Long Journey pays off with CD

Back in 1981, Journey was one of the first bands to air a live concert on MTV. This was during the days when TVs weren't made with built-in stereo. So the concert was aired as a "simulcast," which meant the audio could be picked up on certain FM-radio frequencies.

It was a huge deal because MTV was only a few months old and was making a name for itself by playing music videos 24/7. Soon after the Journey show aired, Rush and Kansas followed suit.

I recorded the concert — on an audio cassette; remember those? — from my FM component. But in a moment of weakness and bad judgment, I gave the tape to a girl I liked.

That was one of the dumbest things I've ever done. A week later, we broke up, and I knew I'd never hear that recording again.

The program, broadcast from Houston, was a rock show. The band's album at the time, "Escape," had just hit No. 1 on Billboard's Top 200 Albums chart, and the band had fire in its members' collective eyes. Guitarist Neal Schon, bassist Ross Valory, drummer Steve Smith, vocalist Steve Perry and then new keyboardist Jonathan Cain played the show of their lives.

Not only did Journey crank out the touring album's title track, but it gunned down the audience with rockers "Line of Fire," "Keep on Runnin' " "Where Were You" and "Dead or Alive."

Perry's vocals were in top form as he reached those skyscraping high notes. (And to think he was able to do that without pre-recorded backtracks.) And he raced across the catwalk stage and connected with everyone in the sold-out arena.

Although Schon's guitar solo was honed down to a lengthy intro to "Wheel in the Sky," the axeman's fingers were right on the money throughout the entire performance.

Sure, the concert featured those Journey ballads "Lights/Stay Awhile," "Open Arms," "Don't Stop Believin' " and "Who's Cryin' Now." But more rockers, such as "Stone in Love," "Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin' " and "Anyway You Want It" wrapped it up with some good, solid album-oriented rock.

All these years, I've wished I had kept that tape.

Then, last year, I heard some good news. There were rumblings in the music grapevine that former Journey lead singer Steve Perry was remastering the tapes and video for release.

Those rumors proved to be true.

For Father's Day, my wife and daughters presented me with the "Live In Houston" DVD/CD.

Although these days when Journey is mentioned, a majority of people think of mushy power ballads and cheesy hair styles, one viewing of this concert footage is enough to hush any critic.

Whether or not you like Journey's style, the musicality and live-show craftsmanship is a force to reckon with.

And I won't be giving this one away.

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E-mail: scott@desnews.com