Better The Band Perry

This whopping 30-CD box set gathers together the best of Trojan's three-disc box set series. Included are the Ska, DJ, Dub, Instrumentals, Jamaican Superstars, Lovers, Producer Series, Rocksteady, Roots, and Tribute to Bob Marley volumes, each of which can be found under Trojan Box Set for their individual reviews. What's lacking here is a booklet with additional notes and information; the bulk seems to demand some extra coverage and care, yet all that's here are the original notes of each volume – only as much text as can fit on the back of the CD sleeves.

All of the music on this CD comes from the June 24, 1992, concert at Town Hall in New York City, with a host of artists each being featured. Trumpeter Tom Harrell leads off with two fine originals, the turbulent "Journey to the Center" and the mellow but swinging "Weaver." His very strong supporting cast includes ex-boss Phil Woods on alto sax, tenor saxophonist Joe Lovano, and pianist Jim McNeely, as well as bassist Peter Washington and drummer Bill Goodwin.

At age 15, Neal Schon landed job offers from both Carlos Santana and Eric Clapton – in the same week! Schon would eventually join Santana where he would meet keyboardist Gregg Rolie. After a short stint with Santana, Schon and Rolie would leave to form the super successful Journey. Despite Journey's ascension to the pinnacle of the rock world, Schon was often criticized for failing to live up to his advanced billing. The adulation of rock luminaries such as Carlos Santana and Eric Clapton left no room for anything but the Second Coming. Million's of fans saw it differently. Journey would eventually become the largest selling act in Columbia Records history; and, a 1983 Gallup Poll named Journey America's favorite band. Even in Journey, though, Schon's contributions were often eclipsed by the unique voice of Steve Perry. It would take him the better part of two decades, and the 1989 release of Late Nite, before he would finally take center stage.

Seemingly an improvement over his previous solo effort, the average consumer obviously did not think so. Though the album contained what is probably his best solo recording Let’s Work, it did not translate into a chart hit [failing to reach the top-30], something the album was just barely able to do itself. The album’s opener Throwaway, appearing to be just that, became his lowest charting single ever. Fans will however be comforted by Mick’s easily recognizable voice and occasional flashes of past glories. He opted to work with the Eurythmics’ Dave Stewart for the album that would be followed by a small far-east tour which included gigs in Australia and Japan.