Watched Live in Manila last night

[FamilyMan]

Forgot how good of a show/live DVD this was. "Never Walk Away," "Change for the Better," and "After All These Years" all played. The set felt fresh and new. The band seemed energized (well maybe not Jon). Big stage, inspired lighting design and Arnel is at his best - reveling in playing for his homies. I hope the band can somehow find this electricity again. When they're in the zone, there's nobody better.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Good set-list. Love the change-ups to old tunes, like Neal's added solo on Open Arms etc. Arnel is still very green as a performer in this. Personally, I prefer Vegas 2001 dvd.

[FamilyMan]

Good set-list. Love the change-ups to old tunes, like Neal's added solo on Open Arms etc. Arnel is still very green as a performer in this. Personally, I prefer Vegas 2001 dvd.

Let's discuss that. I'm a big fan of the Vegas 2001 DVD. The band sounds great -- especially on La Raza Del SOl. But there's no comparison on the presence of a lead singer. Arnel is owning that stage in Manila. He's working the crowd; he's all over the place; completely comfortable in the spotlight. Augeri, on the other hand, is stiff ... seems awkward (maybe the voice problems have him muted here?) I always thought he was uncomfortable talking to the audience. That disjointed prelude to "Faithfully" with his "three pioneers" speech is difficult to watch. The Steve Perry shoes always seemed too big for him. But I don't sense that from Arnel. Never did.

[annie89509]

Good set-list. Love the change-ups to old tunes, like Neal's added solo on Open Arms etc. Arnel is still very green as a performer in this. Personally, I prefer Vegas 2001 dvd.

Let's discuss that. I'm a big fan of the Vegas 2001 DVD. The band sounds great -- especially on La Raza Del SOl. But there's no comparison on the presence of a lead singer. Arnel is owning that stage in Manila. He's working the crowd; he's all over the place; completely comfortable in the spotlight. Augeri, on the other hand, is stiff ... seems awkward (maybe the voice problems have him muted here?) I always thought he was uncomfortable talking to the audience. That disjointed prelude to "Faithfully" with his "three pioneers" speech is difficult to watch. The Steve Perry shoes always seemed too big for him. But I don't sense that from Arnel. Never did.

Vegas 2001 dvd performances were not really live either, right? Didn't HH say that dvd went through extensive re-dubbing in the studio?

[MysteryMountain]

It's a good show - I agree with the poster who mentioned Arnel being 'green' for this show. His enunciation of some of the lyrics/words is very noticable, and to me, his lung capacity hasn't been built up yet, to really get through or pull off some of those songs. I forget which one, a few of them, but one obvious number (maybe Open Arms), he just sounds out of breath trying to pull it off as he struggles along. Highlights for me are Lights/Still They Ride, Keep On Running, Turn Down the World Tonight & Mother, Father, & Escape (Ha, just realized I prefer the Deen sung songs on this concernt. But, it's a decent setlist, and the band seems sharp & tight here going in & out of some older tunes & the Revelation stuff. A good show that reflects pretty well where the band is at today.

I did not know much about the postproduction work on the Vegas show. I prefer the Manila DVD for reasons mentioned, but not knowing what I do now, this was also a nice 'reboot' of Journey, with Augeri on the mic.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Good set-list. Love the change-ups to old tunes, like Neal's added solo on Open Arms etc. Arnel is still very green as a performer in this. Personally, I prefer Vegas 2001 dvd.

Let's discuss that. I'm a big fan of the Vegas 2001 DVD. The band sounds great -- especially on La Raza Del SOl. But there's no comparison on the presence of a lead singer. Arnel is owning that stage in Manila. He's working the crowd; he's all over the place; completely comfortable in the spotlight. Augeri, on the other hand, is stiff ... seems awkward (maybe the voice problems have him muted here?) I always thought he was uncomfortable talking to the audience. That disjointed prelude to "Faithfully" with his "three pioneers" speech is difficult to watch. The Steve Perry shoes always seemed too big for him. But I don't sense that from Arnel. Never did.

Vegas 2001 dvd performances were not really live either, right? Didn't HH say that dvd went through extensive re-dubbing in the studio?

Not the point. Even if they pro-tooled the shit out of Arnel, which they didn't, his on stage antics are pure amateur hour. He has a huge range, but all the rock star swagger of Borat.

[The_Noble_Cause]

I always thought he was uncomfortable talking to the audience. That disjointed prelude to "Faithfully" with his "three pioneers" speech is difficult to watch. The Steve Perry shoes always seemed too big for him. But I don't sense that from Arnel. Never did.

Steve A hadn't hit his stride yet either as a front man on the 2001 DVD. Still preferable to Arnel. Boy, talk about garbled speech! On one of Arnel's DVDs, either Manilla or Revelation, he pronounces band members' names wrong! Who are you trying to kid?! Arnel capably hits notes, that's about it. And at this point, as a nostalgia county fair staple, that is all the guys really need.

[FamilyMan]

I always thought he was uncomfortable talking to the audience. That disjointed prelude to "Faithfully" with his "three pioneers" speech is difficult to watch. The Steve Perry shoes always seemed too big for him. But I don't sense that from Arnel. Never did.

Steve A hadn't hit his stride yet either as a front man on the 2001 DVD. Still preferable to Arnel. Boy, talk about garbled speech! On one of Arnel's DVDs, either Manilla or Revelation, he pronounces band members' names wrong! Who are you trying to kid?! Arnel capably hits notes, that's about it. And at this point, as a nostalgia county fair staple, that is all the guys really need.

He'd been in the band for 3 years... How long does it take?
And I think we're all confusing diction with stage presence. A guy's pronunciation of lyrics or names is different than being comfortable center stage.

[The_Noble_Cause]

And I think we're all confusing diction with stage presence. A guy's pronunciation of lyrics or names is different than being comfortable center stage.

And I think your confusing a singer with a front man. Augeri and Jeff, at their best, were both. Foreigner's Kelly Hansen is also. I'll give props where its due, and Arnel can sing this catalog. That, in itself, is quite an accomplishment. But it takes more than just looking all starry-eyed and jumping up and down to impress.

[YoungJRNYfan]

I disagree with the OP about Augeri's stage presence. I liked SA's style as a front man and I actually found him quite entertaining when he had full control of the stage. He never seemed uncomfortable in his body language to me. In fact, I think he was more self conscious about his voice than anything. You can just tell on Steve A's face when he knew a struggling note was around the corner and he tried making up for it with his groovy dancing and optimism playing off the crowd. Steve A was just smooth all around. It was a shame the type of toll the catalog took on him as a singer. If J would of went at the pace Steve A could keep up with, he'd still be fronting Journey today but everything happens for a reason.

I love Arnel just as much as Steve A, too. Arnel's energy CERTAINLY match's his powerful range and strong voice. Does Arnel get a bit out of control? Absolutely. Did he sometimes come off as having TOO much energy? Yes, but I always admired the authenticity of it. Arnel has a big heart and though he's sometimes all over the place (I still don't know how he can jump around for 2-3 hours and STILL give off great vocal performances) you can tell he's just letting it all hang loose and going balls to the walls. As a fan, you got to appreciate that. I say good for Arnel.

Steve A was more composed so to speak. With his lingering vocal issue's, I don't think Steve A had much ceiling to work with when it came to his body movements. I liked both Steve A's more fluid front man presence as well as Arnel's overloaded presence. Atleast Arnel lit some fire up Neal's ass. Neal seems to be enjoying himself the most with the Arnel lineup, which has been cool to see, even to this day.

LMAO at the Borat reference. I just pissed myself.

[FamilyMan]

Borat made me chuckle too.
For the record, I've always said I was a fan of Augeri on this board. And in many ways, I preferred his voice to Arnel's. Thought it suited the band better and felt raw and original. Never had Perry's soul or power, but it was a rock voice. The catalog simply shredded it.

[YoungJRNYfan]

I agree FM. Augeri's voice reminded me a lot of the likes of Rod Stewart. He had that raspy; soulful voice and tone. Journey's catalog is built for the high tempo high note and intensity. Over time, it's going to shred the best of them. Though J's songs in its origiinal key is suicide and perfection all at the same time, I think Augeri still sang the music gracefully and I loved listening to the tone of his voice. He simply pushed himself over his limit and it tore him apart. The gig is unforgiving.

SA gets a lot of flack for the job being "too big for him" but he held his own for the majority of the time and went gave it his best shot in the midst of Journey touring relentlessly with long shows and brutal sets. He delivered some great tunes with Journey, especially Arrival. Songs that rank high on my favorite tracks list. Augeri's voice on a standalone plane is wonderful. He has a great sound.

[The_Noble_Cause]

I think everyone in this thread likes both Arnel and SA and their contributions. We are just haggling over little details, which is refreshing.

[lparn]

Saw this show a couple of times on palladia. Awesome setlist and thought Arnel was awesome also.