I think we all agree that the new band IS better than the old one, right? TJ was not a bass player. He learned the part for the tour, but didn't know the instrument enough to improvise, get funky, or provide more than basic bass lines. From what I read, the new bass player is very strong with her instrument. And it is the instrument that she CHOSE to become an expert on. With the importance of the funky bass beat on the new stuff, she will be much better, IMO.
As for Cam, she was an adequate keyboardist but I didn't hear her do anything inspired live. Don't know if she can or not. She also faded into the background and didn't give Adam much to bounce off of or play with on stage. This new guy seems to have a strong background in keys and also all the electronic stuff that will be featured on the new album. As I have said before, there is room for two keyboardists if that is what Adam wants to do. So much of the sound is from keyboard type electronic equipment, it could easily use 4 hands to play live, rather than rely so much on a backing track.
I am no judge of wailing lead guitar, so I cannot say how good Monte was in that position, though I assume he is good if he is playing for Madonna on all her tours. Or, it may be that he is good at reproducing the music accurately -- a work horse, as you might say. All I know is that his solos all seemed loud with a lots of muddy notes that ran together. Meh. But rock guitarists will have to tell me if that is "good."
For music director, I think you need several things:
1. Knowledge. Kevin seems to know an extreme amount about creating the sound that Adam is interested in for his new music. (Monte was interested in reproducing old, heavy rock and roll, and may not have had the depth of knowledge about this new direction.)
2. The ability to lead with a certain outgoing personality with a flair. I have worked with many directors, and the best were a little outrageous and could get everyone to buy in to the practice and performance. Kevin seems to be more that type than Monte.
3. The ability to work well with the featured soloist or headliner. He/she has to be in sync with the artist's vision and know how best to support it and create it. There has to be a synchronicity where the director can anticipate what the artist wants to do with tempo, phrasing, improv, interpretation. While I think that Monte and Adam probably had that in the past, I do not think Monte shares Adam's current vision. Don't think it is his cup of tea. And with the ugliness that we suspect went down over other matters concerning the unmentionable album, and Adam's decision (I assume) not to collaborate with Monte on album #2, it would have become extremely difficult for the two to work together as closely and harmoniously as they need to.
So, I think this new line up IS better, and Adam was perhaps more honest and less diplomatic than we have come to expect, but he did not say anything negative about any specific person. It worked for me.
Let's celebrate the music together!
