Crikey ! Haven't been able to get on to the Board for a while, so a whopping great shock. Maybe this is good old-fashioned naivety and optimism but if the 5 guys could chat and find a way of working things through, that would be my preferred outcome, irrespective of whether they play together as a band or form umpteen new branches on the Man and off-shoots family tree. ( Have not seen the band with Phil back in harness and was hoping to get in a trip to the Christmas gig. That'll teach me not to miss gigs.)
Even if the guys decide that they can't or won't work together for the future I would hope that they can get to a position where they can still be mates, notwithstanding an agreement to disagree. They have produced way too much great music together and shown so much commitment for a falling out - no matter how heartfelt and difficult - to put a mocker on friendships that must go way back.
Seeing Martin, Josh, George and Bob play in April/May 2007 was a pleasure - and they were fairly cooking on stage, as Dave and Sally and Jules will I am sure agree - just like every Man gig I have ever attended has been a pleasure.
I'll take any combination they choose as the talent that they all share means that it will be great music. But, more important than that, I want the guys to be happy and able to share the pride and pleasure that should come from being part of one of the finest bands/musical collectives/dynasties - never sure that "band" really does the Man experience justice ! Dust settles, and phones, email and public houses will still be there as modes of and locations for communication ....
