Arnel Pineda So Far

[Saint John]

Having seen Journey 4 times on their current tour I can honestly say that Arnel has improved each show. To many, the Chile show was marginal at best. There were audio problems with the live feed, but more importantly he seemed to shriek a bit at times and seemed a bit overwhelmed by his surroundings at others. That said, he has progressed to the point now that I thought he would somehwere toward the end of the tour. He's confident, strong, comfortable and seems to have found his way as a frontman. His voice has remained strong and he has learned to cut a lot of the notes short rather than trying to impress by oversinging. His diction continues to improve as does his phrasing and timing in and out of songs. All in all, I think he has done an amazing job and has stepped into the role of Steve Perry's replacement and being the new original vocalist in a professional and dignified manner. I hear is work ethic is second to none and he realizes how important the legacy is to the fans. Shit, if it was not important to us, we wouldn't be here beating the shit out of each other!

Anyway, I decided against a poll because I think it gives people an easy way out. You can vote that he's a "10" or vote that he's a "1" without logically giving your reasons. This way, you have to substantiate your claims or stay on the sidelines like a little bitch. As of right now, all things considered, I give Arnel Pineda a 91 out of 100 and Journey as a whole a 90...both an A-. Anyone else?

[RedWingFan]

The only complaint I had about him watching the DVD was that he seemed to scream the lyrics at times. Where as they seemed to just flow from Perry.
Would you say he's still a screamer?

[ProgRocker53]

I haven't seen them live yet this tour so I can't judge that part..

But Arnel holds his own on the vocals, for sure. He's got some magic moments on Revelation, and the band gave him a few solid songs to work with.

He HAS seemed to improve from the couple YouTube vids I've watched.... so I'm looking forward to seeing how comfortable he is by the time Cleveland/Cincinnati roll around.

[Natalie]

I say he's good but in all honesty, I don't see that he's any better or any worse than SA or JSS. He tries to hard to sing "emotionally" and I'm afraid he's going to jam that mic down his own throat or his eyeballs are going to fall out and roll of the stage some day. I give him an 80/100. Still a passing grade.

[Saint John]

He also gets bonus points for re-energizing the band to the point where Neal does 720's and Friga actually demands audience participation. What Jon did in Dallas was priceless, man!

[Don]

I give Arnel an 85/100. He still tends to rush a little bit on some of the songs. Also he needs to chill just a little with all the romper room excersises. He might sprain a knee or throw his hip out. If he ends up singing from a highchair when they get to L.A., I'm gonna be pissed.
I give the band 80/100. Neal, I don't care if Arnel's voice seems fine, stop having him sing 3 six minute songs in a row. Deen had his little time out, now get him singing again to spell Arnel. Hell, just give him the song book and surprise us with something.

[Rick]

He also gets bonus points for re-energizing the band to the point where Neal does 720's and Friga actually demands audience participation. What Jon did in Dallas was priceless, man!

Jon aggravated me a bit in Dallas. I understand that in places in Texas, they do the knee slappin/boot stomping shit, but it has no place at a rock concert. It's an insult to the general populous. I give him credit for trying to engage the Texas audience, but if you're going to do it that way, hold the concert at Billy Bobs.

As for Anrel, I've seen the Chile DVD, and it was fine for his first show. The March Las Vegas show showed many improvements. From the boots of Europe and the shows leading up to Dallas, he just got better and better. The Dallas show was one of the best Journey concerts I've seen. He was fantastic. He just needs to refine his on stage antics a little and he's all the way there. I'm totally impressed with his progress.

[Saint John]

If he ends up singing from a highchair when they get to L.A., I'm gonna be pissed.

Aww man, did that make me fucking howl. That's one helluva line, dude.

[Natalie]

He also gets bonus points for re-energizing the band to the point where Neal does 720's and Friga actually demands audience participation. What Jon did in Dallas was priceless, man!

Interesting that this is exactly what everyone was saying about JSS just two years ago.

[Saint John]

He also gets bonus points for re-energizing the band to the point where Neal does 720's and Friga actually demands audience participation. What Jon did in Dallas was priceless, man!

Interesting that this is exactly what everyone was saying about JSS just two years ago.

I never saw it. I saw a band that had returned to pre-tapegate form, but nothing like they are now. The Soto infusion was merely relative to going to from the long faces and stress filled nights they had in the last Augeri days to their normal by the numbers routine once Soto came in. Neal wasn't doing 720's, wasn't wireless, Friga wasn't encouraging the audience, stopping til they participated and their was not sold out show after sold out show. You're way off base here.

[mikemarrs]

He also gets bonus points for re-energizing the band to the point where Neal does 720's and Friga actually demands audience participation. What Jon did in Dallas was priceless, man!

Jon aggravated me a bit in Dallas. I understand that in places in Texas, they do the knee slappin/boot stomping shit, but it has no place at a rock concert. It's an insult to the general populous. I give him credit for trying to engage the Texas audience, but if you're going to do it that way, hold the concert at Billy Bobs.

As for Anrel, I've seen the Chile DVD, and it was fine for his first show. The March Las Vegas show showed many improvements. From the boots of Europe and the shows leading up to Dallas, he just got better and better. The Dallas show was one of the best Journey concerts I've seen. He was fantastic. He just needs to refine his on stage antics a little and he's all the way there. I'm totally impressed with his progress.

i know what you mean.every concert i go to here in memphis they always talk about elvis or do 'jailhouse rock',lol.hell most of the people my age in their early to mid thirties don't even care about elvis here because he's way in the past and represented a different era and time.

[Enigma869]

I say he's good but in all honesty, I don't see that he's any better or any worse than SA or JSS. He tries to hard to sing "emotionally" and I'm afraid he's going to jam that mic down his own throat or his eyeballs are going to fall out and roll of the stage some day. I give him an 80/100. Still a passing grade.

Sorry Nat...I don't agree. Arnel hits notes that Steve Augeri couldn't hit to save his life, and notes that simply aren't in Jeff's range. The glaring missing item for Arnel, Jeff, Augeri, and a singer to be named later, is that there is simply no connection to the lyrics they're singing. These songs were written during a different time, by different people, who had a deep connection to the lyrics. There is simply no replacing that, even though they've been trying like hell, forever! I love Arnel's talent, but it is just VERY, VERY odd to hear this guy sing a song about San Francisco (Lights)... a city he's probably still never even been to


John from Boston

[Natalie]

I say he's good but in all honesty, I don't see that he's any better or any worse than SA or JSS. He tries to hard to sing "emotionally" and I'm afraid he's going to jam that mic down his own throat or his eyeballs are going to fall out and roll of the stage some day. I give him an 80/100. Still a passing grade.

Sorry Nat...I don't agree. Arnel hits notes that Steve Augeri couldn't hit to save his life, and notes that simply aren't in Jeff's range. The glaring missing item for Arnel, Jeff, Augeri, and a singer to be named later, is that there is simply no connection to the lyrics they're singing. These songs were written during a different time, by different people, who had a deep connection to the lyrics. There is simply no replacing that, even though they've been trying like hell, forever! I love Arnel's talent, but it is just VERY, VERY odd to hear this guy sing a song about San Francisco (Lights)... a city he's probably still never even been to


John from Boston

OK, OK, so he can hit the high notes but that's just cuz Friga has him by the balls, aside from that....he's OK, but that's it, just OK. SO see, we do agree!

[Since 78]

Arnel gets 90/100 the guy has progressed to the point vocally and stage presence wise that he is the Journey Front Man! That is to say that the Band revolves around him now. I haven't seen Journey like this since.......

[Natalie]

Arnel gets 90/100 the guy has progressed to the point vocally and stage presence wise that he is the Journey Front Man! That is to say that the Band revolves around him now. I haven't seen Journey like this since.......

I wasn't a big fan of his quasi break-dancing moves.

[Don]

If he ends up singing from a highchair when they get to L.A., I'm gonna be pissed.

Aww man, did that make me fucking howl. That's one helluva line, dude.

I just have to look around this forum and I can find mentors galore to inspire me.

[Rick]

I say he's good but in all honesty, I don't see that he's any better or any worse than SA or JSS. He tries to hard to sing "emotionally" and I'm afraid he's going to jam that mic down his own throat or his eyeballs are going to fall out and roll of the stage some day. I give him an 80/100. Still a passing grade.

Sorry Nat...I don't agree. Arnel hits notes that Steve Augeri couldn't hit to save his life, and notes that simply aren't in Jeff's range. The glaring missing item for Arnel, Jeff, Augeri, and a singer to be named later, is that there is simply no connection to the lyrics they're singing. These songs were written during a different time, by different people, who had a deep connection to the lyrics. There is simply no replacing that, even though they've been trying like hell, forever! I love Arnel's talent, but it is just VERY, VERY odd to hear this guy sing a song about San Francisco (Lights)... a city he's probably still never even been to


John from Boston

At Dallas, he said it's his new second home or something like that. If that helps at all.

[Maui Tom]

I don't do grades but as of today... 7/31/08...this whole Journey thing is pretty fucking cool....

[Don]

I say he's good but in all honesty, I don't see that he's any better or any worse than SA or JSS. He tries to hard to sing "emotionally" and I'm afraid he's going to jam that mic down his own throat or his eyeballs are going to fall out and roll of the stage some day. I give him an 80/100. Still a passing grade.

Sorry Nat...I don't agree. Arnel hits notes that Steve Augeri couldn't hit to save his life, and notes that simply aren't in Jeff's range. The glaring missing item for Arnel, Jeff, Augeri, and a singer to be named later, is that there is simply no connection to the lyrics they're singing. These songs were written during a different time, by different people, who had a deep connection to the lyrics. There is simply no replacing that, even though they've been trying like hell, forever! I love Arnel's talent, but it is just VERY, VERY odd to hear this guy sing a song about San Francisco (Lights)... a city he's probably still never even been to


John from Boston

At Dallas, he said it's his new second home or something like that. If that helps at all.

Wasn't all the Studio work done in S.F. ? Not to mention, It's got a HUGE Filipino community, they pretty much annexed Daly City. I'm sure he feels pretty comfortable there.

[Since 78]

Arnel gets 90/100 the guy has progressed to the point vocally and stage presence wise that he is the Journey Front Man! That is to say that the Band revolves around him now. I haven't seen Journey like this since.......

I wasn't a big fan of his quasi break-dancing moves.

I agree that he jumps around to much. It bothers me vocally more the anything else. But by stage presence I meant that he owns the songs and the performance.

[Natalie]

Arnel gets 90/100 the guy has progressed to the point vocally and stage presence wise that he is the Journey Front Man! That is to say that the Band revolves around him now. I haven't seen Journey like this since.......

I wasn't a big fan of his quasi break-dancing moves.

I agree that he jumps around to much. It bothers me vocally more the anything else. But by stage presence I meant that he owns the songs and the performance.

Meh,,,,I don't see it. I think he tries too hard.

[AlteredDNA]

I say he's good but in all honesty, I don't see that he's any better or any worse than SA or JSS. He tries to hard to sing "emotionally" and I'm afraid he's going to jam that mic down his own throat or his eyeballs are going to fall out and roll of the stage some day. I give him an 80/100. Still a passing grade.

Sorry Nat...I don't agree. Arnel hits notes that Steve Augeri couldn't hit to save his life, and notes that simply aren't in Jeff's range. The glaring missing item for Arnel, Jeff, Augeri, and a singer to be named later, is that there is simply no connection to the lyrics they're singing. These songs were written during a different time, by different people, who had a deep connection to the lyrics. There is simply no replacing that, even though they've been trying like hell, forever! I love Arnel's talent, but it is just VERY, VERY odd to hear this guy sing a song about San Francisco (Lights)... a city he's probably still never even been to


John from Boston

Lights was originally written about Los Angeles, but the lyrics were changed once Steve joined Journey.

Also, I'm pretty sure Arnel has been to San Francisco...

[Enigma869]

Lights was originally written about Los Angeles, but the lyrics were changed once Steve joined Journey.

Also, I'm pretty sure Arnel has been to San Francisco...

You folks need to stop taking things so literally! The point is that Arnel doesn't have a connection to the lyrics whether he's been to San Francisco zero times or 1000 times!!!!!!! Sometimes things are merely said for effect. It doesn't change the larger point that Arnel (and the replacements before him) have no emotional connection to these songs. That doesn't mean I don't still enjoy the music. I was simply making the point that for me...the music of Journey was all so real and genuine. These guys always had an amazing ability to write about people and places, and they were people and places that they had a personal connection with, on some level. When someone else is singing the lyrics without that same connection, a little something is lost (for me). Go throw in your 1981 Escape concert on DVD and watch Perry sing Lights and then throw in the welfare DVD Vegas concert and watch Arnel sing it. I think you'll get my point


John from Boston

[Since 78]

Arnel gets 90/100 the guy has progressed to the point vocally and stage presence wise that he is the Journey Front Man! That is to say that the Band revolves around him now. I haven't seen Journey like this since.......

I wasn't a big fan of his quasi break-dancing moves.

I agree that he jumps around to much. It bothers me vocally more the anything else. But by stage presence I meant that he owns the songs and the performance.

Meh,,,,I don't see it. I think he tries too hard.

Explain please! Seriously, what does that mean? Arnel is a performer and thats what he get paid to do. SP ran all over the place and did his little circle dance, which is cool Was he trying to hard ? SA moved around a little bit, was he not trying enough?

[stevew2]

He also gets bonus points for re-energizing the band to the point where Neal does 720's and Friga actually demands audience participation. What Jon did in Dallas was priceless, man!

Jon aggravated me a bit in Dallas. I understand that in places in Texas, they do the knee slappin/boot stomping shit, but it has no place at a rock concert. It's an insult to the general populous. I give him credit for trying to engage the Texas audience, but if you're going to do it that way, hold the concert at Billy Bobs.

As for Anrel, I've seen the Chile DVD, and it was fine for his first show. The March Las Vegas show showed many improvements. From the boots of Europe and the shows leading up to Dallas, he just got better and better. The Dallas show was one of the best Journey concerts I've seen. He was fantastic. He just needs to refine his on stage antics a little and he's all the way there. I'm totally impressed with his progress.

Friga likes cowboys, he was trying to "get some fresh grade AA meat"

[AlteredDNA]

Lights was originally written about Los Angeles, but the lyrics were changed once Steve joined Journey.

Also, I'm pretty sure Arnel has been to San Francisco...

You folks need to stop taking things so literally! The point is that Arnel doesn't have a connection to the lyrics whether he's been to San Francisco zero times or 1000 times!!!!!!! Sometimes things are merely said for effect. It doesn't change the larger point that Arnel (and the replacements before him) have no emotional connection to these songs. That doesn't mean I don't still enjoy the music. I was simply making the point that for me...the music of Journey was all so real and genuine. These guys always had an amazing ability to write about people and places, and they were people and places that they had a personal connection with, on some level. When someone else is singing the lyrics without that same connection, a little something is lost (for me). Go throw in your 1981 Escape concert on DVD and watch Perry sing Lights and then throw in the welfare DVD Vegas concert and watch Arnel sing it. I think you'll get my point


John from Boston

So you feel the same way about any song Perry sang that he didn't write? WITS, for instance? Faithfully?

[Don]

Arnel gets 90/100 the guy has progressed to the point vocally and stage presence wise that he is the Journey Front Man! That is to say that the Band revolves around him now. I haven't seen Journey like this since.......

I wasn't a big fan of his quasi break-dancing moves.

I agree that he jumps around to much. It bothers me vocally more the anything else. But by stage presence I meant that he owns the songs and the performance.

Meh,,,,I don't see it. I think he tries too hard.

Explain please! Seriously, what does that mean? Arnel is a performer and thats what he get paid to do. SP ran all over the place and did his little circle dance, which is cool Was he trying to hard ? SA moved around a little bit, was he not trying enough?

I'll tell you what. If Steve Smith's drumset was a chic, it would have filed a restraining order against Perry. He spent half his time on stage staring at that damn thing rather then the audience. I understand he's a recluse but it irks me that people always fawn over his stage presence which to me was the weakest part of his act, and in the same breath take Arnel to task even though he physically interacts with the audience.

[Enigma869]

So you feel the same way about any song Perry sang that he didn't write? WITS, for instance? Faithfully?

No, I do not. Whether or not Perry received a writing credit on a given song, he was still part of the creative process of putting the song together. Also, another VERY important point is that EVERY single Journey song that became a big hit was done with Perry's soaring vocals. When your voice is responsible for bringing a song to life, the connection is there, with or without the writing credit! Next question


John from Boston

[slucero]

I'm not gonna grade Arnel... the guy hasn't been in the band a year yet... not fair to him or the legacy/history he'd have to be compared against.

I will state (the obvious). He's a tremendously PHYSICAL vocal talent, and its obvious he's being forced to learn and use proper singing technique to substitute for his physical vocal prowess... most noticeable due to the reduction in his straining or reaching for high notes (screeching as some others put it)

HOWEVER... the man he's being compared to was a master technician... and it was EVIDENT in the EASE with which he sang all those songs, for all those years.... he made what was SO difficult look SO EASY.

With Arnel - one can see he still has to work at it, which is fine, but long-term he must master singing technique to survive.

Arnel has the God given talent to do this, he just needs the time to master the technique... just like the man he's being compared to had time to.

[Enigma869]

Perry spent half his time on stage staring at that damn thing rather then the audience. I understand he's a recluse but it irks me that people always fawn over his stage presence which to me was the weakest part of his act, and in the same breath take Arnel to task even though he physically interacts with the audience.

I personally thought Perry was a goofball on stage. Luckily for that dude, when you can sing like that, it doesn't matter if you're doing the chicken dance on stage!


John from Boston