How Mark is dealing with his musical past

[Banjo99uk]

I wouldnt call him lazy but he is in a comfort zone which is probably an age thing. Surely thats allowed though, we all want to kick back and chill out as we get older.

[JF]

Dmg is not alone, I agree with him 100% 

[yontwocrows]

I'm glad that he slows down the musical pace a little bit and discovers deceleration. He could do the rock thing (he proved it several times in last concerts), but i think it's a better statement to focus on melody, harmony and on the story; in a time where speed is everything and people suffer from stress, burnout and so on.
Of course, speed, dancing and shaking have their effects, but there are so many musicians out there who want to rock a crowd, and only a few dare to slow down and to play in a moderate, melodic way. I like it how he plays nowadays. (and of course i loved the rock thing as well in the past, but for me it doesn't feel apropriate anymore)

[Justme]

[...] but for someone who can find himself in that song is priceless. [...]

That is a very important point. And somehow, because he likes to use vague indications, I can connect to the lyrics quite often, even concerning the latest songs....

[dmg]

Dmg is not alone, I agree with him 100% 

Phew, I was getting lonely over here!

[Justme]

But, damn, I miss his guitar that used to sing like angels on a Saturday night.....

[2manyguitars]

Do you really think his songs are better written now than in the early DS days?  I think pre-BIA were his best days in terms of songwriting by some distance.

While I'm on my soapbox about laziness I may as well add his arrangements for the shows.  In the DS days we had arrangements like Sultans and TOL which were far removed from the originals but now the new songs are performed exactly like the album on stage.  No effort to go and try a new arrangement.  The exception last tour of KOG is just an extended play-out with Mark soloing over it so that hardly even counts.

That wasn't really my point, my point is that he has evolved, like it or not. I happen to like it, you're not so keen, its all just opinion.

It is human nature to evolve, if mark was still wearing a headband and churning out mtv hits there would be something wrong, it would show a lack of musical evolution.

The ultimate trump card is that what he was always best at (storytelling using lyrics, Guitar and arrangement) has continued to develop to the point of excellence.

[vgonis]

I have a great problem listening to Bruce's work after Tunnel of love. The latest 4-5 records were good, but compared to his lovely first  7-8 records, they sound , how can I put it elegantly... not essential. But I know, that each record gains an audience at its time, so I can really relate to your feelings about his output after the rising. But the lives he gives, I hear they are a marvelous and  extra long!