I really liked Matt's piano playing, it was very sensitive, but I understand why Jim returned to the band. I met him at City Hall in Newcastle in 2008, just before the show. He signed my copy of KTGC and introduced us to his wife, Paloma. I told him that I enjoyed his work with Mary Chapin Carpenter, especially her album "Come On, Come On" and he seemed happy about that. A very nice person.
Bizarre coincidence, sitting listening to Come On Come On when I clicked on this!
And I also met Matt in Newcastle in 2008…
Matt is an insane jazz pianist. I never understood Mark's total love towards Jim, I get he's great in the studio, but he has just one solo record that you can't find anywhere, and his presence in the internet is so minuscule. In that regard, he's almost like Mark himself
Matt, on the other hand, is relatively young and extremely talented, and has some actual records to listen to. Either way, I'm in the minority that likes Mark's "backup band" the best, I think he really overplayed his current band, and some refreshment would be nice. But again, granted that he'll tour again. And he certainly won't change the band till he falls over!