FThe fact that Journey were able to
play two sold out shows at Newcastle City hall is particular pleasing
for me personally as I’ve always maintained that the band could sell out
that venue out easily and even I was surprised how quickly the band
returned to the UK after last June’s mini tour, and even more surprised
as how quickly the tickets sold for the gigs. Luckily I managed to get
sorted for the second night which just so happened to be the last night
of the UK leg. But before Journey took the stage there was the small
matter of Danny Vaughn to attend to. Given that HardRockHouse is
promoting Danny's full band show in Newcastle on May 10th at the Cluny
we had a vested interest in how well he was received in the toon. Well,
happily no problems there. Indeed from the first Newcastle show Messer's
Vaughn & Marshall seemed to have grown onto the larger stages, both in
terms of confidence and stature, and despite being only two men with two
acoustic guitars they easily seem to fill the venue, both musically and
with their stage presence.
It was a bit surreal to watch Danny
on such a big stage and from so far way given that in the recent past
his shows have been in clubs rather than in theaters and arenas, but the
step up to the big leagues is well overdue and certainly well deserved
given the miles he has put in over the last few years. As with the first
gig in Newcastle the pair were limited to a short twenty five minute set
but more than make the most of their allotted time, mixing Tyketto
classics with songs from the new, excellent Traveller album. However for
those that attended the first gig the set was changed slightly. Sure
they still opened with Wings but then added in both Burning Down Inside
and Write Your Name In The Sky from the Tyketto days. The later being
dedicated to the guy on the mixing desk, a certain Mr. Kevin Elson, who
was responsible for producing Tyketto's sophomore album Strength In
Numbers from which the song is culled. My it's a small world...
The first of new tracks to be aired
was 'Badlands Rain' which was quickly followed by the new album's title
track, 'Traveller', both of which saat easily alongside the more
established songs which bodes well for the future and of course what
Danny Vaughn gig would be complete without the boa fide classic Forever
Young closing out the evening. Even in it's acoustic form the song
possesses a power that many bands would love to be able to reproduce and
with applause ringing round the theatre that was it from Mr. Vaughn.
Hopefully this jaunt round the country, and all of the glowing reviews
that have been received, will help raise the profile of one of the best,
and most consistent, performers on the hard rock scene. he certainly
deserves it....
Now back in September 2005 when
reviewing a Jeff Scott Soto solo show in Newcastle's Trillians I made
the comment that Soto could easily handle the vocal duties in Journey as
well as then vocalist Steve Augeri. Well with Soto now having said job
permanently, and with debate raging on the relative merits of all of
Journey's singers, it was time to find out if such a comment was
vindicated. Would I be eating humble pie or celebrating that I was
right? Well lets find out:-
When the house lights went down the
crowd went wild as Neil Schon appeared under the spotlight to open the
show with Jerusalem and as the last note rang out he was joined by the
rest of band as they launched into Message of Love, a song that hold a
special place in my heart and yes, it was stunning. They followed
this up in quick succession with Stone In Love and Ask The Lonely, by
which point this reviewer, and probably half the audience, was hoarse
already. Definitely a trio of opening songs that would be hard to top,
but then during 'Wheel In The Sky' a member of the audience passed up a
Newcastle United shirt to Soto and with the vocalist adorned in the
local colours the energy in the room went even higher. Even at this
early stage in proceedings it was obvious that whilst Soto, and his
predecessor Augeri, are both fine vocalists in their own right, what the
current incumbent brings to the party is a sense of showmanship. Soto is
a frontman par excellence, knowing instinctively how to handle an
audience and how to pitch his between songs raps. He also provides a
link to the other band members bringing more out of them over and above
their unquestionable musical ability. With Soto up front Journey look,
feel and sound more like a band than five individuals, and the band, in
truth seem more relaxed and comfortable than previously.
Dean Castrovo took over lead vocals
for 'Stoned In Love' and yes he does sound like Steve Perry but his
voice is well suited to the ballad material as he proved later on Open
Arms and Faithfully and with Soto providing that extra edge to the
rockier side of Journey the band prove well balanced in the vocal
department. Changing things up from the first Newcastle show the band
introduced Winds Of March into the set, culled from the Infinity album
and, along with Mystery Mountain, which saw Jonathan Cain handling
vocals, this was undoubtedly a clever move more than satisfying those
who came to both gigs. Indeed moving from old to new the band also
substituted The Place In Your Heart for Faith In Heartland from their
most recent Generations album. This ability to chop and change a set is
one that eludes many bands and shows the confidence currently running
through the band and by the time they reached 'Lovin Touchin Squeezin'
and it's extended blues jam intro Journey were truly on top form and
they even dragged a certain Mr. Danny Vaughn onstage, taking time out
from watching from the side, to join Soto in the sing-a-long Na Na Na Na
section of the track. Cheesy, possibly, but utterly compelling never the
less.....
I’ve spent the whole of this review
saying how great Soto has proved to be as Journey vocalist, but in
saying that he was not perfect as one or two strained notes showed, but
given that this was the last date of the tour and his voice must be
tired to say the least, it can be forgiven. Actually it's things like
this that make a show. You want to see spontaneity and energy and fun
and if the price of that is a couple of bum notes then so be it. if you
wanted sonic perfection then you could simply sit at home and listen to
the CD...
As with the first show in Newcastle,
and by all reports for the entire tour, Schon was on fire all night. His
tone and touch on the guitar are superlative. Castronovo is equally
stunning behind the kit and how anyone can sing and drum like that is
beyond me. But, as with all good things, Journey and the UK have to go
their Separate Ways and with the encore of that particular song bringing
the house down the tour was over. Let's hope that this is merely a
temporary separation and that Journey's current love affair with the UK
continues and we see them back here in the not too distant future - in
all truth this was as good as it gets...
Dougie & Steve
Cummings
