New Perry effort...

[eclipse]

Steve Perry, as enormously talented as he was, had not made it by 30 and was giving up.

Actually, Steve Perry at 30 was on the Evolution tour.

OK, he was 38.

[Jana]

Steve Perry, as enormously talented as he was, had not made it by 30 and was giving up.

Actually, Steve Perry at 30 was on the Evolution tour.

Thanks, BJG. I meant to put "almost" 30. I went to go back in but the edit function isn't working.

[wednesday's child]

He can't sing, but he still wants to have a somewhat meaningful role.
He's simply not at peace with the whole can't sing anymore thing.

um... ProTools?

[wednesday's child]

Seriously though, Dan...

Saying Perry can't sing anymore is an exaggeration, right?
He might not have the endurance of old, and maybe his
range is what remains after a hard career, but I wager he'd
still kick the vocal crap out of most of the fresher talent out there.

-wech

[Matthew]

He's simply not at peace with the whole can't sing anymore thing.

There isn't a scintilla of evidence to back up this claim is there Saint John?

[Voyager]

He's simply not at peace with the whole can't sing anymore thing.

There isn't a scintilla of evidence to back up this claim is there Saint John?

To me it seems like more of a motivation issue. Let's face it - a huge part of Perry's sound was his passion and energy. If he doesn't have that drive anymore, it wouldn't be the same. I mean, look at David Lee Roth... he sounds like shit. But he still has the motivation to tour. I don't think Perry does, regardless of what his voice sounds like (which I'm sure isn't as anywhere near as good as it was 25 years ago).

[Matthew]

He's simply not at peace with the whole can't sing anymore thing.

There isn't a scintilla of evidence to back up this claim is there Saint John?

To me it seems like more of a motivation issue. Let's face it - a huge part of Perry's sound was his passion and energy. If he doesn't have that drive anymore, it wouldn't be the same. I mean, look at David Lee Roth... he sounds like shit. But he still has the motivation to tour. I don't think Perry does, regardless of what his voice sounds like (which I'm sure isn't as anywhere near as good as it was 25 years ago).

David Lee Roth was primarily a showman though wasn't he? Would DLR still tour if he had a limp? I'm not so sure....

Whatever the reason for Perry's retirement...I don't think there's any evidence to suggest that Perry isn't at peace in his life. If anything...what little we know points the other way. He's living the life that most of us dream about leading when we're 60. Which is why not a week goes by without some chippy thread like this one appearing....

[Jana]

Seriously though, Dan...

Saying Perry can't sing anymore is an exaggeration, right?
He might not have the endurance of old, and maybe his
range is what remains after a hard career, but I wager he'd
still kick the vocal crap out of most of the fresher talent out there.

-wech

Agreed. I'm sure his voice is still good. Some have said on here he's a perfectionist and maybe can't handle the changes in his voice. Maybe that is it. Personally I would just think he's lost the fire within to perform, but then in interviews he talks about listening to his music, like TBF, and becoming emotional and has said he misses performing in front of an audience. So who knows why. There's probably a lot of reasons all mixed together. He was writing music this year with people, but what he ever does with it, that's a different story.

[Deb]

He's simply not at peace with the whole can't sing anymore thing.

There isn't a scintilla of evidence to back up this claim is there Saint John?

To me it seems like more of a motivation issue. Let's face it - a huge part of Perry's sound was his passion and energy. If he doesn't have that drive anymore, it wouldn't be the same. I mean, look at David Lee Roth... he sounds like shit. But he still has the motivation to tour. I don't think Perry does, regardless of what his voice sounds like (which I'm sure isn't as anywhere near as good as it was 25 years ago).

David Lee Roth was primarily a showman though wasn't he? Would DLR still tour if he had a limp? I'm not so sure....

Whatever the reason for Perry's retirement...I don't think there's any evidence to suggest that Perry isn't at peace in his life. If anything...what little we know points the other way. He's living the life that most of us dream about leading when we're 60. Which is why not a week goes by without some chippy thread like this one appearing....

LOL, scintilla? chippy? You Brits and your words give me a chuckle sometimes, Matty. LMAO the other day when you posted something about Perry and smokin too many fags, or something like that.

[artist4perry]

That's the bottom line; His voice is shot and therefore he rightly won't risk dissappointing anyone. That is also why you won't hear from him again. Believe me, singers don't quit singing if they still believe they can get up in front of a crowd and not embarrass themselves. You can have all the money in the world, but you will sing if there is someone around who is willing to listen to you. I know singers who have quit, but only because they lost their voice.

I guess it comes down to what each person's definition of "lost his voice" is. There are people here that think he's "lost his voice" because he can't hit those glass shattering highs anymore. Where as others don't think he's "lost his voice" because range was never what his voice was all about. I would take 50% of what he's got vocally, over 99% of what else is out there. But if he doesn't want to sing anymore, I'm cool with it, heck it's his life to lead.

Well said Deb. Geez like he cannot sing if glass isn't broken everywhere. He has always had a strong bass and baratone as well as tenor.

As far as not working.......what do you know about what he does or does not do? Just because he does not sing in public does not mean he is unemployed and if he isn't working who cares?

Did he or did he not work and sing for almost over a decade to earn the right to sit on the couch and eat Fritos?
That is like saying a famous baseball player who earned millions while he plays has to play baseball for life. Not!

If Steve makes another album I will be the first to buy it, but if not, he gave us over 10 years of excellence that few have acheived.

[EightyRock]

Seriously though, Dan...

Saying Perry can't sing anymore is an exaggeration, right?
He might not have the endurance of old, and maybe his
range is what remains after a hard career, but I wager he'd
still kick the vocal crap out of most of the fresher talent out there.

-wech

Agreed. I'm sure his voice is still good. Some have said on here he's a perfectionist and maybe can't handle the changes in his voice. Maybe that is it. Personally I would just think he's lost the fire within to perform, but then in interviews he talks about listening to his music, like TBF, and becoming emotional and has said he misses performing in front of an audience. So who knows why. There's probably a lot of reasons all mixed together. He was writing music this year with people, but what he ever does with it, that's a different story.

If anybody tried to comprehend what he says in interviews, he's already said why he isn't performing. He doesn't have the drive to succeed anymore, because there is nothing left to prove and nobody to do it for (parents are gone, etc.) He "closed the store" FOREVER, meaning let his management go, and felt huge relief not to be signed to any more contracts. Lets look at the OTHER reasons he might not want to do anything......years of touring his ass off, singing multiple nights in a row, abusing his voice, watching his family get sick and die while he was stuck on the road, top it all off with a hip replacement and more Grey-Goose-enhanced attitude from Fro. I'd be sayin' who needs this shit, too!

When/if Perry decides to sing again, I don't think you'll ever see any tour dates and it will be some sort of internet based release....no label. I don't think he wants to complicate his life. That's what I get from his interviews.

[Saint John]

Seriously though, Dan...

Saying Perry can't sing anymore is an exaggeration, right?
He might not have the endurance of old, and maybe his
range is what remains after a hard career, but I wager he'd
still kick the vocal crap out of most of the fresher talent out there.

-wech

I never once said it was a physical issue.

[scarygirl]

Seriously though, Dan...

Saying Perry can't sing anymore is an exaggeration, right?
He might not have the endurance of old, and maybe his
range is what remains after a hard career, but I wager he'd
still kick the vocal crap out of most of the fresher talent out there.

-wech

I never once said it was a physical issue.

You're nothing but a tease in a long skirt.

[Ehwmatt]

He can't sing, but he still wants to have a somewhat meaningful role.
He's simply not at peace with the whole can't sing anymore thing.

um... ProTools?

I'm not trying to call you out specifically, so don't get offended, but I just think people are getting a little bit carried away with the whole Pro Tools = magic thing when it comes to recording music. I've seen tons of people assuming this on here lately and I'm going to go ahead and assume most people on here making this assumption are not musicians or at least haven't spent time recording/engineering audio digitally.

Pro Tools is an audio recording and editing program/sequencer, it's not a magic wand. The deficiencies in SP's voice, if they indeed exist to the degree where he just can't sing anymore, would be range and tonal/timbre related, not pitch-related, and those kind of issues would be very difficult to completely fix in PT or any audio sequencer. Maskable? Maybe, but that's not just a PT thing. Studio recordings have always had the benefits of using the best takes from the best days for the performers.

Pro Tools can't make performances that just aren't there. You still need to be a good musician to make a good recording, regardless of your audio engineering skills. I'm getting a little bit tired of the notion that Pro Tools can enable people to sound like something they completely aren't or let hacks sound like competent musicians. Sure, there are artists, particularly popular artists today (mostly vocalists) that benefit immensely from the digital technology and skilled producers, but there's no covering up a complete lack of skill. Keep in mind even some of the hackiest pop artists out there get the benefit of star backing musicians recording all of the musical parts on the album... so that helps a lot.

END RANT.

[wednesday's child]

Matthew,

It was a joke. Hence the smiley.
My serious sentiment is in the post immediately following what you quoted.

I never once said it was a physical issue.

Clearly, the man has psychological issues.
Who doesn't?

Still, whatever neuroses he may have, those which make him gun-shy,
would almost certainly be rooted in real, physical issues with his voice.

It all comes down to the assertion that he can't sing anymore, for whatever
reason. Right now there's only the absence of proof that he can --save to a
number of individuals who've told of hearing him sing privately, and claimed
that Perry still has it.

I've heard so the "new Perry album" bullshit so many times, I just tune it out.
My choice has far more to do with the fucking rumormongers than with Perry.


wech

[Ehwmatt]

Like I said, wasn't picking on you, I've just seen too many people around here and other places thinking anyone can drop a cpl grand on a Pro Tools system and record the next Escape. I wish it were that simple

[Don]

Like I said, wasn't picking on you, I've just seen too many people around here and other places thinking anyone can drop a cpl grand on a Pro Tools system and record the next Escape. I wish it were that simple

I think protools is like kleenex or qtips, its become associated with all musical enhancement/editing software. It's just easier to say protools than list all the software out there that can be used for pitch correction, editing, etc.

[Ehwmatt]

Like I said, wasn't picking on you, I've just seen too many people around here and other places thinking anyone can drop a cpl grand on a Pro Tools system and record the next Escape. I wish it were that simple

I think protools is like kleenex or qtips, its become associated with all musical enhancement/editing software. It's just easier to say protools than list all the software out there that can be used for pitch correction, editing, etc.

O yea, for sure. It's the industry standard DAW right now. But, still, my point remains the same: Digital audio editing is powerful, great, and can really enhance the sound of a recording, but it can't make someone who's no good sound great.

[Don]

Proprietary eponym was the word I was looking for when talking about protools.

[Ehwmatt]

Proprietary eponym was the word I was looking for when talking about protools.

The software and plug-ins are definitely getting more and more powerful. I still don't think we'll ever reach the day when technology can completely replace skill and talent though, particularly in the realm of vocals.

[Andrew]

Seriously though, Dan...

Saying Perry can't sing anymore is an exaggeration, right?
He might not have the endurance of old, and maybe his
range is what remains after a hard career, but I wager he'd
still kick the vocal crap out of most of the fresher talent out there.

-wech

I agree. And lack of performance or musical releases might rather have something to do with an inner peace in his life or perhaps the fact he would rather not sing at all if he couldn't give it 100% as he could in his prime.

Plenty of singers out there that are aging disgracefully and should call it a day.

We all would love a new Perry release and I'll be first in line.... But I'm also not spending any of my time expecting it.

[stevew2]

As for as working, he couldnt put a pipple on Augeris ass.Steve A ran his voice thru the dirty dozen blender much longer. {not counting the last 1 and a half years}Plus SP made a cut from each concert.He is a smart dude. As far as hard workin, that shit stopped in 86

[Ehwmatt]

As for as working, he couldnt put a pipple on Augeris ass.Steve A ran his voice thru the dirty dozen blender much longer. {not counting the last 1 and a half years}Plus SP made a cut from each concert.He is a smart dude. As far as hard workin, that shit stopped in 86

A "pipple" LOL

Love it steve. And you're right!

[Pacfanweb]

O yea, for sure. It's the industry standard DAW right now. But, still, my point remains the same: Digital audio editing is powerful, great, and can really enhance the sound of a recording, but it can't make someone who's no good sound great.

So explain Britney Spears, No-AssLee Simpson, etc. They can't sing a lick, but their albums sound...well, like they can sing.

[Ehwmatt]

O yea, for sure. It's the industry standard DAW right now. But, still, my point remains the same: Digital audio editing is powerful, great, and can really enhance the sound of a recording, but it can't make someone who's no good sound great.

So explain Britney Spears, No-AssLee Simpson, etc. They can't sing a lick, but their albums sound...well, like they can sing.

They can sing OK. They are by no means good singers but to say they "can't sing" at all is a gross overstatement. Like I touched on before, the sound of their albums greatly benefits from the fact that they have ace session players backing them, as many takes as they need, and yes, some assistance from technology/great audio engineers. But ask anyone who's produced a fair amount of music, you can't make gold from shit, even with all the modern bells and whistles on today's DAWs. Some semblance of a decent performance has to be there.

[Ehwmatt]

And BTW, it's not like they sound incredible on their albums, either.

[Don]

And BTW, it's not like they sound incredible on their albums, either.

A lot of them were mouseketeers and got selected because they actually could sing well enough to be on T.V. It's not like they were talentless kids who got lucky.

[larryfromnextdoor]

O yea, for sure. It's the industry standard DAW right now. But, still, my point remains the same: Digital audio editing is powerful, great, and can really enhance the sound of a recording, but it can't make someone who's no good sound great.

So explain Britney Spears, No-AssLee Simpson, etc. They can't sing a lick, but their albums sound...well, like they can sing.

They can sing OK. They are by no means good singers but to say they "can't sing" at all is a gross overstatement. Like I touched on before, the sound of their albums greatly benefits from the fact that they have ace session players backing them, as many takes as they need, and yes, some assistance from technology/great audio engineers. But ask anyone who's produced a fair amount of music, you can't make gold from shit, even with all the modern bells and whistles on today's DAWs. Some semblance of a decent performance has to be there.

ehwmatt, you are very good with words.. like it..

[Ehwmatt]

And BTW, it's not like they sound incredible on their albums, either.

A lot of them were mouseketeers and got selected because they actually could sing well enough to be on T.V. It's not like they were talentless kids who got lucky.

I don't disagree with you

[Ehwmatt]

O yea, for sure. It's the industry standard DAW right now. But, still, my point remains the same: Digital audio editing is powerful, great, and can really enhance the sound of a recording, but it can't make someone who's no good sound great.

So explain Britney Spears, No-AssLee Simpson, etc. They can't sing a lick, but their albums sound...well, like they can sing.

They can sing OK. They are by no means good singers but to say they "can't sing" at all is a gross overstatement. Like I touched on before, the sound of their albums greatly benefits from the fact that they have ace session players backing them, as many takes as they need, and yes, some assistance from technology/great audio engineers. But ask anyone who's produced a fair amount of music, you can't make gold from shit, even with all the modern bells and whistles on today's DAWs. Some semblance of a decent performance has to be there.

ehwmatt, you are very good with words.. like it..

Thanks!