Traces

Traces

by Steve Perry
Traces

Traces

by Steve Perry

Vinyl LP(Long Playing Record - 180 Gram Vinyl)

$28.99 
  • SHIP THIS ITEM
    Qualifies for Free Shipping
    Choose Expedited Shipping at checkout for delivery by Friday, March 22
  • PICK UP IN STORE
    Check Availability at Nearby Stores

Related collections and offers


Overview

Steve Perry walked away from the music business at the twilight of the 1990s, following the modest success of 1994's For the Love of Strange Medicine and the underwhelming commercial performance of Journey's 1996 album, Trial by Fire. Perry spent the next decade and a half out of the spotlight, quietly re-emerging with an appearance at a 2014 Eels concert in St. Paul, Minnesota. Perry's affinity for Mark Everett's eccentric indie pop outfit came as a surprise, as nothing in either band's music suggested a mutual connection, but as the former Journey singer ramped up the publicity for 2018's Traces, his first solo album in 24 years, his fondness for Everett's songs became plain: the Eels leader explores the depth of grief on many of his songs, and that's an emotion Perry felt deeply at the dawn of the 2010s. Perry revealed to Alex Pappademas in The New York Times that he fell in love with cancer patient Kellie Nash in 2011, staying with her until her death in 2012. Instead of sending Perry into seclusion, his love of Nash revived his creativity, sending him on a path that concluded with the creation of Traces. Given this backstory, it's not entirely surprising that Traces is a somber affair, heavy on ballads and reflection. What is surprising is how Traces feels grateful, not mournful. Loss lurks at its edges, with Perry acknowledging the absence of his love, but he's choosing to throw himself into emotions that he avoided, at least on record. Perry doesn't abandon arena rock -- there is no musical evidence of his fondness for Eels -- but that is one of the reasons Traces resonates so strongly: he's working the same anthemic rockers and power ballads that he always has, only infusing them with soul. It helps that his voice shows the slightest hints of age, not reaching the same spectacular heights of his youth and often carrying a vague, appealing raspiness. It's a voice that is etched with experience, which makes it a good fit for Perry's songs of memory, mourning, love, and hope. Much of this deep feeling is disguised by expert studiocraft -- Traces can be enjoyed as a simple adult contemporary record -- but that only heightens the sense of the album's authenticity. Perry is working in the same milieu that he always has, only reaching deep inside and finding a bruised, beating heart -- and its pulse is the reason why Traces is the most affecting music he's ever made. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date: 10/05/2018
Label: Fantasy
UPC: 0888072067592
Rank: 107134

Tracks

  1. No Erasin'
  2. We're Still Here
  3. Most of All
  4. No More Cryin'
  5. In the Rain
  6. Sun Shines Gray
  7. You Belong to Me
  8. Easy to Love
  9. I Need You
  10. We Fly

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Steve Perry   Primary Artist,Bass,Guitar,Strings,Orchestra,Synthesizer,Vocals (Background)
Steve Ferrone   Drums
Chuck Berghofer   Rhythm Bass
Lynn Mabry   Vocals (Background)
Joel Derouin   Violin
Josh Freese   Drums
Pino Palladino   Bass
Julie Rogers   Violin
Nathan East   Bass
Brian West   Guitar
Rodney Wirtz   Viola
Harry Shirinian   Viola
Lisa Dondlinger   Violin
Tommy King   Piano,Organ (Hammond)
Tom Ranier   Piano
Andrew Duckles   Viola
Daniel Greco   Percussion
John Five   Guitar
Dan Wilson   Guitar
David Spreng   Guitar
Paula Hochhalter   Cello
Steve Richards   Cello
Vinnie Colaiuta   Drums
Jennifer Munday   Violin
Irina Voloshina   Violin
Cynthia Moussas   Violin
Doug Tornquist   Tuba
Suzie Katayama   Cello,String Conductor
Booker T. Jones   Organ (Hammond)
Randy Goodrum   Piano
Charlie Bisharat   Violin
Jeff Babko   Piano
Thom Flowers   Guitar
Tina Soule   Cello
Dynell Weber   Violin
Erik Arvinder   Violin
Neil Samples   Violin
David Campbell   Conductor
Jenny Takamatsu   Violin
Radu Pieptea   Violin
Scott Hosfeld   Viola
Travis Carlton   Bass
Sara Parkins   Violin
Ralph Morrison III   Violin
Luke Maurer   Viola
Ray Tischer   Viola
Alisha Bauer   Cello
Michele Richards   Violin
Roger Manning   Synthesizer
Katie Hampton   Vocals (Background)
Teag Reaves   Horn
Matt Cooker   Cello
Sara Perkins   Violin
Sherree Brown   Vocals (Background)
Kevin Connolly   Violin
Dallas Kruse   Piano,Strings,Vibraphone,Synthesizer,Organ (Hammond),Piano (Electric)
Aubrey Logan   Vocals (Background)
Dylan Hart   Horn
Devin Hoffman   Bass
Ron Clark   Violin
The Steve Perry Philharmonic   Orchestra
Johanna Krejei   Violin

Technical Credits

Patrick Williams   Composer
Terry Woodson   Music Preparation
Bob Ludwig   Mastering
Kyle Moorman   Programming
George Harrison   Composer
Brian West   Composer,Programming
J-Five   Composer
John Five   Composer
Dan Wilson   Composer
David Spreng   Composer
Suzie Katayama   String Contractor,Strings Contractor
Steve Churchyard   String Engineer
Steve Genewick   Assistant Engineer
Steve Perry   Mixing,Concept,Composer,Engineer,Producer,Programming,Cover Design,Orchestration
Barry J. Eastmond   Composer
Randy Goodrum   Composer
Joe Soldo   Orchestra Contractor
Jeff Babko   Composer
Thom Flowers   Mixing,Composer,Engineer,Producer
David Campbell   Orchestration
Myriam Santos   Photography
Jason Lee   Composer,Producer
Jeff Wack   Concept,Cover Art,Cover Design
Barry Eastmond   Composer
Al Schimtt   String Engineer
Kyle Moreman   Programming
From the B&N Reads Blog

Customer Reviews