SPOILERS: John Illsley will publish a book about Dire Straits

[jbaent]

About Dire Straits, besides the MFN intro idea, who wrote the intro, etc, there are songs that we know must had more than contributions.

For example, we know TR was developed by MK and Alan, hand by hand, during the soundchecks of the On Location tour, it's MK song but, where Alan's contributions ends as such and develope into co-composing? A grey line.

Also, we know that Paul Franklin was playing some steel guitar warm up licks, Jeff Porcaro followed him, and MK liked so much that he included that in "Calling Elvis". Does it means that Franklin and Porcaro deserve credits for creating one of the main rythmic parts of the song? Or it was just a contribution?

I'm sure that there are lot of more examples, as Quizzy mentioned the Richard Bennett intro for "Rüdiger".

[quizzaciously]

About Dire Straits, besides the MFN intro idea, who wrote the intro, etc, there are songs that we know must had more than contributions.

For example, we know TR was developed by MK and Alan, hand by hand, during the soundchecks of the On Location tour, it's MK song but, where Alan's contributions ends as such and develope into co-composing? A grey line.

Also, we know that Paul Franklin was playing some steel guitar warm up licks, Jeff Porcaro followed him, and MK liked so much that he included that in "Calling Elvis". Does it means that Franklin and Porcaro deserve credits for creating one of the main rythmic parts of the song? Or it was just a contribution?

I'm sure that there are lot of more examples, as Quizzy mentioned the Richard Bennett intro for "Rüdiger".

Hmmmmm, a good example would be Larry Knechtel writing an amazing, astonishingly good piano arrangement for “Bridge Over Troubled Water”. I mean, the demo Paul Simon did is completely different, it's not the same song at all, and yet, no credits for Larry. Because I think what we have here is the situation of a well-established songwriter.

You can do anything for such a songwriter but he’s not going to provide you with any credits regardless of your input. Because I think he understands that it’s a fair game. He gives you the platform, advertise you if you want, and it’s your job to do something with it next. Either you’ll grow and do even more, or cry like a baby asking for credits, it’s your choice.

[superval99]

Just finished reading John's book and I enjoyed it immensely.   

I'm glad you like it!

I think it's very nice to have an inside view from the history of the band, and it's from MK right hand, so it is almost from MK himself, lol

I found very nice the way he talks about David, from the period they were flat mates before MK arrived, and also during the firsts years of the band, he truly liked him and understood all he was going throught.

I don't know if Hal would be very happy with the way John describes how he left the band, it makes him look quite vain, in my opinion.

I always find funny when in this books, the writers try to talk about the "girls" on tour, specially about infidelities, Phil also talked the same way in his own book about that issue, something like "I've been a Saint almost all the time", LOL

Of course, the book is about John's time in DS, but something that wasn't mentioned is how and when Mark met Lourdes - I wonder when that happened, especially when they were so busy travelling around the world so much.  Did she work at The Power Station, perhaps?

[quizzaciously]

Of course, the book is about John's time in DS, but something that wasn't mentioned is how and when Mark met Lourdes - I wonder when that happened, especially when they were so busy travelling around the world so much.  Did she work at The Power Station, perhaps?

That all is going to be in Mark's own autobiography, let's just wait another thousand years!

[jbaent]

Just finished reading John's book and I enjoyed it immensely.   

I'm glad you like it!

I think it's very nice to have an inside view from the history of the band, and it's from MK right hand, so it is almost from MK himself, lol

I found very nice the way he talks about David, from the period they were flat mates before MK arrived, and also during the firsts years of the band, he truly liked him and understood all he was going throught.

I don't know if Hal would be very happy with the way John describes how he left the band, it makes him look quite vain, in my opinion.

I always find funny when in this books, the writers try to talk about the "girls" on tour, specially about infidelities, Phil also talked the same way in his own book about that issue, something like "I've been a Saint almost all the time", LOL

Of course, the book is about John's time in DS, but something that wasn't mentioned is how and when Mark met Lourdes - I wonder when that happened, especially when they were so busy travelling around the world so much.  Did she work at The Power Station, perhaps?

Yes, she worked at Power Station when they got there to record Making Movies, and that's when they met.

[qjamesfloyd]

I haven't read the book yet, but, does John mention Holy Vincent?

[superval99]

I haven't read the book yet, but, does John mention Holy Vincent?

Not directly.

[dustyvalentino]

About Dire Straits, besides the MFN intro idea, who wrote the intro, etc, there are songs that we know must had more than contributions.

For example, we know TR was developed by MK and Alan, hand by hand, during the soundchecks of the On Location tour, it's MK song but, where Alan's contributions ends as such and develope into co-composing? A grey line.

Also, we know that Paul Franklin was playing some steel guitar warm up licks, Jeff Porcaro followed him, and MK liked so much that he included that in "Calling Elvis". Does it means that Franklin and Porcaro deserve credits for creating one of the main rythmic parts of the song? Or it was just a contribution?

I'm sure that there are lot of more examples, as Quizzy mentioned the Richard Bennett intro for "Rüdiger".

Hmmmmm, a good example would be Larry Knechtel writing an amazing, astonishingly good piano arrangement for “Bridge Over Troubled Water”. I mean, the demo Paul Simon did is completely different, it's not the same song at all, and yet, no credits for Larry. Because I think what we have here is the situation of a well-established songwriter.

You can do anything for such a songwriter but he’s not going to provide you with any credits regardless of your input. Because I think he understands that it’s a fair game. He gives you the platform, advertise you if you want, and it’s your job to do something with it next. Either you’ll grow and do even more, or cry like a baby asking for credits, it’s your choice.

The guy who did the string arrangement won a geammy (which Paul felt was undeserved) and didn't even listen to the lyrics properly, he typed it up as "Like A Pitcher of Water"!

[jbaent]

I haven't read the book yet, but, does John mention Holy Vincent?

Not directly.

I don't remember any mention at all, but English is not my language so I might had loses that.

[superval99]

I haven't read the book yet, but, does John mention Holy Vincent?

Not directly.

I don't remember any mention at all, but English is not my language so I might had loses that.

It was related to R&J and the fact that Mark was struggling with his private life and John was surprised that he could write something so beautiful whilst being so distracted.

[jbaent]

I haven't read the book yet, but, does John mention Holy Vincent?

Not directly.

I don't remember any mention at all, but English is not my language so I might had loses that.

It was related to R&J and the fact that Mark was struggling with his private life and John was surprised that he could write something so beautiful whilst being so distracted.

I definitely need the book on paper!

[knopflertom]

I have finished it. The book is very nice with great and interesting stories. I was a bit shocked how dangerous some gigs in some southern Europe countries were at that Time. I didn‘t expected that.
Also I wasn‘t aware that John and Dave very regular weet smokers 

The last part of the OES tour is a bit short for such a big and long tour.

Overall a nice insight into the band‘s Life. It would ne great to read Mark‘s bio/story. But I think this will never happen 

[jbaent]

Book arrived today, almost 10 extra euros in customs, just for a sign!

Looking forward to read it properly.

[JF]

John posted this on his FB page

"Four old friends get together at my book launch last night. #mylifeindirestraits"

[PensaGhost]

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