Ya know,
On a lot of these boots its obvious that Perry was having issues (straining but still getting there!) hitting the higher notes even with the songs a half step down. What I find strange is the amount of ad-libing he was doing on most of the material with the ad-libs often being higher than the original part in its original key. You would think that he would be pacing himself because of this right ? Look, maybe im just stoned but it seems to me after listening to the whole boot that he is not only singing but fighting a fucking war. In his singing I hear, "Fuck you vocal cords, im gonna make you fucking work if it kills me right now ! This drive and determination that I sensed really moved me. On every boot I have he works his ass off DYING to give the best performance he can give...
THAT is what makes Steve FUCKING Perry the best male vocalist and performer there ever has been IMHO. I cant think of one guy that worked as hard on stage as he did. "One of a kind and we will never see another one like him." To quote Mel Torme on the passing of the late great jazz drummer Buddy Rich.
End of line.