A Valentine's Day song for SP!

[Saint John]

Totally disagree. Unless you are basing that totally on range, if you meant degradation in that he couldn't hit his late 70s glass shattering highs, maybe. But vocally there is not an ounce of degradation in his delivery, phrasing, emotive ability, etc. I'll take this vocal tone over some of the early highs anyday. I absolutely love his more smokey rasp he eventually acquired to his tone. '94 You Better Wait http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JS5HavjNLuo and '97 If He Should Break Your Heart http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nED-F6PFA98

I can count on one hand the amount of singers that have actually really made me FEEL a song, and he tops that list. His range had very very little to do with what I like about his voice.

You can come up with all the cool names you want (smokey, raspy, sultry, raw, etc.), but the fact remains that he had lost a ton of power and range. He was nowhere near his Frontiers days during FTLOSM. I was at 3 shows, and he was forced to drop Only The Young, never tried Ask The Lonely (I don't think) and Separate Ways had different phrasing and ducked notes everywhere. He simply had vocal degradation and had to find ways to re-arrange many of the songs. You can disagree all you want, but it's not rationally debatable. The youtubes are there, they're stepped down and the degradation is well documented. It started during Escape and he needed a lot of "help" to make it through that tour. That "help" showed a complete change in his voice to Frontiers. But I'm sure you think that was a natural change. He had that Frontiers voice for the Frontiers tour and the Frontiers tour only. ROR saw him speed singing through some of the older songs to stay in key and he was only consistently able to sing the ROR songs at their proper pace and in key. FTLOSM saw songs eliminated and the songs knocked down a half step, and there were still struggles on a few songs. That is, without any question, vocal degradation. You're dismissed.

[StElmoQn]

I know we've all got our preferences as to which Perry era we prefer, but I have to admit I've always been into the lower registered vocals that began with Frontiers. As great as Escape was/is, I actually find that I tend to gravitate toward everything Frontiers and post-Frontiers, and have recently been "rediscovering" how good TBF is, and I almost never listen to anything before Escape anymore.

At any rate, it's really remarkable how ahead of the times Journey/SP songs were - my 25 year old nephew was recently in my car and was blown away when listening to "Strung Out" and "If He Should Break Your Heart"! He couldn't believe they were the same person who sang "Oh Sherrie"....

[Deb]

You can come up with all the cool names you want (smokey, raspy, sultry, raw, etc.), but the fact remains that he had lost a ton of power and range.

Range, yes. Power, no.

He was nowhere near his Frontiers days during FTLOSM. I was at 3 shows, and he was forced to drop Only The Young, never tried Ask The Lonely (I don't think) and Separate Ways had different phrasing and ducked notes everywhere. He simply had vocal degradation and had to find ways to re-arrange many of the songs. You can disagree all you want, but it's not rationally debatable. The youtubes are there, they're stepped down and the degradation is well documented. It started during Escape and he needed a lot of "help" to make it through that tour. That "help" showed a complete change in his voice to Frontiers. But I'm sure you think that was a natural change. He had that Frontiers voice for the Frontiers tour and the Frontiers tour only. ROR saw him speed singing through some of the older songs to stay in key and he was only consistently able to sing the ROR songs at their proper pace and in key. FTLOSM saw songs eliminated and the songs knocked down a half step, and there were still struggles on a few songs. That is, without any question, vocal degradation. You're dismissed.

LOL, as if.

Ok wait, I'm a little confused, which side of your mouth are you talking out of today? In an earlier post you were all "we don't care" that you would have to step it down one or more vocally. But from your post above you obviously "do care". If you're expecting those early Perry vocals to stay the same for 30-40 years, then that is probably one of the reasons right there why he will never sing with Journey again. But I guess it's all in your preferences. I'd take Perry's vocals at 60% over 95% of what's out there to choose from now.

[Saint John]

Range, yes. Power, no.

You're telling me that he had just as much power during FTLOSM as he did on Frontiers?!? Surely, you're joking!

Ok wait, I'm a little confused, which side of your mouth are you talking out of today? In an earlier post you were all "we don't care" that you would have to step it down one or more vocally. But from your post above you obviously "do care".

Documenting the guy's (obvious) vocal degradation and being interested in a show or shows with the songs a half step or full step down have nothing to do with each other. See, that's what his female fans don't get. You can admit that the guy has lost a lot of his voice and still be interested in seeing him perform with Journey. It's called being honest, rational and loyal.

If you're expecting those early Perry vocals to stay the same for 30-40 years, then that is probably one of the reasons right there why he will never sing with Journey again.

Deb, had his voice never changed and stayed the same as it was on those early albums, I wouldn't have even followed the band, let alone made them my favorite of all-time. I don't have any records pre-Escape, have listened to them all and just have very little interest. We're in complete agreement on the glass shattering stuff. I like about 3-5 pre-Escape songs, but I like more than that just on Frontiers!

I'd take Perry's vocals at 60% over 95% of what's out there to choose from now.

Why settle for less than 100%? I thought there was no vocal degradation? But, for the record, so would I.

[Deb]

Range, yes. Power, no.

You're telling me that he had just as much power during FTLOSM as he did on Frontiers?!? Surely, you're joking!

Listen to You Better Wait, I posted a few posts back, still tons of power there. Sure the range and tone are different from Frontiers, but still plenty of power and delivery there.

Ok wait, I'm a little confused, which side of your mouth are you talking out of today? In an earlier post you were all "we don't care" that you would have to step it down one or more vocally. But from your post above you obviously "do care".

Documenting the guy's (obvious) vocal degradation and being interested in a show or shows with the songs a half step or full step down have nothing to do with each other. See, that's what his female fans don't get. You can admit that the guy has lost a lot of his voice and still be interested in seeing him perform with Journey. It's called being honest, rational and loyal.

I am, I honestly don't see it as a loss. It's never been about range for me, so take that right out of the equation. He still has the same emotive delivery. And I actually prefer his tone/timbre on anything Frontiers forward also. I just see them as different vocal tones throughout the years. And yes, my favorites are also probably Frontiers and ROR. But I totally dig his vocal tone/resonance on FTLSM and TBF too.

If you're expecting those early Perry vocals to stay the same for 30-40 years, then that is probably one of the reasons right there why he will never sing with Journey again.

Deb, had his voice never changed and stayed the same as it was on those early albums, I wouldn't have even followed the band, let alone made them my favorite of all-time. I don't have any records pre-Escape, have listened to them all and just have very little interest. We're in complete agreement on the glass shattering stuff. I like about 3-5 pre-Escape songs, but I like more than that just on Frontiers!

I'd take Perry's vocals at 60% over 95% of what's out there to choose from now.

Why settle for less than 100%? I thought there was no vocal degradation? But, for the record, so would I.

Cuz anything is better than 0% when you're talking about that unique vocal delivery. Martin has some killer R&B delivery also (not that you see as much of it in Mr Big) but Perry's is one of a kind.

[Saint John]

I think we've found some common ground, Deb. I'll just point out that You Better Wait isn't a good comparison, in terms of his power. Sure, he still had power, but there was quite a loss from the Frontiers days. I could post a Frontiers era version of Separate Ways or virtually any other song he sang on the FTLOSM tour, and the difference in power would be immediately noticeable. But I agree, (Insert number here)% is better than 0%. He should dip his toes in the water by climbing on stage with Journey and singing one song. My pick is Faithfully.

[steveo777]

I think we've found some common ground, Deb. I'll just point out that You Better Wait isn't a good comparison, in terms of his power. Sure, he still had power, but there was quite a loss from the Frontiers days. I could post a Frontiers era version of Separate Ways or virtually any other song he sang on the FTLOSM tour, and the difference in power would be immediately noticeable. But I agree, (Insert number here)% is better than 0%. He should dip his toes in the water by climbing on stage with Journey and singing one song. My pick is Faithfully.

I think he should sing After All These Years.

[Deb]

I think we've found some common ground, Deb. I'll just point out that You Better Wait isn't a good comparison, in terms of his power. Sure, he still had power, but there was quite a loss from the Frontiers days. I could post a Frontiers era version of Separate Ways or virtually any other song he sang on the FTLOSM tour, and the difference in power would be immediately noticeable. But I agree, (Insert number here)% is better than 0%. He should dip his toes in the water by climbing on stage with Journey and singing one song. My pick is Faithfully.

Nope, mine would be Still They Ride. If I'd have had my brain in function mode or had the balls I would have asked him to sing a bar or two when I met him a few years back. Just so I could say I finally got to hear him sing it LIVE. The one and only time I say Journey w/Perry was when they came here on the Escape tour I don't recall them doing that one. STR doesn't have much to do with range, and I think he could still, at 62 do that song major justice.......that song is 80% emotive delivery.

Jessseeeeeee riiiiiiiiiiiiiiides........

[Saint John]

I think we've found some common ground, Deb. I'll just point out that You Better Wait isn't a good comparison, in terms of his power. Sure, he still had power, but there was quite a loss from the Frontiers days. I could post a Frontiers era version of Separate Ways or virtually any other song he sang on the FTLOSM tour, and the difference in power would be immediately noticeable. But I agree, (Insert number here)% is better than 0%. He should dip his toes in the water by climbing on stage with Journey and singing one song. My pick is Faithfully.

Nope, mine would be Still They Ride. If I'd have had my brain in function mode or had the balls I would have asked him to sing a bar or two when I met him a few years back. Just so I could say I finally got to hear him sing it LIVE. Although the one and only time I say Journey w/Perry was when they came here on the Escape tour I don't recall them doing that one. STR doesn't have much to do with range, and I think he could still, at 62 do that song major justice.......that song is 80% emotive delivery.

Jessseeeeeee riiiiiiiiiiiiiiides........

Faithfully, Still They Ride and After The Fall are all great songs that showcase his ability to sing and seemingly become part of the song.

[Deb]

I think we've found some common ground, Deb. I'll just point out that You Better Wait isn't a good comparison, in terms of his power. Sure, he still had power, but there was quite a loss from the Frontiers days. I could post a Frontiers era version of Separate Ways or virtually any other song he sang on the FTLOSM tour, and the difference in power would be immediately noticeable. But I agree, (Insert number here)% is better than 0%. He should dip his toes in the water by climbing on stage with Journey and singing one song. My pick is Faithfully.

Nope, mine would be Still They Ride. If I'd have had my brain in function mode or had the balls I would have asked him to sing a bar or two when I met him a few years back. Just so I could say I finally got to hear him sing it LIVE. Although the one and only time I saw Journey w/Perry was when they came here on the Escape tour I don't recall them doing that one. STR doesn't have much to do with range, and I think he could still, at 62 do that song major justice.......that song is 80% emotive delivery.

Jessseeeeeee riiiiiiiiiiiiiiides........

Faithfully, Still They Ride and After The Fall are all great songs that showcase his ability to sing and seemingly become part of the song.

Definitely, can't forget that one, he's got a resonance/tone/timber (I don't know what ya call it ) on that one that I just loooooove.

[Michigan Girl]

My pick~ WYLAW ...if he would just sing that song,
I prrrrooooomise to show him Deb's boobies!! ahhh dreams!!

[StElmoQn]

Have to agree on Faithfully, Still They Ride & After the Fall but which version live or recorded?

Faithfully (Studio) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMD8hBsA-RI (Live) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wU_XCpC6HdE

Still They Ride (Studio) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KD_SM8yyKRI (Live) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jubogiBaUhQ

After the Fall (Studio) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Htxf3GOK4AA (Live) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoPPMQCo3oA

For me:

Faithfully - either version

Still They Ride - DEFINITELY LIVE

After the Fall - it's hard to tell from listening which is live and which is recorded!!!

[Deb]

My pick~ WYLAW ...if he would just sing that song,
I prrrrooooomise to show him Deb's boobies!! ahhh dreams!!

LMAO! Guess I best be wearing a tucked in shirt if I find myself standing next to you at a Journey concert!

[Deb]

Have to agree on Faithfully, Still They Ride & After the Fall but which version live or recorded?

Faithfully (Studio) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMD8hBsA-RI (Live) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wU_XCpC6HdE

Still They Ride (Studio) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KD_SM8yyKRI (Live) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jubogiBaUhQ

After the Fall (Studio) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Htxf3GOK4AA (Live) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoPPMQCo3oA

For me:

Faithfully - either version

Still They Ride - DEFINITELY LIVE

After the Fall - it's hard to tell from listening which is live and which is recorded!!!

I like Faithfully well enough, but I would prefer the other 2. Probably cause Ive heard Faithfully way more. 9 times out of 10, no matter who it is I will chose LIVE. That's why I'm really particular on my vocalists (they gotta be able to bring it live). Love After The Fall and that '83 Still They Ride live performance is just an outright toe-curler.

[Shadowsong]

Steve Perry is the reason WHY I fell in love with Journey.
He's the voice that grabbed me.....I'll listen to whatever he chooses to let us hear....

Hell, man....do you know HOW HARD IT IS to have a "distinguished vocal sound"?

Steve has TWO ERAs of sound: Pre and Post Escape.
That type of vocal-feat is damned near impossible.

I've said it before; I'll say it again.....LOWER REGISTER FOR ME. \~/

I don't expect glass to shatter; I don't want it to anymore.

I totally agree
I never thought we would ever share those few special moments but our paths have crossed which I will always hold dear to my heart~
All I want for him is to be Happy!

What the heck, go for it
let your voice be heard
have a ball
it's your life
make the b est of it~