Strange Medicine wrote:Deb wrote:conversationpc wrote:I don't know if this is from the first night or what but I have to say this is the best version I've heard of "Faithfully" since Perry was in the band.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChnCXv7yR1s
He did a great job of Faithfully. Gawd me still luvs Deen....such a fun drummer to watch.

But what the heck is with Cain, he always looks like he is sucking on a sour candy.

I'm one of the very few people on the forums who is an admitted, open, and avid fan of Jonathan Cain, but he only showed moments of enjoyment during the concert, whereas Neal, Arnel, and Ross were all smiles (I assume Deen was as well, but they only featured the left side of his face [covered by the microphone]). He did smile a lot at the end when they all bowed, but he looked bummed.
I didn't think he looked bummed. I thought he looked like he needed to take a big pooh.

He always looks like that.
Actually, and maybe I've missed this in recent years, but Jon was almost more guitars than keys (which I don't dig). Is this new? Could he have been a bit intimidated by that? Also, he was having keyboard problems, especially during the second encore where his piano wasn't coming on. I read somebody's post that "Cain was visually embarrassed during "Stone in Love". Actually, he wasn't, he was all smiles during that tune and btw, I'm not watching the crummy youtube feed, this is from the dvd of the actual broadcast.
He also seemed like he was really watching what was going on and when Arnel went out on the catwalk deal, he was all smiles as was Neal. Jon was also smiling and interacting with Arnel during DSB when Arnel came over to the piano, looked Jon right in the eye and "don't stop believin' hold onto that feeling" right to him and Jon had a huge smile on his face.
Deen did the "I'm not worthy" thing to him as the band walked off. Ross was CLEARLY enjoying Arnels performance as was Neal. When the announcers were talking Neal did the "beating heart gesture" to Arnel and embraced him MANY times during the show. I sure didn't see Neal smile much during the Augeri years. In fact, he pretty much ignored him.
If that doesn't say that the band has confidence in him, then maybe the THOUSANDS of cheering fans who demanded another encore (one that was CLEARLY unprepared by Journey- you could tell they'd planned on ONE not two), will keep people's minds opened. I have not seen a crowd reaction that large and that boisterous since Perry was in the band. The Chileans clearly LOVED Journey but they also clearly loved Arnel.
I can't believe some of the hate posts that're posted here regarding him. It amazes me. Yeah, the guy had some tight notes. He also sang some very high stuff that wasn't tight. Jeez, BIG stage and he's probably used to club stages. He's gonna be a bit winded. The worst things I saw were in Rubicon where he either couldn't read the teleprompter or just spaced (hey, it happens, ask any singer- why do you think there are teleprompters at shows in the first place????), getting Jon's name wrong and that's about it. Geez, he's a ROCK singer, there's going to be some tension in there. It's part of the gig. Sting, Bono, Perry, JSS, Augeri, Prince, Delp- they've all had vocal tension in some of their shows. Doesn't mean they suck. Means they were caught up in the moment.
Those that say "no soul" blah blah blah... Arnel had more soul in "Faithfully" than I've seen since it was released in 83. Augeri did a great job on that too, but you could always tell he was tentative and probably wondering if his voice was going to cut it. Arnel sang the hell out of that song. The tone of his voice in a lot of songs was like that of Infinity-era Perry. Not the sound of his voice, but that tone that Perry could get on some of his vowels. I haven't heard that SINCE Perry was here.
Seems like the people that didn't like Arnel from the top are the same who don't like him now. Seems like those that loved JSS in the band aren't going to be won over- maybe they need to let go of that. Seems those that like Augeri and want him in the band can't stand behind Arnel. Seems Jeremey's friends will never accept him because it's not Jeremey (and I love that guy's voice btw), And finally, it seems those pining away for Steve Perry to miraculously return from wherever the hell he is can't allow themselves to admire what Arnel brings to the band. Allowing yourselves to like Arnel doesn't diminish anything attachment for those other guys and it's not being a traitor. It's just listening and watching what the cat's bringing to the gig. Whatever- It's your loss because THIS Journey is off to a pretty freakin' great start and I'm actually excited to see what's next.