Live in Houston 1981: The Escape Tour

Performer: Journey (Rock)
Engineer: Allen Sides
Producer: Steve Perry
Distributor: Sony Music Distribution (

Notes: Journey (Rock): Steve Perry (vocals); Neal Schon (guitar, background vocals); Jonathan Cain (keyboards, background vocals); Ross Valory (bass guitar, background vocals); Steve Smith (drums). Recorded in 1981, this CD/DVD live set presents Journey at the peak of its powers, on tour in support of the highly successful ESCAPE album (and novelty video game... remember?). The arena-rock band is clearly at home in the cavernous Houston venue, offering up many of the aforementioned record's songs, including the energetic title track, the prom classic "Open Arms," and the anthemic "Don't Stop Believin'." Vocalist Steve Perry belts out the hits in his dramatic signature style and plays the role of hard-rock frontman to perfection, and keyboardist Jonathan Cain, drummer Steve Smith, and guitarist Neal Schon each take lengthy solos, with Schon's moment in the spotlight truly sending fans into a frenzy. While the CD features the exclusive track "The Party's Over (Hopelessly in Love)," the DVD includes contemporaneous interviews with the group, a TV promo clip, and more.

When one thinks of the archetypal power-ballad powerhouse Journey, it's hard not to automatically picture an arena full of fans hoisting cigarette lighters. While singer Steve Perry's voice was custom-made for Journey's heartbreaking love songs, guitarist Neal Schon had the hard rock chops to fire up their numerous melodic anthems, the combination making them one of the biggest bands of the 1980s. They started out as a prog-rock/fusion-oriented offshoot of Santana, but didn't break through until Perry was brought in to front the band in the late '70s. Nevertheless, after Perry's departure, the band eventually reunited and carried on with Perry soundalike Steve Augeri, playing for thousands of enraptured fans and recording new material.

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