If I were one of those types of persons who bought or didn't buy an album because of the single, then I wouldn't have bought the first solo album from Journey's singer, Steve Perry, "Street Talk." Now, I'm not saying that "Oh Sherrie" was a rubbish song, it's not. What it is is a rather catchy AOR pop song and it's little wonder that it reached number three on Billboard charts. However, that big single is not typical of the rest of the "Street Talk" album.
"Oh Sherrie" is the opener on the album and that's not a surprise. Like I said, it's not a bad song. On the other hand, if I had anything to say, I would have put the second track, "I Believe" as the opener. This is a funky jam which stretches Steve's voice to its full potential. This is the song that wakes you up and says that you're going to listen to this album and like it. The following track, "Go Away," combines the first two songs. There is that 80s synth influence of "Oh Sherrie" in the back ground but it goes to the funky vibe of "I Believe." The song works and has a decent guitar solo. However, the next track, "Foolish Heart," is a definite ballad, sung in a lounge act style. While, it's not my cup of tea, you can't fault Mr Perry's vocals on it.
There are some rockers on the album as well and that begins with "It's Only Love." Steve shows that he's still the rock singer he was with Journey. There are some good guitars to enjoy on it too. An even better rocker is "You Should Be Happy." This even has a cool guitar lick at the intro and is for sure, a straight ahead rocker. It's definitely in the top two for my favourite track on the album. Love the power chords in the middle of the song. Even though, it starts out like it's going to be another ballad, "She's Mine" turns out to be a quiet little rocker as well. "Running Alone" is a ballad, no questions asked but okay since it turns into a power ballad later in the song. "Captured By the Moment" is a good rocker with a cool guitar solo. However, the song, I've always liked is the closer and third single, "Strung Out." When I first heard it, I thought "This is more me." And it takes the album out on a high.
Track Listing:
- Oh Sherrie
- I Believe
- Go Away
- Foolish Heart
- It's Only Love
- She's Mine
- You Should Be Happy
- Running Alone
- Captured by the Moment
- Strung Out
Steve Perry
Steve Perry- vocals
Craig Krampf, Larrie Londin- drums, percussion
Bob Glaub, Chuck Domanico, Kevin McCormick, Brian Garofalo- bass
Michael Landau, Waddy Watchel, Craig Hull, Billy Steele- guitars
Steve Goldstein, Sterling Smith, Bill Cuomo, Billy Goodrum, Duane Hitchings, Robert Greenridge- keyboards
Journey might have been taking a break in 1984 but Steve Perry wasn't. "Street Talk" is proof of that. This was a good album for him, whether or not you liked "Oh Sherrie."
Next Post: Dennis De Young- Desert Moon
To buy Rock and Roll Children, email me at: tobychainsaw@hotmail.com
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