Steve Perry & the White Sox in 2005

[fred_journeyman]

For all you individuals who refuse to accept the FACT that I do NOT hate Perry, I'd like to remind you that when Perry sang "Don't Stop Believin'" acapella after the White Sox won the penant in 2005, there were quite a few individuals that I can recall who quickly came to the fore to slam him and his perceived lack of ability to sing.

For the record, I was the one who pointed out some extremely important FACTS about that situation (in Perry's favor):
1) the mic Perry was using was most likely a cheaper mic, used for speaking, not for singing
2) the overall PA sound system was also the type set up for speaking, not singing
3) there were no "effects" like reverb applied to his mic that day, which would have been added and mixed beautifully for a concert setting

If Perry did not sound good that day - as many pointed out - it was because of those factors MAINLY.

This is just one instance where I've defended Perry. While I think that he has lost his high end (gee, a natural condition of aging) and while I do not think some of the decisions he's made over the past skatey-eight years have endured me to him, I do not hate the guy. I have just about everything he's produced and released, including what he did with Journey and on his own (incl Kenny Loggins and others). The only Journey CDs I do not have are the ones prior to Perry joining the group.

I realize that this all started because of my pivotal post WAY back on VH-1 when I decided I no longer wanted to direct my anger toward Journey (when all I did at that time was post AGAINST Journey). I wanted to "live and let live." Since I was seen as a turncoat, I became fair game. I never expected that response, but I should have known better. And if some people need to have a scapegoat, please feel free. I don't take anything said here, there or anywhere personally. It simply does't matter. I got through that a long, long time ago.

The reality for me is that whether it's Journey, Steve Perry or some other group, it's all JUST music. I have no stake in anything except the music I buy or the concerts I attend. In the end, it does NOT matter one iota about any of it. For ALL music groups today, it's BUSINESS and that's exactly what it was when Smith and Valory were canned from Journey. That's exactly what it was/is IF Augeri has been canned from Journey. It's business and I'd prefer to simply listen to the music and let the guys who are involved in making it sort out their own business dealings. They don't answer to me...or you. That said, it's always fun to respond to people who take this business as if the decisions made were personally made against them.

[whocares]

Perry's voice didn't sound bad because of a bad sound system, he sounded bad, because he wasn't used to singing the song for so long. This from a HUGE Perry fan. He sounded like crap singing that, plain and simple.

[swepett]

Perry's voice didn't sound bad because of a bad sound system, he sounded bad, because he wasn't used to singing the song for so long. This from a HUGE Perry fan. He sounded like crap singing that, plain and simple.

I agree. Those three points brought up in the original post have nothing to do with the quality of his performance. As an example, I am pretty sure the wireless mic the announcer used at that game was not cheaper or of less quality than anything SP would sing in. I am sure the White Sox has a pretty good budget for their announcement system. And if someone called me and wanted to rent some sound equipment for a huge baseball game at a huge American stadium, I would give them the same mic I would give Journey if they called me to rent equipment for a tour. There's no need to use a cheaper mic at this kind of event.

And maybe I didn't see the right clip but are you talking about him singing at the celebrations after they won the game? If that's the one, was SP just dragged up somewhere and just sang along with all the other people, screaming their lungs out in happiness? I don't think SP was particularly focused on delivering a stellar performance then. The quality of the performance was probably more due to lack of warm-up and all those people jumping up and down around him then what type of mic he was using.

Can someone point me to that clip again and I'll see if we're talking about the same thing?

[Carrington]

Rust and Fried (mmmm, sounds like a luch special!) from 4 days of screaming and celebrating, probably more like 7 actually, it was painful to hear......but I know he's still got it, maybe not high up, but who cares?.....it's still him in the end....I ain't mad at em'.......

[fred_journeyman]

I agree. Those three points brought up in the original post have nothing to do with the quality of his performance. As an example, I am pretty sure the wireless mic the announcer used at that game was not cheaper or of less quality than anything SP would sing in.

Well, unfortunately, you'd be wrong. The best lavalier microphone is not the same as the best mic that you sing into. The best microphone that is used for TALKING is not the same type of microphone one would use for SINGING, or for adding mics to INSTRUMENTATION. I have a complete set of microphones for my drum set that are designed for specific resonances and tones. I cannot take the microphone that is specifically designed for my bass drum and use it to pick up the sound from my snare drum unless I want it to sound weird.

For years Perry used one of the best mics for singing, which was a Sennheiser that was specifically suited for capturing the nuances and range of SINGING. I use a Sennheiser ME-80 shotgun mic attached to a boom, while filming because of its ability to capture sound while filming. No one would use a Sennheiser ME-80 to sing into. That would be absurd.

I stand by what I stated in my original post - he did not sound the best in part BECAUSE of the mic, the sound system and the lack of effects. I did not say that these were the ONLY reasons, but in my opinion, the MAJOR reasons.

However, the POINT of my original post was that I don't hate Perry and I have come to his defense many times, but please feel free to continue to digress into a debate about microphone usage and lavaliers and shotgun mics and why there are so many different mics at all and because you think Perry sounded like crap...and miss the entire point of my original post.

[Perry86fan]

I don't think it was his best but i thought he was good.But i am a fan of his

[Saint John]

For all you individuals who refuse to accept the FACT that I do NOT hate Perry, I'd like to remind you that when Perry sang "Don't Stop Believin'" acapella after the White Sox won the penant in 2005, there were quite a few individuals that I can recall who quickly came to the fore to slam him and his perceived lack of ability to sing.

For the record, I was the one who pointed out some extremely important FACTS about that situation (in Perry's favor):
1) the mic Perry was using was most likely a cheaper mic, used for speaking, not for singing
2) the overall PA sound system was also the type set up for speaking, not singing
3) there were no "effects" like reverb applied to his mic that day, which would have been added and mixed beautifully for a concert setting

If Perry did not sound good that day - as many pointed out - it was because of those factors MAINLY.

This is just one instance where I've defended Perry. While I think that he has lost his high end (gee, a natural condition of aging) and while I do not think some of the decisions he's made over the past skatey-eight years have endured me to him, I do not hate the guy. I have just about everything he's produced and released, including what he did with Journey and on his own (incl Kenny Loggins and others). The only Journey CDs I do not have are the ones prior to Perry joining the group.

I realize that this all started because of my pivotal post WAY back on VH-1 when I decided I no longer wanted to direct my anger toward Journey (when all I did at that time was post AGAINST Journey). I wanted to "live and let live." Since I was seen as a turncoat, I became fair game. I never expected that response, but I should have known better. And if some people need to have a scapegoat, please feel free. I don't take anything said here, there or anywhere personally. It simply does't matter. I got through that a long, long time ago.

The reality for me is that whether it's Journey, Steve Perry or some other group, it's all JUST music. I have no stake in anything except the music I buy or the concerts I attend. In the end, it does NOT matter one iota about any of it. For ALL music groups today, it's BUSINESS and that's exactly what it was when Smith and Valory were canned from Journey. That's exactly what it was/is IF Augeri has been canned from Journey. It's business and I'd prefer to simply listen to the music and let the guys who are involved in making it sort out their own business dealings. They don't answer to me...or you. That said, it's always fun to respond to people who take this business as if the decisions made were personally made against them.

Good post. I'd like to add, as someone else did, that he was screaming his ass off for 4 games prior. With that said, I'm pretty sure his song was impromptu. After listening to Barb's boot of their last concert I'm convinced now, more than ever, that he could still do those songs justice. I hate to admit it, but JSS just doesn't sound Journey-esque. And Deen, well he does a nice job but his voice just isn't very powerful. He can't seem to hit the powerful notes. He seems to sing it all monotone. I really think Perry would sound better than Augeri, Deen or Soto. In shape, he'd still be the best vocalist for the job...81? of course not. But it aint 81. Let's hope he at least tries. Just my opinion. Great post Fred.

[Marabelle]

i thought his voice was "awright". i bet he sure hoped that it would be in good shape when he had to sing cause he had had a few days of not doing much besides screaming, yelling and probably drinking. I don't care what kind of mike you are singing into cause when you've partied mighty hard for a few days prior to singing and hadn't sung before such a big crowd with back up singers who play ball and do not sing; something tells me that you might not be in the best voice. i think it was just fun. rowdy and loud fun. i didn't expect that he would make a cd out of the song with the guys..he was just having fun.

[fred_journeyman]

I don't think it was his best but i thought he was good.But i am a fan of his

I give Perry 2 thumbs up for even attempting to do what he did that day! Think about it, he obviously could care LESS what anyone says, thinks or does where he's concerned and I'm sure he knew full well that it would be broadcast and discussed over and over. Yeah, I'm sure his voice was frayed from any screaming, etc., he might have done at the game(s), but think also of the fact that had he been using a great mic with some reverb and that alone would have kept it from sounding as "dry" as it did.

[fred_journeyman]

Good post. I'd like to add, as someone else did, that he was screaming his ass off for 4 games prior. With that said, I'm pretty sure his song was impromptu. After listening to Barb's boot of their last concert I'm convinced now, more than ever, that he could still do those songs justice. I hate to admit it, but JSS just doesn't sound Journey-esque. And Deen, well he does a nice job but his voice just isn't very powerful. He can't seem to hit the powerful notes. He seems to sing it all monotone. I really think Perry would sound better than Augeri, Deen or Soto. In shape, he'd still be the best vocalist for the job...81? of course not. But it aint 81. Let's hope he at least tries. Just my opinion. Great post Fred.

Thanks SJ.

If I may, regarding your comment about JSS not sounding Journey-esque...to me, I'd PREFER that over a singer who is too reminiscent of Perry's voice, which is one of the big reasons I stated from the beginning that the band should have gone with someone who could hit the highs, but whose voice had more of an "edge" to it (kind of like Bradley Delp, or even edgier). At least, the comparisons to Perry would have been less...maybe.

But, hey the band didn't listen to me...what WERE they thinking?

[Saint John]

Good post. I'd like to add, as someone else did, that he was screaming his ass off for 4 games prior. With that said, I'm pretty sure his song was impromptu. After listening to Barb's boot of their last concert I'm convinced now, more than ever, that he could still do those songs justice. I hate to admit it, but JSS just doesn't sound Journey-esque. And Deen, well he does a nice job but his voice just isn't very powerful. He can't seem to hit the powerful notes. He seems to sing it all monotone. I really think Perry would sound better than Augeri, Deen or Soto. In shape, he'd still be the best vocalist for the job...81? of course not. But it aint 81. Let's hope he at least tries. Just my opinion. Great post Fred.

Thanks SJ.

If I may, regarding your comment about JSS not sounding Journey-esque...to me, I'd PREFER that over a singer who is too reminiscent of Perry's voice, which is one of the big reasons I stated from the beginning that the band should have gone with someone who could hit the highs, but whose voice had more of an "edge" to it (kind of like Bradley Delp, or even edgier). At least, the comparisons to Perry would have been less...maybe.

But, hey the band didn't listen to me...what WERE they thinking?

I agree. What I was referring to was THIS tour, and the fact that most of the vocals won't sound "Journey-esque." At least to me. I'll still have fun though.

[fred_journeyman]

I agree. What I was referring to was THIS tour, and the fact that most of the vocals won't sound "Journey-esque." At least to me. I'll still have fun though.

Right, that's what I thought you meant. I just went a bit beyond that with my own observations. Sorry for any confusion.

Oh and by the way, I spent some time listening to the boots that Barb posted and I couldn't agree with you more about it not sounding Journey-esque on this tour.

[SuiteMadameBlue]

I was so happy to see Steve Perry out in public again

I think he still "has it" and I'm looking forward to any public appearance

[JrnySuxBalls]

Here ya go

http://cbs2chicago.com/video/?id=17366@wbbm.dayport.com

[Saint John]

Here ya go

http://cbs2chicago.com/video/?id=17366@wbbm.dayport.com

It would be VERY unfair to judge that in any way. It was NOT a performance. Just a regular guy having fun.

[yulog]

wow this isnt the one i saw this is actually not bad the one i saw was so horrific the news people didnt believe it was steve perry they were looking in disbelief and were seriously bashing him, also he was at a different podium and you couldnt see anything but his mouth up he looked like a small child

[swepett]

Here ya go

http://cbs2chicago.com/video/?id=17366@wbbm.dayport.com

It would be VERY unfair to judge that in any way. It was NOT a performance. Just a regular guy having fun.

I agree. And those mics are Shure SM57's.

[joybringer1]

You can hear how hoarse his voice is before he even starts to sing - just as you'd expect from someone who'd been yelling for their team for 4 days!

I think it was incredibly brave of him to get up there and sing unaccompanied after years out of the spotlight. It took more guts than I've got, that's for sure!

[whocares]

Here ya go

http://cbs2chicago.com/video/?id=17366@wbbm.dayport.com

It would be VERY unfair to judge that in any way. It was NOT a performance. Just a regular guy having fun.

I agree. And those mics are Shure SM57's.

I didn't feel like getting into it, but I always heard Perry FONDLY talk about his Shure Mic's, all the time. Sennheiser maybe in the studio, but shure on the road.


I don't know how this got to lavelier mics, that's just a useless point.

[fred_journeyman]

I agree. And those mics are Shure SM57's.

Yes, often used for singing, however it's not what Perry used in concert or even in the studio. I have one of those, but I prefer my wrap around Samson head mic for singing, while drumming. If I could afford it, I would have gone with a Sennheiser head mic, hands down.

[fred_journeyman]

I didn't feel like getting into it, but I always heard Perry FONDLY talk about his Shure Mic's, all the time. Sennheiser maybe in the studio, but shure on the road.

I'll have to look through my pictures, but I have a photo of Steve Perry in concert, during his days with Journey using a Sennheiser. It's really tough to beat that German engineering, at least at that time. Mics have come a long way since then.

[fred_journeyman]

Okay, I pulled out my For the Love of Strange Medicine World Tour 94 - 95 book and it looks like Perry is using an <B>Electro Voice</B> microphone (wired) and it looks like it's a Co9 from their Cobalt Series line.

Here are a few lines from the specs:
A slight bass roll-off and accentuated midrange make this a superb sounding microphone.

Microphone Applications:
Female Vocal, Male Vocal, Rock

although it could have been the Co5:
Designed for the performer who prefers a careful balance of highs, midrange and lows, the Co5, with on/off switch, offers exceptional vocal intelligibility with controlled proximity effect. Got the blues? Pull out your harp. With the Co5, you get clarity and grit -- when YOU want it.

Either way, the Electro Voice is what he used during FTLOSM. Electro Voice is specifically "thanked" in the books credits. No mention of Sennheiser or Schure. Haven't located the photo yet where Perry is seen using a Sennheiser, but I'll keep looking.

[Jeremey]

Okay, I pulled out my For the Love of Strange Medicine World Tour 94 - 95 book and it looks like Perry is using an <B>Electro Voice</B> microphone (wired) and it looks like it's a Co9 from their Cobalt Series line.

Here are a few lines from the specs:
A slight bass roll-off and accentuated midrange make this a superb sounding microphone.

Microphone Applications:
Female Vocal, Male Vocal, Rock

although it could have been the Co5:
Designed for the performer who prefers a careful balance of highs, midrange and lows, the Co5, with on/off switch, offers exceptional vocal intelligibility with controlled proximity effect. Got the blues? Pull out your harp. With the Co5, you get clarity and grit -- when YOU want it.

Either way, the Electro Voice is what he used during FTLOSM. Electro Voice is specifically "thanked" in the books credits. No mention of Sennheiser or Schure. Haven't located the photo yet where Perry is seen using a Sennheiser, but I'll keep looking.

Steve endorsed Electro Voice mics and I believe he was using an EV 757 on the FTLOSM, which has since been replaced with the 767, an inferior mic by the way... The Cobalt line is fairly new and is the lower price point line, so I'm pretty sure it wasn't a Cobalt. He also used an Electro Voice capsule in the wireless unit he had for the Escape tour - I never could figure out what kind of mic he was using during ROR, but it looked huge...I don't know that Steve has ever used a Shure mic onstage, but they make some fantastic mics as well. Joe Elliot & JSS both were using Shure Beta 58 wireless mics on Saturday.

[fred_journeyman]

Steve endorsed Electro Voice mics and I believe he was using an EV 757 on the FTLOSM, which has since been replaced with the 767, an inferior mic by the way... The Cobalt line is fairly new and is the lower price point line, so I'm pretty sure it wasn't a Cobalt. He also used an Electro Voice capsule in the wireless unit he had for the Escape tour - I never could figure out what kind of mic he was using during ROR, but it looked huge...I don't know that Steve has ever used a Shure mic onstage, but they make some fantastic mics as well. Joe Elliot & JSS both were using Shure Beta 58 wireless mics on Saturday.

I'm sure you're correct, Jeremy. The Cobalt line is fairly new, now that I think about it.

Dude, when is your band coming to CALIFORNIA?

[Saint John]

First of all, I stand corrected. I thought Perry's singing was impromptu. It wasn't. However, maybe, just maybe, he WANTED to sound average. Should he decide to come back it would minimize expectations because everyone would be judging him by what they heard last...that. It could have been a slick maneuver on his part to set realistic expectations should he decide to sing again. Just a thought. Cause he IS a very smart man.

[whocares]

so... you think Perry deliberately sang like crap, so people would think he can't sing anymore? Is that what you are saying? or the way I'm reading it?

[Saint John]

so... you think Perry deliberately sang like crap, so people would think he can't sing anymore? Is that what you are saying? or the way I'm reading it?

Deliberately? No. What I'm saying is that MAYBE he just sang with what he had at the time. Pretty much a voice that had done a lot of screaming and yelling over the prior week(s). For such a perfectionist it seemed a bit odd that he didn't have a problem with that being his first public performance in how long? Maybe he was showing that he is human, and that aging does a lot to your voice. Possibly a way to minimize expectations should he decide to sing or record again.

[AR]

It's a fun clip to watch.

[whocares]

Human? STEVE PERRY? Say it isn't so. SJ... Thanks for clarifying.

I agree that he probably did lots of screaming, so to see something that sounded terrible was a big shock to many people that think he's "always" on.

[fred_journeyman]

so... you think Perry deliberately sang like crap, so people would think he can't sing anymore? Is that what you are saying? or the way I'm reading it?

Deliberately? No. What I'm saying is that MAYBE he just sang with what he had at the time. Pretty much a voice that had done a lot of screaming and yelling over the prior week(s). For such a perfectionist it seemed a bit odd that he didn't have a problem with that being his first public performance in how long? Maybe he was showing that he is human, and that aging does a lot to your voice. Possibly a way to minimize expectations should he decide to sing or record again.

Could be...or maybe he has just thoroughly gotten to the point where he could really careless who thinks what about him and is really "comfortable in his own skin," so to speak.