Pros:Great collection of Journey classics. Nice packaging. 
 Cons:Perry-only songs. 
The Bottom Line: If you crave Steve Perry specific Journey tunes, and who doesn't, then this is one of the best collections you can get.

Few bands that began in the early 1970's, found their stride in the 1980's, experimented musically and changed personnel in the 1990's can put out a 2-disc, 32 song collection of greatest hits and actually get away with it. Especially considering that a number of 'greatest hits' collections have already been released. 

Journey, however, is one of those few bands. I can think of another, but we won't go there right now ;) So, let's rush on to this latest compilation 2-disc set from Journey, aptly named The Essential Journey. 

As mentioned above, Journey has been on a journey of changes since their inception in the early 1970's. Influenced largely from their bay-area roots, Journey began as a harder-rock group that really experimented in ways that helped develop their moderately trade-mark sound that sky-rocketed them to success in the early 1980's. Once Steve Perry took over lead vocals, the rest, as they say, was history. However, some of Journey's earliest works which either had Perry sharing the vocal duties or excluded him altogether were worthy of addition on a compilation of this nature. Unfortunately, the powers that be didn't see it that way. What we're left with on The Essential Journey is really a collection of Perry-specific Journey tunes. 

Don't get me wrong - Steve Perry is a masterful vocalist - he truly made Journey what they are (were?), but the hits that happened before Perry came into the (chuckle) limelight, and the (few) hits that occurred with Journey after Perry left the band should have all made their way into this 'Essential' collection. That being said, this is still a great collection of those Perry specific tunes that most Journey fans love - myself included. 

Interestingly enough, the 2-disc, 32-song collection isn't arranged in any discernible order. It's certainly not ordered chronologically or by album. Instead, the chosen order seems overtly random to me - so much so that I truly feel there was a reason to this ordering process. After a few listens over the course of several weeks, the pattern became subtly apparent. Since Journey is well known for some of the best ballads, power ballads, call them what you will, along with some flat-out rocking songs, the ordering of these 32 tunes seems to showcase their varying performing styles, without abruptly moving from one genre to the next. Journey always made a musical journey from song to song and album to album. These 2 discs not only highlight the specials aspects of that journey, but help pull all of them (with Perry) together as a whole. 

It's as if there was a grand design in place when Journey recorded each album. And now, seemingly at the end of their multi-decade career, it all comes together to project their own love-struck messages. 

Fans of Journey will adore this collection as it is a true reminder of the impact they made on the music scene in the later part of the 20th century. Those new to Journey couldn't possibly find a better collection to introduce them to their music - and hopefully lead them to discover the other varied works of art by this band. 

Either way - this is clearly a collection worthy of having, even though it does have some failings. 

Below is a track listing for both discs. Thanks, as always, for reading. 

Side note: How many Rush references did I make in the above review? Catch them all and win a cigar :) 

-John 

Disc 1 
1. Only The Young - Originally from Vision Quest Soundtrack 
2. Don't Stop Believin' - Originally from Escape 
3. Wheel In The Sky - Originally from Infinity 
4. Faithfully - Originally from Frontiers 
5. Any Way You Want It - Originally from Departure 
6. Ask The Lonely - Originally from Time 3 
7. Who's Crying Now - Originally from Escape 
8. Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) - Originally from Frontiers 
9. Lights - Originally from Infinity 
10. Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin' - Originally from Captured 
11. Open Arms - Originally from Escape 
12. Girl Can't Help It - Originally from Raised on Radio 
13. Send Her My Love - Originally from Frontiers 
14. When You Love A Woman - Originally from Trial by Fire 
15. I'll Be Alright Without You - Originally from Raised on Radio 
16. After The Fall - Originally from Frontiers 

Disc 2 
1. Chain Reaction - Originally from Frontiers 
2. Message Of Love - Originally from Trial by Fire 
3. Somethin' To Hide - Originally from Infinity 
4. Line Of Fire - Originally from Departure 
5. Anytime - Originally from Infinity 
6. Stone In Love - Originally from Escape 
7. Patiently - Originally from Infinity 
8. Good Morning Girl - Originally from Departure 
9. The Eyes Of A Woman - Originally from Raised on Radio 
10. Be Good To Yourself - Originally from Raised on Radio 
11. Still They Ride - Originally from Escape 
12. Baby I'm A Leavin' You - Originally from Trial by Fire (Hidden Track) 
13. Mother, Father - Originally from Escape 
14. Just The Same Way - Originally from Evolution 
15. Escape - Originally from Escape 
16. The Party's Over (Hopelessly In Love) - Originally from Captured 