re: James - I think JLB is well aware of all his vocal limitations. While I don't know the man, I am sure he's taking steps to identify where his problem areas are, and working to maximize what he can bring to the table. What that translates to, in terms of song choice from the back catalog, will be what it is.
Like it or not, MP's return signals the end is coming. Whether that's after the next record and tour cycle, or in 10 years, the end is nigh. They'll play what they want to play, and JLB will have to navigate it. That's his job. My guess is, he's going to spend a lot of time not only working on his voice, but modifying everything to fit his voice. He's admitted he can't sing like he once did. That took guts, and I applaud him for it. Now, he'll change what he can, and when he goes for certain high spots, he'll do it when it feels right.
I look at this very much like how Ray Alder make a conscious decision to flatten out or take out most of the high notes in all Fates Warning's stuff. He did it in a masterful way, where it still sounds wonderful. He obviously took a good hard look at all the songs he was going to sing live, and figured out how he could still sing them in a beautiful manner. I expect JLB, now that he's admitted he can't sing like he used to, to do the same.
All that said, what I HOPE for, on the next tour:
1. A 10-minute medley of stuff from the first album, as a tribute to Charlie.
2. Three tunes from Mangini's era to pay respect to their success with him: The Alien, On the Backs of Angels, The Enemy Inside (all either a Grammy win, or Grammy-nominated)
3. Two new songs
4. Two from I&W (PMU/Metropolis)
5. Two from SFAM (25 years)
6. Two from ToT (20 years)
>>>To me, that would be a beautiful reunion show with MP, an acknowledgement of their past, a tribute to a fallen comrade, a celebration of victories, and a pointed look toward the future.