Steve Perry Fans - May 2006 Gazette

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

We thought it might be nice to "meet" some of your fellow Steve Perry fans, so we have devised a Member Spotlight. If you would like to take part, please email us, and we will send you a short questionnaire.

This month - Meet Kim!

Hometown: Lakeshore, Ontario
Nickname in Message Center: Nahla
Occupation: Artist
Family: married
Hobbies: Writing, listening to music, going to the theatre, riding my motorcycle or scooter(s), dancing (especially learning Traditional Egyptian Belly dance), travelling through Europe (away from tourists), playing with my cats, reading biographies, studying most history (especially Politics, Religion and the history of Nobility) learning "New Age" philosophy, discussing Alternative Medicine, learning Eastern Spiritual Philosophy, road trips - especially driving to Lake Lure ( and watching all the different motorcycles), Charleston & Savannah (to obsess over the architecture) and Florida (for the warm weather), getting lost in music- as I drive my car through the Canadian countryside in Fall and listen to a great MP3 at the same time, meeting interesting people, enjoying good conversations, decorating my house.
When did you buy your first computer? I think I received my first computer in 93 (maybe) for writing my University essays.
Where is your current computer located? Where ever I am. Three are located in the computer room/office in my house. Two others are in the front guest room.
Been a fan how long? My dad was into high end stereos (in a big way). We grew up listening to music (a lot) because of it. Dad's love for music rubbed off on me, since I was close to him. I had always liked Journey songs when they played on the radio, but was too young to understand most of it... so I didn't purchase any of it. In any case, I really became a fan in 2005. I got my first Journey CD and DVD (The Greatest hits DVD and CD) early last year as a gift on my 35th birthday. I guess I had to "wake up" sometime-better late than never :-
First time I heard Steve sing I felt: Well, seeing Steve and hearing him sing on my birthday honestly touched my soul in a way that's hard to describe. My feeling was; 'Wow, here's a real person ( not just an amazing singer, rock star or cute guy) but a flesh and blood man, a beautiful soul, who has the ability to reach into my soul and connect with it". That's true power that I had never felt before It sincerely meant a lot to me. I guess it was a wake up call for me that took 35 years to discover. On that day, I finally understood the true beauty that lies within the soul. It's an amazing feeling (having it come out from one soul to connect with another- in such a beautiful way). I was not aware of it before because I probably would not have understood or accepted it.
Favorite CD: My favourite CD is Trial By Fire. Without a doubt, the entire CD is beautiful. The lyrical content, spiritual elements, mellow sound, smooth direction, maturity and overall feel of the album, were (not limited to just being) thought provoking and original. The songs were beautifully executed. The album showed a great deal of challenge, change and growth for the band as a musical group (and as individuals). I think there were some pretty powerful messages in the lyrical compositions that should not be overlooked. It was also brilliantly preformed. I loved Steve's vocals...very soulful, yet very sexy. Perfect combination!
Have you seen Steve in concert? Sadly no, I never saw him in a concert. When I finally "woke up" to the great music "the party was over" ;-)
If you could put one song in a time capsule for future generations what would it be and why? This is a thought provoking question, that I will love answering. I love Colors of the Spirit. The lyrics ascribes to a notion I have always (actively) lived by and believed in - that Spirit has no color. I think the song delivered that message beautifully. What we see on the outside is just a facade. I would hope that people in the future would already implement the song's message into their daily lives. For this reason they would not need a song to be reminded of something they should already live by.

I loved Trial by Fire because the song has such a powerful message to it, yet sounded so beautiful. I identified with it immediately. For me, it's a song about an individual who has been through really tough times. There has obviously been some form of spiritual journey and perhaps struggle with the "dark nights of the soul" on the path to Higher Spiritual Awareness. The path often does feel like a Trial by Fire at times and the song portrays this perfectly. I felt this song deals with a tough personal journey that tests faith - on many levels. Eventually light does shine out of the darkness - even if it's hard to see that during the trials.

With that said, I would say that When You Love A Woman is something I would put in a time capsule. It has a special place in my heart. I feel it's a song about a man who has been searching for his ideal love, his spiritual partner, twin-flame or *true* soul mate (the soul's other half personified). His love is not based on traditional "ego based" love" as we know it today. His love is based on a true, pure, ideal love. It an understanding that only arrives after going through "Trials by Fire" and moving onto a heightened awareness - thus a discovery of "true' self. He is looking for beauty that can be found within the soul (hence true beauty).

For me, it's a song about searching for a particular woman. Then, after searching for her for years, finally seeing her and knowing that she is a part of him ( a part of his soul). The eyes are the windows to the soul. Looking into her eyes, tells him that - almost like Cinderella's shoe.

When I hear this song, I think of a loving bond between two people that can never be broken. It's forever (breaking the bounds of mortality). It's unconditional love. It's difficult at times and frustrating, but it is deep, true and everlasting. It is always tested, but it survives every test and gets stronger and deeper for doing so. It's not just about having "ideals" about love, but trying to implement some of these ideals everyday with each other - in an honest manner. It's not based on age, race, ego drives or simply wearing a white dress to walk down an aisle. It's the most beautiful friendship you can think of. It's based on a Divine bond that transcends all other forms of 'love" as we ascribe to it today. It's based on what is actually there on the inside...the soul. That's what I think love means when I listen to the songs lyrics.

I'm a hopeless romantic so the thought of an ideal love between two people (and finding your true soul mate) is the most beautiful thing I could ever think of. I think it's something we should all hope and pray for. The song portrays the type of love and thinking I would hope people in the future would strive for-breaking away from the ego driven "love" that society currently believes in. I would include it in the capsule, sort of like a guide to show we weren't all completely blind to understanding what *real* love is.

Note: Thanks this was great fun!