Your picks of mediocre or lousy vocals with great musicians!

Funny that we got a Neal Schon response to Bdp.  I was considering making one myself.  I was roped into seeing Journey last year and was struck by two (and a half) things:

1). The concert overall struck me as a completely soulless exercise in nostalgia.  

2).  These guys could play.  Expert musicians across the board.

1/2). Neal Schon, in particular, is enormously skilled.

What most struck me was how little they did with so much.  Other than a few really schmaltzy ones, a fair number of their hits are pleasant enough.  Yet, the entire show left me utterly cold.

It really comes down to personal taste.  Every musical decision they made felt calculated.  Neal Schon covered The Star Spangled Banner and demonstrated what a terrible idea that was.  His playing was certainly admirable, but No!  Do not go there!  Unless you have something truly compelling to add in your interpretation (if he did, I missed it) this is just a very, very bad idea.

I fully understand that others may see it differently, but as good as the players are, the entirety of it didn't work at all for me.  So, in summary:

If Steve Perry qualifies for this thread, I'd say that the little Philippino guy who replaced him does, too.

ps--I absolutely love Levon's voice, whether singing, acting or just speaking in conversation.  I'm from a small town in Southeast Texas and it doesn't get any twangier.  I'm a hick from the sticks myself so I recognize another when I see one.  It was not a knock in any way. 

I think people are way too quick to jump the gun and take offense or blow the whistle over nothing these days.  

I think people are way too quick to jump the gun and take offense or blow the whistle over nothing these days.  

+1, well said.
Too many people get their panties in a bunch over just about anything these days.

Good morning America! What are we offended by today?

martykl: All I'm saying is, (just like you mentioned in your response) is that NS is an excellent gutarist. This seemed to be an issue in Bdp's post. That's why I expressed my opinion. How is this "getting your panties in a bunch"? I think you have taken my post out of context. Cheers!

There is a big difference in saying a band, in this case Journey, is comprised of musicians one doesn't consider great and that same band not having a good performance on a particular night.

Subtext: Journey is comprised of several musicians, NS being one of them.

I don't know what martykl really expected, going to a show that featured a band from decades ago that had hit after hit and since then, has not produced anything really new?

I saw them around 15 years ago with the first Steve Perry replacement. (looked and sounded just like SP from the balcony). Frankly, I didn't miss the original. They did what they are known for and that's what I'm sure most of the crowd wanted and expected. NS came out during a break and did some awesome guitar solos!