Perry on Soto

[The_Noble_Cause]

From Andrew's EPIC frontpage interview.....

Andrew: One of those singers is actually one of my best buddies in the whole world, Jeff Scott Soto.

Perry: Uh huh? By the way, of all three [Jouney replacement] singers – now I've not heard the other two, but I know in his own right, with his own music, with his own songwriting ability, this guy's a very talented guy! And of all three maybe they should have stuck with him and continued to write music, but that might have required that they let him in emotionally a little more? (laughing)

Andrew: Maybe? (laughing)

Perry: Maybe… But I think that might have been a challenge. And so I think that possibly, he was the one that I think would have been a growth because he brought a lot of his own self in to it.

Andrew: Oh, I agree with you so much. And do you know how much he loves you!

Perry: Well he's a very talented singer-songwriter and could have been an incredible addition to the band. I don't know what happened, because then they've moved on and now they have their third singer. So I don't know the workings and I've listened to really none of them to be honest. I just know his reputation is really great, I have friends who talk about him.


Wow. That is huge praise indeed.

[Eric]

You know what - it goes back to what we were saying at the time of his dismissal about Perry fans were just starting to come back into the fold. Taking NOTHING away from Arnel or Augeri but there was something genuine about JSS in the band. So many people told me his voice wasn't right, but something about it WAS right in a different way.

Its the GROWTH that Perry refers to.

[StevePerryHair]

You know what - it goes back to what we were saying at the time of his dismissal about Perry fans were just starting to come back into the fold. Taking NOTHING away from Arnel or Augeri but there was something genuine about JSS in the band. So many people told me his voice wasn't right, but something about it WAS right in a different way.

Its the GROWTH that Perry refers to.

That's exactly what I was thinking when I read his words about growth. With JSS there could be growth... with their other singers they continue on spewing out the hits, with the "legacy sound" they were looking for, and making their money touring. I think it kind of tells us a lot. That they weren't interested in that kind of growth. They just wanted the right person to go out there and sing their music. Augeri and Arnel filled that niche just fine. But I guess some of us had that wish for growth the band has given up on.

[Yoda]

You know what - it goes back to what we were saying at the time of his dismissal about Perry fans were just starting to come back into the fold. Taking NOTHING away from Arnel or Augeri but there was something genuine about JSS in the band. So many people told me his voice wasn't right, but something about it WAS right in a different way.

Its the GROWTH that Perry refers to.

Exactly! Jeff brought something different to the band, yet something very similar to what Steve Perry brought to the band - if that makes any sense. Not taking anything away from Augeri or Pineda, but out of the three, I felt Jeff had that special something that could have elevated Journey.

[Majestic]

Good for Jeff, too!

Man, you can't get a bigger endorsement or a higher praise as a vocalist than when it comes from Steve Perry, in my opinion! WOW! And I agree, I love Jeff and think he is an amazing talent! The way he progressed his short tenure in Journey was really stunning, because he is not that high tenor type voice but he was quickly adapting and pulling those off very well in the end, and in a way that before I wouldn't have thought possible.

I also like Arnel though, so I'm not trying to take anything away from him by praising Jeff!

[Red13JoePa]

Not taking anything away from Augeri or Pineda.

Wise policy at least with Pineda because I think the outcome of his berth in the band kinda speaks for itself.

[onmyjrny]

You know what - it goes back to what we were saying at the time of his dismissal about Perry fans were just starting to come back into the fold. Taking NOTHING away from Arnel or Augeri but there was something genuine about JSS in the band. So many people told me his voice wasn't right, but something about it WAS right in a different way.

Its the GROWTH that Perry refers to.

Exactly! Jeff brought something different to the band, yet something very similar to what Steve Perry brought to the band - if that makes any sense. Not taking anything away from Augeri or Pineda, but out of the three, I felt Jeff had that special something that could have elevated Journey.

Yep, when Perry joined, the band evolved into a different band. The same could have been true with JSS. With AP and SA, they are pretty much exploring the same ground over and over again.

I've always gotten the feeling that Neal and Jon really don't want to bring someone in with new ideas and direction at this point; they don't want that conflict again. But IMO, the conflict was one of the things that drove the band and made them great.

[Yoda]

You know what - it goes back to what we were saying at the time of his dismissal about Perry fans were just starting to come back into the fold. Taking NOTHING away from Arnel or Augeri but there was something genuine about JSS in the band. So many people told me his voice wasn't right, but something about it WAS right in a different way.

Its the GROWTH that Perry refers to.

Exactly! Jeff brought something different to the band, yet something very similar to what Steve Perry brought to the band - if that makes any sense. Not taking anything away from Augeri or Pineda, but out of the three, I felt Jeff had that special something that could have elevated Journey.

Yep, when Perry joined, the band evolved into a different band. The same could have been true with JSS. With AP and SA, they are pretty much exploring the same ground over and over again.

I've always gotten the feeling that Neal and Jon really don't want to bring someone in with new ideas and direction at this point; they don't want that conflict again. But IMO, the conflict was one of the things that drove the band and made them great.

Exactly! I agree with you 100%! It does seem like a lot of hit songs, not just with Journey but with a lot of bands, are born out of collaboration, conflict, a few "f-yous" but, that conflict is what molds them into the hit songs they eventually become.

[Michigan Girl]

One of my favorite parts ...incredible!!

[Tito]

He also did say, "I haven't heard the other two."

[marco17]

He also did say, "I haven't heard the other two."

Something tells me he has... But, to his point, Jeff was a step towards broadening Journey. As much as I liked Augeri in the band, and Arnel is good too.... It's evident that they want to live in the Legacy moment. Each singer to me is a star in their own right, brought some great original material to the Journey history, and yes, everyone here has the preferences, and that's fine and understandable. But, whether Neal tries to "grow" with stuff like Red 13 and Eclipse, the bottom line is in concert, he/they want someone who can belt the classics and sound close to Perry. Jeff would have been a departure from that, and the band may be so ingrained in what they do, that the whole machine wasn't comfortable with being adventurous. And...not to mention.... Jeff's voice in comparison aside, there's still the issue of personality clashes.

[perryswoman]

Well deserved comments on Jeff. I really luv arnel but I tell you I have been to many many concerts and Jeff knocked me off my feet on the Def Leppard tour. He is an excellent entertainer and I would have luv seeing the band taking a new direction!!

Good for you Jeff!! You deserve it!!

Oh and I don't believe for once second Steve has not heard Augeri or Pineda!

[Tito]

I think the whole comment was bullshit. In fairness, the only one the b.s. meter went off throughout the interview. I think he was playing to the audience with that comment. I agree, I don't believe he hasn't heard the other two and I bet he doesn't know a Soto song. Soto never recorded with Journey. So, that means he has listened to Soto solo/other material? I doubt that and he hasn't heard the two who have recorded with Journey and been with them for 12 out of the last 13 years. C'Mon Man.

[Behshad]

I think the whole comment was bullshit. In fairness, the only one the b.s. meter went off throughout the interview. I think he was playing to the audience with that comment. I agree, I don't believe he hasn't heard the other two and I bet he doesn't know a Soto song. Soto never recorded with Journey. So, that means he has listened to Soto solo/other material? I doubt that and he hasn't heard the two who have recorded with Journey and been with them for 12 out of the last 13 years. C'Mon Man.

[Deb]

I think the whole comment was bullshit. In fairness, the only one the b.s. meter went off throughout the interview. I think he was playing to the audience with that comment. I agree, I don't believe he hasn't heard the other two and I bet he doesn't know a Soto song. Soto never recorded with Journey. So, that means he has listened to Soto solo/other material? I doubt that and he hasn't heard the two who have recorded with Journey and been with them for 12 out of the last 13 years. C'Mon Man.

Wrong. I recall Jeff's post years ago about the time he met Perry. And Perry already had/bought a solo cd of Jeff's. Not given to him by Jeff when they met, he had acquired it on his own. I remember Jeff posting about being floored that Perry knew of him/that cd. (shit, can't recall which one it was now.....) I'll have to see if I can find that post, was a great read. And sorry for correcting you, but I guess my bullshit meter went off too.........

[Michigan Girl]

I think the whole comment was bullshit. In fairness, the only one the b.s. meter went off throughout the interview. I think he was playing to the audience with that comment. I agree, I don't believe he hasn't heard the other two and I bet he doesn't know a Soto song. Soto never recorded with Journey. So, that means he has listened to Soto solo/other material? I doubt that and he hasn't heard the two who have recorded with Journey and been with them for 12 out of the last 13 years. C'Mon Man.

Wrong. I recall Jeff's post years ago about the time he met Perry. And Perry already had/bought a solo cd of Jeff's. Not given to him by Jeff when they met, he had acquired it on his own. I remember Jeff posting about being floored that Perry knew of him/that cd. (shit, can't recall which one it was now.....) I'll have to see if I can find that post, was a great read. And sorry for correcting you, but I guess my bullshit meter went off too.........

[Ehwmatt]

I think the whole comment was bullshit. In fairness, the only one the b.s. meter went off throughout the interview. I think he was playing to the audience with that comment. I agree, I don't believe he hasn't heard the other two and I bet he doesn't know a Soto song. Soto never recorded with Journey. So, that means he has listened to Soto solo/other material? I doubt that and he hasn't heard the two who have recorded with Journey and been with them for 12 out of the last 13 years. C'Mon Man.

I agree. There's a lot of overlap between the Perry and JSS camps. The reality is that Perry loons gravitate towards JSS because he's unthreatening: even the most casual fans won't confuse JSS or compare him directly to Perry as a "sound-alike." That's comforting to loons protective of Perry's voice. Perry or someone in his camp knows this and told him how to handle the inevitable lead singer comparison question. I think it kills two birds with one stone: (1) it panders to his organic fan base and (2) it denigrates the other two singers who were more closely comparable to Perry (even though Augeri really isn't that close, both he and Pineda are popularly compared to and described as "sound-alikes").

There's absolutely NO fuckin way he didn't at least check out Remember Me back in 98 or Never Walk Away when Arnel first came on the scene. That's a total lie.

[SilvioRodrigues]

I think the whole comment was bullshit. In fairness, the only one the b.s. meter went off throughout the interview. I think he was playing to the audience with that comment. I agree, I don't believe he hasn't heard the other two and I bet he doesn't know a Soto song. Soto never recorded with Journey. So, that means he has listened to Soto solo/other material? .

Why not? JSS has a lot of solo records and with another bands/artists. Everyone can have access to these records and videos. It doesn't sound like he was playing with the audience.

[Yoda]

I think the whole comment was bullshit. In fairness, the only one the b.s. meter went off throughout the interview. I think he was playing to the audience with that comment. I agree, I don't believe he hasn't heard the other two and I bet he doesn't know a Soto song. Soto never recorded with Journey. So, that means he has listened to Soto solo/other material? I doubt that and he hasn't heard the two who have recorded with Journey and been with them for 12 out of the last 13 years. C'Mon Man.

Let's look at this stuff in the right perspective. The guy admitted that he was very upset with Journey going on without him. I'm sure having the knowledge of hiring guys who would try to recreate the "Perry sound" in the vocals was something that got under his skin. I mean, I would have called BS if Perry had said he never had one thought about it. It hurt him big time, and he hated Neal and Jon for it. So, I can see why he just divorced himself from the whole situation. Jeff, on the other hand, is a bit of a different story. Soto has been very active in the music business for a very long time - and has more than likely collaborated with other musicians that Perry probably knew. I don't see how it would be so difficult for Perry to know of Jeff and his resume prior to Journey. But anyways, it sounds like Perry has really mellowed out over the whole deal and pretty much has the attitude of "it is what it is and we're all in a better place now." I think that's the right message to send to Journey fans, Perry fans, Augeri fans, Pineda fans, etc.... Look, the way I see it is, if Perry can let Journey go and be happy for Neal and Jon moving forward now, then whatever beef some fans have had with Perry as well as the beef that fans have had with Journey moving on without Perry, should all just be left in the past and let go. I've lurked here for quite a long time before I ever decided to make the step toward posting actively in here, but in that time, I have read a lot of blistering posts toward both Journey and Perry. While I'll admit I'd take Perry over anybody else singing for Journey, I'm quite happy knowing Journey is still rolling out there and continuing on, and I'm also happy with the prospect that Perry is in a better place and appears to be working on music. I'm hoping and praying we actually get to hear this music, but I feel a lot better about the whole situation now since I've gotten to read this interview. Any grievances I may have had with the band and or Perry are gone with me.

[Tito]

I think the whole comment was bullshit. In fairness, the only one the b.s. meter went off throughout the interview. I think he was playing to the audience with that comment. I agree, I don't believe he hasn't heard the other two and I bet he doesn't know a Soto song. Soto never recorded with Journey. So, that means he has listened to Soto solo/other material? I doubt that and he hasn't heard the two who have recorded with Journey and been with them for 12 out of the last 13 years. C'Mon Man.

LMAO!

Tremendous!

[Michigan Girl]

I think the whole comment was bullshit. In fairness, the only one the b.s. meter went off throughout the interview. I think he was playing to the audience with that comment. I agree, I don't believe he hasn't heard the other two and I bet he doesn't know a Soto song. Soto never recorded with Journey. So, that means he has listened to Soto solo/other material? I doubt that and he hasn't heard the two who have recorded with Journey and been with them for 12 out of the last 13 years. C'Mon Man.

Let's look at this stuff in the right perspective. The guy admitted that he was very upset with Journey going on without him. I'm sure having the knowledge of hiring guys who would try to recreate the "Perry sound" in the vocals was something that got under his skin. .

I just said this to Deb ...I'm sure he's heard them, I'm sure he isn't crazy about the
whole impersonation/trying to sound alike thing SOME people think they had/have going.
Jeff has his own soulful style, without having to try to capture something that is unreachable.

Some people just don't say anything if they can't say something nice ...I used to be
that way ...

I was counting the seconds until Tito read jayyy ...essss ....knew he'd have
something to say about that!!

[Ehwmatt]

I think the whole comment was bullshit. In fairness, the only one the b.s. meter went off throughout the interview. I think he was playing to the audience with that comment. I agree, I don't believe he hasn't heard the other two and I bet he doesn't know a Soto song. Soto never recorded with Journey. So, that means he has listened to Soto solo/other material? I doubt that and he hasn't heard the two who have recorded with Journey and been with them for 12 out of the last 13 years. C'Mon Man.

Let's look at this stuff in the right perspective. The guy admitted that he was very upset with Journey going on without him. I'm sure having the knowledge of hiring guys who would try to recreate the "Perry sound" in the vocals was something that got under his skin. .

I just said this to Deb ...I'm sure he's heard them, I'm sure he isn't crazy about the
whole impersonation/trying to sound alike thing SOME people think they had/have going.
Jeff has his own soulful style, without having to try to capture something that is unreachable.

Translation: Jeff didn't have the range to draw comparisons akin to "closed my eyes and it sounded just like him!", thus Jeff threatened Perry the least. I'm not knocking JSS at all - love W.E.T. and like some of his solo stuff. But i don't see any other fair way to read the situation.

[Don]

I took it from when he mentioned never "hearing the other two" that he meant it from a non Journey perspective. He's obviously heard Augeri and Pineda with Journey but as far as before that, probably not. I never heard of Augeri before then and none of us heard of Pineda because there was nothing to listen to to begin with. As far as Pineda goes, beyond Journey has anyone heard anything original from the guy still? Besides a few Filipino tunes, I think its safe to say NO.

[Tito]

If most of us think he's lying about not hearing the other two singers part, isn't it just remotely possible he's lying about other parts in the comment as well?

Again, it was a great interview and I don't want to take away from Andrew's milestone by going negative. So, for the first time in my MR posting career I'm refraining from anymore negative commenting on this part of the interview. I knew this one answer (Soto) would be the one talked about most. I knew the Soto Ricans would have a field day.

Ehwmatt is right in his comments.

Also Deb, I don't doubt the Perry story, but what did you expect Perry to say, "Who the fuck are you?" I'm sure to be polite he did tell Jeff that he's heard of him and he probably did listen to some stuff when Neal worked with Soto...because he was like, "Who the fuck is Soto" and wanted to find out.

Also, not to nitpick but on the last couple of CDs, didn't others write most of Soto's stuff. So, the singer-songwriter comment is a little inaccurate.

I'm done on this topic out of respect to Andrew....unless he guys really piss me off.

[Yoda]

I took it from when he mentioned never "hearing the other two" that he meant it from a non Journey perspective. He's obviously heard Augeri and Pineda with Journey but as far as before that, probably not. I never heard of Augeri before then and none of us heard of Pineda because there was nothing to listen to to begin with. As far as Pineda goes, beyond Journey has anyone heard anything original from the guy still? Besides a few Filipino tunes, I think its safe to say NO.

I had never heard for Steve Augeri prior to his joining Journey. I did, after the fact, purchase a Tall Stories CD. But, nothing prior to Journey. Arnel Pineda, goes without saying that I never heard of him before the You Tube stuff. With Jeff Scott Soto, he's a different story. I knew a lot about Jeff prior to his joining Journey.

[Michigan Girl]

I took it from when he mentioned never "hearing the other two" that he meant it from a non Journey perspective. He's obviously heard Augeri and Pineda with Journey but as far as before that, probably not. I never heard of Augeri before then and none of us heard of Pineda because there was nothing to listen to to begin with. As far as Pineda goes, beyond Journey has anyone heard anything original from the guy still? Besides a few Filipino tunes, I think its safe to say NO.

This^^^^

[StevePerryHair]

I took it from when he mentioned never "hearing the other two" that he meant it from a non Journey perspective. He's obviously heard Augeri and Pineda with Journey but as far as before that, probably not. I never heard of Augeri before then and none of us heard of Pineda because there was nothing to listen to to begin with. As far as Pineda goes, beyond Journey has anyone heard anything original from the guy still? Besides a few Filipino tunes, I think its safe to say NO.

Excellent points. That makes sense.

[onmyjrny]

I think the whole comment was bullshit. In fairness, the only one the b.s. meter went off throughout the interview. I think he was playing to the audience with that comment. I agree, I don't believe he hasn't heard the other two and I bet he doesn't know a Soto song. Soto never recorded with Journey. So, that means he has listened to Soto solo/other material? I doubt that and he hasn't heard the two who have recorded with Journey and been with them for 12 out of the last 13 years. C'Mon Man.

I agree. There's a lot of overlap between the Perry and JSS camps. The reality is that Perry loons gravitate towards JSS because he's unthreatening: even the most casual fans won't confuse JSS or compare him directly to Perry as a "sound-alike." That's comforting to loons protective of Perry's voice. Perry or someone in his camp knows this and told him how to handle the inevitable lead singer comparison question. I think it kills two birds with one stone: (1) it panders to his organic fan base and (2) it denigrates the other two singers who were more closely comparable to Perry (even though Augeri really isn't that close, both he and Pineda are popularly compared to and described as "sound-alikes").

There's absolutely NO fuckin way he didn't at least check out Remember Me back in 98 or Never Walk Away when Arnel first came on the scene. That's a total lie.[/quote]
Not necessarily. If he was THAT hurt (which there is no doubt he was) there is no way he WOULD listen to a Journey song right after it happened. I remember in 87 when he walked away from the music industry, he said he didn't even listen to music for several years. It would be easy enough to avoid listening to these songs if hedidn't want to hear them...it's not like any of them have ever permeated the airwaves.

[Deb]

I agree. There's a lot of overlap between the Perry and JSS camps. The reality is that Perry loons gravitate towards JSS because he's unthreatening: even the most casual fans won't confuse JSS or compare him directly to Perry as a "sound-alike." That's comforting to loons protective of Perry's voice. Perry or someone in his camp knows this and told him how to handle the inevitable lead singer comparison question. I think it kills two birds with one stone: (1) it panders to his organic fan base and (2) it denigrates the other two singers who were more closely comparable to Perry (even though Augeri really isn't that close, both he and Pineda are popularly compared to and described as "sound-alikes").

Not even close to correct for this fan. Pretty much the opposite. If anything, I found him the most like Perry, so from your take, that should make him the most threatening. Not even close........the other two may have that early Perry range, but for me......range smange, means squat to me. Nobody comes closer to Perry's delivery than Soto IMO. And believe me I dont' find that threatening or makes me protective of Perry's voice. JSS was actually the only one to bring this major Perry fan back around to Journey, but for me it was cuz of his R&B influenced delivery being the closest to Perry's.

[Ehwmatt]

I agree. There's a lot of overlap between the Perry and JSS camps. The reality is that Perry loons gravitate towards JSS because he's unthreatening: even the most casual fans won't confuse JSS or compare him directly to Perry as a "sound-alike." That's comforting to loons protective of Perry's voice. Perry or someone in his camp knows this and told him how to handle the inevitable lead singer comparison question. I think it kills two birds with one stone: (1) it panders to his organic fan base and (2) it denigrates the other two singers who were more closely comparable to Perry (even though Augeri really isn't that close, both he and Pineda are popularly compared to and described as "sound-alikes").

Not even close to correct for this fan. Pretty much the opposite. If anything, I found him the most like Perry, so from your take, that should make him the most threatening. Not even close........the other two may have that early Perry range, but for me......range smange, means squat to me. Nobody comes closer to Perry's delivery than Soto IMO. And believe me I dont' find that threatening or makes me protective of Perry's voice. JSS was actually the only one to bring this major Perry fan back around to Journey, but for me it was cuz of his R&B influenced delivery being the closest to Perry's.

Deb, you may really hear R&B influenced delivery or what not. But let's face it. Fans will measure Journey singers by their range (and to a lesser extent their timbre), not their "emotive delivery" or whatever term you want to use to describe a vocalist's intangibles. He does not sound like Perry. That's indisputable. For most loons and presumably for SP himself, that's a comfort.