Customer Reviews

Tall Stories

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Let me first say as a matter of perspective, I own over 600 CDs and this one is in my top 10. You probably have never heard of this band or even their single ("Wild on the Run") from 1991, but that is a crying shame. I worked in a record store back then and I can tell you that these guys did not get the label support they deserved. We're talking real musicianship here. People have compared them to Journey but I have to say that Tall Stories stands alone. Journey is one of my favorite bands of all time (I own every CD they did with Perry and they're in heavy rotation in my CD player) so I think I'm qualified to say no way. Tall Stories was not a Journey rip-off or a rip-off of any band. You've never heard such catchy tunes and emotion-charged vocals. Steve Augeri doesn't sound like Steve Perry at all but he does do a fantastic job of singing his songs, and an even better job of singing Tall Stories' songs. If you enjoyed the pop/rock of the late 80s/early 90s, this CD is a critical purchase. This is one of those few albums that is great from start to finish. "Wild on the Run" is a firecracker of a song with a really catchy tune. Many of the songs have a distinct blues and classic R&B influence all within the pop/rock frame of reference. And Steve Augeri's vocals ooze sex appeal and heart on songs like "Restless One". If you enjoy passionate, soulful singing like Steve Perry and Sam Cooke, you're going to love Steve Augeri. As a side note, I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Augeri while he was on tour with Journey and this guy is the sweetest, most humble, most down-to-earth rock star you could ever meet. He comes from humble beginnings, is truly grateful for the success he's found and for his fans, and is committed to delivering a powerhouse performance every time -- you can feel it all the way back to Tall Stories. If you've never heard their music, you are in for a real treat. It's getting scarce these days so don't procrastinate -- BUY this fantastic CD. You won't be disappointed!

If you take my advice, buy this CD, and love it like I do, you might also want to check out Tyketto: Shine and/or Tyketto: Take Out and Served Up Live, and Journey: Arrival. Arrival is the standout of those three.

Here's another one of those bands that should have been huge in the early `90s, but for whatever reason never really caught on. Tall Stories' style of AOR/melodic rock - similar to that of Journey, Foreigner, The Storm and Giant - was certainly popular at the time, and vocalist Steve Augeri had a set of pipes that could rival the best in the business (more on that later). Still, the band never really made an impact, which is a shame because the band's self-titled debut album is pretty darned good. I would consider it one of the better AOR albums of the early `90s.

Tall Stories never got very far, but Steve Augeri certainly did. After a brief stint replacing Danny Vaughn in Tyketto, Augeri was tapped to replace legendary vocalist Steve Perry in Journey. Augeri's vocal style was obviously inspired by Perry's, and he proved to be a great fit for the AOR legends. He was let go in 2006, at which point he went to work on a second Tall Stories album (Skyscraper).

Fans of modern-era Journey will definitely want to check out Tall Stories, as should anyone who enjoys AOR/melodic rock music. The only thing missing at this point is a proper remastered reissue of this lost gem. I'd love to see what Rock Candy could do with this album.

I bought this cd because I knew nothing of Steve Augeri's works before Journey and I wanted to get a feel for his "sound"...boy this is great stuff. It's powerful and edgy with super musicianship. What a find! I really think all Journey fans should buy this cd to get a preview of what they can expect from the new singer. I wonder why this group never merited another album? Too bad.

I found this CD in $1 Store in Santa Cruz, CA about ten years ago. I had never heard of Tall Stories before, but for $1 I figured it was worth the risk. After listening the first time I was totally disappointed!!! What in the world was a band of this quality doing in a $1 store? I would have loved to have heard more from them and seen them in concert. Unfortunately, Tall Stories turns out to be a sad story about how the music industry is not interested in talented musicians and good music, but rather pretty boys and sexy chicks that can prance around the stage and have a good marketing imagine. While I am happy for the success of Steve Augeri as Journey's new frontman, I am sad for the other members of Tall Stories who never got the recognition they deserve.

I first heard these guys when they opened a Mr. Big concert in San Francisco in '92 or '93. I loved their show and it took me forever just to find the tape. If you like Journey, Survivor, etc., you'll like this. "Stay With Me" is my fave track, but I love the whole album. I finally got it on CD and I highly recommend it.

This fantastic CD features the new voice of Journey. Steve Augeri's voice is a definite rival to that of Steve Perry. If you like Journey, you will fall in love with this CD. The only bad point is it is Tall Stories only release.

I am an avid music collector, toured nationally in bands, and am extremely "forensic" about music. Most bands in history, regardless of music style, issue albums that include good or great songs, and then "filler songs" that just don't cut it. Very rarely does a band release an album where EVERY song is great! Loverboy acvhieved that goal last year with there "Just Getting Started" CD. Tall Stories achieved that mission with their s/t release. Their first single titled "Wild on the Run" was very catchy and popular on the radio. They also released a second radio cut titled "Chains of Love" which is a fabulous song. So why did the band suddenly disappear? Allow me to solve the mystery. The same record label that released the Tall Stories s/t CD is the same label that was going to releas the debut record from Peal Jam. The label had to decide which band to largely-promote. The label chose Pearl Jam and suddenly Tall Stories had no label support. This has happened to MANY bands. What a waste it was in THIS case because the Tall Stories record/tape/CD is full of gems. Buy it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Steve Augeri a Journey vocalist since 1998 has amazing voice having both traits of Steve Perry and Jimi Jamison(Survivor). He is also known as the vocalist of legendary early 90s band TALL STORIES. I am really lucky that I could get that rare piece of gem!

Debut album of TALL STORIES sounds a bit like TWO FIRES debut a melodic rock classic by STORM's KEVIN CHALFANT. And the latter part sounds similar to HARDLINE. First four tracks really is classic early 80s JOURNEY sound. Particularly I love CRAWLING BACK which should have been their signature hit. Also I love the hard-edged guitar riff of CLOSE YOUR EYES. Guitar solo by Jack Morer in STAY WITH ME is just brilliant.

Verdict: Journey/Storm/Two Fires fans essential.
Rating: 92 out of 100
Recommended for: Journey, Survivor, Two Fires, and Pride of Lions fans.

I ordered this CD of curiosity about Journey's new(ish) lead singer, Steve Augeri, and on the recommendations of other Amazon customers (thanks guys!). Journey is one of my favorite bands, and yes, this band does sound similar, and yes, Steve Augeri does sound a hell of a lot like Steve Perry. However, this is also just a very good CD. My favorite tracks are "Wild on the Run" and "Never Enough". Everything is passionate, powerful, and just plain good: vocals, guitars, and drums. The more I listen to it, the more I like it. If you like that 80's "big" rock 'n roll sound and/or Journey, you should enjoy this. I give it four stars because I don't like ALL the songs. It's a rare CD for me to like everything, but I save my five stars for those.
By the way, I saw Journey in concert a little while ago, and Steve Augeri is an amazing performer. I wish I could see him perform with his original band, playing his own songs. I bet that would really rock.

Songs like "Wild on the Run" show Tall Stories sounding very Journey-esque. "Chain of Love" is so catchy you may not get it out of your head for days. "Stay with me" is so powerful that your girlfriend will want to stay with you. "Somewhere she waits" is the smash track of the album. The depth and rocking of this track makes the CD worthwhile in and of itself. All in all a great CD.