It must have been mid last year when I first heard rumors that American rock band JOURNEY was eager to recruit Pinoy sensation Arnel Pineda to be the group's lead vocalist based on videos posted of Pineda and his band ZOO on YouTube. It seemed no one could verify the story though my friends at the Department of Tourism had received a call from a U.S. music columnist wanting to contact Pineda and to meet up with him for an interview. Months later, that same writer confirmed in confidence that Pineda had flown to the U.S. for his face-to-face audition and had booked the job.Since then, the world held its breath, wondering if Pineda would do justice to the legacy left behind by Journey's original lead, Steve Perry. Skeptics disagreed with the idea of a Filipino fronting an all-American band (though Steve Perry, Pereira in real life, is of Portuguese ancestry). Today, however, months after the release of JOURNEY's most anticipated album, REVELATION, the reviews on Pineda are glowing.
The Philippine edition of the album carries 2CDs. The first contains all-new tracks featuring the band's newest lead singer while the 2nd are recordings of the hits popularized the Steve Perry's vocals but now reinterpreted through Pineda's.
It is easy to fall into the trap of comparing both lead singers. They are equally gifted tenors with amazing range and depth. Critics are quick to note that of all those who have succeeded Perry as JOURNEY's frontmen (there were 2 beofre Pineda--Steve Augeri and Jeff Scott Soto), the Filipino's voice comes closest to the original. It is almost scary how the timbre is so alike, critics find this to be Pineda's only flaw. However, listening more closely makes evident what Journey's REVELATION is all about--Pineda's vocals are rich and robust, maybe even a tad more than Perry's. That the new vocalist's sound is reminiscent of the original should not rob him of his own talent. In fact, after hearing the new cuts in the album, it has become clear to me--while they unmistakably carry the JOUNEY sound and spirit, I cannot hear Steve Perry in them at all. Arnel Pineda shines through.
Make no mistakes though. I believe there never will be another Steve Perry. He is an icon. But the world has room for another.
JOURNEY's Neal Schon, who thanks God for discovering Pineda on YouTube, says the Filipino's voice has it all, and "all I can say is WOW! It's truly incredible...the man can sing anything and what a deep moving soul he has.''
For his part, Pineda in the album thanks "all my fellow Filipinos around the world who believed in me...MABUHAY TAYONG LAHAT!!!"
Below is a link that compiles JOURNEY's popular tracks recorded 2 decades ago side by side those recorded more recently with Arnel Pineda. When you find the time, get the REVELATION CD as the JOURNEY continues.
5 comments:
The Canadian album version has a 3rd item, a concert DVD. My 3 year old son says to friends, "Want to watch Journey?" And in random times, he sings "Don't stop ba-lee-ving." Pinoy rocks.
Yes, I heard about that DVD! : ) People say that Arnel appears a bit tense when he sings the songs originally recorded by Steve Perry, but that he soars in the new songs. I wish we had that here. Looks like you have a rocker for a son!
When you say you can't hear Steve in them at all, I don't know how to take that, as a Steve Perry sound-alike is solely what Journey has been looking for since the Steve left the band. Of course not only you but anyone can hear Steve Perry in Arnel's renditions... That's what Arnel is trying to do, mimick Steve Perry. There is no secret about this, and this isn't being said with any bias, it's common knowledge that Arnel has made a career out of mimicking the voices of other singers, and that's what he's doing now. In one of his mimicking videos he happened to be mimicking Steve Perry, happened to be seen by Neil Schon, and as a result now continues to mimick him for a living.
Most famous singers are so due to their unique style, Arnel brings nothing unique to the table, and in fact, minus his impersonations, he sings rather choirish, and very plain... He has no style of his own. There are many excellent studio singers around the world, with excellent techical vocal abilities, but all their work is done in the background and behind the scenes, due precisely to what I've been saying, they have no vocal creativity of their own, nothing unique, no originality. Unfortunatly Arnel is one of these forementioned people, but fortunately he lucked out due to the unique circumstances of Journey's breakup.
And also, I don't beleive that Arnel has the depth and range of Perry. Everyone focuses on Steve Perry's popular Journey songs, but in some of the less popular songs I've heard Steve hit both lows and highs I've never heard Arnel hit in any of his singing, both pre and post joining Journey, and I've pretty much listened to it all.
Yeah, you and everyone else absolutely hear/s Steve Perry in Arnels performances of both Perry's and his own Journey songs. Afterall, that was the whole point, the precise reason why they recruited him.
When you say you can't hear Steve in them at all, I don't know how to take that, as a Steve Perry sound-alike is solely what Journey has been looking for since the Steve left the band. Of course not only you but anyone can hear Steve Perry in Arnel's renditions... That's what Arnel is trying to do, mimick Steve Perry. There is no secret about this, and this isn't being said with any bias, it's common knowledge that Arnel has made a career out of mimicking the voices of other singers, and that's what he's doing now. In one of his mimicking videos he happened to be mimicking Steve Perry, happened to be seen by Neil Schon, and as a result now continues to mimick him for a living.
Most famous singers are so due to their unique style, Arnel brings nothing unique to the table, and in fact, minus his impersonations, he sings rather choirish, and very plain... He has no style of his own. There are many excellent studio singers around the world, with excellent techical vocal abilities, but all their work is done in the background and behind the scenes, due precisely to what I've been saying, they have no vocal creativity of their own, nothing unique, no originality. Unfortunatly Arnel is one of these forementioned people, but fortunately he lucked out due to the unique circumstances of Journey's breakup.
And also, I don't beleive that Arnel has the depth and range of Perry. Everyone focuses on Steve Perry's popular Journey songs, but in some of the less popular songs I've heard Steve hit both lows and highs I've never heard Arnel hit in any of his singing, both pre and post joining Journey, and I've pretty much listened to it all.
Yeah, you and everyone else absolutely hear/s Steve Perry in Arnels performances of both Perry's and his own Journey songs. Afterall, that was the whole point, the precise reason why they recruited him.
Singers in the tiny Philippine music industry realize early enough that they have to sound like one of the Billboard Top 10 singers in order to be hired for a gig in the bars and clubs, to play for a clientele used to listening to Mariah and Madonna, etc. Otherwise, they starve, literally. Eventually,
Arnel will be in the unusual position of being able to (intentionally) redefine or (unintentionally) evolve his style without thinking of losing gigs and missing meals.
He is still not presenting as everything he is capable of, because of his very recent struggle for a decent life. Let us give him that human capability to learn, grow and evolve. It will be his personal journey of self- discovery. But eventually, with Journey, I predict that he will evolve to become more of what he is now. Better, much, much better.
Financial independence will do that to any man.
Remember, he grew up in circumstances much different from yours and mine.
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