STEVE AUGERI RULES

[Tito]

one of my fav journey songs is "beyond the clouds". listen to it every time i fly. }=C)

You are aware the song was inspired by the aftermath of two 747s diving into skyscrapers, right?

[Luvsaugeri]

I will say no more!

Ok, well yes I will, but right now I have to dash out for dinner with a certain band

Steve had a lot to prove tonight in the UK and he started off nervously. But he delivered BIG TIME and more than I anticipated.

Very very proud of the man tonight. Terrific vocals.

More soon!

Do you want me to do an appreciation thread for him?

I do!!

[E5C4P3ING]

Ahh .... but why give people a chance to critique him against the master? Or Arnel? He should stay with Tall Stories songs.[/quote]

IMO Augeri is a much better performer than Pineda and a much better fit for Journey!

Maybe they should have allowed him the necessary time to heal before scrambling to find their current frontman!

[The_Noble_Cause]

IMO Augeri is a much better performer than Pineda and a much better fit for Journey!

Maybe they should have allowed him the necessary time to heal before scrambling to find their current frontman!

I prefer Augeri to Pineda, too.
That said, this is Pineda's first tour with the band and has already progressed as a showman by leaps and bounds.
I don't think Augeri hit his stride till Under the Radar tour in 2002.
Cut him a break.

[Saint John]

Once again, as with his JTTC performance, I'm hearing that Steve gave a solid performance, but nothing more. I think there's a warped mindset to some degree with certain people that Jon and Neal ripped his vocal chords out and people are awestruck at the mere fact that the guy can sing at all!!! Again, I was told he was good, but not great. Apparently others feel differently. I'll reserve judgment until I hear a few clips, and I must say that I'm very excited to hear him sing again.

[bluejeangirl76]

I'll reserve judgment until I hear a few clips, and I must say that I'm very excited to hear him sing again.

I'm glad you added that because I'd been about to say "You weren't there bro, so just chill out and judge it for yourself when you get the chance to go see him."

I'm excited for him... I hope this year is the start of better things to come for him.

[Luvsaugeri]

I'll reserve judgment until I hear a few clips, and I must say that I'm very excited to hear him sing again.

I think 'good' vs. 'great' is a very subjective thing.

I'm glad you are going to wait to form your own opinion.

I thought he sounded great at JTTC.

[WykkedSensation]

People DO get carried away by the moment.
I was at Firefest, and went solely to see Augeri again. I would not have gone had Steve NOT been playing there.

My verdict...
Firstly, Tall Stories were always a very average band (imo), and they still are. I heard nothing to excite me all those yrs ago with the debut, then the 5 demos, and yesterday was still the same. The songs are just not exciting enough.
Steve Augeri sounded ok, and thats about it, he was ok. Nothing spectacular, and (imo) the audience were nowhere near as loud during or at the end of Tall Stories performance than they had been for the previous bands, and bands that followed. There were far superior performances (vocally, and bandwise) throughout the day. Good to see him on the stage again though.

[Enigma869]

IMO Augeri is a much better performer than Pineda and a much better fit for Journey!

I think Augeri was fine as a front man, but to say that he's a "much better fit for Journey" is absurd. Just so I don't get killed by Drew, and all the Wiggle Worshippers, let's just get it out of the way that Augeri is an exceptional human being, a nice guy, very sweet to everyone he meets, blah, blah, blah. I get all that, and even believe it all. Augeri has always struck me as a genuinely nice person.

That said, the dude couldn't sing the back catalog, period. I realize that Augeri worshippers don't agree, but my ears told me otherwise. I'm not a doctor so have no knowledge as to whether or not there is a correlation between Journey's challenging catalog, and Augeri blowing his voice out. Whether that is the case or not, Pineda is soooooooooo much more of a fit, when singing the back catalog, than Augeri EVER was! Pineda can hit notes that Augeri couldn't come close to, and I would assert that the material on "Revelation" sounds closer to the classic Journey sound than anything that was put out while Augeri was with the band. As much as I liked "Arrival", and still do, there was nothing on there that was as classic Journey as "Turn Down The World Tonight" or even "After All These Years".


John from Boston

[Jana]

John, I agree. I really loved a lot of the songs on Arrival. I'm not talking about performance on stage, because that's subjective for each person to like better or be more attached to a particular singer. But as far as the Steve Perry classic songs, Arnel's voice has so much more range and power, and is a much better fit to me also, especially when you listen to songs like Open Arms and Separate Ways. But having said that, some of my favorite songs were from the Steve Augeri period and I'm happy he's back and going strong and doing what he loves. Good for him.

[Onestepper]

People DO get carried away by the moment.
I was at Firefest, and went solely to see Augeri again. I would not have gone had Steve NOT been playing there.

My verdict...
Firstly, Tall Stories were always a very average band (imo), and they still are. I heard nothing to excite me all those yrs ago with the debut, then the 5 demos, and yesterday was still the same. The songs are just not exciting enough.
Steve Augeri sounded ok, and thats about it, he was ok. Nothing spectacular, and (imo) the audience were nowhere near as loud during or at the end of Tall Stories performance than they had been for the previous bands, and bands that followed. There were far superior performances (vocally, and bandwise) throughout the day. Good to see him on the stage again though.

I think part of it is objectivity versus just rooting for a guy. When I see people post about SA, it's almost like they have to go overboard to illustrate the fact that the guy is doing well. Maybe because he was so beaten up in the past, but it's like people are trying to will him to be this extraordinary singer. Sort of like if you say it enough times, it makes it true?

Ultimately he has his fans, and they will sing his praises until they drop dead..and good for them, I guess. What I am tired of is the whole 'he is such an amazing person"..therefore that makes him an amazing singer? Sorry, I've never bought into that, and I never will.

[Enigma869]

Do you want me to do an appreciation thread for him?

Please do. Just do it here www.journeymusic.com . They love that stuff over there, especially for past Journey singers


John from Boston

[lights1961]

Do you want me to do an appreciation thread for him?

Please do. Just do it here www.journeymusic.com . They love that stuff over there, especially for past Journey singers


John from Boston

I agree with John here.. appreciation threads get old.... on topic again...any word on when
new stuff will be released from Augeri or maybe any small tour this winter or spring.

[Gin and Tonic Sky]

I wasnt prepared to Judge Steve A on suitability for Journey last night or listen because he was once the lead singer of Journey. Interestingly I had the same attitude to the JSS set. both guys got new lives now, and what they're doing is more than worth supporting.

Its difficult to judge the reaction to Tall Stories through crowd reaction. Tall stories was set between WHite Sister and Danger Danger- goofy, loud , good ole scream your head off fun. Tall Stories was a little different quieter, refined, appreciate it and the man delivering it. The respective performances really demand a different reaction in order to show them proper respect.

[bluejeangirl76]

Do you want me to do an appreciation thread for him?

Please do. Just do it here www.journeymusic.com . They love that stuff over there, especially for past Journey singers


John from Boston

I agree with John here.. appreciation threads get old.... on topic again...

I believe the topic was "Steve Augeri Rules"... sounds like appeciation for the man is allowed here for the moment.

[brywool]

IMO Augeri is a much better performer than Pineda and a much better fit for Journey!

I think Augeri was fine as a front man, but to say that he's a "much better fit for Journey" is absurd. Just so I don't get killed by Drew, and all the Wiggle Worshippers, let's just get it out of the way that Augeri is an exceptional human being, a nice guy, very sweet to everyone he meets, blah, blah, blah. I get all that, and even believe it all. Augeri has always struck me as a genuinely nice person.

That said, the dude couldn't sing the back catalog, period. I realize that Augeri worshippers don't agree, but my ears told me otherwise. I'm not a doctor so have no knowledge as to whether or not there is a correlation between Journey's challenging catalog, and Augeri blowing his voice out. Whether that is the case or not, Pineda is soooooooooo much more of a fit, when singing the back catalog, than Augeri EVER was! Pineda can hit notes that Augeri couldn't come close to, and I would assert that the material on "Revelation" sounds closer to the classic Journey sound than anything that was put out while Augeri was with the band. As much as I liked "Arrival", and still do, there was nothing on there that was as classic Journey as "Turn Down The World Tonight" or even "After All These Years".


John from Boston

Well said, and I'm definitely in the Loves Augeri camp. Having said that, Arnel's voice has much more power than Augeri's in the range of Journey's songs. I loved the good songs from Arrival and Generations and I think Augeri on record was great. Live though, I saw him struggle a lot, especially with his pitch. From a mutual friend that was also working with Steve on his voice "That gig was always very hard on Steve". That definitely bared out. I also think that as a front guy, Augeri was too laid back for Journey. I prefer Arnel and Perry to him as a front guy for Journey.

I hope that Tall Stories does well. I think their first album was great. I played the Hell out of it, and I'd love to see the guy do well. But when comparing Journey tenors, for me, it's Perry, Arnel, Augeri. In that order.

It's odd because, had I not seen and heard Arnel with Journey, I wouldn't feel that Augeri was a bit underpar for Journey. It was only after I saw Arnel that I went "wow, that's what's missing".

I will support ANY and ALL releases by Augeri and Perry. It's great to hear that Augeri is getting back into the swing of things and that his throat problems seem to be over. I will say, that picture of him that's posted- looks like he's still not using his voice as he should be. Lots of strain going on there.

When's Tall Stories new one come out?
When's Perry's album coming out? (oh, never mind that last one)

[Gin and Tonic Sky]

great to hear that Augeri is getting back into the swing of things and that his throat problems seem to be over. I will say, that picture of him that's posted- looks like he's still not using his voice as he should be. Lots of strain going on there.

When's Tall Stories new one come out?
? (oh, never mind that last one)

No I think Augeri's physical appeearnce was down to the emotion he was feeling on stage. When he came by the venue Saturday pm, he was mobbed by well wishes all who wanted to say Glad your back, so good to see you. I think his hard core fans out there in the audience were pretty emotional too on Sunday when he took the stage . Im sure he saw that and that back and forth emotion combined with the nerves of first time back probably made the strain you saw on his face. It was a kind of good , yet kind of bad strain I think.

Yet, if you didnt know the story, I dont think you would have noticed a thing.

[lights1961]

Do you want me to do an appreciation thread for him?

Please do. Just do it here www.journeymusic.com . They love that stuff over there, especially for past Journey singers


John from Boston

I agree with John here.. appreciation threads get old.... on topic again...

I believe the topic was "Steve Augeri Rules"... sounds like appeciation for the man is allowed here for the moment.

Good throw back at me BJG.

[MartyMoffatt]

People DO get carried away by the moment.
I was at Firefest, and went solely to see Augeri again. I would not have gone had Steve NOT been playing there.

My verdict...
Firstly, Tall Stories were always a very average band (imo), and they still are. I heard nothing to excite me all those yrs ago with the debut, then the 5 demos, and yesterday was still the same. The songs are just not exciting enough.
Steve Augeri sounded ok, and thats about it, he was ok. Nothing spectacular, and (imo) the audience were nowhere near as loud during or at the end of Tall Stories performance than they had been for the previous bands, and bands that followed. There were far superior performances (vocally, and bandwise) throughout the day. Good to see him on the stage again though.

I think part of it is objectivity versus just rooting for a guy. When I see people post about SA, it's almost like they have to go overboard to illustrate the fact that the guy is doing well. Maybe because he was so beaten up in the past, but it's like people are trying to will him to be this extraordinary singer. Sort of like if you say it enough times, it makes it true?

Ultimately he has his fans, and they will sing his praises until they drop dead..and good for them, I guess. What I am tired of is the whole 'he is such an amazing person"..therefore that makes him an amazing singer? Sorry, I've never bought into that, and I never will.

On the contrary, why is it that certain people go out of their way to be negative specifically about Augeri, and implying that anybody who thinks he did well is either lying or deluded?

Nobody is suggesting that he is the greatest singer ever to grace a stage. There are certainly singers who are/were better and equally there are (a great many) singers who are not nearly as good, but still making a good living in bands.

I thought Augeri put on a great performance last night at Firefest. I thought his voice sounded fantastic and on a par with some of his best performances with Journey. And this is even more remarkable because he had not had any rehearsal time with his band or any soundcheck. He did fine and was one of the better bands of the weekend – in my opinion. I also thought JSS sounded great, as did Danny Vaughn with Tyketto, and Mitch Malloy (who I’d never heard of before) and several others at this event. All great singers who pulled out all the stops to put on superb performances.

I had a perfect position – in the photo pit – for all sixteen bands who played at Firefest and I probably saw more of each and every set than most others. I will say that in my opinion Tall Stories were probably just about in the top five of the performances over the two days. Top of my list were Tyketto, JSS, Heat. Among the rated bands who failed to move me were Firehouse and Rox Diamond, although every band were good. I've read other comments elsewhere that Firehouse rocked the house. To me they were just OK, but to each his own.

Why is it only Augeri that I hear condescending or sarcastic comments about – and often from people who weren’t even there! OK don't answer that. It was a rhetorical question and I know this thread was started specifically about Augeri. I just think that if anybody else had been mentioned as having put on a great performance it would have accepted in the spirit it was offered and we wouldn't be having this converstaion.

Marty

Edit: Hmm... this post wasn't intended to be as argumentative is it reads, looking back at it. It's been a very long weekend, followed by a long drive home last night, and a long day at work today. I need sleep!

[strangegrey]

Marty, certain people here are hell bent to discredit augeri's contributions to journey, because it artificially creates greater weight for their singer of choice (assuming their singer is not augeri). we all know the lead singer position in journey has been a hotly contested and partisan topic for years....there's going to be haters and lovers of each singer.

The sad fact is that by taking a swipe at aurgeri, now....it invalidates the theory that overtouring in journey was only a temporary cause of augeri's vocal breakdown. It's a hell of alot easier for some of these people to simply dismiss Augeri as done, toast, and no longer able to compete...because it makes those that support subsequent singers sleep better at night....and a fantastic showing by augeri at firefest, explodes alot of the myths that augeri no longer has it.

It'd be real nice if people just respected each singer for their contributions and moved on, ignoring the negative...and celebrating the positive. But this band, sadly, has been a magnet for the negative for longer than most of us have been fans....

[Onestepper]

People DO get carried away by the moment.
I was at Firefest, and went solely to see Augeri again. I would not have gone had Steve NOT been playing there.

My verdict...
Firstly, Tall Stories were always a very average band (imo), and they still are. I heard nothing to excite me all those yrs ago with the debut, then the 5 demos, and yesterday was still the same. The songs are just not exciting enough.
Steve Augeri sounded ok, and thats about it, he was ok. Nothing spectacular, and (imo) the audience were nowhere near as loud during or at the end of Tall Stories performance than they had been for the previous bands, and bands that followed. There were far superior performances (vocally, and bandwise) throughout the day. Good to see him on the stage again though.

I think part of it is objectivity versus just rooting for a guy. When I see people post about SA, it's almost like they have to go overboard to illustrate the fact that the guy is doing well. Maybe because he was so beaten up in the past, but it's like people are trying to will him to be this extraordinary singer. Sort of like if you say it enough times, it makes it true?

Ultimately he has his fans, and they will sing his praises until they drop dead..and good for them, I guess. What I am tired of is the whole 'he is such an amazing person"..therefore that makes him an amazing singer? Sorry, I've never bought into that, and I never will.

On the contrary, why is it that certain people go out of their way to be negative specifically about Augeri, and implying that anybody who thinks he did well is either lying or deluded?

Nobody is suggesting that he is the greatest singer ever to grace a stage. There are certainly singers who are/were better and equally there are (a great many) singers who are not nearly as good, but still making a good living in bands.

I thought Augeri put on a great performance last night at Firefest. I thought his voice sounded fantastic and on a par with some of his best performances with Journey. And this is even more remarkable because he had not had any rehearsal time with his band or any soundcheck. He did fine and was one of the better bands of the weekend – in my opinion. I also thought JSS sounded great, as did Danny Vaughn with Tyketto, and Mitch Malloy (who I’d never heard of before) and several others at this event. All great singers who pulled out all the stops to put on superb performances.

I had a perfect position – in the photo pit – for all sixteen bands who played at Firefest and I probably saw more of each and every set than most others. I will say that in my opinion Tall Stories were probably just about in the top five of the performances over the two days. Top of my list were Tyketto, JSS, Heat. Among the rated bands who failed to move me were Firehouse and Rox Diamond, although every band were good. I've read other comments elsewhere that Firehouse rocked the house. To me they were just OK, but to each his own.

Why is it only Augeri that I hear condescending or sarcastic comments about – and often from people who weren’t even there! OK don't answer that. It was a rhetorical question and I know this thread was started specifically about Augeri. I just think that if anybody else had been mentioned as having put on a great performance it would have accepted in the spirit it was offered and we wouldn't be having this converstaion.

Marty

Edit: Hmm... this post wasn't intended to be as argumentative is it reads, looking back at it. It's been a very long weekend, followed by a long drive home last night, and a long day at work today. I need sleep!

Good edit, cause I was about to give you the business I come from an objective point of view..I don't hate or worship SA. I think he did a nice job replacing Perry, given what he faced. Obviously the last few years of his tenure there, he struggled. I never thought his voice had the depth to continually cover the catalog, but I also think his voice was good for the material that was on 'Arrival'.

My point was only that his fans tend to over compensate on their praise of him. I realize that's what fans (fanaticals) do. It's cool. But I've seen one too many posts about the guys character and personality being so great..and somehow making a direct link to his performances. Also note, loons do this with JSS, Perry, AP, etc. I don' t care if such and such is a great person..good for them. They either have it or they don't. I never thought JSS had it at least when it came to Journey..but that has nothing to do with what a wonderful person he is.

I'm glad the show was great and I'm happy to have SA signing again. I hope his new release sells a ton.

[Luvsaugeri]

People DO get carried away by the moment.
I was at Firefest, and went solely to see Augeri again. I would not have gone had Steve NOT been playing there.

My verdict...
Firstly, Tall Stories were always a very average band (imo), and they still are. I heard nothing to excite me all those yrs ago with the debut, then the 5 demos, and yesterday was still the same. The songs are just not exciting enough.
Steve Augeri sounded ok, and thats about it, he was ok. Nothing spectacular, and (imo) the audience were nowhere near as loud during or at the end of Tall Stories performance than they had been for the previous bands, and bands that followed. There were far superior performances (vocally, and bandwise) throughout the day. Good to see him on the stage again though.

I think part of it is objectivity versus just rooting for a guy. When I see people post about SA, it's almost like they have to go overboard to illustrate the fact that the guy is doing well. Maybe because he was so beaten up in the past, but it's like people are trying to will him to be this extraordinary singer. Sort of like if you say it enough times, it makes it true?

Ultimately he has his fans, and they will sing his praises until they drop dead..and good for them, I guess. What I am tired of is the whole 'he is such an amazing person"..therefore that makes him an amazing singer? Sorry, I've never bought into that, and I never will.

On the contrary, why is it that certain people go out of their way to be negative specifically about Augeri, and implying that anybody who thinks he did well is either lying or deluded?

Nobody is suggesting that he is the greatest singer ever to grace a stage. There are certainly singers who are/were better and equally there are (a great many) singers who are not nearly as good, but still making a good living in bands.

I thought Augeri put on a great performance last night at Firefest. I thought his voice sounded fantastic and on a par with some of his best performances with Journey. And this is even more remarkable because he had not had any rehearsal time with his band or any soundcheck. He did fine and was one of the better bands of the weekend – in my opinion. I also thought JSS sounded great, as did Danny Vaughn with Tyketto, and Mitch Malloy (who I’d never heard of before) and several others at this event. All great singers who pulled out all the stops to put on superb performances.

I had a perfect position – in the photo pit – for all sixteen bands who played at Firefest and I probably saw more of each and every set than most others. I will say that in my opinion Tall Stories were probably just about in the top five of the performances over the two days. Top of my list were Tyketto, JSS, Heat. Among the rated bands who failed to move me were Firehouse and Rox Diamond, although every band were good. I've read other comments elsewhere that Firehouse rocked the house. To me they were just OK, but to each his own.

Why is it only Augeri that I hear condescending or sarcastic comments about – and often from people who weren’t even there! OK don't answer that. It was a rhetorical question and I know this thread was started specifically about Augeri. I just think that if anybody else had been mentioned as having put on a great performance it would have accepted in the spirit it was offered and we wouldn't be having this converstaion.

Marty

Edit: Hmm... this post wasn't intended to be as argumentative is it reads, looking back at it. It's been a very long weekend, followed by a long drive home last night, and a long day at work today. I need sleep!

Very well said Marty. You said what I was thinking......only you said it much better than I could.

[Deb]

My point was only that his fans tend to over compensate on their praise of him. I realize that's what fans (fanaticals) do. It's cool. But I've seen one too many posts about the guys character and personality being so great..and somehow making a direct link to his performances. Also note, loons do this with JSS, Perry, AP, etc. I don' t care if such and such is a great person..good for them. They either have it or they don't. I never thought JSS had it at least when it came to Journey..but that has nothing to do with what a wonderful person he is.

I'm glad the show was great and I'm happy to have SA signing again. I hope his new release sells a ton.

That is very subjective though. "You" may not think he has "it".....but if SA's voice touches somebody, then "they" do. Yes, I think Perry and JSS had "it" vocally, in or out of Journey......and it doesn't bother me in the least to see praise for Augueri. I just don't understand the negativity sometimes.

[tammy]

I have to echo what's been said so far. Augeri took a song or two to loosen up and get the nerves out of the way and then he let fly, holding nothing back. His voice sounded fantastic on the heavier songs, and of course he's always had charisma to spare as a frontman. It was a great performance by ANY standards, let alone a comeback performance from a band who hadn't actually had a chance to rehearse since getting here or get a proper soundcheck.

Steve won over a lot of doubters last night.

Agreed. Brilliant. I asked him after the show (with a smile) - "did you relax after the 2nd track??" He said he was so nervous and was so grateful to the rest of the band for helping him get out there and he really did deliver in fine style after a nervous start.

You could just see him relax and embrace the event and with each track he pushed his voice a little harder.

Good for him - glad to see he is back with singing and having a good time. "Beyond the Clouds" is a beautiful, hopeful song, sung beautifully...it was around that time (Generations tour) that my sister lost her young grandson to cancer & I gave her the CD for that particular song.

[Tito]

Marty, certain people here are hell bent to discredit augeri's contributions to journey, because it artificially creates greater weight for their singer of choice (assuming their singer is not augeri). we all know the lead singer position in journey has been a hotly contested and partisan topic for years....there's going to be haters and lovers of each singer.

The sad fact is that by taking a swipe at aurgeri, now....it invalidates the theory that overtouring in journey was only a temporary cause of augeri's vocal breakdown. It's a hell of alot easier for some of these people to simply dismiss Augeri as done, toast, and no longer able to compete...because it makes those that support subsequent singers sleep better at night....and a fantastic showing by augeri at firefest, explodes alot of the myths that augeri no longer has it.

It'd be real nice if people just respected each singer for their contributions and moved on, ignoring the negative...and celebrating the positive. But this band, sadly, has been a magnet for the negative for longer than most of us have been fans....

I agree. I like Pineda and Augeri. Perry too I guess.

[bluejeangirl76]

Marty, certain people here are hell bent to discredit augeri's contributions to journey, because it artificially creates greater weight for their singer of choice (assuming their singer is not augeri). we all know the lead singer position in journey has been a hotly contested and partisan topic for years....there's going to be haters and lovers of each singer.

The sad fact is that by taking a swipe at aurgeri, now....it invalidates the theory that overtouring in journey was only a temporary cause of augeri's vocal breakdown. It's a hell of alot easier for some of these people to simply dismiss Augeri as done, toast, and no longer able to compete...because it makes those that support subsequent singers sleep better at night....and a fantastic showing by augeri at firefest, explodes alot of the myths that augeri no longer has it.

It'd be real nice if people just respected each singer for their contributions and moved on, ignoring the negative...and celebrating the positive. But this band, sadly, has been a magnet for the negative for longer than most of us have been fans....

I agree. I like Pineda and Augeri. Perry too I guess.

No wonder its so friggin' cold out. Hell is going over.
First I agree with you in the Hudson thread, now you... like.... Perry!!

[Since 78]

People DO get carried away by the moment.
I was at Firefest, and went solely to see Augeri again. I would not have gone had Steve NOT been playing there.

My verdict...
Firstly, Tall Stories were always a very average band (imo), and they still are. I heard nothing to excite me all those yrs ago with the debut, then the 5 demos, and yesterday was still the same. The songs are just not exciting enough.
Steve Augeri sounded ok, and thats about it, he was ok. Nothing spectacular, and (imo) the audience were nowhere near as loud during or at the end of Tall Stories performance than they had been for the previous bands, and bands that followed. There were far superior performances (vocally, and bandwise) throughout the day. Good to see him on the stage again though.

I think part of it is objectivity versus just rooting for a guy. When I see people post about SA, it's almost like they have to go overboard to illustrate the fact that the guy is doing well. Maybe because he was so beaten up in the past, but it's like people are trying to will him to be this extraordinary singer. Sort of like if you say it enough times, it makes it true?

Ultimately he has his fans, and they will sing his praises until they drop dead..and good for them, I guess. What I am tired of is the whole 'he is such an amazing person"..therefore that makes him an amazing singer? Sorry, I've never bought into that, and I never will.

On the contrary, why is it that certain people go out of their way to be negative specifically about Augeri, and implying that anybody who thinks he did well is either lying or deluded?

Nobody is suggesting that he is the greatest singer ever to grace a stage. There are certainly singers who are/were better and equally there are (a great many) singers who are not nearly as good, but still making a good living in bands.

I thought Augeri put on a great performance last night at Firefest. I thought his voice sounded fantastic and on a par with some of his best performances with Journey. And this is even more remarkable because he had not had any rehearsal time with his band or any soundcheck. He did fine and was one of the better bands of the weekend – in my opinion. I also thought JSS sounded great, as did Danny Vaughn with Tyketto, and Mitch Malloy (who I’d never heard of before) and several others at this event. All great singers who pulled out all the stops to put on superb performances.

I had a perfect position – in the photo pit – for all sixteen bands who played at Firefest and I probably saw more of each and every set than most others. I will say that in my opinion Tall Stories were probably just about in the top five of the performances over the two days. Top of my list were Tyketto, JSS, Heat. Among the rated bands who failed to move me were Firehouse and Rox Diamond, although every band were good. I've read other comments elsewhere that Firehouse rocked the house. To me they were just OK, but to each his own.

Why is it only Augeri that I hear condescending or sarcastic comments about – and often from people who weren’t even there! OK don't answer that. It was a rhetorical question and I know this thread was started specifically about Augeri. I just think that if anybody else had been mentioned as having put on a great performance it would have accepted in the spirit it was offered and we wouldn't be having this converstaion.

Marty

Edit: Hmm... this post wasn't intended to be as argumentative is it reads, looking back at it. It's been a very long weekend, followed by a long drive home last night, and a long day at work today. I need sleep!

Very well said Marty. You said what I was thinking......only you said it much better than I could.

+1 Nice Post Marty!

[Onestepper]

My point was only that his fans tend to over compensate on their praise of him. I realize that's what fans (fanaticals) do. It's cool. But I've seen one too many posts about the guys character and personality being so great..and somehow making a direct link to his performances. Also note, loons do this with JSS, Perry, AP, etc. I don' t care if such and such is a great person..good for them. They either have it or they don't. I never thought JSS had it at least when it came to Journey..but that has nothing to do with what a wonderful person he is.

I'm glad the show was great and I'm happy to have SA signing again. I hope his new release sells a ton.

That is very subjective though. "You" may not think he has "it".....but if SA's voice touches somebody, then "they" do. Yes, I think Perry and JSS had "it" vocally, in or out of Journey......and it doesn't bother me in the least to see praise for Augueri. I just don't understand the negativity sometimes.

Good point. It very well may be subjective. Just like someone saying they aren't a SA fan or maybe doesn't like some of his work, doesn't mean that they are being 'negative'. That is the mistake I think people make. You can just not like someone's singing or whatever, and voice that opinion. That doesn't mean you are being negative towards them or tearing them down as a person.

[Deb]

My point was only that his fans tend to over compensate on their praise of him. I realize that's what fans (fanaticals) do. It's cool. But I've seen one too many posts about the guys character and personality being so great..and somehow making a direct link to his performances. Also note, loons do this with JSS, Perry, AP, etc. I don' t care if such and such is a great person..good for them. They either have it or they don't. I never thought JSS had it at least when it came to Journey..but that has nothing to do with what a wonderful person he is.

I'm glad the show was great and I'm happy to have SA signing again. I hope his new release sells a ton.

That is very subjective though. "You" may not think he has "it".....but if SA's voice touches somebody, then "they" do. Yes, I think Perry and JSS had "it" vocally, in or out of Journey......and it doesn't bother me in the least to see praise for Augueri. I just don't understand the negativity sometimes.

Good point. It very well may be subjective. Just like someone saying they aren't a SA fan or maybe doesn't like some of his work, doesn't mean that they are being 'negative'. That is the mistake I think people make. You can just not like someone's singing or whatever, and voice that opinion. That doesn't mean you are being negative towards them or tearing them down as a person.

True, you don't have to like SA or JSS for that matter, and I don't think you are being negative if they vocally don't do it for ya. It was more the "over compensating" and "fanatical" comments towards SA's fans. I'll never understand why some people's gaunch bunch up.......when they see others appreciating a talent. Ya don't have to agree with it, but it doesn't make them fanatical to voice their appreciation.

[Onestepper]

My point was only that his fans tend to over compensate on their praise of him. I realize that's what fans (fanaticals) do. It's cool. But I've seen one too many posts about the guys character and personality being so great..and somehow making a direct link to his performances. Also note, loons do this with JSS, Perry, AP, etc. I don' t care if such and such is a great person..good for them. They either have it or they don't. I never thought JSS had it at least when it came to Journey..but that has nothing to do with what a wonderful person he is.

I'm glad the show was great and I'm happy to have SA signing again. I hope his new release sells a ton.

That is very subjective though. "You" may not think he has "it".....but if SA's voice touches somebody, then "they" do. Yes, I think Perry and JSS had "it" vocally, in or out of Journey......and it doesn't bother me in the least to see praise for Augueri. I just don't understand the negativity sometimes.

Good point. It very well may be subjective. Just like someone saying they aren't a SA fan or maybe doesn't like some of his work, doesn't mean that they are being 'negative'. That is the mistake I think people make. You can just not like someone's singing or whatever, and voice that opinion. That doesn't mean you are being negative towards them or tearing them down as a person.

True, you don't have to like SA or JSS for that matter, and I don't think you are being negative if they vocally don't do it for ya. It was more the "over compensating" and "fanatical" comments towards SA's fans. I'll never understand why some people's gaunch bunch up.......when they see others appreciating a talent. Ya don't have to agree with it, but it doesn't make them fanatical to voice their appreciation.

Right, but you missed the part where I said that those fans have the right to be able to think what they want, and good for them for supporting SA (in this case) like they do. The only time I get bent is when an opinion is twisted to mean something that it isn't.