Kevin Chalfant and Open Arms

[ohsherrie]

The bottom line is some of you don't like Chalfant recording Journey songs...and THAT is where it comes from...not how he sounds doing it.

Not exactly true in all cases Monker.

I for one, don't have a bit of problem with other people recording Journey songs. In fact, I tend to feel that anyone who does a good job on the songs and gets the music out there and appreciated is doing Journey a service. If they sing the songs as They would sing the songs and not as their attempt to sound like Perry singing the songs. Perry has already done the songs. I don't need to hear anyone else trying to sound like Perry singing the songs. I can listen to Perry himself singing them whenever I choose to.

To me Kevin sounds like someone who has a great voice and can hit the all the right notes, but has no passion or soul behind them. That's not saying that Kevin can't sing with passion and soul. I'm sure he can. I just don't hear that in these clips. I realize that most of the men who are Journey fans aren't going to recognize the difference. I've come to believe through my Journey messageboard experience that one of the fundamental differences between the genders is the way we hear and interpret music.

As for Journey rerecording them, I have a different reason for thinking that's a bad idea. I think in their case they should be trying to advance into a future instead of trying to relive their past if they want to stay relevant. If all they want to do is tour incessantly as a nostalgia act then they're wasting Jeff's time and talent. Perry has recorded all those songs to perfection. There is no reason for any other singer in Journey to record them again unless it's to try and out Perry Perry. That would be a mistake. Jeff's a great singer and frontman, but those songs are in the minds of most of the people who keep buying the GH as being Perry songs. Leave them alone. Unless, that is, you want to sell a few hundred as opposed to the thousand or so GH CDs that will be bought within a year.

If Kevin Chalfant is happy to sell a few hundred CDs of him showing he can hit the notes, then that's fine with me. All I ever said was I saw no sense to trying to out Perry Perry, that I don't think Kevin did anything more than hit the notes, and I think this may have been a sort of in your face move because he wasn't chosen to replace either Perry or Augeri.

I don't think that's saying I just don't want Kevin singing Journey songs. Maybe it is to you, but then you've always convoluted the stuff I say to suit your argument. Then again, you may not even have been addressing me, but it was fun arguing with you again anyway.

[Abitaman]

I know I was one fan who was wanting Journey to rerecord the songs with Augeri, and now with Soto. But I was also wanting a Kevin cd of Journey songs, and would like to see J and Hugo do a cd each.-ERIC

[Jeremey]

I personally would love to hear Kevin record some of the songs he keeps in his sock drawer...

Well, as a Journey tribute singer. Did YOU ever write music with Neal, Gregg and Jonathan which you are hiding? Or, is that all you are, a Journey tribute singer?

Funny, how you guys say you want Chalfant to do this and that NOW...But, when he DID release things, the same people do nothing but critique that, too.

The bottom line is some of you don't like Chalfant recording Journey songs...and THAT is where it comes from...not how he sounds doing it.

Hey Britt - KC came out in an interview and said regarding Trial By Fire that he had better songs stashed away in his sock drawer. Then several months after Journey hired a new singer, KC is releasing a cover CD of all Journey tunes. Just seemed worth pointing out the irony in a devilish, all-in-good fun way. You're a little quick to jump to conclusions, aren't you? Just like I remember you justifying people attacking me for performing Journey's music on BackTalk just because I stated that Steve Augeri had run out of gas and deserved to be retired (and no, I didn't say I had written better songs than Steve Augeri, just made an observation like any other number of fans). Unlike you, I don't know a whole lot about KC or his career, other than how it relates to Journey I think he's a magnificently strong vocalist based on the clips I've heard. just a little too Christian rock/Freddy Curci for me....Just not my bag...And I don't give a flying fuck who records Journey's music. When I go on the record and state that I've written better songs than Journey, feel free to criticize my so-called "career" as a singer in a Journey tribute band.

[NoMoreTails]

They would sing the songs and not as their attempt to sound like Perry singing the songs. Perry has already done the songs. I don't need to hear anyone else trying to sound like Perry singing the songs. I can listen to Perry himself singing them whenever I choose to.]

Not that I think Chalfant's deciding to record an album of Journey covers was the right choice...he is not trying to imitate Perry, he is singing those songs with his natural tone and is able to hit many of the notes Perry did. Even in the brief clips presented, he varies his inflections from Perry's a good bit. Perryheads just have a problem with the fact that a few other people have a voice that is naturally similar to Perry's. Chalfant and Augeri have similar natural tones to Perry's. Neither of them have attempted to sound just like Perry as say, Hugo, who imitates Perry right down to his breath-effects...even on his own original material he is doing Perry.

[Red13JoePa]

I'm all over this KevCat project, something he seems to have personally wated to do for some time.

And if you sound like chalfont does, well why the shit not?

I'm just hoping I can BUY the thing @ Fye or CC or Best Buy....sounds inconclusive at this point.

[Matthew]

Not that I think Chalfant's deciding to record an album of Journey covers was the right choice...he is not trying to imitate Perry, he is singing those songs with his natural tone and is able to hit many of the notes Perry did. Even in the brief clips presented, he varies his inflections from Perry's a good bit. Perryheads just have a problem with the fact that a few other people have a voice that is naturally similar to Perry's. Chalfant and Augeri have similar natural tones to Perry's. Neither of them have attempted to sound just like Perry as say, Hugo, who imitates Perry right down to his breath-effects...even on his own original material he is doing Perry.

It's not so much that I've got a "problem" about the similarities between Perry and Chalfant. It's just that Chalfant singing Journey songs doesn't interest or excite me much. Sure, there are subtle differences with the vocal inflections - and Chalfant has less soul and charisma than Perry in my opinion - but to my ears it all pretty much sounds like the same old thing...watered down.

I'd actually like to hear more artists cover Journey songs. I enjoyed Guff's punkish take on "I Can See It In Your Eyes" and Lorrie Morgan's country version of "Faithfully" because they came at these songs from an entirely new angle. I would have loved to have heard Johnny Cash do a Journey tune as part of his American Recordings series. It was amazing what he did with - say - Personal Jesus by Depeche Mode. It was unrecognisable from the original.

Had Chalfant at least changed the arrangements or the backing tracks then I'd respect the idea of this album more than I do. But this album seems to lack any creative imagination or risk-taking. I like some of Chalfant's original material though on his previous albums.

[Big J]

He did change the arrangement...Stone in Love is tuned down. Sounded like it on this sample anyway.

That being said, I disagree that he sounds better than Augeri on here. Especially on OA, no way in hell. I expected him to, but he doesn't.

I was intrigued by this project until I heard it. Chalfant's got an incredible voice, but it does sound like there's not much feeling behind his efforts here.

The gift behind JSS's efforts and Augeri's for that matter is they took the songs and sung them as if they were their own. Chalfant's singing covers. There's a difference and I think it has less to do with the gender that's listening and more to do with being able to feel the heart behind the efforts.

Maybe that's a largely female trait but I doubt it among Journey fans. We're all a bit fruity I think.

[The Fly]

He did change the arrangement...Stone in Love is tuned down. Sounded like it on this sample anyway.

That being said, I disagree that he sounds better than Augeri on here. Especially on OA, no way in hell. I expected him to, but he doesn't.

I was intrigued by this project until I heard it. Chalfant's got an incredible voice, but it does sound like there's not much feeling behind his efforts here.

The gift behind JSS's efforts and Augeri's for that matter is they took the songs and sung them as if they were their own. Chalfant's singing covers. There's a difference and I think it has less to do with the gender that's listening and more to do with being able to feel the heart behind the efforts.

Maybe that's a largely female trait but I doubt it among Journey fans. We're all a bit fruity I think.

Again I don't think you can make such judgements from a few soundbites. But I seem to hear plenty of "Feeling" though as do many others. It's all just opinion and we all have a different one don't we?

[Marc S]

In fairness, if the time had been 1998 and it was between how Augeri sounded THEN, and Chalfants efforts here, I would still have hired SA.

[Big J]

He did change the arrangement...Stone in Love is tuned down. Sounded like it on this sample anyway.

That being said, I disagree that he sounds better than Augeri on here. Especially on OA, no way in hell. I expected him to, but he doesn't.

I was intrigued by this project until I heard it. Chalfant's got an incredible voice, but it does sound like there's not much feeling behind his efforts here.

The gift behind JSS's efforts and Augeri's for that matter is they took the songs and sung them as if they were their own. Chalfant's singing covers. There's a difference and I think it has less to do with the gender that's listening and more to do with being able to feel the heart behind the efforts.

Maybe that's a largely female trait but I doubt it among Journey fans. We're all a bit fruity I think.

Again I don't think you can make such judgements from a few soundbites. But I seem to hear plenty of "Feeling" though as do many others. It's all just opinion and we all have a different one don't we?

Hey, I've heard plenty of Chalfant and he's one of my favorite vocalists. I can make that judgment. This ain't his best work...not by a long shot.

I've now heard more soundbites. I feel the same as I did before.

[The Fly]

He did change the arrangement...Stone in Love is tuned down. Sounded like it on this sample anyway.

That being said, I disagree that he sounds better than Augeri on here. Especially on OA, no way in hell. I expected him to, but he doesn't.

I was intrigued by this project until I heard it. Chalfant's got an incredible voice, but it does sound like there's not much feeling behind his efforts here.

The gift behind JSS's efforts and Augeri's for that matter is they took the songs and sung them as if they were their own. Chalfant's singing covers. There's a difference and I think it has less to do with the gender that's listening and more to do with being able to feel the heart behind the efforts.

Maybe that's a largely female trait but I doubt it among Journey fans. We're all a bit fruity I think.

Again I don't think you can make such judgements from a few soundbites. But I seem to hear plenty of "Feeling" though as do many others. It's all just opinion and we all have a different one don't we?

Hey, I've heard plenty of Chalfant and he's one of my favorite vocalists. I can make that judgment. This ain't his best work...not by a long shot.

I've now heard more soundbites. I feel the same as I did before.

He thinks it's right up there. But what does he know about his own work.

[Big J]

Good for him. He should be proud of his work. I didn't say it was bad. But certainly not among his best.

Just a fan's opinion.

[The Fly]

Good for him. He should be proud of his work. I didn't say it was bad. But certainly not among his best.

Just a fan's opinion.

Yep. I respect your opinion. I say it IS among his best! Different stokes I guess.

[Monker]

Hey Britt - KC came out in an interview and said regarding Trial By Fire that he had better songs stashed away in his sock drawer.

Of course he did. He was talking about songs he wrote with Neal, Jonathan, and Gregg Rolie before Perry entered the reunion picture.

Then several months after Journey hired a new singer, KC is releasing a cover CD of all Journey tunes. Just seemed worth pointing out the irony in a devilish, all-in-good fun way.

I also think it's worth pointing out when a tribute band singer 'pokes fun' at another singer who is paying tribute to the very same band.

You're a little quick to jump to conclusions, aren't you? Just like I remember you justifying people attacking me for performing Journey's music on BackTalk just because I stated that Steve Augeri had run out of gas and deserved to be retired (and no, I didn't say I had written better songs than Steve Augeri, just made an observation like any other number of fans).

Point me to the thread. I may have said that you deserved what you got by going to BT and saying such things...because anybody who says such things is pretty naive if they believe there is not going to be a negative reaction. But I did NOT go into any specifics. I mostly stayed out of that argument....because I really don't care one way or the other.

When I go on the record and state that I've written better songs than Journey, feel free to criticize my so-called "career" as a singer in a Journey tribute band.

LOL...he didn't say HE wrote better songs then Journey...He is saying he wrote better songs WITH JOURNEY then are on TBF. Too funny. As usual, people love to take statement completely out of context to back up their own feelings on something. He also said in that interview that he prefers the Departure era of Journey. TBF is FAR away from the Departure sound, or what he did with Gregg, Ross, and Steve Smith in the Storm...So, he doesn't care much for TBF, and I don't think he likes ROR much either. He holds the band up to different standards and he knows what they are capable of because HE HAS WRITTEN WITH THEM, and performed with them.

[AR]

LOL...he didn't say HE wrote better songs then Journey...He is saying he wrote better songs WITH JOURNEY then are on TBF

Hi Monker!

I can write better songs than are on Trial By Fire - but some here don't get HOW FUCKING AWFUL THAT FUNERAL DIRGE IS AND SOUNDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mature sounding = DOESN"T ROCK
Raspy Voice = PERRY ISN"T THE FUCKING VOICE ANYMORE

SUCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKKKKKSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Trial By Fire sucks hairy cocks and spits loads in your faces. Awful - terrible. Beyond bad.

Enjoy the "maturity". LMAO. He is emoting shit there. Love of Strange Medicine sucks just as bad - probably worse.

[Rockindeano]

OK found it, thanks.

He hits the notes but none of the soul and passion is there. Much better than Augeri, but still no real emotion.

Maybe it's something you have to be feminine, or at least "in touch with your feminine side" , to hear and feel.

Agreed about the soul...BUT....Augeri is better

Are you on drugs? These two aren't cpmparable.

[Rockindeano]

Trial By Fire Art is amazingly intelligent. It's biblical, as is the 2nd song One More.

TBF BLOWS away Arrival.

Perry v Augeri. Hmm, lets thin about that. Ok, done. TBF is twice the record.

[AR]

Trial By Fire Art is amazingly intelligent.

TBF BOLOWS away Arrival.

Perry v Augeri. Hmm, lets thin about that. Ok, done. TBF is twice the record.

That chick in the pink looks like Euro Queen Elizabeth as a court jester.

We do not agree on this - I know that.

[Rockindeano]

I cannot make fun of Euros anylonger. Please don't tease me.

[Saint John]

TBF=Better Vocals
Arrival=Better music

We NEEDED Perry on Arrival. THAT would have fuckin' rocked. Augeri's lame vocals ruined that album. Musically it is excellent. Again, thanks Perry. Unemployed asshole.

[AR]

TBF=Better Vocals
Arrival=Better music

We NEEDED Perry on Arrival. THAT would have fuckin' rocked. Augeri's lame vocals ruined that album. Musically it is excellent. Again, thanks Perry. Unemployed asshole.

I liked Arrival because of the Songs. Augeri's vocals were fine, but I am sure were doctored in the studio to make it sound right. Fuck, the first 2 Boston albums were double tracked vocals. Boston used trickery to make a classic album.

Just hate TBF. Mud. Shit. Ask Niggy. I have tried to listen to it.

Keep in mind in all honesty - I am not into Sam Cookisms. I want to hear "Ask The Lonely", "Edge", Separate Ways", etc.

Fuck crooning.

[Andrew]

Fly and TVL -

Give it a fucking rest! Both of you....Geez....

[Rockindeano]

Sorry boss. I think it is shit. Kevin bashes TBF, and then puts out a covers album? No wonder the genre is dead. No one is writing new music. hell , let's cover Perry songs?

Come on Kevin, can you not do better than that? You are a kunt hair above Augeri right now.

PS- I will NEVER give it a rest.

[Andrew]

Trial By Fire sucks hairy cocks and spits loads in your faces. Awful - terrible. Beyond bad.

Enjoy the "maturity". LMAO. He is emoting shit there. Love of Strange Medicine sucks just as bad - probably worse.

I think you could perhaps phrase your emotions a little better there AR.

[Rockindeano]

Trial By Fire sucks hairy cocks and spits loads in your faces. Awful - terrible. Beyond bad.

Enjoy the "maturity". LMAO. He is emoting shit there. Love of Strange Medicine sucks just as bad - probably worse.

I think you could perhaps phrase your emotions a little better there AR.

Yeah AR, you prick paste lickin wannabe wrestler you.

[Andrew]

Deano...

[Rockindeano]

Deano...

Andrew....

[AR]

Trial By Fire sucks hairy cocks and spits loads in your faces. Awful - terrible. Beyond bad.

Enjoy the "maturity". LMAO. He is emoting shit there. Love of Strange Medicine sucks just as bad - probably worse.

I think you could perhaps phrase your emotions a little better there AR.

Yeah AR, you prick paste lickin wannabe wrestler you.

Going to invesitgate Bryan Adams Philly tix. I will check in to see if you are interested before I pull the trigger on them.

[Rockindeano]

I can get us backstage...

[Granny]

I can get us backstage...

Wait a minute...u can make Philly but not VA...whats up with that? I want you in VA...when is BA concert in Philly? date, price of tix etc.?