http://festival2008.canal13.cl/2008/html/Videos/IfqSMMomentosS21S333091Avq1.htmlhttp://festival2008.canal13.cl/2008/html/Videos/IfqSMMomentosS21S333091Avq2.htmlhttp://festival2008.canal13.cl/2008/html/Videos/IfqSMMomentosS21S333091Avq3.htmlReview from melodicrock.com:
Journey have launched their latest line-up with two dates in Chile, South America over the past few days. Not everything has gone to plan, but I'm sure the band is happy to be back on the road again and will announce 2008 European and US tour dates in coming weeks.
I'm sure all are aware that the latest addition to the band is new vocalist Arnel Pineda, who made his debut February 21 at the Vina del Mar Festival.
Having searched the Internet for fan feedback from the performance, I'd say that the response has been largely positive - with a select number still skeptical or awaiting a first hand induction.
The band's first show with Pineda was a high pressure affair, with the show not only being the band's first appearance in South America ever, but also an event set to be broadcast across the nation on TV and across the globe via online video streams.
A clearly nervous Pineda hit the stage with a huge smile on his face, but at times his nerves got the better of him. It appeared that he was having some trouble with in-ear monitors - and the first few tracks were a little rough, Stone in Love in particular. The audio mix for the first part of the show didn't do anyone any favors either.
But, as the show went on, both improved and Pineda fed off an enthusiastic crowd to steady himself and better showcase why guitarist Neal Schon hand picked him for the role. Mid-set Wheel In The Sky was solid and the slower, more soulful Lights allowed Arnel to catch himself and perhaps relax a little. From this point on, things definitely improved and the second half of the show was very good.
Open Arms and Faithfully were perhaps the two songs Pineda covered most during his time fronting his band The Zoo, so it was no surprise to hear these sung with absolute authority.
I think during a few other parts Pineda tended to over-sing things a little and I felt there was too much emphasis placed on showcasing the higher range of his voice, losing some of the warmth of the lower register. But the guy was singing his heart out and this after all, was his very first gig. It seems almost unfair to have a worldwide audience grading your first show with a new band and on a huge stage with TV cameras in your face.
To quote the title of a much loved record - trial by fire!
