Arnel's cover of Stryper "Honestly"

[ScarabGator]

I am not an Arnel fan nor do I wanna see him front Journey BUT his cover of this Stryper classic made me say "WOAH!!!!" He nails these notes and this is a tough song to hit. Take a listen.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiMQpiSVSQ8

[Saint John]

Absolutely outstanding.

[Escape Artist]

I am not an Arnel fan nor do I wanna see him front Journey BUT his cover of this Stryper classic made me say "WOAH!!!!" He nails these notes and this is a tough song to hit. Take a listen.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiMQpiSVSQ8

This is really good... Although, I am not a fan of this guy fronting Journey.

[nikki]

Beautiful. Journey doesn't deserve this guy.

[lidobar]

This guy can sing anything. I would support Journey with whoever they took regardless if they spoke accented English, as long as the singer can sing which this guy obviously can.

[Deb]

Beautiful. Journey doesn't deserve this guy.

Agree, again. Wow, he did a fabulous job on that one. As far as Journey, talent aside, I just have trouble supporting them with the character they have displayed. Won't be putting another dime in their pocket, but heck would travel cross country again to catch more JSSB shows. Funnest shows I've been to in a long time. They're just going to rock the house in Southbend, can't wait!

[Eric]

Maybe J should snag Michael Sweet......

[cscott]

Amazing !!! Seriously, Is there anybody that can watch that and think that he can't do Journey's catalog justice. I would contend that there is nothing in a Journey setlist that would present more of a challenge than what Arnel just pulled off.

[Escape Artist]

I think the guy has a fantastic voice, however he does a far better job on the non-Journey songs.

Then again who can measure up to the voice, SP sadly should have been the only one to ever sing this catalog.

[m]

............

[MidNightTrain]

I am not an Arnel fan nor do I wanna see him front Journey BUT his cover of this Stryper classic made me say "WOAH!!!!" He nails these notes and this is a tough song to hit. Take a listen.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiMQpiSVSQ8

Obviously he is very talented and I agree with you that he shouldn't be fronting Journey. How can this be an upgrade from JSS? I reallly want this band to hang it up before they make themselves look any worse.

[Big J]

I'll give him props for this and because he's the only person I've ever seen bother to attempt Survivor's "The Search is Over." But I just don't think he's right for Journey. I don't think he has the stage presence, and his delivery when he's singing is all wrong for a catalog like Journey's. It may be a linguistic issue that can be worked out, I dunno.

[yak]

This guy can sing anything. I would support Journey with whoever they took regardless if they spoke accented English, as long as the singer can sing which this guy obviously can.

Randy Jackson said this of Perry, and it used to be true. However, to say this about Pinata is a stretch. He also has absolutely no stage presence.

Who cares what they do, and if you want to support a fiasco, that's your right, just as it's mine to never spend another penny on these jokers.

[piecesofeight]

Maybe my ears are just to used to hearing Michael sing this, numerous times, hundreds of times, many times live dead on..because this version wasn't what I expected after reading the reviews here. It didn't suck, it was just different. Just like Dennis DeYoung, Michael even sings his songs better now than before, and before they each kicked ass. It's as if they both have somehow gotten better and sing even more richer.
Arnel's version of this to me was pushed, flat, and had nasal. He sings ok, and it didn't suck, it was just tough to hear after hearing it done so perfect by Michael.
Funny thing, when this song came out, a lot of people thought it was DDY singing and thought Styx had a new song out.
There are numerous songs, being a fan of both Styx, DDY, Michael Sweet, and Stryper..that I hear parts that both sound like Dennis and Michael.
Anyway, I digress..this version didn't cut it.

[Enigma869]

I've always thought this song was a VERY difficult song to sing. That said, I would say the guy pullled it off! I definitely think he is SORELY lacking in the stage presence department! I also listened to many Journey covers from his band, and most of them are okay, and I'm sure would improve dramatically with more talented musicians around him.

I still think that even if this guy is phenomenal, Journey is still a complete joke. At the end of the day, I don't think it really matters much to Cain and Schon for one very important reason...They are acutely aware of the fact that they haven't been taken seriously by anyone, since Perry left. They realize they can keep running in the "flavor of the month", because nobody is even paying attention!


John from Boston

[Deb]

I've always thought this song was a VERY difficult song to sing. That said, I would say the guy pullled it off! I definitely think he is SORELY lacking in the stage presence department! I also listened to many Journey covers from his band, and most of them are okay, and I'm sure would improve dramatically with more talented musicians around him.

I still think that even if this guy is phenomenal, Journey is still a complete joke. At the end of the day, I don't think it really matters much to Cain and Schon for one very important reason...They are acutely aware of the fact that they haven't been taken seriously by anyone, since Perry left. They realize they can keep running in the "flavor of the month", because nobody is even paying attention!


John from Boston

Agreed. Welcome back John.

[piecesofeight]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75HfpI7uFPs

[ScarabGator]

I've always thought this song was a VERY difficult song to sing. That said, I would say the guy pullled it off! I definitely think he is [b]SORELY lacking in the stage presence department![/b] I also listened to many Journey covers from his band, and most of them are okay, and I'm sure would improve dramatically with more talented musicians around him.

I still think that even if this guy is phenomenal, Journey is still a complete joke. At the end of the day, I don't think it really matters much to Cain and Schon for one very important reason...They are acutely aware of the fact that they haven't been taken seriously by anyone, since Perry left. They realize they can keep running in the "flavor of the month", because nobody is even paying attention!


John from Boston

Most of those YouTube clips are from nightclubs and the time on them says 2am. Thats a little late for some folks. You can also only do so much in nightclubs. I think he will be as energetic as the places he will be playing with Journey. He will do fine.

[Deb]

I've always thought this song was a VERY difficult song to sing. That said, I would say the guy pullled it off! I definitely think he is [b]SORELY lacking in the stage presence department![/b] I also listened to many Journey covers from his band, and most of them are okay, and I'm sure would improve dramatically with more talented musicians around him.

I still think that even if this guy is phenomenal, Journey is still a complete joke. At the end of the day, I don't think it really matters much to Cain and Schon for one very important reason...They are acutely aware of the fact that they haven't been taken seriously by anyone, since Perry left. They realize they can keep running in the "flavor of the month", because nobody is even paying attention!


John from Boston

Most of those YouTube clips are from nightclubs and the time on them says 2am. Thats a little late for some folks. You can also only do so much in nightclubs. I think he will be as energetic as the places he will be playing with Journey. He will do fine.

LOL, not for the JSS camp. Damn, wish I had a crowd shot from the club around 2 am last Friday.
I think Arnel will do fine with Journey vocally, but going from JSS to Arnel LIVE, concert-wise, is going to be like night and day. You either have "it" or you don't, doesn't matter if its in front of 200 people or 20,000.

[ScarabGator]

I've always thought this song was a VERY difficult song to sing. That said, I would say the guy pullled it off! I definitely think he is [b]SORELY lacking in the stage presence department![/b] I also listened to many Journey covers from his band, and most of them are okay, and I'm sure would improve dramatically with more talented musicians around him.

I still think that even if this guy is phenomenal, Journey is still a complete joke. At the end of the day, I don't think it really matters much to Cain and Schon for one very important reason...They are acutely aware of the fact that they haven't been taken seriously by anyone, since Perry left. They realize they can keep running in the "flavor of the month", because nobody is even paying attention!


John from Boston

Most of those YouTube clips are from nightclubs and the time on them says 2am. Thats a little late for some folks. You can also only do so much in nightclubs. I think he will be as energetic as the places he will be playing with Journey. He will do fine.

LOL, not for the JSS camp. Damn, wish I had a crowd shot from the club around 2 am last Friday.
I think Arnel will do fine with Journey vocally, but going from JSS to Arnel LIVE, concert-wise, is going to be like night and day. You either have "it" or you don't, doesn't matter if its in front of 200 people or 20,000.

My point was, which I guess I totally frigged up, is that a nightclub stage can only handle so much when its already overcrowded with gear and other musicians. At the venues Journey plays he will have more room to run and jump and climb on speakers, etc

[Deb]

I've always thought this song was a VERY difficult song to sing. That said, I would say the guy pullled it off! I definitely think he is [b]SORELY lacking in the stage presence department![/b] I also listened to many Journey covers from his band, and most of them are okay, and I'm sure would improve dramatically with more talented musicians around him.

I still think that even if this guy is phenomenal, Journey is still a complete joke. At the end of the day, I don't think it really matters much to Cain and Schon for one very important reason...They are acutely aware of the fact that they haven't been taken seriously by anyone, since Perry left. They realize they can keep running in the "flavor of the month", because nobody is even paying attention!


John from Boston

Most of those YouTube clips are from nightclubs and the time on them says 2am. Thats a little late for some folks. You can also only do so much in nightclubs. I think he will be as energetic as the places he will be playing with Journey. He will do fine.

LOL, not for the JSS camp. Damn, wish I had a crowd shot from the club around 2 am last Friday.
I think Arnel will do fine with Journey vocally, but going from JSS to Arnel LIVE, concert-wise, is going to be like night and day. You either have "it" or you don't, doesn't matter if its in front of 200 people or 20,000.

My point was, which I guess I totally frigged up, is that a nightclub stage can only handle so much when its already overcrowded with gear and other musicians. At the venues Journey plays he will have more room to run and jump and climb on speakers, etc

LOL, sorry still not getting it. You would be surprised at how much ground JSS covers on a nightclub stage overcrowded with gear and other musicians. We'll just have to agree to disagree.

[Shadowsong]

The notes may have been there
but I didn't feel it
That illusive quality
beyond description
but nevertheless very real

[mikemarrs]

once i got over the color barrier which i admit can hamper what you really think i decided to give this guy a second try and i think he does a pretty good job.

[Just Sara]

I just heard the news!
I'm not sure what I think about the whole thing
I've been listening to this guy for maybe 15 minutes now. He's good. I'll give him that. I enjoyed listening to him sing "Honestly". I like his version of Aerosmith's "Amazing" but that's probably because I really like that song and he's mimicking Steven Tyler. He's certainly a very good mimic. Sometimes I think I hear snippets of his really voice and that is enjoyable. If he's gunna front Journey he's gunna have to drop the Steve Perry imitation.

IMOH, I think Carrie hit the nail on the head when she mentioned that probably easier to dominate than Jeff.

Yes, I could imagine this guy singing Journey's songs and I could imagine him doing a really great job... but fronting Journey? That's gunna take a LOT of time to get used to. Just the thought that they fired Jeff for this guy turns my stomach a little.

Ironic, Steve Augeri had a hard time because he was the replacement for The Voice. Jeff had it easier because Augeri's vocal chord betrayed him (I miss you Steve!) and Jeff, the hero that saved the tour, wowed us all with his talent and energy and passion. I'm thinking if Arnel becomes the next lead singer he will face a bit of what Augeri had to deal with; fans who love the songs but want the previous singer back.

But! He's cute, he's talented, and he's got an excellent range. He's brilliant with those power ballads but he's gotta work on the rockers a bit.

Maybe we should send him to a JSS concert and tell him to take notes! C'mon! I meant that to be funny!
Okay nevermind.

I think the point I'm trying very unsuccessfully to make is that Arnel is a very gifted singer but the idea of him fronting my favorite band when Jeff was doing such a great job will take some getting used to. Especially since I haven't quite gotten over the tactlessness of the powers that be when Jeff was let go.



BTW; if Journey got Michael Sweet I would buy every album just to support him! Stryper rocks!!!

[LazzMan]

I am not an Arnel fan nor do I wanna see him front Journey BUT his cover of this Stryper classic made me say "WOAH!!!!" He nails these notes and this is a tough song to hit. Take a listen.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiMQpiSVSQ8

This is really good... Although, I am not a fan of this guy fronting Journey.

I agree but, hearing this makes me think that Michael Sweet would sound great doing Journey songs. I've been a fan of his since the 80's and boy, he's still got the pipes. However, he's got waaaayyyyyy too much class to lower himself to the level of "today's Journey".

[yak]

At the venues Journey plays he will have more room to run and jump and climb on speakers, etc

That is a visual I am happy to admit I will never, ever have to be witness to.