JOURNEY
'Captured'
(CBS 88525) ****
A DOUBLE live album? Rockism runs rampant! Why, the lavish packaging alone of this dual-disc set is enough to turn any self-respecting SS (meaning Sanity Squad, I hasten to add) member's stomach. The fold-out sleeve and inner bags depict Journey at various stages of mega-dom, looking disgustingly fit and bronzed and playing open-air stadia so huge they make Wembley Arena look like a shoe box. There're so many people in attendance it looks like the Entire Population Of the World, the stage is the size of a football pitch and, yes, it's totally sickening. But I'm unrepentant. As far as I'm concerned, the choice between standing in the brooding darkness of the Cabaret Futura and basking in a sunlit Californian Sportsdome is simply no choice at all ....
Nonetheless, a two-record in-concert collection is a rare concept these days. But this is understandable, for since the releases of Kiss' 'Alive I' and 'II' albums bands have shyed away from such projects, obviously aware of the difficulty - nay, near impossibility - of producing albums of equal calibre.
Journey come close though, and it's maybe rather surprising because I've always thought of them as more of a studio than live band. Their previous LPs (forgetting about the early 'Santana splinter group' jazz-rock excursions) are well-honed hunks of American radio refinement. Best example is their '78
However with 'Captured' the group display a hitherto undiscovered ability to - uh - 'rock out'. 'Infinity' tracks rightfully form the backbone of the package, and we're treated to the sound of a more jagged, less judicious Journey. Even previous total wimp-out numbers like 'Too Late', 'Do You Recall' and the famed Norton Ferris composition 'Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'' have been toughened up to sound less limp-wristed and more firm-handed.
Highlights? More or less the whole of side one - 'Majestic', 'Where Were You', 'Just the Same Way' and 'Line Of Fire' flowing into each other and making for an adrenalin-pumping opening. Plus 'Walks Like A Lady', a lengthy blues workout with magnificent contributions from guitarist Neal Schon and (now departed) keyboard player Gregg Rolie, together with strong vocals from Steve Perry, proving beyond doubt that he's not merely a production-line US crooner.
For the lovers of kitsch amongst you, listen out for some delightfully cringe-inducing raps-to-audience from Perry, viz and to wit: "We're indebted to you for being on this album - because this is your album, y'know"
And finally, don't miss 'bonus' studio track 'The Party's Over', tacked on to the end of the fourth side and a tantalising taster of the new Journey direction to come.
GEOFF BARTON