Departure (Bonus Track Version)

Some of the best Journey deep cuts reside on this album. Several were overlooked for the Greatest Hits compilation. I listened to this over and over when it was released, while everyone else was watching MTV and listening to country music. Walks Like A Lady is one of the BEST blues songs of all time. The dual-lead singer arrangements of Greg Rolie and Steve Perry are simply some of the greatest Rock songs ever recorded. Journey was just getting started here, and knowing that makes the music that much more satisfying.

Awesome music great voice

Journey Is Steve Perry Lead Vocals Singer Neal Schon Guitars Co Lead Vocals On Select songs Greg Rolie Keyboards Synth Co lead vocals Steve Smith Drums Precussion Ross Valory Bass Guitars By 1980 Journey was A stadium Act They Had been since the release of 1978's Infinity and to more of a Extent 1979s Evolution The Band went into the studio with 19 tracks and trimmed it down to 12 songs Plus two bonus Tracks Natural Thing and Little Girl In terms Of Songwriting the album is fairly consitant though uneven something that would be remedied by the addition of Jonathan Cain At least until The bands numerous breakups The singles would be overshadowed by escape the following year singles anyway you want it Walks like a lady Where were you Line of fire Stay awhile Steve perry and Neal Schon wrote ideas and greg rolie Use as a lead vocalist was loosing its need But the trio of neal and greg and steve was at at end I dont Know that its an improvent over evolution as much as a try this and see what happens But The classic wedding lineup of perfection was on its way This One had come to the end of what they could do with it

After "Infinity" and "Evolution" exploded on the rock scene and were/are established as two of the all time classic rock records, with all time classic singles like "Wheel in the Sky", "Lights" and "Lovin, Touchin', Squeezin", it's not hard to see why "Departure" is a little overlooked. And that is a shame. It's difficult - if not impossible - to find a rock record with more amazing, soaring, spectacular vocals. The band was on top of their game - their formula - lead by Neal Schon's guitar wizardry. But the pure, powerful, soaring vocals of singer Steve Perry make "Departure" a Journey record not to be missed.

Having entered my teens during the "Escape" mania, I never even though about the older material except the Greatest Hits stuff. I was not tot keen on them, They were so huge, you loved to hate them if you were a "true rocker." Later I was blown away by the vocals on the studio version of Wheel in the Sky. I don't think this album got much play beyond the 1st track. Too bad, because it's fantastic, and Schon is clearly taken the challenge EVH had thrown on the table, and it's obvious on this album. Amazing, loose, tasty playing, 1st class! Too bad "Escape" eclipsed so much of this material for me.

Their biggest album and bigger hits lay ahead but I have a sentimental attachment to this LP, which came out during my last semester in college. Over 30 years later, it's still my favorite Journey to play from beginning to end. "Any Way You Want It" opens with a such splash that was a long way--yes, a Departure-- from their earlier fusion-type albums. A brief speeded-up version was used in "Caddyshack" that summer. The energy kept going with "Walks Like A Lady" which was as bluesy as they'd ever get once Gregg Rolie and his Hammond organ left as well as his harmonica that provided the solo at the end of the revved-up "Precious Time." "People and Places" was a tremendous arena pleaser ("Yes, you''re the people that we want to know!"). Even the inner sleeve photo of the band, bundled up on a typically cold, foggy evening somewhere on a San Francisco overpass, reminds me of a memorable date in the City (I even made a tape of the LP as a present to her the next day). Speaking of the City, "Stay Awhile" may have been a rewrite of the greater "Lights," which may be why it's pushed to the end of the album but works nicely as a "trio" with the brief "Departure," "Good Morning Girl" leading in and the crunchy "Homemade Love" closing out.

Departure captures the essence of a young Journey. The vocals by Steve Perry are phenominal. Just listen to Homade Love! Who has this kind of range? The Guitar playing is superior in every aspect as Neil Schon "A Guitar God" delivers his finest work. The drums and keyboards are so sweet and profound you will be totally immersed in this masterpiece. If you are looking for a mental vacation let your "Departure" be this Album

I heard the song "Little Girl" on some rock station here in CA and I thought that this sounds like a Journey song but I didn't recognize it. I was so blown away by it that I searched for it when I got home and discovered that it was part of some soundtrack. Even without the Escape and Frontiers albums, Journey still would have been a tremendous success.

Journey found success and popularity with their first 2 albums with Steve Perry "Infinity" and Evolution" but the band makes a smooth transition combining Steve's true vocal talents, with the bands amazing instrumentals to produce smooth melodies including "Stay Awhile" and "Little Girl". Journey also delivers awesome songs that flow through every one of your nerves keeping you captivated and into every last second of the song including "Anyway You want It", "Where Were You" and "Line of Fire". This is a perfect album for anyone who wants to experience Journey at their finest!

This album is an improvement over Evolution, but the band knew a change had to be made. Oh, and Any Way You Want It is not the live version. It must be a mis-print.