MR

I've just watched a bunch of youtubes of the 2nd gig in Chile. Arnel sounded way more relaxed and in control. Some timing issues, but overall impressive how his voice
held up after that heavy first gig. I have the feeling his voice is tour-ready, fortunately.

Some minor points for me are that he just jumps too much and talks through solo's. Jon needs to buy a decent guitar or tuner, because it's sooooo out of key all the time, it hurts the ears.

Biggest dissapointment for me is still Neal, who seems to need shredding in the solo's, perhaps to impress more than Arnel? I even heard some off key playing, which I actually never heard with him. Also, the backings are off key sometimes. There were some chorusses in which some voice was off and in most cases it was not Arnel....

Now, Arnel & Neal don't have the same fluent chemistry and timing Perry and Neal had (Arnel times early or ends his melodies sooner, which I do miss.

All in all it's promising and once you stop comparing Arnel to Perry and listen to it for what it is it's actually pretty cool.

I'm very curious to hear the album, although you can't expect perfect chemistry having not played together for long. I'm pretty sure the chemistry would be much better if they'd record it now or after some more 10/20 gigs.

How was the Vegas gig compared to this 2nd Chile one? Is the band still in progress?

I think their timing issues will clear up within a few shows. It's probably just nerves on Arnel's behalf (which is understandable). I think once he gets a few shows under his belt and finds his place on the stage, he'll be a lot better! I wasn't sure about him at first, but after hearing the Chile shows...I'm definitely onboard!

I can't wait to hear the new album. I just hope it's at least as good as Arrival. They really need another rocker like "Separate Ways", "Chain Reaction" or "Stone in love"! Guess we'll see soon enough!

G.I.Jim wrote:I think their timing issues will clear up within a few shows. It's probably just nerves on Arnel's behalf (which is understandable). I think once he gets a few shows under his belt and finds his place on the stage, he'll be a lot better! I wasn't sure about him at first, but after hearing the Chile shows...I'm definitely onboard!

I can't wait to hear the new album. I just hope it's at least as good as Arrival. They really need another rocker like "Separate Ways", "Chain Reaction" or "Stone in love"! Guess we'll see soon enough!

Yeah, he just needs to not try so hard. I do hope Neal gets back to his old level though. Someone wrote that his pre-ROR (?) tone was so much better. I agree, it had more warmth and body, but less suited for shredding, so probably that's why he changed it....

I just listened to "Only the Young" and "Send Her My Love" and "Stone in Love". Stone was a wreck the first night. It was WAY better the second night. I thought he did a MUCH better job than the first night. Timing issues to resolve but VERY, VERY good sounding! Looks like nerves got him on night number one. We will see if he can be consitently good.

One minor flaw I've noticed with Arnel is that he extends some of the notes too long on certain songs...that seems to be his style however. Arnel definitely has what it takes and is a powerful vocalist, so I'm sure these timing issues have been worked out by now..... Especially since they're shooting a DVD!

Tone aside - I think Neal's playing gets better and better...no complaints at all, but then I'm not a guitar player.

brandonpfn wrote:Tone aside - I think Neal's playing gets better and better...no complaints at all, but then I'm not a guitar player.

Perhaps it's a just a matter of taste, but I prefer melodic playing to shredding. Neal has gone from playing melodic to adding more and more shred, which I hate.

It's like it's a way to show how good you are, but it says nothing.

I don't know what everyone else thinks, but I thought after they dropped JSS they may be done. I truly thought I would not go see them again but after hearing this kid, I have changed my mind. He sounded very good and more like the "classic" Journey I grew up on and loved. GUess I will try and see them again if they come through! WOW!

daltonsdad wrote:I don't know what everyone else thinks, but I thought after they dropped JSS they may be done. I truly thought I would not go see them again but after hearing this kid, I have changed my mind. He sounded very good and more like the "classic" Journey I grew up on and loved. GUess I will try and see them again if they come through! WOW!

I agree with you 100% except for one small thing...He's not a kid. He's around 40 years old if I'm not mistaken!