JSS: His voice now and his voice in 5 years.

[Liquid_Drummer]

Ok, 1st I must say I am won over to JSS singing for Journey. Have not seen em live yet but have heard some damn great boots and Believe In Me is a killer tune. I have to say that I am concerned about his ability to perform the older material in 3-4 years. He is 41 now, had polyps removed (right ?) and is singing stuff at the top of his range night after night (and doing a killer job). For the life of me though, I cant understand why the boys wont just drop a fucking half step. I want JSS to be able to sing this stuff in 3-4 years and not end up sounding like Rod Stewart taking a shit. Even when Steve A's voice was beginning to falter they never tuned down! Why is it such a big fucking deal? I have heard some Perry boots from FTLOSM tour and the songs sounded great and in fact I thought Separate Ways had a bit more of a modern edge a half step down. (Ever heard Rush's 2112 overture from Different Stages Live tuned down a whole step to D ? It fucking rocks like that !!!)

Perry was kind of a freak of nature being able to have a voice that high while still sounding full and manly. That is a benchmark that is set just a bit too high for most of the male singing population in rock music and even he succumbed from the overuse, age or who knows what. Jeff, your supporters would rather see you still kicking ass in 3-4 years and singing a half step down than seeing you have to step aside for the next victim.

[Behshad]

Ok, 1st I must say I am won over to JSS singing for Journey. Have not seen em live yet but have heard some damn great boots and Believe In Me is a killer tune. I have to say that I am concerned about his ability to perform the older material in 3-4 years. He is 41 now, had polyps removed (right ?) and is singing stuff at the top of his range night after night (and doing a killer job). For the life of me though, I cant understand why the boys wont just drop a fucking half step. I want JSS to be able to sing this stuff in 3-4 years and not end up sounding like Rod Stewart taking a shit. Even when Steve A's voice was beginning to falter they never tuned down! Why is it such a big fucking deal? I have heard some Perry boots from FTLOSM tour and the songs sounded great and in fact I thought Separate Ways had a bit more of a modern edge a half step down. (Ever heard Rush's 2112 overture from Different Stages Live tuned down a whole step to D ? It fucking rocks like that !!!)

Perry was kind of a freak of nature being able to have a voice that high while still sounding full and manly. That is a benchmark that is set just a bit too high for most of the male singing population in rock music and even he succumbed from the overuse, age or who knows what. Jeff, your supporters would rather see you still kicking ass in 3-4 years and singing a half step down than seeing you have to step aside for the next victim.

I know what you mean,,, but in my opinion, 4-5 years from now, the band has their new sound where the songs are written to fit Jeffs voice while Jeff has adapted to the old Journey songs,,,, so I would imagine on a Journey show 5 years from now 80% of the material will be all new, while they play few classics from the past. Just my thought. Jeff ??

[Liquid_Drummer]

I really think that the old material is TIMELESS and will be just as important in five years no matter what they write or how good it is. Look how long rush has been around and they play Tom Sawyer every show even though they put out like 12 albums since then. The fans will never forget those tunes and the band knows that. Could you imagine them dropping Faithfully or, DSB or Open Arms ?

[conversationpc]

(Ever heard Rush's 2112 overture from Different Stages Live tuned down a whole step to D ? It fucking rocks like that !!!)

I can't stand the tuned-down version of "2112". It just doesn't sound right, in my opinion.

As for Journey, I don't see why they couldn't have tuned down at least on some of the harder tunes. It's kind of a song by song thing. Some tunes sound okay tuned down and others don't.

[ohsherrie]

If Jeff puts his mark on the Journey sound with some new material that is recognized and accepted by the audiences I don't think anyone will mind hearing him sing a stepped down version of the hits. The key is going to be in the new material.

[Big J]

The thing is always gonna be, "if they're gonna tune down, why not just call Steve Perry."

Case in point: Judas Priest.

[NCscarab]

The thing is always gonna be, "if they're gonna tune down, why not just call Steve Perry."

Case in point: Judas Priest.

I'm not so sure they wouldn't have to tune it down a bit even for Steve these days.....

[Melissa]

(Ever heard Rush's 2112 overture from Different Stages Live tuned down a whole step to D ? It fucking rocks like that !!!)

I can't stand the tuned-down version of "2112". It just doesn't sound right, in my opinion.

As for Journey, I don't see why they couldn't have tuned down at least on some of the harder tunes. It's kind of a song by song thing. Some tunes sound okay tuned down and others don't.

Hubby (huge Rush fan) agrees with you, doesn't like the tuned down 2112 either, lol.

[knox]

I hope they are around in 5 years.

Don't take that as a slam. The guys aren't getting younger.

But, if the Stones can do it, I HOPE Journey can.

I am finally excited about them again, I sure hope they don't do one album and call it quits.

Jeff is such a talented singer who LOVES to sing. If Journey is over soon, I hope Jeff does more Melodic Rock. I don't care for metal, even light metal. He is awesome singing the Journey stuff!

[Rockindeano]

The thing is always gonna be, "if they're gonna tune down, why not just call Steve Perry."

Case in point: Judas Priest.

I'm not so sure they wouldn't have to tune it down a bit even for Steve these days.....

You're not sure. Let me help you out.

They WOULD have to tune it down, maybe a full step. Not a slam on the greatest singer ever, just probable.

[donnaplease]

The thing is always gonna be, "if they're gonna tune down, why not just call Steve Perry."

Case in point: Judas Priest.

I'm not so sure they wouldn't have to tune it down a bit even for Steve these days.....

You're not sure. Let me help you out.

They WOULD have to tune it down, maybe a full step. Not a slam on the greatest singer ever, just probable.

I love it when you talk like that!!!!

[Carlitto H@kk]

The thing is always gonna be, "if they're gonna tune down, why not just call Steve Perry."

Case in point: Judas Priest.

I'm not so sure they wouldn't have to tune it down a bit even for Steve these days.....

You're not sure. Let me help you out.

They WOULD have to tune it down, maybe a full step. Not a slam on the greatest singer ever, just probable.

And who would care?

Honestly, I am so looking forward to the new Jeff-fronted band but seriously...
IF Perry and Smitty came back for a tour,
would anyone really care if they tuned down a half or full step for him?
(aside from some Augeri fns that would be pissed they did it for Perry and not Augeri)

For me, at least, it wouldn't be about hearing the classics sung to perfection.
It would be ALL about seeing the 5 guys that created that magic on
stage together again. Just my opinion.

[donnaplease]

And who would care?

Honestly, I am so looking forward to the new Jeff-fronted band but seriously...
IF Perry and Smitty came back for a tour,
would anyone really care if they tuned down a half or full step for him?
(aside from some Augeri fns that would be pissed they did it for Perry and not Augeri)

For me, at least, it wouldn't be about hearing the classics sung to perfection.
It would be ALL about seeing the 5 guys that created that magic on
stage together again. Just my opinion.

[ohsherrie]

[
Honestly, I am so looking forward to the new Jeff-fronted band but seriously...
IF Perry and Smitty came back for a tour,
would anyone really care if they tuned down a half or full step for him?
(aside from some Augeri fns that would be pissed they did it for Perry and not Augeri)

For me, at least, it wouldn't be about hearing the classics sung to perfection.
It would be ALL about seeing the 5 guys that created that magic on
stage together again. Just my opinion.

Amen to that!

Some people are bitching now that Jeff doesn't have the same range as Perry so it's not going to be the Journey sound anymore because his voice is ever so slightly lower in pitch. The sick part is that most of those are the same ones that say they should have tuned it down for Augeri.

[NCscarab]

And who would care?

Honestly, I am so looking forward to the new Jeff-fronted band but seriously...
IF Perry and Smitty came back for a tour,
would anyone really care if they tuned down a half or full step for him?
(aside from some Augeri fns that would be pissed they did it for Perry and not Augeri)

For me, at least, it wouldn't be about hearing the classics sung to perfection.
It would be ALL about seeing the 5 guys that created that magic on
stage together again. Just my opinion.

I have to agree but just want to say that I think it has to be the 6 guys that created that magic together.The 6 man ultimate lineup....Steve,Neal,Ross,Jon,Smitty...and Gregg !!

[conversationpc]

The thing is always gonna be, "if they're gonna tune down, why not just call Steve Perry."

Case in point: Judas Priest.

Halford still sounds okay but he just kinda stands there on stage and when he does move, he looks like a robot. Gotta love the Metal God!

[tammy]

I was thinking about this after seeing Jeff at Loffler's Sat....what will happen to his screams? He is so good at them & I like them, but there aren't any in the Journey songs. Will he only do Journey exclusively or also solo when they aren't touring? Questions, questions.

oh, and IF hell freezes over and SP were back with the band there would be so much loud screaming from the audience that no one would be able to hear him anyway...so, it could be in any range - no one would probably notice, I bet.

[Rick]

Well don't forget, they've got Deen. When they put out a new CD, they will tour on that, and then Jeff and Deen will split up the older songs. So, Jeff won't have to kill his voice on the old catalog. That's what I see happening.

[JrnyScarab]

(Ever heard Rush's 2112 overture from Different Stages Live tuned down a whole step to D ? It fucking rocks like that !!!)

Other's don't agree but I think the tuned down version on Different Stages sounds great as well!! To each his own.

[kgdjpubs]

I know what you mean,,, but in my opinion, 4-5 years from now, the band has their new sound where the songs are written to fit Jeffs voice while Jeff has adapted to the old Journey songs,,,, so I would imagine on a Journey show 5 years from now 80% of the material will be all new, while they play few classics from the past. Just my thought. Jeff ??

8 years and 2 1/2 albums into the Augeri-era, you were lucky to get 2 new songs at a concert. If the Soto material gets no more airplay than Augeri did and the band starts consistently playing 80% new material at the concerts, I doubt they would be able to fill the local coffeehouse in several years. It would simply be commercial suicide.

At this point, the Journey live show is simply nostalgia for 95% of the people in the audience. Play a new song, they take a beer/bathroom break. Play an old, obscure (read: non-hit) Perry song, they take a beer/bathroom break. If the band is still around in 10 years, I doubt the setlist will have changed very much from what you are getting now. Simply sub in one or two new songs for the current new songs. The backbone of the setlist will remain unchanged, because the hits sell tickets and make money--unknown new material does not.

I'll reserve comments on how well JSS's voice will stand up until after the next tour, up until which time he will probably be doing everything possible to go into the tour at full capacity, and not having to play catch-up the entire time. That being said, the Journey catalogue will burn out the best of singers, and JSS sounds awfully thin and strained on some of the high stuff (end of Edge of the Blade for example). Time will tell...

[Rick]

I know what you mean,,, but in my opinion, 4-5 years from now, the band has their new sound where the songs are written to fit Jeffs voice while Jeff has adapted to the old Journey songs,,,, so I would imagine on a Journey show 5 years from now 80% of the material will be all new, while they play few classics from the past. Just my thought. Jeff ??

8 years and 2 1/2 albums into the Augeri-era, you were lucky to get 2 new songs at a concert. If the Soto material gets no more airplay than Augeri did and the band starts consistently playing 80% new material at the concerts, I doubt they would be able to fill the local coffeehouse in several years. It would simply be commercial suicide.

At this point, the Journey live show is simply nostalgia for 95% of the people in the audience. Play a new song, they take a beer/bathroom break. Play an old, obscure (read: non-hit) Perry song, they take a beer/bathroom break. If the band is still around in 10 years, I doubt the setlist will have changed very much from what you are getting now. Simply sub in one or two new songs for the current new songs. The backbone of the setlist will remain unchanged, because the hits sell tickets and make money--unknown new material does not.

I'll reserve comments on how well JSS's voice will stand up until after the next tour, up until which time he will probably be doing everything possible to go into the tour at full capacity, and not having to play catch-up the entire time. That being said, the Journey catalogue will burn out the best of singers, and JSS sounds awfully thin and strained on some of the high stuff (end of Edge of the Blade for example). Time will tell...

I somewhat agree. To your credit, the old catalog does bring people in. They will have to put out a CD that gets some airplay in order to deviate from the status quo concerts. Neal is energized like he hasn't been in years because of JSS. They will write music based on JSS's vocal abilities and I'm thinking it will rock fairly hard. If that music garners airplay, then they can tour with more of the new music, and then incorporate some of the older catalog, splitting that between JSS and Deen.
It's going to be interesting to watch.

[squirt1]

Behshad= There was an interview and probably on JDK's website. It was by Neal and it was mentioned that SP wanted him to do a lower key and Neal said in the interview " I'm good,but I"m not that good." So who knows about Jeff in 5 yrs. I just know if Perry ever set foot on a stage with them again, I can't think of anyone I know ,that would give a damn and not empty their wallets regardless.

[Liquid_Drummer]

Neal said he was good but not that good ? BS ! Tune the whole guitar down and everything gets played in the same locations on the neck. Its nothing at all to do that. Same for bass and keyboards can be trasposed down so that everything is played on the exact same keys. It would be nothing. Def Leppard are doing it too. I just feel for these vocalist singing their heads off when they were younger and still having to try it when they are older. Age is a motherfucker ! I was gonna do some Journey tunes with my cover band but I just cant sing that shit with any consistancy. One practice it was on and the next I sounded like Johnny Cash with a cold. I think I have a very close range to JSS (im not near as seasoned or good as him) and I can sing some of the Journey songs too but night after night like that. The boy is gonna end up like Brian Johnson from AC/DC. Has anyone heard him recently ? Why does he even bother. I guess its the same reason people can sit and listen to drunk karaoke for hours. As long as they know the tunes they dont care what it sounds like. THat was a knock on Brian Johnson not JSS BTW.

Concerned citizens for JSS and his cords.

[Jeremey]

Halford still sounds okay but he just kinda stands there on stage and when he does move, he looks like a robot. Gotta love the Metal God!

Rob truly is unhuman. There are certain things he can do with his voice that are the sole result of being a freak of nature. Saw Priest live last summer for the first time, and it was the most amazing show I'd ever seen!! I know he had on nights and off nights, but luckily the one chance I'd ever had to see him, he was definitely on. Anyone who doubts that Rob Halford is at least a quarter alien need only watch the Priest Live concert from Dallas 1986 (rereleased as Electric Eye DVD), start watching about 20 minutes into the show, about the time that Love Bites or Some Heads Are Gonna Roll. It's fucking unbelievable. It is in my portable DVD player at least 2 hours before every Frontiers show.

And Rob doesn't move that much these days because he's taken to wearing 180 pound metal/leather waistcoats...WTF!

[conversationpc]

Age is a motherfucker ! I was gonna do some Journey tunes with my cover band but I just cant sing that shit with any consistancy. One practice it was on and the next I sounded like Johnny Cash with a cold.

Didn't Johnny Cash ALWAYS sound like he had a cold?

[mystichealer]

I hasten a guess that in 5 years time there will be no Journey. Just do not see them going on that much longer. Certainly not 5 years anyway. Sorry, but just my own opinion.

[AR]

I hasten a guess that in 5 years time there will be no Journey. Just do not see them going on that much longer. Certainly not 5 years anyway. Sorry, but just my own opinion.

Nothing wrong with that opinion. Sometimes people do not take into account - AGE. Those guys are not getting any younger.

I'm sure Jeff will be performing for much longer than that, but some of the rest of the guys will eventually want to get away from the road. Maybe release the occassional solo piece or something. Certainly I could see Neal doing that.

Just enjoy the ride. Each time a veteran band like Journey records a new piece of music or is willing to go out on another tour, I'm happy as hell. Never thought in the year 2007 I could still go see my favorite bands like Journey, Cheap Trick, Alice Cooper, Kiss, Styx, etc.

[Liquid_Drummer]

Geesh dont forget that Van Halen, The Police and even fucking Led Zep might be touring this summer ! I think they are all going broke !

[Red13JoePa]

I hasten a guess that in 5 years time there will be no Journey. Just do not see them going on that much longer. Certainly not 5 years anyway. Sorry, but just my own opinion.

Nothing wrong with that opinion. Sometimes people do not take into account - AGE. Those guys are not getting any younger.

It's an unpleasant fact I try to avoid b/c since getting Journey back in 1998 I've taken them for granted. But the truth is that while our lead signer is only 40, and Deen just over, Five years from now will see someone like Ross Valory in his 60s. And the Schon/Cain engine right on his heels.

[Deb]

Just enjoy the ride. Each time a veteran band like Journey records a new piece of music or is willing to go out on another tour, I'm happy as hell. Never thought in the year 2007 I could still go see my favorite bands like Journey, Cheap Trick, Alice Cooper, Kiss, Styx, etc.

Agree with ya there......and can't forget about Jovi.