Mmmm, that crow tastes just delicious...

Okay, let's just get it out of the way right from the start. Journey were simply fantastic. Phew. That new singer was spot on as it happened, another pitch perfect Perry with maybe a smidgen more power. That has to be a result in anyone's book. The instrumental players ? Bang on the money as you'd expect - the Schon-Cain-Valory axis were all present and indubitably correct. The set list? Wall to wall old school knockouts from "Wheel in the Sky" to "Separate Ways" and all points in between...so far, so tip-top...

However, the real surprise package for old Mexy was the drummer Deen Castronovo taking lead vox for some of the slow burners...and he was a bloomin' revelation. What a voice... "Who's Cryin' Now", "Faithfully", "Still They Ride" and, yes, a beautiful "Open Arms" - the big chap here was blubbin' like a girly nodding along with much appreciation...

So, the night was a belter all round then. Yes, I know, it was syrupy radio-friendly froth all the way, of course it was...but delivered straight with no chaser by the definitive exponents of the genre... As far as Mexatron is concerned, if ya don't like it then frankly get it right up you...

Funnily enough, I gave in to the desperate urge to buy myself an old Glenn Branca CD (Symphony No. 6) when I was in town earlier on - clearly there is some kind of bizarre subconscious battle going on between the left and right hemispheres of my brain of which I am but a helpless bystander...