Faithfully (FTLOSM Tour) Beacon, NYC

[bluejeangirl76]

He didn't like Back Talk.

He had a good point.
If that HAD to be on there (and who would think *I* would say this), it should not have had any vocals.
I mean screaming. That would have made a cool drum solo.

[Loneman1]

I definitely would have preferred either OTY or ATL over "Backtalk". I love "Troubled child" probably more than either one of those two on the other hand.

[Jana]

Eric, I agree. I love Troubled Child. But I love Only The Young more. Back Talk forget it.







"Arnel makes me a better guy just knowing him" - Jonathan Cain

[squirt1]

St John- Your sources for the Perry drug issues are ?????? I can't believe that there is not Budokan WITS 1983. Then it went directly into AYYWI. Shame,shame and demerits should be issued.

[JohnH]

Perry's voice got fried during the ultra punishing Escape tour. That crackling and hoarseness heard on Frontiers is prime evidence. There's no question the voice had changed before the recording sessions and that's what we hear on them.

[texafana]

"Only the Young was the opening song, and it always took a song or two for Steve's voice to warm up on this tour."

Tell me about it, he performed with his BACK to the audience for a song or 2 in Ft.Worth, Tx. when I saw him.

[stevew2]

"Only the Young was the opening song, and it always took a song or two for Steve's voice to warm up on this tour."

Tell me about it, he performed with his BACK to the audience for a song or 2 in Ft.Worth, Tx. when I saw him.

He opened for it in in 1986,sounded great, that was the first time i ever heard it.Still my favorite

[DracIsBack]

Because they're the motherloving Eagles, and Henley nor Frye ain't exactly doing vocal acrobatics. In fact, the grittier they sound, the better.

I don't know about that with Henley. He still hits some pretty high notes on the likes of "ONE OF THESE NIGHTS" though he doesn't quite leap up to the top as easily as he used to.

I align to the theory that it's a crapshoot too. There are a few examples of older singers (like DeYoung) singinng quite happily in the upper register and many others of older singers lowering the key to go easier on the pipes.

Many like Billy Joel, Brad Delp (RIP) and others fully admit that they couldn't sing quite as high as they used to.

[Ehwmatt]

Because they're the motherloving Eagles, and Henley nor Frye ain't exactly doing vocal acrobatics. In fact, the grittier they sound, the better.

I don't know about that with Henley. He still hits some pretty high notes on the likes of "ONE OF THESE NIGHTS" though he doesn't quite leap up to the top as easily as he used to.

I align to the theory that it's a crapshoot too. There are a few examples of older singers (like DeYoung) singinng quite happily in the upper register and many others of older singers lowering the key to go easier on the pipes.

Many like Billy Joel, Brad Delp (RIP) and others fully admit that they couldn't sing quite as high as they used to.

It's definitely a crap shoot... everyone's body is different, responds to stress/wear and tear differently, etc etc. To Brad's credit, he was still amazing. He deferred to Cosmo maybe three, four times a show on his old famous high notes. He still sang a lot of his ball-frying notes live up to Boston's last tour. Cosmo may have covered the higher harmony, but that's not unusual anyway - saves the lead's voice.

[Enigma869]

Back Talk forget it.

Call it Jackass Talk


John from Boston

[DracIsBack]

It's definitely a crap shoot... everyone's body is different, responds to stress/wear and tear differently, etc etc. To Brad's credit, he was still amazing. He deferred to Cosmo maybe three, four times a show on his old famous high notes. He still sang a lot of his ball-frying notes live up to Boston's last tour. Cosmo may have covered the higher harmony, but that's not unusual anyway - saves the lead's voice.

Yeah ... there's another issue here which you touch upon. Just because the singer has hit those high notes on record or occasionally in concert, doesn't mean they should be singing those high notes, song after song, night after night.

I remember once reading that Jon Bon Jovi was told by doctors to lower the songs on Slippery When Wet or risk perminantly destroying his voice. As was noted earlier, Elton can no longer do the falsetto he once did due to surgery/damage to the vocal chords.

Joseph Williams of Toto once mentioned losing a huge chunk of range. Part of it was due to drugs, but another factor was the setlist on his last tour with the band. The order was different and there were a lot of really high Fergie Frederikson songs in the set ... which - combined with drugs - butchered his voice.

There's also the question of stanima. I've seen DVDs of Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins and both seem to be avoiding some high notes and have some lowered keys to make the songs easier to sing (vs. straining). Many singers will go sparingly on the really high songs or save them until the end.

Doesn't necessarily mean they can't do the songs though. I had a friend who once proclaimed "Billy Joel can't sing anymore" because he had a backup singer do the really high parts on AN INNOCENT MAN. I saw him in 2007 (ten years after he did) and he did all the high parts himself. He was obviously concentrating carefully on doing it but he did it.

As for how well Perry can now sing, I maintain my same view.

- Even if he can't hit the notes he once did, he can probably still outsing many others on this planet and hit higher notes than a lot of male singers.
- I challenge any of the people who claim "Perry can't sing anymore" to put their money where their mouths are and post a recording of themselves singing some of those notes.
- A lot of people act like they've personally sat beside Perry while he's sang scales to them but are really not the current experts on his vocal abilities that they think they are.
- Enjoy the music

[Onestepper]

- I challenge any of the people who claim "Perry can't sing anymore" to put their money where their mouths are and post a recording of themselves singing some of those notes.

I'm sorry but that doesn't make a lick of sense. Who here (or anywhere for that matter) and Jeremy notwithstanding, have ever been able to sing like Perry, or even come close to that type of range? And why should someone need to make a recording of themselves to be able to prove or disprove that another individual can't sing anymore? You just made us all a lot dumber.

[brywool]

- I challenge any of the people who claim "Perry can't sing anymore" to put their money where their mouths are and post a recording of themselves singing some of those notes.

I'm sorry but that doesn't make a lick of sense. Who here (or anywhere for that matter) and Jeremy notwithstanding, have ever been able to sing like Perry, or even come close to that type of range? And why should someone need to make a recording of themselves to be able to prove or disprove that another individual can't sing anymore? You just made us all a lot dumber.

The issue of whether he can sing the high notes or not has NOTHING to do with JOE BLOW hitting the notes. That has nothing to do with anything and I'm not sure why people still throw that out there.

The Bon Jovi thing- he's definitely changed his voice for the WORSE at least live. He's got this weird way of making all his vowels really REALLY tight sounding and it sounds bad. I'm not sure who he's working with for a vocal coach, but his voice does NOT have a free sound. He sounds like he pushes really hard and tightens his throat in a big way honey.

It sucks how people can lose their gifts over time.

Congregation, please turn to the book of Rush "Signals", Psalm 10, entitled "Losing It".
It's never been explained so well.

[Don]

One of these days we'll be watching Sounds of the Pop on PBS and after Orleans plays and Frankie Valli, and before the Association or the former lead singer of Climax comes out, we'll probably see Steve Perry. He'll come out and do Lights and Faithfully two steps down, with three large black women on harmony and the local Jacksonville Presbyterian Orchestra on instruments.




edited because I can't freaking spell

[brywool]

One of these days will be watching Sounds of the Pop on PBS and after Orleans plays and Frankie Valli, and before the Association or the former lead singer of Climax comes out, we'll probably see Steve Perry. He'll come out and do Lights and Faithfully two steps down, with three large black women on harmony and the local Jacksonville Presbyterian Orchestra on instruments.

hahahaha. Man, that show is so hard to watch.

[Ehwmatt]

- I challenge any of the people who claim "Perry can't sing anymore" to put their money where their mouths are and post a recording of themselves singing some of those notes.

I'm sorry but that doesn't make a lick of sense. Who here (or anywhere for that matter) and Jeremy notwithstanding, have ever been able to sing like Perry, or even come close to that type of range? And why should someone need to make a recording of themselves to be able to prove or disprove that another individual can't sing anymore? You just made us all a lot dumber.

Fix ur quote, those aren't my words

[Jana]

I agree with Brywool on Bon Jovi. I can never describe what I feel he's doing with his voice. It's definitely not as good. But your description of him singing makes sense. But, God, I love Bed of Roses.







"Arnel makes me a better guy just knowing him" - Jonathan Cain

[Onestepper]

- I challenge any of the people who claim "Perry can't sing anymore" to put their money where their mouths are and post a recording of themselves singing some of those notes.

I'm sorry but that doesn't make a lick of sense. Who here (or anywhere for that matter) and Jeremy notwithstanding, have ever been able to sing like Perry, or even come close to that type of range? And why should someone need to make a recording of themselves to be able to prove or disprove that another individual can't sing anymore? You just made us all a lot dumber.

Fix ur quote, those aren't my words

Done. Sorry, didn't realize I did that. Fixed.

[Deb]

The Bon Jovi thing- he's definitely changed his voice for the WORSE at least live. He's got this weird way of making all his vowels really REALLY tight sounding and it sounds bad. I'm not sure who he's working with for a vocal coach, but his voice does NOT have a free sound. He sounds like he pushes really hard and tightens his throat in a big way honey.

Not sure what it is either, but he sounds so much more nasally now.

[Ehwmatt]

- I challenge any of the people who claim "Perry can't sing anymore" to put their money where their mouths are and post a recording of themselves singing some of those notes.

I'm sorry but that doesn't make a lick of sense. Who here (or anywhere for that matter) and Jeremy notwithstanding, have ever been able to sing like Perry, or even come close to that type of range? And why should someone need to make a recording of themselves to be able to prove or disprove that another individual can't sing anymore? You just made us all a lot dumber.

Fix ur quote, those aren't my words

Done. Sorry, didn't realize I did that. Fixed.

No problem, no problem

[JohnH]

The problem with Perry is that it's not just the high notes. His vocal cords are just cracked and shredded period. Doesn't matter if it's low high mid or whatever. Now go listen to Trial by Liar and you can hear it all over the place.

[bluejeangirl76]

Trial by Liar

Damn. That's cold.

[brywool]

I agree with Brywool on Bon Jovi. I can never describe what I feel he's doing with his voice. It's definitely not as good. But your description of him singing makes sense. But, God, I love Bed of Roses.

Bed of Roses is a GREAT tune. Their best ballad They should've done just that one and the John Lennon "Just Like Starting Over" ripoff of "I'll be there for you". The rest of their ballads are excess baggage.

[DracIsBack]

I'm sorry but that doesn't make a lick of sense. Who here (or anywhere for that matter) and Jeremy notwithstanding, have ever been able to sing like Perry, or even come close to that type of range? And why should someone need to make a recording of themselves to be able to prove or disprove that another individual can't sing anymore? You just made us all a lot dumber.

There are a lot of alleged vocal experts here who aren't singers, but who feel qualified to critique every aspect of a professional singer's performance. There's a lot of "Perry can't sing anymore" which is - frankly - bullshit. He can probably sing better than almost every last person on this forum, including the detractors who declare "he can't sing".

What is well documented is that he can't sing as well as he did in his prime. But that bar was set so high that it can fall a long way and you would still have an above average singer. It's not all or nothing.

[DracIsBack]

The issue of whether he can sing the high notes or not has NOTHING to do with JOE BLOW hitting the notes. That has nothing to do with anything and I'm not sure why people still throw that out there.

There's an old quote I liked from Steve Lukather which was directed at rock critics ... "if you can pick up a guitar, come down here and play better than me, I'll give a shit what you have to say"

Wonder if Perry ever stumbles across these forums and has the same thoughts about all the people here who act like they know him personally, act like they were there managing Journey's business affairs, and act as though they have sat beside him as he sang scales to see how high he could go.

[madsplash]

The problem with Perry is that it's not just the high notes. His vocal cords are just cracked and shredded period. Doesn't matter if it's low high mid or whatever. Now go listen to Trial by Liar and you can hear it all over the place.

Couldn't agree less. His lower range on TBF was every bit as good as on Frontiers. Up high was where the change was.

And as many have said on this board, I prefer his voice from Frontiers on.

But for those who say by Raised on Radio his voice was going, listen to Open Arms here on the Raised on Radio Tour. He had/has the ability to sing in the clearer upper register or in the later, bigger raspier tone that he chose to use from Frontiers on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ir6qriqS ... re=related

And here is Open Arms on the FTLOSM tour: Lowered a full step, but still sounding great. Pitch is outstanding and all the signature stuff is there. Who the hell cares that it's not in the exact same key?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYHawQ40 ... re=related

If he can still sing this good, anything he puts out will be huge. Although, word is he may be singing even better.

I can't imagine what would be sweeter than for him to put some stuff out, voice sounding great, have success and have all of the doomsday/naysayers have to shut the hell up and eat crow. Although I'm sure they would find some excuse as to why it was happening.

[Don]

Would you guys prefer he puts something out that he might not be able to replicate live, or would you would you want a raw album that sounds exactly like what you would hear if he performed on a tour?

[brywool]

I'm sorry but that doesn't make a lick of sense. Who here (or anywhere for that matter) and Jeremy notwithstanding, have ever been able to sing like Perry, or even come close to that type of range? And why should someone need to make a recording of themselves to be able to prove or disprove that another individual can't sing anymore? You just made us all a lot dumber.

There are a lot of alleged vocal experts here who aren't singers, but who feel qualified to critique every aspect of a professional singer's performance. There's a lot of "Perry can't sing anymore" which is - frankly - bullshit. He can probably sing better than almost every last person on this forum, including the detractors who declare "he can't sing".

What is well documented is that he can't sing as well as he did in his prime. But that bar was set so high that it can fall a long way and you would still have an above average singer. It's not all or nothing.

Again, whether he can sing better than any of us is not relevant. I AM a singer. There are many singers here. Of the league that Perry is/was? No. That has nothing to do with anything. I don't think anybody has said Perry can't sing anymore. Many are saying Perry can't sing the high notes anymore, they are basing that opinion on what they've seen and heard throughout the years and through whatever other sources are out there. The fact that you're sticking up for him because you like him isn't proof of how well the guy can sing. It's proof that you like him. Most here do, but personally, I cannot believe that the guy let himself get into this predicament of losing a lot of his voice (which he has). I don't hate him for it, I just can't believe that he could've let it happen. Most people haven't said he cannot sing, most have said they doubt whether he can still sing the Journey catalog. That's a big difference. If you look at the vocal threads here (and there an infinite number) most people are using what they feel is relevant evidence of this. No need to cite all that stuff again because it's in an abundant number of threads and you can go look at it yourself. But just to say "well, you can't sing as good as him, so therefor you're wrong that he can't sing" is ridiculous.

[brywool]

Would you guys prefer he puts something out that he might not be able to replicate live, or would you would you want a raw album that sounds exactly like what you would hear if he performed on a tour?

not sure who you're asking gb (by the way, who's in your av?)-
I would prefer that the guy recorded an album and did ONE concert that he dvd'd and let that do the touring for him. For him to tour and do a bunch of shows is unnecessary unless he wanted to do it AND spaced the shows out. Dang, do one show a week and do a small tour of the bigger cities. Same with Zepplin. They should've video'd their reunion gig and put it out and THAT would satisfy (somewhat) those that wanted to see them live.

[Jeremey]

Man, I hope I'm able to sing that well in 8 years.

I've never "gotten" the obsession some people have with Perry's technical (ie range, etc) abilities, versus the simple use of his instrument. No matter what his range and gymnastics are or have been, he is simply one of the best ever at delivering a song. Unfortunately Perry set a pretty high bar for himself in his formative years, and there will always be those that expect him to replicate that period of his career. I think that's a pretty heavy weight that hangs on his shoulders. When he says things like "my voice sometimes sounds like..me..." in interviews, that says a lot to me about what he struggles with. It boggles my mind that debate will always continue among some about Perry's voice. The condition of his biological abilities is really a moot point. The reason why there will never be another Steve Perry is that very personal wellspring of pain, love, desire, and freedom that he tapped into and shared with each of us every time he held a microphone. If and when he ever finds the courage to do it again, that spring will still be there, I promise you.