MY Opinion

[Saint John]

It sounds like Perry has a symphony behind him at the end of Mother Father. Is that JUST him? It's simply beautiful. Man....it CAN'T be him alone.....any thoughts?

[Wheels Of Fyre]

It sounds like Perry has a symphony behind him at the end of Mother Father. Is that JUST him? It's simply beautiful. Man....it CAN'T be him alone.....any thoughts?

You mean the little falsetto angelic signature he does a la Wheel In The Sky? It's definitely layered and/or doctored as was most of his vocals. The Houston concert is also "tricked" but nobody seems to have a problem with it. You can easily hear that it's not just him also his lip synch is well off. I'm sure he did it live but it's been doctored.

Neal: I think some of our best sounding records, the voices were more layered than anything else. The bg...the backgrounds...you know, we used to do like, for instance, all the records that we did with Roy Thomas Baker, we took the Queen approach and there was ten million Steve Perry's back then in the background vocals. I mean, he would do four times one part, four times another part, four times another part, four times another part. So it's just at then end, it's just STACKED. And that's what gives you that huge vocal...that background vocal sound. But in general, the band...I don't think beyond the record that we just did with Kevin Shirley, like Arrival, that was very layered, I think we were pretty nuts and bolts. It's like the one rhythm guitar, two at the most, and one lead and keyboards...a couple of keyboard overdubs.

So many people criticize SA for weak vocals on his albums but fail to recognize that his were straight up vocals with no technical help. Apparently he only used technology when he was sick.

[Matthew]

It sounds like Perry has a symphony behind him at the end of Mother Father. Is that JUST him? It's simply beautiful. Man....it CAN'T be him alone.....any thoughts?

You mean the little falsetto angelic signature he does a la Wheel In The Sky? It's definitely layered and/or doctored as was most of his vocals. The Houston concert is also "tricked" but nobody seems to have a problem with it. You can easily hear that it's not just him also his lip synch is well off. I'm sure he did it live but it's been doctored.

From what I've read Journey used tapes of backing vocals in the 1980s - but Fyre - what do you mean "his lipsynch is well off"?

[Wheels Of Fyre]

It sounds like Perry has a symphony behind him at the end of Mother Father. Is that JUST him? It's simply beautiful. Man....it CAN'T be him alone.....any thoughts?

You mean the little falsetto angelic signature he does a la Wheel In The Sky? It's definitely layered and/or doctored as was most of his vocals. The Houston concert is also "tricked" but nobody seems to have a problem with it. You can easily hear that it's not just him also his lip synch is well off. I'm sure he did it live but it's been doctored.

From what I've read Journey used tapes of backing vocals in the 1980s - but Fyre - what do you mean "his lipsynch is well off"?

Sorry - I'm not suggesting it was an alleged Tapegate situation. His mouth just doesn't synch with it. It's easily recognizable.

Forgot to mention BGTY from the GH DVD. If you can't recognize that horrid sounding vocal help in that then you're deaf.

[Saint John]

It sounds like Perry has a symphony behind him at the end of Mother Father. Is that JUST him? It's simply beautiful. Man....it CAN'T be him alone.....any thoughts?

You mean the little falsetto angelic signature he does a la Wheel In The Sky? It's definitely layered and/or doctored as was most of his vocals. The Houston concert is also "tricked" but nobody seems to have a problem with it. You can easily hear that it's not just him also his lip synch is well off. I'm sure he did it live but it's been doctored.

Neal: I think some of our best sounding records, the voices were more layered than anything else. The bg...the backgrounds...you know, we used to do like, for instance, all the records that we did with Roy Thomas Baker, we took the Queen approach and there was ten million Steve Perry's back then in the background vocals. I mean, he would do four times one part, four times another part, four times another part, four times another part. So it's just at then end, it's just STACKED. And that's what gives you that huge vocal...that background vocal sound. But in general, the band...I don't think beyond the record that we just did with Kevin Shirley, like Arrival, that was very layered, I think we were pretty nuts and bolts. It's like the one rhythm guitar, two at the most, and one lead and keyboards...a couple of keyboard overdubs.

So many people criticize SA for weak vocals on his albums but fail to recognize that his were straight up vocals with no technical help. Apparently he only used technology when he was sick.

This is an insane, at best, attempt to use Perry and Augeri in the same sentence/context. Augeri is, and always has been, a "second string" singer. The guy wasn't popular when "falsetto" was "in." Why the fuck should he have EVER fronted Journey? Just goes to show that Journey minus Herbert and Perry will never succeed. Schon and Cain NOW know, that they'll never be relevant without Perry. Soto, MY guess, will return to his homies, Talisman. He's seen the trainwreck at the end of this tunnel. If I'm wrong....that's cool...the dude is is top notch. I'll eat crow. I'll always be a Journey fan....although an Augeri comeback would test that.


As for the "most of his vocals" comment, you're fuckin' retarded. Journey was one of very few bands that was mostly live. Perry, unlike a lot of others, did NOT need help/layering. That man is perhaps the greatest live performer of all-time. SA was weak because......he was weak. The dude wasn't shit compared to Perry. "straight up".....and what the fuck were Perry's? You're a moron. Go listen to, and believe that Arrival 2001, is live. Augeri is a "B" singer and you're an asshole.

[Wheels Of Fyre]

It sounds like Perry has a symphony behind him at the end of Mother Father. Is that JUST him? It's simply beautiful. Man....it CAN'T be him alone.....any thoughts?

You mean the little falsetto angelic signature he does a la Wheel In The Sky? It's definitely layered and/or doctored as was most of his vocals. The Houston concert is also "tricked" but nobody seems to have a problem with it. You can easily hear that it's not just him also his lip synch is well off. I'm sure he did it live but it's been doctored.

Neal: I think some of our best sounding records, the voices were more layered than anything else. The bg...the backgrounds...you know, we used to do like, for instance, all the records that we did with Roy Thomas Baker, we took the Queen approach and there was ten million Steve Perry's back then in the background vocals. I mean, he would do four times one part, four times another part, four times another part, four times another part. So it's just at then end, it's just STACKED. And that's what gives you that huge vocal...that background vocal sound. But in general, the band...I don't think beyond the record that we just did with Kevin Shirley, like Arrival, that was very layered, I think we were pretty nuts and bolts. It's like the one rhythm guitar, two at the most, and one lead and keyboards...a couple of keyboard overdubs.

So many people criticize SA for weak vocals on his albums but fail to recognize that his were straight up vocals with no technical help. Apparently he only used technology when he was sick.

This is an insane, at best, attempt to use Perry and Augeri in the same sentence/context. Augeri is, and always has been, a "second string" singer. The guy wasn't popular when "falsetto" was "in." Why the fuck should he have EVER fronted Journey? Just goes to show that Journey minus Herbert and Perry will never succeed. Schon and Cain NOW know, that they'll never be relevant without Perry. Soto, MY guess, will return to his homies, Talisman. He's seen the trainwreck at the end of this tunnel. If I'm wrong....that's cool...the dude is is top notch. I'll eat crow. I'll always be a Journey fan....although an Augeri comeback would test that.


As for the "most of his vocals" comment, you're fuckin' retarded. Journey was one of very few bands that was mostly live. Perry, unlike a lot of others, did NOT need help/layering. That man is perhaps the greatest live performer of all-time. SA was weak because......he was weak. The dude wasn't shit compared to Perry. "straight up".....and what the fuck were Perry's? You're a moron. Go listen to, and believe that Arrival 2001, is live. Augeri is a "B" singer and you're an asshole.

And you're as transparent as plastic wrap. I'm not going to argue with you despite your attempts to bait me with the "retarded" comment. What - do you think I'm still in the 5th Grade, too?

[Saint John]

It sounds like Perry has a symphony behind him at the end of Mother Father. Is that JUST him? It's simply beautiful. Man....it CAN'T be him alone.....any thoughts?

You mean the little falsetto angelic signature he does a la Wheel In The Sky? It's definitely layered and/or doctored as was most of his vocals. The Houston concert is also "tricked" but nobody seems to have a problem with it. You can easily hear that it's not just him also his lip synch is well off. I'm sure he did it live but it's been doctored.

Neal: I think some of our best sounding records, the voices were more layered than anything else. The bg...the backgrounds...you know, we used to do like, for instance, all the records that we did with Roy Thomas Baker, we took the Queen approach and there was ten million Steve Perry's back then in the background vocals. I mean, he would do four times one part, four times another part, four times another part, four times another part. So it's just at then end, it's just STACKED. And that's what gives you that huge vocal...that background vocal sound. But in general, the band...I don't think beyond the record that we just did with Kevin Shirley, like Arrival, that was very layered, I think we were pretty nuts and bolts. It's like the one rhythm guitar, two at the most, and one lead and keyboards...a couple of keyboard overdubs.

So many people criticize SA for weak vocals on his albums but fail to recognize that his were straight up vocals with no technical help. Apparently he only used technology when he was sick.

This is an insane, at best, attempt to use Perry and Augeri in the same sentence/context. Augeri is, and always has been, a "second string" singer. The guy wasn't popular when "falsetto" was "in." Why the fuck should he have EVER fronted Journey? Just goes to show that Journey minus Herbert and Perry will never succeed. Schon and Cain NOW know, that they'll never be relevant without Perry. Soto, MY guess, will return to his homies, Talisman. He's seen the trainwreck at the end of this tunnel. If I'm wrong....that's cool...the dude is is top notch. I'll eat crow. I'll always be a Journey fan....although an Augeri comeback would test that.


As for the "most of his vocals" comment, you're fuckin' retarded. Journey was one of very few bands that was mostly live. Perry, unlike a lot of others, did NOT need help/layering. That man is perhaps the greatest live performer of all-time. SA was weak because......he was weak. The dude wasn't shit compared to Perry. "straight up".....and what the fuck were Perry's? You're a moron. Go listen to, and believe that Arrival 2001, is live. Augeri is a "B" singer and you're an asshole.

And you're as transparent as plastic wrap. I'm not going to argue with you despite your attempts to bait me with the "retarded" comment. What - do you think I'm still in the 5th Grade, too?

Nah, you're just scared of the truth.

[Matthew]

So many people criticize SA for weak vocals on his albums but fail to recognize that his were straight up vocals with no technical help. Apparently he only used technology when he was sick.

Fyre - you are trying to create an impression that Augeri was somehow a more authentic singer, a man who never used technical help unlike Perry, a vocalist who WOULD have sounded as good as Perry had Journey used Roy Thomas Baker production techniques.

Please tell me you are aware of how absurd this argument is. Not even Augeri himself would claim he was in the same league as Perry .

You're also trying to somehow equate Augeri's use of pre-recorded LEAD vocals in concert to with the use of layered backing vocals on a studio album back in the late 1970s or on the Escape tour.

Both singers - and both situations - aren't comparable in the slightest.

[Wheels Of Fyre]

It sounds like Perry has a symphony behind him at the end of Mother Father. Is that JUST him? It's simply beautiful. Man....it CAN'T be him alone.....any thoughts?

You mean the little falsetto angelic signature he does a la Wheel In The Sky? It's definitely layered and/or doctored as was most of his vocals. The Houston concert is also "tricked" but nobody seems to have a problem with it. You can easily hear that it's not just him also his lip synch is well off. I'm sure he did it live but it's been doctored.

Neal: I think some of our best sounding records, the voices were more layered than anything else. The bg...the backgrounds...you know, we used to do like, for instance, all the records that we did with Roy Thomas Baker, we took the Queen approach and there was ten million Steve Perry's back then in the background vocals. I mean, he would do four times one part, four times another part, four times another part, four times another part. So it's just at then end, it's just STACKED. And that's what gives you that huge vocal...that background vocal sound. But in general, the band...I don't think beyond the record that we just did with Kevin Shirley, like Arrival, that was very layered, I think we were pretty nuts and bolts. It's like the one rhythm guitar, two at the most, and one lead and keyboards...a couple of keyboard overdubs.

So many people criticize SA for weak vocals on his albums but fail to recognize that his were straight up vocals with no technical help. Apparently he only used technology when he was sick.

This is an insane, at best, attempt to use Perry and Augeri in the same sentence/context. Augeri is, and always has been, a "second string" singer. The guy wasn't popular when "falsetto" was "in." Why the fuck should he have EVER fronted Journey? Just goes to show that Journey minus Herbert and Perry will never succeed. Schon and Cain NOW know, that they'll never be relevant without Perry. Soto, MY guess, will return to his homies, Talisman. He's seen the trainwreck at the end of this tunnel. If I'm wrong....that's cool...the dude is is top notch. I'll eat crow. I'll always be a Journey fan....although an Augeri comeback would test that.


As for the "most of his vocals" comment, you're fuckin' retarded. Journey was one of very few bands that was mostly live. Perry, unlike a lot of others, did NOT need help/layering. That man is perhaps the greatest live performer of all-time. SA was weak because......he was weak. The dude wasn't shit compared to Perry. "straight up".....and what the fuck were Perry's? You're a moron. Go listen to, and believe that Arrival 2001, is live. Augeri is a "B" singer and you're an asshole.

And you're as transparent as plastic wrap. I'm not going to argue with you despite your attempts to bait me with the "retarded" comment. What - do you think I'm still in the 5th Grade, too?

Nah, you're just scared of the truth.

The truth is that technology is used by everyone. To what degree is arguable.

When I was a kid and JOURNEY was "it" the rumors flew about SP using a "special" mic. I'm sure there was truth to that.

I think people today have placed SP on such a pedestal that he's no longer a human being but rather an icon and idol to worship. I remember back during the E5C4P3 years when JOURNEY were at their peak - not everybody liked them! Many of my friends HATED SP's voice - that thin, whining, nasal whistle that was like fingernails across a chalkboard.

To each his own.

The truth as I see it is that we're all human - well, except for maybe me. According to Deano I'm the biggest pile of shit here and we all know that Deano's word is gospel.

Anyway, I forgot what I wanted to say. Oh, yes - the truth is that we're all human and have limitations. We get sick and take medicine so that we can go to work. Musicians get sick and do what they have to do to go to work.

Truth isn't scary but not knowing it can be frightening

[Matthew]

When I was a kid and JOURNEY was "it" the rumors flew about SP using a "special" mic. I'm sure there was truth to that.

You're such a typical Augeri Head, Fyre. You just can't bring yourself to admit that Perry was an extraordinary singer - and have to minimize his talent in order to prop up the surrogate. And you can't accept that Auigeri fooled his fans either - so again - you have to scrape the barrel to find a 'similar' examples in Perry's career - again to justify and excuse the shortcomings of the surrogate.

It must be so exhausting for you - and others like you - to keep coming up with all these slippery arguments to elevate Augeri to Perry's level...or failing that...to try to drag Perry down to Augeri's level.


Would it really hurt to admit the truth? To accept that the talent and the contribution to the band of the two singers aren't equal in any way at all?

[Wheels Of Fyre]

So many people criticize SA for weak vocals on his albums but fail to recognize that his were straight up vocals with no technical help. Apparently he only used technology when he was sick.

Fyre - you are trying to create an impression that Augeri was somehow a more authentic singer, a man who never used technical help unlike Perry, a vocalist who WOULD have sounded as good as Perry had Journey used Roy Thomas Baker production techniques.

Please tell me you are aware of how absurd this argument is. Not even Augeri himself would claim he was in the same league as Perry .

You're also trying to somehow equate Augeri's use of pre-recorded LEAD vocals in concert to with the use of layered backing vocals on a studio album back in the late 1970s or on the Escape tour.

Both singers - and both situations - aren't comparable in the slightest.

They're absolutely not comparable. But that doesn't make one God and the other one Dogshit.

You're being entirely unreasonable. You've lost your sense of objectivity. You've placed SP so high on a pedestal - wait - I'm repeating myself.

See my response to SJ.

I will add this: you make it sound as if SA can't even carry a tune! Of course, SA is in the same league as SP! How ridiculous to say otherwise UNLESS you're SA. Why would you expect SA to say he was? Are you nuts? How much more do you think he'd want to polarize the already divided JOURNEY camp?

Please! If you don't think that SA isn't in the same league as SP then you haven't given him a fair listen. You've been prejudiced towards him. you've placed an unfair expectation on him to sound just like SP.

Personally, I've always perferred SA's voice. It's down to earth and in control. SP's was always wailing in desperation which I like, too. SA's voice also pisses me off because I can't sing like him whereas I can wail along with SP rather easily. I happen to have a higher voice and am often mistaken as a woman on the telephone (don't get any weird ideas here) so it's easy for me to glide up the register. With SA I can never seem to find the handle. He JAMS in ways that SP never did - and maybe couldn't!

BOTTOM LINE: they each have their own merits and contributions and are msot definitely in the same league.

You know something - I'm so weary of the SP vs. SA debate. SA has done an incredible job and people can't accept it because it would violate their own fanatic view of SP's godhood.

[Matthew]

They're absolutely not comparable. But that doesn't make one God and the other one Dogshit.

Who said Augeri was Dogshit? I just don't think he's an extraordinary talent. He's professional and competant AOR singer.

I will add this: you make it sound as if SA can't even carry a tune! Of course, SA is in the same league as SP!

Did you mean to type "isn't" in the same league? I hope so - because you've just said "they're absolutely not comparable".

Please! If you don't think that SA isn't in the same league as SP then you haven't given him a fair listen. You've been prejudiced towards him.

I bought "Arrival", "Red 13" and "Generations". I went to see the Augeri line-up in concert. I've even listened to a few tracks off the Tall Stories CD. Is there anything more I can do to give him "a fair listen"?

Personally, I've always perferred SA's voice. It's down to earth and in control. SP's was always wailing in desperation which I like, too. SA's voice also pisses me off because I can't sing like him whereas I can wail along with SP rather easily.

You can't sing like Augeri - but you can sing like Perry? Well, Fyre - you are clearly an extraordinary talent too.

By the way...I take it you're only talking about Perry's voice when he was young? On the later records he too sounded "down to earth and in control" - and there was no "wailing in desperation".

He JAMS in ways that SP never did - and maybe couldn't!

I have no idea what you are talking about here, Fyre.

BOTTOM LINE: they each have their own merits and contributions and are msot definitely in the same league.

Fyre - I can't argue with your subjective appreciation of Auger's voice over Perry's. I think you're tone deaf - but equally it might just be a question of taste.

HOWEVER....to say that Augeri's contribution to development of Journey's career is "in the same league" as Perry's is factually incorrect. Whichever criteria you use...commercial success...number of classic songs most loved by the fans...fame...respect....Steve Perry comes out on top. That's why Journey are STILL playing a setlist co-written by Perry...and not a single song co-written by Augeri.

You know something - I'm so weary of the SP vs. SA debate. SA has done an incredible job and people can't accept it because it would violate their own fanatic view of SP's godhood.

Well, you introduced the comparison between SA and SP into this thread. This started out as a discussion of "Mother Father" so you can't be that weary of it.

Yes, I probably am a Perry fanatic - but equally I can see that Augeri did well to keep Journey on the road for eight years. He does deserve credit for this - even though I personally would rather Journey had called it a day in 1998 - or waited to record one more album with Perry. And the albums? He did an okay job. However..."okay" just isn't good enough for a band like Journey.

[knox]

Perry is platinum.
Augeri is bronze - silver at best.

I am not going to argue whether or not Journey used some technology during concerts. But there is one point that is painfully clear:

Perry was clear as a bell and strong as a bull when it came to LEAD VOCALS. I couldn't give a rip about layering or backing help.

Ever heard the galactic "Patiently" boot? How about the intro to "Wheel" from King Buscuit?

If you even TRY to compare Augeri's voice to Perry's ICONIC instrument in his throat you are not the brightest crayon in the box.

If you even TRY to compare Augeri's "Milli Vinilli" impersonataion on tour with some Background vocals that Journey used with Perry, you are a few bats short of a belfry.

This is not even an issue...

[knox]

By the way, I would put JSS in the "Gold" category. I like his voice more and more every day.

Very unique. Very STRONG.

Where Augeri was hoarse and weak, Jeff is clear and strong.



(Sorry to go off topic here, just wanted to at my retort)

[FormerJrnyFan]

By the way, I would put JSS in the "Gold" category. I like his voice more and more every day.

Very unique. Very STRONG.

Where Augeri was hoarse and weak, Jeff is clear and strong.



(Sorry to go off topic here, just wanted to at my retort)

I'm starting to dig that snake...

[wildone]

By the way, I would put JSS in the "Gold" category. I like his voice more and more every day.

Very unique. Very STRONG.

Where Augeri was hoarse and weak, Jeff is clear and strong.



(Sorry to go off topic here, just wanted to at my retort)

I'm starting to dig that snake...

well of course pumpin up your boy like that .... hi you hope you have a great day!!

[Abitaman]

Just about everyone here knows I'm a Journey fan. I have always thought Perry id the voice of rock, and his line up of Journey was one of the biggest selling in history. At the same time I preferred the Augeri line up more. Augeri brougt a more personal approach to the music.
So having said that, I have read in several reviews over the years, one just before or after the release of the Escape DVD, where PERRY stated they had to go into the studio THE NIGHT BEFORE and rerecord the backing vocals, and make Perry's part more up front.
Look on the Japan Escape dvd (boot) and you will hear Perry sing in the chorus and then see perry adlibbing over it. That is a tape or very well doctored.
NOW, I do not have a problem with this, and the only, and the only reason I bring this up, is because just about everybody did this back then that was big. And today, big or small, this is very common. But Before tape gate, the Augeri line up was being led to the slaughter house over this-ERIC

[fred_journeyman]

Sorry - I'm not suggesting it was an alleged Tapegate situation. His mouth just doesn't synch with it. It's easily recognizable.

That could have also been due to the editing process, since the audio and video are normally on two separate tracks. If, for some reason, the tracks were "unlinked" in the editing process, they could have gotten "off."

[Matthew]

Augeri brougt a more personal approach to the music.

What do you mean, Eric?

[Moon Beam]

It sounds like Perry has a symphony behind him at the end of Mother Father. Is that JUST him? It's simply beautiful. Man....it CAN'T be him alone.....any thoughts?

You mean the little falsetto angelic signature he does a la Wheel In The Sky? It's definitely layered and/or doctored as was most of his vocals. The Houston concert is also "tricked" but nobody seems to have a problem with it. You can easily hear that it's not just him also his lip synch is well off. I'm sure he did it live but it's been doctored.

Neal: I think some of our best sounding records, the voices were more layered than anything else. The bg...the backgrounds...you know, we used to do like, for instance, all the records that we did with Roy Thomas Baker, we took the Queen approach and there was ten million Steve Perry's back then in the background vocals. I mean, he would do four times one part, four times another part, four times another part, four times another part. So it's just at then end, it's just STACKED. And that's what gives you that huge vocal...that background vocal sound. But in general, the band...I don't think beyond the record that we just did with Kevin Shirley, like Arrival, that was very layered, I think we were pretty nuts and bolts. It's like the one rhythm guitar, two at the most, and one lead and keyboards...a couple of keyboard overdubs.

So many people criticize SA for weak vocals on his albums but fail to recognize that his were straight up vocals with no technical help. Apparently he only used technology when he was sick.

What a very good point you've made here.

[scarygirl]

You cannot compare precorded backing vocals with prerecorded lead vocals. Raw talent begats raw talent. Engineering only goes so far.

Have you ever listened to the greatest hits live cd? A couple of those tracks are from the Houston concert. According to the liner notes, Steve's vocals were not in anyway doctored. He sounded exactly the same note for note as on the studio albums. Back then, the technology that makes Britney Spears sing passable today didn't even exist. So what he used background vocal layering for the live dvd? They were still his vocals, and his LEAD vocals were very much live and well and clear as a bell. You can't fake quality.

It sounds like Perry has a symphony behind him at the end of Mother Father. Is that JUST him? It's simply beautiful. Man....it CAN'T be him alone.....any thoughts?

You mean the little falsetto angelic signature he does a la Wheel In The Sky? It's definitely layered and/or doctored as was most of his vocals. The Houston concert is also "tricked" but nobody seems to have a problem with it. You can easily hear that it's not just him also his lip synch is well off. I'm sure he did it live but it's been doctored.

Neal: I think some of our best sounding records, the voices were more layered than anything else. The bg...the backgrounds...you know, we used to do like, for instance, all the records that we did with Roy Thomas Baker, we took the Queen approach and there was ten million Steve Perry's back then in the background vocals. I mean, he would do four times one part, four times another part, four times another part, four times another part. So it's just at then end, it's just STACKED. And that's what gives you that huge vocal...that background vocal sound. But in general, the band...I don't think beyond the record that we just did with Kevin Shirley, like Arrival, that was very layered, I think we were pretty nuts and bolts. It's like the one rhythm guitar, two at the most, and one lead and keyboards...a couple of keyboard overdubs.

So many people criticize SA for weak vocals on his albums but fail to recognize that his were straight up vocals with no technical help. Apparently he only used technology when he was sick.

[Abitaman]

You cannot compare precorded backing vocals with prerecorded lead vocals. Raw talent begats raw talent. Engineering only goes so far.

Have you ever listened to the greatest hits live cd? A couple of those tracks are from the Houston concert. According to the liner notes, Steve's vocals were not in anyway doctored. He sounded exactly the same note for note as on the studio albums. Back then, the technology that makes Britney Spears sing passable today didn't even exist. So what he used background vocal layering for the live dvd? They were still his vocals, and his LEAD vocals were very much live and well and clear as a bell. You can't fake quality.

It sounds like Perry has a symphony behind him at the end of Mother Father. Is that JUST him? It's simply beautiful. Man....it CAN'T be him alone.....any thoughts?

You mean the little falsetto angelic signature he does a la Wheel In The Sky? It's definitely layered and/or doctored as was most of his vocals. The Houston concert is also "tricked" but nobody seems to have a problem with it. You can easily hear that it's not just him also his lip synch is well off. I'm sure he did it live but it's been doctored.

Neal: I think some of our best sounding records, the voices were more layered than anything else. The bg...the backgrounds...you know, we used to do like, for instance, all the records that we did with Roy Thomas Baker, we took the Queen approach and there was ten million Steve Perry's back then in the background vocals. I mean, he would do four times one part, four times another part, four times another part, four times another part. So it's just at then end, it's just STACKED. And that's what gives you that huge vocal...that background vocal sound. But in general, the band...I don't think beyond the record that we just did with Kevin Shirley, like Arrival, that was very layered, I think we were pretty nuts and bolts. It's like the one rhythm guitar, two at the most, and one lead and keyboards...a couple of keyboard overdubs.

So many people criticize SA for weak vocals on his albums but fail to recognize that his were straight up vocals with no technical help. Apparently he only used technology when he was sick.

I wasn't comparing Augeri's "vocal help" to Perry's back up. But Augeri has been slammed for backup vocals-ERIC

[Abitaman]

Augeri brougt a more personal approach to the music.

What do you mean, Eric?

To me as I have said many many times before, Perry is the voice of Rock, many try to be like him and many more fream of being like him. Heck when I was a kid, I wanted to sing like him, but Bob Dylan was more my approach . Perry for lack of a better word, has a Rock God status. High aand lofty every one waiting to hear him sing or say something. Heck, I would pay to hear him sing the phonebook. Perry has played it smart, andy new song, cd, or tour, is an event.
Augeri is not that way. Augeri is a good singer in an impossible stituation. HIs voice is good, but not god like. He does his best, gives his best. Heck that could be any ole joe up there (who can sing and sound somewhat like Perry), giving his best and doing a good job. I like the songs he wrote, they spoke to me on a personal level, was it the lyics, the way they were sang, I don't know. I like a lot. He was over the top, sing near impossible vocals. Augeri made me feel like I could sing along and be part of the band
That is not a slam on Augeri, say he is a bad singer, or Perry like he was to out there. Perry is my favorite singer, followed by DeYoung, Kevin Chalfant, Lou Gramm, and Augeri is 5th or 6th on my list.
Hope that answers that question

[Deb]

Perry was clear as a bell and strong as a bull when it came to LEAD VOCALS. I couldn't give a rip about layering or backing help.

Ever heard the galactic "Patiently" boot? How about the intro to "Wheel" from King Buscuit?

If you even TRY to compare Augeri's voice to Perry's ICONIC instrument in his throat you are not the brightest crayon in the box.

If you even TRY to compare Augeri's "Milli Vinilli" impersonataion on tour with some Background vocals that Journey used with Perry, you are a few bats short of a belfry.

This is not even an issue...

Definately! And there is many boots out there proving just that!

[FormerJrnyFan]

By the way, I would put JSS in the "Gold" category. I like his voice more and more every day.

Very unique. Very STRONG.

Where Augeri was hoarse and weak, Jeff is clear and strong.



(Sorry to go off topic here, just wanted to at my retort)

I'm starting to dig that snake...

well of course pumpin up your boy like that .... hi you hope you have a great day!!

[The_Noble_Cause]

I wasn't comparing Augeri's "vocal help" to Perry's back up. But Augeri has been slammed for backup vocals-ERIC

I don't know about that.
Even Deano, the man who served as the catalyst for Augeri's firing, was fine with BG help.
Journey's had canned BG vox for years.
It was the use of help on lead that was so unpardonable.

[EightyRock]

Abitaman wrote:
Augeri brougt a more personal approach to the music.

Brought MORE of a personal approach than Perry? Maybe on the tune or two that he wrote or co-wrote. Augeri brought a more personal touch to Butterfly to be certain. (did they play it live? I'm not sure). As far as Augeri doing anything personal with the classic catalog that Perry didn't do (as writer or co-writer), you have soared far, far into the galaxy and
landed on Uranus. Try again.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Where Augeri was hoarse and weak

He wasn't always that way.
He started out pretty good, but post-2002 it really starts to go downhill.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Augeri brought a more personal touch to Butterfly to be certain. (did they play it live? I'm not sure).

They played it opening night of the '05 tour.
I remember because amidst the sea of bad reviews pouring in, people remarked how it was one of the few songs of the evening were Augeri's voice didn't crack or croak.

[Granny]

Abitaman wrote:
Augeri brougt a more personal approach to the music.

Brought MORE of a personal approach than Perry? Maybe on the tune or two that he wrote or co-wrote. Augeri brought a more personal touch to Butterfly to be certain. (did they play it live? I'm not sure). As far as Augeri doing anything personal with the classic catalog that Perry didn't do (as writer or co-writer), you have soared far, far into the galaxy and
landed on Uranus. Try again.

Not Uranus--Pluto--the dwarf one now.!!! I saw SA perform live--the only thing I can say is that he was personal with the audience. NO ONE can come anywhere near Steve Perry's voice. It is magical and heart wrenching with emotion. I loved TBF. There were a few that were questionable, but thats why they make Chocalate and Vanilla. Everyone has different tastes, but u near ears to hear it.