Finally, a JRNY/JSS boot

[Big J]

Listening to Open Arms now. Jesus Christ....

BigJ, That is Deen Castronovo singing "Open Arms". He also does "Who's Cryin' Now".

I'm very aware of that. He does Faithfully too here. I just wish he'd put those sticks down and step out front, I really do.

Although even he was having a helluva time with the end of Faithfully...but hell, even Perry's said he always had to push to hit that note.

[Clasicrockldy]

When I got the setlist off of Torrent, it lists Deen as the singer for "Open Arms" and "Who's Cryin' Now".

[Big J]

You're listening to the Atlanta show right? 7/13?

[Andrew]

Wheel is just brutal. Ask the Lonely and Only the Young sounded rough. I actually liked what he did with Separate Ways, but if you cant hit the 'NOOOOOs' you ruin the song, and he can't.

I'm really digging this and you know why. Because it's a REAL live show. Warts and all, this is how rock n roll is.

Far too many times you buy a live album or DVD and it's pro-tooled or overdubbed to help make the band or singer sound better.
Now, I'm talking the music industry in general here....but it happens ALL the time and folks are so used to hearing a polished up version of whatever, they forget what a live performance is really all about.

Labels and mgmt won't even let a lot of their stars perform live cause they are scared shitless about them f-ing up. Ashless Simpsuds is an obvious example of where the playback didn't go right either...haha

But if folks are goign to sit around listening to bootlegs, you better get used to the flubs and screw-ups....that's what makes it so real.

LOVE IT!

[Clasicrockldy]

Yep I am.........

[Clasicrockldy]

I am looking at the Torrent setlist for this show. It doesn't say that Deen is doing Faithfully.

[Clasicrockldy]

Wheel is just brutal. Ask the Lonely and Only the Young sounded rough. I actually liked what he did with Separate Ways, but if you cant hit the 'NOOOOOs' you ruin the song, and he can't.

I'm really digging this and you know why. Because it's a REAL live show. Warts and all, this is how rock n roll is.

Far too many times you buy a live album or DVD and it's pro-tooled or overdubbed to help make the band or singer sound better.
Now, I'm talking the music industry in general here....but it happens ALL the time and folks are so used to hearing a polished up version of whatever, they forget what a live performance is really all about.

Labels and mgmt won't even let a lot of their stars perform live cause they are scared shitless about them f-ing up. Ashless Simpsuds is an obvious example of where the playback didn't go right either...haha

But if folks are goign to sit around listening to bootlegs, you better get used to the flubs and screw-ups....that's what makes it so real.

LOVE IT!

Great Post Oh Great Wombat !

[McNeil]

Wheel is just brutal. Ask the Lonely and Only the Young sounded rough. I actually liked what he did with Separate Ways, but if you cant hit the 'NOOOOOs' you ruin the song, and he can't.

I'm really digging this and you know why. Because it's a REAL live show. Warts and all, this is how rock n roll is.

Far too many times you buy a live album or DVD and it's pro-tooled or overdubbed to help make the band or singer sound better.
Now, I'm talking the music industry in general here....but it happens ALL the time and folks are so used to hearing a polished up version of whatever, they forget what a live performance is really all about.

Labels and mgmt won't even let a lot of their stars perform live cause they are scared shitless about them f-ing up. Ashless Simpsuds is an obvious example of where the playback didn't go right either...haha

But if folks are goign to sit around listening to bootlegs, you better get used to the flubs and screw-ups....that's what makes it so real.

LOVE IT!

Great Post Oh Great Wombat !

I dont agree Andrew !!!

Live doesnt have to mean dodgy vocal performances...a vocalist singing within his range, singing songs he has written , or someone else has written for him, should pull off a 95% good performance.... These songs are quite clearly not in his "comfort zone" .... the least the band can do is tune down a "semi tone" (er...down 1 fret on the guitar...for you "non muzo's) its amazing how that one notch down helps.. I know..Im a musician/singer too..also..one semi tone down will not unduly affect the sound "dynamics" of a song ...it will still sound "authentic"

for f**cks sake Schon and Co.. help the guy out...before he damages his own reputation...along with his voice !!!!

[swepett]

I've heard Jeff a lot. I've never heard him sound this bad.

Yup, I agree with that. I had big hopes for this but is quite disappointed after listening closely. But "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'" is cool! Have they done that much jamming with Augeri?

[swepett]

Then he mentioned by the time they recorded Trial By Fire he was an absolute pro at it.

He even felt so comfortable with it that he was the one wanting to use a click-track.

[joybringer1]

I'm really digging this and you know why. Because it's a REAL live show. Warts and all, this is how rock n roll is.

I know Jeff's your friend Andrew and it's admirable of you to want to defend him but anyone who's listened to any boot of Perry or early Augeri knows that this is not how a real live JOURNEY show sounds. This is not "warts and all", this is a singer gamely struggling to hit high notes God never intended him to. And running a serious risk of ruining his voice for good if he continues long-term.

[conversationpc]

I know Jeff's your friend Andrew and it's admirable of you to want to defend him but anyone who's listened to any boot of Perry or early Augeri knows that this is not how a real live JOURNEY show sounds. This is not "warts and all", this is a singer gamely struggling to hit high notes God never intended him to. And running a serious risk of ruining his voice for good if he continues long-term.

I agree. Jeff's a great singer and he's one of my favorites but if he continues doing this much longer, and considering he's now in his 40s, he's going to end up doing the same kind of thing to his voice that Augeri did. Hopefully, it's not permanent for Augeri but Soto is a younger guy and has other avenues available to him.

[Andrew]

Neil - bit harsh mate...people are very quick to judge after just a handful of shows.

Joybringer - yep, Jeff is a mate, but that perhaps gives me some understanding of what he's going through.

I have an insight into what he's been doing. Jeff doesn't need me or anyone else to defend him, as his overall performance at the end of the tour will say it all.

I saw him drop 6 shows in 8 days and he didn’t drop a note. By the end of this tour I don’t imagine there being any doubters

But - I know for a fact that Jeff has been working day in and day out since FEBRUARY!
He wasn’t sitting at home waiting for a phone call. He was given drop of the hat notice to join a tour that has dates scheduled until October!

He had already been working flat out both in the studio and live. Jeff has been singing with Boogie Nights each and every weekend, working flat out in the studio on his new solo material (which will really turn some heads!!), various vocal sessions which he is a sought after talent in LA and on top of that Jeff just completed work on the brand new Talisman studio album.
That’s one hell of a work load, now Journey!

What I’m saying here is that with no real break for several months, the vocal acrobatics required by Journey are really going to be hard work.

Take a look at the tour schedule….there is a 2 week break August 1. Watch a rejuvenated Jeff emerge from that well deserved break!
In the meantime, soak up some of the amazing energy the guy gives off on stage.

[ohsherrie]

I can't listen to these because I'm on dialup and it just takes too damn long to download, so I'm having to go by what the posters whose opinions I respect have to say. If it's really that rough on Jeff I feel really bad for him. I had high hopes.

I don't see what would be so wrong with bringing the songs down into a key that he would be comfortable with to get through this tour and then writing some new killer stuff so that he could show what he really can do on a new cd and tour. If that's not their plan though, I guess it may be time for a Journey/Perry reunion and retirement show.

I just don't want Journey to go on struggling like this and killing singers' voices.

[finalfight]

I can't listen to these because I'm on dialup and it just takes too damn long to download...

Does that mean you are in the UK? If so send me a pm with your name and address and I will send you a copy of the concert by post tomorrow.

[Barb]

AMEN. I've listened to this a couple of more times and have deleted it. I can't take it!

I know Jeff's your friend Andrew and it's admirable of you to want to defend him but anyone who's listened to any boot of Perry or early Augeri knows that this is not how a real live JOURNEY show sounds. This is not "warts and all", this is a singer gamely struggling to hit high notes God never intended him to. And running a serious risk of ruining his voice for good if he continues long-term.

[conversationpc]

Take a look at the tour schedule….there is a 2 week break August 1. Watch a rejuvenated Jeff emerge from that well deserved break!
In the meantime, soak up some of the amazing energy the guy gives off on stage.

I'm very skeptical that the two weeks off is going to help much but we'll see.

[Andrew]

I'm very skeptical that the two weeks off is going to help much but we'll see.

2 weeks off this site would sure do me some good....haha....

[conversationpc]

I'm very skeptical that the two weeks off is going to help much but we'll see.

2 weeks off this site would sure do me some good....haha....

No doubt...Of course, you may not want to come back, either.

[ohsherrie]

I can't listen to these because I'm on dialup and it just takes too damn long to download...

Does that mean you are in the UK? If so send me a pm with your name and address and I will send you a copy of the concert by post tomorrow.

Thanks finalfight, I appreciate the offer but I'm in very rural Virginia and out of range of any highspeed connections.

[*Laura]

Just finished listening to the boot for the second time. The first time I listened to Journey as a band; the second time I focused on Jeff’s performance.

The band’s sound is good and I could definitely sense a new energy.They have drive and they rock,plus I am sure that the real thing is awesome...
I mean being in the audience sure is a fantastic experience.

BUT…there is something missing,something that the high standard performance cannot mask.It’s that certain Journey characteristic.
Of course,it has to do with the vocal change and by comparison,I realize that Augeri managed to preserve the Journey-esque sound which is related to Perry.

I am not saying that Jeff isn’t good,on the contrary,he is a powerful,skilled vocalist and he has everything a singer needs,but I can’t match him with Journey.
Obviously,as some here already said, the classic Journey songs were not tailored for his kind of voice.Sure,he can sing them,but he can’t capture their essence.More, if JSS is set to be the permanent lead singer, I am afraid it won’t be long until he will burn out his voice.

I can agree that with JSS the tour was saved from cancellation, but IMO,after all this is over,Journey has to put on their thinking caps and seriously ponder about their lead singer problem.Because I think they have a problem.

That's just my opinion,based on what Journey sounds and means to me.

[Lula]

I have to agree with Andrew on this. Though it is pretty rough with some spots more than others, overall I am glad Jeff is singing- really singing. I will be at the Vegas show which comes after their short break and then a few shows to follow. I'm confident I will enjoy the shows and Jeff will once again impress me.

[Moon Beam]

I'm really digging this and you know why. Because it's a REAL live show. Warts and all, this is how rock n roll is.

Far too many times you buy a live album or DVD and it's pro-tooled or overdubbed to help make the band or singer sound better.
Now, I'm talking the music industry in general here....but it happens ALL the time and folks are so used to hearing a polished up version of whatever, they forget what a live performance is really all about.

Labels and mgmt won't even let a lot of their stars perform live cause they are scared shitless about them f-ing up. Ashless Simpsuds is an obvious example of where the playback didn't go right either...haha

But if folks are goign to sit around listening to bootlegs, you better get used to the flubs and screw-ups....that's what makes it so real.

LOVE IT!

I love all the rawness of a live performance that's why I adore concerts so much.
I would much rather see a show with a few bumps than a perfectly polished one.
When they goof up like JSS did in "Lights" it makes me feel like they are human and not
perfect packaged performers.
Just my opinion of coarse.

[iLex]

Being Jeff's good friend and webmaster for his media section I've been following this whole Journey-thing with him from day 1. More than anyone else I'm very much aware of Jeff's capabilities and I don't think the Atlanta bootleg is doing him any justice!
I think you all should know that Jeff's been singing EVERY week for the past 5-6 months with 'Boogie Knights' on the weekends, then blowing out his voice with sessions, the forthcoming Talisman album & his new solo stuff... and then Journey flew him over to stand in for Augeri who got ill!
Although concert reviews are great, the 2 weeks of recharge he gets at the end of this month will make him go on even stronger!... wait and see!

[conversationpc]

Being Jeff's good friend and webmaster for his media section I've been following this whole Journey-thing with him from day 1. More than anyone else I'm very much aware of Jeff's capabilities and I don't think the Atlanta bootleg is doing him any justice!
I think you all should know that Jeff's been singing EVERY week for the past 5-6 months with 'Boogie Knights' on the weekends, then blowing out his voice with sessions, the forthcoming Talisman album & his new solo stuff... and then Journey flew him over to stand in for Augeri who got ill!
Although concert reviews are great, the 2 weeks of recharge he gets at the end of this month will make him go on even stronger!... wait and see!

Gahhhh!!! Enough with this quote already. This is the 4th thread you've posted it in.

[brywool]

It might be live, but it's live SH*T.
So then Augeri should've just gone out and done the shows with his trashed voice. It would've sound better than the Atlanta boot. YIKES. Of course, then everyone would've railed on him for sounding crappy.
Somebody else brought up a good point- Jeff needs to think of his own reputation. This will damage him in the states where he already has an uphill climb.

[The Fly]

Being Jeff's good friend and webmaster for his media section I've been following this whole Journey-thing with him from day 1. More than anyone else I'm very much aware of Jeff's capabilities and I don't think the Atlanta bootleg is doing him any justice!
I think you all should know that Jeff's been singing EVERY week for the past 5-6 months with 'Boogie Knights' on the weekends, then blowing out his voice with sessions, the forthcoming Talisman album & his new solo stuff... and then Journey flew him over to stand in for Augeri who got ill!
Although concert reviews are great, the 2 weeks of recharge he gets at the end of this month will make him go on even stronger!... wait and see!

Great move!! Bring in a guy with a blown out voice (you said it) to replace a guy with a blown out voice. He doesn't sound like "Journey" and this is a bad fit. Sorry.

[jrnyman28]

I don't see what would be so wrong with bringing the songs down into a key that he would be comfortable with to get through this tour and then writing some new killer stuff so that he could show what he really can do on a new cd and tour.

They coulda/shoulda done that for Steve, too! Apparantly that is not the way "Journey" works.

[ohsherrie]

I don't see what would be so wrong with bringing the songs down into a key that he would be comfortable with to get through this tour and then writing some new killer stuff so that he could show what he really can do on a new cd and tour.

They coulda/shoulda done that for Steve, too! Apparantly that is not the way "Journey" works.

They've got a better chance of making it work this time though. They've got an opportunity to give the band a new identity and sound. Trying to stick to a sound that was basically established around Perry's vocal sound without him just didn't work.
It was seen as an impersonation. Yes, I know that Journey was more than Perry, but it's identity was built around Perry's sound and labels, radio, promoters, etc, want Perry along with the sound. They need to establish the JSS Journey sound.

[AR]

Boston might be harder just because Brad Delp's voice was so weird...but this is an incredibly tough job.

And Brad Delp gets a lot of help from Fran Cosmo. They sound much better as a live act now because of it. They can now almost replicate the double tracked vocals of the studio albums.