0dayrox

Melodic Rock, AOR, Hard Rock, Prog, Classic Rock news

Category: NEAL SCHON

FERGIE FREDERIKSEN / NEAL SCHON

FREDERIKSEN/PHILLIPS – Frederiksen/Phillips [Japanese Edition] *HQ*

While the mid-Nineties was dark age for rock with melody, former The Babys, Ted Nugent, Bad English bassist Ricky Phillips continued writing classic Melodic Rock / AOR songs, and asked singer Fergie Frederiksen (Trillion, LeRoux, Toto) to join him, and FREDERIKSEN/PHILLIPS born. With the ‘who’s who’ from the genre participating, the album “Frederiksen·Phillips” was released in Europe and Japan, really hard to find in America, available only as an import.
With its mix of AOR and bluesy Melodic Rock styles, the album is a treat for fans of both genres.”Frederiksen/Phillips” features eleven songs, each showcasing the incredible vocals of Fergie. His amazing voice shines on tracks like the awesome “Oh Diane” and “How Much Longer” that without a doubt shows the best side of the ’90s AOR.
But it’s not just Frederiksen’s vocals that make this album stand out. Ricky Phillips, known for his bass guitar skills in bands like Styx, The Babys and Bad English, adds his signature touch to the album. His bass lines are groovy and perfectly complement Frederiksen’s vocals.
One of the highlights of the album is the track “Hopelessly Lost,” which also features Deen Castronovo on drums. This song is a perfect blend of AOR and more emotional hard rock, showcasing the versatility of the musicians involved. “Captured” (co-written with Greg Giuffria) is top class Melodic Rock, while ”Baby Blue Eyes” could have easily been on the Le Roux classic ’83 album.
All tracks feature star musicians feom the genre such as Neal Schon (Journey), Tim Pierce, Pat Torpey (Mr. Big), Bobby Blotzer (Ratt), Steve Farris (Mr. Mister), Alan White (Yes), Bruce Gowdy (Unruly Child), Marcus Nand (Mike Tramp) – just to name a few – and fantastic backing / harmony vocals by Marcie Free, Robin McAuley, David Glen Eisley, Aina Olsen, Jesse Harms, and more!

JOURNEY / NEAL SCHON / REMASTER / STEVE PERRY

JOURNEY – Escape (2022 Remaster) *HQ*

So what is this release? JOURNEY‘s classic album ”Escape” remastered again 2022? Yes, a new remastering was commissioned especially for digital, HiResolution retailers. In this modern time and age, many artists / labels are doing their ‘remastered for iTunes‘ versions.
”Escape (2022 Remaster)” isn’t specifically for iTunes, but the version available for all digital download platforms from now on.
The remasters available for this incredible album are already good. But you know, physical CD’s are slowly disappearing… and record labels need to have these hot selling classic albums updated / remastered in digital stores.
It really worth this ‘2022 remaster’? Oh Yes. Modern music players (for laptops, phones, cars) play better a fine digital file than a CD – in fact there’s no more CD players on these.
Call me nuts, but in my laptop, via foobar2000 player, and good headphones I hear more nuances, guitar harmonies like never before.
Grab this ”Escape (2022 Remaster)”, it’s fantastic.

JOURNEY / NEAL SCHON / UNRELEASED

NEAL SCHON’S JOURNEY THROUGH TIME (2019) Unreleased *made by 0dayrox*

Back in 2018-19, with Journey taking a sabbatical, the band’s guitarist NEAL SCHON recruited Journey co-founder Gregg Rolie, ex- Journey Deen Castronovo and other prominent musicians to form NEAL SCHON’s JOURNEY THROUGH TIME. The project was put together for a serie of shows to play Journey material focused on their first three prog-oriented albums, plus the ’80s hits.
None official release was done from these shows in any format, but the 0dayrox team got the tapes and we are featuring some kind of a ‘2-CD set’. These classic songs have been updated in arrangements, and believe me, the band is on fire.
It’s like a dream come true; Schon & Gregg Rolie performing Journey songs together again. Rolie handles keyboards and lead vocals of course, but also former Journey member Deen Castronovo who does a terrific job at the mic, apart of delivering a stupendous drumming.
Completing the line up there’s terrific bass player Marco Mendoza (Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake alum), Thin Lizzy / Dead Daisies vet Marti Frederiksen (multi-instrumentalist, vocals) and…

JOURNEY / NEAL SCHON / STEVE PERRY

JOURNEY – The Frontiers Tour (Live ’83) out of print

As requested, this is a treat for fans and collectors: the Leftfield Media CD-only release of “JOURNEY – The Frontiers Tour“, a concert recorded during the presentation of Steve Perry & Co. most successful album, at the peak of their craft.
Featuring a complete concert with 19 tracks including songs from 1981’s Escape disc and its follow up ’83s Frontiers, the sound quality is very good, raw but detailed, showcasing Journey at the top of their game.
The triple opening with “Chain Reaction”, “Wheel In The Sky” and “Line Of Fire’ is simply outstanding, then we have an emotive take on “Send Her My Love”, a rocking “Rubicon” and the superb “Lights”.
This is taken from an excellent live FM broadcast, and the sound is great, raw, no overdubs and with a ‘real’ live feel…

JOURNEY / NEAL SCHON

JOURNEY – Freedom (2022) HQ

The wait is over: American Melodic Rock / AOR Gods JOURNEY are back after 11 years with their new studio album “Freedom“. This was the longest gap between two Journey albums to date, but well worth the wait folks.
Yeah, the timeless, feel-good melodic rock is alive and well in the hands of Neal Shon & co, as the band doesn’t disappoints with the new material, catchy, moving, songs that put a big smile on your face of course served with top notch musicianship, and wrapped by slick, razor sharp vital production sound.
There’s something for everyone, from songs recalling the glorious ’80s and powerful emotional ballads to more modern, updated rockers to appeal all rock music generations…

JONATHAN CAIN / JOURNEY / NEAL SCHON / REMASTER / SHM-CD

JOURNEY – Raised On Radio +2 [Blu-Spec CD2 / Limited Release] *HQ*

As part of the Sony Music Japan Blu-Spec CD2 / DSD remastering reissue of some JOURNEY classic albums, here’s 1986’s “Raised On Radio” , as requested, in max quality.
Journey’s ninth new studio album “Raised On Radio” found the group reduced to a trio of guitarist Neal Schon, singer Steve Perry, and keyboard player Jonathan Cain. They lost their regular rhythm section, but to be honest, Journey only needed these 3 members who always provided the songwriting, arrangements, and in short, the band’s appeal.
According to times (released in the mid ’80s”) “Raised On Radio” has a glossy production and a melodic, accessible radio friendly approach like never before.
Schon’s guitar still cut through the fat keyboard chords, and Perry’s fluid tenor still gave the songs an airy, melodic…

JONATHAN CAIN / JOURNEY / NEAL SCHON / REMASTER / SHM-CD

JOURNEY – Frontiers +8 [Blu-Spec CD2] [DSD remastering] (2017) *HQ*

As requested, here’s in max quality the awesome, now out of print Sony Music Japan release Blu-Spec CD2 / DSD remastering Limited Pressing of JOURNEY‘s classic album “Frontiers“, including no less than 8 bonus tracks.
A true ’80s Rock cornerstone, the album reached No. 2 on the Billboard chart and would garner four top 40 singles: “After the Fall” (No. 23), “Send Her My Love” (No. 23), “Faithfully” (No. 12), and “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)” (No. 8), and a rock radio hit in “Chain Reaction”. The album would later achieve the RIAA certification of six times platinum.
A classic Melodic Rock / AOR gem of all times, “Frontiers” is a mandatory listen for all Rock lovers, no matter the preferred genre…

JONATHAN CAIN / JOURNEY / NEAL SCHON / REMASTER / SHM-CD / STEVE PERRY

JOURNEY – Escape +7 {Remastered Blu-Spec CD2} (2017) *HQ*

As part of the Sony Music Japan 2017 reissue campaign on some JOURNEY classic albums, here’s this superb Blu-Spec CD2 / DSD remastering Limited Pressing of the band’s classic “Escape“, their greatest selling album ever including no less than 7 bonus tracks, 3 of them never featured before into any remastered reissue. As requested, here’s in max quality…
“Escape” was THE groundbreaking album for Journey, charting three singles inside Billboard’s Top 10, with “Don’t Stop Believing” reaching number nine, “Who’s Crying Now” number four, and “Open Arms” peaking at number two and holding there for six weeks.
“Escape” flung Journey steadfastly into the AOR arena, combining Neal Schon’s grand yet palatable guitar playing with Jonathan Cain’s delicious keyboards. All this was topped off by the passionate, wide-ranged vocals of Steve Perry, who is the true lifeblood of this album…

JONATHAN CAIN / JOURNEY / NEAL SCHON

JOURNEY – The Way We Used To Be EP (2022) HQ

This past February, founding JOURNEY guitarist Neal Schon shared the definitive track list of “Freedom”, the upcoming new album (July) from the band in more than a decade.
Following the band’s acrimonious split with drummer Steve Smith and bassist Ross Valory back in 2020, the current line up of the band includes Schon, Jonathan Cain, Arnel Pineda, and new recruits legendary drummer / producer Narada Michael Walden, keyboardist/backing singer Jason Derlatka, and also legendary bassist Randy Jackson.
“Freedom” will include the song “The Way We Used To Be“, the multi-platinum band’s first new music since 2011’s album Eclipse, and the first track released by the band’s revamped lineup. “The Way We Used To Be” marked Walden and Derlatka’s first studio recordings with the band, and Jackson’s first since 1986’s “Raised On Radio”.
Meanwhile, other songs from the album surfaced…

JONATHAN CAIN / JOURNEY / NEAL SCHON / REMASTER / SHM-CD / STEVE PERRY

JOURNEY – Departure +2 [Blu-Spec CD2] [mini-LP Limited Release] out of print

After the recent JOURNEY posts here one of you asked as well for “Departure“, in its Japanese Deluxe Paper Sleeve Mini Vinyl LP Replica package and pressed on a high quality Blu-Spec CD2 disc. It uses the last DSD remastering and on this CD format it truly sounds fabulous.
The first Journey album in the ’80s, “Departure” arrived at a crucial moment during the band’s transition from jam-friendly progressive rock to an arena-ready mainstream AOR sound, and found the band continuing to streamline its songwriting in an increasingly successful quest to invade Top 40 radio.
True to its title, the album served notice that the group was closing a chapter in its history by embracing a new direction…

JOURNEY / NEAL SCHON / REMASTER / SHM-CD / STEVE PERRY

JOURNEY – Evolution [Blu-Spec CD2] [DSD remastering Limited Pressing]

Some of you asked for JOURNEY classic albums here in its Japanese DSD Remastering edition and pressed on Blu-Spec CD2 (similar to SHM-CD). “Evolution“, Journey’s most successful album at that time, selling three million copies in the US and charting at #20 on the Billboard 200.
For this recording they retained Roy Thomas Baker (best known for his work with Queen) as producer, but drummer Aynsley Dunbar was replaced with Steve Smith, formerly of Ronnie Montrose’s band.
After years of slugging it out in the trenches, Journey finally achieved a modicum of mainstream success with their fourth LP Infinity — and they were only getting warmed up.
The band’s determination to break into the Top 40 came with a price, and was reflected in a series of lineup changes that included the addition of new singer Steve Perry (who made his debut with ‘Infinity’) and continued with the departure of drummer Aynsley Dunbar, who quit before Journey entered the studio to record their fifth studio album, “Evolution”.

JOURNEY / NEAL SCHON / REMASTER / SHM-CD / STEVE PERRY

JOURNEY – Captured [Blu-Spec CD2] [DSD remastering Limited Pressing] Out Of Print

Some of you asked for JOURNEY classic albums here in its Japanese DSD Remastering edition and pressed on Blu-Spec CD2 (similar to SHM-CD). “Captured” is Journey’s awesome first live album recorded during their ‘Departure tour’.
“Captured” was a turning point for Journey. After this, they went from mega to uber-mega. It was their first live album, and their last with founding keyboardist and singer Gregg Rolie (who actually sang lead in Journey on their first three albums, before they discovered Steve Perry). When Rolie left and Journey hired on Jonathan Cain, they went in an even more radio-friendly direction.
The live album captured (pun intended) the end of the Rolie era with basically every hit they had. They were more of a rock and roll band back then, and this album shows it.

JOURNEY / NEAL SCHON

NEAL SCHON – Universe (2020)

Produced & co-written by famed Narada Michael Walden, “Universe” is the new solo album from JOURNEY’s guitarist NEAL SCHON. A mixture of melodic hard rock, blues, R&B, rock-fusion and even some classical, “Universe” delivers some killer soaring melodic and soulful playing guiding you through a journey of your senses and emotions in only the way his mastery of the instrument can, where each listen feels different and fresh every time.
“Universe” is a great way to experience the energy, beauty, and the musical healing nature of one of the most important artists of our generation.

HSAS / NEAL SCHON / REMASTER / SAMMY HAGAR

HSAS (Hagar Schon Aaronson Shrieve) – Through The Fire [Japan HR/HM 1000 Series Remastered] *EXCLUSIVE*

As requested, here’s in exclusive the Japanese remastered reissue of “Through The Fire“, the 1984 project of HSAS = Hagar Schon Aaronson Shrieve, released as part of the Universal Music Japan series ‘HR/HM 1000‘, that meaning Hard Rock / Heavy Metal at the price of 1000 Yen = about 9,5 USD.
With songs composed by Sammy Hagar and Neal Schon (except the cover of “Whiter Shade of Pale”, made famous by Procol Harum) the album was recorded live with guitar overdubs added later.
HSAS “Through The Fire” is the best ’80s hard rock cult classic that you may never had heard… Do it now. Rocks.
Only at 0dayrox