Atlanta - Arnel struggling

[Toph]

Clearly struggled to hit notes tonight. Really relying on Cain and Deen's backup vocals to carry many of the songs. They were much louder in the mix. Longer report tomorrow.

[Saint John]

Not good, considering tonight is the first of 3 straight shows.

[steveo777]

Not good, considering tonight is the first of 3 straight shows.

I thought they weren't gonna do that shit anymore. Dumbasses just won't learn!

I'm gonna give Arnel a complete pass until Neal gets his shit together. I believe Arnel is extremely stressed this week. Who can guess why?

[Don]

Not good, considering tonight is the first of 3 straight shows.

I thought they weren't gonna do that shit anymore. Dumbasses just won't learn!

I'm gonna give Arnel a complete pass until Neal gets his shit together. I believe Arnel is extremely stressed this week. Who can guess why?

You sure like to hand out the free passes. The guy has been with the band four years already and he just had a week off before this week. He doesn't need a pass, he just needs to do his job (which he seems to be doing, for the most part).

[Deb]

Not good, considering tonight is the first of 3 straight shows.

I thought they weren't gonna do that shit anymore. Dumbasses just won't learn!

I'm gonna give Arnel a complete pass until Neal gets his shit together. I believe Arnel is extremely stressed this week. Who can guess why?

You sure like to hand out the free passes. The guy has been with the band four years already and he just had a week off before this week. He doesn't need a pass, he just needs to do his job.

No excuse, hell Mr Big has been touring pretty much all year playing 2 - 3 hour shows & will be going right thru to December.............EM's pipes are holding up great and he's got a decade on AP. Granted the early Journey catalogue is probably a little harder to sing, but the early MB catalogue isn't exactly a walk in the park either. The boys are slayin' them over in the UK, Bristol a couple days ago..... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3KriCMpv1g

But I feel for Arnel, hell why can't they space it out a little more for their LS's?

[Gideon]

EM's a truly fine vocalist, but there's no way Mr. Big's catalog is in the same ballpark as Journey's when it comes to difficulty. Remember, Arnel's singing songs that were designed around someone else's pipes.

Now, with that said, they're detuned this year and so you're right, no excuse.

[steveo777]

Not good, considering tonight is the first of 3 straight shows.

I thought they weren't gonna do that shit anymore. Dumbasses just won't learn!

I'm gonna give Arnel a complete pass until Neal gets his shit together. I believe Arnel is extremely stressed this week. Who can guess why?

You sure like to hand out the free passes. The guy has been with the band four years already and he just had a week off before this week. He doesn't need a pass, he just needs to do his job.

No excuse, hell Mr Big has been touring pretty much all year playing 2 - 3 hour shows & will be going right thru to December.............EM's pipes are holding up great and he's got a decade on AP. Granted the early Journey catalogue is probably a little harder to sing, but the early MB catalogue isn't exactly a walk in the park either. Slayin' them in Bristol a couple days ago..... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3KriCMpv1g

Whatever, peeps. People have physical limitations and when they get pushed beyond those, there is nothing about wanting to do their job that can help that. What if someone cut off your legs and went..."run Don, run!". Would you? Could you?

[Deb]

Not good, considering tonight is the first of 3 straight shows.

I thought they weren't gonna do that shit anymore. Dumbasses just won't learn!

I'm gonna give Arnel a complete pass until Neal gets his shit together. I believe Arnel is extremely stressed this week. Who can guess why?

You sure like to hand out the free passes. The guy has been with the band four years already and he just had a week off before this week. He doesn't need a pass, he just needs to do his job.

No excuse, hell Mr Big has been touring pretty much all year playing 2 - 3 hour shows & will be going right thru to December.............EM's pipes are holding up great and he's got a decade on AP. Granted the early Journey catalogue is probably a little harder to sing, but the early MB catalogue isn't exactly a walk in the park either. Slayin' them in Bristol a couple days ago..... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3KriCMpv1g

Whatever, peeps. People have physical limitations and when they get pushed beyond those, there is nothing about wanting to do their job that can help that. What if someone cut off your legs and went..."run Don, run!". Would you? Could you?

Can agree with that, I just can't understand why after all these years that Journey haven't learned a damn thing when it comes to their LS's pipes and touring????

[Deb]

EM's a truly fine vocalist, but there's no way Mr. Big's catalog is in the same ballpark as Journey's when it comes to difficulty. Remember, Arnel's singing songs that were designed around someone else's pipes.

Now, with that said, they're detuned this year and so you're right, no excuse.

Herbie's no fool, EM had the same vocal coach as Perry. Don't laugh too hard........... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDN2LCUAfiA

[steveo777]

Not good, considering tonight is the first of 3 straight shows.

I thought they weren't gonna do that shit anymore. Dumbasses just won't learn!

I'm gonna give Arnel a complete pass until Neal gets his shit together. I believe Arnel is extremely stressed this week. Who can guess why?

You sure like to hand out the free passes. The guy has been with the band four years already and he just had a week off before this week. He doesn't need a pass, he just needs to do his job.

No excuse, hell Mr Big has been touring pretty much all year playing 2 - 3 hour shows & will be going right thru to December.............EM's pipes are holding up great and he's got a decade on AP. Granted the early Journey catalogue is probably a little harder to sing, but the early MB catalogue isn't exactly a walk in the park either. Slayin' them in Bristol a couple days ago..... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3KriCMpv1g

Whatever, peeps. People have physical limitations and when they get pushed beyond those, there is nothing about wanting to do their job that can help that. What if someone cut off your legs and went..."run Don, run!". Would you? Could you?

Can agree with that, I just can't understand why after all these years that Journey haven't learned a damn thing when it comes to their LS's pipes and touring????

I'd rather see these guys do half the gigs and be in top form every time. They would have more time to hone their skills, be creative and take care of the members. They could also provide longer, better and more meaningful setlists. Look at some of the top acts in the world, who don't tour almost every night. People will pay more money to see something really great that doesn't come around very often.

[artist4perry]

You guys ever take into consideration colds? Or other things that might effect the vocal chords? I thought they were on game at Memphis.

[YoungJRNY]

You guys ever take into consideration colds? Or other things that might effect the vocal chords? I thought they were on game at Memphis.

Nope, everyone expects every lead singer of Journey to sing like machines and robots. Not one hiccup or there's no excuse. No other band in history of the music business or lead singer ever had a bad night due to overwhelming vocal's screaming into a microphone. No excuse Arnel. No excuse.

[Deb]

Ya gotta admit Trav, Journey DOES go thru singers like NO other band. I don't blame Arnel, it's the band/management etc the whole machine. I can't tell you how many times I've heard that from singers in BTM's and interviews. Hell, JBJ was even getting steriod shots in his neck for his voice to keep the 'machine' going on their New Jersey album tour that followed the Slippery tour. I have a soft spot for LS's and the pressures they have to deal with.........from a 'machine' that's all about the money. Unlike the rest of the band, not only are their instruments internal and natural, but the pressure mainly lies on them to entertain also. Journey goes thru singers like rolls of toilet paper.......this isn't something new. They're all older and wiser, no excuse........make it more about the product and less about the money.........either cut down on the # of shows or space them out more. Or it's just a matter of time before the machine does in Arnel too.

[FormerJrnyFan]

Clearly struggled to hit notes tonight. Really relying on Cain and Deen's backup vocals to carry many of the songs. They were much louder in the mix. Longer report tomorrow.

I feel bad for Arnel. A truly tough expectation for a lead singer to follow/keep up with Steve Perry's from vocals back in the day. I respect Arnel, just not the other jackasses in the band...

[Jeremey]

People expect perfection these days thanks to all of the fakery that people have become numb to when a lot of acts are performing today. Every singer has good days and has bad days, and I'm sure that Arnel's going to be fine. The internet nowadays can declare someone's career over in the space of hours of a rough show, just because of someone posting a bad review or that someone has had a rough night. I know I have been struggling to regain control of my voice since getting fogged this summer, and it's infuriating to be at a performance and see people enjoying every minute of struggle (another internet opinion of mine, the 'net has allowed people to become a lot more mean and classless due to it's anonyminity), and I can imagine the pressure Arnel must feel knowing the size of stage he's on every night. I'm sure he will be fine, but as with everything these days, it always is played out on the sidelines and armchairs until what's fact doesn't even matter anymore.

[steveo777]

People expect perfection these days thanks to all of the fakery that people have become numb to when a lot of acts are performing today. Every singer has good days and has bad days, and I'm sure that Arnel's going to be fine. The internet nowadays can declare someone's career over in the space of hours of a rough show, just because of someone posting a bad review or that someone has had a rough night. I know I have been struggling to regain control of my voice since getting fogged this summer, and it's infuriating to be at a performance and see people enjoying every minute of struggle (another internet opinion of mine, the 'net has allowed people to become a lot more mean and classless due to it's anonyminity), and I can imagine the pressure Arnel must feel knowing the size of stage he's on every night. I'm sure he will be fine, but as with everything these days, it always is played out on the sidelines and armchairs until what's fact doesn't even matter anymore.

Great post, Jeremey. Classy of you too.

[Ehwmatt]

I know gigs 3 days in a row is considered anathema for singers. I remember Burton Cummings went on tour a few years ago and had several noted "struggle" nights. His next go-round, he sounded great every show and got rave reviews. He blogs all the time. There, he attributed the unbelievable improvement not only to quitting smoking, but also (and mainly) to his making sure that he no longer did any 3 night back to back stretches. He said there's just something about that third night that kills you as a singer.

[Monker]

[quote[]

You guys ever take into consideration colds? Or other things that might effect the vocal chords? I thought they were on game at Memphis.

Nope, everyone expects every lead singer of Journey to sing like machines and robots.

No, that's Dennis DeYoung.

[steveo777]

You guys ever take into consideration colds? Or other things that might effect the vocal chords? I thought they were on game at Memphis.

Nope, everyone expects every lead singer of Journey to sing like machines and robots.

No, that's Dennis DeYoung.

Sorry, Monker, but you don't qualify to post in a Journey thread. Now back down stairs with your bloody ass.

[Andrew]

People expect perfection these days thanks to all of the fakery that people have become numb to when a lot of acts are performing today. Every singer has good days and has bad days, and I'm sure that Arnel's going to be fine. The internet nowadays can declare someone's career over in the space of hours of a rough show, just because of someone posting a bad review or that someone has had a rough night. I know I have been struggling to regain control of my voice since getting fogged this summer, and it's infuriating to be at a performance and see people enjoying every minute of struggle (another internet opinion of mine, the 'net has allowed people to become a lot more mean and classless due to it's anonyminity), and I can imagine the pressure Arnel must feel knowing the size of stage he's on every night. I'm sure he will be fine, but as with everything these days, it always is played out on the sidelines and armchairs until what's fact doesn't even matter anymore.

Amen to that. And I'd rather hear a bad night than a mine act (as in most of the pop singer around)...

[lakeman]

I saw them in Memphis Wednesday night. They were not on their game at all. Foreigner blew them out of the water. Hate to say it but it is true. They weren't tight and Arnel wasn't at his best. All my friends agree. Very disappointed.

[onmyjrny]

I'm with steveo on this; the band is under a lot of stress right now due to the actions of one of its members. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out.

[scarygirl]

I'm with steveo on this; the band is under a lot of stress right now due to the actions of one of its members. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out.

Maybe someone should tell Michalea or whatever her name is to stop wearing the Journey T Shirt before the band breaks up.

[JohnH]

I know gigs 3 days in a row is considered anathema for singers. I remember Burton Cummings went on tour a few years ago and had several noted "struggle" nights. His next go-round, he sounded great every show and got rave reviews. He blogs all the time. There, he attributed the unbelievable improvement not only to quitting smoking, but also (and mainly) to his making sure that he no longer did any 3 night back to back stretches. He said there's just something about that third night that kills you as a singer.

Three nights is a bitch! My band rotates singing in our sets, so I'm not singing for 4 hours but I usually am getting toasted on third night. Last time on third night I was pretty good, but also didn't talk at all on the third day. I've found out on accident jacuzzi and hour before the show really helps alot.

[Triple S]

I know gigs 3 days in a row is considered anathema for singers. I remember Burton Cummings went on tour a few years ago and had several noted "struggle" nights. His next go-round, he sounded great every show and got rave reviews. He blogs all the time. There, he attributed the unbelievable improvement not only to quitting smoking, but also (and mainly) to his making sure that he no longer did any 3 night back to back stretches. He said there's just something about that third night that kills you as a singer.

Yeah, so what was his excuse this year? Sorry - I'm still bitter about his cancellation of my show on this tour Good thing is (for him and the other fans anyway) he did sound great for all the shows after that cancellation.

[Seven Wishes2]

I went to the Atlanta show and thought he sounded fantastic. I wasn't crazy about his back phrasing, which was evident on the ballads more than the rockers. His dynamics were incredible. So, I guess we're all entitled to our own opinions.

"Faithfully" is a real momentum killer as the third song.

[Saint John]

I went to the Atlanta show and thought he sounded fantastic. I wasn't crazy about his back phrasing, which was evident on the ballads more than the rockers. His dynamics were incredible. So, I guess we're all entitled to our own opinions.

"Faithfully" is a real momentum killer as the third song.

It was When You Love A Woman at our show ... or is that what you meant?

[Toph]

I went to the Atlanta show and thought he sounded fantastic. I wasn't crazy about his back phrasing, which was evident on the ballads more than the rockers. His dynamics were incredible. So, I guess we're all entitled to our own opinions.

"Faithfully" is a real momentum killer as the third song.

You must have been hearing something different than me. You didn't notice how often he was missing notes and just not singing some notes. And When You Love A Woman was the third song.

[Jeremey]

I know gigs 3 days in a row is considered anathema for singers. I remember Burton Cummings went on tour a few years ago and had several noted "struggle" nights. His next go-round, he sounded great every show and got rave reviews. He blogs all the time. There, he attributed the unbelievable improvement not only to quitting smoking, but also (and mainly) to his making sure that he no longer did any 3 night back to back stretches. He said there's just something about that third night that kills you as a singer.

In my experience it isn't necessarily the 3rd night itself that kills you as much as the lack of recovery time for the next round of shows that a 3rd night will pinch you on. I did nearly all 3 or 4 nighters nearly all summer long and it zinged me good, LOL. By the time I was home again, it was time to get back out and sing some more. Of course those were 2 hour sets with sketchy PA systems so that makes it a little more rough as well.

[Don]

Wasn't the night in question here the actual 'first" night of a three day set where the band had only done two shows in the six or seven days prior?