Augeri, Soto or Pineda?

[alesson]

Augie was so good before he got sick, got the looks and charisma as well. Eight years is no fucking joke staying up and putting up with these guys.
JSS could have taken Journey to a different direction with his gritty more rocker heavy metal style. But we knows that Neal don't want him to bring that Yngwie style up there.
Arnel has been the closest they can get to SP, voice wise. If and only he can get over those health problems, enunciation, diction and a lot of other ..tions, the he is my man.

I dont think JSS was trying in any way , shape or form to bring the Yngwie sound to Journey. In fact, Jeff himself has been trying to get away from that Yngwie sound for 2 decades now,,,, Listen to his solo stuff or Talisman and you can tell that his voice is far far away from Yngwie days and it sounds much better . With that said, I think that Journey would sound rockier with Soto, but not metal....

Yeah, got that right, more rockier tunes for Journey. Only I heard or read somewhere that Neal quoted...Jeff never had it for us or somewhere in that line. It so obvious that Jeff was there only to pinch hit. Never in their long term plan to have him with the band..anyways good for Jeff. He is so good on rock ( Stand up and shout ) and his Yngwie days like Don't let it End so he don't need Journey.

[Rick]

I loved SA. He was a genuinely good guy and to be honest, the songs that came out of his era are far superior to the AP era so far. Arrival BLOWS Revelation away any day of the week. Generations would be a competitor if you scratch Gone Crazy and make it halfway decent as far as production goes.

I'm an AP supporter, but he's gotta find a way to kick the accent/diction/delivery problems that are plaguing him once and for all. I wish we could have seen Jeremey get a shot, especially since he's proven that he can write, through NWA and the great songs he's been posting on his own on the net. Arnel has yet to do that, as far as I can see. Jeremey's Can't You See He's Gone would be the best track on Revelation if he had joined the band and gotten that one included.

Hey man,

I've got to disagree with this line right here. I'm not taking anything away from Jeremey and his time with Journey...how cool would that be? But Jeremey did not write "Never Walk Away". He wrote 1 line in the song. Again, not trying to take anything away from him (I've never had a radio hit), but he didn't really co-write it. I don't know how much he's written of his solo stuff, but the stuff he's done with "The Outfields" guitarist sound promising.

As far as the choices go...I'd have to go with Augeri (if his vocals were a little stronger). To me, the dictation issues with Arnel just seem to distract me too much. That, and all the jumping around on stage. I think Augeri was the "coolest" performer they've had, and he did a great job with the crowds.

That must have been one hell of a oneliner since he's getting royalties for it.

Journey definitely "Hooked him up", and Jeremey has even stated himself that he was surprised to be included in the credits. Not that Jeremey would do this, but if the band HADN'T included him, he could have probably taken them to court if he wanted to.

And I think this is what some fans of AP are missing. By doing re-records or letting Neal and Jon handle all the songwriting, Arnel is going to miss the boat on potential royalties. Even if its small, That money will go a long way in the Philippines, and let's face it, Journey is closer to the end of their lifespan than the beginning. Better to make hay while the sun is still shining. Look at Gerry Rafferty, he is still getting 150,000 dollars a year for "Baker Street", a song he wrote over 20 years ago. That's financial security. Steve Perry proves it is so also, by not having to release anything, just ride the royalty train.

They're supposed to start their new record this fall. AP is supposed to help write it. But, if it doesn't do any better than Revelation, and I doubt it will, how much money would that be anyway? I'm sure anything is better than nothing, but these guys aren't going to knock down a song like Baker Street. Not from what we've seen from them in the last 5 records, anyway.

[mick]

1. Augeri
2. Pineda
3. Soto, Not that he wasn't good, just not the right voice for the "Legacy" sound.
*However, I would love to hear Tony Harnell, (ex-TNT), sing with them just once. He definitely has the pipes to do it.
By the way, has anyone ever heard the Geoff Tate rehearsal with Journey? I would also like to hear Jason Kelty try it. Any clips from the Eclipse shows anyone?

[Don]

Augie was so good before he got sick, got the looks and charisma as well. Eight years is no fucking joke staying up and putting up with these guys.
JSS could have taken Journey to a different direction with his gritty more rocker heavy metal style. But we knows that Neal don't want him to bring that Yngwie style up there.
Arnel has been the closest they can get to SP, voice wise. If and only he can get over those health problems, enunciation, diction and a lot of other ..tions, the he is my man.

I dont think JSS was trying in any way , shape or form to bring the Yngwie sound to Journey. In fact, Jeff himself has been trying to get away from that Yngwie sound for 2 decades now,,,, Listen to his solo stuff or Talisman and you can tell that his voice is far far away from Yngwie days and it sounds much better . With that said, I think that Journey would sound rockier with Soto, but not metal....

Yeah, got that right, more rockier tunes for Journey. Only I heard or read somewhere that Neal quoted...Jeff never had it for us or somewhere in that line. It so obvious that Jeff was there only to pinch hit. Never in their long term plan to have him with the band..anyways good for Jeff. He is so good on rock ( Stand up and shout ) and his Yngwie days like Don't let it End so he don't need Journey.

The problem was after the tour, when they announced JSS as the permanent singer and put his image up on their web page with the rest of the band. That's the part that damaged their integrity with fans, even more than the tapes fiasco. The perception that they stabbed the guy in the back who bailed them out of a jam, damaged their credibility beyond repair in some circles, even with their musical peers like Queen.

[Don]

I loved SA. He was a genuinely good guy and to be honest, the songs that came out of his era are far superior to the AP era so far. Arrival BLOWS Revelation away any day of the week. Generations would be a competitor if you scratch Gone Crazy and make it halfway decent as far as production goes.

I'm an AP supporter, but he's gotta find a way to kick the accent/diction/delivery problems that are plaguing him once and for all. I wish we could have seen Jeremey get a shot, especially since he's proven that he can write, through NWA and the great songs he's been posting on his own on the net. Arnel has yet to do that, as far as I can see. Jeremey's Can't You See He's Gone would be the best track on Revelation if he had joined the band and gotten that one included.

Hey man,

I've got to disagree with this line right here. I'm not taking anything away from Jeremey and his time with Journey...how cool would that be? But Jeremey did not write "Never Walk Away". He wrote 1 line in the song. Again, not trying to take anything away from him (I've never had a radio hit), but he didn't really co-write it. I don't know how much he's written of his solo stuff, but the stuff he's done with "The Outfields" guitarist sound promising.

As far as the choices go...I'd have to go with Augeri (if his vocals were a little stronger). To me, the dictation issues with Arnel just seem to distract me too much. That, and all the jumping around on stage. I think Augeri was the "coolest" performer they've had, and he did a great job with the crowds.

That must have been one hell of a oneliner since he's getting royalties for it.

Journey definitely "Hooked him up", and Jeremey has even stated himself that he was surprised to be included in the credits. Not that Jeremey would do this, but if the band HADN'T included him, he could have probably taken them to court if he wanted to.

And I think this is what some fans of AP are missing. By doing re-records or letting Neal and Jon handle all the songwriting, Arnel is going to miss the boat on potential royalties. Even if its small, That money will go a long way in the Philippines, and let's face it, Journey is closer to the end of their lifespan than the beginning. Better to make hay while the sun is still shining. Look at Gerry Rafferty, he is still getting 150,000 dollars a year for "Baker Street", a song he wrote over 20 years ago. That's financial security. Steve Perry proves it is so also, by not having to release anything, just ride the royalty train.

They're supposed to start their new record this fall. AP is supposed to help write it. But, if it doesn't do any better than Revelation, and I doubt it will, how much money would that be anyway? I'm sure anything is better than nothing, but these guys aren't going to knock down a song like Baker Street. Not from what we've seen from them in the last 5 records, anyway.

True, but every little bit helps. especially if Arnel has to take up roots back home, once the gig comes to an end.

[stevew2]

All great singers, different styles, i prefer Augeri and JSS with their own personal projects...so for me Arnel Pineda for Journey, he seem to have the best of SA and JSS, his voice is raspy and more deep, he can sing the songs in a melodic and also rocker way at the same time, that's why i prefer him...altough now i wait for better performances

Hey dreamboat !!!

[alesson]

Augie was so good before he got sick, got the looks and charisma as well. Eight years is no fucking joke staying up and putting up with these guys.
JSS could have taken Journey to a different direction with his gritty more rocker heavy metal style. But we knows that Neal don't want him to bring that Yngwie style up there.
Arnel has been the closest they can get to SP, voice wise. If and only he can get over those health problems, enunciation, diction and a lot of other ..tions, the he is my man.

I dont think JSS was trying in any way , shape or form to bring the Yngwie sound to Journey. In fact, Jeff himself has been trying to get away from that Yngwie sound for 2 decades now,,,, Listen to his solo stuff or Talisman and you can tell that his voice is far far away from Yngwie days and it sounds much better . With that said, I think that Journey would sound rockier with Soto, but not metal....

Yeah, got that right, more rockier tunes for Journey. Only I heard or read somewhere that Neal quoted...Jeff never had it for us or somewhere in that line. It so obvious that Jeff was there only to pinch hit. Never in their long term plan to have him with the band..anyways good for Jeff. He is so good on rock ( Stand up and shout ) and his Yngwie days like Don't let it End so he don't need Journey.

The problem was after the tour, when they announced JSS as the permanent singer and put his image up on their web page with the rest of the band. That's the part that damaged their integrity with fans, even more than the tapes fiasco. The perception that they stabbed the guy in the back who bailed them out of a jam, damaged their credibility beyond repair in some circles, even with their musical peers like Queen.

I think Jeff announcement was consensual and with contract with Wallmart to fulfilled to, they have no other option that time. Augie definitely won't be coming back and Jeff was the other option besides Jeremy. They were still auditioning a couple of guys besides trolling out the cyberspace for that sound alike voice. Out of the blue Arnel's You Tube came.
WallFart was already pressing them for the new album and up to that time Neal wasn't so convince that they can pull it off with Jeff because of the clause to come up with re recorded classics. What do you think will be our reaction of Jeff on the helm of the re recorded classic? The only closest and viable option was Arnel..that was a business decision on their part. Very hard but sound business move, couple it with a hoopla and a tearjerker story that even CNN and CBS jump on it.
On the integrity issue, nothing to be lost there....that was already gone. They have nothing to worry about it and they are getting used to it.

[Jana]

Augie was so good before he got sick, got the looks and charisma as well. Eight years is no fucking joke staying up and putting up with these guys.
JSS could have taken Journey to a different direction with his gritty more rocker heavy metal style. But we knows that Neal don't want him to bring that Yngwie style up there.
Arnel has been the closest they can get to SP, voice wise. If and only he can get over those health problems, enunciation, diction and a lot of other ..tions, the he is my man.

I dont think JSS was trying in any way , shape or form to bring the Yngwie sound to Journey. In fact, Jeff himself has been trying to get away from that Yngwie sound for 2 decades now,,,, Listen to his solo stuff or Talisman and you can tell that his voice is far far away from Yngwie days and it sounds much better . With that said, I think that Journey would sound rockier with Soto, but not metal....

Yeah, got that right, more rockier tunes for Journey. Only I heard or read somewhere that Neal quoted...Jeff never had it for us or somewhere in that line. It so obvious that Jeff was there only to pinch hit. Never in their long term plan to have him with the band..anyways good for Jeff. He is so good on rock ( Stand up and shout ) and his Yngwie days like Don't let it End so he don't need Journey.

The problem was after the tour, when they announced JSS as the permanent singer and put his image up on their web page with the rest of the band. That's the part that damaged their integrity with fans, even more than the tapes fiasco. The perception that they stabbed the guy in the back who bailed them out of a jam, damaged their credibility beyond repair in some circles, even with their musical peers like Queen.

I think Jeff announcement was consensual and with contract with Wallmart to fulfilled to, they have no other option that time. Augie definitely won't be coming back and Jeff was the other option besides Jeremy. They were still auditioning a couple of guys besides trolling out the cyberspace for that sound alike voice. Out of the blue Arnel's You Tube came.
WallFart was already pressing them for the new album and up to that time Neal wasn't so convince that they can pull it off with Jeff because of the clause to come up with re recorded classics. What do you think will be our reaction of Jeff on the helm of the re recorded classic? The only closest and viable option was Arnel..that was a business decision on their part. Very hard but sound business move, couple it with a hoopla and a tearjerker story that even CNN and CBS jump on it.
On the integrity issue, nothing to be lost there....that was already gone. They have nothing to worry about it and they are getting used to it.

Alesson, that line cracked me up.

[The_Noble_Cause]

What do you think will be our reaction of Jeff on the helm of the re recorded classic?

If his accoustic rendition of SHML is any indication, JSS's re-record would be similar enough to please casual fans while different enough for the die-hards to take a look.
Andrew optimistically talked them up saying:
"I have heard Jeff record 4 classic Journey tracks in the studio himself and he really sounds fantastic and very much at home, so I have no reason to doubt this record will be amazing and a fresh and interesting alternative to the originals (which obviously will never be replaced or overtaken)."

While I've met casual fans who don't know any better and dig the "new" classics, the rushed production and pervasive diction issues are simply too much to bear.
Only the Young is decent tho.

[Ehwmatt]

What do you think will be our reaction of Jeff on the helm of the re recorded classic?

If his accoustic rendition of SHML is any indication, JSS's re-record would be similar enough to please casual fans while different enough for the die-hards to take a look.
Andrew optimistically talked them up saying:
"I have heard Jeff record 4 classic Journey tracks in the studio himself and he really sounds fantastic and very much at home, so I have no reason to doubt this record will be amazing and a fresh and interesting alternative to the originals (which obviously will never be replaced or overtaken)."

While I've met casual fans who don't know any better and dig the "new" classics, the rushed production and pervasive diction issues are simply too much to bear.
Only the Young is decent tho.

I agree, the production on those re-records is horrendous. I didn't ever make it all the way through the re-records, listened to the first 30 seconds of most of the songs, a few all the way through, just couldn't bear the sound.

[SF-Dano]

I'll first state that I really like Pineda's voice and the Revelations release. If that is the style and way the band chooses to go for their last years, that is certainly their choice and I am cool with that.

If Augeri's voice had not gone south, I would have been most happy if he stayed. I enjoyed almost all of the music the band made with him.

JSS had the most energy on stage of any Journey front man I have seen, and I've seen them all except for Fleishman, and Arnel. There was also a larger contingent of fans of 14 to 25 year olds at the shows I saw on that tour. And these younger fans were really responding to JSS's more youthful/aggressive style of showmanship. So if Augerie could not continue, I would have really liked to have heard/seen what could have been with JSS. I think the classics remake disk of Revelations might have been a whole lot more interesting. I think JSS would have given Journey a more viable and acceptable means of changing their sound, and given them some "artistic" leeway in the rerecording of the classics. I also think with the Walmart promotion, the sales still would have been close to the current numbers.

[alesson]

What do you think will be our reaction of Jeff on the helm of the re recorded classic?

If his accoustic rendition of SHML is any indication, JSS's re-record would be similar enough to please casual fans while different enough for the die-hards to take a look.
Andrew optimistically talked them up saying:
"I have heard Jeff record 4 classic Journey tracks in the studio himself and he really sounds fantastic and very much at home, so I have no reason to doubt this record will be amazing and a fresh and interesting alternative to the originals (which obviously will never be replaced or overtaken)."

While I've met casual fans who don't know any better and dig the "new" classics, the rushed production and pervasive diction issues are simply too much to bear.
Only the Young is decent tho.

I agree, the production on those re-records is horrendous. I didn't ever make it all the way through the re-records, listened to the first 30 seconds of most of the songs, a few all the way through, just couldn't bear the sound.

That is so true..but that is the closest they can get to the original in so short time. One of the pre requisite from Wallmart was to re record the classic and I guess they are just happy that the band did it as they wanted it. Again, that was on the business side, guaranteed ca-ching on the machine.
For all that shit of these re recorded classic, it made it us more curious to listen to the new guy on his own in Revelation.
Now we are having this poll now with the new guy included.

[amaron]

Augeri. Not even a close decision for me.

[Don]

By not having Shirley do production on the re-records, I think that just shows they had no intention of these songs ever being used as a substitute for the original in any shape or form. I first thought they might be used overseas for Movie soundtracks or commercials but the production is so below par, I think the band would be embarrassed to put them out there as a stand alone product, let alone having to explain to the customer why they would be a better alternative to the original.

[mick]

What do you think will be our reaction of Jeff on the helm of the re recorded classic?

If his accoustic rendition of SHML is any indication, JSS's re-record would be similar enough to please casual fans while different enough for the die-hards to take a look.
Andrew optimistically talked them up saying:
"I have heard Jeff record 4 classic Journey tracks in the studio himself and he really sounds fantastic and very much at home, so I have no reason to doubt this record will be amazing and a fresh and interesting alternative to the originals (which obviously will never be replaced or overtaken)."

While I've met casual fans who don't know any better and dig the "new" classics, the rushed production and pervasive diction issues are simply too much to bear.
Only the Young is decent tho.

I agree, the production on those re-records is horrendous. I didn't ever make it all the way through the re-records, listened to the first 30 seconds of most of the songs, a few all the way through, just couldn't bear the sound.

The thing that really drives me crazy is hearing the click track on at least 2 of the tracks.

[Ehwmatt]

What do you think will be our reaction of Jeff on the helm of the re recorded classic?

If his accoustic rendition of SHML is any indication, JSS's re-record would be similar enough to please casual fans while different enough for the die-hards to take a look.
Andrew optimistically talked them up saying:
"I have heard Jeff record 4 classic Journey tracks in the studio himself and he really sounds fantastic and very much at home, so I have no reason to doubt this record will be amazing and a fresh and interesting alternative to the originals (which obviously will never be replaced or overtaken)."

While I've met casual fans who don't know any better and dig the "new" classics, the rushed production and pervasive diction issues are simply too much to bear.
Only the Young is decent tho.

I agree, the production on those re-records is horrendous. I didn't ever make it all the way through the re-records, listened to the first 30 seconds of most of the songs, a few all the way through, just couldn't bear the sound.

The thing that really drives me crazy is hearing the click track on at least 2 of the tracks.

That and the "toy keyboard" sounds are definitely awful.

[Journey/Survivor]

It's a tough call for me between Arnel and Steve-A.
I think I slightly prefer Arnel singing the classics, but I like Augeri just as well on the new songs.
Soto was never right for Journey. He's good on his own original songs, but he doesn't have the range to handle the Perry material.

[Don]

What do you think will be our reaction of Jeff on the helm of the re recorded classic?

If his accoustic rendition of SHML is any indication, JSS's re-record would be similar enough to please casual fans while different enough for the die-hards to take a look.
Andrew optimistically talked them up saying:
"I have heard Jeff record 4 classic Journey tracks in the studio himself and he really sounds fantastic and very much at home, so I have no reason to doubt this record will be amazing and a fresh and interesting alternative to the originals (which obviously will never be replaced or overtaken)."

While I've met casual fans who don't know any better and dig the "new" classics, the rushed production and pervasive diction issues are simply too much to bear.
Only the Young is decent tho.

I agree, the production on those re-records is horrendous. I didn't ever make it all the way through the re-records, listened to the first 30 seconds of most of the songs, a few all the way through, just couldn't bear the sound.

The thing that really drives me crazy is hearing the click track on at least 2 of the tracks.

That and the "toy keyboard" sounds are definitely awful.

Dude, I thought I was the only one hearing that Fisher Price sound.

They should have brought in the original tracks and just swapped vocals. It might have been a little bit on the dirty side but after already being busted for running tape, why even worry about what people will think now.

Shit, Stevew2 is on the board for two hours and my spelling has already gone to pot.

[Luvsaugeri]

Definitely Augeri. I never thought JSS was a good fit with Journey though I like him personally. Arnel....I just can't get into it at all. The accent gets to me every time and I don't care for all the jumping around he does on stage. I find it distracting.

[Gideon]

Arrival has seduced me once again; I've been playing it on a continuous loop. There is some innate quality to Steve Augeri's voice that makes it very endearing to me. Objectively, it's true that he lacks the power of Steve Perry or Arnel Pineda and likely the range, but especially on Arrival, he didn't try to do any particularly impressive vocal acrobatics; he took the lyrics, infused them with as much power and emotion so as to deliver the goods, but added a different take where he did not need to leap octaves or show off his range. "Higher Place" is absolutely one of Journey's finest songs, eclipsing the majority of the Perry-era songs and all of Revelation bar "Change for the Better." To sum it up, Augeri managed to deliver a Perry-esque tone, all the while changing the delivery to compensate for his technically inferior range, power, and control. I love his voice and he's one of my very favorite singers.

Revelation was a solid album and demonstrated that Arnel has a strength, range, and delivery on par with Frontiers-era Perry. His downside is that, as English isn't his native language, his phrasing is a little off and his control is not nearly as great as Perry's is.

So it's close, but I have to give the nod to Arnel; his voice is stronger and I prefer his childlike enthusiasm on stage. He just needs to focus and honor his obligations to the band, i.e. get his head in the game. When he does, I don't think Augeri or Soto can touch him.

For the record, Soto did nothing special for me other than on ROR-era songs. I wasn't even impressed on all of his interpretations of the rock songs, because most of them require a range that he simply did not demonstrate.

[S2M]

Definitely SA....and Kelly just fainted....

I was floored when I first heard 'Remember Me', and subsequently 'Arrival'...the rockers on Arrival are top notch. I just can't get into all the ballady stuff....

SA for me.....but Red13, and Generations sucked ass....I don't know what happened.

[Gideon]

Definitely SA....and Kelly just fainted....

I was floored when I first heard 'Remember Me', and subsequently 'Arrival'...the rockers on Arrival are top notch. I just can't get into all the ballady stuff....

SA for me.....but Red13, and Generations sucked ass....I don't know what happened.

Red 13 and Generations, in my opinion, "sucked ass" due to simple production. Red 13, in particular, would have been better served by throwing those songs on either Arrival or Generations; I liked all four of them and, given polish, could have been manipulated into phenomenal tracks. "Walking Away From the Edge" sounds like the bastard son of "Trouble Child", which in turn gave birth to "What I Needed."

Augeri's only weak moment were on parts of "State of Grace." Otherwise, the album would have been fine with better production. Generations had some great moments, but when it fucked up, it fucked up hard.

[Jana]

Definitely SA....and Kelly just fainted....

I was floored when I first heard 'Remember Me', and subsequently 'Arrival'...the rockers on Arrival are top notch. I just can't get into all the ballady stuff....

SA for me.....but Red13, and Generations sucked ass....I don't know what happened.

Red 13 and Generations, in my opinion, "sucked ass" due to simple production. Red 13, in particular, would have been better served by throwing those songs on either Arrival or Generations; I liked all four of them and, given polish, could have been manipulated into phenomenal tracks. "Walking Away From the Edge" sounds like the bastard son of "Trouble Child", which in turn gave birth to "What I Needed."

Augeri's only weak moment were on parts of "State of Grace." Otherwise, the album would have been fine with better production. Generations had some great moments, but when it fucked up, it fucked up hard.

But I love Walking Away From The Edge. Great song.

[Luvsaugeri]

Definitely SA....and Kelly just fainted....

Boy you're not kidding!!!!!!

[EightyRock]

Soto by a landslide for me. He's the only one to follow Perry that could sing the catalog and not have some kind of illness or vocal issues creeping in. I liked his vocal strength and that he wasn't chosen to be a Perry clone. He could have taken them in a different direction and forced them to take some chances. I'm sick of the same old Friga formula ballads and mid tempo crap....and RE-RECORDS.

[Gideon]

Soto by a landslide for me. He's the only one to follow Perry that could sing the catalog and not have some kind of illness or vocal issues creeping in.

And he sang them for how long? That's an unfair comparison. And Soto never nailed them like Augeri or Pineda.

[amaron]

Soto by a landslide for me. He's the only one to follow Perry that could sing the catalog and not have some kind of illness or vocal issues creeping in.

Augeri sang the catalog for 8 years. Did Soto even sing it for 8 months?

Talk about unfair comparisons.

[Journey/Survivor]

Soto by a landslide for me. He's the only one to follow Perry that could sing the catalog and not have some kind of illness or vocal issues creeping in.

And he sang them for how long? That's an unfair comparison. And Soto never nailed them like Augeri or Pineda.

That's exactly what I was gonna say. Soto didn't do nearly as many shows with Journey as Augeri did, not even close. If he had he may have had voice problems too. Plus Soto wasn't singing in the same high range that Augeri and Arnel did or are doing. It's trying to match Perry's range that is what is causing throat problems for Augeri and possibly Arnel. Even though staying in Journey for a longer time period would have helped Soto's name recognition, he probably would have lost some vocal ability much earlier in his career than he probably will now that he's not in Journey long-term.

[Behshad]

Soto by a landslide for me. He's the only one to follow Perry that could sing the catalog and not have some kind of illness or vocal issues creeping in.

And he sang them for how long? That's an unfair comparison. And Soto never nailed them like Augeri or Pineda.

That's exactly what I was gonna say. Soto didn't do nearly as many shows with Journey as Augeri did, not even close. If he had he may have had voice problems too. Plus Soto wasn't singing in the same high range that Augeri and Arnel did or are doing. It's trying to match Perry's range that is what is causing throat problems for Augeri and possibly Arnel. Even though staying in Journey for a longer time period would have helped Soto's name recognition, he probably would have lost some vocal ability much earlier in his career than he probably will now that he's not in Journey long-term.

Not entirely true
Soto wouldn't have had the same problems as Augeri did simply because he didn't try to hit all the high notes the exact same way that perry did (and the same way Arnel is doing it which might ruin his voice )
Soto tried to adjust and adapt the song to his voice rather than the other way around , which is probably a smart thing to do , if one wants to sing Journey songs live for a long time.
Also , I can guarantee that during the last 25 years Soto has performed live more than Augeri if you tally ip every single concert they both performed since 1985.

[brywool]

Soto by a landslide for me. He's the only one to follow Perry that could sing the catalog and not have some kind of illness or vocal issues creeping in.

And he sang them for how long? That's an unfair comparison. And Soto never nailed them like Augeri or Pineda.

Some of the first boots with JSS were extremely bad. Very strainy and at points his voice just went into completely weird areas.
Having said that, he did that one tune of Neals that was very much like NWA and it was a really good sound. I loved it.
NOT Journey, but good. I don't like JSS in Journey, but I do like Soul Sirkus and that one cut. I just haven't heard
enough of him. I did hear him sing Journey tunes and I wasn't impressed. Doesn't mean I don't like him, I just don't like him IN Journey.

I have to agree that Pineda nails the songs (though the Superbowl thing didn't have me jumping for joy). Augeri showed promise in the beginning, but live, he'd still use whimpy falsetto on DSB and other tunes as far back as 98 when I saw him. His voice just didn't have the power that Arnel does. I remember at the Gorge, I was a bit disappointed with him, but I loved his recorded stuff. If I had to rank Journey's singers, it'd be Perry, Arnel, Augeri (when he was good), Rollie, and Jss.