Does MK respekt his guitar talent?

[Stanko]

I would say - Something to pick for anyone to enjoy to throughout his long time - LifeTime - career.
Well, I pick everything.
 

[mschaap]

I think in earlier days MK had a strong focus on guitar playing which meant that he practised a lot and  developing guitar parts/licks/melodies were a very prominent part of his songwriting. Somewhere in his solo career (probably during the STP period) I think he has lost that focus. It could very well be that this has something to do with him getting older, losing the souplesse in his fingers and avoiding struggling with it as a consequense. When it is gets to live performances I once read an interview with Hal Lindes and he said MK was constantly trying to improve upon the perfect solo's for the songs, which meant that he played for 90% the same notes on each subsequent night and experimenting in little parts to get it even better. Nowadays it's nothing like that, he's just improvising for the most part. This results in something far from perfect, even quite bad at times because both mind and fingers work at such slower pace. Also keeping the same songs in the setlist night after night and tour after tour does not help either, it would be a miracle to remain truly inspired. Just some thoughts...

[Stanko]

I think in earlier days MK had a strong focus on guitar playing which meant that he practised a lot and  developing guitar parts/licks/melodies were a very prominent part of his songwriting. Somewhere in his solo career (probably during the STP period) I think he has lost that focus. It could very well be that this has something to do with him getting older, losing the souplesse in his fingers and avoiding struggling with it as a consequense. When it is gets to live performances I once read an interview with Hal Lindes and he said MK was constantly trying to improve upon the perfect solo's for the songs, which meant that he played for 90% the same notes on each subsequent night and experimenting in little parts to get it even better. Nowadays it's nothing like that, he's just improvising for the most part. This results in something far from perfect, even quite bad at times because both mind and fingers work at such slower pace. Also keeping the same songs in the setlist night after night and tour after tour does not help either, it would be a miracle to remain truly inspired. Just some thoughts...

I disagree.

[olazabalrok]

I disagree.

Please elaborate.

[dmg]

I think in earlier days MK had a strong focus on guitar playing which meant that he practised a lot and  developing guitar parts/licks/melodies were a very prominent part of his songwriting. Somewhere in his solo career (probably during the STP period) I think he has lost that focus. It could very well be that this has something to do with him getting older, losing the souplesse in his fingers and avoiding struggling with it as a consequense. When it is gets to live performances I once read an interview with Hal Lindes and he said MK was constantly trying to improve upon the perfect solo's for the songs, which meant that he played for 90% the same notes on each subsequent night and experimenting in little parts to get it even better. Nowadays it's nothing like that, he's just improvising for the most part. This results in something far from perfect, even quite bad at times because both mind and fingers work at such slower pace. Also keeping the same songs in the setlist night after night and tour after tour does not help either, it would be a miracle to remain truly inspired. Just some thoughts...

Excellent post.  Sums up my feelings.

[dmg]

http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/6864416

http://ultimateclassicrock.com/mark-knopfler-aging-aint-for-wimps/

http://i.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/blogs/blog-on-the-tracks/2839517/The-Mark-Knopfler-Interview

Some examples from where Mark say about respect talent.

Thanks.  To be precise, he doesn't actually specify which talent.

"When you’re a kid, you’re not even thinking about that stuff. You’re just ramming through everything. I did learn eventually — perhaps far too late — to respect the talent I have."

[AMARKINTIME]

The main problem is not pratice, believe me
The more the time passes the more he is uncapable of playing that fast, it's just normal and physiological at his age.
There's absolutely nothing he can do.
[/quote]

Really?

70 years old

[superval99]

The main problem is not pratice, believe me
The more the time passes the more he is uncapable of playing that fast, it's just normal and physiological at his age.
There's absolutely nothing he can do.

Really?

70 years old


[/quote]

Everyone is different.

[Crusty]

And once more time: Playing fast does not make great guitarist and does not really matter. But not development come from not too much attention and pracitse. MK make minimal effort.

[Robson]

Jesse Kornbluth: So, from the vantage point of the olden days, as best you can see it, what’s your future?

MK: Hopping from one slippery stone to the next, until it ends in tears.

[AMARKINTIME]

And once more time: Playing fast does not make great guitarist and does not really matter. But not development come from not too much attention and pracitse. MK make minimal effort.

Albert Lee is a great guitarist.

[Crusty]

And once more time: Playing fast does not make great guitarist and does not really matter. But not development come from not too much attention and pracitse. MK make minimal effort.

Albert Lee is a great guitarist.

Off course but not from only speed. On youtube is many extreme fast guitarist, but honest they are pure sheet.

[Stanko]

So, some of you want to say that Mark can't play some of his songs anymore?

[Love Expresso]

Just listen to any Sultans or Hill Farmer from 2015 and then ask again... 

LE

[ds1984]

So, some of you want to say that Mark can't play some of his songs anymore?

He can play everything but not all of them properly.