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Number of Perfect Stranger (1979) Reviews: 2
Robbie Rocks All On His Own
Reviewer: Joseph Moss (daraktos@yahoo.ca), June 03, 2002 I found this long deleted long player at Everyday Music in Portland, Oregon for a whopping sum of $2.99. Being a Journey anorak, I knew right off who he was- I thought the demo he did with Journey showed an enormous amount of vocal promise. So I, quite naturally, made this one of my many purchases from this fine record store(shameless plug). I probably purchased 60-70 albums on this trip, and when I got home, it was the first one on my turntable. His version of "all for you", a throwaway love song that Journey couldn't be hurt by pitching to the wind, receives fine treatment here, with a guest solo by Schon. Quite a number of allstar session guys appear on this album, with Andy Newmark, Will Lee (Letterman) and Roger Linn on drums, bass and guitar, respectively, for most of the tracks- probably telling us that Arista wanted this one to be big. The second track, "far too long", a jumpy pop track with a Motown groove, features an awesome vocal performance by Robert, one that puts Perry to shame. The third song, "Southern Lights", is the album masterpiece, featuring another amazing vocal performance, showcasing his impressive range and power. It also features a nifty sax solo that segues into a simple but evocative guitar solo. Side 1 ends with 'ace in the hole', a tune analogous to Journey's 'Lady Luck"- a story about times spent in casinos- playing with the big boys and forking over big time. This tune features a number of unique hooks and riffs that seamlessly blend together. What this delete section disc reveals is how most bands today have absolutely no clue how to write a catchy song. It's a travesty that this one ended up in the delete bin. This album is worth it just for side one, and I will buy it for sure if it comes out on CD just to hear "Southern Lights". I think this was, sadly, pretty much the zenith of Robert's career, as his albums with the bands Channel and VVI, in my opinion, are really hurting.
Feisty Fleischman pulls it off, in two songs
Reviewer: John Fitzgerald, Human resources staff database assistant October 31, 2001 I have often felt bad for Robert Fleischman as although it has been stated that he was
somewhat arrogant etc. he was a more than capable lead singer for Journey but it has
always been documented that Fleischman was out because "oh well, we heard a tape of
Steve Perry and we had him be the lead singer instead from then on" which I thought
wasn't too nice a way to deal with it but this album (made after his departure from the
group) probably doesn't fully show what Fleischman had to offer an audience as a good
portion of these recordings have been watered down with banal harmonized lead guitars
and overpowering piano and horn arrangements. Perhaps this is what Fleischman had
intended but it's doubtful when you hear what Journey missed out on with the opener "All
for you" which was a song that Fleischman took with him on his exit from Journey (the
demo that he cut with them of this song appeared on Journey's "Time 3" box set as "For
you" which is less powerful than it is here and on the other side of the tracks we have the
piano ballad which would have got the lighters going at the end of the concerts in "Part of
me" (which features John on bass). These two numbers make this not so spectacular
album overall worthwhile but one can't help but wonder "what would have been" with
Fleischman while listening to it as he impressively took part in writing every song present
herein.
Album cover provided by John Fitzgerald. Transcribed to HTML by Jeff Kenney and Marty Adelson.
