uninspired', etc.
And Neal is left handed. Jonathan plays rhythm guitar on some songs, and also, is left handed.
Props to you Rick, my mother in law was listening to something last week and I recognized your voice 😳
She is 88 yrs old and loves music 🎼
Excellent video. I never really listened to a song like this. Journey is such an under rated band musically. Steve Perry will always be one of the greatest male vocalists to Rock the stage. Thank you.
I don't know a whole lot about chords and musical theory but I love your content.
I'm a big Journey fan, and I am so glad you chose to spotlight this song.
It is one of my favorites.
And I love Rick's total joy of the tune. Magic.
I've spent a lot of time thinking of what makes an amazing ballad soloist like Schon, and it's almost as though you know where he's going, ergo your ears are anxious for the resolve, and it's astonishing how he plays over time to do it.....especially here where he mirrors the chorus. He's astonishingly good....as are you Rick, love your work so much.
Fantastic break down of such a wonderful tune Rick. Neil Schon's playing on this track is utterly sublime..
This video is validation for me as an artist. So much of the pieces of this are not something you grind through and come up with. It's inspiration, as in you marinate on the basic parts and you hear the other pieces come to you naturally as the song evolves. That's what's great about Neil Schon all these great pieces and parts that he just hears in his head and plays it out and it fits so naturally because it was natural to him.
@@timothyhingham3672 What an incredible thing that must be; to be able to illustrate perfectly what you hear in your head through the coupling of inspiration and ability.
Can you really be utterly sublime ? Shouldn’t sublime just be sublime …….
@@mikeyo3230 Quite possibly Mikey! You might want to tell us about the word pedantic next?
@@cliveshalice8490 touché
So glad the song turned out not to be the obvious "Don't Stop Believin'" or "Open Arms". What an amazing song, probably my favorite on the album, up there with "Who's Crying Now".
Arnel does an amazing job performing this song live. Steve Perry the GOAT.
Mother, Father is my favorite, since I learned that the incredibly high pitched sound near the end is Perry's voice and not a synth, as I had thought.
@@squaaaaak3178 I’m sure you’ve seen Deen sing that one. He’s incredible but he skips those superhuman high notes at the end. I don’t blame him.
Who’s Crying Now is criminally underrated as a Journey song
I love jamming to "who's crying now?" That solo can't be played "mechanically " without sounding bad. The phrasing, note selection, vibrato, bends.
I JUST rediscovered this song recently and have been playing it for the last couple weeks and now Rick comes out with this video 🤯.
Definitely one of Journey’s best.
So cool. We just went to a Journey concert here in New Mexico a couple of weeks ago, and man, they are still soo good. Put me into a deep dive into Journey and the band members' solo albums. So great. Love this song. Very cool that you picked this one. Here's me hoping that you'll invite Neil Schon for an interview soon. That would be fabulous.
Saw Journey in the early ‘80s, fantastic show. Only Brad Delp could match Steve Perry. Tough to pick between the two, really. I knew Brad so maybe I’m a touch biased, but he could reach those notes, also sing them with power and sustain. Steve Perry, incredible. RIP, Brad Delp. So sad.
I barely ever see recognition for Brad. He was really an amazing singer and an integral part of Boston
Brad had that one-in-a-million (maybe *billion*) voice. His falsetto was unbelievable. But it wasn't just that he could hit high notes. His tone and phrasing were unmistakable. He was able to sing with the perfect combination of passion and control.
Had the chance to meet him in ‘79. Asked him what was the big difference in his life after Boston hit it big and he said, “I don’t have to stop drinking Heinekens between paydays.” Genuinely a nice guy who didn’t have to take the time to talk to me but did.
My two favourite male voices
Brad Delp was a killer vocalist, what he did on Boston’s records, especially the first one, will never be replicated. The songs are just perfectly written and perfectly executed.
Listening to Journey the past couple of days and am just filled 🥰🎶… today I thought the next step is to hear what Rick has to say about Journey. So enjoyable, love seeing how excited you are about this beautiful song.
Stumbled on your channel about 4 months ago. Very enjoyable my friend! And this song simply moves my soul. There are many of Journey's tubes that do that though. Steves voice is magical. Keep up the good work
Steve Perry is my favorite vocalist of all time. I know there's a lot of great singers with huge voices, from Aretha to Stevie Wonder, but Steve Perry pulls on my heart strings like no other singer. Steve Smith and Neal Schon, are also great. Those modal chords are definitely what made them stand apart in my ears.
I'm SOOOO glad you highlighted THIS song on the album. I just listened again to the whole thing last week.
Escape was one of our 'cruisin on the weekend' albums.
Neal Schon has been a guitar God to me since 1979 when I was 11 years old. He’s the reason I learned to play guitar. 43 years later he’s still the biggest influence to my playing. This song is Neals greatest solo. It shows how soulful he can make a guitar sing.
Add that to SP’s vocal.And it’s an awesome combination.
love the song, but I will go to my grave claiming the solo on “Who’s Cryin’ Now” is one of THE best ever, not just Schon’s.
@@1968cdc1 it’s a great solo and one of Neals easiest to play.
Neal’s an awesome guitar player. He makes the guitar sing like no other.
Neal's guitar solos on of a lifetime and into the future are amazing, and this is going back to their first two records. Listen closely!!
Not to mention everybody's everything.
@@1968cdc1 I can't argue with that. Neil's soulful playing is a big reason I play guitar. He and Santana were my biggest influences.
Great song. It’s one of Steve Perry’s best vocal performances in a career full of remarkable ones
His best is probably on this album as well Mother,Father is incredible.
@@Lance37a Great call. Perry is unreal on Mother, Father. The live version is awesome too (1981)
@@Lance37a No doubt.
Fantastic vocalist!
@@denmar355 Though raspier than his heyday, he still sounds fantastic on his recent solo albums at age 73.
I do like this song very much, but not enough to call it a favorite. I really love their older works when Greg Rolie and Steve Perry were sharing lead vocals. From the Infinity album it is Feelin' That Way/Anytime and from the Departure album it's Someday Soon. Steve's vocals near the end of the song are hauntingly angelic. I still get teary-eyed when I hear it.
'Still They Ride' is an incredible song, one of my favourites, and I will have trouble losing that chorus melody for the next few hours. 'Escape' is a Journey masterpiece with 'Captured' joining it to make an awesome collection of music. 😎
Rick is a national treasure. So happy he sharing his wisdom and passion with the world. Keep on doing it Rick!!
Love this album Rick, owned it since it was released. Journey were fantastic! even more so live! My fave on the album has to be 'Who's Crying Now'
The solo at the end is tooo long
@@bobodean1 Not long enough! ☺️
Departure was my favorite album. People and Places still blows me away!
@jeff adamson when is a solo too long
@@stringsofgrace5591 Amen! When you are 40 years old or younger.
I realized later why i loved journey/Steve Perry so much.. it's their originality ! Their songs are never generic sound .. never get tired of listening to them everyday 🎧❤️
Escape was my summer album after graduating high school in 2009. I still have the Houston ‘81 live concert on DVD lol That era of Journey blew me away. Their energy as a whole was definitely a force to be reckoned with
Born and raised right here in Houston!
I remember when Journey was working on this album. I was working at a place called Electronics Plus in San Rafael, CA., Johnathan Cain, who had just left 'The Babys', and Steve Perry had come in on occasion. Johnathan was quite personable and told me about the album they were working on they called Escape. Needless to say, it was much more than I expected.
The live versions of this song in the early-mid 2010s with Deen Castronovo on lead vocals are absolutely brilliant!
Still They Ride, is simply one of their amazing ballads in composition. Great song for reviewing!
Neil Schon and Alex Lifeson are similar soloists. They both solo with so much emotion, a great sense of melody, lots of bends; always-concise solos that never bore.
It is indeed a fantastic tune. IMHO Ross never got enough credit for his bass playing, which was always stellar. In this song he really shines in his unassuming way.
Ahhh my friend, bringing back so many great songs, and my fingers are still cursing me when I had to learn these tunes. Great session!
Totally agree! Songs like these (and Toto) are why I argue every single day that the 80’s are the sweet spot in music history. Lots of great stuff in other decades, but there is so much quality songwriting and performances and all time greats - like Steve, Whitney Houston, MJ’s Thriller, etc. in the 80’s that that decade takes the top spot!
Ah, "Still They Ride" is such a great song. I always thought the title track "Escape" was an underrated song from this album. I used to crank that one a lot.
Escape had a real driving feel to it .
What steve Perry said at the rock and roll hall of fame. He said with all this fu n talent.
Wonderful video Rick! Perry, Schon, Cain collaborations were pure greatness! There will never be anything like it.
Still They Ride is one of those songs I find myself listening to over and over. The vocals are incredible. One of Perry's best!
It’s so fun to watch you geek out over this. My best friend was related to one of the band members when this came out and we were every show that came through town in the early 80s. So great.
Everyone was so "Open Arms" on this album and I was always like, "Still They Ride" is better, but the girls specifically wanted the romantic message in Open Arms. Again, the trio of Cain, Schon, and Perry all showcase their talents on this masterpiece. Steve Smith is also grade A percussion on this tune!
Agreed I always liked it better too.
Exactly right, Open Arms was for the girls. Same thing with Foreigner and Waiting for a Girl Like You and 4. I think of Escape, it’s all about Stone in Love, Still They Ride and DSB. Just an unbelievable album. 1981 was an absolute killer year for a lot of classic albums.
That's the kind of songs you want to hear a hundred times in a row ... it is beautiful ...
You should do an interview with Steve Perry and Neal Schon together. This would be epic. Greetings from Klagenfurt - Austria.
Those two haven't done anything musical together since the Trial By Fire album in the mid-1990s, and the last time they were seen together in public was at the hall of fame in 2017. Perry has no interest in doing anything Journey related anymore.
Most likely will no happen. Maybe Steve Perry would do a interview.
@@xguitar123 That would be fantastic!
Not sure that would ever happen, but it would be legendary in no time, that’s for sure!
@@xguitar123 Doubt it.
Not just one of my favorite Journey songs, but one of my FAVORITE songs ever! Steve Perry's sustaining 'thunder' vocal after the instruments stop still gives me chills to this day.