Not impressed

[Deb]

I gave the show a D+ or C-. I understand it's his first show, too. I really think he lost a lot of vocal technique during the "rockers" because of anxiety and adrenaline. When things were slowed down though, he did very well on the ballads. Time should correct the adrenaline/anxiety issues. There were glimpses of vocal greatness and glimpses of vocal "greenness." I think it's going to take him 15-25 shows to get a feel for the way the crowd's energy and setting affect his delivery. Once he harnesses these things he should be fine. While it certainly wasn't great, it wasn't bad for a first show.

Great post! I can agree with that. Time will tell.

[mistiejourney]

I gave the show a D+ or C-. I understand it's his first show, too. I really think he lost a lot of vocal technique during the "rockers" because of anxiety and adrenaline. When things were slowed down though, he did very well on the ballads. Time should correct the adrenaline/anxiety issues. There were glimpses of vocal greatness and glimpses of vocal "greenness." I think it's going to take him 15-25 shows to get a feel for the way the crowd's energy and setting affect his delivery. Once he harnesses these things he should be fine. While it certainly wasn't great, it wasn't bad for a first show.

That's a very honest review. I was not too impressed, but it will take a few concerts for Arnel to be comfortable. Stage presence was not a problem, bigger stage = bigger performance. Maybe the new music will showcase him better.

Very blah for me after all the buildup, but Arnel is definitely enjoying himself, nerves and all.

I'm disappointed that I am disappointed.

No shows for me. It just seemed all rehash with yet another voice.

[StoneCold]

Theres alot of people who doesnt think he sucked tonight. Its just a matter of opinion. I thought he did great. Maybe a little shaky at first, but in the middle he did good.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Did they not play BGTY tonight?
Augeri could never sing it to save his life (dvd doesnt count).
I heard Jeff had problems with it to.

Wonder if Journey is exercising a little common sense and ditching it.

[WalrusOct9]

I thought he was okay for his first show, but I just don't think he has the tone for the rockers. The initial post, I kind of agree with...he mimicks Perry very well, especially on the ballads, but it feels very mechanical to me. Even Augeri early on had a certain amount of soul and depth in his voice that I quite liked, and at least on the Vegas DVD, made up for the fact that he wasn't actually Steve Perry.

Arnel has the chops, but he felt kind of mechanical to me. It has nothing to do with him "feeling" it or whatever, he was hired because he sounds a lot like Steve Perry, and he's doing exactly what he was hired to do. I just think he's been doing this for so long that it almost is mechanical. Bigger stage, better supporting musicians, but still basically fronting a cover band and mimicking someone else's recordings.

He can hit the notes, he sounds enough like Perry, he'll do fine on the shed circuit this summer because the dirty dozen will sound alright, I'm just not blown away the way I was with JSS. Arnel brings a better range, but lacks the power and charisma Jeff had, which I guess is more important to me as a fan than sounding like Perry or having 100% of Perry's vocal range.

[stevew2]

Cain looked like my grandfather in that fucking suit,he looked like Arnels great grandfather,like he was saying, "go boy,sing "only the young can say" fucker

[Andrew]

I thought he was okay for his first show, but I just don't think he has the tone for the rockers.

I agree. That's why I was excited about a JSS fronted Journey - I felt they might have rocked thing up as they were doing live in 06.

I feel Arnel did well today with the ballads and that may be reflected in the tempo of the new album. Time will tell...

[The Fly]

I thought he sounded pretty damn amazing for his first time out. And more importantly it SOUNDS LIKE JOURNEY!!

[WalrusOct9]

I thought he was okay for his first show, but I just don't think he has the tone for the rockers.

I agree. That's why I was excited about a JSS fronted Journey - I felt they might have rocked thing up as they were doing live in 06.

I feel Arnel did well today with the ballads and that may be reflected in the tempo of the new album. Time will tell...

So...Trial By Fire II? I'll pass.

Although the music was presumably largely written before Arnel joined the band, so I don't know how much influence he'd have had over the proceedings. I'd be happy with an album of rockers as strong as Higher Place or FITH, regardless of who's singing.

[Andrew]

I'd be happy with an album of rockers as strong as Higher Place or FITH.

Me also. Strangely enough...I have never been a mega-fan of the Journey ballads. I like the mid-tempos, the rockers and the anthems.

[JrnySuxBalls]

I thought he was okay for his first show, but I just don't think he has the tone for the rockers.

I agree. That's why I was excited about a JSS fronted Journey - I felt they might have rocked thing up as they were doing live in 06.

Absolutely. Even the early Perry stuff had an "edge" to it. Now we get Frigga in a sport coat. Ugh.

[finalfight]

He was great on the rockers. To say he doesn't have the tone for them is odd as he has Perry's tone downpat. As someone else pointed out - it sounds like Journey!

So what if there were a few flubs here and there - it was live and he was often literally running whilst singing. This was an amazing first time performance and will likely only improve over time as nerves disappear. His energy was infectious, the band sounded great and the crowd loved it (not too mention there is now a pro-shot DVD of the show available).

Much better then expected and more to come. The newbie did great and the setlist was pretty good too!

Journey on!

[texafana]

He was great on the rockers. To say he doesn't have the tone for them is odd as he has Perry's tone downpat. As someone else pointed out - it sounds like Journey!

So what if there were a few flubs here and there - it was live and he was often literally running whilst singing. This was an amazing first time performance and will likely only improve over time as nerves disappear. His energy was infectious, the band sounded great and the crowd loved it (not too mention there is now a pro-shot DVD of the show available).

Much better then expected and more to come. The newbie did great and the setlist was pretty good too!

Journey on!

Agreed! Journey sounds like Journey again!!

[bluejeangirl76]

I thought he was okay for his first show, but I just don't think he has the tone for the rockers.

I agree. That's why I was excited about a JSS fronted Journey - I felt they might have rocked thing up as they were doing live in 06.

Right. Totally.

[Rip Rokken]

For me was sensational! Arnel Pineda is the new Steve Perry, congratulations man!!

LMFAO

Thanks I needed a really good laugh after a long day!

Quit laughing! It's hard for me to latch on while you are shaking!

[wildone]

Here we go the great revues are in I see.....hmmm you think for a guy who has been covering Journey for years ... he would've been spot on....Oh well hmmm when is our county fair?

[wildone]

For me was sensational! Arnel Pineda is the new Steve Perry, congratulations man!!

Now this here is some funny shit!!!The new.... awww forget it we know better then that!!

[ForeverInBlue]

Maybe it was the internet connection, but I thought Arnel Pineda's performance tonight in Chile was mediocre. He certainly is able to mimick (almost parrot like) some of Steve Perry's sound, but he cannot touch Steve's soul!

Sorry boys.

Abso-fukin-lutely You nailed it. [/b]

[Gin and Tonic Sky]

I dont think he sounded too bad - he'll be fine for the job, and I think he'll improve to the point where I'll enjoy his singing

However, I can certainly tell you one thing that is NOT being consumed at Steve Perry's house this morning:
Kaopectate (by the way that is Immodium for all of you British readers ) . This morning, Mr Perry is not thinking about his legacy and shitting himself over the thought of it being taken away. Arnel's cleary was not good enough to threaten the Perry legacy.

I dont know about Arnel not being able to touch Perrys soul, but he damn sure aint touched the guy's bowels

[mriesenb]

Maybe it was the internet connection, but I thought Arnel Pineda's performance tonight in Chile was mediocre. He certainly is able to mimick (almost parrot like) some of Steve Perry's sound, but he cannot touch Steve's soul!

Sorry boys.

Arnel did pretty good for a first time, I was not impressed by Schon though.

[Eric]

I thought Arnel was good...but he doesn't excite me and add to the songs like JSS did. Seems as if JSS owned the songs almost immediately.

I'm supporting them though..I'm ready. I understand it was his first show.

Andrew said it right when he spoke of "warmth". Thats the word...that was missing.

Arnel owned Open Arms.

The band was not tight.

[Arkansas]

... Now we get Frigga in a sport coat. Ugh.

We didn't get the sport coat. Chile did.
Btw, a sport coat still is much better than cruddy jeans & a black tshirt. This is Journey, not Godsmack.


later~

[Arkansas]

I think I agree with most comments here.
I thought AP did very well, although he seemed to over-project and force things. That could be nerves, adrenaline, etc. I think once he relaxes after a dozen shows, he might sound more natural. I thought I heard some strain on the high notes, which is alarming. The band will have to fix that somehow, or AP won't make it to the end of the year.


later~

[Arkansas]

... This morning, Mr Perry is not thinking about his legacy and shitting himself over the thought of it being taken away. Arnel's cleary was not good enough to threaten the Perry legacy. ...

Are you kidding? This isn't a competition. This is about selling records. I guarantee you that Perry is $hitting himself silly with joy right now because the Journey catalogue sales in South America just spiked. Every time this band plays, Perry gets paid even more. Every time the band plays the dirty dozen and it even remotely resembles the Perry-esqe signature, they all make more $$$. That is exactly what this whole thing is about. If any competition exists at all, it isn't about singers, it's the mighty American dollar. And I for one think that band is doing the right thing.


later~

[mistiejourney]

I thought he was okay for his first show, but I just don't think he has the tone for the rockers. The initial post, I kind of agree with...he mimicks Perry very well, especially on the ballads, but it feels very mechanical to me. Even Augeri early on had a certain amount of soul and depth in his voice that I quite liked, and at least on the Vegas DVD, made up for the fact that he wasn't actually Steve Perry.

Arnel has the chops, but he felt kind of mechanical to me. It has nothing to do with him "feeling" it or whatever, he was hired because he sounds a lot like Steve Perry, and he's doing exactly what he was hired to do. I just think he's been doing this for so long that it almost is mechanical. Bigger stage, better supporting musicians, but still basically fronting a cover band and mimicking someone else's recordings.

He can hit the notes, he sounds enough like Perry, he'll do fine on the shed circuit this summer because the dirty dozen will sound alright, I'm just not blown away the way I was with JSS. Arnel brings a better range, but lacks the power and charisma Jeff had, which I guess is more important to me as a fan than sounding like Perry or having 100% of Perry's vocal range.

Nicely said. It will be interesting to see if Arnel makes the sound "his" (to the extent that he can) over the next few months.

[brywool]

Maybe it was the internet connection, but I thought Arnel Pineda's performance tonight in Chile was mediocre. He certainly is able to mimick (almost parrot like) some of Steve Perry's sound, but he cannot touch Steve's soul!

Sorry boys.

Then you're friggin' deaf.

[mriesenb]

I'm listening to the whole concert now. It seems like the biggest problem for Arnel was his breathing. He's dropping notes, pieces lyric, catching up, singing a little behind etc because he's out of breath. Journey plays the songs a little faster than The Zoo, so that's a difference as well.

Also, it looks like he has problems with his in-ear monitors, maybe causing him to sing a little behind the beat as well. At one point you see that he removed
the in-ear and then he also seems to be singing more on the beat.

All in all 'm pretty sure that with more gigs under his belt (and enough rest between them) he will be fine (and he will be confident to not try so hard). He's cool on stage, didn't expect that.

[Voyager]

Maybe it was the internet connection, but I thought Arnel Pineda's performance tonight in Chile was mediocre. He certainly is able to mimick (almost parrot like) some of Steve Perry's sound, but he cannot touch Steve's soul!

Sorry boys.

Then you're friggin' deaf.

I think it can go both ways. People hear what they want to hear.

[conversationpc]

Maybe it was the internet connection, but I thought Arnel Pineda's performance tonight in Chile was mediocre. He certainly is able to mimick (almost parrot like) some of Steve Perry's sound, but he cannot touch Steve's soul!

Sorry boys.

Then you're friggin' deaf.

I think it can go both ways. People hear what they want to hear.

Anyone who thought he was absolutely horrible OR the second coming are hearing what they want to hear.

[Voyager]

Maybe it was the internet connection, but I thought Arnel Pineda's performance tonight in Chile was mediocre. He certainly is able to mimick (almost parrot like) some of Steve Perry's sound, but he cannot touch Steve's soul!

Sorry boys.

Then you're friggin' deaf.

I think it can go both ways. People hear what they want to hear.

Anyone who thought he was absolutely horrible OR the second coming are hearing what they want to hear.

Exactly. It goes from one extreme to the other. A Steve Perry fan says that Arnel sucks. An Arnel fan says that Arnel is better than Perry and that Arnel will make people forget about Perry. Both statements are not based in reality. The fact is that the guy sounds good, and he does a better job impersonating Steve Perry vocally than Augeri or Soto did.