Can we get real about the Houston dvd?????????????

[brandonx76]

Hey Brandon, I agree with you on the Japanese thing...Hard to communicate, but those fuckers love english speaking performers..Adams is Huge..so is Journey..Hell, remember Cheap trick, live at Budakon?

Those guys down there in Japaan love EVERYTHING American, man...! Do you have any idea how big TOTO is in Japan...?? The guys play there without fail whenever they do their world tour. Next one being in 2006. Do you have any idea how big BASEBALL is in Japan..??

Cheers.

Ray

I thought Toto was big (or at least a name) everywhere besides the US....on the Japanese music fan - I think they are probably more in sync with quality music than most other places....lots of great melodic fusion instrumental bands over there (T-Square), and it seems all my favorite bands have an active fan base over there.

[NealIsGod]

One more thing..

I would put Current Journey up against classic Styx or REO....

Oh, yeah. Current Journey would embarass those bands in their prime. Generations blows away Hi Infidelity and Paradise Theatre.

[Rockindeano]

Yes they would..However, Twig fan would want you to believe just because they had the Poodle, and sold out arenas, they were better than Journey. Na huh. Sorry bro. Twigs and REO will always be Journey's bitches, and there is NO way either one has a chance at the HOF..

[Jeremey]

A general thoughts based on reading this entire thread:

• I've heard that Japanese audiences are very reserved, cheering and clapping only between songs, and staying seated. Then again, I seem to remember concert clips of Japanese audiences standing up and screaming, so I'm not sure which to believe.

Based on the Nov 11 concert I saw versus the 1981 Houston performance:

• Neal Schon is twice the guitarist he was 24 years ago. 2005 Schon easily bests 1981 Schon.

• Steve Smith, I am sorry to say, is a superior drummer to Deen Castronovo.

• Steve Perry in 1981 is a far superior vocalist than Steve Augeri in 2005. And I'm not even going to argue "Yes, but Perry in 2005 sucks!", I'm just comparing the 1981 DVD to the 2005 performance I saw 3 weeks ago.

• The professionalism of the 2005 Journey lineup surpasses the professionalism of the 1981 concert. Not sure how that makes one concert experience better than the other tho...My experience was that the 2005 show was almost too cooly professional, almost distant and going through the motions at times. If we're talking rock and roll, give me unadulterated mania any day over cool professionalism.

• The musical diversity of 2005 performance was superior to the 1981 DVD. Much larger catalog to draw from, and cheers to Journey for performing multiple Generations songs.

• Did not see the inventive "live" versions of songs that I had seen in prior years and that appears on the 1981 DVD in the 2005 show. The 2002 show had great extended versions of Chain Reaction, Trial By Fire (acoustic), Liberty, etc. The highlights of the 1981 DVD for me are the extended Where Were You, the cool intro to Escape, the ubiquitous Lights/Stay Awhile medley (missing in 2005), etc, etc.

Anyway, just a few observations. No need to flame or call anyone retarded here, just one man's opinion who's seen both shows within the past 4 weeks.

[Red13JoePa]

Not denial, just my personal preference of the real life band TODAY. I like the "classic" lineup, too. Not as much, but....

[NoMoreTails]

• Neal Schon is twice the guitarist he was 24 years ago. 2005 Schon easily bests 1981 Schon

This and the fact that they now have a true rock singer, who is handling the vocals flawlessly at this point, make it no contest for me.

[Free]

Do I believe they are better musicians now than in 81? Of course, how could you not get better after 24 years?

That wasn't my point. My point is that a 50 year old can't out perform a 30 year old. I mean this in a general sense. I'm sure you could find the reverse of this.

An analogy: Let's use running backs in football. Could Earl Campbell still run the football? Yes. Could he do as good a job as a 25 or 30 year old? The answer is obvious.

Please don't get me wrong. I'm glad Journey is still performing. I think they are a good band. It's just that they are a very different band now and times have changed totally.

In 81 EVERYTHING was on their side. Age, radio industy, record industry, the music climate, etc........

Because everyting is so different now, I don't get how anybody would choose this TIME and current line up over the time 1981 and the line up then.

That's all I'm saying..........

[NealIsGod]

In 81 EVERYTHING was on their side. Age, radio industy, record industry, the music climate, etc........

Because everyting is so different now, I don't get how anybody would choose this TIME and current line up over the time 1981 and the line up then.

That's all I'm saying..........

None of us care about age, radio industry, record industry, or music climate. We care about how good the music is. And it rocks. More than ever.

[Jeremey]

• Neal Schon is twice the guitarist he was 24 years ago. 2005 Schon easily bests 1981 Schon

This and the fact that they now have a true rock singer, who is handling the vocals flawlessly at this point, make it no contest for me.

I just want to make sure I understand your point. You are saying that Steve Augeri at age 40-whatever is currently outperforming Steve Perry at age 30-whatever of 24 years ago?

I don't want to make this a contest or anything, but if that's the view people have....If someone wants to make the argument that Steve Augeri of 2005 is a better vocalist than Steve Perry of 1981, I am absolutely willing to listen to your side of the debate.

[Red13JoePa]

I do wonder if Neal Schon's ever played a more jaw-dropping version of Stone In Love in his life as on the Hous DVD. I could headbut a building to the ground watching that version of that song. What an outro, too.

[NoMoreTails]

I just want to make sure I understand your point. You are saying that Steve Augeri at age 40-whatever is currently outperforming Steve Perry at age 30-whatever of 24 years ago?

I don't want to make this a contest or anything, but if that's the view people have....If someone wants to make the argument that Steve Augeri of 2005 is a better vocalist than Steve Perry of 1981, I am absolutely willing to listen to your side of the debate.

I'm not trying to convince anyone that Augeri is better, I'm just saying that I prefer Augeri as I feel he is more of a true rocker, not to say that he is a better singer than Perry was. I know Perry was able to do amazing things with his voice particularly 78-80, but I was never a huge Perry fan. I was a Journey fan inspite of Perry at times, rather than because of him. I respect the talent he had but I always wanted him to be more of a rocker. Augeri has the voice to do these songs justice, and more of a rock attitude.

[Red13JoePa]

Agree with a lot of what NMT says. I'm convinced this is my ultimate lineup and that's enough.

[Rockindeano]

Of course, how could you not get better after 24 years?

Ask Eddie Van what's his name. He will tell you to fuck off..he is horrid now, compared to 81..

[Free]

I just want to make sure I understand your point. You are saying that Steve Augeri at age 40-whatever is currently outperforming Steve Perry at age 30-whatever of 24 years ago?

I don't want to make this a contest or anything, but if that's the view people have....If someone wants to make the argument that Steve Augeri of 2005 is a better vocalist than Steve Perry of 1981, I am absolutely willing to listen to your side of the debate.

I'm not trying to convince anyone that Augeri is better, I'm just saying that I prefer Augeri as I feel he is more of a true rocker, not to say that he is a better singer than Perry was. I know Perry was able to do amazing things with his voice particularly 78-80, but I was never a huge Perry fan. I was a Journey fan inspite of Perry at times, rather than because of him. I respect the talent he had but I always wanted him to be more of a rocker. Augeri has the voice to do these songs justice, and more of a rock attitude.

Not to be a smart ---, but he can't even sing some of the hits. Deen has to.

[Rockindeano]

Not to be a smart ---, but he can't even sing some of the hits. Deen has to.

Oh he could..just not as high as Deen.

No knock there....it's a tough catolog to sing..

[NoMoreTails]

Not to be a smart ---, but he can't even sing some of the hits. Deen has to.

I don't think its a matter of Deen having to cover any hits, they just choose to have Deen sing since he does it so well. Of course its necessary with the length of some shows. Did Perry ever sing a whole 2 hour 15 min. or 3 hour show?

As far as Deen taking some of the high notes here and there, I don't know about the shows you've been to, but most of the ones I've been to, particularly this tour, it seemed that Steve was just making a cool gesture by throwing some of them at Deen, he didn't seem to be struggling at all.

I think Augeri sings the songs more the way they're supposed to be sung than Perry did at times, particularly on the Frontiers and ROR tours, when some were done double time.

[NealIsGod]

Not to be a smart ---, but he can't even sing some of the hits. Deen has to.

I don't think its a matter of Deen having to cover any hits, they just choose to have Deen sing since he does it so well. Of course its necessary with the length of some shows. Did Perry ever sing a whole 2 hour 15 min. or 3 hour show?

As far as Deen taking some of the high notes here and there, I don't know about the shows you've been to, but most of the ones I've been to, particularly this tour, it seemed that Steve was just making a cool gesture by throwing some of them at Deen, he didn't seem to be struggling at all.

I think Augeri sings the songs more the way they're supposed to be sung than Perry did at times, particularly on the Frontiers and ROR tours, when some were done double time.

Nice answer, NMT. Free is just trying to take the piss.

[Rockindeano]

Nice answer, NMT. Free is just trying to take the piss.

Isn't that some sick sexual fetish?

gross. Thanks for the saying Andrew...

[Free]

Not to be a smart ---, but he can't even sing some of the hits. Deen has to.

I don't think its a matter of Deen having to cover any hits, they just choose to have Deen sing since he does it so well. Of course its necessary with the length of some shows. Did Perry ever sing a whole 2 hour 15 min. or 3 hour show?

As far as Deen taking some of the high notes here and there, I don't know about the shows you've been to, but most of the ones I've been to, particularly this tour, it seemed that Steve was just making a cool gesture by throwing some of them at Deen, he didn't seem to be struggling at all.

I think Augeri sings the songs more the way they're supposed to be sung than Perry did at times, particularly on the Frontiers and ROR tours, when some were done double time.

Nice answer, NMT. Free is just trying to take the piss.

I don't even know what that means. I assume it's a jab at me. That's cool.

All I mean is that it's obvious that Augeri can't cover some of the stuff. If you have been to a lot of shows, you know that. I love Augeri. Seems like a nice guy. Certainly not a head case like Perry. But like I said, do we have to live in denial of reality??

[The_Noble_Cause]

I think Augeri sings the songs more the way they're supposed to be sung than Perry did at times, particularly on the Frontiers and ROR tours, when some were done double time.

Very true. In some cases, Augeri's renditions sound more like the record then Perry's expediated versions. Saying so might be akin to blasphemy to some PerrydungBeatles, but it's the truth.

[The_Noble_Cause]

But like I said, do we have to live in denial of reality??

Do we have to exclusively hone in on nothing BUT the negatives of the current day reality?

FACT: Augeri cannot do many of the early Perry-era tunes.
FACT: He still sings the majority of the Journey catalog and sounds great doing so.

You keep saying people on here are in denial, but their actions do not reflect that. Contrary to what you first claimed, nobody was on here chanting that Augeri trumps the Houston show.
I still don't know where you got that from. It simply wasn't ocurring.
The people here are Journey's most brutally honest fans.
Maybe you are drinking the piss.

[Jeremey]

I think Augeri sings the songs more the way they're supposed to be sung than Perry did at times, particularly on the Frontiers and ROR tours, when some were done double time.

Very true. In some cases, Augeri's renditions sound more like the record then Perry's expediated versions. Saying so might be akin to blasphemy to some PerrydungBeatles, but it's the truth.

NC, I will give you that Augeri in Myrtle Beach sounded pretty damned flawless. I missed a bit of the sponteniety from Perry's live deviations, but Augeri certainly nailed it a few weeks ago.

[Free]

But like I said, do we have to live in denial of reality??

Do we have to exclusively hone in on nothing BUT the negatives of the current day reality?

FACT: Augeri cannot do many of the early Perry-era tunes.
FACT: He still sings the majority of the Journey catalog and sounds great doing so.

You keep saying people on here are in denial, but their actions do not reflect that. Contrary to what you first claimed, nobody was on here chanting that Augeri trumps the Houston show.
I still don't know where you got that from. It simply wasn't ocurring.
The people here are Journey's most brutally honest fans.
Maybe you are drinking the piss.

Well, I sure don't think I'm drinking that stuff.

Concerning where I read that someone wrote current Journey is better than 81 Journey, I either saw it on here or the Journey site board. I think it was over there but not sure.

Not honing in on the negatives. Just being truthful. I believe there are many positives about the current line up. But it would be very boring to just talk about nothing but how great they are. Can't you get that over at the site board? I think it's exclusively like that over there anyway.

Hey, an off the subject question for you. Remember MEANIE? Does he still post under a different name? Deano kinda reminds me of him.

[Free]

But like I said, do we have to live in denial of reality??

Do we have to exclusively hone in on nothing BUT the negatives of the current day reality?

FACT: Augeri cannot do many of the early Perry-era tunes.
FACT: He still sings the majority of the Journey catalog and sounds great doing so.

You keep saying people on here are in denial, but their actions do not reflect that. Contrary to what you first claimed, nobody was on here chanting that Augeri trumps the Houston show.
I still don't know where you got that from. It simply wasn't ocurring.
The people here are Journey's most brutally honest fans.
Maybe you are drinking the piss.

Well, I sure don't think I'm drinking that stuff.

Concerning where I read that someone wrote current Journey is better than 81 Journey, I either saw it on here or the Journey site board. I think it was over there but not sure.

Not honing in on the negatives. Just being truthful. I believe there are many positives about the current line up. But it would be very boring to just talk about nothing but how great they are. Can't you get that over at the site board? I think it's exclusively like that over there anyway.

Hey, an off the subject question for you. Remember MEANIE? Does he still post under a different name? Deano kinda reminds me of him.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Concerning where I read that someone wrote current Journey is better than 81 Journey, I either saw it on here or the Journey site board. I think it was over there but not sure.

I wouldn't conflate BackTalk with MelodicRock.
Those are two entiriely different beasts.
We are truthful here.

Not honing in on the negatives. Just being truthful. I believe there are many positives about the current line up. But it would be very boring to just talk about nothing but how great they are. Can't you get that over at the site board? I think it's exclusively like that over there anyway.

It is nauseatingly cheerful over there, isn't it? While it is boring to focus solely on positives, by the same token, I don't see what saying "Augeri cant hit some of Perry's notes" really brings to the table.
That's old news, man!

Concerning Hey, an off the subject question for you. Remember MEANIE? Does he still post under a different name? Deano kinda reminds me of him.

I've been here for awhile. Don't know him though. Ask one of the Journey fan veterans like Dave.

[Jeremey]

Hey, an off the subject question for you. Remember MEANIE? Does he still post under a different name? Deano kinda reminds me of him.

Don't think Meanie has been around for many years. Meanie would have never acknowledged Steve Perry the way that Dean has. Meanie seemed to be very one-issue oriented. I don't know why he would have changed monikers or anything...Probably just got tired of the same old same old.

[NoMoreTails]

[All I mean is that it's obvious that Augeri can't cover some of the stuff. If you have been to a lot of shows, you know that. I love Augeri. Seems like a nice guy. Certainly not a head case like Perry. But like I said, do we have to live in denial of reality??

Who's in denial? I know Augeri couldn't sing something like the amazing high part in Sweet and Simple, I don't care I wouldn't want him to. I like the fact that his voice has a little less of the feminine quality about it that Perry's had in the old days. I like that his voice is not shrill for lack of a better word like Perry's. I like that he shows a bit of his screamer side at times like when Neal was jamming on the beginning of LTS at some shows I saw this year and wish he'd do that kind of thing more. Also, and I hesitate to bring it up, but I felt Perry's stage presence was, well, goofy.
Perry was an amazing singer, I'm just saying he is not my preference as the singer for Journey.

[yak]

All I mean is that it's obvious that Augeri can't cover some of the stuff. If you have been to a lot of shows, you know that. I love Augeri. Seems like a nice guy. Certainly not a head case like Perry. But like I said, do we have to live in denial of reality??

From what I heard this summer, Steve nailed the songs. He was awesome in concert. He has a great rocker voice, reminiscent of the rock of the 70's. I prefer listening to Steve's voice, as opposed to the wailing sounds of Perry. Steve is more than just a nice guy, and not a head case like Perry.

The only "ones" in denial of reality here are the Perry-wants. They WANT him to do something...anything...and cannot face the fact that what he did a few weeks ago probably put the proverbial nail in the proverbial coffin for him. He's likely holed up in his mansion cringing at what he sounded like. (Perfectionists simply DON'T do that)

[jrnyman28]

I am pretty sure Meanie still posts at BT (JRNY1) but I don't think he is here.

[Jeremey]

I am pretty sure Meanie still posts at BT (JRNY1) but I don't think he is here.

JRNY1 at Back Talk is Big Ed from Pittsburgh, he is definitely not Meanie, they both used to post at Skylord's old board.