MR

I posted the following at Back Talk, but thought we could discuss something new here as well,
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A fellow fan was kind enough to send me a copy of the audio ripped from the Journey 2001 DVD. As you all know, this is the ONLY legitimate representation of Journey Live with Steve Augeri perfoming classic Journey hits. That right there, is enough of a reason to have a new Journey Live recording...it should be easier to get than by ripping the DVD.

I do not have the time to sit and watch the DVD often, so I have only heard the live music a couple of times. Even so, I have cherished owning this DVD.

But, in all honesty, this is NOT the best representation of Journey live. Steve Augeri was still pretty green in the band. He had sung a handful of live dates in 1998 and some more in 1999. But Steve had not had a lot of time with the material when the DVD was recorded. He was still trying to overcome the obstacles of his predecessor's legacy as well. And while Steve sounds good on many songs (especially the less familiar material like La Raza Del Sol) he still struggled with much of the material. It was certainly still enjoyable, but I have seen the band several times since this DVD was recorded and I can honestly tell you that Steve has gotten SO MUCH BETTER since.

Add to that, how tight the band has become, the extended setlists, the additional vocalists, and you have a MUCH better representation of Journey NOW.

(We don't even have to get into the fact that this tour could have surprise guests too! WOW, it doesn't get any better than this!)

We all know there is a probable obstacle in releasing any Perry-era material recorded by Steve, but maybe the bridges have been mended enough to work something out. Journey should definately record the material from this year's tour, in the hopes of releasing a live CD and/or DVD. I would like to think that they can work out the terms later with Perry. Honestly, I think this is important enough, that Journey should give Perry almost anything he wants (again)...but I don't believe it will come to that. Perry would benefit, Journey would benefit, but most of all WE THE FANS would benefit!!


The irony of my epiphony, is that I do not care for live CDs much. I love live shows, but I prefer studio recordings. Captured, as great as it is, bothers me the way the songs fade in and out. You can easily tell that it is not ONE show live. That is one thing that I prefer about the 2001 DVD audio...it is ONE show start to finish...for good or for bad.

Live DVDs and CDs are very popular now. And for most bands, they are an easy way to generate some revenue and some interest. While they may not be huge sellers, they are a good product to make available to their fans.


I am sure Journey knows there is a sizable demand for such a product. They may be concerned or hampered by the legalities behind the scenes...but I certainly hope this is something Journey can overcome. NOW IS THE TIME!!!


Journey "GENERATIONS"
Tour 2005

jrnyman28 wrote:
We all know there is a probable obstacle in releasing any Perry-era material recorded by Steve, but maybe the bridges have been mended enough to work something out. Journey should definately record the material from this year's tour, in the hopes of releasing a live CD and/or DVD. I would like to think that they can work out the terms later with Perry. Honestly, I think this is important enough, that Journey should give Perry almost anything he wants (again)...but I don't believe it will come to that. Perry would benefit, Journey would benefit, but most of all WE THE FANS would benefit!!

Great post Dave! I don't agree, however, that they should bow down to Perry and give him anything he wants. They've done enough of that already.

I have seen Steve Augeri in concert, and I agree he has grown as a singer and frontman.

And, as I've said before, while this would be a win win situation for the fans, Perry's actions have consistently shown he doesn't care much, if at all, for the fans or for what they want. He's living life the way he chooses, while collecting checks, so what incentive/motivation/benefit would there be for him?

jrnyman28 wrote: while Steve sounds good on many songs (especially the less familiar material like La Raza Del Sol) he still struggled with much of the material.

The sound on this disk was mastered to perfection by Kevin Shirley.
If there were any noticeable slip-ups (on any members' part, not just Steve's) then they would have been over-dubbed in post-production.
An example of this is in cases when Steve pulls the microphone away from his face & there is not even the slightest drop in audio.
This is due to post-production tinkering.

I really don't hear Steve struggling at all on this disk.
On live raw untouched bootlegs, yes, but not on this dvd (which mind you, purposely underwent having its sound fine tuned to be flawless).

I will say that Steve's stage presence has improved by leaps and bounds. However, I really don't see how his vocals have improved beyond this dvd when considering the vocals on this dvd are essentially studio-quality.

I also agree that a DVD showcasing Dean singing would be nice.

NC,
I don't see how you can say that Steve's vocals are flawless. I hear many times were he is struggling with the material. Some of it simply sounds like his voie was not strong enough at the time. Some of it, to me, seems like he was trying too hard to stay true to the original version when that just did not fit his range. But, interestingly enough, one of the songs I really like him singing is Open Arms. Now I am SO TIRED of that song that I almost cringe when it comes on the radio. But I thought Steve did a good, strong job on it. It was a little different, but it fit Steve.

That is where i see the greatest improvement in Steve Augeri's voice. He has lived these songs for almost 8 years now. He sings them the way that feels right to him. Add the confidence he has gained on stage, in front of the fans and you can hear that in his voice.

Now one thing to remember, is that I was basing my opinions on what I heard, without any picture. This was the audio ripped from the DVD. So I don't know about Steve pulling the mike away from his mouth and not hearing a slip in volume. But I do hear the strain in Steve's voice. I don't think you hear that strain anymore.

I agree it wasn't his best show, however, he had done close 100 shows with them at that point, so I wouldn't exactly say he was green.

Oh, he struggled alright, on a few tunes. I won't go into them, but toward the end, he barely had enough for Faithfully..in fact I think he went flat a time or two. Who in the Hell thought is was a good move to close with a love song that is really tough to sing? That damn show off Perry, that's who!

Eric wrote:I agree it wasn't his best show, however, he had done close 100 shows with them at that point, so I wouldn't exactly say he was green.

I have to agree with Eric, here. I really don't think the purpose of this thread is to nit pick on Augeri, but to truely move forward and feature his (Augeri's) OWN material with Journey.

They never had to work this hard with Perry. When you're hot, you're Hot!

Rock'ndeano wrote:Oh, he struggled alright, on a few tunes. I won't go into them, but toward the end, he barely had enough for Faithfully..in fact I think he went flat a time or two.

I think he sounds just fine singing "Faithfully". He certainly doesn't go "flat" in the end. He struggles a tad, and he sounds a little hoarse, but still good.
Besides, I have a Philly ROR boot where even Perry doesn't exactly reach for those tail-end upper stratosphere notes of the song.

I am brutally honest when it comes to Augeri's vocals and I really think the DVD really shows the best of what he's got.

jrnyman28 wrote:NC,
I don't see how you can say that Steve's vocals are flawless. I hear many times were he is struggling with the material. Some of it simply sounds like his voie was not strong enough at the time.

I respect your opinion, but I simply do not agree with you.
I think this is Steve's strongest vocal performance (largely in part because they had the chance to tinker with it in post production and fix any slip ups [such as notes skipped or missed], much like when laying down vocals for an album).

jrnyman28 wrote:That is where i see the greatest improvement in Steve Augeri's voice. He has lived these songs for almost 8 years now. He sings them the way that feels right to him.

In what way?
By now stepping aside and clanging a tamborine as Deen goes for the hard-to-reach parts?
Come on now.

jrnyman28 wrote:Add the confidence he has gained on stage, in front of the fans and you can hear that in his voice.

The man's confidence and stage presence has grown and grown. I think you and me both agree that 02's "Under the Radar" tour is where he really hit his stride. He was absolutely phenomenal on that tour. He held the audience in the palm of his hand. I'll never forget that.
As Steve has said himself, "The communication between performer and audience is the difference between an average show and a spiritual experience."

On that particular tour, the two shows I caught were both spiritual experiences. Fantastic.

jrnyman28 wrote:But I do hear the strain in Steve's voice. I don't think you hear that strain anymore.

Where?
On live bootlegs you own or concerts you have personally attended? Look, I am a HUGE Steve Augeri fan.
I think the guy is wonderful, but I'll be the first one to tell you that in a live concert setting he skips certain high notes.
That simply doesn't happen on this dvd and I don't see how anyone can honestly say that a raw, untouched "live" performance (by any artist) is better sounding than one that has had the chance to be mastered and refined (such as the dvd concert in question).

heardonthestreet wrote:They never had to work this hard with Perry.

Perry is retired and wants nothing to do with the band, Journey.
The point is moot.

Besides, I have a Philly ROR boot where even Perry doesn't exactly reach for those tail-end upper stratosphere notes of the song.

Yes! Perry doesn't go flat, he flatout cracks....I have that boot too.

Rock'ndeano wrote:

Besides, I have a Philly ROR boot where even Perry doesn't exactly reach for those tail-end upper stratosphere notes of the song.

Yes! Perry doesn't go flat, he flatout cracks....I have that boot too.

I have a show were Perry (on ROR) isn't that great during the whole show. And the same said for the 3 show I have of FTLOSM.-ERIC

Let's not dwell on the faults of Journey's lead singers. Let's just move forward. And I feel Steve is in better shape now, then he was then. Therefore, there should be a new CD/DVD to represent the band at the top of it's game.

jrnyman28 wrote:Let's not dwell on the faults of Journey's lead singers. Let's just move forward. And I feel Steve is in better shape now, then he was then. Therefore, there should be a new CD/DVD to represent the band at the top of it's game.

you are right, no negatives for anyone. I just think Perry screwing up is so rare I thought I'd bring it up.

I happento think perry was the best lead vocalist of ALL TIME(and that includes trolls' boyfriend Bono), and think Augeri is one of the better singers today. No, I am not some Journey homer, just speaking the truth.


NC, are you going to the Irvine Show? If so, I would like to say hello. Anyonegoing? We should meet up, and get blasted, then rock out under the Stars, err, smog of Orange County.

Also, anyone going, here is a reminder. You are entering the reddest of redlocotions..translation= Conservative republican Irvine. Keep the booze in plastic cups, don'ttake the seatbelt off 1 second too early, and don't jaywalk. A real asshole cop infested place.

Andrew, take all that cash you are making off us, and fly out here dude...I want to meet a true rock n roll journalist/researcher. I want to buy my Aussie freind a Large beer or 20.


One last note. If no one here goes, and I get the new Generations CD, I am willing to somehow share it with you, but don't want to Limewire or kazaa it. I know you all will buy one anyway, so I don't feel bad emailing you are physically mailing you a copy. let me know folks.

I am pumped..Can you tell??

jrnyman28 wrote: I feel Steve is in better shape now, then he was then.

You've yet to answer, "based upon what exactly" ?
Concert boots you own, or live shows you've recently attended?
Augeri IS better now than when he first started.
- That much is true.
However, is he better than a mastered, re-fined dvd performance wherein he skips not a single note and delegates nary a high note?
The answer is no.

Augeri regularly skips high notes here and there live.
Recently, he's been giving the hard parts to Deen to sing.
On the dvd there's none of that.

Augeri is better live now than when he first started out, but he's not better than a *touched up*, mastered, depurated DVD performance.

NC,
Based on the concerts I have gone to, Steve Augeri is better now than what I hear on the audio of the Arrival DVD.

Even if it is simply the strain I hear in Steve's voice on the DVD audio, compared to the last time I saw Journey perform. I know you keep saying that the DVD is mastered. I have no doubt that there were touch-ups on the audio. But I cannot say that the DVD is anywhere near 'perfection'.

I will listen to the Audio again, I really enjoy the cds I received. Even though I do not care much for live material recorded, I DO enjoy this one.