The Essential Journey [Limited Edition, Original recording remastered]

Journey | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 16, 2001)
• Original Release Date: 2001
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Limited Edition, Original recording remastered
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00005QGB5
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (82 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,647 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Japanese Blu-Spec CD pressing of this classic album. The Blue Spec format takes Blu-ray disc technology to create CD's which are compatible with normal CD players but provides ultra high quality sound. Sony. 2009. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

113 of 122 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Geez, they STILL didn't get it right!, June 19, 2002

By 

The Scenario (Roseville, MN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Essential Journey (Audio CD)

You would think that they could get it right with two discs to work with this time, but "The Essential Journey" is only partially deserving of its title. True, all the big hits are included (the 15 that appeared on the original "Greatest Hits" are also here), and justice is restored to previously shunned favorites like "Stone In Love", "The Party's Over (Hopelessly In Love)", "After The Fall", "Still They Ride", "Just The Same Way" and "Escape". But there are still a bunch of greats that were left off in favor of lame "what-the-hell-is-this-one-here-for" type songs. I mean, since when are "The Eyes of A Woman", "Mother, Father", and "Something To Hide" considered essential, while high-airplay singles like "Walks Like A Lady", "Why Can't This Night Go On Forever", "Suzanne" (a Top 20 Hit!) and "City of Angels" are not? Not only that, but even though this collection rightfully includes the classic "Anytime", it does not include the song "Feeling That Way" which almost always preceeds it when heard on the radio. For Journey fans, this would be like Queen putting "We Are The Champions" on a best-of without "We Will Rock You" right before it! Same goes for "Stay Awhile" (which admittedly sounds a lot like "Lights"), which was always played right after "Good Morning Girl" on the radio. "Good Morning Girl" is here, "Stay Awhile" is not, and GMG seems lost without its companion. Don't get me wrong, I do like the songs "Something To Hide" and "The Eyes of A Woman" a lot, but I think they should've been shelved in favor of better-known fare. At any rate, this is definitely the best Journey compilation out there (better than the spotty "Time3"), but I sometimes wonder what the people in charge of song selection are thinking when they put these things together.

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Still They Ride, November 5, 2002

By 

"shamanstudios" (SW Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Essential Journey (Audio CD)

This is not a bad album, but it is not all that great either. If I were a casual fan or someone new to the group then this would be the album to buy (over their single disc GREATEST HITS or TIME CUBED box set).

For a few bucks more you get all the songs from GREATEST HITS plus some "Essential" tracks like: CHAIN REACTION, AFTER THE FALL, STILL THEY RIDE, STONE IN LOVE, THE PARTY'S OVER, JUST THE SAME WAY & ANYTIME.

However, there are some "Essential" MIA's like: SUZANNE, WHY CAN'T THIS NIGHT GO ON FOREVEER, DIXIE HIGHWAY, WALKS LIKE A LADY, TOO LATE & FEELING THAT WAY.

As always not everyone will be happy with the song selection so accept what you're getting here. ESSENTIAL JOURNEY is a much better compilation than GREATEST HITS for not much more $$$, but it is no substitute for owning all the Steve Perry Journey discs as I do. This is still the best disc available for casual fans with a lot of their better songs.

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Collection For Radio Fans Of Journey, November 2, 2004

By 

K. Fontenot "Prairie Cajun Lives!" (Louisiana) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Essential Journey (Audio CD)

Growing up in the 80's, I was always aware of Journey, but I never really took notice of them until the mid-90's, when I was in college. I never realized how many hits these guys cranked out over the years until I happened upon one of their greatest hits albums in a friend's dorm room. He had to leave for the evening and I stayed behind to play video games. I put the disc on and the memories began to flood back to me. I instantly remembered all of the songs as they played over the speakers. I was caught up in the old days, and I was loving it.

This album, "The Essential Journey," includes all of the hits from the album my friend had and many other songs that radio fans such as myself may not have been aware of. The first disc is the best in my opinion, because it includes the bulk of their hit material. The second disc is good as well because, for the most part, it introduces fans like myself to a side of Journey they weren't aware of.

This is a good compilation to pick up if you love to sing along with Steve Perry while you're cruising down the highway. Obvious hits like "Lights," "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'," and later hits like "When You Love A Woman" are all here. The power ballad of all power ballads, "Open Arms," and its closest competitor, "Faithfully," in this collection as well.

Highly recommended.