mark isaacs resurgence band

i had been very much looking forward to this show
based on seeing this same band perform a wonderful show last year
so unusually i had convinced a few friends to join me on this night
mostly i self-indulge big time with my sound lounge visits
not one for forcing my musical adventures on others
but this one came with satisfaction guaranteed
we got there close to showtime so best spot was at the back
the mc for the night gave a long and rambling introduction
most memorably telling us that mark isaacs is a transient
only sticks with a project as long as it works for him
which seemed to indicate this combo's days are numbered
the first tune was a gentle wandering piece titled minsk
giving time and space for the band to settle in
hinting at what i knew they were capable of delivering
memories of my last experience still exciting me
but something about what i was hearing was unsettling me
i tried to put it down to a rare seat at the back of the venue
or that i was very much wanting a great performance
so that my friends would understand my obsession
things became clearer as mark isaacs spoke between tunes
he informed us the band had not played for 6 months
but more than that he just seemed not that happy to be there
which then became true of the other 4 musicians
to their credit they used their skills admirably
matt keegan on sax doing his nod to kenny garrett
james muller proving again he is a master guitarist
tim firth on drums providing anchor and focal point
brett hirst on double bass being mr reliable as always
but...but...but there was something just not right tonight
even from a distance i could sense the animosity on stage
which spilled over to barbed comments between tunes
by the end of the first set my companions were on to it
admiring and impressed by the music (phew)
but questioning the point and in fact the need of the banter
me - feeling a little underwhelmed on this ocassion
all i could do was hope for a resurgence (groan) in the second set
but it seemed the damage had been done and more of the same
impressive soloing, professional playing and attitude
but the big totally necessary and undervalued component missing
no on-stage vibe, no sense of joy of the moment, no respect
which to me actually then seemed to find it's way into the music
at least a couple of times i sensed they had lost the plot
aimless meandering and ball-tossing on stage
long, indulgent, uninspiring, begrudging solos
providing mostly an excuse for a visit to the bar
something i usually avoid to the nth degree
in the end we all gave respectful applause
but in this case it was the end that i wanted
for whatever reason tonight was a letdown
my friends seemed not unimpressed
just not overwhelmed
me neither
...damn