A Mark In Time

Mark Knopfler Discussion => Mark Knopfler Discussion Forum => Topic started by: dustyvalentino on February 05, 2009, 03:29:39 PM

Title: Worst Cover Versions
Post by: dustyvalentino on February 05, 2009, 03:29:39 PM
This has to be the worst MK/DS cover I have ever heard.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nNWpWRzuwk

Can't believe the comments, first some people say it is better than the original  ::) and then others are saying it's about the Northern Ireland conflict.

Who else has butchered MK's work?
Title: Re: Worst Cover Versions
Post by: superval99 on February 05, 2009, 04:11:22 PM
I think the singer puts his image before any feeling and soul.  I find this cover version extremely cheesy, but I suppose it is a compliment to MK and his music that it was covered in the first place! 

 What amazes me is how many of the comments ignore the fact that it is a Dire Straits song and seem to think it was written about Northern Ireland and the troubles.  I always thought Mark wrote the song about the Falklands War, after his father had explained to him what brothers in arms meant.

How anyone can prefer this cover to the original, which is full of emotion and passion, is beyond me.  Definitely not my cup of tea! 
Title: Re: Worst Cover Versions
Post by: dustyvalentino on February 05, 2009, 05:24:51 PM
If memory serves it was inspired by a remark his father made regarding the Falklands War, but the song wasn't necessarily about that particular war.
Title: Re: Worst Cover Versions
Post by: superval99 on February 05, 2009, 06:26:41 PM
Agreed, it could have been about lots of places at war which have mist-covered mountains, but even before I heard the story about his father, I had a picture in my mind that it was the Falklands.   :)  Only MK can tell us where it was, perhaps a place in his imagination.  ;)
Title: Re: Worst Cover Versions
Post by: Hoops McCann on February 05, 2009, 06:32:05 PM
Who else has butchered MK's work?

System of a Down

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtcTs75roJw
Title: Re: Worst Cover Versions
Post by: superval99 on February 05, 2009, 07:28:02 PM
Dan, I knew that there was a cover of SOS that was truly awful, but couldn't remember the name of the band.  System of a Down!  Surely this must be the absolute worst cover.  They could only manage to play a fraction of SOS anyway, but the sad thing is, that the crowd thought it was wonderful judging by their reaction.   ::)
Title: Re: Worst Cover Versions
Post by: dustyvalentino on February 06, 2009, 11:37:28 AM
OK, you're correct that must be the worst cover ever.

Amateurish to say the least, what an embarassment.
Title: Re: Worst Cover Versions
Post by: Rollergirl on February 06, 2009, 11:41:40 AM
the sad thing is, that the crowd thought it was wonderful judging by their reaction.   ::)

amazing what  5 pints of beer can do....
Title: Re: Worst Cover Versions
Post by: Waterline Man on February 06, 2009, 12:35:16 PM
The system of a down attempt wouldnt be worth listening to after 15 pints in youre local at the weekend ::) :-[ :-[
Title: Re: Worst Cover Versions
Post by: LEPI on February 06, 2009, 06:16:48 PM
The System of a Down version of SOS is blasphemy, but those guys singing BiA is not SO bad. It
Title: Re: Worst Cover Versions
Post by: dustyvalentino on February 06, 2009, 09:17:03 PM
Slightly gay? It couldn't be gayer if Elton John, Boy George and Will Young were on backing vocals.
Title: Re: Worst Cover Versions
Post by: Hophead on February 07, 2009, 05:19:57 PM
I wouldn't waste a drop of precious brew trying to wash down that dribble :-X. Both of these covers suck. How could anyone possibly cover BIA without that haunting solo at the end? The singer needs to spend more time practicing singing to extend his range...and less time practicing posing on stage. ;)
Title: Re: Worst Cover Versions
Post by: IrisRose on February 08, 2009, 07:42:05 PM
 There's some Norwegian TV show that interviewed MK, and then horror of horrors, their stage band played SoS, while MK had to sit there and endure it.  It was awful and embarrassing and you could see it on his face.   I don't think there is a link.  Come to think of it, the interviewer was a little over the top, too.
I am writing this, as I'm listening to the SOS link just above.   Sad business.  Well, as Val says, it's flattering.  OMG, I just heard the end.    Heavy sigh.
Title: Re: Worst Cover Versions
Post by: Waterline Man on February 18, 2009, 02:25:29 PM
This must rate fairly high up there on the list as well ::) ::)

They seem to be fairly young though so unlike Dusty there's room for improvement :P :P

The coke(or whatever it is) is a nice toutch in the middle ;) ;)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFiiOmkRPh8
Title: Re: Worst Cover Versions
Post by: rudiger on February 18, 2009, 06:34:35 PM
There's some Norwegian TV show that interviewed MK, and then horror of horrors, their stage band played SoS, while MK had to sit there and endure it.  It was awful and embarrassing and you could see it on his face.   I don't think there is a link.  Come to think of it, the interviewer was a little over the top, too.
I am writing this, as I'm listening to the SOS link just above.   Sad business.  Well, as Val says, it's flattering.  OMG, I just heard the end.    Heavy sigh.

unfortunately the link exist   

 W0vJzR8kyxU

anyway it's funny  ;D
Title: Re: Worst Cover Versions
Post by: LEPI on February 18, 2009, 06:43:20 PM
My God ???
Title: Re: Worst Cover Versions
Post by: knopflerized on February 18, 2009, 09:40:05 PM
Uuuhhh how it can be allowed to play SOS this way... But Mk seems to laught  about it :D ::)
Title: Re: Worst Cover Versions
Post by: Hophead on February 18, 2009, 09:56:11 PM
O M G...Poor Mark...I don't think he knew whether to laugh or cry after a while. It sounded like someone threw SOS, Ghostriders In The Sky  and a Ventures surf tune...maybe Wipeout...into a blender!!
Title: Re: Worst Cover Versions
Post by: Hoops McCann on February 18, 2009, 10:37:23 PM
The look says it all...

(http://www.amarkintime.org/forum/uploads/mk_pissed.jpg)
Title: Re: Worst Cover Versions
Post by: Hophead on February 18, 2009, 10:45:53 PM
I wonder what he was thinking..my guess is "is this a joke?"
Title: Re: Worst Cover Versions
Post by: Jon on February 18, 2009, 11:23:54 PM
Haha - only in Norway (no offence to Norwegians by the way, I work for a Norwegian company and really enjoy it). 

I'm going to be the voice of dissent and say that for some reason I don't understand, I quite enjoyed bits of that.*  I've heard worse (sometimes during our rehearsals  ;) ).  Definitely some Shadows flung in there - I wonder if that was nod to one of Mr Knopfler's influences.  He certainly doesn't know whether to laugh or cry at points, but I think more than anything he was a bit embarrassed to be sat there for that length of time in that situation.  It must have felt quite odd.  The keyboard player pulls some even more amusing faces than MK though.

*We won't be changing our arrangement to this version though.
Title: Re: Worst Cover Versions
Post by: LEPI on February 19, 2009, 08:16:06 PM
Seeing this video one more time I must notice something. Someone said, Mark is laughing. Yes he is, but only to the guy playing lead guitar. Check out his shirt and hair. Talking about appearance. :P :o
Title: Re: Worst Cover Versions
Post by: Waterline Man on February 20, 2009, 02:31:38 PM
Is this you in disguise Dusty ::) ::) :-[ :-[

C'mon own up we're all friends here ;D ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhRsgLAkVKc&feature=related
Title: Re: Worst Cover Versions
Post by: Fieneke2 on February 21, 2009, 04:39:07 PM
Was that really SOS??  :o Just like Jon says, I recognized a few pieces too!  ;D

Well we must be honest. They didn
Title: Re: Worst Cover Versions
Post by: dustyvalentino on February 23, 2009, 05:02:11 PM

unfortunately the link exist   

 W0vJzR8kyxU

anyway it's funny  ;D


Well I just watched this and I thought they played quite well, as has already been said the guitarist didn't just try to copy MK's style but added in some Shadows style elements before using the wah-wah and stuff at the end and overall I thought it was pretty interesting, much more interesting to me to do the cover a bit differently instead of just copy the original.

However, and pardon my French, can I have a very big WHAT THE FUCK? for the guitarist's hair?????!!!!

Yes, MK was kind of laughing a bit but surely only at that guy's hairstyle which is the most bizarre haircut I have EVER seen.

Also found it a bit weird that they ended the show like this at all. I don't know what usually happens on Norwegian television, but here in the UK (or on Letterman for example in the US) the house band would only play at the start, over teh end credits and maybe while guests are walking on. Who wants to sit and watch some unknown band cover a classic song on prime time TV? If this happened on a UK show I'd be reaching for the remote control.
Title: Re: Worst Cover Versions
Post by: AFknopfler on February 23, 2009, 06:13:54 PM
IMHO I don't think Mark was embarrassed, come on.  ;)
The band in the TV show just played a version of Sultans with a new arrangement and musical ideas..
Yes, Mark smiled and laughed......but it does not necessarily mean that he did not like this version.....probably he was enjoying it....he is so kind and relaxed, he does not need to compare his songs with other versions that fans play everywhere.
He sees things from another perspective.
Title: Re: Worst Cover Versions
Post by: Giggs on February 25, 2009, 08:25:30 PM
There's some Norwegian TV show that interviewed MK, and then horror of horrors, their stage band played SoS, while MK had to sit there and endure it.  It was awful and embarrassing and you could see it on his face.   I don't think there is a link.  Come to think of it, the interviewer was a little over the top, too.
I am writing this, as I'm listening to the SOS link just above.   Sad business.  Well, as Val says, it's flattering.  OMG, I just heard the end.    Heavy sigh.

unfortunately the link exist   

 W0vJzR8kyxU

anyway it's funny  ;D


I'm norwegian guy at the age of 18, a huge fan of Mark Knopfler. I saw him in Oslo last year, loved it!
You guys have no idea how glad I am to tell you that the talkshow isn't norwegian at all, in fact it's finnish ( Finland, Suomi). So please: don't blame the norwegians :)
Title: Re: Worst Cover Versions
Post by: Kay Edvin on February 26, 2009, 12:20:54 AM
It is NOT from Norway!!  :P

It is from Finland!!! ;D
Title: Re: Worst Cover Versions
Post by: LEPI on February 26, 2009, 09:00:41 AM
We are all to be shame of our self. To confuse Finnish with Norwegian. I can understand confusion with Danish which, I recon, is similar to Norwegian, but Finnish is something totally different.
Sorry guys. :-[
Title: Re: Worst Cover Versions
Post by: Giggs on February 26, 2009, 05:54:51 PM
Apology accepted :)
Title: Re: Worst Cover Versions
Post by: Carl J on February 27, 2009, 11:35:25 AM
This has to be the worst MK/DS cover I have ever heard.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nNWpWRzuwk

Can't believe the comments, first some people say it is better than the original  ::) and then others are saying it's about the Northern Ireland conflict.

Who else has butchered MK's work?
  Nothings Better Than The Original!!!! Ever!!!
Title: Re: Worst Cover Versions
Post by: Beauzo on February 27, 2009, 12:22:01 PM
This song was meant to be sung by the angels. And this guy has a golden voice. I say you are wrong that this is the worst ...surely if it is the worst then the song has no meaning to you at all.

YOurs,

Bo
Title: Re: Worst Cover Versions
Post by: Beauzo on February 27, 2009, 12:26:58 PM
And I don't think mk was enduring that song at all. I"m sure he's happy to hear a version that isn't his own. Those guys rocked. You are stuck in the past man. Sultans is not a dark song...it's a happy song, because people know what came out of those dark times for mark. Sultans played as if it's walk of life is a beautiful idea.

YOurs,

Bo
Title: Re: Worst Cover Versions
Post by: dustyvalentino on February 27, 2009, 12:35:35 PM
This song was meant to be sung by the angels. And this guy has a golden voice. I say you are wrong that this is the worst ...surely if it is the worst then the song has no meaning to you at all.

YOurs,

Bo

Hi Bo

Welcome to the best Mark Knopfler forum in the world!

Thanks for your posts. MK has many talents, but I'm not sure if you could class HIM of having "the voice of an angel".  :) I still prefer the Dire Straits original though and stand by my view that this is one of the worst covers of MK's songs ever.
Title: Re: Worst Cover Versions
Post by: ingridswing on February 27, 2009, 12:43:52 PM
For me it's one of the worst versions ever as well. When I saw this one for the first time I really felt sorry for Mark sitting there, not be able to turn off the sound, he stayed polite. But I really thought oh my god, how could they ever think of doing this.
It's not that there aren't good parts in it, but the whole is not my cup of tea.

I prefer the version of Dire Fakes, don't you BBB? So Jon, keep your version up please  ;)
Title: Re: Worst Cover Versions
Post by: superval99 on February 27, 2009, 01:06:43 PM
I think there are a few wires crossed here!  Dusty's first post was regarding Celtic Thunder performing BIA and now it seemed to have slipped into the Finnish SOS.  Both are awful imo.   ::)
Title: Re: Worst Cover Versions
Post by: dustyvalentino on February 27, 2009, 01:17:16 PM
Yes, I thought Celtic Thunder was risible, cheesy and embarassing.

The Finnish thing, while not my cup of tea, at least deserves some kudos for invention.
Title: Re: Worst Cover Versions
Post by: superval99 on February 27, 2009, 01:41:40 PM
I think the fact that MK's music is covered at all, even badly, is a compliment to him and better than being ignored completely!  :) 

Meant to be sung by the angels, though!  ::)    I find that the whole appeal for me regarding MK's music is the contrast between the beautiful guitar and Mark's rather less than perfect vocals.  Nobody can do it like MK!   :)    The Celtic Thunder version was sung very well, but was just too smooth and cheesy and lacked soul!

Regarding the Sultans, Finnish style.   They seemed a good band, but it was not Sultans they were playing!  Sometimes I could hear Road to Hell in there plus other stuff as well!  ::)
Title: Re: Worst Cover Versions
Post by: therock88 on February 27, 2009, 04:44:58 PM
There's some Norwegian TV show that interviewed MK, and then horror of horrors, their stage band played SoS, while MK had to sit there and endure it.  It was awful and embarrassing and you could see it on his face.   I don't think there is a link.  Come to think of it, the interviewer was a little over the top, too.
I am writing this, as I'm listening to the SOS link just above.   Sad business.  Well, as Val says, it's flattering.  OMG, I just heard the end.    Heavy sigh.


NO NO NO NO NO..... It's not a Norwegian show, it's a tv show in Finland. Us Norwegians love Mark Knopfler way too much to destroy such a great song.
Title: Re: Worst Cover Versions
Post by: therock88 on February 27, 2009, 05:02:34 PM
OK, after reading through the thread I can see that my post wasn't needed at all. Sorry guys!
Title: Re: Worst Cover Versions
Post by: dustyvalentino on February 27, 2009, 09:28:49 PM
That's OK, TheRock88, welcome to the best Mark Knopfler Forum in the world, nice to have you with us.  :)