Wally_Hatchet wrote:The first few shows were indeed rough for JSS. BGTY was simply awful, I think it was at one of the shows in the Carolinas. I dont remember seeing BGTY in the set anymore after that show.
As the tour went on, and after some needed vocal rest, he got better and better. But I did worry that his voice would end up toasted like SA'a if he stayed with them as I felt he was pushing it singing the journey catalogue.
JSS has the range, but range is not the key factor. Many baritone voices can sing a tenor range, but they cannot, nor should they, sing songs that "sit" in the tenor range. They will ruin their voices and I bet JSS would have falleninto this category. Tenor voices are not "better" then other male voices and singing high is not the measure of a good voice, although everyone has their personal preferences. The quality of the note is what will determine whether or not it is pleasing to the ear. Dimitri Hvotrovski, a Siberian Baritone, is considered by most to have the worlds best voice and I would agree whole-heartedly. I think he has taken the human voice to its limit as far as richness and tone. You can't get tickets to his concerts and he is able to tour the world and play the Met pretty much when he wants to.
Joe Lynn Turner has a wide range, but his voice "rings" no matter where he is singing in his range, but partuclarly above F, as would be expected for most male voices. This ring (or ping), not the note, is what makes his voice so poplular to those who appreciate good singing. I like Arnel because for the most part he is singing in the range that suits his insturment and therefore he sounds "good" to the ear. Its not because he is singing a high C versus a B-flat. I would rather a Journey song drop a half or whole step if it produced a good sound. The more I have learned about singing the less impressed I am with people who sing high for the sake of singing high. There are other factors that will satisfy your ear as much or more than a specific range. I really like Arnel's voice and for a pop singer I haven't heard too many better. I also like the dude that sings with Peterik in Pride of Lions.