Ask The Lonely - Soto - 2006

[Ehwmatt]

Interesting thought re: JSS doing Rolie.

Done! Jeff and Jeremey.........'Just The Same Way' ~ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-dCtAKZsXc

Tapegate 2.0! Jeff and Jeremey are lipping! They can't even keep their lips in time with the vocal tape

[Rip Rokken]

Fuck them, their front man and their help. Is Pro Tools how Arnel has magically started singing in key as well? Assholes.

What an absolutely stupid thing to say...

[SunshineTwilight]

Interesting thought re: JSS doing Rolie.

Done! Jeff and Jeremey.........'Just The Same Way' ~ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-dCtAKZsXc

Legendary evening that I was part of.

Jeff performed for the last time in Journey the next day.

We have more footage than that.

My husband shot this video!

[Aaron]

Me saying stupid things happens on occasion, but this approach is possible. Here's why:

1. A very well known "artist" using a Sony studio in Nashville uses Pro Tools for pitch correction during recording. This "artist" is currently in the top 20 for highest tour earnings for 2011. If this person won't take the time to sing in the correct pitch in the studio when you can do things over again, would anyone expect their capability to improve live? I don't think so. Man, you sing and you know how hard it is to stay on pitch bouncing around playing live. It's not easy. So if a singer can't control pitch in the studio and uses Pro Tools for correction, it's not likely they can hold pitch live.
2. Arnel has struggled with pitch control live
3. Journey has been caught using taped lead vocals for live shows

The point I'm making is Journey has been caught using taped lead vocals which says they will do anything during a live show and have no standards for live performances. Taped lead vocals is clearly past the line. Pitch correction is in the gray area as compared to taped lead vocals. The technology exists for pitch correction during live shows. A very popular "artist" today uses pitch correction during recording (I'm sure there are others, I know of one directly). Studio recording is the best environment for singing well so live singing will only get worse. The point being, it could happen.

You may not like it, but it is possible.

Fuck them, their front man and their help. Is Pro Tools how Arnel has magically started singing in key as well? Assholes.

What an absolutely stupid thing to say...

[WalrusOct9]

Nice post.


I saw my first Journey show this year, and it was fun, but in the battle of replacement singers, Kelly Hansen blew Arnel off the stage. We had shitty seats, and Hansen still connected with everyone in the arena (and i'm not even that big of a Foreigner fan). Arnel had energy on stage, but didn't connect.

I still think Journey would've been more successful going forward with JSS. Arnel makes people say "Holy shit, he sounds like Steve Perry." JSS makes people go "holy shit, who the fuck is this guy?"

[conversationpc]

I saw my first Journey show this year, and it was fun, but in the battle of replacement singers, Kelly Hansen blew Arnel off the stage. We had shitty seats, and Hansen still connected with everyone in the arena (and i'm not even that big of a Foreigner fan). Arnel had energy on stage, but didn't connect.

Whether a lead singer "connects" with an audience or not is almost always a matter of opinion.

[hoagiepete]

Nice post.


I saw my first Journey show this year, and it was fun, but in the battle of replacement singers, Kelly Hansen blew Arnel off the stage. We had shitty seats, and Hansen still connected with everyone in the arena (and i'm not even that big of a Foreigner fan). Arnel had energy on stage, but didn't connect.

I still think Journey would've been more successful going forward with JSS. Arnel makes people say "Holy shit, he sounds like Steve Perry." JSS makes people go "holy shit, who the fuck is this guy?"

Interesting take. Tend to agree.

[WalrusOct9]

Whether a lead singer "connects" with an audience or not is almost always a matter of opinion.

True. Just stating mine. It wouldn't have bothered me if I hadn't seen Kelly Hansen 45 minutes before Arnel. He used every lead singer move in the book, but I have to admit, it worked. Nothing against Arnel, but in a 20,000 seat arena, I'd rather have JSS on my team as far as stage-presence goes.

[The_Noble_Cause]

I saw my first Journey show this year, and it was fun, but in the battle of replacement singers, Kelly Hansen blew Arnel off the stage. We had shitty seats, and Hansen still connected with everyone in the arena (and i'm not even that big of a Foreigner fan). Arnel had energy on stage, but didn't connect.

Whether a lead singer "connects" with an audience or not is almost always a matter of opinion.

Have you seen Hansen with Foreigner? Guy is the whole package. Arnel does not have chemistry with the audience nor the band (great singer, crummy frontman). This year's tour reminded me of Journey with Augeri towards the end - just goin' thru the motions.

[Ehwmatt]

I saw my first Journey show this year, and it was fun, but in the battle of replacement singers, Kelly Hansen blew Arnel off the stage. We had shitty seats, and Hansen still connected with everyone in the arena (and i'm not even that big of a Foreigner fan). Arnel had energy on stage, but didn't connect.

Whether a lead singer "connects" with an audience or not is almost always a matter of opinion.

Have you seen Hansen with Foreigner? Guy is the whole package. Arnel does not have chemistry with the audience nor the band (great singer, crummy frontman). This year's tour reminded me of Journey with Augeri towards the end - just goin' thru the motions.

I really think any one would be hard-pressed not to deem Hansen the objectively better frontman by leaps and bounds. Unless Hansen fucked your girlfriend or you flat out hate Foreigner, it's just not even a competition. There are opinions and then there are indisputable objective truths.

[Gideon]

I'm with Dave on this one. I think Hansen is the more polished frontman, but I've read plenty o' reviews professional or otherwise lauding Arnel for his abilities as a frontman. Whether or not he has 'chemistry' is up to the individual to decide.

[The_Noble_Cause]

...but I've read plenty o' reviews professional or otherwise lauding Arnel for his abilities as a frontman. Whether or not he has 'chemistry' is up to the individual to decide.

Not so. As soon as he has to introduce a song, he stumbles around, can barely form a sentence. It's pretty laughable actually.

[Gideon]

...but I've read plenty o' reviews professional or otherwise lauding Arnel for his abilities as a frontman. Whether or not he has 'chemistry' is up to the individual to decide.

Not so. As soon as he has to introduce a song, he stumbles around, can barely form a sentence. It's pretty laughable actually.

A frontman's skill isn't relegated to just how well he introduces a song. Like I said, I personally think Hansen enjoys an advantage over Arnel and said as much in my review of the Nashville show. But the idea that Arnel is an objectively poor frontman is unfounded because in addition to plenty of reviewers saying otherwise, there hasn't been any measurement introduced in this thread by which a frontman should be measured.

[Ehwmatt]

...but I've read plenty o' reviews professional or otherwise lauding Arnel for his abilities as a frontman. Whether or not he has 'chemistry' is up to the individual to decide.

Not so. As soon as he has to introduce a song, he stumbles around, can barely form a sentence. It's pretty laughable actually.

A frontman's skill isn't relegated to just how well he introduces a song. Like I said, I personally think Hansen enjoys an advantage over Arnel and said as much in my review of the Nashville show. But the idea that Arnel is an objectively poor frontman is unfounded because in addition to plenty of reviewers saying otherwise, there hasn't been any measurement introduced in this thread by which a frontman should be measured.

There's a simple measurement: the eye test. Even if you were deaf, you could watch Arnel and Kelly (and the crowd) and tell who the more polished, experienced, and commanding front man is. It's just not even close. Even the way they carry themselves is telling.

[Gideon]

There's a simple measurement: the eye test. Even if you were deaf, you could watch Arnel and Kelly (and the crowd) and tell who the more polished, experienced, and commanding front man is. It's just not even close. Even the way they carry themselves is telling.

I'm not seeing where that objective measurement comes in, Matt. It's not like pitch, which we can measure to see who has the higher range. There is a much more dynamic element to what makes a good frontman and what doesn't. Some detest boundless energy and vibrant enthusiasm, preferring a more subdued and polished approach. Others disagree. I prefer Hansen to Arnel as a frontman, but that doesn't make it an objective measurement anymore than someone saying that Soto is a better singer than Perry because he passes their "ear test."

[Red13JoePa]

I think he connects w/ the audience when he's doing his job: singing. Readilly apparent on the Vegas and Manila DVDs that there weren't all that many people standing there with the arms folded, shaking their heads with scowls on their faces.

[NoMoreTails]

Evidently alot of you Guys think Hansen's hairy pits are sexy....I say put on a shirt with some fucking sleeves!
But yeah, he does know all the worn out rock poses and cliche rap more than Arnel does.

[RedWingFan]

I saw my first Journey show this year, and it was fun, but in the battle of replacement singers, Kelly Hansen blew Arnel off the stage. We had shitty seats, and Hansen still connected with everyone in the arena (and i'm not even that big of a Foreigner fan). Arnel had energy on stage, but didn't connect.

Whether a lead singer "connects" with an audience or not is almost always a matter of opinion.

Have you seen Hansen with Foreigner? Guy is the whole package. Arnel does not have chemistry with the audience nor the band (great singer, crummy frontman). This year's tour reminded me of Journey with Augeri towards the end - just goin' thru the motions.

TNC have you seen the "Rockin' at the Ryman" show yet? I found it on bluray on ebay, you can pick it up for around $20. Just ordered it so I can finally delete it from my DVR. "In Pieces" and "When It Comes To Love" are done great live. "Starrider" is fantastic too, well worth the money.

[RedWingFan]

...but I've read plenty o' reviews professional or otherwise lauding Arnel for his abilities as a frontman. Whether or not he has 'chemistry' is up to the individual to decide.

Not so. As soon as he has to introduce a song, he stumbles around, can barely form a sentence. It's pretty laughable actually.

I have to admit Arnel did provide the most memorable part of the show here in Detroit.
"Here's a song from the album.......uuuhhhh...well, the song's called lights."

[majik]

I like every lead singer of Journey...but JSS is my favorite live replacement.

I'm still curious about what a JSS fronted J album would sound like (intrigued by "Believe in Me" and ignoring "Winds of Freedom").

This opinion is strengthened by Perry's remarks in 'Drew's interview about thinking he provided the band the greatest opportunity for growth.

Didn't see that as a compliment to jss more a slap in the face to the current lineup perhaps.

[texafana]

Obviously Deen on the high notesi in the chorus, still..... not bad at all.

[JSS]

Obviously Deen on the high notesi in the chorus, still..... not bad at all.

Not so 'obviously'...we doubled the high notes on the chorus....I remember...I was there

[steveo777]

Obviously Deen on the high notesi in the chorus, still..... not bad at all.

Not so 'obviously'...we doubled the high notes on the chorus....I don't remember...I was drunk :)

Fixed!

Happy Holidays man!

[texafana]

Obviously Deen on the high notesi in the chorus, still..... not bad at all.

Not so 'obviously'...we doubled the high notes on the chorus....I remember...I was there

Hey...I didn't say you weren't singing.... I just said it was obvious you could hear Deen's vox.

wtf...wait a minute....did I just have a conversation with JSS?!?!! woo hoo!! Merry Christmas man!

[The_Noble_Cause]

TNC have you seen the "Rockin' at the Ryman" show yet? I found it on bluray on ebay, you can pick it up for around $20. Just ordered it so I can finally delete it from my DVR. "In Pieces" and "When It Comes To Love" are done great live. "Starrider" is fantastic too, well worth the money.

No, gotta pick that up still.

[Archetype]

I really think that JSS was the way to go. I have nothing but great things to say about Arnel and the guy really does deserve the slot, but shitcanning JSS was a big step away form a lot of new opportunities I think. Journey could have become relevant on the modern scene a la Chickenfoot. Imagine the general vibe of Eclipse with JSS's writing input and vocals that are more suited to that type of music. Resonate with JSS would be unbelievable.

[Gideon]

I really think that JSS was the way to go. I have nothing but great things to say about Arnel and the guy really does deserve the slot, but shitcanning JSS was a big step away form a lot of new opportunities I think. Journey could have become relevant on the modern scene a la Chickenfoot. Imagine the general vibe of Eclipse with JSS's writing input and vocals that are more suited to that type of music. Resonate with JSS would be unbelievable.

Listening to Soul SirkUS, Jeff certainly has a great voice, but I just don't believe he has the range to tackle that material. And while I'm all for Journey rocking, I don't want it to be at the expense of what makes them Journey: tenor vocals and melodic guitar.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Resonate with JSS would be unbelievable.

Definitely. Some stuff on Eclipse is Journey with a much harder edge, and that material fits Soto like a glove. Now, could he pull it off live night after night? Not so sure. That's not a knock on Jeff, it's just that these songs are un-singable.

[RedWingFan]

TNC have you seen the "Rockin' at the Ryman" show yet? I found it on bluray on ebay, you can pick it up for around $20. Just ordered it so I can finally delete it from my DVR. "In Pieces" and "When It Comes To Love" are done great live. "Starrider" is fantastic too, well worth the money.

No, gotta pick that up still.

I just got it in the mail yesterday. Great show, the 5.1 mix sounds great. Here's the set list.

Double Vision
Head Games
Cold As Ice
In Pieces
Blue Morning, Blue Day
Waiting For A Girl...
When It Comes To Love
Dirty White Boy
Starrider
Feels Like the First Time
Urgent
Juke Box Hero
Long, Long Way From Home
I Want To Know....
Hot Blooded

Bonus Features

From PBS Soundstage Series
Night Life
Say You Will
Too Late
Urgent

Videos
When It Comes To Love
Can't Slow Down
Too Late

[knox]

Jeff got me excited about Journey again. Then it ended.