I Tip My Hat To Geoff Tate: He Still Sounds Good

Geoff Tate performed with his solo band at Wiens Family Cellars in Temecula, California on Friday. The venue sort of makes me chuckle, but considering Geoff counts wine as one of his life's major passions, then I guess it makes sense. Anyway, all things considered, I give Geoff props: he sounds pretty good on the clip below. There isn't a ton of energy in the backup band. I'm not sure we can blame Geoff for that, though. Right?

Geoff will release Kings & Thieves on November 6. I'm sure I'll buy that album when it comes out.

Comments

[Ace Steele]

This sounds like a Holiday Inn lounge act trying to play a Queenryche song. "Trying" being the keyword. I'll pass.

[Mikeal]

Utter bollocks, Allyson. The song is being performed tuned down so he can cope, his delivery lacks emotion. Wine isn't a passion for him, it's his future paycheck.
Also, this is not the "All Star" band of scabs - this is his "solo" band.

[lou]

he really does sound good!!

[Bluejayart]

Good voice, horrible guitar tone/player.

[SparkyDR99]

He's been taking a lot of hits because of his actions in Brazil, but he's still a great singer and SONGWRITER! I'll be checking out his new record.

[Bob]

a few things...First, Tate does sound decent, but he is straining to hit the highest notes, and going a bit flat in the process. Second, whoever is singing harmony is terrible. third, you can't really fault the band for giving a less than mind-blowing performance. I've been to Wiens many times, (Used to be a member of their wine club), and I'm sure the band was instructed to keep things toned down. When wineries feature live music it usually falls into one of three categories: soulless smooth jazz, relatively-mellow acoustic tunes, or 80s nostalgia acts that are mostly synth-based like Berlin, or a Flock of Seagulls. Bands that play hard rock/heavy metal are not the norm at wineries. If they played too loud, they would have run the risk of driving away regular patrons or, worse yet, generating noise complaints from the citizens of Temecula who already don't like having wineries in their back yard.

[Gary]

I dunno, I think he sounds pretty good? However,I also agree with Bluejayart that the guitarists tone is shitty, to say the least.

[Metalboy!]

Geoff Toolate

[Gary]

LOL MB!!!!!!

[Metalboy!]

Thanks, Gary! Just wanted to say, too, I really enjoy your comments and whenever you miss one, which isn't often, I feel like there's less perspective from the peanut gallery. Let's call it a Mutual Metal Admiration Society! Rock On, Brother!

p.s. And the same goes for all of the other usual suspects on here! If ya ain't commentin' on here, that's the equivalent of Missing Metal! Bring it!

[Ben]

I'm a tate fan, and yes he has lost vocal ability but so has all of our heros of that generation. I dont mind that and I take that into consideration. For me I'd rather see the guy that was there. I'd rather see the voice behind the songs we love from that time period. Maybe he isn't the power house he once was but few are. I wish both versions of QR luck moving forward. I get the fact that some fans want to hear vocals from a guy that can still bring it like they were originally delivered. More power to those fans but I fall on the side that want to see the guy that laid down the vocal performance we love and remember from that period of music. There is no right or wrong but I can cut tate and other singers some slack for still trying, his craziness aside! Thanks guys...