brywool wrote:Lora wrote:Jeremey wrote: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.
That was so beautifully said. The discussions about range and 'what happened to his voice' and all the other ridiculous speculation just tells me that some people get it and some do not. Doesn't make anyone right or wrong in what they feel. It is more a matter of what it is about a singer that touches your soul and range just does not matter to me.
While it "touches the soul" it's not the same topic as "how is he making that sound?" or rather, how is he not making it anymore? Nobody can deny the guy's passion. I "Get it" Lora, but there's more to the guy's vocal delivery than just passion or how he makes one swoon. The fact that someone (a guy) can hit (or COULD hit) those notes is amazing. The fact that he could lose that is sad.
Doesn't mean I don't get it. Means that I'm curious about the mechanics of it as well. My wanting to know about his voice production and the mechanics of it is no sillier than some of the other topics in here...
It is strange that other performers can tour relentlessly like Bruce Dickinson of Maiden, who belts out tons of high notes even though he is more a heavy metal singer, or John Farnham (about the same age as Perry) who has toured quite a bit but never seemed to have an off night. I don't think the touring and the catalog can be blamed as the total culprit, it's just got to be that people are different and Steve's time came. He still can sing obviously but everyone loses something when they get older, no shame in that.
I think the "Neal toured him to death" argument just doesn't cover everything as neatly as people wish it to.
