Well, it happened...... Discuss!

[slucero]

Journey fans on this board: God damn it. The same dirty dozen. I'm pissed off with Journey not playing other songs. They waste their time on these 3-band shows and we never get to hear anything new!

Same Journey fans: Fuck Steve Perry if he can't sing the old songs in the same key. No one will see him if he can't repeat that shit.



Just my observation.

Hell I'd pay to see Perry sing as he is now... I'm done paying for the funeral service that the J-Boyz show is now..

[Monker]

Well, the first video posted, I thought he sounded absolutely horrid and I wasn't even going to comment.

The second was a lot clearer and he sounds better.

Either way, it was brave of him to do...just wish it was soundboard quality so we could hear what he really sounds like.

It does make me wonder if Perry did call Neal to rejoin and Neal said "No..." This could be a small step to proving that decision wrong. If I were Neal it would take a lot more than three songs...maybe a short solo tour. Then, maybe, i'd consider it. Otherwise, I'd be worried he'd quit in the middle of it, or before it even started.

One other note, he didn't exactly hold back much on straining his hip...

[JRNYMAN]

Looking at the list of media outlets on Google News that carried this story and Damn...! I can't think of a major tabloid, daily, periodical or major news source that didn't carry this story. I guess there are more people who think he's a big deal than just us?
https://news.google.com/news/story?pz=1 ... xOBXf-RhQM

Rolling Stone even covered it! Time to get right with God!!

From the RS article... "While Perry's vocals have grown gruffer and scratchier with age, his pipes still packed the same potent, pained arena-ready punch they did back in the day." Umm.... yeah, I don't think that's accurate.

Read more: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/video ... z32yNsJrlz

[Memorex]

Well, the first video posted, I thought he sounded absolutely horrid and I wasn't even going to comment.

The second was a lot clearer and he sounds better.

Either way, it was brave of him to do...just wish it was soundboard quality so we could hear what he really sounds like.

It does make me wonder if Perry did call Neal to rejoin and Neal said "No..." This could be a small step to proving that decision wrong. If I were Neal it would take a lot more than three songs...maybe a short solo tour. Then, maybe, i'd consider it. Otherwise, I'd be worried he'd quit in the middle of it, or before it even started.

One other note, he didn't exactly hold back much on straining his hip...

I have nothing to base it on, but I think one has zero to do with the other. I think this is just as it looks,steve perry taking a small step back out front, though it's turning out to be quite a public small step.

[Todd H]

I thought he sounded pretty good on the Eels song. The Journey stuff was a mixed bag but there were moments when the The Voice came through. I'd pay to see him live, which is something I refuse to do with the current version of Journey.

[slucero]

Perry should do an album of the DD songs.. newer, more mellow arrangements, in keys he can sing well in...

Put it out and say... "this is my newer, mature version of these songs, I'm 65 now, and this is how I sing these songs."

Put the reunion thing to bed.


The follow it up with an album of new songs... and watch it go double platinum in 15 minutes...

[Memorex]

No more DD for me. It's been done to death. I just want new.

[Majestic]

There is no way he can pull off DD songs now. Aside from the fact his voice is deeper, courser, and probably can't reach to the heights of 20 years ago, he is also older and more matured. He is not even the same man he was back in the day.

Perry is an emotional guy and an emotional artist. That's the main reason I feel he could do the Eels song better than any of his own. He could feel that song, and that is where Perry will always excel, phrasing and emoting, and pouring out everything he feels into a song. The main reason I think he can't pull off the DD anymore, is less about octave and more about heart. He can't relate to or feel those songs anymore, and that, to me, is what his performance showed. For that reason, I would not like to see a Journey reunion.

Sure, a Perry/Journey reunion would be a way for everyone to cash in and ride off into the sunset, but I would rather see Perry do some songs that he feels, using the voice he has now and conveying the man he is today. Maybe Neal could play on a couple of tracks or whatever, but Perry is a different man and a different artist. That is what I want to experience, because it will really be something new, and, I think, probably great.

[Memorex]

There is no way he can pull off DD songs now. Aside from the fact his voice is deeper, courser, and probably can't reach to the heights of 20 years ago, he is also older and more matured. He is not even the same man he was back in the day.

Perry is an emotional guy and an emotional artist. That's the main reason I feel he could do the Eels song better than any of his own. He could feel that song, and that is where Perry will always excel, phrasing and emoting, and pouring out everything he feels into a song. The main reason I think he can't pull off the DD anymore, is less about octave and more about heart. He can't relate to or feel those songs anymore, and that, to me, is what his performance showed. For that reason, I would not like to see a Journey reunion.

Sure, a Perry/Journey reunion would be a way for everyone to cash in and ride off into the sunset, but I would rather see Perry do some songs that he feels, using the voice he has now and conveying the man he is today. Maybe Neal could play on a couple of tracks or whatever, but Perry is a different man and a different artist. That is what I want to experience, because it will really be something new, and, I think, probably great.

Exactly!

[steveo777]

Well, one thing is for sure......this news has gotten this forum ginned up again and some people who haven't posted here for a long time are being heard from. Welcome back friends!

[JRNYMAN]

Well, one thing is for sure......this news has gotten this forum ginned up again and some people who haven't posted here for a long time are being heard from. Welcome back friends!

LOL! Yup, that's the first thing I thought of when I saw the story this morning... "I'll bet this is blowin' up BIG TIME on MR!" And, having watched it pretty much grind to a halt lo these past months, I was sure this would oil the gears a bit..
Hey Steveo, long time no chit chat!

[steveo777]

Well, one thing is for sure......this news has gotten this forum ginned up again and some people who haven't posted here for a long time are being heard from. Welcome back friends!

LOL! Yup, that's the first thing I thought of when I saw the story this morning... "I'll bet this is blowin' up BIG TIME on MR!" And, having watched it pretty much grind to a halt lo these past months, I was sure this would oil the gears a bit..
Hey Steveo, long time no chit chat!

Back at ya bro!

[JRNYMAN]

There is no way he can pull off DD songs now. Aside from the fact his voice is deeper, courser, and probably can't reach to the heights of 20 years ago, he is also older and more matured. He is not even the same man he was back in the day.

Perry is an emotional guy and an emotional artist. That's the main reason I feel he could do the Eels song better than any of his own. He could feel that song, and that is where Perry will always excel, phrasing and emoting, and pouring out everything he feels into a song. The main reason I think he can't pull off the DD anymore, is less about octave and more about heart. He can't relate to or feel those songs anymore, and that, to me, is what his performance showed. For that reason, I would not like to see a Journey reunion.

Sure, a Perry/Journey reunion would be a way for everyone to cash in and ride off into the sunset, but I would rather see Perry do some songs that he feels, using the voice he has now and conveying the man he is today. Maybe Neal could play on a couple of tracks or whatever, but Perry is a different man and a different artist. That is what I want to experience, because it will really be something new, and, I think, probably great.

+1 Every word!
I will add this though.....
Let's say for a minute a reunion did indeed happen. It would most assuredly be a one-time thing, playing a limited number of cities. Everyone on the planet who has begged for it would get their wish, the band would ride off into the sunset having orchestrated the most anticipated, most unlikely reunion in history (Waters & Gilmour is the only one that comes to mind that equals this one IMHO). And if Perry's last hurrah was to be as Journey's front-man and not the solo artist, it would require him to perform the DD, there's no way around it. Given what I heard on the video, that's not the voice I want to forever associate with the last time I heard them sang live by him. A reunion would set a lot of people up for sure disappointment come showtime.

[donnaplease]

I had the privilege of hearing Jeremey sing Open Arms once, not the "Frontiers" version, but the "Jeremey" version, and it was incredible! Deeper, richer, and more mature. I think that's the kind of thing SP may have been attempting here. The Jrny songs he sang weren't breathtaking, but there is still a glimmer of SMFP there, and that's A-OK with me!!!

I actually love the idea of remaking some of the hits as he is now, adding the bluesier interpretation. It can still be "about the music" even if it is expressed differently.

[RedWingFan]

I'd still actually pay to see Perry and drive twice the distance, than see Journey for free.

[donnaplease]

Donna Please would sound awesome with that 65 year old sexy yummy voice........

YESSSSSS!!!!!!!!

[slucero]

There is no way he can pull off DD songs now. Aside from the fact his voice is deeper, courser, and probably can't reach to the heights of 20 years ago, he is also older and more matured. He is not even the same man he was back in the day.

Perry is an emotional guy and an emotional artist. That's the main reason I feel he could do the Eels song better than any of his own. He could feel that song, and that is where Perry will always excel, phrasing and emoting, and pouring out everything he feels into a song. The main reason I think he can't pull off the DD anymore, is less about octave and more about heart. He can't relate to or feel those songs anymore, and that, to me, is what his performance showed. For that reason, I would not like to see a Journey reunion.

Sure, a Perry/Journey reunion would be a way for everyone to cash in and ride off into the sunset, but I would rather see Perry do some songs that he feels, using the voice he has now and conveying the man he is today. Maybe Neal could play on a couple of tracks or whatever, but Perry is a different man and a different artist. That is what I want to experience, because it will really be something new, and, I think, probably great.

+1 Every word!
I will add this though.....
Let's say for a minute a reunion did indeed happen. It would most assuredly be a one-time thing, playing a limited number of cities. Everyone on the planet who has begged for it would get their wish, the band would ride off into the sunset having orchestrated the most anticipated, most unlikely reunion in history (Waters & Gilmour is the only one that comes to mind that equals this one IMHO). And if Perry's last hurrah was to be as Journey's front-man and not the solo artist, it would require him to perform the DD, there's no way around it. Given what I heard on the video, that's not the voice I want to forever associate with the last time I heard them sang live by him. A reunion would set a lot of people up for sure disappointment come showtime.

Re-read my post please.

I wasn't talking about a Journey reunion, and I never said doing the DD in their original key... and Perry wouldn't have sung the Journey songs last nite if they still didn't mean something to him.

The simple fact is Perry is gonna have to address the "reunion-ists" at some point in time.. and a better way to do this is to give them what they want, on a record.. this way it kills 2 birds with one stone... and ironically "breaks it"...

Fans would eat it up and the new arrangements would saturate their ears ... Then he can perform them live and they would likely "fit" better with his new material also... and be a perfect setup and segue to it...

[DracIsBack]

Sure, a Perry/Journey reunion would be a way for everyone to cash in and ride off into the sunset, but I would rather see Perry do some songs that he feels, using the voice he has now and conveying the man he is today. Maybe Neal could play on a couple of tracks or whatever, but Perry is a different man and a different artist. That is what I want to experience, because it will really be something new, and, I think, probably great.

Yeah - this sums up how I feel. I tuned out after a bit with the "OMG, he doesn't sound like the record from 30+ years ago" after a few minutes and just enjoyed hearing him sing. There were a few times when he went higher than I expected actually but I didn't leave thinking, "Boy, it would be great if it rejoined Journey".

What I did leaving thinking was, "Boy, it would be great if he did new music". I loved how he did that Eels cover. It reminded me of many of the gifts that he has as a singer, but not clouded by how it compared to work he did thirty years ago. I hope he does more.

[Marzdog]

Pretty amazing...no matter which side of the fence you're on.

11min09sec of STEVE PERRY, FORMER lead singer of Journey, has gotten SP and Journey MORE PRESS in the past 60 or so hours than Journey has gotten on its own since the announcement of Arnel Pineda as the new lead singer of Journey via his story.

And Neal...he's gotta be saying to himself "This motherfucker stepped on me again", when in reality, even Carson Daly on the TODAY show plugged the current tour, giving Journey promotion when they otherwise would not have been mentioned.

The video is just over 961k views on YouTube as of this writing in the past 60 hours! Is Steve Perry the driving force/promo machine behind Journey, despite his absence from the band for the past 18 years?

[portland]

It has certainly brought many out of the woodwork here

[portland]

Journey fans on this board: God damn it. The same dirty dozen. I'm pissed off with Journey not playing other songs. They waste their time on these 3-band shows and we never get to hear anything new!

Same Journey fans: Fuck Steve Perry if he can't sing the old songs in the same key. No one will see him if he can't repeat that shit.



Just my observation.

Hell I'd pay to see Perry sing as he is now... I'm done paying for the funeral service that the J-Boyz show is now..

It's the same for me...but I know that many here are happy with the Journey of today, it's a personal preference.

Just was cool to see him finally break through what was holding him back....I think he chose those three songs because they each hold meaning to him. He has been through a lot and many days I agree with the observation of the first song...life can truly be a MF.....Deano I hope you are watching from above because I am sure that song made you LOL.

[scarygirl]

When you say "soundboard quality" does that mean the video in its current form is a souped version of his existing vocals ?

Well, the first video posted, I thought he sounded absolutely horrid and I wasn't even going to comment.

The second was a lot clearer and he sounds better.

Either way, it was brave of him to do...just wish it was soundboard quality so we could hear what he really sounds like.

It does make me wonder if Perry did call Neal to rejoin and Neal said "No..." This could be a small step to proving that decision wrong. If I were Neal it would take a lot more than three songs...maybe a short solo tour. Then, maybe, i'd consider it. Otherwise, I'd be worried he'd quit in the middle of it, or before it even started.

One other note, he didn't exactly hold back much on straining his hip...

[Gideon]

I have held true and fast to the statement and belief that he would never sing again in public because doing so would reveal just how bad his voice had deteriorated which would serve to do nothing more than cloud the memories the world collectively has of "The Voice". He did it, and I was dead fucking on!
Steve Perry is a God in my music world. The soundtrack of my life is so ridiculously dotted with songs sung by him. Undoubtedly my favorite singer of all time. HOWEVER, what I heard in those videos I wouldn't take the time to download to my iPod if I didn't know it was him. Sorry, but he sounds like shit! He should have adhered to the old showbiz motto, "Always leave 'em wanting more!"
If only he hadn't waited almost 20 God Damned years to do what he did Sunday night! If only he... If only.... If....

Sounds like you had your mind made up beforehand.

One could easily level the same accusation towards every Loon on this board. Bias and predisposition work both ways; do you really think it's a coincidence that the outspoken critics of modern-day Journey are also singing endless praise for Perry here?

[Memorex]

I have held true and fast to the statement and belief that he would never sing again in public because doing so would reveal just how bad his voice had deteriorated which would serve to do nothing more than cloud the memories the world collectively has of "The Voice". He did it, and I was dead fucking on!
Steve Perry is a God in my music world. The soundtrack of my life is so ridiculously dotted with songs sung by him. Undoubtedly my favorite singer of all time. HOWEVER, what I heard in those videos I wouldn't take the time to download to my iPod if I didn't know it was him. Sorry, but he sounds like shit! He should have adhered to the old showbiz motto, "Always leave 'em wanting more!"
If only he hadn't waited almost 20 God Damned years to do what he did Sunday night! If only he... If only.... If....

Sounds like you had your mind made up beforehand.

One could easily level the same accusation towards every Loon on this board. Bias and predisposition work both ways; do you really think it's a coincidence that the outspoken critics of modern-day Journey are also singing endless praise for Perry here?

Sure - that's absolutely possible. And anyone that says "he hasn't lost a thing" should be dismissed outright. But I found the performance to be very satisfying. I thought it was pretty damn good. I'm no loon, for sure. And based on the popularity of it all, I'd say it's not just loons that are enjoying it - not just the songs, but the whole thing.

My whole thing is that both sides need to let the Journey/Steve Perry thing go. People who say Steve Perry cannot sing the high notes like before should just put on Captain Obvious t-shirts and be done with it. People that can't seem to think of Steve Perry on his own without NEEDING him to return to Journey should chill. Because they are spending time on fantasy. For anyone that can put aside comparisons and fantasy, I think they would really be able to enjoy what occurred for what it is. So who gives a shit if he can't sing the same high note. I just don't see what it has to do with ANYTHING.

[Majestic]

Pretty amazing...no matter which side of the fence you're on.


And Neal...he's gotta be saying to himself "This motherfucker stepped on me again"....

NOW we know why from the entire Eels catalogue Perry chose to sing "It's a mother fucker!" He should have dedicated it to Neal.

[Majestic]

I have held true and fast to the statement and belief that he would never sing again in public because doing so would reveal just how bad his voice had deteriorated which would serve to do nothing more than cloud the memories the world collectively has of "The Voice". He did it, and I was dead fucking on!
Steve Perry is a God in my music world. The soundtrack of my life is so ridiculously dotted with songs sung by him. Undoubtedly my favorite singer of all time. HOWEVER, what I heard in those videos I wouldn't take the time to download to my iPod if I didn't know it was him. Sorry, but he sounds like shit! He should have adhered to the old showbiz motto, "Always leave 'em wanting more!"

I'm a little surprised by this, actually. His cover of the Eels was way better than the Eels version, and sent chills through me, despite being a live performance on YouTube. In fact, I think Perry should record his own version of that tune. I'd buy it in a second, and I think millions of others would too because:

1) it is a really nice song
2) it is contemporary and with the times
3) a lot of people can relate to the lyric
4) Perry sings the hell out of it
5) People want to hear Perry again

[YoungJRNY]

It took me a few watches to even here his voice from the simple fact that I couldn't believe what I was watching. I'm not surprised by the way he sounds, at all. I was actually expecting much worse. All that aside, the dude hasn't sung for decades and he IS what, 67? At this point, just okay or good is good enough for me. Welcome back, Mr. Perry

[Gideon]

Sure - that's absolutely possible. And anyone that says "he hasn't lost a thing" should be dismissed outright. But I found the performance to be very satisfying. I thought it was pretty damn good. I'm no loon, for sure. And based on the popularity of it all, I'd say it's not just loons that are enjoying it - not just the songs, but the whole thing.

Perry's an iconic singer who hasn't belted a not publicly in decades; his reemergence is naturally going to generate a relative shitton of media attention. That doesn't necessarily validate the quality of his performance.

My whole thing is that both sides need to let the Journey/Steve Perry thing go. People who say Steve Perry cannot sing the high notes like before should just put on Captain Obvious t-shirts and be done with it. People that can't seem to think of Steve Perry on his own without NEEDING him to return to Journey should chill. Because they are spending time on fantasy. For anyone that can put aside comparisons and fantasy, I think they would really be able to enjoy what occurred for what it is. So who gives a shit if he can't sing the same high note. I just don't see what it has to do with ANYTHING.

I'm sure you remember the oft'-parroted line "Steve Perry is Journey"? To whatever extent that may be true, so too is the reverse. Perry enjoyed commercial success alone, but it's truly nothing in comparison to what he accomplished with the band. So when he comes out of the woodwork, it's only natural that people will yearn for a reunion.

But Perry doesn't belong in Journey anymore; his voice isn't up to par. At the same time, it doesn't really matter: his legacy is eternally secure with the band and he can never be excised from it, so he really has nothing to lose. I'm all for him releasing new material as long as it's catchy and appropriate for his diminished voice.

As for why people "give a shit" about the high note, I can only repeat what I've already told you. That stratospheric range was a Perry trademark every bit as much as the elusive "soulful" X-factor that seems to moisten the underwear of every woman registered on this board and some of the guys too. It may not matter to you and some others, but it matters to people who value the music more than the musician.

[Monker]

I am saying a recording from the electronics that mix and create the sound for the concert. The MTV Escape concert would be a good example.

I always feel there is a lot of 'guessing' when you watch YouTube videos recorded from the audience...and people fill in the blanks with what they want to hear.

But, it is what it is...

When you say "soundboard quality" does that mean the video in its current form is a souped version of his existing vocals ?

Well, the first video posted, I thought he sounded absolutely horrid and I wasn't even going to comment.

The second was a lot clearer and he sounds better.

Either way, it was brave of him to do...just wish it was soundboard quality so we could hear what he really sounds like.

It does make me wonder if Perry did call Neal to rejoin and Neal said "No..." This could be a small step to proving that decision wrong. If I were Neal it would take a lot more than three songs...maybe a short solo tour. Then, maybe, i'd consider it. Otherwise, I'd be worried he'd quit in the middle of it, or before it even started.

One other note, he didn't exactly hold back much on straining his hip...

[FamilyMan]

Agree he sounds good. Surprised by the amount of people saying his voice sounds spent.
Who wouldn't take this guy as their lead singer RIGHT NOW?!