A Brand New Start

[cyclonus5150]

Just curious as to wether or not any of you have heard the whole cut of "A Brand New Start" on David Packs latest album...which of course features Steve Perry on vocals? I finally downloaded the album from iTunes this morning and it's a great listen. All of the songs are classic westcoast, AC fare....outstanding songwriting! That song in particular is a pretty special listen for most of us Journey fans. Steve sounds great and is featured more prominently towards the end of the tune. It's great to hear that voice on something new again! I just wish he'd get off his bum and record a whole album's worth. Not holding my breath here and will take what I can get. Anyway, for those of you that use iTunes, here's a link to the song....

http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playlistId=76232353&selectedItemId=76232304

Enjoy! Post your thoughts!

[jrnyman28]

It's been a while Cyclonus, hope all is well.
I have not heard the whole song yet, but I am sure I will at some point. While I am glad to hear something from Perry, this song does not add up to much in my book. Especially since the song was recorded around 3 years ago. But at least it is something. And it shows that he does "feel something" from time to time.

[sngrchk04]

It's great to hear that voice on something new again! I just wish he'd get off his bum and record a whole album's worth.

Enjoy! Post your thoughts!

Well alrighty, then!

To be completely honest with you, I wish you had a "half-way" choice between "love it" and "leave it"......maybe, "It's OK".....?

Before any of you get ready to "yell" at me, let me explain:

First of all, if you listen to David's delivery on this song, as compared to his vocals on the rest of the album, it sounds as if his "effortless falsetto" is being strained....but again, this is all JMHO. Steve's entry vocals on "shades of forever", done in the "Classic Steve Chorus" way (with Timothy and David, respectfully), showcases Steve Perry doing what Steve Perry does best: that angelic higher register of his - especially on the ascending scale of "oohs"......wow.

However, in the rest of his delivery, it goes back to that RASPINESS again! I found myself wincing and almost clearing my throat for him! In all honesty, I liked his delivery more on "Can't Let You Go".

I guess my frustration boils down to this:

IMO, STEVE should've sung the WHOLE SONG. To me, it sounds like it's more in his key.....he has proven that he can sing lower keys, as well as higher ones

Although I am a "newbie" to an entire CD by David Pack, I can hear David's ease within his amazing higher range....and in all fairness to Mr. Pack - if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Keep doing what you do best.

Bottom line: I love this CD; kinda ambiguous about ABNS.

[Abitaman]

The voice of Rock returned, but nothing moving or new here!-ERIC

[The_Noble_Cause]

It's great to hear that voice on something new again! I just wish he'd get off his bum and record a whole album's worth.

Enjoy! Post your thoughts!

Well alrighty, then!

To be completely honest with you, I wish you had a "half-way" choice between "love it" and "leave it"......maybe, "It's OK".....?

Before any of you get ready to "yell" at me, let me explain:

First of all, if you listen to David's delivery on this song, as compared to his vocals on the rest of the album, it sounds as if his "effortless falsetto" is being strained....but again, this is all JMHO. Steve's entry vocals on "shades of forever", done in the "Classic Steve Chorus" way (with Timothy and David, respectfully), showcases Steve Perry doing what Steve Perry does best: that angelic higher register of his - especially on the ascending scale of "oohs"......wow.

However, in the rest of his delivery, it goes back to that RASPINESS again! I found myself wincing and almost clearing my throat for him! In all honesty, I liked his delivery more on "Can't Let You Go".

I guess my frustration boils down to this:

IMO, STEVE should've sung the WHOLE SONG. To me, it sounds like it's more in his key.....he has proven that he can sing lower keys, as well as higher ones

Although I am a "newbie" to an entire CD by David Pack, I can hear David's ease within his amazing higher range....and in all fairness to Mr. Pack - if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Keep doing what you do best.

Bottom line: I love this CD; kinda ambiguous about ABNS.

Very insightful. Thanks.
I like hearing from professional singers like u and Jeremy.

[NealIsGod]

At the risking of sounding homophobic (which I am not), I do not like the sound of two guys singing a love song, esp. when it sounds like they are singing to each other.

Now, Perry's voice. All I have to say is, thank God he is not in Journey anymore. I appreciate all Stevie P has done for the band, but the guy just doesn't have it anymore. At this point in their careers, Augeri is a FAR superior singer, IMO. When I hear that raspy voice, it saddens me.

[Red13JoePa]

Liked it for what it was and voted as such. I only hope it's the start of some more activity (cough...ALBUM!!! ...cough) outa perry.

just spun FTLOSM and caught a recording of a show on the tour. That album holds up remarkabley well.

[sngrchk04]

Y'know, this really gets my goat:

I listened to the phrase "a brand new start" (the one after the first intro of "shades of forever") a bunch of times before posting this, because I thought I heard something "unusual" - and guess what??

Steve only sings the word "start" - but he sings it an octave HIGHER than David!!



He "textured" his voice (which he is SUPERB at) to make it sound like a synth note

...AND completely effortless!!

He still can sing, dammit!

[Playitloudforme]

This was a nice surprise. For those interested:

http://www.davidpack.com/SecretSlideshow.html

The captions indicate the background vocals were done last summer.

[jrnyman28]

This was a nice surprise. For those interested:

http://www.davidpack.com/SecretSlideshow.html

The captions indicate the background vocals were done last summer.

I edited your quote so the link would work.

[Playitloudforme]

Was doing that myself..... thanks tho.

[jrnyman28]

Very cool to see the photos. I did not realize that Timothy B. Schmidt also recorded vocals on that song. His voice is really high still. I am surprised that the vocals were recorded in the Summer of 2004. Maybe they got back together to continue work since I remember all the talk from about 3-4 years ago that Perry was working on this CD.

[jrnyman28]

Was doing that myself..... thanks tho.

[perryfaithful]

Thanks for sharing that......great picture of Perry on slide ONE! I didn;t realize that Timothy Schmidt (solos on one of my all time favorite Eagle songs) was also on ABNS. I thought he was doing a different song with Pack. Well, I do not have my CD yet (today perhaps?) so it will all be clear soon!

Again....THANKS PILFM!

[Rockindeano]

He "textured" his voice (which he is SUPERB at) to make it sound like a synth note

HE textured his voice? or the mix/sound/producer did? Come on, dude used to record "Live" with Journey, now he is doing what Ashley Simpson does....

I know you are a singer, but I disagree with you..He CANNOT sing anylonger.

[sngrchk04]

He "textured" his voice (which he is SUPERB at) to make it sound like a synth note

HE textured his voice? or the mix/sound/producer did? Come on, dude used to record "Live" with Journey, now he is doing what Ashley Simpson does....

I know you are a singer, but I disagree with you..He CANNOT sing anylonger.

It takes a human voice to hit a HIGH NOTE......

That's what I meant - that he hit the note, but was very subtle about it .....hence, the
texturing

[Rockindeano]

This is so sad...

This is what has become of this band and it's fans? Fans of the band, who are passionate, get screwed by the fact they want success more than the band itself(Mgt) does....why should we care so much about getting Journey on the radio, getting them on TV, when management doesn't?

And on the other side, "people" who only have this kind of thread to latch onto...that is even more pathetic than Azoff Management. "Brand New Start" Poll! WTF is that?

[perryfaithful]

This is so sad...

This is what has become of this band and it's fans? Fans of the band, who are passionate, get screwed by the fact they want success more than the band itself(Mgt) does....why should we care so much about getting Journey on the radio, getting them on TV, when management doesn't?

And on the other side, "people" who only have this kind of thread to latch onto...that is even more pathetic than Azoff Management. "Brand New Start" Poll! WTF is that?

Cyclonus is an A#1, classy fan who I delight in seeing post here on occasion, wish it was more often. This thread is about a member of Journey and what he is doing now. I believe that all information about ANY of the members of Journey, past or present, is quite welcome here!

[Andrew]

And on the other side, "people" who only have this kind of thread to latch onto...that is even more pathetic than Azoff Management. "Brand New Start" Poll! WTF is that?

Try not to be so cynical...and PLEASE reduce the size of your avatar (again).

[Rockindeano]

Try not to be so cynical...and PLEASE reduce the size of your avatar (again).

Me?! Being cynical? I sure in the Hell hope the Loons got a similar message.

By the way, I didn't know my avatar was too big..It kept disappearing and I kept reposting it. It was half the size as NealisGods or Barney fuckin Fife..

[Andrew]

Me?! Being cynical? I sure in the Hell hope the Loons got a similar message...

I'm sure they will.

And thanks for the avatar change...it was too wide mostly. Throws the forum design out of balance.

[cyclonus5150]

It's great to hear that voice on something new again! I just wish he'd get off his bum and record a whole album's worth.

Enjoy! Post your thoughts!

Well alrighty, then!

To be completely honest with you, I wish you had a "half-way" choice between "love it" and "leave it"......maybe, "It's OK".....?

Before any of you get ready to "yell" at me, let me explain:

First of all, if you listen to David's delivery on this song, as compared to his vocals on the rest of the album, it sounds as if his "effortless falsetto" is being strained....but again, this is all JMHO. Steve's entry vocals on "shades of forever", done in the "Classic Steve Chorus" way (with Timothy and David, respectfully), showcases Steve Perry doing what Steve Perry does best: that angelic higher register of his - especially on the ascending scale of "oohs"......wow.

However, in the rest of his delivery, it goes back to that RASPINESS again! I found myself wincing and almost clearing my throat for him! In all honesty, I liked his delivery more on "Can't Let You Go".

I guess my frustration boils down to this:

IMO, STEVE should've sung the WHOLE SONG. To me, it sounds like it's more in his key.....he has proven that he can sing lower keys, as well as higher ones

Although I am a "newbie" to an entire CD by David Pack, I can hear David's ease within his amazing higher range....and in all fairness to Mr. Pack - if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Keep doing what you do best.

Bottom line: I love this CD; kinda ambiguous about ABNS.

It's always so good to read your assessment! Always well thought out and easy to understand.

Anyway, I think I'm probably the only person on the planet anymore that actually prefers a raspy voice and wish that mine were more raspy sometimes. Remember Benny Mardones? Sang a song called "Into the Night" back in the 80's...I LOVE his voice and mainly because of the soulful raspiness. Same with Otis Redding...it's that great gravely, soulful voice that IMHO gives the songs so much warmth.

I absolutely dig the prechorus here..."Shades of Forever"...definitely has Steve's signiture. I think I would have to totally agree with you here...this would have been an awesome song for Steve to have sung lead on. It just feels right.

[sngrchk04]

It's always so good to read your assessment! Always well thought out and easy to understand.

Well, thank you very much!

Anyway, I think I'm probably the only person on the planet anymore that actually prefers a raspy voice and wish that mine were more raspy sometimes. Remember Benny Mardones? Sang a song called "Into the Night" back in the 80's...I LOVE his voice and mainly because of the soulful raspiness. Same with Otis Redding...it's that great gravely, soulful voice that IMHO gives the songs so much warmth.

Well, let me clarify:

Believe me, I LOVE the fact that Steve is more than a "one trick pony" - I mean, to showcase different facets of your range and delivery is what ALL singers SHOULD aspire to, IMO.

BUT....

To know that he has such a clear voice in his lower register ("Melody" from GH+5 comes to mind) - and DOES NOT use it in THIS song - is just SO MADDENING to me!!

I absolutely dig the prechorus here..."Shades of Forever"...definitely has Steve's signiture. I think I would have to totally agree with you here...this would have been an awesome song for Steve to have sung lead on. It just feels right.

Yeah, it sure does.....*sigh*.....

I have a question for you and everyone else:

During the lyrics, "You tried to reach / Something you could not touch..." etc. -

Is David Pack singing the melody AND the lower harmony, or is he just singing lead, with STEVE singing the lower part?

For the life of me, I can't figure this one out - and it's driving me nuts!!LOL

If Steve IS singing the lower part, then that's my "proof" of his clear, lower voice.

[perryfaithful]

It's always so good to read your assessment! Always well thought out and easy to understand.

Well, thank you very much!

Anyway, I think I'm probably the only person on the planet anymore that actually prefers a raspy voice and wish that mine were more raspy sometimes. Remember Benny Mardones? Sang a song called "Into the Night" back in the 80's...I LOVE his voice and mainly because of the soulful raspiness. Same with Otis Redding...it's that great gravely, soulful voice that IMHO gives the songs so much warmth.

Well, let me clarify:

Believe me, I LOVE the fact that Steve is more than a "one trick pony" - I mean, to showcase different facets of your range and delivery is what ALL singers SHOULD aspire to, IMO.

BUT....

To know that he has such a clear voice in his lower register ("Melody" from GH+5 comes to mind) - and DOES NOT use it in THIS song - is just SO MADDENING to me!!

I absolutely dig the prechorus here..."Shades of Forever"...definitely has Steve's signiture. I think I would have to totally agree with you here...this would have been an awesome song for Steve to have sung lead on. It just feels right.

Yeah, it sure does.....*sigh*.....

I have a question for you and everyone else:

During the lyrics, "You tried to reach / Something you could not touch..." etc. -

Is David Pack singing the melody AND the lower harmony, or is he just singing lead, with STEVE singing the lower part?

For the life of me, I can't figure this one out - and it's driving me nuts!!LOL

If Steve IS singing the lower part, then that's my "proof" of his clear, lower voice.

I too am having difficulty figuring out who is singing what there. It also occurred to me Nora that I would have loved to hear Steve sing the melody on this song, perfect!! Frankly, I am a bit disappointed at Perry's contribution to this song. Call me selfish, but I wish there was more. It seems Ann Wilson and Timothy S had more stand out parts in their duets.

....and Cyclonus! Benny Mardones on Into the Night may be my favorite song from that time....still can't get enough of it.

[Rockindeano]

What a truly exhilerating thread!

[cyclonus5150]

Is David Pack singing the melody AND the lower harmony, or is he just singing lead, with STEVE singing the lower part?

For the life of me, I can't figure this one out - and it's driving me nuts!!LOL

If Steve IS singing the lower part, then that's my "proof" of his clear, lower voice.

That's one I've wondered myself. My guy feeling is that Pack is singing both parts. I just can't find any distinguishing "Steveish" characteristics. If he is singing the lower harmony, he's using a very clean voice and blending quite nicely. I don't think that's the case, though. I wish we could ask!