Hello
Can someone tell me if Rik will be working on getting his voice in shape to sing those incredible high's he used to hit back in the early 80's as I don't think I can enjoy Triumph without hearing that incredible power and high range that rocks.
I am so worried that age may have stolen the golden voice from Rik like it did for Steve Watch of Kansas. What I am really hoping for is that Rik is just Rusty from singing more mellow stuff the last 20 years and will now work to get that upper register cranking again with ear splitting highs that we must have for it to be a true Triumph show
I wouldn't expect the same vocal harmony from the 1980s. There is no way Rik can pull off the vocal range that he had 20 years ago. Still I think the band is doing a good job despite not playing together for 20 years.
What Rik has done is change the vocal keys to compliment the song rather than try to replicate what he did in 1983.
I wasn't present at either concert, so I don't know how the guys sounded "live", but I did see & hear Rik perform at the benefit for his brother and his voice sounded strong (albeit tuned down a notch).
I also noticed that the vocals on most of the Youtube videos was sub-par. I don't place a lot of faith in the mics on the camcorders, add to that all of the people singing along, background noise, sheer volume coming out of the speakers causing blow-outs and I think you have a recipe for a pretty crappy recording.
Here are some recent clips of Rik in a more intimate setting where he sounds great (granted, the audio/video quality is not great, but he still sounds good):
Waterfront Festival 2008 - Sunday June 15, 2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tAaBxtLAb8&NR=1
The Arts Music Store - June 2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daWhpk58gqU
Hold On - November 2007
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQTw9yCr-lE&feature=related
-Dave
JerseyJim:
Agreed.
I'd also like to add: Triumph is now just another gig for Rik. He's incredibley busy with other projects and work with other artists so it would not do him any good to blow out his voice for the sake of a few gigs with Triumph.
While Triumph may do a few select dates next year and "maybe" a new album, Rik solo career will remain on-going.
Well here is my 2 cents worth on this one.
Riks voice cannot be expected to sound like he is 30 years younger. But he sounds really good.
The biggest issue with the recent Triumph performances is the decision to tune down for all of the songs. In the videos above you can hear the key is changed, more like the original recordings.
I was like most quite surprised with the sound of Riks voice based on the you tube video performances from Rocklahoma and Sweden. It looks like he is struggling to stay in tune, and doesnt want to break out the screaming highs we all are used to hearing.
I would be willing to bet singing an entire set in a higher key would cause strain on the vocal cords. And since some of the songs had not been sung in years, they would be hard to perform, without extensive practice.
I hope if the tour happens that the songs and set list are reworked to provide a mix of vocals, some in the original key IE the performance of hold on that we are used to, more to Gil, again who sounds very good but practice is needed, and some of the newer versions of songs that are really tough to hit vocally without causing strain.
Most important! The guys are performing again and practice will make perfect again.
Cheers
Rik as well as Gil will be fine with proper preperation and rehearsal (IF?) They decide to tour.Yes they will have to change key and presentation but should be fine.
A more important question that comes to my mind is what is with the second guitarist?
Triumph has felt they the live sound is fuller and better sounding with a 2nd guitar player. ( since 1986 )
Rick Santers and now Dave Dunlop
Hank
1. Rik said in the July 11 interview that he had been suffering from a migraine the day of the show in Sweden.
2. Steve Walsh blew his voice out more as a function of drug abuse than vocal abuse. The combination almost ruined him. (BTW, I'm a HUGE Kansas fan, but the truth is the truth).
3. I don't think Rik's voice is "gone." It might not be exactly the same, but overall he has sounded good in recent years.