Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		0.0
Overall		3.5

Journey: Live in Manila Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman September 10, 2016

Leave it to my wife to sum up a band with a completely inappropriate if undeniably hilarious comment. When I mentioned I had a Journey Blu-ray to review, she asked me, “Isn’t that the band with the singer who looks like a dachsund?” Well, yes and no. Steve Perry did have a certain miniature canine quality, facial wise, but as Journey fans will know, Perry and Journey parted ways many years ago, and a series of replacement vocalists have filled the void in the intervening years. Journey Live in Manila captures a 2009 concert by the band which was produced, at least in part, to celebrate their newest vocalist Arnel Pineda in his native homeland. The concert is a high energy affair, probably nowhere more so than with Pineda himself, who almost seems hopped up on some designer drug which allows him leap tall buildings (or speaker arrays) in one bound. Pineda has an undeniably Perry-esque sound, something that helps gives the concert an almost nostalgic feel when they cover their older material. Founding members Neal Schon (guitar) and Ross Valory (bass) are on hand here, giving some continuity, with longtime members Deen Castronovo (drums) and Jonathan Cain (keys) also providing lots of support.

The concert's set list includes:

• "The Journey/Majestic"
• "Never Walk Away"
• "Only the Young"
• "Ask the Lonely"
• "Stone in Love"
• "Keep On Runnin'"
• "After All These Years"
• "Change for the Better"
• "Wheel in the Sky"
• "Lights"
• "Still They Ride"
• "Open Arms"
• "Mother, Father"
• "Wildest Dream"
• "When You Love a Woman"
• "Separate Ways"
• "What I Needed"
• "Edge of the Blade"
• "Where Did I Lose Your Love"
• "Escape"
• "Faithfully"
• "Don't Stop Believin'"
• "Anyway You Want It"
• "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'"
• "Turn Down the World Tonight"
• "Be Good to Yourself"

Journey: Live in Manila Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Journey Live in Manila is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Eagle Vision, an imprint of Eagle Rock Entertainment, and Universal Music Group with an AVC encoded 1080i transfer in 1.78:1. While often appealing sharp and detailed, this concert has a few issues which are the result of elements like stage lighting (are red and blue the only colors available for rock concerts?) and what might be issues with an older original capture. Contrast is a little variable at times, and when combined with the lighting regimen, detail levels can be detrimentally affected (see screenshots 2 and 5). The palette looks natural, at least when the stage isn't drowning in various shades courtesy of the lighting, and close-ups offer good (if increasingly sweaty) elements of fine detail. Occasionally combing artifacts enter the fray, as in some moments when Castronovo is beating the frell out of his drums.

Journey: Live in Manila Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Journey Live in Manila features boisterous sounding DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and LPCM 2.0 tracks. The piercing tenor of Pineda pretty easily rises above the massed forces of the band in the 5.1 track, though those wanting to concentrate mostly on the vocals may well prefer the 2.0 track, where Pineda's voice is a bit more forward in the mix. There's appealing clarity in the surround track, and while audience noise occasionally intrudes, overall there's an excellent mix which is especially energetic when Schon takes one of his blistering guitar solos.

Journey: Live in Manila Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

There is no supplemental material on the Blu-ray disc. The package does include 2 CDs offering audio of the concert.

Journey: Live in Manila Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Journey Live in Manila is a great sounding concert, though it falls into the typical overproduced ambience that in a way is perfectly in tune with Journey's arena rock history. Pineda is a high energy replacement for Perry, the vocalist older fans will no doubt associate with the band, and Schon's guitar continues to dominate quite forcefully. Video encounters a few issues, but audio is great. Recommended.