JSS "More Passionate" Than Steve Perry?

[Voyager]

I have to take issue with this review that is posted on the home page of Journey's official website:

“Right off the bat, Journey's new lead singer is fantastic. Jeff Scott Soto is a supremely talented vocalist who handled with ease the many sky-high notes and the mile-long range in Journey's repertoire. Steve Perry fans have never gotten over the original lead singer's departure from the band, but I'm here to tell you this guy rocks the role. And yes, if you close your eyes he sounds just like Perry, but -- dare I say it? -- maybe even more passionate and full of verve. Hits such as ‘I'll Be Alright Without You’ and ‘Wheel in the Sky’ showcased his mighty voice.”

Lorilee Craker, Grand Rapids Press

I saw JSS with Journey, and although he seemed to be a decent replacement for Steve Augeri, I think it's unfair to say that he sounds "just like Perry" or is "more passionate" than Steve Perry. I don't think anyone could ever fill the shoes of Steve Perry and provide the unbelievably dynamic vocal and unmatched passion that Perry delivered. I'll never forget the one opportunity that I got to see Steve Perry sing with Journey in the mid-80's. Since then, I have seen Journey live three times with Steve Augeri and once with Jeff Scott Soto, and there has never been a show that even came even close to rivaling the magic that I saw in the mid-80's concert.

I'm totally okay with Journey attempting to continue re-creating the Journey experience for the crowds who never had the chance that I did to see the real thing. But to say someone sounds "just like" Steve Perry or is "more passionate" is to me like saying that an Elvis impersonator sounds better and/or is more passionate than Elvis himself. It's just not a fair comparsion.

P.S. - No offense intended to either Jeff Scott Soto or Steve Augeri. I am glad you guys have stepped up to the plate to attempt something that most vocalists would never dream of.

[Behshad]

I have to take issue with this review that is posted on the home page of Journey's official website:

“Right off the bat, Journey's new lead singer is fantastic. Jeff Scott Soto is a supremely talented vocalist who handled with ease the many sky-high notes and the mile-long range in Journey's repertoire. Steve Perry fans have never gotten over the original lead singer's departure from the band, but I'm here to tell you this guy rocks the role. And yes, if you close your eyes he sounds just like Perry, but -- dare I say it? -- maybe even more passionate and full of verve. Hits such as ‘I'll Be Alright Without You’ and ‘Wheel in the Sky’ showcased his mighty voice.”

Lorilee Craker, Grand Rapids Press

I saw JSS with Journey, and although he seemed to be a decent replacement for Steve Augeri, I think it's unfair to say that he sounds "just like Perry" or is "more passionate" than Steve Perry. I don't think anyone could ever fill the shoes of Steve Perry and provide the unbelievably dynamic vocal and unmatched passion that Perry delivered. I'll never forget the one opportunity that I got to see Steve Perry sing with Journey in the mid-80's. Since then, I have seen Journey live three times with Steve Augeri and once with Jeff Scott Soto, and there has never been a show that even came even close to rivaling the magic that I saw in the mid-80's concert.

I'm totally okay with Journey attempting to continue re-creating the Journey experience for the crowds who never had the chance that I did to see the real thing. But to say someone sounds "just like" Steve Perry or is "more passionate" is to me like saying that an Elvis impersonator sounds better and/or is more passionate than Elvis himself. It's just not a fair comparsion.

P.S. - No offense intended to either Jeff Scott Soto or Steve Augeri. I am glad you guys have stepped up to the plate to attempt something that most vocalists would never dream of.

Your post was headed the right direction till you started comparing Jeff's hard work to an impersonator!
I think that Jeff IS more passionate about this, because of the respect he has had for the band and both Steves.
He is not trying to be like either of them. He is just simply having a blast singing and fronting one of his own favorite bands.
Just think about the memory you had with Steve Perry show you said you never forget. Now imagine how much passionate YOU would be about it if YOU had the chance and ability to recreate that by standin on that stage and pullin it off in front of thousands of fans.
Just because Perry was the original singer doesnt mean that no one else can get as passionate or more about performing those songs !

Just my $.02

[Rockindeano]

Voyager,

Edit your title, and ask Jeff personally. He'll answer this himself.

[knox]

I have seen clips only of Soto. I have seen clips only of Perry.

I have seen Perry being totally sold out (the 81 Houston concert possibly his finest work - as well as the rest of the guys), as well as being great vocally but so so performance wise (81 Japan - I think he had a cold or something).

Jeff will have on and off nights as well. From what I have seen, Soto ABSOLUTELY LOVES the music of Journey. I call that passion. So, I would say that he is equally as passionate at times as Perry was at times.

While I wouldn't put him in the same league VOCALLY as Perry (I don't know if I would put anyone on the same level as Perry), passion is something that we can all have equally if we put our ALL into it at one time or another. It doesn't mean we are at 100% all of the time, but it means that there are times when people see that passion and think "WOW, THIS IS SOMETHING SPECIAL". Perry will always be special to me from 78-81. Everything else was good, but not great (not a big fan of Frontiers or ROR).

Does Soto have the same obsessed perfectionist personality? I sure hope not. But if he has some of the same passion in writing and recording that Perry had then we are in for a great album.


Oh, and Augeri is not even close to either of these guys.

[Voyager]

Your post was headed the right direction till you started comparing Jeff's hard work to an impersonator!

I by no means meant to belittle or demean Jeff's hard work. I admire him for jumping onboard in a moment's notice to salvage what would have been an aborted tour. Jeff has truly proven that he is an outstanding vocalist and a very versatile performer. However, I am not the one who said Jeff not only "sounds just like Steve Perry", but that he also was "more passionate than Steve Perry". This is what the review on Journey's official website declares.

As far as being a Steve Perry impersonator goes, I think that award has to go to Steve Augeri. He not only has the long black hair, red leather pants, Perry-style stage moves, and was already a Perry impersonator before Journey discovered him - but his name even sounded the same as Perry's. When my friends first heard it on the radio commercials, they actually thought they said "lead vocalist Steve Perry" because it sounded so similar.

I know JSS lurks here from time to time, and like I said previously, no offenses intended. JSS was not the one who claimed to sound just like and be more passionate than Perry - the review on Journeys home page did. I personally think that is not a fair assessment. That's my opinion, and fortunately this website forum will allow us to post our personal opinions about Journey - unlike the official Journey forum.

[JSS]

Couldn't have said it better myself...hell, how much do I owe u for that Knox? Well, ok except the 'putting in the level' part, no one should be compared to the other unless it is a tribute band or impersonator, our levels are equal on completely different aspects, but not in my singing for Journey or if he sang for Talisman!

I have seen clips only of Soto. I have seen clips only of Perry.

I have seen Perry being totally sold out (the 81 Houston concert possibly his finest work - as well as the rest of the guys), as well as being great vocally but so so performance wise (81 Japan - I think he had a cold or something).

Jeff will have on and off nights as well. From what I have seen, Soto ABSOLUTELY LOVES the music of Journey. I call that passion. So, I would say that he is equally as passionate at times as Perry was at times.

While I wouldn't put him in the same league VOCALLY as Perry (I don't know if I would put anyone on the same level as Perry), passion is something that we can all have equally if we put our ALL into it at one time or another. It doesn't mean we are at 100% all of the time, but it means that there are times when people see that passion and think "WOW, THIS IS SOMETHING SPECIAL". Perry will always be special to me from 78-81. Everything else was good, but not great (not a big fan of Frontiers or ROR).

Does Soto have the same obsessed perfectionist personality? I sure hope not. But if he has some of the same passion in writing and recording that Perry had then we are in for a great album.


Oh, and Augeri is not even close to either of these guys.

[knox]

Couldn't have said it better myself...hell, how much do I owe u for that Knox? Well, ok except the 'putting in the level' part, no one should be compared to the other unless it is a tribute band or impersonator, our levels are equal on completely different aspects, but not in my singing for Journey or if he sang for Talisman!

I have seen clips only of Soto. I have seen clips only of Perry.

I have seen Perry being totally sold out (the 81 Houston concert possibly his finest work - as well as the rest of the guys), as well as being great vocally but so so performance wise (81 Japan - I think he had a cold or something).

Jeff will have on and off nights as well. From what I have seen, Soto ABSOLUTELY LOVES the music of Journey. I call that passion. So, I would say that he is equally as passionate at times as Perry was at times.

While I wouldn't put him in the same league VOCALLY as Perry (I don't know if I would put anyone on the same level as Perry), passion is something that we can all have equally if we put our ALL into it at one time or another. It doesn't mean we are at 100% all of the time, but it means that there are times when people see that passion and think "WOW, THIS IS SOMETHING SPECIAL". Perry will always be special to me from 78-81. Everything else was good, but not great (not a big fan of Frontiers or ROR).

Does Soto have the same obsessed perfectionist personality? I sure hope not. But if he has some of the same passion in writing and recording that Perry had then we are in for a great album.


Oh, and Augeri is not even close to either of these guys.

Excellent point, Jeff. You are correct. I wasn't trying to slight your talent in the least.

I love the direction Journey is going without trying to COPY their successful years. Here's to CREATING something special again!

[JSS]

Gotcha loud & clear dude, let's party, egg nog anyone? Mine has Grey Goose in it!

Couldn't have said it better myself...hell, how much do I owe u for that Knox? Well, ok except the 'putting in the level' part, no one should be compared to the other unless it is a tribute band or impersonator, our levels are equal on completely different aspects, but not in my singing for Journey or if he sang for Talisman!

I have seen clips only of Soto. I have seen clips only of Perry.

I have seen Perry being totally sold out (the 81 Houston concert possibly his finest work - as well as the rest of the guys), as well as being great vocally but so so performance wise (81 Japan - I think he had a cold or something).

Jeff will have on and off nights as well. From what I have seen, Soto ABSOLUTELY LOVES the music of Journey. I call that passion. So, I would say that he is equally as passionate at times as Perry was at times.

While I wouldn't put him in the same league VOCALLY as Perry (I don't know if I would put anyone on the same level as Perry), passion is something that we can all have equally if we put our ALL into it at one time or another. It doesn't mean we are at 100% all of the time, but it means that there are times when people see that passion and think "WOW, THIS IS SOMETHING SPECIAL". Perry will always be special to me from 78-81. Everything else was good, but not great (not a big fan of Frontiers or ROR).

Does Soto have the same obsessed perfectionist personality? I sure hope not. But if he has some of the same passion in writing and recording that Perry had then we are in for a great album.


Oh, and Augeri is not even close to either of these guys.

Excellent point, Jeff. You are correct. I wasn't trying to slight your talent in the least.

I love the direction Journey is going without trying to COPY their successful years. Here's to CREATING something special again!

[knox]

Can I take it without the eggnog? Add some Mtn. Dew to mine

[Natalie]

What's with all the mixing of the Grey Goose tonight? I thought you were supposed to drink it straight up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[AR]

Gotcha loud & clear dude, let's party, egg nog anyone? Mine has Grey Goose in it!

Grey Goose with club soda on the rocks with a lime in it right now. Have a huge bottle I need to finish up.

[knox]

I'm a sissy and can't take much "fire water". Heck, I have never even tasted beer . I don't like the way it smells.

I have to have the girlie stuff like Mike's Hard Lemonaid or something. Go ahead, let me have it

[Enigma869]

I agree with Behshad...you were going in a fine direction until you brought up the word "impersonator". Jeff is clearly not an impersonator of Perry. As far as the "Critic"s assessment that Jeff has more passion than Perry...I'm not sure how you would ever quantify something like passion. Passion is something that comes from within and really can't be measured.

Even though Perry hasn't performed any of this music in a decade, it's quite clear through his mostly meaningless Q&A sessions that he is still passionate about this music, and why wouldn't he be??? He helped write much of it! I think Perry's passion is a big reason he worked so hard to get the 1981 concert onto DVD.

As far as Jeff's passion is concerned, I'm not sure anyone could really question it. Jeff made it quite clear, long before there was ever any thought of coming into Journey, that Perry was an influence in his musical career. He made it quite clear that he was a fan of Perry and the music of Journey. While I haven't had the opportunity to see Jeff live with Journey yet, it's quite clear from seeing him on the stage with these guys that he is having the time of his life. I think the fact that Jeff has a certain connection to this music that most of us fans have had for years is a big reason so many fans are thrilled that he's onboard.

One final note...please don't mention red leather pants and Perry in the same breath! Perry wore some of the most ridiculous clothes I ever saw in my life. That said, it was the late 70's (at least for the most offensive clothes I saw on the guy), but he still wasn't wearing red leather pants and his wife's white blouse!

John from Boston

[squirt1]

I am sure that much of SP's intensity came from having created or co-created the melodies and lyrics and knowing who & what they were about . Perry's personality is full soul ahead and that is the way I see Jeff. Right, Jeff ?

[donnaplease]

Grey Goose with club soda on the rocks with a lime in it right now. Have a huge bottle I need to finish up.

So exactly how much do you spend on alcohol a month???? Does Lori have you on an 'alcohol allowance'??? If not, maybe she should...

[Voyager]

I think maybe the phrase "tribute" is more appropriate than either "impersonator" or "cover band". For example, when I listen to JSS or Paul Rodgers singing Freddie Mercury songs, it seems like more of a tribute to a great artist as opposed to an impersonation. In a way, it's the same with Steve Perry. It's as if Perry died, and JSS and Augeri are singing in tribute to his great legacy. However, I think it's the fact that Steve Perry is still alive that fuels the controversy. There is very little controversy about Paul Rodgers singing for Queen, because Freddie Mercury is dead.

As long as a successful frontman of a band is still alive, there will always be controversy surrounding their replacement. Take Van Halen's replacement of David Lee Roth with Sammy Hagar for example. The difference between Journey and Van Halen is that Van Halen went on to produce highly successful new material with their replacement singer, while Journey hasn't done that yet... at least nothing that has sold more than a few hundred thousand albums anyway. Maybe JSS can help Journey break that barrier with some killer new material. In addition, when Steve Augeri first replaced Steve Perry as lead vocalist, the band immediately went on tour as Journey doing all of the stuff that Steve Perry sang. Van Halen did the opposite - they went into the studio and came out with all new material that fit Hagar's voice and persona.

I will give JSS credit for being very passionate. He is obviously 200% devoted to whatever he sets his mind to do. I guess there will always be people who have a hard time with someone replacing their favorite lead singer. Even though Sammy Hagar had every bit as much passion and talent as David Lee Roth, there are still those hardcore DLR fans who would just as soon string Hagar up in a tree with a noose. I am not one of them, as I respect both Hagar and DLR equally. Nor do I have any issues with Augeri or JSS.

I guess this is the kind of stuff that keeps these forums alive. Show me a forum for a popular band that hasn't had at least one lead singer change, and I'll show you a dead forum (except for maybe The Rolling Stones).