Steve Perry: Strange Medicine Concert Review

  The musical group Journey wasn't as closely associated with the 1970s as say, the Bee Gees, but their romantic arena rock provided the soundtrack for a generation of youth. While making out in the back seat of Monte Carlos, we grooved to songs like "Lovin, Touchin' Squeezin" and Don't Stop Believin'".
  Eventually the 1970s ended and in 1986, so did Journey.
  But in this age of comebacks, it was only a matter of time before Journey front man Steve Perry would hit the concert trail again. With an operatic voice that always straddled Sam Cooke and hard rock, Perry's new, four-piece band faced a sold-out crowd at the J.A. Palumbo Centre, Uptown, Tuesday night.
  Most in attendance were obviously veteran Journey fans, their middle aged bodies squeezed

uncomfortably into tight jeans and jackets.
But when the lights went down and Perry's band launched into their shimmering, boisterous set, fans cheered like they were still 17. The eight-year sabbatical Perry took from performing seems to have been beneficial.
  His songs focus on introspective subjects, such as "I Am" which deals with being honest with women -- definitely a new direction for a rocker. The result of his renewed strength was a stage presence that was both confident and relaxed.
  He strode across the stage assuredly. His voice never faltered and he smiled and swayed through each song.
  Like Journey, Perry's new band is big on spacy guitar chords and ethereal keyboard work. But unlike his former band's occasional blandness, this group displayed diverse influences. His new drummer, Moyes Lucas, added a

forceful, jazz-oriented drive that was scarcely present in many Journey songs.
Guitarist Lincoln Brewster kept his solos to abbreviated lengths instead of stretching them into mini-operas. The results -- big, loud and alluring, a romantic blue-eyed soul that even rockers can love.
Only three songs into his set, Perry started the rafters shaking with "Open Arms", one of Journey's early hits. The crowd had barely calmed down when the familiar trundling intro to "Lights," caused unbridled pandemonium in the audience. The song's melodic chorus resulted in the traditional rock salute of butane lighters aglow in unison. Tunes from Perry's current solo album, For the Love of Strange Medicine, made up the majority of the show and thoroughly showcased his vocals. One couldn't help but get the impression neither Perry nor his fans had enjoyed themselves this much in quite some time.