A Mark In Time
Mark Knopfler Discussion => Mark Knopfler Discussion Forum => Topic started by: alabhaois on January 04, 2013, 03:15:48 AM
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Hello, all:
I'm glad I found this forum-- I am a devotee of MK since the 80s and it's great being online with others who share my high opinion of him. Happy New Year to all of you. :wave
Cheers,
alabhaois
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Welcome to AMIT alabhaois and Happy New Year! :wave
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Indeed, a warm welcome to our happy home! You saw the light (as it were) around the same time I did in the mid 80s, BIA period.
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Welcome at AMIT, becoming a member here is a great thing to start the year !
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Welcome, alabhaois!
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Welcome aboard!
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Great to have you with us!
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Hello Alhabaois welcome to the AMIT forum! It is great to see your message!
I hope you will have a great time as we all have by talking about Mark and his music!
Of course there are sections also where you can talk about other things as well! ;D
Btw for all the new people at AMIT, there is a special thread in the General discussion section called "Who are we?"
I just put it on page 1 again. ;D It would be nice to see you all introducing yourself as well!
Fieneke
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Welcome to the forum and a happy new year indeed :)
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Thank you, all, for your hospitality! I'm sorry it took me so long to reply-- life sometimes has a habit of getting in the way.
At any rate, I continue to love listening to DS-- to be honest, I haven't done too much listening to Mark's solo stuff (don't hit me!)-- I keep thinking that when I'm "tired" (hah!) of DS, I'll delve into the solo stuff, but so far, I haven't gotten tired of it at all, and, frankly, I doubt if I ever will. DS has so much depth and is so intricate and beautiful, that I can't wrench myself away.
I did watch the beginning of "Wag the Dog" the other night, and the film opened with this gorgeous, delicate music. Of course, the music was Mark's. He is incredible-- other than Ray Davies and Pete Townshend, I can't think of anyone who can hold a candle to him!!
Cheers,
alabhaois
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Thank you, all, for your hospitality! I'm sorry it took me so long to reply-- life sometimes has a habit of getting in the way.
At any rate, I continue to love listening to DS-- to be honest, I haven't done too much listening to Mark's solo stuff (don't hit me!)-- I keep thinking that when I'm "tired" (hah!) of DS, I'll delve into the solo stuff, but so far, I haven't gotten tired of it at all, and, frankly, I doubt if I ever will. DS has so much depth and is so intricate and beautiful, that I can't wrench myself away.
I did watch the beginning of "Wag the Dog" the other night, and the film opened with this gorgeous, delicate music. Of course, the music was Mark's. He is incredible-- other than Ray Davies and Pete Townshend, I can't think of anyone who can hold a candle to him!!
Cheers,
alabhaois
I often feel that most of my favourite songs are the one that didn't hit me straight away. They took many listens before I took to them and now I love them. Conversely, some that I took to immediately are now among my least favourite!
Wag the Dog is a very good film too.
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alabhaois - I became a fan of DS in the early 80s and I loved just about everything, but when Mark went solo, my love of DS took a back seat, with the exception of certain songs that I still love. I suppose that I am pretty much the opposite of you, in that my preference is for MK's solo music, which I find much more interesting and beautiful, even though sometimes it is not so guitar based as DS.
In your first post, you mentioned that you were a devotee of MK since the 80s - so I would really urge you to give the MK solo songs a good listen and I'm sure you will eventually love them just as I do! I agree with dmg that they probably don't immediately become favourites, as did the DS songs, but a few spins will reap rich rewards - I promise! :)
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I agreed with the depth in the DS songs. I love both DS and solo stuff just equally the same. I couldn't imagine Mark making the same type of music today he did during the DS era. It just seems unfitting for him. Love how his songs evolved with the time we are in.
Haven't seen Wag the dog yet ! Is it that good a film ?
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I agreed with the depth in the DS songs. I love both DS and solo stuff just equally the same. I couldn't imagine Mark making the same type of music today he did during the DS era. It just seems unfitting for him. Love how his songs evolved with the time we are in.
Haven't seen Wag the dog yet ! Is it that good a film ?
I would highly recommend it. Hoffman and de Niro are a great duo and it's pretty funny too.
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I agreed with the depth in the DS songs. I love both DS and solo stuff just equally the same. I couldn't imagine Mark making the same type of music today he did during the DS era. It just seems unfitting for him. Love how his songs evolved with the time we are in.
Haven't seen Wag the dog yet ! Is it that good a film ?
I would highly recommend it. Hoffman and de Niro are a great duo and it's pretty funny too.
dmg, thanks for the recommendation. I have to find time to sit down and watch it. Apart from " local Hero" I haven't watched any other movie film scores. Any of them worth watching ? Cal, Metroland, last exit to Brooklyn, princess bride, a shot at glory ?
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I agreed with the depth in the DS songs. I love both DS and solo stuff just equally the same. I couldn't imagine Mark making the same type of music today he did during the DS era. It just seems unfitting for him. Love how his songs evolved with the time we are in.
Haven't seen Wag the dog yet ! Is it that good a film ?
I would highly recommend it. Hoffman and de Niro are a great duo and it's pretty funny too.
dmg, thanks for the recommendation. I have to find time to sit down and watch it. Apart from " local Hero" I haven't watched any other movie film scores. Any of them worth watching ? Cal, Metroland, last exit to Brooklyn, princess bride, a shot at glory ?
I suppose it depends on what tickles ones' fancy! I like Comfort and Joy but perhaps it isn't the best made film of the lot, Last Exit would surely take that accolade.
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The Princess Bride is an utter classic. :)
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The Princess Bride is an utter classic. :)
"Comfort and joy" is a little silly, but in my opinion all the others worth the time. Well, it counts also to C&J, when it comes to mind that it was somewhat based on a true story.
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The Princess Bride is an utter classic. :)
"Comfort and joy" is a little silly, but in my opinion all the others worth the time. Well, it counts also to C&J, when it comes to mind that it was somewhat based on a true story.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glasgow_Ice_Cream_Wars
I haven't actually watched The Princess Bride because I just can't abide the fantasy genre and it's really a children's film anyway. Halliwell's legendary Film Guide gives it one star and says of it: "rather strained fantasy with occasional bright moments." The song Storybook Love did receive an Academy Award nomination though.
Last Exit gets three out of a maximum four stars. It's also the only time Mark's name appears in italics meaning a "contribution of a particularly high standard." Halliwell is notoriously strict, but honest on his ratings!
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Well here is my one cent about the films. I can say that the music in some of the films is superb, but we are all here for this reason , I guess.
I tend to grade the movies, with days and times that are good to try them.
Saturday night is probably the best grade. You are rather relaxed from the previous week, not thinking of the next and so many things to do like go out. So staying in for a movie should really worth it. Sunday night movies are the movies you see, in order to allow time to pass easy. It is not a bad thing, I think Tuesday is the worse, where you get back home from work late at night and you just want to eat and sleep, because you have to wake up early the other morning, so you need an unattractive movie to do the trick. After all sleeping pills can get addictive.
So, here it is:
1. Local hero - strong plot, relevant for all times, weak delivery despite great actors being involved, 80ies feel. Sunday night movie
2.Cal - good script, nice mood, great actors, yet not up there with other films about Ireland, probably due to the direction. Sunday night movie
3. Comfort and joy - Great main actor, two all time favorite movie scenes, nice script, and lots of great mosic (LOG-LP is part of the soundtrack) and references to it. A rather guilty pleasure, Sunday afternoon movie.
4.The princess bride-A nice tale with humour that only adults can get. Nice story and acting- Saturday afternoon movie.
5. Last exit to Brooklyn-Strong film, lots of violent moments and a script that breaks bones. Shelby is the writer of many books. One of the famous ones that became a film was Requiem for a dream. Saturday night but with caution.
6. Wag the dog-My favorite film of the lot. Great actors take a very serious subject and give it a lightness that makes this film almost a comedy. And Willie Nelson is the next musician Mark should collaborate with. Friday night movie.
7.Metroland- A wonderful movie, could be in the top instead of Wag the dog. Two of the best new generation actors at a very humane yet a bit twisted situation. Surely Saturday night movie.
8.A shot at glory. I still struggle with it. Found it on DVD but no subtitles and I miss many parts when they have this Scottish accent. ;-)
But the best film (and one of my favourites in general-despite Tom Cruz playing in it) with an original composition by MK specific for the film goes to The colour of money. But since there are many artists that collaborate as well, it is not a MK soundtrack.
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Interesting to note your comments about Comfort and Joy VGonis. The lead actor is Bill Paterson and I also like him a lot. He is well known here, especially in Scotland and it may be of interest that he also starred in the 2nd series of Auf Wiedersehen, Pet alongside Jimmy Nail, Tim Healy etc.
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Thanks dmg! I have seen Paterson in several films I don't recall but I remember "The odd job" with Graham Chapman and DEavid Jason (both on the top 100 comediens). Not a great film, but love the ending. At last the hero snuffs it. I will look for Auf Wiedersehen, Pet, because apart from the ones you mention I also see Timothy Spall, one of Mike Leigh's (and mine) favourite actors. BTW and since you've mentioned Nail, have you seen Spender? Is it any good?
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Thanks dmg! I have seen Paterson in several films I don't recall but I remember "The odd job" with Graham Chapman and DEavid Jason (both on the top 100 comediens). Not a great film, but love the ending. At last the hero snuffs it. I will look for Auf Wiedersehen, Pet, because apart from the ones you mention I also see Timothy Spall, one of Mike Leigh's (and mine) favourite actors. BTW and since you've mentioned Nail, have you seen Spender? Is it any good?
Spender? Oh, that was a while ago! I did watch it when it was shown for the first time but I don't recall any repeat showings so I can't actually remember much about it. I do remember that my parents and I all sat around the telly and watched it on a Sunday night though so it must have been a "must watch" programme.
As it happens it is also AWP's 30th anniversary this year. Scary. Bill Paterson was in the series where the boys went off to Spain to work for his character Ally Fraser.
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I came across Spender when i was looking for J.Nail's other acting roles. It seems odd that although it was a success, it stopped after 2 seasons and no re-runs or worldwide DVD release.
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Thanks so much, vgonis, for the summary and movie grades... And, oh my gosh... your rating system is ingenius -- loved it!! ;D
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Thanks so much, vgonis, for the summary and movie grades... And, oh my gosh... your rating system is ingenius -- loved it!! ;D
:) Thank you! I was using it with a lifelong friend of mine that couldget the connection. In a way it follows the logic of the Thursday movie premieres. Why Thursdays and not Fridays? ;D
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in France, when you said "the saturday night movie", in the mid 80ies, at the beginning of Canal + channel, it meant something else..... ::) ;D
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JF, if you are willing to exchange that sort of movies (and similar activities :o ) for another, then it must be really worth it! ;D
Anyway, in Greece we don't have to wait for Saturday movies. We experience it every day from our loving politicians... :-X :P
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Greetings to all :wave
Would like to hope that's the most suitable place for my first appearance here, if you don't mind.
Well, it's better late than never, so I ventured upon this step at last ::)
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Welcome to AMIT, Throttle! Hope you will enjoy being here. :)
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Welcome on board Throttle. I like your avatar and the telegraph pole - nice link.
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Thank you both :)
(fell off the pole through shyness, shook the dust from clothes and dropped a curtsy)
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Welcome on board Throttle. I like your avatar and the telegraph pole - nice link.
sounded like you will fit very well here. Welcome. :)
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Welcome Throttle. No Newbies here, only new friends. ;)
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It would be great, sweetsurrender
Thank you, guys, I was touched by your amiability :)
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Welcome, Throttle. You couldn't find a better group of people!! :wave
I saw DS only once in Oakland, California-- this was the long-awaited post-Brothers in Arms tour in the early 90s. It was nearly the end of their tour and it was obvious MK was tired. Do you know he never looked at the audience once? He looked down during the entire concert-- not like what I've seen on Alchemy and other live concerts. No flashes of that beautiful smile. But I'm sure he was burned out and I can't blame him. I believe they quietly disbanded once the tour was over.
I have heard some of his solo efforts, particularly the Celtic variety, and I like them very much. But I do miss the band.
NO ONE plays like he does-- I never get tired of listening to the "old" songs-- ever. He has his own, distinct sound-- I've never heard any lead guitarist "make that guitar cry, make it sing" like Mark. And his lyrics are sometimes dry, sometimes ironic, sometimes witty, sometimes blustery, sometimes heart-felt. An intellectual (former?) rock star!! He's just amazing!!
Anyway, just wanted to touch base.
Cheers!
Alabhaois
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Welcome, Throttle. You couldn't find a better group of people!! :wave
I saw DS only once in Oakland, California-- this was the long-awaited post-Brothers in Arms tour in the early 90s. It was nearly the end of their tour and it was obvious MK was tired. Do you know he never looked at the audience once? He looked down during the entire concert-- not like what I've seen on Alchemy and other live concerts. No flashes of that beautiful smile. But I'm sure he was burned out and I can't blame him. I believe they quietly disbanded once the tour was over.
I have heard some of his solo efforts, particularly the Celtic variety, and I like them very much. But I do miss the band.
NO ONE plays like he does-- I never get tired of listening to the "old" songs-- ever. He has his own, distinct sound-- I've never heard any lead guitarist "make that guitar cry, make it sing" like Mark. And his lyrics are sometimes dry, sometimes ironic, sometimes witty, sometimes blustery, sometimes heart-felt. An intellectual (former?) rock star!! He's just amazing!!Anyway, just wanted to touch base.
Cheers!
Alabhaois
Like what you said about our MAN !!! :)
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MK/DS - 'discovered' 1985. 1st concert 1991. Grew with it ever since, all that bit older now! Finally my other half in 2013 said at the RAH concert - 'really good sound, very good musicians' - it only took him 25 years :clap ;D
He's seen him at Goodwood and Silverstone, of course I wasn't there
Sally
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Welcome, Throttle. You couldn't find a better group of people!! :wave
.....
Anyway, just wanted to touch base.
Cheers!
Alabhaois
Well said, Alabhaois.
I feel I should write something back. :)
Don't know where to begin... :hmm
Probably, MK is a few more than just a human person for me. I mean, not only a musician, a songwriter, a good man etc.
It just so happened that three years ago he saved my life almost in a literal sense. His oeuvre, of course, that's what I mean above all.
I wouldn't like to expatiate upon that subject, but I'm deeply in his debt though.
Cheers!
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Oh, Throttle-- now you have my curiosity. I will refrain from asking questions, though, suffice it to say MK has had a powerful effect on lots of us. And another thing I love about him is his humility-- not exactly humble, but he doesn't walk around acting like he's some kind of superman-- I notice it's kind of hard for him to accept praise. That's because he's a genuine, down-to-earth guy who has this incredible gift. And I think he has a good, strong, healthy ego. I read somewhere that when people say how much his music means to them that he becomes embarrassed and really doesn't know how to answer. He's just an extraordinary person, all-around.
Cheers,
alabhaois
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Sorry for the delay in responding, alabhaois. I just didn't know what to say.
The point is that, in <my reality> he is at liberty to do everything that he thinks fit: take umbrage, be embarrassed, sail close to the wind, be in a nasty mood, keep silent, be at loggerheads, feel seedy, do stupid things, be fond or have an aversion...
Actually, it's rather simple to receive him with all human foibles and salient features ;)
Hope you had marvelous Christmas :wave
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welcme aboard throttle.