MR

(NOTE: this thread isn't about vocals. At this stage, the haggard sounding Perry couldn't make any Journey song sound better.)

Which songs (thus released by the current band) do you think could be made better by Perry's contributed melodic touch?
I will go ahead and say "A Better Life".
While the song is GREAT as it is, I think with just a little help it could be a real CLASSIC. It just slightly misses the mark by a hair. If only someone would have been there to tweak it a little, polish it and make it shine.
Then again, I have no real proof that Perry is that specific *someone*.
In fact, it's very possible his involvement would ruin the effort and send everything straight to hell.
Discuss amongst yourselves.

The entire album.

They probably would be on radio and charts aswell - As crazy as that sounds, and just because its Steve Perry. Being the legendary vocalist, considerd one of the greatest of all time. Anything he did back around 1977-1986 and even was done excellent, and usually pops up on a Greatest Hits compilation.

Vladan wrote:Which song... hmmm, i'd day all of them. They probably would be on radio and charts aswell - As crazy as that sounds, and just because its Steve Perry.

I guess that qualifies for an answer. I was really more talking about improving quality and content of songs, not charting positions or other superficial pecuniary concerns.

Easy one for me. Perry on Beyond The Clouds would sound pretty good....IF he could sing at all.

Also, A Better Life seems Perryish as well, and I think he could maybe add second layers of vox tracks to beef it up a little.

Oh I don't know; but if he was in great voice he could do the entire CD and it would be an instant hit. I agree with the Valdan guy.

Oh sometimes I want to squeeze the necks of people real tight until their heads pop off just like you said Deano! But not you!

Depends on your question. Do you mean better lyrically and or musically? Or do you mean better as in commerically successful?

Marabelle wrote:
Oh sometimes I want to squeeze the necks of people real tight until their heads pop off just like you said Deano! But not you!

Please don't misquote me, Marabelle.

I said I would like to twist PF or HOTS dome til it in fact "popped off." I never mentioned "squeeze."

Who knows?
I certainly don't think he could improve any of the Augie or Deen-fronted vox and it's been discussed at some length here what he REALLY did as a writer w/out Cain....
One thing: The high bridge part on Every Generation starting out "SOME GENERATIONS...." Just sounds like Cain's straining to hit that one and it'd be tailor-made for Perry. But then it would be for Augeri or Castronovo, too.

Greggie wrote:Depends on your question. Do you mean better lyrically and or musically? Or do you mean better as in commerically successful?

Yeah, I already clarified this to Vladan. I meant lyrically, or musically.

Maybe "Gone Crazy".

Vladan wrote:They probably would be on radio and charts aswell - As crazy as that sounds.

I don't think that sounds crazy at all. Since joining here, I've always maintained that if Perry returned, Journey would instantaneously have a song chart on the radio again.
The fans know it, the music industry knows it, and the band knows it, too.
Personally, I don't really care very much.
Sure, it'd be nice to see, but, eh, so it goes...

that's a tough question

Strictly from a lyrical and melody standpoint I would say Every Generation. That song could be an anthem along the lines of Be Good To Yourself, but I think Jonathan Cain misses the mark, and the melody sounds like a cross between a halfassed Lita Ford song and a Pepsi commercial. Perry and Cain together could have really jazzed that one up. Same with Better Life. Added some suspense to the melody line.

Jeremey wrote:Strictly from a lyrical and melody standpoint I would say Every Generation. That song could be an anthem along the lines of Be Good To Yourself, but I think Jonathan Cain misses the mark, and the melody sounds like a cross between a halfassed Lita Ford song and a Pepsi commercial. Perry and Cain together could have really jazzed that one up. Same with Better Life. Added some suspense to the melody line.

Interesting answers. I agree "Every Generation" kinda peters out at the end. Closing a song with "na na na" always works, but you're right. perhaps they've could've went for something a little stronger. Still a good song.

The_Noble_Cause wrote:

Greggie wrote:Depends on your question. Do you mean better lyrically and or musically? Or do you mean better as in commerically successful?

Yeah, I already clarified this to Vladan. I meant lyrically, or musically.

Every artist has their own stamp on things. As far as these songs musically and lyrically, I would say maybe to add a better course to songs like In Harms Way. As far as musically, I can't really see anything that needs improvement per se. The bulk of that is Neal and Jon's responsiblity.

Hey, Greggie - the Skins got a shot against the Bucs? I have a bad feeling...

Greggie wrote:

The_Noble_Cause wrote:

Greggie wrote:Depends on your question. Do you mean better lyrically and or musically? Or do you mean better as in commerically successful?

Yeah, I already clarified this to Vladan. I meant lyrically, or musically.

Every artist has their own stamp on things. As far as these songs musically and lyrically, I would say maybe to add a better course to songs like In Harms Way. As far as musically, I can't really see anything that needs improvement per se. The bulk of that is Neal and Jon's responsiblity.

Disagree, OUT of Harms Way can not be improved, and would not even have been recorded if Perry was still in the band.