Arnel's Single Best Live Performance

by **JRNYMAN** » Fri Jul 22, 2011 5:18 pm

I was working on a project out in the man cave this evening and found myself in one of those rare situations when nobody was home except me. After running around with a pair of scissors for a little while and standing in front of the fridge with the door wide open - while drinking milk right out of the carton, I decided to really lash out and vibrate the accumulated dust off the Infinity's and Cerwin Vegas. Since it had been a while since I watched/listened to the Manila DVD, and since they're playing here in a few days, I decided some CPR (Concert Psyching Rock) would be apropos. I popped in Disk 1 and gave the volume knob a good spin.

There's a lot to be said for big, boxy, furniture-sized speakers. You guys with your little cubes and your discrete, unnoticeable speakers just don't get it. There's also a lot to be said for audio systems that are able to deliver audio the way the artist and the producer meant for it to be. And when the contents of the media is all spatialized and digitally encoded the way the Manila DVD is you need a decent system to really be able to appreciate not only just how well produced that DVD is, but how incredibly good the band was that night as well.

The individual performances from this show are nothing short of outstanding song after song, hour after hour. The fact that it sounds as good as it does is a testament to not only the band but to the techs and the sound engineers who dealt with numerous problems and technical issues behind-the-scenes all night - not the least of which was the weather causing its own havoc on the equipment as well as the performers. By the third song, they were all drenched with sweat and you could easily see they were hot already - especially Deen though it never affected his abilities to play or sing. True professionals!

As I said, their individual performances were tight and polished which culminated to deliver one of the best overall live performances by the band I have seen in a very long time. Of all the songs performed that night, the one that stands out as their shining moment, to me anyway, was WDILYL. It was the first song from Revelation I immediately latched onto and is by far the most complex and dynamic song from that album. The song just kicks some serious ass and they pulled out all the stops when they let loose with it in Manila.

And while I thought Arnel delivered a fantastic show from start to finish, the one song he sang flawlessly was What I Needed - Not my least favorite from Revelation but....
Deen's perfect harmonies obviously helped Arnel sound even that much better but Arnel's performance on that one was perfect and in my opinion is the best single live performance since joining the band.

Now, I can only speak to the performances I've seen via the submitted amateur videos, the pro-shot videos, and the shows I've attended so it's entirely possible he may have done as good or better at a show I haven't seen and if that's the case, that's what I'm wanting to know:

What was Arnel's single best live performance since joining Journey?

by **Don** » Fri Jul 22, 2011 6:45 pm

I would say Arnel's performance of WYLAW at the Greek Theater in 2008, From the heart, in original key, just a great performance.
Other than the Manila show, I think he really didn't have a great year sonically in 2009.
This year, nothing stands out so far either. I believe the guy burned a gear after that first tour and he hasn't got it back, whether it be from wear and tear or age creeping up on him.

by **JRNYMAN** » Fri Jul 22, 2011 7:06 pm

Don wrote:I would say Arnel's performance of WYLAW at the Greek Theater in 2008, From the heart, in original key, just a great performance.
Other than the Manila show, I think he really didn't have a great year sonically in 2009.
This year, nothing stands out so far either. I believe the guy burned a gear after that first tour and he's not going to get it back.

Ya know Don, as badly as I want it not to be true, I have to agree with you about Arnel's vocals currently being delivered in a "diminished capacity" shall we say. I was just checking out the vids from the Omaha show and there were several instances of him either not hitting the notes when he tried or where he chose the safe, lower note to avoid cracking or coming in flat - and that show was what... the second one of this leg of the tour?! :shock:

I'm going to be seeing him prior to the show here this Sunday and I'm going to ask him how he's really doing and how his voice is holding up to the regiment. In his defense, the same thing happened at the start of the Revelation tour. They played Tucson (in the pouring fucking rain, I might add...) and his performance left many people wondering if he was going to be able to endure the 3/4 of the tour still remaining based on a few issues he experienced that night. Nearly 4 months later they played Phoenix and he was damn near flawless, his projection was stronger and his comfortable vocal range was noticeably increased. The unfortunate thing is all we can do is wait and watch...

Regarding WYLAW at the Greek ...
You're not alone on that one. I've read numerous posts by people who were there that night who have stated the same thing. If memory serves, wasn't that show on Mother's Day or Cheri's b-day or something significant like that?? For some reason that particular performance stands out as having something special attached to it...

by **slucero** » Fri Jul 22, 2011 7:28 pm

Part of Arnels challenge is going from living in the tropics to touring where the air is "drier" than he's used to... he has to take extra care to maintain moisture in his voice that his voice is used to....

by **JRNYMAN** » Fri Jul 22, 2011 8:03 pm

slucero wrote:Part of Arnels challenge is going from living in the tropics to touring where the air is "drier" than he's used to... he has to take extra care to maintain moisture in his voice that his voice is used to....

In complete agreement with ya! And in a perfect world that's what would happen. HOWEVER.... the geniuses who schedule the tour and its respective dates apparently can't be bothered with those kinds of trivialities as evidenced by their show here day after tomorrow. Either that or they aren't familiar with the desert southwest area of the US and what happens to the climate here in the summer months. Umm... HELLOOOOO?! You can't tell me you've never heard the cliche about Phoenix that says, "...but it's a DRY heat!" And those of us who live here immediately retort with, "Yeah, like a blast furnace!"
Yup, 110+ degrees for days on end with humidity hovering right around 12% makes for very dangerous climate when it comes to things that need to be kept moist or hydrated - like say.... a singer's throat, the internal organs of the human body (or any living body for that matter). If you're one of those individuals who's job has them working outside (can you imagine being a roofer in PHX, in July/August?! :shock:

) you learn very quickly that constant hydration a forcing fluids on yourself is the difference between life and death. The catch-phrase regarding that issue that is aired as a P.S.A. on the local stations this time of year says. "If you get to the point that you're thirsty and you realize you've stopped sweating, and you start to feel tingly, it's too late. Get indoors immediately, force cool (not cold) water on yourself, and have someone sit with you until you feel better or get worse!" Many years ago, after living here for several years and becoming fully acclimated, or so I thought, I experienced that exact scenario. i was out mowing the lawn in the middle of the day - in July - and ended up doing some other stuff and putzing around and not consciously monitoring my fluid intake and within about 1/2 hour I got tingly all over, started seeing stars, and realized I wasn't sweating anymore. And it hit me like a runaway freight train! Literally one second I was as normal as could be and the next I was showing signs of heat prostration (heat stroke, hyperthermia, etc.) I walked in the house and told my wife I was feeling weird and that's all she had to hear (she's am R.N.) Another neat thing about this condition is it's sorta like a brain freeze.... once you realize you're experiencing it, it's going to get worse before it gets better - there's no getting around it. And it did. Cramps, severe headache, nausea and the chills (sorta like when you have a high fever and can't get warm).

The thing I don't understand is why they always play this particular venue. There are a number of venues here which have nearly the same capacity and are indoors. EVERY other band that plays here this time of year plays in one of them - why the Hell doesn't Journey? I pretty much speak for all of Journey's fans here when I say we'd definitely appreciate being inside for their summer show(s) here.

Anyway, enough hijacking my own thread.
Thanks for the reply!

Steve

by **Greg** » Sat Jul 23, 2011 1:18 am

Don wrote:I would say Arnel's performance of WYLAW at the Greek Theater in 2008, From the heart, in original key, just a great performance.
Other than the Manila show, I think he really didn't have a great year sonically in 2009.
This year, nothing stands out so far either. I believe the guy burned a gear after that first tour and he hasn't got it back, whether it be from wear and tear or age creeping up on him.

When I saw Journey in '09, they had the reverb/effects on Pineda's vocals hot and heavy! It was almost annoying. Of course, Journeys whole sound that night was greatly off. Night Ranger's was excellent though, which made me think it was not the venue (because I've seen lots of concerts at this venue and all have sounded great) but just something in Journey's sound setup.

by **Gideon** » Sat Jul 23, 2011 1:22 am

Don wrote:I would say Arnel's performance of WYLAW at the Greek Theater in 2008, From the heart, in original key, just a great performance.
Other than the Manila show, I think he really didn't have a great year sonically in 2009.

Don't forget the '09 Graspop.

by **Rick** » Sat Jul 23, 2011 1:55 am

slucero wrote:Part of Arnels challenge is going from living in the tropics to touring where the air is "drier" than he's used to... he has to take extra care to maintain moisture in his voice that his voice is used to....

Yep, and not to mention the different allergens here that he's not used to. My dad married a woman from the Philippines, and she had all kinds of problems with allergies and the like when she came over here.

by **WykkedSensation** » Sat Jul 23, 2011 3:16 am

Gideon wrote:
Don wrote:I would say Arnel's performance of WYLAW at the Greek Theater in 2008, From the heart, in original key, just a great performance.
Other than the Manila show, I think he really didn't have a great year sonically in 2009.

Don't forget the '09 Graspop.

Not at all good mate.

Totally unsure bout a single live performance, but as far as any shows go i would say Bilbao, Spain 09, or any of the 3 Jap shows in 09 would get my vote. Great Pineda and band performances.
In fact the Bilbao video is the best performance on screen that i have seen from this lineup. Better than the official stuff.

by **JRNYMAN** » Sat Jul 23, 2011 3:57 am

WykkedSensation wrote:
Gideon wrote:
Don wrote:I would say Arnel's performance of WYLAW at the Greek Theater in 2008, From the heart, in original key, just a great performance.
Other than the Manila show, I think he really didn't have a great year sonically in 2009.

Don't forget the '09 Graspop.

Not at all good mate.

Totally unsure bout a single live performance, but as far as any shows go i would say Bilbao, Spain 09, or any of the 3 Jap shows in 09 would get my vote. Great Pineda and band performances.
In fact the Bilbao video is the best performance on screen that i have seen from this lineup. Better than the official stuff.

I have not seen those but I will make it a point to check them out.

by AR » Mon Jul 25, 2011 12:43 am

It wasn't with Journey

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tK1BPcT_sk

The fact that a dude can sing this song is mind blowing!

by **JRNYMAN** » Mon Jul 25, 2011 1:12 am

AR wrote:It wasn't with Journey

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tK1BPcT_sk

The fact that a dude can sing this song is mind blowing!

No shit! One of the things that really impressed me about his vocal abilities is how well he's able to mimic/impersonate the singer he's covering but the fact that he's even able to mimic Ann Wilson to some extent is phenomenal! There are several times during that performance where he actually does sound like Ann!

by **Jana** » Mon Jul 25, 2011 1:16 am

One of his best performances:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CF9qaoVgKqw

by **JRNYMAN** » Mon Jul 25, 2011 1:26 am

Jana wrote:One of his best performances:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CF9qaoVgKqw

I coulda swore that's the very performance I listed as his best in my OP. Wait.... let me go back and check...... Yup, it's right there in the 5th paragraph.
JUST MESSIN' WITCHA JANA! :lol:

But yeah, that one is a live performance with studio perfection. Not a single flaw to be found.

Website · by **steveo777** » Mon Jul 25, 2011 1:37 am

JRNYMAN wrote:
Jana wrote:One of his best performances:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CF9qaoVgKqw

I coulda swore that's the very performance I listed as his best in my OP. Wait.... let me go back and check...... Yup, it's right there in the 5th paragraph.
JUST MESSIN' WITCHA JANA! But yeah, that one is a live performance with studio perfection. Not a single flaw to be found.

Are you black, bro?

by **Jana** » Mon Jul 25, 2011 1:40 am

JRNYMAN wrote:
Jana wrote:One of his best performances:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CF9qaoVgKqw

I coulda swore that's the very performance I listed as his best in my OP. Wait.... let me go back and check...... Yup, it's right there in the 5th paragraph.
JUST MESSIN' WITCHA JANA! But yeah, that one is a live performance with studio perfection. Not a single flaw to be found.

Great minds think alike. :wink:

And I agree with Don on When You Love A Woman. The emotional delivery of that song by Arnel towards the end of his first tour really came across even on a youtube clip. I can imagine in person it was moving.

There is a clip of Separate Ways I saw in 2008 of Arnel electrified on Separate Ways and Neal even went across the stage. And the ending notes are amazing with Arnel on his knees belting them out. I just can't remember which venue it was in. It was shot from a higher vantage point, so good view of the whole stage.

Website · by **steveo777** » Mon Jul 25, 2011 1:44 am

I think he sounds amazing here on this cover of The Flame.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6Pz9uU6fNs

by **koberry** » Mon Jul 25, 2011 3:26 am

AR wrote:It wasn't with Journey

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tK1BPcT_sk

The fact that a dude can sing this song is mind blowing!

Holy crap, that is simply phenomenal! I don't know if there is even a shred of truth that Neal found Arnel on YT... but if so, I can see how this would have made him pick up the phone.

Website · by **steveo777** » Mon Jul 25, 2011 3:53 am

koberry wrote:
AR wrote:It wasn't with Journey

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tK1BPcT_sk

The fact that a dude can sing this song is mind blowing!

Holy crap, that is simply phenomenal! I don't know if there is even a shred of truth that Neal found Arnel on YT... but if so, I can see how this would have made him pick up the phone.

Why wouldn't you believe Neal found him on YouTube?

by **fightingilliniJRNY** » Mon Jul 25, 2011 3:55 am

steveo777 wrote:Why wouldn't you believe Neal found him on YouTube?

It's been contended that Journey's management has known about Arnel for quite some time. Not necessarily that he was being thought of for Journey for a while, but that they knew about him and his work. I think his label in the Philippines was an extension of Sony's recording branch. Or something of the like...

MR

Arnel's Single Best Live Performance

Arnel's Single Best Live Performance

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