JOURNEY - TOPAZ | REACTION

[@bobcorbin3294]

This is from their first album it features two ex-Santana members and Frank Zappa's ex-drummer.I takes me right back to late night FM radio in 1975.

[@buixrule]

This is hands down my favorite Journey tune of every Journey album ever released.

[@sammybeck7794]

Neil Schon on guitar, Greg Rolie on keyboards/vocals, Ross Valory on bass and Ainsley Dunbar on drums

[@synthonaplinth5980]

Neal*

[@pittsburghguy404]

George Tickner Rhythm guitar

[@realbser1956]

Unless you are of a certain age, most people would not know that groups like Journey, Ambrosia, Kansas all started out as a melange of Prog Rock/Jazz Fusion. As time went on and personnel changed these groups evolved into more radio friendly pop oriented bands, just as Chicago and The Doobie Brothers did. Fantastic instrumental and if you are going to do the whole album, I can’t wait. 🔥

[@drumsybatabamboom8022]

It is no mystery why Ross Valory was considered the secret weapon in Journey.

[@MDElam]

Hell yes!!!

[@alejandrobojorquez6181]

This song is Number One in my Book

[@Twin---]

I was never a Journey fan, and then I discovered early Journey. Oh boy! The first track on this album “Of a Lifetime” (so Journey Of a Lifetime, basically) is one of my favorite songs of all time, and the final song of the album (Mystery Mountain) is also amazing and this one, Topaz, is up there as well. I’ve always seen Topaz painting a picture of the warm Sun rising in the morning and through a hectic day and finally ending with a warm glow at sunset at the end of it. And the bass is the boss in this one!

[@toddstevens13]

Get prepared to be blown away by the opening song of this their first album, "Of A Lifetime", one of the greatest First Album First Songs ever.

[@MDElam]

Agreed! (I'll sneak in a mention of Yes's "Beyond and Before," right there with "Of a Lifetime.")

[@toddstevens13]

@@MDElam Top 10 for sure, right up there with Black Sabbath-Black Sabbath, Gypsy Uriah Heep, etc.

[@gweeds334]

nothing can compare to "of a lifetime"

[@toddstevens13]

@@gweeds334 Give Crippled Black Phoenix's album version of Of A Lifetime, damn good, and interesting take with a haunting Female Vocalist.

[@dariffer8228]

Finally!!! You found the very best verion of Journey---the original lineup. Had the great pleasure of seeing them live at winterland many times during the 70's in San Francisco. They were always absolutely killer!! Many great songs from this lineup. Hope you explore more. Ross Valory on bass and Aynsley Dunbar on drums. Of course "huge afro days" Neil Schon on guitar and Gregg Rolie on keys and vocals.

[@williamosborne6866]

Pre-Perry....when Journey was a rock/protoprog kickass band (1973), when keyboardist Gregg Rolie was fresh out of Santana. Wait 'till you get to HIS vocals.

[@pookiemartinez1745]

Progressive Rock after Caravanserai! Banger

[@marksimpson1991]

Awesome! Pre-Perry Journey was a completely different band.

[@kaybee4143]

Old School Journey. Pre-Steve Perry. I've never heard this. Nice find.

[@j.jennings1722]

This song gives me Santana vibes, only without the Latin flavor. Enjoyable piece.

[@Twin---]

Which makes very much sense if you know the history of the band members!

[@timothyjohnson4890]

My favorite tune off the album. Thanks! Looking forward to many more off their first three. How about "I Would Find You" which would be one of my funeral picks

[@billc.5861]

Oh boy. Dig it Check out “Look into the Future “ I love drumming that song. Welcome to a different rabbit hole.

[@jimscheid5030]

I was thrilled to see you react to this- love it when you hit neglected gems.. Knew you'd love it. Early Journey was fantastic. Similarly good is Nickel and Dime. My favorite though is Look into the Future.

[@billc.5861]

Check out Ansley Dunbar’s bio. Such a fantastic drummer.

[@fenderchamp8241]

Title track Look into the Future is a must listen. 1st 3 albums are Progressive bliss.

[@lancecornell9978]

Didn't expect this deep dive! To me, this is the Journey I enjoy. I have this album in a promo pressing. Good job!

[@patrickmcevoy5080]

The style - start with Santana's early hard blues/rock (since two members were in that band), and some jazz-fusion and a little progressive rock. That sums it all up to me.

[@MDElam]

Ross Valory was the working man of Journey. One of the great rock bassists. Everyone was top of their game on the first three albums. I still think they had moments of greatness on their other albums through Frontiers too. In my mind there are three main phases of Journey: the first three albums, from Infinity through Departure (and Captured, the live album), and the two albums Escape and Frontiers. Apologies for the Raised on Radio albums and beyond; I like some of it okay too, but, Chod, you're in a great part of Journey's catalogue!

[@4tuneagent]

Great Choice! Love those early albums.. a similar sound would be Santana, with the album "Caravanserai".. some of the same band members..

[@gregyaklin5980]

Love early Journey! They did three album's without Steve Perry, witch are fantastic! This song is off the first album,then they released two more album,s after the self titled album. Look Into The Future , and Next! More early Journey please!!!! :-)

[@GhoulishGrinMedia]

Rolie and Schon both were fresh from the Santana band and I absolutely LOVE that this has the same vibe. Of course when they recruited Steve Perry they became a whole other beast. But at least they had that one Santana-ish album, with that CARAVANSERAI prog vibe.

[@MikeCoggan]

Saw them a few years back and they did more of this music off these albums than any other time. Grew up in the Bay Area, and this album came out the end of my sophomore year and we loved it....I saw their 1st tour (Infinity) with Steve Perry. I think the best Journey songs are the Gregg Rolie/Steve Perry singing co-lead.

[@4tuneagent]

Yeah.. that was their 30th Anniversary Tour, I saw that also, it was outstanding. Most of the first set was from their first 3 -4 albums.. Steve Augeri was the vocalist..

[@MikeCoggan]

@@4tuneagent Yes, I saw them at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga CA. My nephew was young and he insisted it was the wrong Journey 🤣

[@johnfields9416]

This makes me think of George Harrison when he finally got out from under John and Paul. With Shon, it seems like he wanted to show Carlos what he could do! Lol

[@RobertErnestLewis]

Greg and Neal at their best ...

[@williamfisher8239]

Many love this beginning of Journey with their jazz fusion even Rock sound. Rush even credits a Journey tune of this era for one of it's songs. As Scheduled n stated, after their three recordings of this era, they had to make changes to get airplay or their record company would drop them. For the true Journey fan their reincarnations may still be beloved. Different but exceptional In their own right. Coming out if Santana and Schon as a child prodigy really plucked as a teen by Rolie to join Santana, it's easy to see how their early beginnings were forged in a more instrumental founded band. Perry definitely brought radio hits to the band along with it's soar to the top as a give commercial success and Arena Rock attraction. Great deep dive into Journey as they were never a one trick pony in their musicianship and talents.

[@charliediottaviano3995]

This was the greatest debut in history. Probably one of the best journey albums they've done. It was Neal saying look what I can do after stepping out of Santana's shadow. His guitar work on this album is flawless

[@dougthePogingguitarist]

can you do a reaction to Of a Lifetime by Journey

[@whatsgoanon]

First three Journey albums were da sheeeeit..... Oh muh load....

[@anthonyblakely399]

Chod...it is contemporary Jazz and a little Blues..... with some South Western style vibes in it. The song sounds like the music of The Famous Jazz group The Yellow Jackets. 😊

[@AJ-wg1xv]

It sounds like Santana and with good reason since it is mostly ex Santana members.

[@judithclinton7730]

One of my favorite albums

[@Doggeslife]

Topaz may be my favorite Journey song. I saw them live way back in 1975 at Foothill College, 50 mi. south of San Francisco. Perry ruined them for me.

[@troybullard9631]

This album is kind of a hidden, or underrated Gem. Keyboardist Greg Rollie and Guitarist Neil Schon had left Santana about a year before they formed Journey, and you can definitely hear the Santana influence on Topaz. I've always liked Greg's voice too, great singer. Those pre-Steve Perry Journey albums had some great songs on them.

[@bryandouple5595]

Great stuff that I love, you love and a few others love but the problem is most listeners can't understand what they are hearing! I wish you could stay on this path but most of your followers will get lost. Think about a second channel that focuses on prog, jazz/fusion & the like. There are allot of followers and tons of artist to hear. You have done a few but I could give you a long list of incredible artists and I'm sure many of your subs would add more!

[@screwedagain1]

You really need to check out some Frank Marino and Mahogany Rush. The song "Poppy" is right up your alley.

[@marxter6]

Strange Dreams by FM&MR!

[@mailman390]

Pre-Perry is the only Journey I own.

[@jonthomson8392]

👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@toddmitchell7542]

Did you not do “Of A Lifetime” ? My favorite song on the album………😢

[@scottking3287]

The first 3 albums lean more towards the Santana sound. Great stuff

[@judithclinton7730]

Greg rookie singing

[@ericvincent5187]

I would find you off next album!

[@alejandrobojorquez6181]

Suggestion KANSAS - Incomudro Hymn to the Atman 1975 original studio version 🎙️ 🎤🎶🎼 this song is very underrated because it hasn't been Discovered by alot of people it's over 12 Minutes in duration. If you liked TOPAZ by journey you'll definitely like this song too it's got Organ keyboards Synthesizers super Bass lines and Drum solos it's a well produced song that right from the get go it will take you on an Amazing Journey of musical delight mostly Instrumental that was well made well put together by great musicians its progressive rock at its most electrifying oh and the guitar riffs are incredible too Suggested 4 you

[@jahbay]

If you like bass check out cruise control by the dreggs

[@normanrose2711]

Hey maybe you could do multiple songs from Jeff Beck's album blow by blow or wired

[@chrislarsen4938]

Still the best Journey album in my opinion!

[@toddstevens13]

Sadly Chod, you will get very few views in comparison for "Real Journey"'s gloriousness because the Pop Journie'ites can not fathom this stuff at all, it is so far above their mental ability to comprehend, and sadly they were so badly managed back then, that the rest of the Progressive World, never got to know this timeframe of Journey's work, where they were in the same stratosphere as Pink Floyd, Camel, Hawkwind, etc etc. etc. We know you will appreciate and admire this period, so you have multiple albums to go through, as well as their one Outlier from the Perry era, the Japanese Movie Soundtrack from "Dream After Dream, which at the time was not released in N. America as it would of blown the brains of the teenyboppers.

[@RobertErnestLewis]

Check out the NEXT album

[@skolcityblues2132]

It’s fusion brah

[@kenrock8692]

um, nah