Portsmouth Guildhall the first half review.

[Greatkudu]

As I said sadly due to getting over a Chest Infection and only just starting to get voice back,I made a health call and decided to just see the first set as staying for the whole gig would have been detrimental to my health,and no band is worth that not even the Stranglers or JJ and friends as some call them,I will get to that later.

So let's start,a packed Portsmouth Guildhall witnessed something rather special IMHO.Instead of the familiar Waltz in Black intro,we had the JLNOE intro with white lights resembling a UfO landing very creative and unexpected,then the band come on one by one and it's straight in to JLNOE one of my favourite songs,when they performed it about 4 years ago I thought it was weak to be honest,but Baz nailed it vocally and Jim nailed the very tricky Drum Pattern, a really great start,I'm not going to mention all the set as most of you know it or can see it on setlists etc,so I will focus more on the sound, performance etc, sound wise it was possibly the best for years,you could hear all the band clearly,vocals clear in the mix,and lights and production were a new level IMHO, certainly alot of work and thought had gone in to this tour making it memorable for band and fans alike,I loved the Gothic Chandelier lights over the stage a really classy touch.

Moving on to a few highlights,Hallow had to be one, possibly the hardest song to play of any Stranglers song? But they nailed it,a special mention for Jim Mac on this one,so many tempo changes,he proved he is a very skilled drummer and far more than just a hard hitter,he's playing with alot more subtley now, maybe he's more relaxed in his role now? And also a special mention to Toby,a worthy replacement for the late Dave,his playing was fantastic,and the Keyboards seem to have a fuller sound now? The end part of the Raven was fantastic,now for the only minor point,Genetix a very brave move? Or a fullish decision? Well Toby played the keyboard parts well but his voice is just not distinctive enough to pull it off,how could it be when Dave had so much character in his vocal delivery,also drum wise it didn't work for me,it just didn't sound right with the way Jim configures his drums,but I still quite enjoyed it just for the music.

Another revelation was JJs vocals,they sounded so good ,his voice has matured like a fine French Red Wine,so good on the Raven and North Winds,the first set ended with a Storming version of Sewer,and that was the end for me,I was so disappointed not to hear the second set,but i really wasn't feeling well,so made the right judgement call to go back to hotel.

To sum up from what I saw the band were in excellent form on this tour and really made an effort to please hardcore fans and casual fans to,if they keep on with this standard they should be around for a few more years yet,and are they still the Stranglers? Yes they still are IMHO, still the Stranglers but obviously with a different line up for obvious reasons,oh sorry I forgot to say how much I enjoyed Breathe from Dms,also vocally I thought it was the best I have heard Baz,it might have taken its toll as he lost his voice after? But seems ok now for the Albert Hall, from all accounts they really have been on fire on this tour,and as someone who has seen all the different lineups I was truly impressed by what I saw and heard, just a shame I didn't see the second set.Major General Kudu over and out.

[toilerinblack]

As I said sadly due to getting over a Chest Infection and only just starting to get voice back,I made a health call and decided to just see the first set as staying for the whole gig would have been detrimental to my health,and no band is worth that not even the Stranglers or JJ and friends as some call them,I will get to that later.

So let's start,a packed Portsmouth Guildhall witnessed something rather special IMHO.Instead of the familiar Waltz in Black intro,we had the JLNOE intro with white lights resembling a UfO landing very creative and unexpected,then the band come on one by one and it's straight in to JLNOE one of my favourite songs,when they performed it about 4 years ago I thought it was weak to be honest,but Baz nailed it vocally and Jim nailed the very tricky Drum Pattern, a really great start,I'm not going to mention all the set as most of you know it or can see it on setlists etc,so I will focus more on the sound, performance etc, sound wise it was possibly the best for years,you could hear all the band clearly,vocals clear in the mix,and lights and production were a new level IMHO, certainly alot of work and thought had gone in to this tour making it memorable for band and fans alike,I loved the Gothic Chandelier lights over the stage a really classy touch.

Moving on to a few highlights,Hallow had to be one, possibly the hardest song to play of any Stranglers song? But they nailed it,a special mention for Jim Mac on this one,so many tempo changes,he proved he is a very skilled drummer and far more than just a hard hitter,he's playing with alot more subtley now, maybe he's more relaxed in his role now? And also a special mention to Toby,a worthy replacement for the late Dave,his playing was fantastic,and the Keyboards seem to have a fuller sound now? The end part of the Raven was fantastic,now for the only minor point,Genetix a very brave move? Or a fullish decision? Well Toby played the keyboard parts well but his voice is just not distinctive enough to pull it off,how could it be when Dave had so much character in his vocal delivery,also drum wise it didn't work for me,it just didn't sound right with the way Jim configures his drums,but I still quite enjoyed it just for the music.

Another revelation was JJs vocals,they sounded so good ,his voice has matured like a fine French Red Wine,so good on the Raven and North Winds,the first set ended with a Storming version of Sewer,and that was the end for me,I was so disappointed not to hear the second set,but i really wasn't feeling well,so made the right judgement call to go back to hotel.

To sum up from what I saw the band were in excellent form on this tour and really made an effort to please hardcore fans and casual fans to,if they keep on with this standard they should be around for a few more years yet,and are they still the Stranglers? Yes they still are IMHO, still the Stranglers but obviously with a different line up for obvious reasons,oh sorry I forgot to say how much I enjoyed Breathe from Dms,also vocally I thought it was the best I have heard Baz,it might have taken its toll as he lost his voice after? But seems ok now for the Albert Hall, from all accounts they really have been on fire on this tour,and as someone who has seen all the different lineups I was truly impressed by what I saw and heard, just a shame I didn't see the second set.Major General Kudu over and out.

Thanks a great an honest review as usual from you on what you did see I thought the opening as only a video watcher and not one of the one's on the ground there so to speak like yourself was just excellent both visually and musically too.
The JLNOE extra long intro with the lights was special I thought and so was the song itself too was very good and yes I thought on the versions I've heard Baz vocally nailed it for sure.
I was saying I thought that they might surprise a few on this tour being excellent like they have been for sure....great for the band and it's fans.
I hope Baz's vocals are all good for the RAH and I wonder if there are any extras being there at that venue like they did before.... we will see.
Thanks for your post I enjoyed it and it was still worth seeing them on the first set like you saw and parts of me really wishes I was at the RAH myself but....never mind.
I wonder how many will be going in there in their new styled stranglers Harrington jackets.....

[Greatkudu]

As I said sadly due to getting over a Chest Infection and only just starting to get voice back,I made a health call and decided to just see the first set as staying for the whole gig would have been detrimental to my health,and no band is worth that not even the Stranglers or JJ and friends as some call them,I will get to that later.

So let's start,a packed Portsmouth Guildhall witnessed something rather special IMHO.Instead of the familiar Waltz in Black intro,we had the JLNOE intro with white lights resembling a UfO landing very creative and unexpected,then the band come on one by one and it's straight in to JLNOE one of my favourite songs,when they performed it about 4 years ago I thought it was weak to be honest,but Baz nailed it vocally and Jim nailed the very tricky Drum Pattern, a really great start,I'm not going to mention all the set as most of you know it or can see it on setlists etc,so I will focus more on the sound, performance etc, sound wise it was possibly the best for years,you could hear all the band clearly,vocals clear in the mix,and lights and production were a new level IMHO, certainly alot of work and thought had gone in to this tour making it memorable for band and fans alike,I loved the Gothic Chandelier lights over the stage a really classy touch.

Moving on to a few highlights,Hallow had to be one, possibly the hardest song to play of any Stranglers song? But they nailed it,a special mention for Jim Mac on this one,so many tempo changes,he proved he is a very skilled drummer and far more than just a hard hitter,he's playing with alot more subtley now, maybe he's more relaxed in his role now? And also a special mention to Toby,a worthy replacement for the late Dave,his playing was fantastic,and the Keyboards seem to have a fuller sound now? The end part of the Raven was fantastic,now for the only minor point,Genetix a very brave move? Or a fullish decision? Well Toby played the keyboard parts well but his voice is just not distinctive enough to pull it off,how could it be when Dave had so much character in his vocal delivery,also drum wise it didn't work for me,it just didn't sound right with the way Jim configures his drums,but I still quite enjoyed it just for the music.

Another revelation was JJs vocals,they sounded so good ,his voice has matured like a fine French Red Wine,so good on the Raven and North Winds,the first set ended with a Storming version of Sewer,and that was the end for me,I was so disappointed not to hear the second set,but i really wasn't feeling well,so made the right judgement call to go back to hotel.

To sum up from what I saw the band were in excellent form on this tour and really made an effort to please hardcore fans and casual fans to,if they keep on with this standard they should be around for a few more years yet,and are they still the Stranglers? Yes they still are IMHO, still the Stranglers but obviously with a different line up for obvious reasons,oh sorry I forgot to say how much I enjoyed Breathe from Dms,also vocally I thought it was the best I have heard Baz,it might have taken its toll as he lost his voice after? But seems ok now for the Albert Hall, from all accounts they really have been on fire on this tour,and as someone who has seen all the different lineups I was truly impressed by what I saw and heard, just a shame I didn't see the second set.Major General Kudu over and out.

Thanks a great an honest review as usual from you on what you did see I thought the opening as only a video watcher and not one of the one's on the ground there so to speak like yourself.
The JLNOE extra long intro with the lights was special I thought and so was the song itself too was very good and yes I thought on the versions I've heard Baz vocally nailed it for sure.
I hope Baz's vocals are OK for the RAH and I wonder if there are any extras being there at that venue we will see.
Thanks for your post j enjoyed it and it was still worth seeing them on the first set like you saw and parts of me really wishes I was at the RAH....never mind.
I wonder how many will be going in their sfanglers Harrington jackets.....

Thanks Sir yes I think a few extras for RAH and more than a few Harrington Style Jackets.

[toilerinblack]

As I said sadly due to getting over a Chest Infection and only just starting to get voice back,I made a health call and decided to just see the first set as staying for the whole gig would have been detrimental to my health,and no band is worth that not even the Stranglers or JJ and friends as some call them,I will get to that later.

So let's start,a packed Portsmouth Guildhall witnessed something rather special IMHO.Instead of the familiar Waltz in Black intro,we had the JLNOE intro with white lights resembling a UfO landing very creative and unexpected,then the band come on one by one and it's straight in to JLNOE one of my favourite songs,when they performed it about 4 years ago I thought it was weak to be honest,but Baz nailed it vocally and Jim nailed the very tricky Drum Pattern, a really great start,I'm not going to mention all the set as most of you know it or can see it on setlists etc,so I will focus more on the sound, performance etc, sound wise it was possibly the best for years,you could hear all the band clearly,vocals clear in the mix,and lights and production were a new level IMHO, certainly alot of work and thought had gone in to this tour making it memorable for band and fans alike,I loved the Gothic Chandelier lights over the stage a really classy touch.

Moving on to a few highlights,Hallow had to be one, possibly the hardest song to play of any Stranglers song? But they nailed it,a special mention for Jim Mac on this one,so many tempo changes,he proved he is a very skilled drummer and far more than just a hard hitter,he's playing with alot more subtley now, maybe he's more relaxed in his role now? And also a special mention to Toby,a worthy replacement for the late Dave,his playing was fantastic,and the Keyboards seem to have a fuller sound now? The end part of the Raven was fantastic,now for the only minor point,Genetix a very brave move? Or a fullish decision? Well Toby played the keyboard parts well but his voice is just not distinctive enough to pull it off,how could it be when Dave had so much character in his vocal delivery,also drum wise it didn't work for me,it just didn't sound right with the way Jim configures his drums,but I still quite enjoyed it just for the music.

Another revelation was JJs vocals,they sounded so good ,his voice has matured like a fine French Red Wine,so good on the Raven and North Winds,the first set ended with a Storming version of Sewer,and that was the end for me,I was so disappointed not to hear the second set,but i really wasn't feeling well,so made the right judgement call to go back to hotel.

To sum up from what I saw the band were in excellent form on this tour and really made an effort to please hardcore fans and casual fans to,if they keep on with this standard they should be around for a few more years yet,and are they still the Stranglers? Yes they still are IMHO, still the Stranglers but obviously with a different line up for obvious reasons,oh sorry I forgot to say how much I enjoyed Breathe from Dms,also vocally I thought it was the best I have heard Baz,it might have taken its toll as he lost his voice after? But seems ok now for the Albert Hall, from all accounts they really have been on fire on this tour,and as someone who has seen all the different lineups I was truly impressed by what I saw and heard, just a shame I didn't see the second set.Major General Kudu over and out.

Thanks a great an honest review as usual from you on what you did see I thought the opening as only a video watcher and not one of the one's on the ground there so to speak like yourself.
The JLNOE extra long intro with the lights was special I thought and so was the song itself too was very good and yes I thought on the versions I've heard Baz vocally nailed it for sure.
I hope Baz's vocals are OK for the RAH and I wonder if there are any extras being there at that venue we will see.
Thanks for your post j enjoyed it and it was still worth seeing them on the first set like you saw and parts of me really wishes I was at the RAH....never mind.
I wonder how many will be going in their sfanglers Harrington jackets.....

Thanks Sir yes I think a few extras for RAH and more than a few Harrington Style Jackets.

Yeah I hope so...again it was good you saw what you did and get well soon.

[Greatkudu]

Sir to be honest,I would say they were better than when I saw them in 2022,they were just fantastic,such a good vibe between the band members,JJ of course is the Leader without a doubt, apparently during the second set which I missed Baz cocked up the GB solo,some footage which is quite amusing,I'm not a guitar player,but it alway seems quite a tricky solo to play? Major Kudu.

[toilerinblack]

Sir to be honest,I would say they were better than when I saw them in 2022,they were just fantastic,such a good vibe between the band members,JJ of course is the Leader without a doubt, apparently during the second set which I missed Baz cocked up the GB solo,some footage which is quite amusing,I'm not a guitar player,but it alway seems quite a tricky solo to play? Major Kudu.

It happens to the best of them...lol
I don't think the solo is to hard to play but it happens F...k up's and blank moments,I remember Hugh vocally live on a live TV music show suddenly forgetting some of Tramps lyrics it happens.
Baz has nothing to prove he's a fine guitarist for sure just one of those things that don't forget a guitarist/vocalist is dojng both at the same time...your mind is constantly on a two way level,I just played guitar for years then when trying from start to finish doing both....a different kettle of fish until your really used to doing both then it's easier...practice sure makes perfect.....lol
The stranglers especially both JJ and Baz knows the songs backwards and upside down and inside out...in their sleep lol....and JJ is a perfectionist on everybody knowing the material so well.
It happens to the best of them lol

[oliverj1999]

Was there and was a great night, The Raven, Down In The Sewer and Ships That Pass In The Night have to be the highlight of the night

[toilerinblack]

Was there and was a great night, The Raven, Down In The Sewer and Ships That Pass In The Night have to be the highlight of the night

So glad about ships been wanting them to do it for ages....baz got his way the in the end as a guess only..... I know he likes it.
From what I've heard on this tour they've all been of a very high standard and I think Baz has been singing the mk1 songs better than before.
Yeah the Raven versions I've heard JJ's voice sounds really good.
They've all played their part and Jim's drumming on Genetix was excellent mind you he learnt from the master himself on that song specifically....Jet Black!

[Palais23]

Sir to be honest,I would say they were better than when I saw them in 2022,they were just fantastic,such a good vibe between the band members,JJ of course is the Leader without a doubt, apparently during the second set which I missed Baz cocked up the GB solo,some footage which is quite amusing,I'm not a guitar player,but it alway seems quite a tricky solo to play? Major Kudu.

Nice review Kudu. Many thanks for this especially in the circumstances.

[Greatkudu]

Sir to be honest,I would say they were better than when I saw them in 2022,they were just fantastic,such a good vibe between the band members,JJ of course is the Leader without a doubt, apparently during the second set which I missed Baz cocked up the GB solo,some footage which is quite amusing,I'm not a guitar player,but it alway seems quite a tricky solo to play? Major Kudu.

Nice review Kudu. Many thanks for this especially in the circumstances.

Thanks Sir.Major Kudu.

[kenl]

Thanks for the review. I agree entirely with your sentiments.

Glad you enjoyed it.

[Josh]

Was there and was a great night, The Raven, Down In The Sewer and Ships That Pass In The Night have to be the highlight of the night

Yep, was great to see Ships in particular.