A Mark In Time
Mark Knopfler Discussion => Mark Knopfler Discussion Forum => Topic started by: Jules on February 04, 2013, 05:20:19 PM
-
Ok, lets say what we think that will or not happens about the dvd thing...
-
I've chosen the 3rd option.
Looking at the past I certainly don't expect such a release, but as I, for several reasons, aren't able to attend any concerts this coming tour I definately hope for a dvd release of one of the concerts. Seeing the last (I don't count the Alchemy release) live dvd we've got was the MK/EH tour in 2006 and the last stand alone MK concert was the 1996 BBC concert I think a recent MK concert release on dvd is long overdue.
-
I've chosen the 3rd option.
Looking at the past I certainly don't expect such a release, but as I, for several reasons, aren't able to attend any concerts this coming tour I definately hope for a dvd release of one of the concerts. Seeing the last (I don't count the Alchemy release) live dvd we've got was the MK/EH tour in 2006 and the last stand alone MK concert was the 1996 BBC concert I think a recent MK concert release on dvd is long overdue.
Even the 1996 ANIL was just an officially released video from a Jools Holland TV show special, so I wouldn't even count that because it wasn't recorded from a "proper" concert.
-
It might be simpler just to wait to see if any of the shows actually gets filmed professionally and, if one or more do, then by all means start to speculate about an actual release. Until then, ..........
-
It might be simpler just to wait to see if any of the shows actually gets filmed professionally and, if one or more do, then bt all means start to speculate about an actual release. Until then, ..........
Probably right but we're getting rather impatient by now! ;)
-
Well, if Mark has to participate in the editing, I don't think it will ever happen. I cite the following interview from Barnes and Noble as my reference:
B&N.com: Were you involved in the recent remastering of the Dire Straits albums at all?
MK: If it's the Bob Ludwig ones, then yes. They were sent for approval back then, a while back.
B&N.com: Did it make you go back and reexamine those songs?
MK: No. I remember once we had to make a live album. We'd been playing ten nights at Hammersmith Odeon [in London], or a week, whatever it was, and I started listening to a performance from Monday night and I thought, Shit, I can't go through this. I said, "What was a good night?" Somebody said, "Saturday was a good night." I said, "Okay, that's the album." I just couldn't wade through it all.
B&N.com: Have you ever given in and listened to it at any point?
MK: If I'm unlucky enough to be somewhere when it comes on, I guess I have to hear a few bars of it.
B&N.com: You don't like to look back, do you?
MK: I'm the last man in the world to look back on that stuff. I always want to be going forward. I think it would be sad to sit around at home and listen to your own records. There's something deeply tragic about that [laughs].
September 26, 2000
-
And that's exactly the attitude, outlook and approach that any artist and/or performer should have. Keep pressing on, maybe to something better, maybe not, but definitely to something different. There must always be that underlying feeling, unconcious perhaps, rarely if ever stated overtly, that "the best is yet to come". That striving for something better, sometimes bigger but not always, sometimes just more refined or of a different quality, sometimes just any kind of change to refresh the mind. Just keep pressing on.
-
And that's exactly the attitude, outlook and approach that any artist and/or performer should have. Keep pressing on, maybe to something better, maybe not, but definitely to something different. There must always be that underlying feeling, unconcious perhaps, rarely if ever stated overtly, that "the best is yet to come". That striving for something better, sometimes bigger but not always, sometimes just more refined or of a different quality, sometimes just any kind of change to refresh the mind. Just keep pressing on.
Yes!
-
...and that's why we have Guy in the team!
To keep looking forward is fine but one must also be aware of the past, at the very least. Seems Mark wants to railroad around it completely.
-
true, i admire the act of looking forward, but there is no harm in having someone look over your past and "take care of it" for you, right?
-
true, i admire the act of looking forward, but there is no harm in having someone look over your past and "take care of it" for you, right?
Mark and Guy have a good partnership going on there. I really would fear for us if Guy departed.
-
i am the only one that voted for...by the way
-
Quote dmg: "I really would fear for us if Guy departed."
Dmg, that would be horrible if Guy would leave! :o First of all because he is such a nice guy and of course because we wouldn't
be able to get information anymore! ........... I just don't want to think about that! Guy is as important as Mark is and I don't want to miss him! (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v510/Fieneke2/Emoticons/3511504d6836511af49a93488fbc3c4a1c3.gif)
I voted also for number 3, because I hope there will be a DVD like we had with the MK/EH Tour.
I can understand that MK wants to look forward, he always did and that is why we have so many different kinds of beautiful songs!
BUT it is also my opinion that Mark or at least his management should think about ALL those fans in the world who would love
to attend one of the concerts, but don't have the possibilty! :'( Especial fans from outside Europe might not have money enough
to travel and book an hotel to attent one of the concerts! How beautiful would it be for those fans if they can watch the DVD and
enjoy a live concert as well!
Fieneke
-
We are not talking about the DS dvd right? They can do a solo material dvd for all the MK fans from the whole world. The subject isn't looking back or forward. Clapton, Gilmour, Rea... do this dvd thing and i don't think they're obsessive about the past.
-
Alright, own up - who voted for number 2? :disbelief
-
Even Montreux seem to have been bloked so definitively a no way for me.
-
Maybe not enough control of the Montreux dvd?
-
I voted number 3. I don't think it will happen, but I live in hope! :)
-
Maybe not enough control of the Montreux dvd?
I've come to the conclusion that Montreux was included in the 2010 tour for DVD purposes.
Unfortunately the trapped nerve and the chair f... up everything.
Obviously MK is not comfortable with the idea of a recording team touring with the band but he knows his band is fantastic and deserves a DVD.
Montreux is just the right place for that : they record anyway and MK has no organization and production pressure. He only has to say no.
I think there will be Montreux again this year for the same reason.
They will film, Mark will say no. End of the story.
-
I voted "No way".
I think that Mark doesn't like to release live concert.
A Night In London was great in VHS, and I'll never understand why he decided to remove Sultans and Money For Nothing on the DVD edition.
By the way, if there was a release of each tour, then maybe Mark would see that he plays every tour the same songs...
-
I own up
-
Quote dmg: "I really would fear for us if Guy departed."
Dmg, that would be horrible if Guy would leave! :o First of all because he is such a nice guy and of course because we wouldn't
be able to get information anymore! ........... I just don't want to think about that! Guy is as important as Mark is and I don't want to miss him!
he is surely a nice Guy, but musically.... I think that his influence on Mark's music hasn't been always good...
I mean, over production for BIA/OES, synths, and so on...I think a lot ideas cames from Guy.
As "human" fans, we all love Guy for his kindness, but as "musical" fans, we are a lot to prefer the era before he joined DS, don't we ?
I vote "no way", because I still don't have any hope about such a release...I would love to have one though
-
I think there will be Montreux again this year for the same reason.
They will film, Mark will say no. End of the story.
Then we will just have just to wait another 70 years :think
-
Quote dmg: "I really would fear for us if Guy departed."
Dmg, that would be horrible if Guy would leave! :o First of all because he is such a nice guy and of course because we wouldn't
be able to get information anymore! ........... I just don't want to think about that! Guy is as important as Mark is and I don't want to miss him!
he is surely a nice Guy, but musically.... I think that his influence on Mark's music hasn't been always good...
I mean, over production for BIA/OES, synths, and so on...I think a lot ideas cames from Guy.
As "human" fans, we all love Guy for his kindness, but as "musical" fans, we are a lot to prefer the era before he joined DS, don't we ?
I vote "no way", because I still don't have any hope about such a release...I would love to have one though
Yes. I agree with you too, especially latterly.
-
About Guy
-
I mean, over production for BIA/OES, synths, and so on...I think a lot ideas cames from Guy.
As "human" fans, we all love Guy for his kindness, but as "musical" fans, we are a lot to prefer the era before he joined DS, don't we ?
Yes. I agree with you too, especially latterly.
So, you finally agree that there was too much synth on the BIA tour, and that Alchemy's more classical approach was better ? Everything happens ! :D
Just kidding.
-
I mean, over production for BIA/OES, synths, and so on...I think a lot ideas cames from Guy.
As "human" fans, we all love Guy for his kindness, but as "musical" fans, we are a lot to prefer the era before he joined DS, don't we ?
Yes. I agree with you too, especially latterly.
So, you finally agree that there was too much synth on the BIA tour, and that Alchemy's more classical approach was better ? Everything happens ! :D
Just kidding.
I perhaps should elaborate. ;D I really meant his influence in the production side and I also tend to think that he is the main influence these days in letting MK know which new songs are any good or not. I think the synths were more prominent on the MM and LOG tours anyway.
Then, he does a great job for us with his web site, tour diaries etc etc... Of course we can't have our bread buttered on both sides. :-\
-
About the DVD, Montreux its not what MK would want. We know he wants to have full control in terms of quality control, so I bet for a full team recording their show hired for that, not the Montreux one. I
-
I think the synths were more prominent on the MM and LOG tours anyway.
Huh ? The BIA tour was filled with synths all over the place, I don't think they were less prominent than on the OL and LOG tours...
They were different fo sure.
on the OL tour they were quite crude, very 80's "cheap synthetizer" style.
on the LOG tour they were filled with warmth... I quite like them. Think of the intro of RAJ on Alchemy, or Portobello Belle.. .quite beautiful.
on the BIA tour they were much colder, and also quite overused; with some nice parts though - the layers of sound effects (or pads I believe is the right word) are fantastic in the intro of TOL (something quite lacking before), and help to smooth BIA a lot, Wembley 85 versions of both songs are my very favourites.
on the OES tour did you notice that the influence of keyboards was much, much less ? to the point that I miss them ! Pedal Steel is not always an adequate subsitute for synths...
-
I think the synths were more prominent on the MM and LOG tours anyway.
Huh ? The BIA tour was filled with synths all over the place, I don't think they were less prominent than on the OL and LOG tours...
They were different fo sure.
on the OL tour they were quite crude, very 80's "cheap synthetizer" style.
on the LOG tour they were filled with warmth... I quite like them. Think of the intro of RAJ on Alchemy, or Portobello Belle.. .quite beautiful.
on the BIA tour they were much colder, and also quite overused; with some nice parts though - the layers of sound effects (or pads I believe is the right word) are fantastic in the intro of TOL (something quite lacking before), and help to smooth BIA a lot, Wembley 85 versions of both songs are my very favourites.
on the OES tour did you notice that the influence of keyboards was much, much less ? to the point that I miss them ! Pedal Steel is not always an adequate subsitute for synths...
Yes, Guy was almost redundant on the OES tour. Almost. Sultans' sound changed quite a lot between the early versions and the later ones when the band stripped down though proving Guy was still there!
-
About Guy
-
Yes, the musical direction was perhaps a little more focussed as a result and had fewer outside influences e.g. other instrumental groups. Also, I feel now that he feels obligated to use friends on albums and tours and do favours like play on friends albums (or friends wives albums ::)) when before he would have just focussed on his own music and if he felt an instrument wasn't needed, then he didn't just "accommodate" it because he had used him in the past.
-
Quote JF
".....but a better songwriter/composer/musician than now..."
Not better, just different! ;)
-
Of course Mark and Alan relationship is dead, and that's the difference between Alan and Guy : Alan has revealed with the straits thing that he isn't as nice as Guy, but in term of musical influence, it obvious that he brought a million more ideas than Guy.
I think that it is often the case that an artist isn't a "nice" guy but has a "genius" inspiration, while a nice chap is rarely a talented musician....
IMHO Mark's musical inspiration was far better back in the 70-80ies when he was "dictatorial" (as said in Oldfiled' book), maybe a little bit more arrogant, but a better songwriter/composer/musician than now...
I think that Alan is a not a yes man... just as a funny symbol of this, watch TOL on Alchemy DVD/BR, at the beginning of the song after the intro and the Carrousel Waltz, you see Alan making fun of Mark's singing style behind his back ! :) I think Alan also stated that he was no too happy with DS muscial during the OES tour and that he would have preferred touring with EC instead... Then at the charity gigs of 2002 Alan was the only boy missing... then "The Straits" thing... sad. Both men grew up in Newcastle upon a Tyne, ther bond must have be strong at the time, too bad that Mark seem to favour "Yes men" to opiniated people. This started with his own brother... David, then Pick, then Hal, then Alan... not even counting Terry, Jack, and more recently Danny, who appear not to have challenged MK's will but just "did not meet the grade" which they use to meet previously; even John, the ideal Yes Man, always there in the DS days, is still a good friend but is left on the sideways - I guess he does not "meet the grade" either and was kept till the end of DS only because of his 200% loyalty to Mark and his partnership in DS, rather than for his (good but by no means exceptional) musical skills.
Oh well...
-
Yes I know the part where Alan "mimes" TOL vocals, but I never thought that he was making fun of Mark, i had ever thought that he enjoyed the moment, and had fun to play the song. You can often see musician miming vocals during songs on stage, it's very usual.
Totally agree about "Mark seem to favour "Yes men" to opiniated people", because he wanted to keep the control on the band.
Superval, I know what you mean, It's of course a matter of taste, but I think many of us share the opinion that his musical inspiration is a little bit decreasing.
I can't speak in term of lyrics beracuse english isn't my native language and I admit that I can't appreciate enough his writing, but in term of music, his songs now are more "standard" than they were in the 7 first years of DS
-
Yes, it all comes down to personal taste, but these days I hardly listen to DS at all. I much prefer the solo albums. :)
-
Yes, it all comes down to personal taste, but these days I hardly listen to DS at all. I much prefer the solo albums. :)
Boo. Don't deprive yourself Val! ;D
-
Yes, it all comes down to personal taste, but these days I hardly listen to DS at all. I much prefer the solo albums. :)
Boo. Don't deprive yourself Val! ;D
:lol I'm not deprived, dmg - I can have it all anytime I want! ;D
-
Yes, it all comes down to personal taste, but these days I hardly listen to DS at all. I much prefer the solo albums. :)
Boo. Don't deprive yourself Val! ;D
:lol I'm not deprived, dmg - I can have it all anytime I want! ;D
:think :hmm ;)
-
;) :P
-
About the DVD, Montreux its not what MK would want. We know he wants to have full control in terms of quality control, so I bet for a full team recording their show hired for that, not the Montreux one.
I really don't think the Montreux Team is the problem for that nor Mark full control wish. Not to that extend.
-
Yes, it all comes down to personal taste, but these days I hardly listen to DS at all. I much prefer the solo albums. :)
I wasn't a fan of DS in the past so, although my dear friend Superval and I are in the minority, I have to admit that I also
prefer the solo albums! Mark's voice is more mature and I like folk songs and Celtic music too! Michael and John are a great
addition to the band! (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v510/Fieneke2/Emoticons/Grinning.gif)
When we talk about playing the guitar, I agree with others, it was better and there were more different and difficult tones in the past!(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v510/Fieneke2/Emoticons/confused01-1.gif)
Fieneke
-
and in the end we here, really do not know, anything of what goes on behind the screens.
-
and in the end we here, really do not know, anything of what goes on behind the screens.
Oh, So true !!! :clap All speculations. And that's what keeps the forum alive and active. :thumbsup :clap
-
When we talk about playing the guitar, I agree with others, it was better and there were more different and difficult tones in the past!
I was not talking only about guitar.
To me, the point is not about guitar solos, or so.
What I wanted to point out is that if you listen to solo album, most of songs are "predictable" : melody, chords changes, arrangements, Mark don't tak any risks with his songs in past 10 years, "he stands in the comfort zone" as it was said about his stage attitude.
On each solo album, you can find half songs which remained from other solos songs. I think it's not the case (not in the same way) on DS albums.
musically, Waterline, Skateaway, lions are more "elaborate" than ballads like I'm the fool (I know it's your fav one Fieneke ;)) wanderlust, or even What it is, and it's not a matter of solo or not.
I like listen to his cletic tunes, but let's face it all are base on same melody/chords structure : hall away / roadrunning / night long ago /.....
when a new album is released, you can bet on which songs you will have :
- a celtic tune
- a blues tune
- a ballad
- a "driving" tune
- another ballad
...
I think there are no "surprises".
in early 80s, when you heard fro the first time TOL or Les boys, it wasn't what you could expect from the same band which released sultans or lady writer just before
I'm an average amateur musician, but when I'm listening to a new MK tune, I can almost find the chords at the first or the 2nd listen, it's quite easy. You "know" what will come after, you know how will sound the chorus at the first note of the song.
but for DS songs, it wasn't the same thing...
don't get me wrong, I like to listen to solo albums too, it's just that I don't fin the "genius" I found on early albums ;D
and sorry to repeat myself, but I'm not talking about guitar hero vs songwriter, it's just about song structures whether there is solo or not
-
I'm not a musician at all but a lot of what you say makes sense to me JF.
I was also thinking last night after I turned my computer off about how many tunes we would determine "classics" that MK has released during the solo years compared to DS years. One can also look at the songs he has openly admitted to releasing in solo years that weren't deemed good enough earlier: R
-
I agree 100% with JF.
I reduced my level of exigence when it comes to MK, I don
-
I'm not a musician at all but a lot of what you say makes sense to me JF.
I would say that there is only really one solo song that I would determine classic: Speedway. Lots of songs I love, but only one classic. From DS years there was at least one on each album.
HFB? :)
-
I'm not a musician at all but a lot of what you say makes sense to me JF.
I would say that there is only really one solo song that I would determine classic: Speedway. Lots of songs I love, but only one classic. From DS years there was at least one on each album.
HFB? :)
Comes into the category of: "love it but not a classic."
-
I'm not a musician at all but a lot of what you say makes sense to me JF.
I would say that there is only really one solo song that I would determine classic: Speedway. Lots of songs I love, but only one classic. From DS years there was at least one on each album.
HFB? :)
Comes into the category of: "love it but not a classic."
Songs can only become classics with the passage of time and I can see that there are some that may become classics eventually! :) What about STP? That seems like it should have classic status by now. It's not one of my favourites though.
-
I'm not a musician at all but a lot of what you say makes sense to me JF.
I would say that there is only really one solo song that I would determine classic: Speedway. Lots of songs I love, but only one classic. From DS years there was at least one on each album.
HFB? :)
Comes into the category of: "love it but not a classic."
Songs can only become classics with the passage of time and I can see that there are some that may become classics eventually! :) What about STP? That seems like it should have classic status by now. It's not one of my favourites though.
Okay, I'll give you that but I agree with you that it's not really one of my favourites either. Better than Marbletown though! ;)
-
;D dmg - I didn't want to mention Marbletown, 'cos I know how much you dislike it, but YES I can see it being a classic eventually and it's well on its way to being one. I loved it on the album, played solo and I still love it played on tour! :)
-
I would say that there is only really one solo song that I would determine classic: Speedway. Lots of songs I love, but only one classic. From DS years there was at least one on each album.
I agree that Speedway is a masterpiece, but I don't think at all it is the only one.
In fact, had the STP album worn a "Dire Straits" sticker on it, I'm quite sure it would have been considered as one of the best DS albums ever.
Sure, lots of songs are predictable, starting with the SL album; yet, some songs became classics to me. To name a few and to compare them with DS classics:
- Speedway, yes, not on par with TR, but coming quite close for the end solo;
- Why Aye Man would have been a classic in the DS days, think of the 2002 great live version with an "almost DS" line-up;
- What it is and Silvertown blues would have been great live successes in the OES days, I'm quite sure.
- HFB comes close to TOL for the end solo (albeit shorter).
- I dug up a diamond is one the best live pieces of music I know of - great video !
- Border Reiver comes close to Sultans or Down to the Waterline... great opener, I hope to get it again this year !
- Piper to the End is such a masterpiece... the end solo is very touching, to me it's (almost) on par with BIA.
- Yon two crows really reminds me of DS... should the solo be a little longer, think how it would have been welcomed in the OES days !
- Same for Kingdom of Gold, I'm quite sure it would have been as succesful as You and Your Friend.
- And... Marbletown, it's so original and different, I love it, even if I kwow you don't :)
Cheers
-
I'm guitarist, and if I choosed to play guitar, it's because of my love for Dire Straits songs, and this incredible guitar style of Mark.
Sultans is my favorite song and will ever be, I play it since 20 years, and still enjoy it everytime (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMM1IRTl0jI).
I can't count how many DS songs I tried to learn and play, there are several on each album (for the 2 first albums it's easy, I tried all).
How many MK solo songs did I learn ?
Only 6 : Golden Heart, Don't You Get It, Je Suis D
-
Trouble with MK these days is he waits to play a song live before giving it the full works. Look at HFB, Yon Two Crows and Kingdom Of Gold for example. They were all great on the record but live they are fantastic, almost rendering the studio versions dull and lifeless. Now if he could bring that energy to his records Id be much happier.
-
Trouble with MK these days is he waits to play a song live before giving it the full works. Look at HFB, Yon Two Crows and Kingdom Of Gold for example. They were all great on the record but live they are fantastic, almost rendering the studio versions dull and lifeless. Now if he could bring that energy to his records Id be much happier.
I agree with you, Banjo! Once I have heard a song played live, be it an MK solo song or a DS song, I hardly ever listen to the album version again, because the live version is almost always best. That's why I love the Simfy recordings and the audience bootlegs so much. :)
-
Trouble with MK these days is he waits to play a song live before giving it the full works. Look at HFB, Yon Two Crows and Kingdom Of Gold for example. They were all great on the record but live they are fantastic, almost rendering the studio versions dull and lifeless. Now if he could bring that energy to his records Id be much happier.
Nothing really new here...compare the studio version of Sultans with the most "bad-ass" versions such as Alchemy, Live Aid or Basel'92... and yet, the studio version, while not as developped as those incredible live versions, has its own interest, being simple, clean and straightforward....
-
Trouble with MK these days is he waits to play a song live before giving it the full works. Look at HFB, Yon Two Crows and Kingdom Of Gold for example. They were all great on the record but live they are fantastic, almost rendering the studio versions dull and lifeless. Now if he could bring that energy to his records Id be much happier.
Nothing really new here...compare the studio version of Sultans with the most "bad-ass" versions such as Alchemy, Live Aid or Basel'92... and yet, the studio version, while not as developped as those incredible live versions, has its own interest, being simple, clean and straightforward....
More-so today though; when one compares Two Yon Crows, err Yon Two Crows (always get it mixed up :-[) album version having no guitar solo at all, then when it comes to the live performances... :D
-
Trouble with MK these days is he waits to play a song live before giving it the full works. Look at HFB, Yon Two Crows and Kingdom Of Gold for example. They were all great on the record but live they are fantastic, almost rendering the studio versions dull and lifeless. Now if he could bring that energy to his records Id be much happier.
Nothing really new here...compare the studio version of Sultans with the most "bad-ass" versions such as Alchemy, Live Aid or Basel'92... and yet, the studio version, while not as developped as those incredible live versions, has its own interest, being simple, clean and straightforward....
More-so today though; when one compares Two Yon Crows, err Yon Two Crows (always get it mixed up :-[) album version having no guitar solo at all, then when it comes to the live performances... :D
Yes he has always done it but SOS took a few years to evolve into the alchemy monster. TR and TOL were epics on the studio versions. One of the great things about seeing MK live is hearing what he changes, extends etc. Thats why we need a DVD.
-
Trouble with MK these days is he waits to play a song live before giving it the full works. Look at HFB, Yon Two Crows and Kingdom Of Gold for example. They were all great on the record but live they are fantastic, almost rendering the studio versions dull and lifeless. Now if he could bring that energy to his records Id be much happier.
I agree with you, Banjo! Once I have heard a song played live, be it an MK solo song or a DS song, I hardly ever listen to the album version again, because the live version is almost always best. That's why I love the Simfy recordings and the audience bootlegs so much. :)
Banjo and Superval I agree with both of you!
I told I wasn't a fan of DS but of course I liked Brothers in Arms; Private Investigation; Walk of Life and Sultans! ;D
After the first concert when I heard Speedway and Telegraph Road live for the first time I was blown away while before they were not special to me. Those songs and also BIA were FANTASTIC and they are still one of my favourite songs! I also didn't like Marbletown, but after the concert I love that one and some others played live now too! ;)
Fieneke
-
Yes he has always done it but SOS took a few years to evolve into the alchemy monster. TR and TOL were epics on the studio versions. One of the great things about seeing MK live is hearing what he changes, extends etc. Thats why we need a DVD.
Very nice link to the topic subject :D :clap