Alfred Music Publishing’s Journey: Piano Sheet Music Anthology, in harmony with nature, is printed on 100% recycled paper. It has a stunning glossy cover. The cover makes one feel as if he or she is backstage with the band. Included within are twenty eight of the iconic bands most popular songs. Songs are transcribed for piano and include chord tablature for guitar as well as vocal lines.
Journey had three albums under their belt prior to the arrival of vocalist/frontman Steve Perry. Infinity, their fourth album released January 20, 1978, marked the arrival of Perry. Four all-time favorites from this album are included — “Anytime,” “Lights,” “Patiently” and the ever-popular “Wheel in the Sky,” co-written with Robert Fleischman, Perry’s short-term predecessor. A notable omission is “Feeling That Way” with its richly layered vocals.
Evolution was the fifth studio album, released April 5, 1977. Drummer Aynsley Dunbar was replaced by Steve Smith. Songs from Evolution include “Just the Same Way,” which is nicely represented by including both lead and backing vocals, and “Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’,” the band’s first Top 20 hit, which was painstakingly transcribed to include all of the great piano riffs and breaks throughout the entire song. The transcription of “Lovin’, Touchin’, and Squeezin’” is well-done.
Departure, released March 22, 1980, was the band’s sixth album. Featured herein are “Any Way You Want It”, “Good Morning Girl”, and “Stay Awhile”. “Any Way You Want It” includes the transcribed chord progressions through both guitar solos. The lesser known, “Good Morning Girl”, is accurately done as well. “Stay Awhile” has been lovingly transcribed to include the Floyd Kramer-like opening piano riffs and accompaniment throughout the piece.
Included from Escape, the band’s seventh studio album released July 31, 1981, are four Billboard Top 100 hits: “Don’t Stop Believin’,” “Open Arms,” “Still They Ride,” and “Who’s Crying Now.” “Stone in Love” is also included. Escape saw another major change in the Journey lineup with keyboardist Jonathan Cain replacing Gregg Rolie, ushering in a new era.
The transcription of “Don’t Stop Believin’” is a treat for any Journey fan as it features the complete keyboard parts throughout the song and includes the rhythmic accompaniment through the guitar solo. Previous releases by other publishing companies omit these parts. “Open Arms,”“Still They Ride” and “Who’s Crying Now” will satisfy the intermediate-to-advanced piano player and beginners will enjoy the arrangement of “Stone in Love.”
Frontiers is Journey’s eighth studio album released February 22, 1983. Fans will love the arrangements of “Ask the Lonely”, “Faithfully”, “Only the Young”, “Send Her My Love”, and “Separate Ways”. The arrangements of “Ask the Lonely” and “Faithfully” hold true to the original recordings. However, “Only the Young” seems to have been simplified and doesn’t include the guitar solo.
The inclusion of the hauntingly sustained melody and chord progression through the guitar solo on “Send Her My Love” was a solid choice. “Separate Ways” will leave you exhausted, in a good way, after a complete run through. Alfred Music Publishing nailed this one with a perfect transcription. All of the keyboard/synthesizer parts are included from start to finish, and can be played along with the original recordings, or used to stun your fellow band mates with your newfound prog-pop prowess.
Raised On Radio was the band’s ninth studio album released May 27, 1986. Four songs from the album are included in the anthology — “Be Good To Yourself,” “Girl Can’t Help It,” “Happy To Give” and “I’ll Be Alright Without You.” Transcribed perfectly from start to finish, “Be Good To Yourself” includes the chords and rhythm through the guitar solo that repeats and fades. This song is an easy read and should be a successful venture for beginners.
“Girl Can’t Help It” is also transcribed in accordance with the original recording. However, the horn-like synthesizer melody, five bars into the bridge was not designated and left in the chord form. “Happy To Give” has been transcribed to follow the original recording. Some of the secondary synthesizer parts have been omitted from the introduction and the verses. Also, the synthesizer solo, after the coda, has been omitted.
These omissions should not stop the more advanced player from interpreting the solo through the chord sequence provided. “I’ll Be Alright Without You” is done nicely. “Happy To Give” offers an opportunity to dust off your E-piano or Rhodes and play along with the songbook, but don’t forget to play the intro twice as the repeat signs were left out.
“When You Love a Woman” is the only song from the band’s tenth studio album, Trial By Fire, included in the anthology. This was also lead vocalist Steve Perry and drummer Steve Smith’s last recording with Journey. The usage of D.S. al coda is a musical sign that pops up in this piece. It is used to tell the player how to proceed. The novice player can follow along with the recording and book to easily figure out how it is used. “When You Love a Woman” is a must-learn for all piano players, and with help from Alfred Publishing, it is an attainable goal.
The band’s eleventh and twelfth albums are not represented in the anthology; however, Revelations, the band’s thirteenth studio album, released June 3, 2008, is covered by the inclusion of “After All These Years.” This flawless and beautifully done transcription is testament to the fact that Journey has persevered and there is life after Perry.
Eclipse, released May 24, 2011, is represented by the inclusion of “Anything Is Possible,” “City Of Hope” and “Edge Of The Moment.” “Anything Is Possible” has been loyally transcribed from start to finish, all 10 pages! “City Of Hope” is accurately done as well, even though the intro is written out a few bars longer than recorded. “Edge Of The Moment” follows the original recording perfectly through all 11 pages. Great stuff!
Overall Alfred Music Publishing has done a quality job at compiling 28 songs from an iconic band with a voluminous catalog. Journey: Piano Sheet Music Anthology retails for $24.99, a bargain for all that is included. Journey fans and musicians alike will appreciate the attention to detail, selection choices, thoroughness, and accuracy of the transcriptions.
~ David R. Pighin
