Oh oh Kage, Journey on Today show this morning and....

[nevusofota]

I'm going to have to DISAGREE (somewhat) . I don't feel the vocals were all that weak overall. Sure, was he pitchy/flat in spots? Yes. I mean its rock, not a Broadway show. I've heard well known acts do way worse live (anybody see that last Creed tour vid? )

Anyway, Neil takes up for him in the first part of this backstage interview after the show and explains why the vocals may have been a bit off.

It sounds to me like you're disagreeing with Neal too, otherwise he wouldn't have been excusing the vocal challenges.

And why should the vocal standard be based on a sliding scale just because it's rock? Just because Creed is "lame" does not mean the bar for all other rock singers should be lowered.

I stated I somewhat disagree with the previous posts here. Maybe disagree was too strong a word to use. The performance wasn't as bad as some posts made it out to be. I read this thread first then watched the video and I was expecting way worse. Neil just recognized the vocals weren't as good as usual and explained the situation.

So you think a performance by Hendrix should be held to the same technical standard as, say Bach? The former is rock music, and yes, its held to a different technical standard than classical (and rock vocals are held to a different standard than Broadway vocals, as originally stated). Rock music's foundation is an "F U" attitude and was focused on expression not perfectly mastered speed runs or perfect vocals. That is where I was going with statement. Stap's last tour vid was just very disappointing, not even in the same league of horror as this Journey vid.

 

[Bob Savage]

I stated I somewhat disagree with the previous posts here. Maybe disagree was too strong a word to use. The performance wasn't as bad as some posts made it out to be. I read this thread first then watched the video and I was expecting way worse. Neil just recognized the vocals weren't as good as usual and explained the situation.

So you think a performance by Hendrix should be held to the same technical standard as, say Bach? The former is rock music, and yes, its held to a different technical standard than classical (and rock vocals are held to a different standard than Broadway vocals, as originally stated). Rock music's foundation is an "F U" attitude and was focused on expression not perfectly mastered speed runs or perfect vocals. That is where I was going with statement. Stap's last tour vid was just very disappointing, not even in the same league of horror as this Journey vid.

I misinterpreted the use of CAPSLOCK as negating the "somewhat" part. My apologies.

Hendrix, Page and a host of other players with (bring on the flames) a certain sloppiness or perhaps better stated as lack of superb technical prowess are in my book great innovators, writers and performers by far above and beyond their technical abilities. The different disciplines are mutually exclusive as far as I'm concerned.

The concept of certain flaws in technique isn't a foreign concept to me especially in rock and even to the point of creating interesting nuances to the style so your point is well taken but I'm also not a fan of giving singers the same liberties of failing to reproduce the melodies in their original recordings and struggling to make pitch that some are willing to accept and I'm certainly not inclined to make the argument that because X singer stinks that Y singer is good based upon a new bar at the bottom of the pole.

Just so I'm not misunderstood, I'm not saying that vocal performance was poor. At least the song was recognizable but what I am saying is that I believe this young man may blow his chords trying to sing like Perry the same way others have. Even Perry wasn't able to sustain it in the long run and what he was doing came naturally.

 

[th3m1ke]

Also for the record, Paul didn't sign Neil to an endorsement. Neil asked him to build him a few guitars that he intended on purchasing and when he went to get them, Paul said his money wasn't good there and that he wants to build a guitar that Neil chooses to grab, not because some piece of paper says he has to.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gx0UXQOBtUc

I personally dig Arnell and think he has great stage presence. The dude literally runs around for 2 hours while still sounding like a great rock singer.

 

[Bob Savage]

I personally dig Arnell and think he has great stage presence. The dude literally runs around for 2 hours while still sounding like a great rock singer.

I've only heard a small amount of the new music with him but what I've heard I like, and like better than him singing old Perry tunes.

 

[DeezDemos]

As I've stated in other threads, I'm a huge Neal Schon/Journey Fanboy, and though I didn't think this performance was all that bad, I'm just not into them that much anymore. I loved the Arrival album, but everything since has just not moved me enough to give it more than a few listens and then forget about it? I don't really know why, and I'm not dissing them or anything, it just is what it is I guess?

 

[Gainzilla]

That singer doesn't sound like he's going to last long. Seems everybody that steps into that spot blows their voice eventually unless they get out early with the exception of Perry who hung in there for years before weakening.

Time will tell eh? Im willing to give Arnel the benefit of the doubt cosidering all of the mitigating factors leading up to the Today show appearance but I have no doubts that the lead singer role in Journey is not for the faint of heart.

I was a HUGE fan of Steve Augieri and to me, he was just as good as Perry( I know, Im in the vast minority). Incessant touring and pushing by Schon cost that cat his voice, hes done for good. He ended up with a terrible vocal cord infection, schon wouldnt give him time off and voila, he was finished. Perhaps Neal learned a lesson with Augieri and will give Arnel a rest if he shows any signs of fatigue.... Either that or he thinks that he can just go to youtube and find another Perry clone...

 

[Ron Paul]

i thought they sounded pretty dang good,considering they tore it up the night before.my wifes from the Phill.she tells me they gained 100million new fans by getting that dude,lol seriously they are huge there.btw my very first post here,very cool forum you all got going here

 

[IndyWS6]

I saw Augieri front Journey on one tour and the next time I saw them he was out for health reasons. I can't remember his name, but the guy that was filling-in for him (African-American dude...) kicked all kinds of ass. He had a great voice, better than Augieri, I'd say, and was a better front man (based on me seeing each of them exactly once...). I was hoping at the time that they would bring him on full-time, but they got Arnel. The guy can sing, absolutely no doubt about that. And I'm not going to take swipes at his morning performance because my skill and experence qualifies me to judge absolutely no one. Having said that, Arnel just rubs me the wrong way. I can't explain it, but I lose interest in the band because of him - and I'm a Journey fan. Hell, I'd rather see Castronovo on the mic... Naturally, IMHO and YMMV...

 

[King Crimson]

Wow. It was unfortunate to record that. I have made the same mistake(recording something awful) a few times...lol.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp ... 0#43942200

Sorry Mark, Journey aint Journey without Steve. The little new boy don't come close to Steve's voice.

 

['63-Strat]

Not nearly as bad as I was expecting after reading this thread first, yikes. As said, after singing a likely LONG set the night before to bust that out in the morning? I think he sounded great, not perfect but tv performances are rarely perfect.

 

[daver101]

I saw Augieri front Journey on one tour and the next time I saw them he was out for health reasons. I can't remember his name, but the guy that was filling-in for him (African-American dude...) kicked all kinds of ass. He had a great voice, better than Augieri, I'd say, and was a better front man (based on me seeing each of them exactly once...). I was hoping at the time that they would bring him on full-time, but they got Arnel. The guy can sing, absolutely no doubt about that. And I'm not going to take swipes at his morning performance because my skill and experence qualifies me to judge absolutely no one. Having said that, Arnel just rubs me the wrong way. I can't explain it, but I lose interest in the band because of him - and I'm a Journey fan. Hell, I'd rather see Castronovo on the mic... Naturally, IMHO and YMMV...

Are you talking about Jeff Scott Soto? He did a tour with Journey after Augieri.

I too thought Augieri was a great replacement for Steve Perry.

 

[Bob Savage]

Time will tell eh? Im willing to give Arnel the benefit of the doubt cosidering all of the mitigating factors leading up to the Today show appearance but I have no doubts that the lead singer role in Journey is not for the faint of heart.
.

I like Arnel and hope the dude can sustain it, but I think that just about anybody trying to mimic Perry's timbre and style is going to have trouble long term.

To me, Arnel is straining even here. Constant strain is not healthy for the chords.

 

[Gainzilla]

I like Arnel and hope the dude can sustain it, but I think that just about anybody trying to mimic Perry's timbre and style is going to have trouble long term.

To me, Arnel is straining even here. Constant strain is not healthy for the chords.

Makes sense Bro, I have plenty of clips of Perry himself straining to hit notes and his voice and style did change over time in a pretty big way.,...

 

[Bob Savage]

Makes sense Bro, I have plenty of clips of Perry himself straining to hit notes and his voice and style did change over time in a pretty big way.,...

Oh heck yeah Steve strained! I'm actually surprised he was able to keep it up for that long.

 

[Ron Paul]

maybe they should look for a hot female singer to get them as old as the stones?,,i hope arnel can hang,,my wife will freakout if he is done..he is like God in the Phill... along with PACMAN! yeah not the game.lol

 

[Ron Paul]

Time will tell eh? Im willing to give Arnel the benefit of the doubt cosidering all of the mitigating factors leading up to the Today show appearance but I have no doubts that the lead singer role in Journey is not for the faint of heart.
.

I like Arnel and hope the dude can sustain it, but I think that just about anybody trying to mimic Perry's timbre and style is going to have trouble long term.

To me, Arnel is straining even here. Constant strain is not healthy for the chords.

never underestimate them bad ass flips.. i see them run up palmtrees like monkeys,, they are tough people! i bet 100$ that little guy will sing With journey for many years,,of course im going by the monkey mentality,,sorry,,,and BOB! YOU ARE AN AMAZING GUITAR PLAYER,,but i really miss your drawings on H.C.

 

[Bob Savage]

never underestimate them bad ass flips.. i see them run up palmtrees like monkeys,, they are tough people! i bet 100$ that little guy will sing With journey for many years,,of course im going by the monkey mentality,,sorry,,,and BOB! YOU ARE AN AMAZING GUITAR PLAYER,,but i really miss your drawings on H.C.

LOL... oh man, where to start.

Tell you what, if he hangs in there for another 5 years, I owe you $100.

For old times sake.

 

[Shiny_Surface]

Holy crap Bob, that's a blast from the past.

I thought the original text was "me no understand" or is my memory failing.

 

[Shawn Lutz]

I saw Augieri front Journey on one tour and the next time I saw them he was out for health reasons. I can't remember his name, but the guy that was filling-in for him (African-American dude...) kicked all kinds of ass. He had a great voice, better than Augieri, I'd say, and was a better front man (based on me seeing each of them exactly once...). I was hoping at the time that they would bring him on full-time, but they got Arnel. The guy can sing, absolutely no doubt about that. And I'm not going to take swipes at his morning performance because my skill and experence qualifies me to judge absolutely no one. Having said that, Arnel just rubs me the wrong way. I can't explain it, but I lose interest in the band because of him - and I'm a Journey fan. Hell, I'd rather see Castronovo on the mic... Naturally, IMHO and YMMV...

Are you talking about Jeff Scott Soto? He did a tour with Journey after Augieri.

I too thought Augieri was a great replacement for Steve Perry.

Jeff Scott Soto isn't African american from what I gather they fucked Jeff, just brought in another vocalist and didn't say anything to Jeff. I know there is two sides to every story so I really dont know. I love Journey's first 2-3 albums with Steve Perry and haven't followed them much since other than knowing they are on the geezer and the milf packed house tours lol.

 

[zz666]

Jeff Scot Soto couldn't hit the notes, I have 2 soundboard shows and there's plenty of youtube clips to prove it. The album they did with Augeri, Arrival was the last Journey album I really liked.