Maybe because I\'ve never seen the band in any incarnation live, so all I\'ve got to go on is all the albums, 200+ live recordings and a few DVDs, but my take on things might be slightly different to many here.
I got into pb nearly ten years ago because of Tim\'s playing. However, what got me hooked was the cohesion of the band - all four of them. While Tim, Adrian and Jordan might have appeared the most outwardly proficient, I listened to Ron\'s bass playing mature enormously, so that rather than just providing the bottom end, he pushed them to greater things creatively and technically.
As the band as a whole worked on their vocals, the blend of Tim and Jordan clicked all the right buttons for me. So when he left, while I knew the band could go on, it would never be the same. In the Trio era, I did love the way the lack of keys pushed Tim to pull out even more, but missed those keys and especially the organ. When Matt joined, while I have nothing but respect fro his playing, I was not really a fan of the more acoustic jazz leanings introduced by him.
From what I\'ve heard of Stoops, he\'s more a return to form for me and I\'ve no problem with his being ex-Raq, as I liked them. It would be interesting to see what his being in the band would bring, not least in terms of an expanded fan base and perhaps greater commercial potential. His songwriting skills won\'t go amiss, certainly. He could provide just the right impetus to push the band to the levels of success they deserve.
Things change, I know, and the "golden age" of the band for me is perhaps over with both Jordan and Ronnie gone. (Sorry Chris, I know you\'re a bloody amazing bass player who has brought some real energy to the band, but my loyaltiy to the Save remains unquestioned.) So, as far as I\'m concerned, if Jordan came back, this would not be a backwards step, rather the welcoming home of a long lost prodigal son. Make the most of the shows with him - especially if the boys take the opportunity to plunder the old back catalogue again.
And as for those of you saying "this is the end", shame on you!