The Emperor Has No Clothes! (post ur chicago thoughts)

[The_Noble_Cause]

That. Was. Fucking. Horrible.

What else is there to say?

Thank god for Steve Augeri!

[Andrew]

I sadly agree. The vocal "performance" was strained at best. Not your usual situation granted, but it was rough!

Had several e-mails about this also....all agree.

[The_Noble_Cause]

I sadly agree. The vocal "performance" was strained at best. Not your usual situation granted, but it was rough!

Had several e-mails about this also....all agree.

He sang it twice earlier on the field in a much lower range and he sounded almost passable, but in front of the crowd, where he actually attempted to sing the song as intended, he simply could not pass muster.
Shame, really.

[Greg]

As I have stated previously...it was terrible. Still would like to hear Perry on a new album first before I write him off.

[RubyTequila]

It was awful...

[jrnyman28]

Definately worse than I expected. But there are a lot of factors to consider. It is obvious that he is not in "live vocal shape" but it may be the sort of thing he could work on (if he so desires) and become good again. But I think his "great" days are behind him.

It has been over 4 years since BTM and Perry is saying again that he thinks about recording/preforming. I am not going to wait, but I will be interested.

[Andrew]

I recall almost being run off my own board about 18 months back for suggesting Perry's voice was shot....just looking back...

[ohsherrie]

Well guys, here are my thoughts on it:

1. I didn't think he sounded that bad at all. Not up to concert standards, but -

2. He wasn't in a concert environment. He was just having fun with the team. And having fun he most definitely was, .

3. He sounded pretty damned good on the earlier CBSChicago clip of him singing to that reporter when he was trying a little harder to be melodic.

4. I heard the clip of Jon and Augeri singing at that Cubs game. They sounded A LOT worse, but that was supposed to be excused because they "were just having fun at a baseball game".

5. Should Steve have gotten a voice coach to come in and help him sound good so he could meet your approval while he celebrated with his new friends?

6. Do we have a bit of a double standard going on here? Unless you're just trying to find ways to put Steve down, you have to give him at least as many breaks(or excuses)as you give Augeri.

[Greg]

I recall almost being run off my own board about 18 months back for suggesting Perry's voice was shot....just looking back...

Andrew,

My absent minded self was trying to remember the record that Steve had sang on recently, but I can't remember which one it is.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Well guys, here are my thoughts on it:
1. I didn't think he sounded that bad at all. Not up to concert standards, but -

Bull. He was fucking HORRIBLE. Me and Deano both agreed that WE sound better than Perry, and we are both unprofessional and all around suck!

2. He wasn't in a concert environment. He was just having fun with the team. And having fun he most definitely was, .

This is true.

3. He sounded pretty damned good on the earlier CBSChicago clip of him singing to that reporter when he was trying a little harder to be melodic.

"damned good" ?
Don't make me laugh. He practically hummed the thing and he sang it in a much lower key.
When he tried to sing it normally, with power, in front of 1.75 million people, he simply couldn't do it.

4. I heard the clip of Jon and Augeri singing at that Cubs game. They sounded A LOT worse, but that was supposed to be excused because they "were just having fun at a baseball game".

I recall them sounding good, but it's been awhile since I heard it.
Post the link.

5. Should Steve have gotten a voice coach to come in and help him sound good so he could meet your approval while he celebrated with his new friends?

Steve has reneged on singing engagements COUNTLESS times. (Herbie Roast, Time 3 box set, ROR tour, FTLOSM tour, TBF tour)
Why should this be any different?
There was no money at stake here.
If he knew he wasn't up to snuff, then he probably shoudn't have gone out there and needlessly made a fool of himself.

6. Do we have a bit of a double standard going on here? Unless you're just trying to find ways to put Steve down, you have to give him at least as many breaks(or excuses)as you give Augeri.

No, we don't. Augeri is a frontman. It's his career. He has to sing. Peoples livelihoods depend on it (including his own). Perry is retired and didn't have to go make a fool of himself.

[froy]

I sadly agree. The vocal "performance" was strained at best. Not your usual situation granted, but it was rough!

Had several e-mails about this also....all agree.

First of all there should have been some music behind his vocals
Its a shame Perry now sings in a yelling mode
The front voice is harsh .

[Andrew]

Andrew,
My absent minded self was trying to remember the record that Steve had sang on recently, but I can't remember which one it is.

David Pack...fine song too....although Perry only uses his lower range there (and well I might add).

[Greg]

Andrew,
My absent minded self was trying to remember the record that Steve had sang on recently, but I can't remember which one it is.

David Pack...fine song too....although Perry only uses his lower range there (and well I might add).

That's right! Thank you Andrew. I remember listening to the rest of the cd and thinking that it was pretty good. I might go ahead and order it. I do remember hearing a bit of that song and you're right -but what I heard was pretty good.

[LAWoman]

The most interesting thing was when he said the WS had helped him emotionally and to get his life back together in some ways. I am hoping by that he means that he realized he doesn't have to sound like he did in the 80's in order to sing. And maybe he figured out he can talk to the media and the world without having to go through his lawyers to do it.

He seemed like he was having a lot of fun and the whole thing turned out to be very positive. I hope he continues to do more public things. I am sure he still has a lot to contribute to the world and to music.

[Greg]

I'm interested to hear what he says in his Novemeber interview. I thought it was kind of funny when the reporter asked him did he miss singing in Journey, and he said, "I missed singing period!" LOL....way to go Steve...talk about dodging a question, hahaahaha!

Still, those were interesting comments, but like the BTM special, I'm not going to hold my breathe until I see a new Steve Perry album on the shelves.

[swwskj]

There is no doubt that Perry in his prime was one of 'The' Vocalists of his generation. Whether you like Augeri or the way he became part of the band is up to personal choice. However, it sadly seems that Augeri now sounds more like "Classic" Perry than even Perry himself. Listen to Faith in the Heartland and tell me otherwise. I agree sad actually. I miss the Classic Perry sound and wish it was still possible to hear it. Now my only choice is Journey with Augeri. Given no Perry at all or Journey with Augeri the choice is an easy one for me.

Scott

[Greg]

I know what you mean Scott, but ya know....I love Steve Augeri's voice. I love the fact that Augeri is not an egomanaic. I think Augeri covers the Perry hits extremely well and I have had an opportunity to see him do this live in concert. I do prefer the "Classic" Steve Perry sound to Steve Augeri, but I realize that isn't realistic at this point. Nowadays, until Perry can prove me wrong (and I would be honored for him to do so,) I prefer Augeri singing the old stuff - because his voice is fresher.

BUT - I always have my Journey's GH's Live CD to fall back on!

[ohsherrie]

Bull. He was fucking HORRIBLE. Me and Deano both agreed that WE sound better than Perry, and we are both unprofessional and all around suck!

And I'm supposed to think of you two as objective? Right.

"damned good" ?
Don't make me laugh. He practically hummed the thing and he sang it in a much lower key.
When he tried to sing it normally, with power, in front of 1.75 million people, he simply couldn't do it.

He SANG the song to the reporter, you can call it whatever suits your purpose, but he sounded as good as any singer would have in that context.
As for being in front of 1.75 million people, I don't think he was even thinking about that. He was just having a good time. There was no normally.

I recall them sounding good, ....Post the link.

Why doesn't that surprise me?..... Why would I have saved the link?

Steve has reneged on singing engagements COUNTLESS times. (Herbie Roast, Time 3 box set, ROR tour, FTLOSM tour, TBF tour)
Why should this be any different?
There was no money at stake here.
If he knew he wasn't up to snuff, then he probably shoudn't have gone out there and needlessly made a fool of himself.

I don't know what the times you say he reneged have to do with this discussion. He wasn't performing a concert yesterday, he was having a good time with the ball team. He didn't make a fool of himself because no reasonable person would have expected him to be in concert form.

No, we don't. Augeri is a frontman. It's his career. He has to sing. Peoples livelihoods depend on it (including his own). Perry is retired and didn't have to go make a fool of himself.

Again, I think you're trying to deflect attention from the subject, but since you have, Augeri would have given his eyeteeth to be where Steve Perry was yesterday. In exactly the same circumstances I'm willing to bet MY eyeteeth he wouldn't have done any better. He may have been able to get a little closer to the original key, but key isn't the issue, vocal quality is what matters. Steve Perry only made a fool of himself in the eyes of those who want to believe that.

You guys are just trying too hard again to justify and rationalize the band's position, and in the process you're losing some people who might possibly have been willing to reconsider their position. This kind of crap is no more necessary from you than it is from the ones you think of as trolls on this board. If you don't like Steve Perry's voice as it is now in the lower register then that's a matter of personal preference, some people just don't like baratones, if you're just bent on ragging on him because he didn't sound like the Houston '81 for that rally, you're being petty.

[Rockindeano]

And I'm supposed to think of you two as objective? Right.

I think we are two of THE most objectional people on this board. I criticize EVERYONE when I feel it is deserved, and praise ANYONE who deserves it as well...I like to call it, "Brutal Honesty."

I even criticize myself...

[ohsherrie]

I think we are two of THE most objectional people on this board. I criticize EVERYONE when I feel it is deserved, and praise ANYONE who deserves it as well...I like to call it, "Brutal Honesty."

Well, I'll agree that you can be brutal sugar. (Did you mean objectional, or objectionable?)

[OpeningAct]

And I'm supposed to think of you two as objective? Right.

I think we are two of THE most objectional people on this board. I criticize EVERYONE when I feel it is deserved, and praise ANYONE who deserves it as well...I like to call it, "Brutal Honesty."

I even criticize myself...

Oh brother...you're brutal alright...

[The_Noble_Cause]

And I'm supposed to think of you two as objective? Right.

Why not?
When something sucks (from Augeri or Perry) I (or Deano) are usually the first ones on here saying so.
If you can show me doing otherwise, I encourage you to do so.

He SANG the song to the reporter, you can call it whatever suits your purpose, but he sounded as good as any singer would have in that context.

It was in a low range, there was no power behind his voice.
VERY unimpressive.

As for being in front of 1.75 million people, I don't think he was even thinking about that. He was just having a good time. There was no normally.

When he was with the reporter, he sang it softly and in a slow paced low range. When he was in front of the large crowd he attempted to sing the song as initially written (in a high range). He fell flat on his face. He simply could not do it. That's not a bash, that's what really happened.

Why doesn't that surprise me?

I really don't know. Normally when Augeri sounds bad in a live setting I am the first guy on here carping on him (my CBS and Blind Date threads attest to this). Such objective threads belie you're persistant attempts to paint me as a partisan.

I don't know what the times you say he reneged have to do with this discussion.

Perry has cancelled performing on multiple occasions. If he knew he didn't have what it takes, then he should have cancelled and prevented making a spectacle of himself.

He didn't make a fool of himself because no reasonable person would have expected him to be in concert form.

Wanna bet? Why do you think the Sox goaded him to sing in the first place? Because they thought he was the voice behind "Don't Stop Believin" (little do they know that that pristine voice has come and gone)

Again, I think you're trying to deflect attention from the subject,

How so?
You said Perry should be afforded the same slack as Augeri.
Augeri is paid to sing. He has to go thru with the show be it rain or shine. (The roadies, stage crew, Neal, Jon, Ross, the fans..they are all depending on him to be there.)
NOBODY is dependent on Steve Perry.
Perry has no one to blame for Friday's risible performance other than himself. He got up there. He made a fool of himself.

but since you have, Augeri would have given his eyeteeth to be where Steve Perry was yesterday.

Maybe so, but I certainly doubt Augeri isn't content with his current state of life (wealthy and fronting a rock band). I'm sure we'd ALL love to be where Steve Perry was yesterday (me included) but who gives a rat's patoot?
What does that have to do with the fact that Perry can't sing "Don't Stop Believing" as initially written?

In exactly the same circumstances I'm willing to bet MY eyeteeth he wouldn't have done any better.

Who cares if Augeri screws up once or twice on live on TV, he proves himself on the stage on a NIGHTLY basis. Perry isn't afforded such a privelidge. This was his time to shine and he confirmed everyones (Herbies, Andrews, Monkers, NIGs, Deanos, mine) suspicions; he can't sing Journey material worth a hoot anymore.

He may have been able to get a little closer to the original key, but key isn't the issue, vocal quality is what matters.

And Steve Perry had positively NONE of it. What vocal quality? He was downright haggard.

Steve Perry only made a fool of himself in the eyes of those who want to believe that.

Honey, you are taking the piss. The grass is green. The sky is blue. And bad is bad. I am sorry you can't come to grips with this.

You guys are just trying too hard again to justify and rationalize the band's position, and in the process you're losing some people who might possibly have been willing to reconsider their position.

Who is talking about the "band's position"?
I am talking about Steve Perry having all the range of a doorstopper.

This kind of crap is no more necessary from you than it is from the ones you think of as trolls on this board.

Wha? Get real. Everyone here says he sounded terrible. Are you to say that Andrew, NIG, Ruby, Greggi, Dave, and myself are all trolling?
Perry sounded bad. Deal with it.

If you don't like Steve Perry's voice as it is now in the lower register then that's a matter of personal preference, some people just don't like baratones,

Nobody is bashing baratones.
We are bashing horrible singing.

if you're just bent on ragging on him because he didn't sound like the Houston '81 for that rally, you're being petty.

No, we are discussing how unbelievably bad he sounded. If you disagree, and no longer wish to partake in this thread, then by all means go start your own "Perry sounded great" thread.

[Rockindeano]

And I'm supposed to think of you two as objective? Right.

I think we are two of THE most objectional people on this board. I criticize EVERYONE when I feel it is deserved, and praise ANYONE who deserves it as well...I like to call it, "Brutal Honesty."

I even criticize myself...

Oh brother...you're brutal alright...

Not taking your bait..or your bullshit tonight moron. Go away..Go fuck yourself..And tell your mom I said hi.

[OpeningAct]

And I'm supposed to think of you two as objective? Right.

I think we are two of THE most objectional people on this board. I criticize EVERYONE when I feel it is deserved, and praise ANYONE who deserves it as well...I like to call it, "Brutal Honesty."

I even criticize myself...

Oh brother...you're brutal alright...

Not taking your bait..or your bullshit tonight moron. Go away..Go fuck yourself..And tell your mom I said hi.

No...I guess you're not...bark you dog!

[Greg]

I think people are over analyzing and taking this parade thing way out of proportion.

[Rockindeano]

I think people are over analyzing and taking this parade thing way out of proportion.

Thanks for the intelligent diversion from that moron Greggie. See, the parade thing is all that we have to go on. Like you said, and I am with you on this, please put out a CD...We can only talk about what there is to talk about. This "performance" was a joke..I know Perry could do a lot better..I am not going to bust his balls, but for some to say he was "awesome" or sounded great must be rebutted....

[Monker]

I think people are over analyzing and taking this parade thing way out of proportion.

Yep, I agree. It's just a blip of news. I doubt anybody outside of Perry/Journey fandom even gives it much of a thought. In a few months I doubt this won't even be talked about...much.

[sadie65]

I was happy that Steve seemed to enjoy being there. However I couldn't help but realize he knew he was going to have to sing. Why did it seem he did no vocal warm up. I think the song done a capella is not showcasing it well to be sure, but clearly it wasn't Mr. Perry's finest hour. That being said, perhaps it's best to just appreciate it for what it was. A moment in time for some Sox team members that wanted him there, and he obliged. In a few months...it will be forgotten.

[Greg]

Probably so. BTW, DSB doesn't seem to be a song I would consider sounding good acapella anyways.

[ohsherrie]

I think people are over analyzing and taking this parade thing way out of proportion.

Thanks for the intelligent diversion from that moron Greggie. See, the parade thing is all that we have to go on. Like you said, and I am with you on this, please put out a CD...We can only talk about what there is to talk about. This "performance" was a joke..I know Perry could do a lot better..I am not going to bust his balls, but for some to say he was "awesome" or sounded great must be rebutted....

You're right Greggie, it's becoming absurd. It's as if people are basing the man's talent and ability on this funfest in Chicago.

You're also right Dean. He can sing and I wish he would show it in the right way. That performance wasn't "awesome" by any means, but was just the best that should have been expected under the circumstances.

TNC, I'm just not up for arguing for the sake of the argument. I think you're being too harsh, you think I'm being too lenient, and ne'er the twain shall meet.

I enjoyed seeing him enjoy himself, and the team apparently appreciated his being there.