Journey's first Album Retrospective "JOURNEY" released April 1, 1975

Journey Retrospective: JOURNEY

JOURNEY - Front Album Cover

Gregg Rolie...............Vocals, Keyboards

Neal Schon................Lead Guitar

George Tickner.........Rhythm Guitar

Ross Valory...............Bass Guitar

Aynsley Dunbar........Drums

JOURNEY - Back Album Cover

Main Release Format..........Vinyl Album (LP)

Record Label.......................Columbia Records

Album Cover Photo.............Steven Silverstein

Album Cover Design...........Nancy Donald

Inside Sleeve Photo............Baron Wolman

Band Management..............Walter J. Herbert, A. Louis Bramy
Road Manager....................John Villanueva

Recording Studio................CBS Studios, San Francisco, CA

Recording Dates.................November 1974

Producer.............................Roy Halee

Recorded By..................... .Mark Friedman
Engineer.............................Roy Halee

Mastered By.......................George Horn

JOURNEY - Front Inner sleeve

Release Date April 1, 1975

Chart Rating #138

Number Sold -500,000

Certification None

Catalogue Number PC33388

Genre Progressive Rock, Jazz Fusion

LINER NOTES:

We suggest that you play this record at the highest possible volume in order to fully appreciate the sound of Journey.

JOURNEY - Back Inner sleeve

TRACKS:

Number of Tracks 7;

Side 1;

1. Of A Lifetime 6:49

2. In The Morning Day 4:24

3. Kohoutek (Instrumental) 6:47

Side 2;

1. To Play Some Music 3:16

2. Topaz (Instrumental) 6:10

3. In My Lonely Feeling/Conversations 4:59

4. Mystery Mountain 4:26

JOURNEY - Album Label - Side 1

JOURNEY - Album Label - Side 2

SINGLES:

Number of Singles 2;

Kohoutek/Topaz (released in 1974 as a promo only)

To Play Some Music/Topaz (released in 1975)

Kohoutek / Topaz Promo Single - released 1974

To Play Some Music / Topaz Promo Single - released 1975

WHEEL IN THE SKY REVIEW:

Album Review

Journey's self-titled debut is an amazing album. It's a perfect example of classic fusion rock crafted with a variety of unique twists and sounds. First off, Neal Schon's guitar work is not only powerful and energizing, but also intensely melodic. Neal's ground-breaking technique, mixed with screeching power chords, results in a musical thunderstorm that is sure to echo in one’s mind long after the final note has been played. Next up, we have the relentless and muscular drumming of Aynsley Dunbar. His solid rock ’n roll purist-style, works seamlessly with Schon's lightening-fast guitar work. Then of course, the dynamic duo of Ross Valory’s bass and George Tickner’s rhythm guitar, laying out a solid foundation from underneath. And finally, floating above it all, the soulful vocals of Gregg Rolie. Not only is he an accomplished keyboardist, but his velvet tones and catchy melodies gel perfectly with the rest of this highly talented band.

Of A Lifetime

By Gregg Rolie, George Tickner, and Neal Schon

This song is used in almost every Journey documentary. There is so much identity from Gregg Rolie in this song. Driven by Neal Schon’s Guitar, this song makes a great opener to the album. The song has soft melodic parts and hard driven progressive rock in others. It’s also got some excellent instrumental jams. Gregg’s vocals are an essential part of the musical arrangement here. This one song encompasses everything that Journey as a band has to offer.

In The Morning Day

By Gregg Rolie and Ross Valory

This starts out as a very nice vocal song that changes to a hard hitting instrumental half-way through. This has one of Journey’s most recognizable instrumental hooks from the early days. The song showcases Gregg’s stabbing electric organ ending with Neal’s fast and ripping solo.

Kohoutek

(Instrumental) By Neal Schon, Gregg Rolie

This song was released as a demo single in 1974 and could be considered the band’s first single. The song is a journey itself taking you through different passages, feelings and moods. It starts as a nice piano song which quickly becomes a strong instrumental using every instrument to it’s fullest potential travelling through the different jams and solos. 

To Play Some Music

By Gregg Rolie and Neal Schon

This song was the only official single from the album. A great song that was destined to be on the radio. It’s got a catchy hook and Gregg’s vocals shine throughout. Gregg’s organ playing takes over a bit until Neal’s Guitar playing is flawlessly highlighted. While Aynsley, Ross and George keep the rhythm grooving.

Topaz

(Instrumental) By George Tickner

This song was the “B” side to the “To Play Some Music” single as well as the “Kohoutek” promotional single. This is a very guitar driven instrumental that starts out as a very nice guitar song that rapidly becomes a back and forth between hard rocking progressive rock and soft melodic moments. A fast bass rhythm eventually pipes up and it becomes one huge jam session between the guys.

In My Lonely Feeling / Conversations

By Gregg Rolie / Ross Valory

This song is based on some pretty heavy power chords and we hear some more truly excellent electric guitar playing from Neal Schon. A perfect blend between Gregg’s vocals on the slower moments creating a “mystifying atmosphere” and some hard rockin’ progressive jams.

Mystery Mountain

By Gregg Rolie, George Tickner, and Diane Valory

The album ends with a great punch. The drumming stands out on this one. Gregg’s strong vocals somehow find their way through one of the heavier groove jams on the album.