Just watched "Live In Manilla"....

[G.I.Jim]

And never noticed how rough Arnel sounds on the video! He sounds hoarse and struggling throughout. The best moments are when Deen sings. I really wish Journey would go another direction. Arnel seems like a great guy, but he has taken away ALL interest I have in the band. Unless they find someone else, I'm done with seeing them live. Rant over...

[The_Noble_Cause]

And never noticed how rough Arnel sounds on the video! He sounds hoarse and struggling throughout. The best moments are when Deen sings. I really wish Journey would go another direction. Arnel seems like a great guy, but he has taken away ALL interest I have in the band. Unless they find someone else, I'm done with seeing them live. Rant over...

There's alot of cool extended guitar parts and band jam-outs on the dvd, but Arnel's accent is a show-stopper for me, as well as his horrid stage presence. This guy is more embarrassing than Augeri in his red leather chaps. Great voice, but I don't really watch this dvd the same way I did Vegas 2001.

[scarab]

Arnel seems to a great guy, who can mimic the greats singers,
but JSS was the direction they should of went.
It took me a couple years to warm up to Augeri, and I love Arrival.

I guess Im once bitten twice shy, cause I loved the North Stars, but never got into the Wild

[The_Noble_Cause]

Arnel seems to a great guy, who can mimic the greats singers,
but JSS was the direction they should of went.
It took me a couple years to warm up to Augeri, and I love Arrival.

I guess Im once bitten twice shy, cause I loved the North Stars, but never got into the Wild

Augeri was solid, but his voice just couldn't hold out. Whose possibly could? Maybe Mickey Thomas or Kevin Chalfant. but the way these guys tour is just not practical for any singer.

[scarab]

I still wonder what a JSS fronted album would have sounded like.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwFvx49OU2o

[Gideon]

His voice sounded rough. Except on 'Open Arms', which was the best live recorded rendition I've ever heard. Squashes Augeri's and Perry's by far IMHO.

[Ritchie]

His voice sounded rough. Except on 'Open Arms', which was the best live recorded rendition I've ever heard. Squashes Augeri's and Perry's by far IMHO.

Yep,Pineda nailed that one and btw great instrumental intro from Jon and Neal.

[Gideon]

Agreed. Great solo there, too.

[FamilyMan]

I think we should cut Arnel some slack on this DVD. First of all, the whole audio mix / quality is bad to begin with. Nothing sounds particularly good. Secondly, let's try to imagine the flood of emotions and frayed nerves he must have had, performing in his homeland, for such a large number of people. If he didn't do a perfect show, I can't blame him.

As for the Augeri debate, I too thought his was the best incarnation of post-Perry JRNY. I wish his voice held out. At least we'll always have Vegas (or whatever post-production studio auto-tuned him).

[G.I.Jim]

I think we should cut Arnel some slack on this DVD. First of all, the whole audio mix / quality is bad to begin with. Nothing sounds particularly good. Secondly, let's try to imagine the flood of emotions and frayed nerves he must have had, performing in his homeland, for such a large number of people. If he didn't do a perfect show, I can't blame him.

As for the Augeri debate, I too thought his was the best incarnation of post-Perry JRNY. I wish his voice held out. At least we'll always have Vegas (or whatever post-production studio auto-tuned him).

I agree about Augeri, but no... I'm not cutting Arnel slack. The fact that he's a nice guy doesn't make him any better of a singer or a stage performer. His accent distracts me so much that I can't listen to it. The way he pronounces some words almost sounds like he doesn't even know the words or their meaning. It's like he just mimics the sounds, and I can't get over it no matter how much I try. His stage presence is horrendous. He doesn't have a clue how to work the crowds, and he looks awkward up there with the rest of the band.

While I was NEVER a fan of Jeff's (in Journey anyways), I would have liked to hear him do one album with them. I think they should have changed the band name as they did for Bad English, and went more in that direction. I don't care for him at ALL on Journey's material, but an album of his own songs with them probably would have been cool.

[G.I.Jim]

While it would never work live... I would LOVE to hear Deen do a whole album. He's the best singer they've had post-Perry IMHO. THAT would be cool!

[The_Noble_Cause]

Revelation and Eclipse are two strong efforts by the band, but I really wouldn't care if this lineup dissolved tomorrow. There's no magic here.

[annie89509]

I have always said Arnel does great on OA....but better than SP ever, by a long shot???...no way! Granted, in the later years, when SP's voice became deeper and hoarser, live rendition of this song often became diminished...so yeah, Arnel may be better. But, no way better than SP at his peak. This is pitched perfect, with the right emotion and nuance:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5pUOVC50Y8

[G.I.Jim]

I have always said Arnel does great on OA....but better than SP ever, by a long shot???...no way! Granted, in the later years, when SP's voice became deeper and hoarser, live rendition of this song often became diminished...so yeah, Arnel may be better. But, no way better than SP at his peak. This is pitched perfect, with the right emotion and nuance:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5pUOVC50Y8

I crack up every time I hear someone here say that Arnel sings better than SP. Hilarious!

[Gideon]

I have always said Arnel does great on OA....but better than SP ever, by a long shot???...no way! Granted, in the later years, when SP's voice became deeper and hoarser, live rendition of this song often became diminished...so yeah, Arnel may be better. But, no way better than SP at his peak. This is pitched perfect, with the right emotion and nuance:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5pUOVC50Y8

Arnel's diction issues are rampant on live recordings and diminish the songs. Comparatively, Perry's histrionics wreck that one. Arnel's version has balls, bringing power to an otherwise powerless ballad. The only balls in Perry's are the ones that are being squeezed to unleash those high notes.

[AR]

I have always said Arnel does great on OA....but better than SP ever, by a long shot???...no way! Granted, in the later years, when SP's voice became deeper and hoarser, live rendition of this song often became diminished...so yeah, Arnel may be better. But, no way better than SP at his peak. This is pitched perfect, with the right emotion and nuance:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5pUOVC50Y8

Arnel's diction issues are rampant on live recordings and diminish the songs. Comparatively, Perry's histrionics wreck that one. Arnel's version has balls, bringing power to an otherwise powerless ballad. The only balls in Perry's are the ones that are being squeezed to unleash those high notes.

I am glad Perry's histrionics were brought up live. He was not the "be all end all" in concert.

[scarygirl]

I have always said Arnel does great on OA....but better than SP ever, by a long shot???...no way! Granted, in the later years, when SP's voice became deeper and hoarser, live rendition of this song often became diminished...so yeah, Arnel may be better. But, no way better than SP at his peak. This is pitched perfect, with the right emotion and nuance:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5pUOVC50Y8

I crack up every time I hear someone here say that Arnel sings better than SP. Hilarious!

They're STONED IN LOVE with ARNEL.

[Gideon]

I have always said Arnel does great on OA....but better than SP ever, by a long shot???...no way! Granted, in the later years, when SP's voice became deeper and hoarser, live rendition of this song often became diminished...so yeah, Arnel may be better. But, no way better than SP at his peak. This is pitched perfect, with the right emotion and nuance:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5pUOVC50Y8

Arnel's diction issues are rampant on live recordings and diminish the songs. Comparatively, Perry's histrionics wreck that one. Arnel's version has balls, bringing power to an otherwise powerless ballad. The only balls in Perry's are the ones that are being squeezed to unleash those high notes.

I am glad Perry's histrionics were brought up live. He was not the "be all end all" in concert.

Yup.
I've heard all the relevant live recordings and I haven't heard a single rendition of OA from Perry that sounds as good as Arnel's. Obviously it doesn't make him the better singer overall, live or otherwise, but you run the risk of inciting a nervous breakdown in our resident Loons to suggest Perry isn't utterly flawless.

Fuckers need a hearing aid and a therapist.

[steveo777]

I actually enjoy the Manila DVD. Maybe it's because I get what it means to AP and the band, which is his homecoming concert for his people and it signifies his rise from where he was to what he became. I like Cinderella storys.

Also, on it, his rendition of WYLAW is fantastic, almost eerie.

Then you have What I Needed, where there are no comparisions needed, because Arnel owns it.

[STORY_TELLER]

I have always said Arnel does great on OA....but better than SP ever, by a long shot???...no way! Granted, in the later years, when SP's voice became deeper and hoarser, live rendition of this song often became diminished...so yeah, Arnel may be better. But, no way better than SP at his peak. This is pitched perfect, with the right emotion and nuance:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5pUOVC50Y8

Arnel's diction issues are rampant on live recordings and diminish the songs. Comparatively, Perry's histrionics wreck that one. Arnel's version has balls, bringing power to an otherwise powerless ballad. The only balls in Perry's are the ones that are being squeezed to unleash those high notes.

I am glad Perry's histrionics were brought up live. He was not the "be all end all" in concert.

Yup.
I've heard all the relevant live recordings and I haven't heard a single rendition of OA from Perry that sounds as good as Arnel's. Obviously it doesn't make him the better singer overall, live or otherwise, but you run the risk of inciting a nervous breakdown in our resident Loons to suggest Perry isn't utterly flawless.

Fuckers need a hearing aid and a therapist.

And we all love how your opinion trumps all Gideon. Truly, we are clearly not worthy.

[tater1977]

I have always said Arnel does great on OA....but better than SP ever, by a long shot???...no way! Granted, in the later years, when SP's voice became deeper and hoarser, live rendition of this song often became diminished...so yeah, Arnel may be better. But, no way better than SP at his peak. This is pitched perfect, with the right emotion and nuance:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5pUOVC50Y8

Arnel's diction issues are rampant on live recordings and diminish the songs. Comparatively, Perry's histrionics wreck that one. Arnel's version has balls, bringing power to an otherwise powerless ballad. The only balls in Perry's are the ones that are being squeezed to unleash those high notes.

I am glad Perry's histrionics were brought up live. He was not the "be all end all" in concert.

Yup.
I've heard all the relevant live recordings and I haven't heard a single rendition of OA from Perry that sounds as good as Arnel's. Obviously it doesn't make him the better singer overall, live or otherwise, but you run the risk of inciting a nervous breakdown in our resident Loons to suggest Perry isn't utterly flawless.

Fuckers need a hearing aid and a therapist.

And we all love how your opinion trumps all Gideon. Truly, we are clearly not worthy.

Whats funny is an areloon is giving that advice ....

[steveo777]

I have always said Arnel does great on OA....but better than SP ever, by a long shot???...no way! Granted, in the later years, when SP's voice became deeper and hoarser, live rendition of this song often became diminished...so yeah, Arnel may be better. But, no way better than SP at his peak. This is pitched perfect, with the right emotion and nuance:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5pUOVC50Y8

Arnel's diction issues are rampant on live recordings and diminish the songs. Comparatively, Perry's histrionics wreck that one. Arnel's version has balls, bringing power to an otherwise powerless ballad. The only balls in Perry's are the ones that are being squeezed to unleash those high notes.

I am glad Perry's histrionics were brought up live. He was not the "be all end all" in concert.

Yup.
I've heard all the relevant live recordings and I haven't heard a single rendition of OA from Perry that sounds as good as Arnel's. Obviously it doesn't make him the better singer overall, live or otherwise, but you run the risk of inciting a nervous breakdown in our resident Loons to suggest Perry isn't utterly flawless.

Fuckers need a hearing aid and a therapist.

And we all love how your opinion trumps all Gideon. Truly, we are clearly not worthy.

Whats funny is an areloon is giving that advice ....

I thought they were called "pinheads". Give Gideon a break. Arnel and the band are doing just fine. Most venues they have played this year are sold out and by now they don't come for Perry. They come for Journey music and Arnel is delivering it. I saw them live this year and I went away happy with the performance. Contrary to what some here may say, AP is a frontman and he knows how to work the crowd. I'm pefectly happy with the band at this point, considering what we could have, which is nothing. He has great stage presence, so I don't know where G.I. Jim has been, but I suspect that like an Umbrella, his mind would work much better if it were open.

Looks bigger than life here and lots of presence
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... aD9PUUIdA#!

[STORY_TELLER]

Here's the thing:

I think Arnel has a very good voice. On a technical level, he's absolutely the right guy to tour Perry's catalog. He's got the pipes for it. After all his horrible life struggles, he's also probably the most worthy of the success he has now. I really am happy for all the success Neal has brought to his life. He certainly has earned it.

But having said that, I've just gotta point this out:

Had a Journey mix playing on my iTunes the other day. Wife is in earshot. She likes Journey but isn't as into them as I am. She tolerates my daily listening, lol..

After All These Years comes on.

Wife asks: "Is that Steve Perry?"

I shudder and say, no.

Wife: "I didn't think so."

I cock an eyebrow and ask why.

Wife: "When Perry sings, I feel it."

True story, hand to God.

[steveo777]

I think there is still mileage in all members of this band. Maybe if they could actually go off and form something different and be creative of new music, not under the Journey header, they could find a new niche. I think the critism will always be there of this lineup. I'm sure Neal has ideas about this and I'm fairly certain Cain is not going to be much part of any future these guys have after Journey is done. I can see Neal, Arnel and Deen staying together and forming something else at a later point in time. It could be quite good. Arnel has the chops to sing most types of rock songs, as demonstrated by his chameleon vocal acrobatics when covering other bands.

[tater1977]

I have always said Arnel does great on OA....but better than SP ever, by a long shot???...no way! Granted, in the later years, when SP's voice became deeper and hoarser, live rendition of this song often became diminished...so yeah, Arnel may be better. But, no way better than SP at his peak. This is pitched perfect, with the right emotion and nuance:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5pUOVC50Y8

Arnel's diction issues are rampant on live recordings and diminish the songs. Comparatively, Perry's histrionics wreck that one. Arnel's version has balls, bringing power to an otherwise powerless ballad. The only balls in Perry's are the ones that are being squeezed to unleash those high notes.

I am glad Perry's histrionics were brought up live. He was not the "be all end all" in concert.

Yup.
I've heard all the relevant live recordings and I haven't heard a single rendition of OA from Perry that sounds as good as Arnel's. Obviously it doesn't make him the better singer overall, live or otherwise, but you run the risk of inciting a nervous breakdown in our resident Loons to suggest Perry isn't utterly flawless.

Fuckers need a hearing aid and a therapist.

And we all love how your opinion trumps all Gideon. Truly, we are clearly not worthy.

Whats funny is an areloon is giving that advice ....

I thought they were called "pinheads". Give Gideon a break. Arnel and the band are doing just fine. Most venues they have played this year are sold out and by now they don't come for Perry. They come for Journey music and Arnel is delivering it. I saw them live this year and I went away happy with the performance. Contrary to what some here may say, AP is a frontman and he knows how to work the crowd. I'm pefectly happy with the band at this point, considering what we could have, which is nothing. He has great stage presence, so I don't know where G.I. Jim has been, but I suspect that like an Umbrella, his mind would work much better if it were open.

Looks bigger than life here and lots of presence
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... aD9PUUIdA#!

Yea I too saw Journey this past summer.Sorry just doesn't do it for me..
If others enjoy going to see them...I say congrats..
This will be where some of their memories come from in the future...
My memories & fun times come from back in the SP/J era..
Nothing wrong with that either...
I just don't find the need to try to convince others ..my way is the
best way...
Everyone can critique the band as they like...& yes I agree there
are some fans that go over the hill or overkill ...but thats them..

Its all in fun...

[tater1977]

I think there is still mileage in all members of this band. Maybe if they could actually go off and form something different and be creative of new music, not under the Journey header, they could find a new niche. I think the critism will always be there of this lineup. I'm sure Neal has ideas about this and I'm fairly certain Cain is not going to be much part of any future these guys have after Journey is done. I can see Neal, Arnel and Deen staying together and forming something else at a later point in time. It could be quite good. Arnel has the chops to sing most types of rock songs, as demonstrated by his chameleon vocal acrobatics when covering other bands.

Yea AP has a good voice.. Just wondered what he would sound like with
song creations of his own...for his voice, his sound?
Most of the crowd we went with to see them this year went to hear one
song DSB...the crowd sang along Loudly lol....but aside from that...didn't
seem like anyone around us was into it...
Wonder what it would have been like if they had played some of their new
stuff? Would the crowd have been more attentive?
Don't know but just sounds like management didn't give them enough
advertising & just wants them to play the classic stuff...

[G.I.Jim]

I think there is still mileage in all members of this band. Maybe if they could actually go off and form something different and be creative of new music, not under the Journey header, they could find a new niche. I think the critism will always be there of this lineup. I'm sure Neal has ideas about this and I'm fairly certain Cain is not going to be much part of any future these guys have after Journey is done. I can see Neal, Arnel and Deen staying together and forming something else at a later point in time. It could be quite good. Arnel has the chops to sing most types of rock songs, as demonstrated by his chameleon vocal acrobatics when covering other bands.

If they form a different entity... why keep a guy who struggles with the english language and not go with someone like JSS who doesn't have those issues? Stupid idea if you ask me. Arnel is a parrot. He may be a nice parrot, but that's what he is. He mimics the words as close as he can, but he has no feeling behind them. No conviction. Steve MF'ing Perry had conviction. Yes... he sang differently live, but at least when you heard him sing, he knew the MEANING to the words he was singing. He helped WRITE the words he was singing. There is NO comparison.

I'd be all for them forming a new group ala Bad English! Just get someone who sounds like he SPEAKS english.

[G.I.Jim]

Here's the thing:

I think Arnel has a very good voice. On a technical level, he's absolutely the right guy to tour Perry's catalog. He's got the pipes for it. After all his horrible life struggles, he's also probably the most worthy of the success he has now. I really am happy for all the success Neal has brought to his life. He certainly has earned it.

But having said that, I've just gotta point this out:

Had a Journey mix playing on my iTunes the other day. Wife is in earshot. She likes Journey but isn't as into them as I am. She tolerates my daily listening, lol..

After All These Years comes on.

Wife asks: "Is that Steve Perry?"

I shudder and say, no.

Wife: "I didn't think so."

I cock an eyebrow and ask why.

Wife: "When Perry sings, I feel it."

True story, hand to God.

Wish there was a "Like" button. You've hit the nail on the head.

[steveo777]

I think there is still mileage in all members of this band. Maybe if they could actually go off and form something different and be creative of new music, not under the Journey header, they could find a new niche. I think the critism will always be there of this lineup. I'm sure Neal has ideas about this and I'm fairly certain Cain is not going to be much part of any future these guys have after Journey is done. I can see Neal, Arnel and Deen staying together and forming something else at a later point in time. It could be quite good. Arnel has the chops to sing most types of rock songs, as demonstrated by his chameleon vocal acrobatics when covering other bands.

If they form a different entity... why keep a guy who struggles with the english language and not go with someone like JSS who doesn't have those issues? Stupid idea if you ask me. Arnel is a parrot. He may be a nice parrot, but that's what he is. He mimics the words as close as he can, but he has no feeling behind them. No conviction. Steve MF'ing Perry had conviction. Yes... he sang differently live, but at least when you heard him sing, he knew the MEANING to the words he was singing. He helped WRITE the words he was singing. There is NO comparison.

I'd be all for them forming a new group ala Bad English! Just get someone who sounds like he SPEAKS english.

Arnel speaks English. He's gotten better, much better. I do realize that you probably haven't been paying attention for the past couple years. I didn't really hear any issues with his english last summer when I saw them at the Gorge. Filipinos are taugh English and for you to think he doesn't understand the words he sings is just flat out ignorant. Doctors come out of colleges in the Philippines with all the credentials they need to practice medicine in the USA. Maybe to your ears he isn't delivering the words properly (accent and diction), but trust me, I'd bet my left nut his understanding and ability to articulate are as good as yours and mine. Make no mistake, he knows the words he sings as well as you or I.

[G.I.Jim]

I think there is still mileage in all members of this band. Maybe if they could actually go off and form something different and be creative of new music, not under the Journey header, they could find a new niche. I think the critism will always be there of this lineup. I'm sure Neal has ideas about this and I'm fairly certain Cain is not going to be much part of any future these guys have after Journey is done. I can see Neal, Arnel and Deen staying together and forming something else at a later point in time. It could be quite good. Arnel has the chops to sing most types of rock songs, as demonstrated by his chameleon vocal acrobatics when covering other bands.

If they form a different entity... why keep a guy who struggles with the english language and not go with someone like JSS who doesn't have those issues? Stupid idea if you ask me. Arnel is a parrot. He may be a nice parrot, but that's what he is. He mimics the words as close as he can, but he has no feeling behind them. No conviction. Steve MF'ing Perry had conviction. Yes... he sang differently live, but at least when you heard him sing, he knew the MEANING to the words he was singing. He helped WRITE the words he was singing. There is NO comparison.

I'd be all for them forming a new group ala Bad English! Just get someone who sounds like he SPEAKS english.

Arnel speaks English. He's gotten better, much better. I do realize that you probably haven't been paying attention for the past couple years. I didn't really hear any issues with his english last summer when I saw them at the Gorge. Filipinos are taugh English and for you to think he doesn't understand the words he sings is just flat out ignorant. Doctors come out of colleges in the Philippines with all the credentials they need to practice medicine in the USA. Maybe to your ears he isn't delivering the words properly (accent and diction), but trust me, I'd bet my left nut his understanding and ability to articulate are as good as yours and mine. Make no mistake, he knows the words he sings as well as you or I.

You're right. I haven't seen them in a couple of years. When the singer in my favorite band is singing my favorite song "Separate ways" with "hyou.... hyou... hyou..." it takes me out of the moment. Like I said... I've seen many interviews and he seems like a GREAT guy, but this doesn't change the fact that my favorite band has been altered in a way that I don't like. If you care to promote the band and catch their shows, more power to you! I've seen them twice with Arnel, and will never make the mistake again.

For my own selfish desires, I hope that Journey finds an AMERICAN sounding singer who sounds great and can sing the catalog without an accent. That person does exist, and I won't give up hope.