Customer Reviews

Back to the Innocence

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have heard the lion's share of this cd on Anthology and am wondering why other reviewers didn't hear it the way I did? There are some stellar songs on the cd. Full Circle, Sacred Ground and Just the Thought of Losing You are classic Jon Cain. Super lyrics and wonderful melody. Who could ask for anything more? :-)

Even for 1995, this is a fairly unoriginal collection by one of Journey's main contributors. His redo of "Faithfully" does nothing new for the song, nor does it enhance the original recording. "Back to the Innocence" and "Baptism Day" are fairly decent, but overall it's a so-so effort. I can see why he's sticking to instrumental CDs these days; he is an EXCELLENT keyboardist.

This album by Jonathan Cain is a splendid effort, and a stark departure from Journey. This is the reason I love this project so much; Cain did not attempt to duplicate the sound of Journey on this record. He went his own way, and he did an absolutely wonderful job in the process!

I love every single song on this CD. There is an incredible sense of longing and yearning in the forlorn-type thread that runs through each recording. The lyrics are magnificent:

"There's no love that could ever take the place of me and my old man. A father's son is coming home to stay to the one who understands."

"Waiting on the wind, driftin' on still waters. When it seems my life's on hold and I don't know where I'm goin', I pray the tradewinds will find my ship in order. It's the silence and uncertainty that make me look within. Till I find from where I've been I'm just waiting on the wind."

Blissful piano, a joyous band, and heart-rendering poetry from a consummate musician and, might I add, an accomplished singer. I love best to play this CD in the autumn. "Back to the Innocence" will be one of my top 5 albums for the rest of my life!

Jonathan Cain is a phenomenal songwriter. He has written for many aritists in the musical industry: Cher - Starting Over, Kenny Rogers - Thought of Losing You, Jimmy Barnes - Too Much Love Ain't Enough, Michael Bolton - Wait On Love, too name a few. Journey was cut down in their PRIME! So, what remains are songs that were written for JRNY, but, landed with other artists. This CD included. There not too many singers out their singing like the lead singer from JRNY. So, key changes are lowered. Arrangements are rearranged. But, I think what will always remain with Cain is the uplifting flight of each song.

Without a doubt Jonathan Cain is a very talented keyboard player and songwriter, but I was a little disappointed with this 1995 mainly acoustic effort. Missing are the trademark Journey-type rockers that Cain co-wrote on such albums as ESCAPE or FRONTIERS, and a much more laid back, easy listening album was completed. A couple of great songs, but a little more energy would have been a great asset. Still, well produced.