Where Should Jon's Voice Be?
 

Ok...after the threads complaining about the condition of Jon's voice these days, which is based on the belief that it is not up to the level that it should be.....Where, realistically, should Jon's voice be at?

The sudden decline in Jon's voice seemed to coincide with the sudden decline in the quality of the lyrics.....that inexplainable gap between 1997 and 2000. I've been saying it all along....it's not the lack of high notes.

Jon first introduced us to his relatively subdued voice with Destination Anywhere. Although it was a change.....there was no real alarm that something had been lost irreversibly. This is supported by the fact that on the album tour....his voice was still delivering. This was 1997. He was still putting out live performances that often exceeded the studio performance. He wasn't reaching for the high notes as much..but there is an overall quality in his delivery that is evident in both the older tunes and the Destination Anywhere tracks that were performed. The fact Billy Get Your Guns was a regular part of the set was also comfort that despite a more subdued vocal approach on the solo album...he was still fully capable of letting loose.

So basically, that is where Jon's voice should be at....the condition it was on the Destination Anywhere tour. I would be more than happy if he was maintaining the condition his voice was in 1997. This is why the overall condition of his voice since 2000 has otherwise been unacceptable. Just as the lyrical quality was unacceptable after 2000 (though has shown improvement on various tracks.)

There is one more realization I had some time ago concerning Jon's voice in recent years that covers what has been lost. Jon seems to be taking a predictable approach with his voice..where in years prior his calling card was throwing out surprises. He treats his voice less like a musical instrument and more like "Jon Bon Jovi, The Voice Inc." This is another way to say "Autopilot" while mechanically throwing in the nuances that are expected of his voice on a commercial level (the whiskey and honey sound.)

So there you go... you take the condition of his voice on the Destination Anywhere tour..which for that album..still techinically had the same approach taken on recent albums.....but throw in what has been missing since 2000 that was very much present in 1997. Once Jon starts doing that on stage again..and I have every bit of faith that he is more than capable...then these types of threads will stop. Until then.....there is nothing that will convince me otherwise that he is doing his best.

There is a physical component here though that does require he care for his voice. There are times when he does try to go for it....but because he doesn't stay on point with his voice the way he did in the past...he isn't ready for it. It's as if the "heart" will occasionally come alive..but physically...he's not able to deliver what he would have been able to in the past when that "heart" would start up. A perfect example of this is the performance of Blaze of Glory at Giants Stadium on One Last Wild Night Live. He attempts to go for it on the last note, ala the Wembley 1995 performance...but loses it..you can visibly see his disappointment in his face. I do have every bit of faith that he would be completely capable of it if he kept on with his voice as he did in the past.

Ending on a question...wasn't there a show on the One Wild Night tour where Jon just surprised everyone and the voice we know and love made an appearance? It was discussed on the board back then...quite a few people were blown away by his performance...it was a factor in helping to support our belief that he is perfectly capable...just has the wrong overall attitude day to day. What show was this? Paris? Australia? I know it wasn't Stateside.

I posted this in the other voice thread (I think). In my opinion the main problem is intensity and focus. Of course the voice doesn't sound as it did when he was 20 - I wouldn't expect it to. His voice is still a good one though. It need perhaps more care and more focus on the music.

"I think what is missing is the intensity: the absolute conviction that nothing is more important than getting the music across. I also don't think it's age. I think that Jon has his fingers in too many pies. He is spread way too thin, which tends to dilute everything. I think that all of them still put on a hell of a live show - but it's not with the same single minded focus that it used to be. "

Kathleen

I haven't forgotten your post in the least. :) We both agree on the same point. In this thread I'm seeking to cite a perfect example of how Jon's MATURED voice should be delivering in contrast with what we've been getting. I'm going after a realistic example of what we should have versus wishful thinking that asks Jon to do what he physically cannot even if he did everything in his power to put his focus on his voice. I feel the Destination Anywhere tour is the perfect example of what sets the bar for Jon to reach to satisfy the fans. Not everyone will agree as there are people here who think his voice went south after New Jersey. My stand has always been his voice has been enjoyable all the way up to 1997.

I think his 'new' voice was perfect on the Temptation track. It completely fits that style and atmosphere. Sure, it sounds like they ran it through a computer a bit to make it sound the way it does, but that song is just a great package.

Is this the kind of answer you are looking for?

B

His studio work really hasn't been bad...though lacking in any real build up vocally to make the songs more interesting. I'm more concerned with the live setting as he has both the new and old songs to tackle...so it's about the balance.

I do love Temptation thoroughly though. That is the level of artistry I expect of the band as they have already shown they are capable of it. I hate the dumbing down, otherwise.

It's like Kathleen said, you can't expect the same quality for a rock musician to last. He's getting older. But I still think hos voice was good at Borgata. Just listen to Shout.

Even though many people here believe his voice is changed irreversibly, why do they hope it gets back when they believe it can't?

Kathleen was saying not to expect what you heard from Jon in his 20s. I've already said the same and that I don't expect to hear Jon sound like his 25. I do expect him to sound as he did when he was 35. It's not unreasonable or unrealistic.

I think Jon's voice isn't that bad as many think. There are songs like Satellite or others, which are kinda high and which sings quite good.

BUT, what sucks big time: The way Jon sings live! If I listen to Radio saved... from this year, he sings this great rock song like a ballad! Beginning from the verses of the chorus. He doesn't even try to scream some words, he sings every single word like a ballad. And that's what makes the songs boring live.

if other artists can do it then Jon can if he really tries. I heard Paul Rodgers the other day singing live and his voice is even better than what it was over 20 yrs ago with Free.
All voices grow and mature, Bono for instance still belts it out and doesnt hold back at all, whereas as Ice put it, Jon seems on 'autopilot'



andi

Re: Where Should Jon's Voice Be?
 

How much of it do you think is down to confidence??