i don\'t think he literally meant something to "say", i think he meant more of a point of view. instrumental bands had better have more of something to say simply because they\'re instrumental and can\'t use lyrics to help. and miles *certainoly* had a point of view with his music. he was saying things in ways in which no one every had. same with bird, coltrane, mo9nk, hell, most of jazz.
and to cobb\'s point, the single main reason that i hear that folks can\'t get into tB is exactly what he described. yes, they are great musicians, yes, they play really fast, but at the end of the day, why? what commonality or uniqueness are they trying to express? if there\'\'s a bunch of changes, why are they there? to say something or just to have changes? the dead had that amazing, bittersweet organicism, phish had quirkiness and (in the early days) phenomenal musicianship. i actually think that the three piece helps them have a new way of expressing themselves. they are not a group of hippie dippie dudes, their influences have heaviness all around. so it seems likke they are trying to take jam music in a more muscular, heavier direction. not all swirly synths and noodly solos. one would think that there\'d be an audience for that mixture, but it seems like folks aren\'t ready to put peanut butter in their chocolate yet. most of us like our jambands swirly and our aggressive music rawkin\'. it seems to me that they\'re trying for more of an aggressive jam sound with the three piece, in an attempt to get closer to what they are like and prefer as people, as well as to differentiate themselves from the rest of the bands out there. will it work? obviously even from fans its hard to get folks to fully accept and groove upon the new approach, but adding another keyboardist would be contrary to what i perceive is their new aim. that being said, please bust out some trio tunes soon, so folks can get a better idea of what the new point of view is, than from trying to figure it out listening to older songs that have just been re-arranged.
and as for my personal opinion on the matter. either have keys or don\'t. stop hoo haafooting around in the middle! 12/23 seems to have far fewer excursions to the keys and i tell ya what, me likey!
