Augeri - Higher Place

[AR]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08kadoxYBYY

I net The_Noble_Cause at this show. Good guy.

Say what you want about Steve, but the casino went nuts when the show started. Fun show!

Arrival Rules.........

[belar]

Hi Ed. Thought I'd come over here and check out your return.

Gotta love Augeri.

[AR]

Hi Ed. Thought I'd come over here and check out your return.

Gotta love Augeri.

Good to see a friendly face Belar.

So far it's all been great.

[Christopher]

Great to see him back out there. You won't meet a classier or more genuine guy. He'll talk your ear off on just about anything BUT Journey and himself. In fact, he's more interested in you. Can't say enough nice things about Augeri.

Arrival DOES indeed rule. The greatest Journey album no one's ever heard.

[scarab]

its sad once again neal couldnt wait a year or so for someone to heal
Love Augeri

miss him

[steveo777]

its sad once again neal couldnt wait a year or so for someone to heal
Love Augeri

miss him

It wouldn't have mattered. He has never recovered to the point of being able to tour the Journey catalog.
Something in his voice was lost and unfortunately, he just wouldn't be able to do it. As much as I love
Augeri, the band is doing better without him these days.

[Don]

its sad once again neal couldnt wait a year or so for someone to heal
Love Augeri

miss him

It wouldn't have mattered. He has never recovered to the point of being able to tour the Journey catalog.
Something in his voice was lost and unfortunately, he just wouldn't be able to do it. As much as I love
Augeri, the band is doing better without him these days.

It depends on how you look at it. Glee still would have brought renewed fame to the band. Wal-Mart still would have happened. The only thing missing would be the things not music related, like attracting a specific ethnic fan base and having a sob story to pedal around to everyone. Like I said, things not related specifically to music.
Without those things in play this year, the field has leveled and now Arnel gets to feel what it's like to have a record that won't sell on it's own merits, despite it being a good effort overall. There's a reason the band didn't trumpet Eclipse's #13 Debut on its own website. They had much higher expectations.

In hindsight, waiting a year for Augeri may very well have had the band touring in 2010, the biggest year of free promotion for Journey since Perry was in the band.
There is a reason that the 2001 DVD went platinum while Arrival floundered. Hits, hits, hits. Put DSB, Faithfully, Open Arms, etc. on any type of media and if the band is named Journey it will probably do alright, no matter who is the singer.

Still, it's all water under the bridge now.

[george_g]

its sad once again neal couldnt wait a year or so for someone to heal
Love Augeri

miss him

It wouldn't have mattered. He has never recovered to the point of being able to tour the Journey catalog.
Something in his voice was lost and unfortunately, he just wouldn't be able to do it. As much as I love
Augeri, the band is doing better without him these days.

It depends on how you look at it. Glee still would have brought renewed fame to the band. Wal-Mart still would have happened. The only thing missing would be the things not music related, like attracting a specific ethnic fan base and having a sob story to pedal around to everyone. Like I said, things not related specifically to music.
Without those things in play this year, the field has leveled and now Arnel gets to feel what it's like to have a record that won't sell on it's own merits, despite it being a good effort overall. There's a reason the band didn't trumpet Eclipse's #13 Debut on its own website. They had much higher expectations.


Waiting a year for Augeri may very well have had the band touring in 2010, the biggest year of free promotion for Journey since Perry was in the band.
There is a reason that the 2001 DVD went platinum while Arrival floundered. Hits, hits, hits. Put DSB, Faithfully, Open Arms,etc. on some type of media and if the band is named Journey it will probably do alright, no matter who is the singer.

Hearing Revelation , even Eclipse ('someone') i got that feeling the songs were so fit for his voice...'like a sunshower', 'wildest dreams', 'change for the better'

It's also amazing how slowly but surely Arrival made it to fans favorite

[Don]

When Sony released Essential Journey later that year and it ended up going platinum, Journey must have been gutted. Don't promote the new lineup but go ahead and sink us with our own catalog.

[belar]

Great to see him back out there. You won't meet a classier or more genuine guy. He'll talk your ear off on just about anything BUT Journey and himself. In fact, he's more interested in you. Can't say enough nice things about Augeri.

Arrival DOES indeed rule. The greatest Journey album no one's ever heard.

Well said.

[Eric]

its sad once again neal couldnt wait a year or so for someone to heal
Love Augeri

miss him

Try 5 years for limited touring.

[Don]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08kadoxYBYY

I net The_Noble_Cause at this show. Good guy.

Say what you want about Steve, but the casino went nuts when the show started. Fun show!

Arrival Rules.........

If anything, it will rule Eclipse in sales at least.

I boarded very late when it came to the Arrival train but I like it a lot. I hear a singer who, to my ears at least doesn't sound like Perry and it's like I'm listening to another band. It's a well done album that taken for what it is, as a contemporary adult rock record delivers the goods. I have to admit, I like more songs on Eclipse but the songs I dig on Arrival, I really, really enjoy and can play on repeat without getting bored after the first two or three listens. LBY, WYL, and KMS are just that pleasant to listen to.

All that said, my favorite Augeri tune has become WAFTE. I dont know why but that song just hits me right in the chest every time I listen to it.

[Maui Tom]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08kadoxYBYY

I net The_Noble_Cause at this show. Good guy.

Say what you want about Steve, but the casino went nuts when the show started. Fun show!

Arrival Rules.........

If anything, it will rule Eclipse in sales at least.

I boarded very late when it came to the Arrival train but I like it a lot. I hear a singer who, to my ears at least doesn't sound like Perry and it's like I'm listening to another band. It's a well done album that taken for what it is, as a contemporary adult rock record delivers the goods. I have to admit, I like more songs on Eclipse but the songs I dig on Arrival, I really, really enjoy and can play on repeat without getting bored after the first two or three listens. LBY, WYL, and KMS are just that pleasant to listen to.

All that said, my favorite Augeri tune has become WAFTE. I dont know why but that song just hits me right in the chest every time I listen to it.

WAFTE...agreed....

[Greg]

I second, third, and fourth Arrival! It really does rule!

[The_Noble_Cause]

The Blades/Schon compositions on Arrival (Higher Place, World Gone Wild, I Got a Reason) and on other albums (Remember Me, Never Too Late) are some of the best stuff the band has ever done - in any era. Why they never collaborated with him again is baffling.

[Lerxst101]

I loved SA in the band, but his voice just couldn't handle the catalogue -- even pretty early on at the shows I saw. To me, one of his best shows was that first one at the Beacon. As the band toured with him, it became obvious that something was up -- so many people wrote reviews of his vocals being buried in the mix (myself included). The one other time I thought he really was at the top of his game was at an Atlantic City show (the one with the awesome Santana-like jam). But thereafter, "cringing moments" became more and more common.

But aside from that, what I'm happiest about this post, is the fact that it reminds me that Arrival is, to me, one of their best albums. I thought it had a shot, as it was placed in many racks right next to Springsteen's new one (I think they were released the same day. I picked up both and assumed others would as well. But that didn't happen for so many reasons.
That CD especially deserves (not past tense) better sales numbers and airplay. Higher Place is one of my favorite songs from this band, and to me, Jack Blades' contribution must have been significant. Neal and Jon can't seem to write many classics one their own. I really think that's what I miss most about the post-Perry Journey. While the musicianship has never been better, I think the songwriting has suffered. Granted, I love Eclipse, but as others have written (and Kevin Shirley tried to press upon them), the songs needed to be cleaned up. It seems that Neal thinks 5+ minute songs means great rock. But as Rush themselves recognized, it's more challenging to write an interesting 3:30-4:30 minute song, so don't belittle shorter pieces. I'd love someone to step in and edit down the Eclipse cuts. I've thought about loading a few of the songs into Logic to edit them, but I just haven't had the time (or the skill....). Someone could likely do a good job in Garageband, too.... But I digress.

Thanks again for putting Arrival back on my radar.

[The_Noble_Cause]

and to me, Jack Blades' contribution must have been significant. Neal and Jon can't seem to write many classics one their own. I really think that's what I miss most about the post-Perry Journey. While the musicianship has never been better, I think the songwriting has suffered.

I think "Revelation" had alot of strong classic-sounding Journey choruses, but I agree that Blades added that certain missing X-factor since Perry left. On "Eclipse", the track "Someone" sounds like an Arrival cut. Great tune.

[Saint John]

Arrival and TBF suffer from the same thing ... tremendous musicianship that lacks the voice to make them soar. Arrival is a little better vocally and TBF a little better musically, but neither has enough vocal prowess to make them upper echelon records like Frontiers and Escape. Arrival is better, overall, because it doesn't have that unipolar depressed feel to the back end of it like TBF.

[Eric]

The Blades/Schon compositions on Arrival (Higher Place, World Gone Wild, I Got a Reason) and on other albums (Remember Me, Never Too Late) are some of the best stuff the band has ever done - in any era. Why they never collaborated with him again is baffling.

BAM!

[Greg]

Arrival and TBF suffer from the same thing ... tremendous musicianship that lacks the voice to make them soar. Arrival is a little better vocally and TBF a little better musically, but neither has enough vocal prowess to make them upper echelon records like Frontiers and Escape. Arrival is better, overall, because it doesn't have that unipolar depressed feel to the back end of it like TBF.

I don't get that at all when I listen to Trial By Fire. Not every album has to have "soaring" vocals that reach hard to hit notes to be beautifully sung and preformed. There is so much more about the musical voice than reaching high notes.

[Saint John]

Arrival and TBF suffer from the same thing ... tremendous musicianship that lacks the voice to make them soar. Arrival is a little better vocally and TBF a little better musically, but neither has enough vocal prowess to make them upper echelon records like Frontiers and Escape. Arrival is better, overall, because it doesn't have that unipolar depressed feel to the back end of it like TBF.

I don't get that at all when I listen to Trial By Fire. Not every album has to have "soaring" vocals that reach hard to hit notes to be beautifully sung and preformed. There is so much more about the musical voice than reaching high notes.

I agree with you about the high notes. Hell, I don't like any Journey album as a whole prior to Escape, when SP started to finally sound like a male. But TBF is just lifeless on any songs other than the ballads. Just no oomph to the rockers. They stay grounded with lifeless, hollow vocals that showcase a burned out voice. The ballads like WYLAW and IHSBYH are great, though. MOL, OM and ICSIIYE are just poor vocals that sound like the product of a Kim Carnes and Benny Mardones love child.

[george_g]

Arrival and TBF suffer from the same thing ... tremendous musicianship that lacks the voice to make them soar. Arrival is a little better vocally and TBF a little better musically, but neither has enough vocal prowess to make them upper echelon records like Frontiers and Escape. Arrival is better, overall, because it doesn't have that unipolar depressed feel to the back end of it like TBF.

TBF gives this depression feeling at times , this is correct however of course it has soaring vocals! Perry's performance is very strong , in fact the raspy edge to his voice gives en extra character to some of the songs. The same i enjoyed in FTLOSM, and in 'I stand alone' . He sounded in good shape at the time, older but he could deliver big time. Later on i don't know what happened. Augeri did a fine job in Arrival too, he was reminiscent of Perry all over the album but at the same time the songs were his. Arrival sounded a bit more fresh than TBF , which was nice. I still cannot compare them one vs the other , and maybe it doesn't make too much sense...

[NoMoreTails]

Arrival and TBF suffer from the same thing ... tremendous musicianship that lacks the voice to make them soar. Arrival is a little better vocally and TBF a little better musically, but neither has enough vocal prowess to make them upper echelon records like Frontiers and Escape. Arrival is better, overall, because it doesn't have that unipolar depressed feel to the back end of it like TBF.

I don't get that at all when I listen to Trial By Fire. Not every album has to have "soaring" vocals that reach hard to hit notes to be beautifully sung and preformed. There is so much more about the musical voice than reaching high notes.

I agree with you about the high notes. Hell, I don't like any Journey album as a whole prior to Escape, when SP started to finally sound like a male. But TBF is just lifeless on any songs other than the ballads. Just no oomph to the rockers. They stay grounded with lifeless, hollow vocals that showcase a burned out voice. The ballads like WYLAW and IHSBYH are great, though. MOL, OM and ICSIIYE are just poor vocals that sound like the product of a Kim Carnes and Benny Mardones love child.

He was bound to hit puberty sooner or later...

[ForceInfinity]

I honestly couldn't come to grips with Arrival personally, and maybe its because it has too many songs I don't particularly care for. I think in a favored mix, I would probably have chopped out 3 or 4 songs that I don't particularly care for (All the things, Loved By You, With Your Love in particular)

There were many great songs, but had too many songs in it that I didn't care for

[The_Noble_Cause]

Arrival and TBF suffer from the same thing ... tremendous musicianship that lacks the voice to make them soar. Arrival is a little better vocally and TBF a little better musically, but neither has enough vocal prowess to make them upper echelon records like Frontiers and Escape. Arrival is better, overall, because it doesn't have that unipolar depressed feel to the back end of it like TBF.

On Red 13 and Generations, Augeri sounds like a soaring tenor. Not sure why he is soo muffled on "Arrival." In one of Drew's interviews, I think he said he sounded a bit like Rod Stewart. I like Perry's voice on TBF. To compensate for the lack of range and gruffness, he really overdoes it with the Cooke-isms and strange pronunciations.

[The_Noble_Cause]

There were many great songs, but had too many songs in it that I didn't care for

Just too much. Same with TBF.

[Greg]

I do think what hurts Arrival is the fact that there are too many songs on it. I've always felt that an album with ten songs is about right. With ten songs, you know you should be getting the ten best the band has written. Even if an album has 15 awesome songs on it, too much of a good thing can be negative in my opinion. It's kind of like eating your favorite food. Just the right portion satisfies you but leaves you wanting more, too much will give you an upset stomach. I've always felt 10 songs on an album is plenty. With that said, if I had to choose to re-release Arrival again using any songs from the Augeri era, here is what I would come up with:

1. Higher Place
2. Remember Me
3. Place In Your Heart
4. All The Way
5. Signs of Life
6. World Gone Wild
7. To Be Alive Again
8. Never Too Late *
9. Walking Away From The Edge
10. Kiss me softly

Maybe a bonus of "Better Life" with Deen on lead vocals, but Never Too Late could be a toss up having Augeri on lead or leaving the song as a Deen song. I think if I only could pick 10 songs from the Augeri era, these would be the 10 songs that I can listen to straight through without skipping anything. In my opinion, that would have been a very strong Arrival album.

[NoMoreTails]

Arrival and TBF suffer from the same thing ... tremendous musicianship that lacks the voice to make them soar. Arrival is a little better vocally and TBF a little better musically, but neither has enough vocal prowess to make them upper echelon records like Frontiers and Escape. Arrival is better, overall, because it doesn't have that unipolar depressed feel to the back end of it like TBF.

On Red 13 and Generations, Augeri sounds like a soaring tenor. Not sure why he is soo muffled on "Arrival." In one of Drew's interviews, I think he said he sounded a bit like Rod Stewart. I like Perry's voice on TBF. To compensate for the lack of range and gruffness, he really overdoes it with the Cooke-isms and strange pronunciations.

I believe I once read that Kevin Shirley had them rehearse so much leading up to recording that his voice was blown out by the time sessions began.

[The_Noble_Cause]

I believe I once read that Kevin Shirley had them rehearse so much leading up to recording that his voice was blown out by the time sessions began.

The version I heard was that he blew a chord straining on "With Your Love." That was a problem during the SA years - the neverending excuses, show after show, nite after nite, - "it was the dry climate", "he had a cold", etc. etc. It all started to pile up and paint a not so pretty picture. At one point, Steve's bro posted on BT that Augeri can barely even speak after a show becuz his voice is so thrashed.

[The_Noble_Cause]

1. Higher Place
2. Remember Me
3. Place In Your Heart
4. All The Way
5. Signs of Life
6. World Gone Wild
7. To Be Alive Again
8. Never Too Late *
9. Walking Away From The Edge
10. Kiss me softly

I think WAFTE and KMS at the end, would close out the cd on a rather depressing note. Otherwise, that is a strong track listing. I always thought RM should be a bonus track, as it was already previously on the Armageddon soundtrack.