MR

"Steve Perry has a great voice but has limited soul. Energy and soul will always win over technique. The lyrics of Journey were cliched and fabricated. Although a few songs I can handle overall they were a corporate, blandized, banal band!" ... and was wondering what non-haters thought about this comment; is this the mindset of most rock and roll fans? If it is, I wish there was a way to get Evolution, Infinity, etc., out there. Thoughts?

P.S. Dean, TNC, it would be lovely to get your opinions

fredinator wrote:The lyrics of Journey were cliched and fabricated.

Before I go on, let me make clear I've been at work for almost 18 hours. I'm sure I could nit-pick that quote to death. But for now all I can say is:

I appreciate lyrics more than anything in the whole cocktail of song. Sparing you psychobabble, I've always said talk without purpose is cheap but self-expression is essential to living. Hence, I believe that considering foremost the source of the lyrics (intention, state of mind, soundness of credible intelligence, etc.) and the story behind it, no Journey lyrics should be thrown into this description. Maybe sometimes they're not the most creative and introspective and soul-wrenching of words, but they all had an impetus for being. A message to convey. An emotion to relate with. Other times they are the direct opposite. (Who here that has had their heart broken/burned/trampled doesn't feel themselves in "Who's Crying Now" or "I'll Be Alright Without You"? You're feeling down and you hear "Be Good to Yourself" so you decide to do such. Not to mention the flat out personal nostalgia we all have attached to various songs.) Therefore, say what you will about the character of the artists as they may be out of the light, but the lyrics and music? Leave that alone. It is already proved itself timeless.

Whoever wrote that is a dumby.

Blue Radio Girl wrote:

fredinator wrote:The lyrics of Journey were cliched and fabricated.

Before I go on, let me make clear I've been at work for almost 18 hours. I'm sure I could nit-pick that quote to death. But for now all I can say is:

I appreciate lyrics more than anything in the whole cocktail of song. Sparing you psychobabble, I've always said talk without purpose is cheap but self-expression is essential to living. Hence, I believe that considering foremost the source of the lyrics (intention, state of mind, soundness of credible intelligence, etc.) and the story behind it, no Journey lyrics should be thrown into this description. Maybe sometimes they're not the most creative and introspective and soul-wrenching of words, but they all had an impetus for being. A message to convey. An emotion to relate with. Other times they are the direct opposite. (Who here that has had their heart broken/burned/trampled doesn't feel themselves in "Who's Crying Now" or "I'll Be Alright Without You"? You're feeling down and you hear "Be Good to Yourself" so you decide to do such. Not to mention the flat out personal nostalgia we all have attached to various songs.) Therefore, say what you will about the character of the artists as they may be out of the light, but the lyrics and music? Leave that alone. It is already proved itself timeless.

Whoever wrote that is a dumby.

well said, rhi. and the writer is a poopoo head.

All Journey songs are different and each has a life of it's own. We have woven these songs into our existence-a soundtrack for our lives if you will and I doubt that anyone here is going to agree with sentiments expressed in this article.

Limited soul? LIMITED SOUL?

Oh puhlease.

I'm speechless.

This writer obviously has something wrong with their auditory system and the way their cerebellum processes music. It seems their Steve Perry neuronal appreciation system did not develop in a normal fashion.

Well, there are ribbons out there for everything now, I say we make leopard print ribbons with red-tails over them and wear them to increase awareness of this horrible problem.

(This is what happens when I try to post with a migraine.....)

fredinator wrote:"Steve Perry has a great voice but has limited soul. Energy and soul will always win over technique. The lyrics of Journey were cliched and fabricated. Although a few songs I can handle overall they were a corporate, blandized, banal band!" ... Thoughts?

Holy crap - looks like Neal is cruising the Perry boards!!!!

I am not one of the invitees, however, my thoughts on the matter:

Perry has soul ... and has a soul.

This person needs to look at some of vids around ..... hell even the Houston cd .... Perry's energy is stunning!!!!!

He covers the entire stage ...... even runs on a track around the stage while singin AWYWI - without missing a beat or note - and the crowd is with him everystep of the way.

Has this person ever read the lyrics??? Wheel in the Sky, Lights, Patiently..... and later After the Fall, When you love a woman, in between, Mother/Father dang it the entire frigging catalogue.

Summary:

Whoever posted the original message is completely entitled to their opinion.

So am I .

The poster is a moron.

JMHO!

Cat

steve doesn't even need words to get a message through to my soul!

btw, i don't believe neal would ever say that steve has limited soul.

cyndy! wrote:steve doesn't even need words to get a message through to my soul!

btw, i don't believe neal would ever say that steve has limited soul.

The man can reach my soul too.

You are right about the soul - my comments were directed toward the energy issue.

In early interviews during the Augeri era, Neal would frequently say that he was glad to finally have someone who had some energy on stage - and that Perry never connected with the audience.

The comment really surprised me having been right up front on more than one night back in the 80's when this whirling dervish came bounding up front ......

I realize that Neal was doing what he was supposed to be doing - promoting the new guy - it's a business.

Cat

Limited Soul??????

How in the world could anyone listen to Perry sing and derive that he has limited soul????? I question whether Neal really said that about Perry too, I think Neal has a high regard for Perry's singing talents. Besides, that is a ridiculous thing to say about Perry's singing abilities anyways.

CatEyes wrote:
In early interviews during the Augeri era, Neal would frequently say that he was glad to finally have someone who had some energy on stage - and that Perry never connected with the audience.
The comment really surprised me having been right up front on more than one night back in the 80's when this whirling dervish came bounding up front ......



Cat

Now that highlighted part from Cat's post got me. Neal saying Perry never connected with the audience? What a load of shit that was......and is....... Perry did connect with the audience.

What messageboard did you find that post at?

PROPERRY wrote:Limited Soul??????

How in the world could anyone listen to Perry sing and derive that he has limited soul????? I question whether Neal really said that about Perry too, I think Neal has a high regard for Perry's singing talents. Besides, that is a ridiculous thing to say about Perry's singing abilities anyways.

Please folks.....

First of all the first line of my post was in humour - I don't really believe that Neal is cruising the Perry boards.

Secondly, Neal was not commenting on Perry's voice or singing abilities...... it was on his energy and connecting with the audience .

Neal is a talented musician and, IMO, would never question Perry's singing.

Sallee, I don't know if your question was to me or not, however I read Neal's comments in several interviews when Augeri first came on board.

Tours were starting, interviews are scheduled to promote those tours, so of course you promote the new guy any way you can.

Cat

Clasicrockldy wrote:

CatEyes wrote:
In early interviews during the Augeri era, Neal would frequently say that he was glad to finally have someone who had some energy on stage - and that Perry never connected with the audience.
The comment really surprised me having been right up front on more than one night back in the 80's when this whirling dervish came bounding up front ......



Cat

Now that highlighted part from Cat's post got me. Neal saying Perry never connected with the audience? What a load of shit that was......and is....... Perry did connect with the audience.

What messageboard did you find that post at?

"Perry didn't connect with his audience"

Yea right , that 's why we are all STILL here, all these many years later..... talking......Perry, Perry Perry, and all the many Perry websites on the internet, because Perry made no connection with his audience.

CatEyes wrote:

PROPERRY wrote:Limited Soul??????

How in the world could anyone listen to Perry sing and derive that he has limited soul????? I question whether Neal really said that about Perry too, I think Neal has a high regard for Perry's singing talents. Besides, that is a ridiculous thing to say about Perry's singing abilities anyways.

Please folks.....

First of all the first line of my post was in humour - I don't really believe that Neal is cruising the Perry boards.

Secondly, Neal was not commenting on Perry's voice or singing abilities...... it was on his energy and connecting with the audience .

Neal is a talented musician and, IMO, would never question Perry's singing.

Sallee, I don't know if your question was to me or not, however I read Neal's comments in several interviews when Augeri first came on board.

Tours were starting, interviews are scheduled to promote those tours, so of course you promote the new guy any way you can.

Cat

Nothing wrong with promoting a new singer in your band, but I don't believe that you have to bad mouth your "previous singer" publicly to promote the new guy... which Neal did do during the Augeri years.

CatEyes wrote:

PROPERRY wrote:Limited Soul??????

How in the world could anyone listen to Perry sing and derive that he has limited soul????? I question whether Neal really said that about Perry too, I think Neal has a high regard for Perry's singing talents. Besides, that is a ridiculous thing to say about Perry's singing abilities anyways.

Please folks.....

First of all the first line of my post was in humour - I don't really believe that Neal is cruising the Perry boards.

Secondly, Neal was not commenting on Perry's voice or singing abilities...... it was on his energy and connecting with the audience .

Neal is a talented musician and, IMO, would never question Perry's singing.

Sallee, I don't know if your question was to me or not, however I read Neal's comments in several interviews when Augeri first came on board.

Tours were starting, interviews are scheduled to promote those tours, so of course you promote the new guy any way you can.

Cat

Ahh, I see Cat. It was in an interview. Ok, that answers my question then. Still tho, I cannot believe Neal would say that about Perry's energy onstage and connecting with the audience. I am thinking that Neal just said that to either jab at Perry or like you said, Cat, promote the new guy.

I hope everybody comments on this post re: what the person said about the music being bland and banal--the corporate thing. I don't understand completely why this perception is still there. Is/was the band TOO professional? I don't know...

fredinator wrote:I hope everybody comments on this post re: what the person said about the music being bland and banal--the corporate thing. I don't understand completely why this perception is still there. ..

Long time ago, Journey, a fresh and up and coming new singer, new albums, new tour, being sponsored by Budwiser (that was not heard of back then) the band does a couple of commercials for Bud and the tour ---- not just their music being used .... the band appeared in the commercials.

Back then that was unheard of ..... and Journey received a lot of flack for it. Labled "corporate"

So opinions were formed on that basis.

It is much easier to accept the opinions of others as fact than for some to actually listen to the music and form their own opinions.

Some of the most prolific opinion spouters are not really putting forth their own opinions - that would be scary, they might look like idiots - however they are very safe in putting forth the opinions of others.

These days, every tour/band/artist/venue has a corporate sponsor - many of the venues are owned by the corporations.

Of course this is my opinion. If I were afraid of looking like an idiot, I probably would not do it on such a regular basis.

Cat

You really have to wonder what kind of music this person DOES enjoy. Perry WAS the soul of that band...at least to me he was.

fredinator wrote:"Steve Perry has a great voice but has limited soul.

Cough, cough, sputter, sputter! Sorry, choking on that one! Ya, OK?! The guy sings with more soul than any other singer I've ever heard.

fredinator wrote:"Steve Perry has a great voice but has limited soul. Energy and soul will always win over technique. The lyrics of Journey were cliched and fabricated. Although a few songs I can handle overall they were a corporate, blandized, banal band!" ... and was wondering what non-haters thought about this comment; is this the mindset of most rock and roll fans? If it is, I wish there was a way to get Evolution, Infinity, etc., out there. Thoughts?

P.S. Dean, TNC, it would be lovely to get your opinions

Oh, that is laughable about SP having "limited soul"! If SP is able to make the listener respond deeply in his/her soul than what do you call that? I only know what I feel & that is something stirring in my soul when I hear SP...well, I call it "soulful". Obviously, many others feel the same so this particular poster is speaking for themself.

As for the lyrics of Journey...I'll admit that they are not the kind that make my brain go, "wow, that is so deep - that is so profound"...but, they don't have to be. The feeling is deep, whether it is a happy song or a lonely song. I think the lyrics work with the sound & the time they were written in...it's all about FEELING. And, they do have the timeless, universal appeal...nothing wrong with that.

And, I don't know what "corporate" has to do with it. Like I said, it is about feeling & loving a song(s), so who cares who sponsered what?

frfksakes wrote:It's all subjective, of course, but I dare anyone to listen to the Comiskey Park concert and say that whole band, but especially Perry didn't ooze soul!!! (Or watch the Philly '83 show, and call them 'bland')

[/b]

Perfect example! (Comiskey Park)

Also, if this is limited soul, I am totally misguided on what 'soul' is then? He sings with so much soul/passion on this, it curls my toes!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jubogiBaUhQ

fredinator wrote:"Steve Perry has a great voice but has limited soul. Energy and soul will always win over technique. The lyrics of Journey were cliched and fabricated. Although a few songs I can handle overall they were a corporate, blandized, banal band!"

This is the first I've ever heard anyone say something like that about Perry. I remember one of my old guitar mags playing a "Name That Tune" kinda thing with Sammy Hagar back in the late 80s, early 90s. One song they played was "Who's Crying Now". He said that the vocal technique was perfect and it's not the way he would do it but at least he was singing with feeling.

Deb wrote:

frfksakes wrote:It's all subjective, of course, but I dare anyone to listen to the Comiskey Park concert and say that whole band, but especially Perry didn't ooze soul!!! (Or watch the Philly '83 show, and call them 'bland')

[/b]

Perfect example! (Comiskey Park)

Also, if this is limited soul, I am totally misguided on what 'soul' is then? He sings with so much soul/passion on this, it curls my toes!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jubogiBaUhQ

Perfect example.

He hits every note square in the middle - he doesn't sneak up on it as many of today's artists do.

Then listen how he uses his voice to actual "fill" each note - as if it were something physical - hell, being a loon, I will say it - he fills each note as if it were a gift. There I said it ...... hey, I am heavily medicated.

Artists today may occassionally hit some of the same notes - however, they still sound hollow.

Thanks for posting this Deb!! Toes are curled

Cat

Deb wrote:

frfksakes wrote:It's all subjective, of course, but I dare anyone to listen to the Comiskey Park concert and say that whole band, but especially Perry didn't ooze soul!!! (Or watch the Philly '83 show, and call them 'bland')

[/b]

Perfect example! (Comiskey Park)

Also, if this is limited soul, I am totally misguided on what 'soul' is then? He sings with so much soul/passion on this, it curls my toes!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jubogiBaUhQ

Yup...this is the "go-to" song for that.....

"Thunder" - what the eff......one word....HOW DOES HE DO THAT???

TRAGChick wrote:

Deb wrote:

frfksakes wrote:It's all subjective, of course, but I dare anyone to listen to the Comiskey Park concert and say that whole band, but especially Perry didn't ooze soul!!! (Or watch the Philly '83 show, and call them 'bland')

[/b]

Perfect example! (Comiskey Park)

Also, if this is limited soul, I am totally misguided on what 'soul' is then? He sings with so much soul/passion on this, it curls my toes!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jubogiBaUhQ

Yup...this is the "go-to" song for that.....

"Thunder" - what the eff......one word....HOW DOES HE DO THAT???

Magic -pure magic!!!!

Cat

Deb wrote:

frfksakes wrote:It's all subjective, of course, but I dare anyone to listen to the Comiskey Park concert and say that whole band, but especially Perry didn't ooze soul!!! (Or watch the Philly '83 show, and call them 'bland')

[/b]

Perfect example! (Comiskey Park)

Also, if this is limited soul, I am totally misguided on what 'soul' is then? He sings with so much soul/passion on this, it curls my toes!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jubogiBaUhQ

Every note that comes out of his mouth has that much soul/passion. I can't imagine ANYONE making a statement such as Perry being souless. Baffles my mind...

I used to post on another music site where there was some idiot who used to insist that Steve Perry never sung with any soul.

In reality there are very, very few singers who have the soul to their singing that Perry had!

The people who claim that Perry didn't have soul usually like singers who are in reality the most soul-less singers on the planet.

Deb wrote:

frfksakes wrote:It's all subjective, of course, but I dare anyone to listen to the Comiskey Park concert and say that whole band, but especially Perry didn't ooze soul!!! (Or watch the Philly '83 show, and call them 'bland')

[/b]

Perfect example! (Comiskey Park)

Also, if this is limited soul, I am totally misguided on what 'soul' is then? He sings with so much soul/passion on this, it curls my toes!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jubogiBaUhQ

My very favorite song & performance! Also, that radio clip of "Patiently"...OMG! That one reaches to heaven. waaah, I just love SP...had a dream last night that I was looking for him on a beach - must've been the fever I had.

tammy wrote:

Deb wrote:

frfksakes wrote:It's all subjective, of course, but I dare anyone to listen to the Comiskey Park concert and say that whole band, but especially Perry didn't ooze soul!!! (Or watch the Philly '83 show, and call them 'bland')

[/b]

Perfect example! (Comiskey Park)

Also, if this is limited soul, I am totally misguided on what 'soul' is then? He sings with so much soul/passion on this, it curls my toes!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jubogiBaUhQ

My very favorite song & performance! Also, that radio clip of "Patiently"...OMG! That one reaches to heaven. waaah, I just love SP...had a dream last night that I was looking for him on a beach - must've been the fever I had.

I have those all the time Tammy. It must be my addiction striking again.....Damn, I thought I had it under control. More sandwood soap, please Yak.

I'm outta the loop...what pray tell is the sandlewood soap?