Poll
Question:
Favourite Arena Vocalist
Option 1: John Carson
votes: 2
Option 2: Paul Wrightson
votes: 11
Option 3: Rob Sowden
votes: 35
Who is your favourite, and why?
I must say That Paul was my personal favourite. John was great and Rob is a fantastic vocalist, but there was just something about Paul's vocals that just edges him as the best for me.
Are they not the same guy, only changing his name for dramatic effect??? :P
Can't choose yet, I like all 3, although I think Rob's voice is very different from the other 2, which to me, sound very much the same.
 Agree with Constable Hogweed. Paul Wrightson is my favourite frontman too. Perhaps, the reason is more emotive singing. In any way, good joke, Deenfan. ;D
Can't choose. I think all three voices go great with the albums their on.
I voted for Rob...
I like his voice and he really impressed me when I went to Arena's gig...
Althought I must admit that I don't know well "old" albums and so, don't really know how Paul sounds...
Quote from: Appelmoes?? on Mon, 2005-04-04, 14:00:27
Can't choose. I think all three voices go great with the albums their on.
200% ACK...!
Arena has grown and progressed. All three vocalists have their pluses. Rob, to me, departs from the "Trying to Sound Like Fish" vocalist. When I first heard Rob sing on Butteryfly Man (Still my all time Arena fav (ok, so is Skin Game)), I was like, WOW. I am sorry, I do not think Paul could have pulled that off, as good as he is. Then again, Paul pulls off Running From Damascus with aplomb. So, I guess if you write the music, with your vocalist in mind, you can do amazing things. (Bedlam Fayre, for example). So my hats off to all the vocalists, and he is too Rob continuing to bring us the story through his voice. I bet Clive smiles when his lyrics are so eloquently spoken by Rob.
Ciao
Quote from: jeffMc on Tue, 2005-04-05, 18:04:15
I bet Clive smiles when his lyrics are so eloquently spoken by Rob.
Actually, I hope Rob will continue
singing on the albums :P ;)
Quote from: jeffMc on Tue, 2005-04-05, 18:04:15
I bet Clive smiles when his lyrics are so eloquently spoken by Rob.
Appelmoes?? ...
Actually, I hope Rob will continue singing on the albums ...
...It's amazing what they can do with Antares AutoTune technology, MIDI, and a bit of ProTools these days... ;D ;D
Mr Sowden is bigger ... and better ;)
He's able to make people feel, and it's not easy at all.
The first thing I wanna say is that they're all very good vocalist. I like them all, but my favorite is Paul Wrightson. A beautiful powefull voice, sometimes a bit like Fish, but I prefer Paul's voice.
Quote from: Appelmoes?? on Mon, 2005-04-04, 14:00:27
Can't choose. I think all three voices go great with the albums their on.
I did choose for Rob Sowden, but yes the others were also great so Appelmoes I agree with You You have a great point in it! ??? ???
I chose Rob. His voice sounds modern and hes got some good talent :)
All three official vocalists have different qualties and each suited the style of music the band were creating at the tims (which may simply mean some stunning writing that took into account the vocalists range). In terms of preference I have to say that I actually rather like to hear Clive's warbling!
I probably should be very careful about these things, but I think there have been songwriting way outside of the singer's range here and there. Which is why I wouldn't be surprised to see a true master at the mike in the future. (Hogarth/Farnham range type). I'm talking Geoff Tate standard here, not all high screaming, but a breathtaking range. No Arena singer has had a remarkable range yet.
This is not to criticize Rob, whom I find to be the best singer they've had, and I really welcomed the change, the raspiness he brought into it, apparent in the first line of the first song.
*horns* I love robs voice i started listening to the band and rob was the only singer i knew about but then i heard about old album and gave them ago and still prefer robs voice. although i do like ther others and think thiers voices go with the time they were in the band. *ola*
Rob without a doubt for me. My least favourite would be John Carson, because at times he sounds like someone trying to impersonate Fish. Also am I the only person who thinks his vocals on the quiet parts of Jericho are really bad?
At the recent Rosfest Neo concert, Clive took over lead vocals for the Arena tracks. Now that's something I'd really like to hear. 8)
Helenxxx
Buy a Shadowland album.... ;D
I voted for Rob, very impressed by his live performances on the 'Caught in the Act' and 'Smoke & Mirrors' DVD. Paul didn't hit every note very well, I noticed that on the bonus material (Zoetermeer). I don't know John's live singing. Like all their studio stuff though.
Quote from: Teunis on Mon, 2006-05-22, 18:32:32
I don't know John's live singing. Like all their studio stuff though.
Don't You have the fanclub album Unlocking the Cage, there You can hear John Carson Live, it's accoustic, he sings Jericho and Crying for help IV on that album. But it's in the early days, not as perfect as the album "Songs from the Lyons Cage"
Quote from: Herben on Mon, 2006-05-22, 18:52:31
Don't You have the fanclub album Unlocking the Cage, there You can hear John Carson Live, it's accoustic, he sings Jericho and Crying for help IV on that album.
No, don't have that one.
Though i like Rob's voice, i regret to inform you that it is Paul Wrightson. *horns*
Rob for me, just think he has that little something extra.
Without a shred of a doubt, it as to be Rob Snowden. Because he as individual vocals, unlike the other 2, who were really just fish imitators. Robs ability to sing the earlier songs is tremendous, and well executed on both of the Arena DVD's. A really good example of Rob's capability is the acoustic version of Fridays Dream on the Smoke and Mirrors DVD. He sings it very well, and his vocals in the particular parts where the song lifts, is really good, considering there are no other instruments backing him up. His vocals sound just like the studio version, which is very good considering it's done on a couple of acoustic guitars.
Quote from: intruder on Sun, 2006-12-03, 12:01:29
Without a shred of a doubt, it as to be Rob Snowden. Because he as individual vocals, unlike the other 2, who were really just fish imitators. Robs ability to sing the earlier songs is tremdous, and well executed on both of the Arena DVD's. A really good example of Rob's capability is the acoustic version of Fridays Dream on the Smoke and Mirrors DVD. He sings it very well, and his vocals in the particular parts where the song lifts, is really good, considering there are no other instruments backing him up. His vocals sound just like the studio version, which is very good considering it's done on a couple of acoustic guitars.
Heh, absolutely truly, and again: you are sooo right!
Quoteyou are sooo right!
Except for the spelling... ;D
Why do so many people write Sowdon as Snowdon....
I think climate-change should solve that problem from now on. ;)
Quote from: JJ II on Sun, 2006-12-03, 17:58:28
Except for the spelling... ;D
Why do so many people write Sowdon as Snowdon....
I think climate-change should solve that problem from now on. ;)
Ahem.. Sowd
en.
Clive No Man
John Mitch-hell
Rob Sodom
Mick Pointhair
Ian Salmon
Heheheheh Salmon... hehehehe...
*smacks PH with a very large, very old trout* ;D :D
Rob Sowden might be my alltime favourite frontman, and the obvious choice in this poll.
Silhouette
Yeah, womehow Sowden's voice suits Arena perfectly well! *horns*
Although Paul's voice fitted brilliantly with The Visitor and Carson's voice with Songs...
Each voice represents a different Arena era, and there are some crossovers, Immortal? for example is the perfect gradient from The Visitor to Contagion.
They're building it up with every album.
As soon as Rob's voice is at it's best they'll get another singer who sounds like Rob, but then again different, and they'll build it up again.
Or what? ;D
Quote from: PH on Sat, 2007-03-31, 23:32:33
As soon as Rob's voice is at it's best they'll get another singer who sounds like Rob, but then again different, and they'll build it up again.
Or what? ;D
I hope this is never going to happen at all. I simply love Rob's voice with Arena!
Quote from: Peter on Sun, 2007-04-01, 10:11:58
I hope this is never going to happen at all. I simply love Rob's voice with Arena!
;)
Quote from: PH on Sat, 2007-03-31, 23:32:33
As soon as Rob's voice is at it's best they'll get another singer who sounds like Rob, but then again different, and they'll build it up again.
Or what? ;D
...what're You planning, mate?!? :o
Silhouette
Hehehehe I was just joking actually.
But there´s something in it that still stands.
When Songs Of The Lion´s Cage was released, we loved it (I guess, 'cause I'm no first-hour Arena fan).
John Carson left (what a shock!) and Paul Wrightson came in.
We loved Paul Wrightson!
Paul Wrightson left, fans were shocked, Rob came in.
We love Rob Sowden!
Let's say, if Rob will leave, we will be shocked, right?
Then another singer comes in who is better!
"We love *next Arena singer*"
You know what I mean? ;)
If it fits Arena's overall sound it's ok with me!
Only John Carson can sing Songs From The Lion's Cage.
Only Paul can sing The Visitor.
Only Rob can sing Pepper's Ghost.
Just speculating, keeping opinions fresh, perspectives open.
I also LOVE Rob's voice!! I hope he will stay with Arena!!
But I guess there were people who LOVED Paul's voice, hoping he would stay!
Maybe I'm gonna be the new Arena singer, you haven't heard me sing! ;)
Perhaps I'm better than Rob! And maybe you'll love my voice after a while hoping I will never leave.
;) <---
Absolutely, if the new guy fits the overall sound of Arena, that'd be great, but still, I think Rob is the best vocalist so far, and I hope we never even have to judge a new guy.
Actually, I prefer the stuff from the older albums when it's sung by Rob.
Silhouette
Quote from: Silhouette on Tue, 2007-04-10, 00:31:56and I hope we never even have to judge a new guy.
Amen to that!
They all have their pro's, for example Paul was very entertaining to watch when he performed 'The Visitor', but I must admit I like Rob's voice better. And it's so much fun hearing him 'improvising' the lyrics of the older songs! ;D
Rob is the King! No doubt on my side. If he ever considers leaving Arena, I'll personally come over and ensure that he stays ;D
Nicky.
... and I'll help you! ;D ;)
It has to be Rob although i love Paul on The Visitor! But i think Rob does the songs just as well!
Quote from: bellanova on Fri, 2007-09-07, 11:22:43
It has to be Rob although i love Paul on The Visitor! But i think Rob does the songs just as well!
Don't judge too soon! Have you ever heard Clive doing the 'ghost vocals' for that song? ;)
Yeah Clive could do the vocals. No problem.
If ever Rob should decide to leave (I hope not) then Clive could handle the vocals. And maybe sing duet with JM!
Paco, once you've been hanging for a day, I'll cut you down and hang you right up again!
Nicky.
You don't think I'm right?
Listen to that demo (which was meant to be funny) and of course listen to Shadowland.
And then listen to JM's singing, if he'd try he could do a angry voice or a frightend voice. I think they could pull it off!
Paco, don't you realise that Rob is GENIUS, not just genius, but GENIUS.
I suggest you try to listen to Contagion ;D (it just might keep you off the noose).
Nicky.
Quote from: Nicky007 on Fri, 2007-09-07, 12:20:12I suggest you try to listen to Contagion ;D (it just might keep you off the noose).
Funny guy you. ;D
I've listened to Contagion a whole year long, but was desperately waiting for Contagion The Max to come out. Now I really want to buy it anyway, but haven't seen it in my prog shop. And I also want the two EPs with it. But the edition which has space for the three discs altogether is sold out so it seems.
And I know that Rob is GENIUS, but if Rob doesn't do it anymore for what sort of reason, I think Arena shouldn't look for another singer (none can surpass the signers Arena's had), but then Clive and JM duo could do it.
-Paco
Quote from: PH on Fri, 2007-09-07, 12:28:09
Funny guy you. ;D
Yeah, isn't he? ;)
Quote from: PH on Fri, 2007-09-07, 12:28:09
I've listened to Contagion a whole year long, but was desperately waiting for Contagion The Max to come out.
I think I know what we'll do: all the roomies should sign a petition to have Contagion The Max finally released ("...or else!", like you said before ;D ) and send that to the Arena guys. Who knows, it might even work! ;)
Quote from: Nicky007 on Fri, 2007-09-07, 12:00:28
Paco, once you've been hanging for a day, I'll cut you down and hang you right up again!
I imagine something like in Monty Python's "Life of Brian"... yep, that should work! ;)
Quote from: PH on Fri, 2007-09-07, 11:54:37
Yeah Clive could do the vocals. No problem.
Well, I guess he could (I mean he's got a great voice) if he could (meaning he probably won't have the time to do it). And of course I'd be rather upsed if Rob ever decided to leave the band!! (I'm with Nicky on that one.)
Well, Rob's obviously in the lead here, as he should be.
So, the real question is: Does everybody agree that this line-up is the definitive Arena line-up?
'Cos I do! :)
Absolutely!!!!
Yeah, beyond doubt!
Consequently, what can we do to get them going on a new album, instead of frittering away their genius on all sorts of sideprojects (some better than others)?
Nicky.
Just let them take their time, and it's going to be worth it, I'm sure... :D
Cap, you've been in stormy weather before, so I'm relyin on you ............... but not forever!
Nicky.
Quote from: keyboardistmatt on Sun, 2007-09-16, 14:51:54
Well, Rob's obviously in the lead here, as he should be.
So, the real question is: Does everybody agree that this line-up is the definitive Arena line-up?
Yep, with you on that!
Quote from: keyboardistmatt on Sun, 2007-09-16, 14:51:54
Does everybody agree that this line-up is the definitive Arena line-up?
Yep! :)
ack.
I think that Rob is the best. ;)