edit: just saw this:
In case you can’t take Trunk’s word on it, Portnoy himself confirmed the news via Twitter saying “Sad but true…I tried my best to make it work…me & the bass player couldn’t wait around any longer…” In a separate tweet, Portnoy also confirmed that the mystery bassist was Mr. Big’s Billy Sheehan and the two are already working with another singer and guitarist.
My question is: why couldn't they wait around any longer? WTF? Sounds to me like the problem was MP's, and that's not a real encouraging sign, at all.
I have to agree. I may be "old school", but back then musicians would meet when they had something solid to record.
My theory is that MP plain tried to force the thing into his usual schedule. Meet for a few days in the studio, and put on tape whatever cones up. Sykes is more of the classical mindset of recording songs that have evolved.
rumborak
Agreed - it seems like the idea looked good on paper, but their personalities may have been polar opposites. MP is always on the move, and every month he's either touring with a band, putting together a cover band, recording in the studio, doing drum clinics, or something else entirely. The man never knows when to stop, except for the obvious holiday-time with family.
I think with 2012 approaching, and not a lot (known) being done with this project, MP and Sykes probably decided it was best to shelve it considering how busy MP plans on being this year (touring with AMob and possibly FC, and recording at Neal Morse's studio next week for a week or so). I'll bet he has his year planned week-by-week up til June.
-Marc.