Memorex wrote:Weird. I just took another listen (with headphones this time) and I was really impressed with how he phrased everything to fit with his ability. I thought it was very artfully and intelligently done. It kept melody throughout and of course avoided what he can no longer do. Expertly done in my opinion.
I disagree.
Memorex wrote:Don't understand the connection between Steve Perry appearing with some group in Minnesota and him fronting Journey again. One has nothing to do with the other. Journey and Steve Perry together are over (at least that's the current status). People should live in that world and stop "needing" something other than reality. Schon being right to stick with Pineda supposes that he had a choice. I doubt he did.
As TNC explained, comparisons are inevitable. I understand the desire by some to eschew them because, in this case, the comparisons won't be at all flattering to Perry. But them's the breaks. I think it's awesome that Perry finally emerged from the shadows to belt it out, but nostalgia and respect for his voice 30 years ago won't influence me one iota to give him passing marks here. The Journey covers, in my opinion, were bad.
My remark about Schon being right to stick with Pineda is a reference to Neal's bold endorsement of Arnel vis a vis Perry; that even if Perry wanted to return, Pineda wouldn't be given the boot. After listening to this, I think NS made the right call.
Memorex wrote:And if Steve ever did come back, it would just be different. Who in their right mind needs to hear any song Journey did in the 70's or 80's sung the same way in 2014? If that's a requirement for you (meaning the collective you), well that's just weird.
Yeah, it's totally weird to want or expect Journey to play their songs more or less the same. Hell, Schon and crew should throw a banjo and turntable on stage and take turns rapping the Dirty Dozen or playing bluegrass renditions of it, right? We shouldn't criticize Pineda's accent when he tackles a song; it's only a creative alteration to a song. Who needs to hear it without an accent? Somehow I doubt any of these things would earn your endorsement. But, as ever, I refuse to make exceptions for Steve Perry just because he's Steve Perry.
It's only weird to want Journey to play the songs as recorded if your interest is ultimately in the musician and not the music. For me, it's the music. My respect for and interest in NS, JC, SP, etc. is only relevant to the wonderful music they created. If they stop creating wonderful music either due to inability or disinterest, they cease to be relevant to me. If Schon couldn't burn up the fretboard during Stone In Love, I wouldn't be interested in watching him play it. But he still can! I have no confidence, however, that Perry could give a credible rendition of a Journey tune without drastically altering it. Therefore, I'm uninterested in him crooning "Lights." (Doesn't mean I'm not open to new material from him, though.)
next time Stevie give me a heads up! 
