For many years Journey fans in the UK have been starved of the bands legendary live shows whilst our American rock friends have had numerous tours to satisfy their need for all things Journey. As a result it came as a welcome surprise to see Journey back on these shores after their short but very sweet visit in 2006 when they played Edinburgh, Manchester and the Monsters Of Rock Festival. For those of us who were lucky enough (myself included) to see the band in action last year it was maybe less of a surprise to see the band finally turning their attentions to the UK again as I believe the band were overwhelmed and more than a little bit taken aback at the reaction and obvious affection they received from the fans on that tour. For fans that did catch the band last year this headline tour was a must and to say I had been looking forward to this gig is an understatement. For those that missed them last year this gig must have bee a revelation .The big difference this time out is the absence of Steve Augeri on vocals. On vocals we now have the awesome Jeff Scott Soto. (Yngwie Malmsteen, Soul Sirkus and Talisman). Journey songs have some of the most wonderful melodies for the singer and also some of the hardest notes to hit whilst in full on rock singer mode. Those of us who were already acquainted with Soto’s vocals knew he could pull it off but I have to say in advance of the review I couldn’t believe how amazingly he did just that. On with the show.

To open proceedings we had the very talented Danny Vaughan. Remember a band called Tyketto and their anthem “Forever Young”? Yes of course you do. Well Danny was the lead singer in that band. He gave the crowd a very entertaining acoustic set which demonstrated with big effect that not only is he one of the best vocalists in rock today but that he also has wonderful songs in his catalogue. He has some splendid solo albums out including a brand new release “Traveller”. We were treated to great versions of “Wings”,” That’s What She Says”,” Badlands Rain”,” Lay Your Body Down”, ”Traveller” and “Forever Young”. Danny Vaughan fans lapped it up and I think it’s fair to say with this performance Danny will have gained a whole new bunch of fans. Remember, thanks to HardRockHouse Danny is back in the North East in May at The Cluny with his band in a full on electric show, and it’s not to be missed. Check out the banner at the top of the home page for details of how to get tickets. Demand will be very high after his shows with Journey so don’t wait around.

And so to the main attraction. As the house lights went down the anticipation in the hall was at breaking point and the opening of the show took everyone by surprise in its originality and also it’s obvious sentiments. Neal Schon strolled on and treated to the crowd to a stirring version of Edward Elgar’s “Jerusalem”. This is one of the most English pieces of music ever written and to say it got the crowd off their seats is an understatement. (Journey aren’t the first band to use this song as an opener, the mighty Saxon beat them to that one many years ago!). As the last haunting notes faded from Neal’s amp it was straight into “Rubicon”. This is one massive sounding song and when played live it was just enormous. I had the best seat in the house being approximately four foot (honest) from Schon and to see him riffing away with obvious delight had me in rock heaven. This was a superb opener and anyone who was wondering if Jeff Scott Soto was the real deal was left in no doubt after his powerful vocals kicked in.

Next up was the twin guitar attack of “Stone In Love”. This grooved along with a swagger and it’s hard to believe that this song was written back in 1981, as it still sounds fresh and vibrant. Without pausing for breathe the band launched in to the melodic rock perfection of “Ask The Lonely” and then to everyone’s surprise stunned us with “Wheel In The Sky”. This song is often saved till later in the set so when they aired this anthem we knew the band meant business and had come to conquer the UK once more. To play one of your biggest songs so early in the set showed the band were feeling confident. I think anyone who saw Journey in Edinburgh would agree that this was the song that Steve Augeri had a few problems with. Soto on the other hand had no such worries, in fact he nailed it big style and had me thinking there really is a “Wheel In The Sky”. Next up was “Keep On Running”, one of the hardest rocking and most catchy guitar riffs ever written. The band played it to perfection and Schon dazzled as he burned up his fret board with guitar licks that had jaws on the floor.” Edge Of The Blade” followed and was played to within an inch of its life. To many this is one of Journeys finest songs and tonight the band reminded us why.” Faith In The Heartland” was up next and was the only moment that Soto had to think about the lyrics and reach harder for those notes. It’s a wonderful song and comes from the Augeri era. Jeff is a rock singer par excellence and it won’t be long before he has made that song his own but for me on the night my memories of Steve singing it at Edinburgh might just shave this performance.

Chain Reaction” rumbled along and pummeled all in its path thanks to Schon's meaty riffing. "Lights” was delivered with finesse and reminded us of the bands knack for writing anthems. Schon then pulled a truly sumptuous solo out of the bag and scattered his lovely Hendrix like rhythm fills throughout this song. The band stepped in to melodic rock overdrive with “Who’s Crying Now” and “Open Arms” and then treated us to a superb bluesy jam around the framework of “La Do Da”. Ross Valory gave a superb bass solo and anyone who thinks he ripped of the 5/4 riff from Kansas “Carry On Wayward Son” in his workout please be assured that Journey wrote it for their song “I’m Gonna Leave You” and Kansas lifted it (there ends the history lesson).

 

We got a stunning Dean Castranovo drum solo, which led into a spirited and rocking “Line Of Fire”. Standing so close to Schon and seeing him fire of this solo was just sublime and inspiring all at the same time. “After The Fall” and “Loving Touching’ Squeezing’” followed in quick succession and led into what, for this reviewer, was one of the best fifteen minutes of my life. ”Escape”, ”Mother Father” and “Dead Or Alive” all one after the other. This was what melodic rock was born for and these songs are the blueprint for everything that came after. ”Escape” was truly epic and “Mother Father” truly sensational and, ultimately, moving in the extreme. This song and its solo had goose pimples forming in places I never knew I had!” Faithfully” brought us down to earth and then possibly Journey’s most well known song, at least to non Journey fans, ”Don't Stop Believing” which saw the Geordie faithful in full song. The intro gets me every time and tonight Schon showboated by picking the motif for the first section and then playing the rest by hammer-ons. How cool is that?” Anyway You want it” brought the house down and blew the roof off all at the same time. The audience sang along with gusto and the feeling of knowing we didn’t have the band for much longer on stage made everyone sing that little bit harder including Jeff Scott Soto! Of course after all that had gone before there had to be an encore and it came with the track “Separate Ways”. Schon pulling out solo after solo as the band charged through to the end.

This was a show that will stay in many people’s memories for a long time, possibly forever. One has to feel for the fans that didn’t get a ticket as the show sold out in unbelievably quick time. Hopefully they will be going to the second night, which is the final leg of the tour back at the City Hall. Journey plays and makes music of a quality that other bands can only dream about. For a lot of fans seeing Journey tonight was dream come true. Lets hope this new love affair with the UK is permanent and that we see Journey returning to these shores with regularity. A classic gig from a classic band. In fact just about perfection.          

Al Hey & Steve Cummings