A BAD REVIEW AT BRISTOW 7/7/06

[Todd H]

Hi. First time poster, long time reader.

I'm pretty excited about Soto taking over vocal duties. I think he would bring a fresh voice to the band, as well as impressive song writing ability. If I could get an album of songs similar to this from Journey...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwZJ5HgcLss&search=jeff%20scott%20soto, I'll be extremely happy.

[cetera]

Explain to me "over singing". Is it like, too many licks or something?

It's what Bill Champlin does these days with Chicago.....

[conversationpc]

On Mercury- Mercury was a GREAT singer ON RECORD. Live is another story. Rent the Wembley DVD. He's so flat that it's unbelievable. Every concert recording I've heard with Freddie, he had terrible pitch. I woudn't say he over sang live, I'd say that he pushed his voice too hard and because of doing that and forcing too much air through his chords, that his pitch went wonky. I love Queen and Freddie, but live, the guy wasn't very good. On albums, he'd use a lot of falsetto parts that were very quietly sung and doable in a studio. Once you get behind a rock band on stage in front of 50,000, those notes get a hell of a lot tougher to accomplish.

I agree on the later live recordings from Queen, Mercury definitely cut a lot of corners and missed some notes otherwise. Can't argue with that. I've heard some earlier, unreleased live stuff, though, where he sounds incredible.

[ohsherrie]

That's what I'm hoping for EightyRock. I want Soto to help Journey retire with dignity rather than as a struggling nostalgia act. Perry's reputation as one of the best is still in tact, I would like to see Journey elevated back to that status.

Why do you want them to retire? I hope they rock into their 70's.

Perry wouldn't elevate anything except their blood pressure.

It's not that I want them to retire. It's that I want them to retire with dignity whenever they do. I didn't say I wanted Perry back with them, in fact I've said several times that I don't. I wish his health problems had never happened and he was still with them, they would never have sunken as low as they did if he was (IMO) but I don't want him to come back to them now.

[ohsherrie]

Now, this stuff that "divas" like Mariah Carey do, THAT is oversinging to me. Actually, I like how Neal Boortz refers to it..."Urban Yodeling"

That would be my definition of oversinging. I hate that crap.

[conversationpc]

That would be my definition of oversinging. I hate that crap.

Especially when they do it to the national anthem. Talk about butchering a song! Yeesh!

[JrnySuxBalls]

Explain to me "over singing". Is it like, too many licks or something?

It's what Bill Champlin does these days with Chicago.....

Okay. It never struck me as such on the Soul Sirkus CD, but hey everybody hears things differently.

One could argue that Neal plays too fast, while another could call it playing "fiery".

[whocares]

what's really fucked up is people won't stop bringing up that SOME people only want to compare everyone to Perry. In effect those people bringing it up are the ones who won't let it die.

[ohsherrie]

That would be my definition of oversinging. I hate that crap.

Especially when they do it to the national anthem. Talk about butchering a song! Yeesh!

They make me cringe. It makes you wonder if they really can sing or if they're covering their lack of real talent with "yodeling".

[daltonsdad]

First off you don't have to buy it, it's free and it's not for sale. I was in row one on the lawn directly off from the stage with both a great view and focal point. I too would love to hear a boot from the show to see if maybe I was being a bit too critical or not. As far as kool aid, nope sorry! Don't follow the crowd! The Bad review was just a rersonse to a title I saw on here which said, Bristow a Good Review.

Over singing is just that over singing. The vocal acrobat description is dead on. I would also state that this was much less an issue as the songs went on. Whether the obvious "fade" which was done at the mixing board eliminated it or whether the "Rush" of nerves subsided, the effort improved as the night went on. However, it was still just bad! LIve singing is very hard and doing it wham, without much practice is even harder. I would guess this practice has been happening over recent days though. This was not a spur of the moment deal!

I like the band and have since Infinity, probably long before many. I wore the grooves out on that album, yes Album! In addition, if Neil wanted a singer like this, didn't he have one pre Perry? How many albums sold before Steve? Steve Perry's songwriting and singing help shape the band and make them a success. He is gone. Steve II sounded fine when I saw them but this offering was not up to par!

Think what you wish, I was simply offering a dissenting opinion to what appeared to be either seating placement, tone deafedness, inroxication, or Journey Kool Aid drinkers. THose who follow mindlessly and would write a GREAT review whether or not they sucked!

I am not saying fire Soto, I am just saying control his range. Why try and duplicate someone else, afetr all he is an artist! Create a greta sound, but ease up on the high pitch because that is not in range for this guy! I wish him well and you all enjoyment from the show!

If you get a boot, please send me an email. I would like to hear one for myself! Thanks!

[Saint John]

According to MR ticket sales have really jumped since Soto signed on. One man's opinion can't hide the facts. People are at least interested in giving the guy a chance. And so far, the reviews have ALL been stellar, at least by people who know what they're talking about. I'll be there July 19th and I have great expectations.

[whocares]

just because one person has stepped up and said his opinion, doesn't mean he doesn't (completely) know what he's talking about.

[i]

And so far, the reviews have ALL been stellar, at least by people who know what they're talking about.

hmmm... seems to me that all of the Augeri shows got "stellar" reviews, too, by many people. I'll wait to hear a boot to judge for myself.

I will say, we have to at least give him a few shows to get his groove. No matter how long they planned this, he still had to face the crowd for the first time. I'll be interested to hear if he'll mold things a bit his way, or follow the formula... After all, he is just "filling in"

[TRAGChick]

Now, this stuff that "divas" like Mariah Carey do, THAT is oversinging to me. Actually, I like how Neal Boortz refers to it..."Urban Yodeling"

That would be my definition of oversinging. I hate that crap.

Case in point: Whitney Houston:

"Ih-ih-ih-iiiiiiiffffffff IIIIIII-eye-eye-eye...........shoooo-hooooooooould........stay-ay..........I would ooooooooohhhnleeeee be innnnnnnn....your waaaaaaaaayyyy-ay-ee-ee-ee-ee....."

Good Lord.......SHUT UP ALREADY!!

[daltonsdad]

According to MR ticket sales have really jumped since Soto signed on. One man's opinion can't hide the facts. People are at least interested in giving the guy a chance. And so far, the reviews have ALL been stellar, at least by people who know what they're talking about. I'll be there July 19th and I have great expectations.

Man, I gave the guy a chance. I didn't like it that's all. I didn't leave, I listened, INTENTLY! I hope it was just first show "live" jitters, otherwise this is the beginning of the end!

JSS does sound great on the video link, hoever he is not trying high pitched squalls like he was at the show! He is staying in his range and he is in the studio. He does have a good voice, but I am not sure it is the right fit! Although, Mr Schon makes the decision who fits and I respect that! You listen and see it yourself. I hope he does well for your sake. I personally am very anxious to hear a boot!

[NealIsGod]

Case in point: Whitney Houston:

"Ih-ih-ih-iiiiiiiffffffff IIIIIII-eye-eye-eye...........shoooo-hooooooooould........stay-ay..........I would ooooooooohhhnleeeee be innnnnnnn....your waaaaaaaaayyyy-ay-ee-ee-ee-ee....."

Good Lord.......SHUT UP ALREADY!!

Bobby Brown is helping to take care of that, sadly.

[i]

Good Lord.......SHUT UP ALREADY!!

Lol, must say I've said that a few times to Celine Dion..

[Saint John]

According to MR ticket sales have really jumped since Soto signed on. One man's opinion can't hide the facts. People are at least interested in giving the guy a chance. And so far, the reviews have ALL been stellar, at least by people who know what they're talking about. I'll be there July 19th and I have great expectations.

Man, I gave the guy a chance. I didn't like it that's all. I didn't leave, I listened, INTENTLY! I hope it was just first show "live" jitters, otherwise this is the beginning of the end!

JSS does sound great on the video link, hoever he is not trying high pitched squalls like he was at the show! He is staying in his range and he is in the studio. He does have a good voice, but I am not sure it is the right fit! Although, Mr Schon makes the decision who fits and I respect that! You listen and see it yourself. I hope he does well for your sake. I personally am very anxious to hear a boot!

I respect your opinion. Remember, he only has 2 shows under his belt. I'm sure he'll find out what works and sounds best. I know he's listening to the songs after the concert. Heck, maybe he did have an off night. My guess is that he will improve from show to show.

[JrnySuxBalls]

Maybe JSS made off with the blonde....

[Eric]

1) Ohsherrie....Journey is not exactly limping around. Have you seen the crowds the last couple of years? And even if they don't sell well they are still putting out new music that even you said has some worth. I mean, you talk about Journey as if they are an REO or a Kansas or Starship or Lou Gramm or something along those lines. They have done better each year it seems with attendance.

2) Cetera - Chicago without Cetera is so much better it aint even funny. I've heard nobody oversinging at Chicago shows.

3) This bad review seems fair except there are too many Perry references and too many alcohol references. Drinking is not a bad thing, and Perry has nuttin to do with this.

[daltonsdad]

Maybe JSS made off with the blonde....

Nope! That I know didn't happen for certain! LOL!

[daltonsdad]

1) Ohsherrie....Journey is not exactly limping around. Have you seen the crowds the last couple of years? And even if they don't sell well they are still putting out new music that even you said has some worth. I mean, you talk about Journey as if they are an REO or a Kansas or Starship or Lou Gramm or something along those lines. They have done better each year it seems with attendance.

2) Cetera - Chicago without Cetera is so much better it aint even funny. I've heard nobody oversinging at Chicago shows.

3) This bad review seems fair except there are too many Perry references and too many alcohol references. Drinking is not a bad thing, and Perry has nuttin to do with this.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with slinging a few back, however it impairs the judgement. That's all I am saying. Ever go to a local bar and think the guy sounds like Billy Joel? Then ya come back the next night with friends and get there after he starts and you are straight? I have thought many people sound good, but that was after a number of Tequila shots. Hell anyone sounds good when your trashed!

I am not trying to slander the poor guy, he did admirably for jumping into this thing BAM! I just stated my opinion and regurgitated the comments I ingested. The drunk people were clearly either fighting or dancing around! The music was great! I still enjoyed myself s I had the person I care about most in the world with me and that makes it all good.

[FormerJrnyFan]

I'm forced to believe the good reviews, since I feel so positive about JSS joining Journey.

And, you know what they say about opinions

[The_Noble_Cause]

From everything I've read and heard, Soto seems like a vocalist who is very aware of his range and what he's capable of doing with it.
I can't fathom JSS throwing himself into stratospheric high notes all willy nilly.
Maybe Soto is just approaching the songs in a different way and you're not accustomed to hearing them like that?
Or maybe you're right and he's out of his depth.
Need to catch a show for myself.

Perry tackled singing "Open Arms" in a different manner during FTLOSM. At first its jarring, but the more you hear it, the more you realize its not bad, just a different vocal approach.

[i]

Perry tackled singing "Open Arms" in a different manner during FTLOSM. At first its jarring, but the more you hear it, the more you realize its not bad, just a different vocal approach.

Never heard Open Arms from his solo tour (maybe for good reason, ie he dropped it, lol)
Where did you see him?

[ohsherrie]

Need to catch a show for myself.

Please do, and let us know what you really think.

[odessa]

I’m not sure if the poster is a hardcore Perry supporter because if he were, he probably would not have (originally) bought tickets to see Augeri singing with Journey. He’s probably only comparing JSS singing to Perry because he knows Augeri may not be coming back and now thinks the alternative is Perry.

I like JSS. I feel he does justice to the songs Perry helped write. I feel he is a good choice and compliments the Journey legacy- for this new era. If they continue after the tour with JSS, I have no issues. The controversy from before will have died. The band can now move on, with support of those that love Journey (unconditionally) and those that are fans of JSS. Perhaps the band may acquire some new fans who like the combination.

Perry did not sound like Rolie. Thankfully, JSS does not sound like Perry. They are all separate entities. They deserve to have their individual legacies, time (and sounds) preserved properly in history-without confusion or controversy. It’s not a competition of sound alikes and should never have been one. That is what is causing problems with people. If there had been a clean break by the band before (with a new sound and no confusion) or if Journey ended in 98, there would be no real issues. It seems people got spoiled and don't want to give up on the old singing sound that should have ended in 98. I really get a kick out of reading the comments like: “I don’t want So and So in the band, but I want someone who *sounds* like him” So basically what they are saying is: “I want a nice friendly clone...” Journey should not be about clones, it should be exactly what the name implies...JOURNEY...continued change through time.

We have DVD’s and (soon) re-mastered material that will allow fans to relive the old days. These are new times and we must adjust with those times. We can’t continue to dwell (or live) in the past. We must also remember that (naturally) people will not sound as they did 25 years ago. These are men, not machines! Their voices change with time and age. JSS is unique (just like the other two vocalist) and deserves to be treated that way. He is a good singer.

I don’t know what the situation (or future) holds for Augeri and Journey, but Perry is not coming back. People can wish all they want that he will, but I am telling you now, he won’t be. He is going in a different/new direction... when the time is right.

[Eric]

I hear ya DaltonsDad.....I've had too much at shows and seen people have too much at shows

[Andrew]

I have seen Soto 11 times live and he hasn't oversng a note. Perhaps I was just lucky on these occasions!

I'll go with the 478 other positive reviews

[NealIsGod]

I have seen Soto 11 times live and he hasn't oversng a note. Perhaps I was just lucky on these occasions!

I'll go with the 478 other positive reviews

That's funny, Deano said he was deleting the blog.