MR

Is it me or does he get too much credit for singing, people wanted him to front journey, but even that'd be too stupid for them to hire him, he just looks like perry, and has a weaker voice. Why does he get so much credit?

4everkop wrote:Is it me or does he get too much credit for singing, people wanted him to front journey, but even that'd be too stupid for them to hire him, he just looks like perry, and has a weaker voice. Why does he get so much credit?

Because he's a bloody good solo artist in his own right.

I really do like Hugo's solo stuff. But his Perry imitation pales in comparison to Jeremey.

Dont think he gets too much credit, but I do think hes better off doing his own stuff. At Firefest IV (in the UK ) in October he hinted there will be a new Valentine album made in 2008 , or at least new material. If I had a few coins to spend and had to choose betwen the new Journey album and a new Valentine album - I'd probably buy the new Valentine album.

Looks a bit like SteveP, doesn't have near enough vocal pizazz in his Journey covers. JH is superior in every way.

finalfight wrote:

4everkop wrote:Is it me or does he get too much credit for singing, people wanted him to front journey, but even that'd be too stupid for them to hire him, he just looks like perry, and has a weaker voice. Why does he get so much credit?

Because he's a bloody good solo artist in his own right.

Hear! Hear! The guy is fantastic on his solo records - I love his voice. Perry-ish, but with some individuality thrown in!

Hugo is good.. But if he toured with Journey for even 6 months,his voice would be shot.. Not sure Jeremey could handle it either.. SP,Arnel and JSS all have very strong voices.. Anyone that sounds like Perry,even doing their own stuff is going to get compared..I really think that sucks.. Because people expect the guy to be Perry.. IMO

Journey69 wrote:Hugo is good.. But if he toured with Journey for even 6 months,his voice would be shot.. Not sure Jeremey could handle it either.. SP,Arnel and JSS all have very strong voices.. Anyone that sounds like Perry,even doing their own stuff is going to get compared..I really think that sucks.. Because people expect the guy to be Perry.. IMO

80 minute sets 4 days a week with hundreds of thousands of dollars of monitor and PA? Piece of cake.

Hugo gets credit because he's the one guy out there who knows how to write original lyrics and melodies with Perry's emotional content in a VERY Journey like way.

I'm a big Hugo fan on his originals. At one point I thought he should be lead in Journey because, between Neal, Jon and Hugo, writing and melody wise, I really thought they would create new music which sounded and felt like frontiers era Journey. That being said, after seeing clips of him singing live, I wouldn't want him in the band.

Hugo really does wonders in the studio, but not so much playing live. He used to belt, but as he went more and more into imitating Perry, he's taken to singing through his middle voice and vocally he became weak. Sounds fine in a studio where he can tweak the songs to perfection, but now and forever, Journey is a live touring band. I don't think he could cut it out there.

Hunsiker has a stronger voice overall, but Hugo's stronger when it comes to originating music.

STORY_TELLER wrote:Hugo gets credit because he's the one guy out there who knows how to write original lyrics and melodies with Perry's emotional content in a VERY Journey like way.

I'm a big Hugo fan on his originals. At one point I thought he should be lead in Journey because, between Neal, Jon and Hugo, writing and melody wise, I really thought they would create new music which sounded and felt like frontiers era Journey. That being said, after seeing clips of him singing live, I wouldn't want him in the band.

Hugo really does wonders in the studio, but not so much playing live. He used to belt, but as he went more and more into imitating Perry, he's taken to singing through his middle voice and vocally he became weak. Sounds fine in a studio where he can tweak the songs to perfection, but now and forever, Journey is a live touring band. I don't think he could cut it out there.

Hunsiker has a stronger voice overall, but Hugo's stronger when it comes to originating music.

I have to disagree with you, have you seen Hugo live?
Let me tell you, he does belts them out and really draws you in especially with the ballads. His band Evolution is playing Dec 22nd in Manhattan, very excited to see him again.

ScarabGator wrote:I really do like Hugo's solo stuff. But his Perry imitation pales in comparison to Jeremey.

You can't hear the Journey influence?
And if have never seen Hugo live, you shouldn't make a comparison.

fanofjourney1 wrote:

STORY_TELLER wrote:Hugo gets credit because he's the one guy out there who knows how to write original lyrics and melodies with Perry's emotional content in a VERY Journey like way.

I'm a big Hugo fan on his originals. At one point I thought he should be lead in Journey because, between Neal, Jon and Hugo, writing and melody wise, I really thought they would create new music which sounded and felt like frontiers era Journey. That being said, after seeing clips of him singing live, I wouldn't want him in the band.

Hugo really does wonders in the studio, but not so much playing live. He used to belt, but as he went more and more into imitating Perry, he's taken to singing through his middle voice and vocally he became weak. Sounds fine in a studio where he can tweak the songs to perfection, but now and forever, Journey is a live touring band. I don't think he could cut it out there.

Hunsiker has a stronger voice overall, but Hugo's stronger when it comes to originating music.

I have to disagree with you, have you seen Hugo live?
Let me tell you, he does belts them out and really draws you in especially with the ballads. His band Evolution is playing Dec 22nd in Manhattan, very excited to see him again.

I haven't seen him live, no. But I've seen the you tube clips of him live performing both Journey and his own solo material. He has a tendency to be pitchy live. I've read interviews with him where he himself has stated that producer's he's worked with have always pushed him to project his voice more and he didn't want to.

I'm saying this as a Hugo fan. I have all his solo stuff and I play it regularly on my iPod. He's great in the studio and has proven himself to be an artist and not just a karaoke singer. He needs to shelve the tribute band stuff completely. It's only hurt him.

STORY_TELLER wrote:

fanofjourney1 wrote:

STORY_TELLER wrote:Hugo gets credit because he's the one guy out there who knows how to write original lyrics and melodies with Perry's emotional content in a VERY Journey like way.

I'm a big Hugo fan on his originals. At one point I thought he should be lead in Journey because, between Neal, Jon and Hugo, writing and melody wise, I really thought they would create new music which sounded and felt like frontiers era Journey. That being said, after seeing clips of him singing live, I wouldn't want him in the band.

Hugo really does wonders in the studio, but not so much playing live. He used to belt, but as he went more and more into imitating Perry, he's taken to singing through his middle voice and vocally he became weak. Sounds fine in a studio where he can tweak the songs to perfection, but now and forever, Journey is a live touring band. I don't think he could cut it out there.

Hunsiker has a stronger voice overall, but Hugo's stronger when it comes to originating music.

I have to disagree with you, have you seen Hugo live?
Let me tell you, he does belts them out and really draws you in especially with the ballads. His band Evolution is playing Dec 22nd in Manhattan, very excited to see him again.

I haven't seen him live, no. But I've seen the you tube clips of him live performing both Journey and his own solo material. He has a tendency to be pitchy live. I've read interviews with him where he himself has stated that producer's he's worked with have always pushed him to project his voice more and he didn't want to.

I'm saying this as a Hugo fan. I have all his solo stuff and I play it regularly on my iPod. He's great in the studio and has proven himself to be an artist and not just a karaoke singer. He needs to shelve the tribute band stuff completely. It's only hurt him.

I understand, I have seen him with Evolution and it is such a great show and he is fantastic, but I don't think it's hurting him, if anything it is makeing him very popular with people who have never heard his original material. From what I understand he may be doing a "Hugo" show in NYC in the spring, don't know if it is a rumor or not. His fans of Evolution are excited to see that show!

STORY_TELLER wrote:

fanofjourney1 wrote:

STORY_TELLER wrote:Hugo gets credit because he's the one guy out there who knows how to write original lyrics and melodies with Perry's emotional content in a VERY Journey like way.

I'm a big Hugo fan on his originals. At one point I thought he should be lead in Journey because, between Neal, Jon and Hugo, writing and melody wise, I really thought they would create new music which sounded and felt like frontiers era Journey. That being said, after seeing clips of him singing live, I wouldn't want him in the band.

Hugo really does wonders in the studio, but not so much playing live. He used to belt, but as he went more and more into imitating Perry, he's taken to singing through his middle voice and vocally he became weak. Sounds fine in a studio where he can tweak the songs to perfection, but now and forever, Journey is a live touring band. I don't think he could cut it out there.

Hunsiker has a stronger voice overall, but Hugo's stronger when it comes to originating music.

I have to disagree with you, have you seen Hugo live?
Let me tell you, he does belts them out and really draws you in especially with the ballads. His band Evolution is playing Dec 22nd in Manhattan, very excited to see him again.

I haven't seen him live, no. But I've seen the you tube clips of him live performing both Journey and his own solo material. He has a tendency to be pitchy live. I've read interviews with him where he himself has stated that producer's he's worked with have always pushed him to project his voice more and he didn't want to.

I'm saying this as a Hugo fan. I have all his solo stuff and I play it regularly on my iPod. He's great in the studio and has proven himself to be an artist and not just a karaoke singer. He needs to shelve the tribute band stuff completely. It's only hurt him.

He was incredible live at Firefest his voice was really, really powerful and not at all like the horrible soft Evolution pro-shot videos. There are some good clips on YouTube.

finalfight wrote:

STORY_TELLER wrote:

fanofjourney1 wrote:

STORY_TELLER wrote:Hugo gets credit because he's the one guy out there who knows how to write original lyrics and melodies with Perry's emotional content in a VERY Journey like way.

I'm a big Hugo fan on his originals. At one point I thought he should be lead in Journey because, between Neal, Jon and Hugo, writing and melody wise, I really thought they would create new music which sounded and felt like frontiers era Journey. That being said, after seeing clips of him singing live, I wouldn't want him in the band.

Hugo really does wonders in the studio, but not so much playing live. He used to belt, but as he went more and more into imitating Perry, he's taken to singing through his middle voice and vocally he became weak. Sounds fine in a studio where he can tweak the songs to perfection, but now and forever, Journey is a live touring band. I don't think he could cut it out there.

Hunsiker has a stronger voice overall, but Hugo's stronger when it comes to originating music.

I have to disagree with you, have you seen Hugo live?
Let me tell you, he does belts them out and really draws you in especially with the ballads. His band Evolution is playing Dec 22nd in Manhattan, very excited to see him again.

I haven't seen him live, no. But I've seen the you tube clips of him live performing both Journey and his own solo material. He has a tendency to be pitchy live. I've read interviews with him where he himself has stated that producer's he's worked with have always pushed him to project his voice more and he didn't want to.

I'm saying this as a Hugo fan. I have all his solo stuff and I play it regularly on my iPod. He's great in the studio and has proven himself to be an artist and not just a karaoke singer. He needs to shelve the tribute band stuff completely. It's only hurt him.

He was incredible live at Firefest his voice was really, really powerful and not at all like the horrible soft Evolution pro-shot videos. There are some good clips on YouTube.

Yeah, it's the firefest stuff I saw of his live original material. I was disappointed. I really didn't hear the power you're talking about. I expected to hear more power on his original stuff because he was singing in his own range and not trying to fake a Perry range. Again, said as a Hugo fan, but I have to be fair and honest about what I'm hearing.

finalfight wrote:

STORY_TELLER wrote:

fanofjourney1 wrote:

STORY_TELLER wrote:Hugo gets credit because he's the one guy out there who knows how to write original lyrics and melodies with Perry's emotional content in a VERY Journey like way.

I'm a big Hugo fan on his originals. At one point I thought he should be lead in Journey because, between Neal, Jon and Hugo, writing and melody wise, I really thought they would create new music which sounded and felt like frontiers era Journey. That being said, after seeing clips of him singing live, I wouldn't want him in the band.

Hugo really does wonders in the studio, but not so much playing live. He used to belt, but as he went more and more into imitating Perry, he's taken to singing through his middle voice and vocally he became weak. Sounds fine in a studio where he can tweak the songs to perfection, but now and forever, Journey is a live touring band. I don't think he could cut it out there.

Hunsiker has a stronger voice overall, but Hugo's stronger when it comes to originating music.

I have to disagree with you, have you seen Hugo live?
Let me tell you, he does belts them out and really draws you in especially with the ballads. His band Evolution is playing Dec 22nd in Manhattan, very excited to see him again.

I haven't seen him live, no. But I've seen the you tube clips of him live performing both Journey and his own solo material. He has a tendency to be pitchy live. I've read interviews with him where he himself has stated that producer's he's worked with have always pushed him to project his voice more and he didn't want to.

I'm saying this as a Hugo fan. I have all his solo stuff and I play it regularly on my iPod. He's great in the studio and has proven himself to be an artist and not just a karaoke singer. He needs to shelve the tribute band stuff completely. It's only hurt him.

He was incredible live at Firefest his voice was really, really powerful and not at all like the horrible soft Evolution pro-shot videos. There are some good clips on YouTube.

You really have to see him live.

4everkop wrote:Is it me or does he get too much credit for singing, people wanted him to front journey, but even that'd be too stupid for them to hire him, he just looks like perry, and has a weaker voice. Why does he get so much credit?

Hugo is one of the best aor voices in business... but - he'd be taken more seriously without this tribute to Journey baggage...

At the time of Trial By Fire his first solo album got better reviews... I wonder how would his Ramos/Hugo and Valentine II projects do in comparison to new Journey album with Arnel...

Maro wrote:Hugo is one of the best aor voices in business... but - he'd be taken more seriously without this tribute to Journey baggage...

At the time of Trial By Fire his first solo album got better reviews... I wonder how would his Ramos/Hugo and Valentine II projects do in comparison to new Journey album with Arnel...

That is an interesting thought. I became a fan of Hugo BECAUSE of his Journey Tribute baggage, but I LOVE his solo stuff. He has an absolutely awesome voice, IMO because it has the Steve Perry emotional delivery influence.

journeyrock wrote:That is an interesting thought. I became a fan of Hugo BECAUSE of his Journey Tribute baggage, but I LOVE his solo stuff. He has an absolutely awesome voice, IMO because it has the Steve Perry emotional delivery influence.

I respect your opinion, but I became Hugo fan because hearing soundsamples from his first two solo albums... with time I managed to get my hands to all his albums...

Speaking about his tribute thing, it was never really interesting to me... only tribute to Journey I ever gave a chance and saw complete song on youtube was Jeremey's Frontiers, and to satisfy my curiosity I saw a song or two from Arnel's The Zoo... There is only one Journey and it's the band where Neal Schon is on guitar and Jonathan Cain or Gregg Rolie on keys... No one comes close to that sound... I like voices of Hugo, Kevin Chalfant, Steve Augeri, Arnel Pineda, Jeremey Hunsicker, Terry Brock, Timothy Lewis, Mickey Thomas, etc. and all of them worked (or could have worked) fine with Journey so I could live without Steve Perry in band, but I just don't like other guitar and keyboard players butchering Journey's signature sound...

[quote="Maro]

I respect your opinion, but I became Hugo fan because hearing soundsamples from his first two solo albums... with time I managed to get my hands to all his albums...

Speaking about his tribute thing, it was never really interesting to me... only tribute to Journey I ever gave a chance and saw complete song on youtube was Jeremey's Frontiers, and to satisfy my curiosity I saw a song or two from Arnel's The Zoo... There is only one Journey and it's the band where Neal Schon is on guitar and Jonathan Cain or Gregg Rolie on keys... No one comes close to that sound... I like voices of Hugo, Kevin Chalfant, Steve Augeri, Arnel Pineda, Jeremey Hunsicker, Terry Brock, Timothy Lewis, Mickey Thomas, etc. and all of them worked (or could have worked) fine with Journey so I could live without Steve Perry in band, but I just don't like other guitar and keyboard players butchering Journey's signature sound...quote]

I have to agree with you. I was disappointed on Steve Perry's solo tour when he sang Journey songs without Neal on guitar. Even though Lincoln did a very good job, it wasn't the same. And it's the same concept as someone trying to copy Steve Perry's voice. Can't be done.

Sorry, I can't get this quote thing figured out here, but you get the picture.

journeyrock wrote:I have to agree with you. I was disappointed on Steve Perry's solo tour when he sang Journey songs without Neal on guitar. Even though Lincoln did a very good job, it wasn't the same. And it's the same concept as someone trying to copy Steve Perry's voice. Can't be done.

Sorry, I can't get this quote thing figured out here, but you get the picture.

I understand how you feel, and there are many people thinking very simmilar... however, I am a bit more liberal in vocal department, but I simply can't digest butchering of Journey guitar&keyboard sound... That's why I don't like Kevin Chalfant's Fly 2 Fr33dom album... And it comes from Kevin's big fan (I simply adore his two The Storm albums, and have found many good songs on his other albums)... I could live with Kevin doing something he could/should have done much better 12-13 years ago in different circumstances (CHALFANT-SCHON-VALORY-ROLIE-CAIN-SMITH) , but his instrumental backing on Fly 2 Fr33dom completely destroyed the picture... I don't know if Josh Ramos on guitar and Gregg Rolie on keys could have saved the thing, but Fly 2 Fr33dom was miles away from what I expected, and I don't mean it in good way...

Maro wrote:

journeyrock wrote:I have to agree with you. I was disappointed on Steve Perry's solo tour when he sang Journey songs without Neal on guitar. Even though Lincoln did a very good job, it wasn't the same. And it's the same concept as someone trying to copy Steve Perry's voice. Can't be done.

Sorry, I can't get this quote thing figured out here, but you get the picture.

I understand how you feel, and there are many people thinking very simmilar... however, I am a bit more liberal in vocal department, but I simply can't digest butchering of Journey guitar&keyboard sound... That's why I don't like Kevin Chalfant's Fly 2 Fr33dom album... And it comes from Kevin's big fan (I simply adore his two The Storm albums, and have found many good songs on his other albums)... I could live with Kevin doing something he could/should have done much better 12-13 years ago in different circumstances (CHALFANT-SCHON-VALORY-ROLIE-CAIN-SMITH) , but his instrumental backing on Fly 2 Fr33dom completely destroyed the picture... I don't know if Josh Ramos on guitar and Gregg Rolie on keys could have saved the thing, but Fly 2 Fr33dom was miles away from what I expected, and I don't mean it in good way...

Yes, I understand your thinking.

Anyway, can't wait to hear new Ramos/Hugo album... that might be tough act to follow to some familiar faces...

texafana wrote:Looks a bit like SteveP, doesn't have near enough vocal pizazz in his Journey covers. JH is superior in every way.

Have to disagree on this. While JH is a damn good singer. As Journey "Tribute" bands go. Evolution was the closest thing to the real mccoy, IMO.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QE6oY8k- ... re=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVPHOkrb ... re=related

I prefer Hugo doin' his solo stuff but current Journey versus Evolution tribute band is about even for me.

Jeremey wrote:

Journey69 wrote:Hugo is good.. But if he toured with Journey for even 6 months,his voice would be shot.. Not sure Jeremey could handle it either.. SP,Arnel and JSS all have very strong voices.. Anyone that sounds like Perry,even doing their own stuff is going to get compared..I really think that sucks.. Because people expect the guy to be Perry.. IMO

80 minute sets 4 days a week with hundreds of thousands of dollars of monitor and PA? Piece of cake.

This might be a stupid question.. Do you guys just cover Journey,or are you guys thinking of doing some original stuff,putting out a cd? I'm still upset your band doesn't come to the midwest.. My brother is very critical and just about shit when I showed you to him on you tube singing.. I know you don't want to..But you should consider doing a couple songs off arrival.. Just because.. I think you should do 1 at least just to see what people think..I really believe they would love it!

I agree and can't wait for new material. I think we both know who'd be better ... and it isn't fuckin Journey.

Maro wrote:Hugo is one of the best aor voices in business... but - he'd be taken more seriously without this tribute to Journey baggage...

At the time of Trial By Fire his first solo album got better reviews... I wonder how would his Ramos/Hugo and Valentine II projects do in comparison to new Journey album with Arnel...

I have to agree with you. I was disappointed on Steve Perry's solo tour when he sang Journey songs without Neal on guitar. Even though Lincoln did a very good job, it wasn't the same. And it's the same concept as someone trying to copy Steve Perry's voice. Can't be done.

I thought about Linc a lot in that regard. Everyone said that stepping into Perry's shoes was tough, but Lincoln, at the ripe old age of 22 had to essentially step into Neal's shoes for that tour, and that can't be easy.

The first FLOTSM show that I saw, I was so sad that it wasn't "Journey" that I was seeing. I was surprised that I missed the band so much.

Then I saw the second show and I got over it.

I'd pay for cd with Jeremey singing original music... not so interested in his tribute stuff...

finalfight wrote:

STORY_TELLER wrote:

fanofjourney1 wrote:

STORY_TELLER wrote:
He was incredible live at Firefest his voice was really, really powerful and not at all like the horrible soft Evolution pro-shot videos. There are some good clips on YouTube.

I got to say I want to Firefest this year thinking that the it would be either Tyketto and Harem Scarem who won the award for best band of the day.
They were of course both great, but it was Valentine which absolutely stole the day. You could just feel the whole venue buzzing like hell after Valentine finished. I had pry my mouth off of the floor I was so suprised. I never expected to be impressed liket that