A Mark In Time
Previous Tours => 2019 Down The Road Wherever EU & NA tour => Topic started by: dustyvalentino on May 27, 2019, 09:14:21 PM
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We will all have sentimental favourite musicians and tours/line ups, but if we are being really objective, has he ever played with a better band? Add in Paul Franklin and it's perfection for me.
You would have to be mental of course to suggest that hat MK is at his best, but the backing band is the best ever IMO.
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We will all have sentimental favourite musicians and tours/line ups, but if we are being really objective, has he ever played with a better band? Add in Paul Franklin and it's perfection for me.
You would have to be mental of course to suggest that hat MK is at his best, but the backing band is the best ever IMO.
Haha! I agree the Backing band is absolutely sensational... At last Danny is back and doing what he does best!
I am still very reserved about the Brass section but hey ho each to their own on that.....
MK is not at his best but blimey he's sure still pretty damn good!!
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mmm, i am one of those few that really liked Mike Henderson, so add him, and Robbie and kick (even though i also really like him) Richard.
then add Franklin indeed.
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I liked Mike as well. His sound did tend to overpower MK though. RB let's MK play.
I REALLY like the brass section. They really beef the sound up.
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Probably. I liked Terry on drums personally but have nothing against Ianto.
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It's a stellar band
I agree, I would have added Paul Franklin to have a pretty bouquet, I don't like odd numbers :)
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Terry's a legend but I think Into is better. His fills were amazing last night.
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No
2002 was better and not overcrowded for most of time. The extra musos were playing when needed.
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No
2002 was better and not overcrowded for most of time. The extra musos were playing when needed.
You can make a case for Robbie but as much as I love the great Geraint Watkins there's no way he's better than Jim Cox.
Nostalgia says John but Glenn is the superior musician.
I've forgotten who was on drums?!
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I've forgotten who was on drums?!
In 2002 it was Danny for the first time ever and this was mind-blowing: for me he plays Mark’s songs better than any drummer. It goes beyond technics, it’s all about heart and feel.
He shines on both percussions and drums so for me, any band with Danny on drums would be a perfect band.
2002 was fantastic but it’s all a matter of taste.
I’d add Geraint Watkins or Matt Rollings on keyboards and Stuart Duncan who did a terrific job in 2006, so for me MK’s best band would be 2006, shortly followed by 2002. Love Robbie McIntosh too.
Then a fictional MK band would be:
Danny
Guy
Robbie Mc I.
Stuart D.
Glenn W.
Matt or Geraint W.
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I think the band now is the best it has been, just wish it had happened 10-12 years ago , due too mark slowing down , (but still great as knopflerfan said), mark 10 years ago with this set up could of been amazing , ( not that it wasn't )
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For me, the best version of Brothers in arms ever played.
https://youtu.be/Gxc_LPxLd8M
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mmm, i am one of those few that really liked Mike Henderson, so add him, and Robbie and kick (even though i also really like him) Richard.
then add Franklin indeed.
few ? who doesn't like Mike Henderson hehe
I don't like much Ianto on the drums and this is really a major minus to the band imo, so no, this is not the best band ever really imo
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Yep, agreed, add Paul Franklin and the sounds he got on that "box" (which could of meant YAYF could have been played) and this would be the ideal line-up!
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In terms of "skill" and versatility, yes, but unfortunately they feel a bit like hired guns, not a true band, even if many of them have been with Mark for many years. It's probably because they only meet for recordings and tours.
As for Glenn Worf, I never quite liked his style. Fantastic skills and all that, but he doesn't "groove" enough for me. And many of the DS songs feel just wrong without John Illsley. John isn't the greatest musician ever, but his style and sound were just right for so much of Mark's music.
Richard is great, but he very much only sticks to his part. It gives Mark predictability and lets Mark shine, which is exactly what support musicians are supposed to do, but Richard's approach feels a little lifeless. Too controlled.
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I do think this is one of the best bands, but it could be much better if the brass section, particularly trumpet was used more sparingly, especially on Piper to the End. My favourite versions of Piper and STP were with Matt Rollings on keys, but I do understand why Jim Cox was brought back - he does well in the more rocky songs particularly, but there was a special rapport between MK and Matt in STP, it was like a conversation and I miss that with Jim.
I like Ianto on the drums, but I really loved Danny's drumming, especially Speedway.
I am one of those who disliked Mike Henderson - he completely ruined the STP concert I attended. He just drowned MK!
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I did a personal drum review of a new album some time ago, criticizing Ianto much. With the skill he has, I was hoping to hear some great drumming live, but actually it's the opposite. To be honest and as a drummer I'm again very disappointed, most of the songs are vastly, vastly simplified and in my opinion the concerts are killed because of the drums... Some of you told me that time, it's the Mark telling him to play this or that but let's be serious, if you're proffesional even the basic stuff can be played in a tasty way. Danny was far, far better, I really miss him.
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I'm curioius how Pick Withers would have done playing Mark's solo material. Not sure he has the power to pull off Speedway for instance, but I think he would have been fabulous on some of the mellower stuff. What a shame that the relationship between Mark and him soured.
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Regarding Danny, for those of you have been to the shows, how does his percussion work feel and sound in the band? During the OES tour it was very present, going by recordings only. Is it still that way? Obviously on songs such as Paraguay and Holes, his playing very much felt, but how about on other songs? Lovely to see the man on stage with Mark again, though.
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>What a shame that the relationship between Mark and him soured.
Why was that?
It seems that MK ruined many relationships in his quest for "perfection."
It is impossible to say this is the best band he has played with because he is now only 2/3rds of what he was(maybe less) and the musicians aren't challenged as much as they used to be.
As for the "best" how about:
Roy B on keys,EC on second guitar,Omar on drums,Mel on sax and JI on bass.For added fun include Hal on third guitar,AC on additional keys with Ruth on bvs.
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>What a shame that the relationship between Mark and him soured.
Why was that?
It seems that MK ruined many relationships in his quest for "perfection."
According to Wiki:
Quote: Withers left the band in the summer of 1982, soon after completing the Love Over Gold sessions, to spend more time with his family and to pursue jazz music. He reportedly told an interviewer that he had succumbed to a growing feeling that there was nothing left in the music for him and that he was in danger of "becoming a rock drummer." Unquote.
I think he just had a different vision than Mark and that the long tours took their toll. About the time of the Hall of Fame induction, I was in touch with someone who knows him, and apparently he and Mark haven't spoken to each other since they parted ways 30 odd years ago. I'm not saying Mark is to blame or anything, but it's weird. And sad.
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>What a shame that the relationship between Mark and him soured.
Why was that?
It seems that MK ruined many relationships in his quest for "perfection."
According to Wiki:
Quote: Withers left the band in the summer of 1982, soon after completing the Love Over Gold sessions, to spend more time with his family and to pursue jazz music. He reportedly told an interviewer that he had succumbed to a growing feeling that there was nothing left in the music for him and that he was in danger of "becoming a rock drummer." Unquote.
I think he just had a different vision than Mark and that the long tours took their toll. About the time of the Hall of Fame induction, I was in touch with someone who knows him, and apparently he and Mark haven't spoken to each other since they parted ways 30 odd years ago. I'm not saying Mark is to blame or anything, but it's weird. And sad.
Yes it is very sad but he has treated most of the guys from DS days very poorly.
He's an old man but still behaves like a petulant teenager at times.I'm not saying it is solely his fault but to blank your brother for over half your life is pathetic.
It is just as well that so many of us aren't musical geniuses!
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He's an old man but still behaves like a petulant teenager at times.I'm not saying it is solely his fault but to blank your brother for over half your life is pathetic.
Well, this very point belongs to his personal life. It's always sad when parents and children or brothers etc. don't talk to each others but we don't know what really happened between Mark and David, we will never know and obviously it has to remain between them.
As for musical matters, everyone including me loves to debate. I too think that Mark may have ruined some of his musical relationships but none of us knows what really goes behind the curtains so once again everything is just talks and suppositions.
Danny is back in the band on this record and tour. I miss him on the drums and will always but still, I'm happy to see him again. He's the only one in Mark's musical journey that has left the band to return later.
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His best band was on 8th, 9th and 11th of june 1988 ;D ;D ;D
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Extraordinary band, more an orchestra than a band actually.
I agree that Ianto sounds a bit dull, I preferred Danny. Pick or Terry would be awesome.
Anyway the connection between Ianto and Danny on stage is great to watch, in RAH #1 I almost thought they were going to kiss - does Danny want to show that he has no resentment against Ianto ? :)
I absolutely love Richard - his way to make a powerchord in Speedway as if he was gently touching a flower is legendary !
Glenn is a bit dull, would prefer John, yes.
Jim and guy are excellent, don't understand what Matt was kicked out though, he was great
The brassies are excellent, I don't think they knew each other before, but their connection on stage is great. They give great power to the songs, I love the trumpet on WAM and even on Speedway (yes dmg ! I feel it gives power rather than taking over Mark's licks). Not sure about Piper, didn't get a chance to hear it live with trumpet yet, it seems controversial, I don't know.
The folkies are excellent as usual, and not overused like in previous tours, so everything is good.
I do not miss Paul Franklin, he is a great pedal steel virtuoso of course, but I feel he was really overused in the OES tour (TR with pedal steel ! horrible !). I think when a pedal steel is needed (like the OES song), Richard is doing a fine job with it.
All in all, yes maybe the greatest band ever, definitely better than 2011-2015 I think.
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He's the only one in Mark's musical journey that has left the band to return later.
No ! Jim has left in 2005 (problems to handle flights I think) and returned in 2011 :)
John Ilsley and Chris White came back in 2002, albeit briefly :)
Even Alan Clark returned in 1993 for the NHB Swan Hunter concert, Guy was not available.
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No ! Jim has left in 2005 (problems to handle flights I think) and returned in 2011 :)
John Ilsley and Chris White came back in 2002, albeit briefly :)
Even Alan Clark returned in 1993 for the NHB Swan Hunter concert, Guy was not available.
Yes and no. Jim has never been kicked out of the band. He could not travel at some point. When he got better, Mark called him back (and Matt was out). Same for John Illsley, he was part of Dire Straits and for some reason, Mark wanted to go solo after 1992. Or maybe John didn't want to continue recording and touring, who knows?
As for Clark and White, yes they came back but that was before things went bad between them and Mark, I suppose.
Not quite the same story then.
Maybe nothing wrong between Mark and Danny but he was asked to leave as Mark wanted Ian Thomas, then he returned in 2019 for what could be Mark's last big one. Danny, a man in every corner 8)
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Regarding Danny, for those of you have been to the shows, how does his percussion work feel and sound in the band? During the OES tour it was very present, going by recordings only. Is it still that way? Obviously on songs such as Paraguay and Holes, his playing very much felt, but how about on other songs? Lovely to see the man on stage with Mark again, though.
His percussion is superb and adds an extra dimension to the songs. He plays all sorts of shakers, bongoes and twinkly things that just make the songs sound so richly endowed. He works well with Ianto on some songs too such as MFN and yet on something like MM he can can be quietly effective too. Love him on percussion.
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They certainly do the show on MFN but hey a really really great drummer would just do it by himself...
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Extraordinary band, more an orchestra than a band actually.
I agree that Ianto sounds a bit dull, I preferred Danny. Pick or Terry would be awesome.
Anyway the connection between Ianto and Danny on stage is great to watch, in RAH #1 I almost thought they were going to kiss - does Danny want to show that he has no resentment against Ianto ? :)
I absolutely love Richard - his way to make a powerchord in Speedway as if he was gently touching a flower is legendary !
Glenn is a bit dull, would prefer John, yes.
Jim and guy are excellent, don't understand what Matt was kicked out though, he was great
The brassies are excellent, I don't think they knew each other before, but their connection on stage is great. They give great power to the songs, I love the trumpet on WAM and even on Speedway (yes dmg ! I feel it gives power rather than taking over Mark's licks). Not sure about Piper, didn't get a chance to hear it live with trumpet yet, it seems controversial, I don't know.
The folkies are excellent as usual, and not overused like in previous tours, so everything is good.
I do not miss Paul Franklin, he is a great pedal steel virtuoso of course, but I feel he was really overused in the OES tour (TR with pedal steel ! horrible !). I think when a pedal steel is needed (like the OES song), Richard is doing a fine job with it.
All in all, yes maybe the greatest band ever, definitely better than 2011-2015 I think.
I think the brassies were more present in Speedway and higher in the mix during the early shows because Mark wasn't quite sure of his playing being up to scratch. Now it is, they have been toned down and it sounds fine.
Paul Franklin is exceptional but can only be used for a select number of songs I agree. It would still be great to hear OES with him rather than sax and also Y&YF, WICTY, PONO etc.
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Percussion adds a lot.
If you listen to just about any good record there will be good percussion high up in the mix but it is usually overlooked live.
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Percussion adds a lot.
If you listen to just about any good record there will be good percussion high up in the mix but it is usually overlooked live.
Oh, totally. It's just that I'm not going to any shows this time, so I was curious how it worked live, and how well it integrated with Ian. It's not just a case of adding a tambourine or a shaker here and there, but the man has an extensive kit on stage. The more instruments you add to a band, the more restrained everyone has to play.
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The whole band does a great job at playing together but not tripping over each other.
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It probably goes without saying for musicians at that level. Not quite the jam session at your local bar.
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I'm curioius how Pick Withers would have done playing Mark's solo material. Not sure he has the power to pull off Speedway for instance, but I think he would have been fabulous on some of the mellower stuff. What a shame that the relationship between Mark and him soured.
Hunter, I'm sure Pick would have dug all the songs easily. The workshop he had was tremendous, just listen to some old live DS stuff, brilliant. His hi-hat opening skills should be taught in music schools. Actually, I can't figure out any other drummer with such developed hi-hat work. Come on, just compare versions of Romeo & Juliet with Pick to these with Ianto. To be honest, there's nothing to compare.
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I don't get the whole debate over drums, I am not worried who plays them, I am more interested in the other instruments, maybe I just don't have the ears for the drummers. I do think Chris White is the best brass/wind player Mark has ever had, he just gets Mark's music, shame he isn't in Mark's band anymore. I think Paul Franklin is amazing, his contribution to You and Your Friend is great, he even raises Walk of Life. I am not really sure what Mike and John bring anymore I'm afraid, maybe they have been in Mark's band to long!! Mark has constantly changed the musicians he has worked with over his career, some stayed a long time, some not so long, but none outshine the master, and neither should they.
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His current band is nearly the best who tours actually I would say
Unbeatable
MK
RB
GW
DC
JC
I would maybe replace Ianto and put in Chad Cromwell because he played with more power and more straight forward.
But I am happy with Ianto. He is really good and also a funny chap. Maybe too jazzy sometimes. Chad was rockier.
And I would maybe put in Matt for Guy. Sorry Guy. :-X . But that's not that imporatant.
The Brass men are OK. Chris White would round it up.
Folkies... I could live without them
But as a Band they are now TOP NOTCH.
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Chad Cromwell was among the best drummer Mark had
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I'm curioius how Pick Withers would have done playing Mark's solo material. Not sure he has the power to pull off Speedway for instance, but I think he would have been fabulous on some of the mellower stuff. What a shame that the relationship between Mark and him soured.
Hunter, I'm sure Pick would have dug all the songs easily. The workshop he had was tremendous, just listen to some old live DS stuff, brilliant. His hi-hat opening skills should be taught in music schools. Actually, I can't figure out any other drummer with such developed hi-hat work. Come on, just compare versions of Romeo & Juliet with Pick to these with Ianto. To be honest, there's nothing to compare.
I would also point anyone in doubt about picks skills to the drums on the studio version of TOL, if you get the chance to listen to them in isolation they are simply incredible, in fact by far my favourite bit of DS drumming. Those patterns were never supposed live.
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A good drummer is more important that it seems... it does not only keep the beat, but does a lot of very important things for the song, like remarks here and there. A drummer makes a song slow or fast, boring or interesting.
Richard plays a lot of types of guitars and he's very good but in my opinion is the one that can be easily replaced by someone else like, let's say, Robbie McIntosh. I won't miss the bouzoki or the rest of little things with strings on it at all.
Glenn is really a great bass player but I think he sometimes plays too much. I remember that Tony Levin said in an interview that a good bass player would be someone you don't notice is playing at all, that plays very little but when plays does exactly what the song needs. Glenn plays too much and his playing is all over the song and over others instruments.
Jim is just fantastic. And Guy is very good playing soundscapes, probably there are many many other synths player that can do what he does and probably someone would do it even better, but it suits MK needs musically talking so, heads up.
Ian is a good drummer, that not only keeps the beat but also adds remarks wherever they are needed. he's not too noisy as Chad used to be, and not that fast, sometimes too fast as Terry used to be. Anyway, I would say that Danny Cummings was the best drummer MK had, but I rather have him on percussion so, let's add Ian as the best possible alternative.
The folkies are just fantastic, and the brass section... Tom is very good and Graeme did something very interesting... nobody is missing Nigel Hitchcock so I bet that's because of the great work Graeme Blevins is doing.
I agree that adding Paul Franklin on pedal steel would make it just perfect.
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A good drummer is more important that it seems... it does not only keep the beat, but does a lot of very important things for the song, like remarks here and there. A drummer makes a song slow or fast, boring or interesting.
Richard plays a lot of types of guitars and he's very good but in my opinion is the one that can be easily replaced by someone else like, let's say, Robbie McIntosh. I won't miss the bouzoki or the rest of little things with strings on it at all.
Glenn is really a great bass player but I think he sometimes plays too much. I remember that Tony Levin said in an interview that a good bass player would be someone you don't notice is playing at all, that plays very little but when plays does exactly what the song needs. Glenn plays too much and his playing is all over the song and over others instruments.
Jim is just fantastic. And Guy is very good playing soundscapes, probably there are many many other synths player that can do what he does and probably someone would do it even better, but it suits MK needs musically talking so, heads up.
Ian is a good drummer, that not only keeps the beat but also adds remarks wherever they are needed. he's not too noisy as Chad used to be, and not that fast, sometimes too fast as Terry used to be. Anyway, I would say that Danny Cummings was the best drummer MK had, but I rather have him on percussion so, let's add Ian as the best possible alternative.
The folkies are just fantastic, and the brass section... Tom is very good and Graeme did something very interesting... nobody is missing Nigel Hitchcock so I bet that's because of the great work Graeme Blevins is doing.
I agree that adding Paul Franklin on pedal steel would make it just perfect.
Excellent stuff there, however I rate Richard highly and am so glad he's on board. Totally agree with you about Glenn. Still loved Terry on drums. A great live player, although Omar Hakim did a fantastic job on the album.
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Just have to say I like this tour's WAM! Nothing wrong with the 2010 versions, but to have that brass between chorus/verse compared to the flutes/bass "only" in 2010 is a major improvement sonically! :thumbsup
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Drums?
Let's be serious, the only alternative to Danny Cummings would be… Danny himself.
The secret lies in the difference between playing a song and how to play a song.
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Drums?
Let's be serious, the only alternative to Danny Cummings would be… Danny himself.
The secret lies in the difference between playing a song and how to play a song.
Ha.
Love your passion for Danny on drums but it's not shared by anyone in the music industry.
Chad is a first choice session drummer to the stars.
Ianto is a first choice session drummer to the stars.
Danny, not so much.
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Drums?
Let's be serious, the only alternative to Danny Cummings would be… Danny himself.
The secret lies in the difference between playing a song and how to play a song.
Ha.
Love your passion for Danny on drums but it's not shared by anyone in the music industry.
Chad is a first choice session drummer to the stars.
Ianto is a first choice session drummer to the stars.
Danny, not so much.
I absolutely agree with Danny's approach being the best, I told it to everybody ever since the transition to the "proper" drummer which is Ianto.
It's like George Martin's son gave an answer to the controversy around Ringo being a bad drummer. He says — Ringo plays the song. Exactly!
Ringo is also not a first choice session drummer to the stars, but it doesn't mean he's a star on his own. Love Danny, go Danny go...
Three examples from the top of my head, where Danny beats everybody is Speedway, What it Is and So Far Away.
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Drums?
Let's be serious, the only alternative to Danny Cummings would be… Danny himself.
The secret lies in the difference between playing a song and how to play a song.
Ha.
Love your passion for Danny on drums but it's not shared by anyone in the music industry.
Chad is a first choice session drummer to the stars.
Ianto is a first choice session drummer to the stars.
Danny, not so much.
I absolutely agree with Danny's approach being the best, I told it to everybody ever since the transition to the "proper" drummer which is Ianto.
It's like George Martin's son gave an answer to the controversy around Ringo being a bad drummer. He says — Ringo plays the song. Exactly!
Ringo is also not a first choice session drummer to the stars, but it doesn't mean he's a star on his own. Love Danny, go Danny go...
Three examples from the top of my head, where Danny beats everybody is Speedway, What it Is and So Far Away.
Need I remind about the comment spuriously attributed to John Lennon when asked if Ringo was the best drummer in the world....
:lol
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Now that we're talking drummers; nobody stills beats good old Pick Withers' playing to me. He's like a British Steve Gadd; so groovy and subtle, yet with a great underlying power. I don't understand he never showed up with another act after leaving Dire Straits.
Or did i miss something? It seems he never really did anything big again, right? It's a shame, brilliant drummer...
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Yep!!!!by far!!!!
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Now that we're talking drummers; nobody stills beats good old Pick Withers' playing to me. He's like a British Steve Gadd; so groovy and subtle, yet with a great underlying power. I don't understand he never showed up with another act after leaving Dire Straits.
Or did i miss something? It seems he never really did anything big again, right? It's a shame, brilliant drummer...
Totally agree. Think the cymbal work on Sultans, unsurpassed, or TOL as I mentioned earlier. Its really unique drumming. Hugely underrated player if you ask me...
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Now that we're talking drummers; nobody stills beats good old Pick Withers' playing to me. He's like a British Steve Gadd; so groovy and subtle, yet with a great underlying power. I don't understand he never showed up with another act after leaving Dire Straits.
Or did i miss something? It seems he never really did anything big again, right? It's a shame, brilliant drummer...
Totally agree. Think the cymbal work on Sultans, unsurpassed, or TOL as I mentioned earlier. Its really unique drumming. Hugely underrated player if you ask me...
No wonder Bob Dylan hired both Mark AND Pick. His drumming is unbeaten, though it was too long ago. As far as I know, he easily could’ve stayed until the end of DS, but decided to leave. I guess, he got what he wanted and Mark got in trouble changing drummers like gloves for another 40 years lol :lol
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Drums?
Let's be serious, the only alternative to Danny Cummings would be… Danny himself.
The secret lies in the difference between playing a song and how to play a song.
Ha.
Love your passion for Danny on drums but it's not shared by anyone in the music industry.
Chad is a first choice session drummer to the stars.
Ianto is a first choice session drummer to the stars.
Danny, not so much.
I absolutely agree with Danny's approach being the best, I told it to everybody ever since the transition to the "proper" drummer which is Ianto.
It's like George Martin's son gave an answer to the controversy around Ringo being a bad drummer. He says — Ringo plays the song. Exactly!
Ringo is also not a first choice session drummer to the stars, but it doesn't mean he's a star on his own. Love Danny, go Danny go...
Three examples from the top of my head, where Danny beats everybody is Speedway, What it Is and So Far Away.
Need I remind about the comment spuriously attributed to John Lennon when asked if Ringo was the best drummer in the world....
:lol
YouDrums?
Let's be serious, the only alternative to Danny Cummings would be… Danny himself.
The secret lies in the difference between playing a song and how to play a song.
Ha.
Love your passion for Danny on drums but it's not shared by anyone in the music industry.
Chad is a first choice session drummer to the stars.
Ianto is a first choice session drummer to the stars.
Danny, not so much.
I absolutely agree with Danny's approach being the best, I told it to everybody ever since the transition to the "proper" drummer which is Ianto.
It's like George Martin's son gave an answer to the controversy around Ringo being a bad drummer. He says — Ringo plays the song. Exactly!
Ringo is also not a first choice session drummer to the stars, but it doesn't mean he's a star on his own. Love Danny, go Danny go...
Three examples from the top of my head, where Danny beats everybody is Speedway, What it Is and So Far Away.
You forgot Border Reiver, Danny shines on that one too. For me it's exactly what you said: Danny lives the song. I really love him.
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A good drummer is more important that it seems... it does not only keep the beat, but does a lot of very important things for the song, like remarks here and there. A drummer makes a song slow or fast, boring or interesting.
Richard plays a lot of types of guitars and he's very good but in my opinion is the one that can be easily replaced by someone else like, let's say, Robbie McIntosh. I won't miss the bouzoki or the rest of little things with strings on it at all.
Glenn is really a great bass player but I think he sometimes plays too much. I remember that Tony Levin said in an interview that a good bass player would be someone you don't notice is playing at all, that plays very little but when plays does exactly what the song needs. Glenn plays too much and his playing is all over the song and over others instruments.
Jim is just fantastic. And Guy is very good playing soundscapes, probably there are many many other synths player that can do what he does and probably someone would do it even better, but it suits MK needs musically talking so, heads up.
Ian is a good drummer, that not only keeps the beat but also adds remarks wherever they are needed. he's not too noisy as Chad used to be, and not that fast, sometimes too fast as Terry used to be. Anyway, I would say that Danny Cummings was the best drummer MK had, but I rather have him on percussion so, let's add Ian as the best possible alternative.
The folkies are just fantastic, and the brass section... Tom is very good and Graeme did something very interesting... nobody is missing Nigel Hitchcock so I bet that's because of the great work Graeme Blevins is doing.
I agree that adding Paul Franklin on pedal steel would make it just perfect.
I agree with you about all except the little stringy things that Richard uses, they do add some nice touches to some songs imo. I was very sceptical about the brassies, but I really love them now
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To me this is indeed the best band he’s had. However, they’re not always that good.
A few examples:
- Into speeding on some tunes making the band sound less tight, and those added ‘last word’ endings after an already proper ending of a song on almost every song (sounds almost amateurish to me)
- Jim being so bored with only getting to play solos on silly songs like IUTC and CBC and being obsessed with playing different every time resulting in progressively wackier and wilder solos the extend that it just isn’t good anymore
- Glenn really got problems with his intonation on the big bass, just listen to any version of Bonaparte from this tour to hear how off he is so many times making the song almost unlistenable at times
- John’s playing isn’t melodically as inventive, original and interesting as Mike’s, also he seems to have some problems with intonation with high notes on the fiddle and he’s got some timing issues when strumming stringed intruments as sometimes is notacible on CBC
- Mike making mistakes on the pipes on many occasions last tour on F&S
- Richard plays the exact same strat solo on R&J since 1996 which baffles me and still it doesn’t sound confident at times
- Guy never does anything else on the keys than filling the soundstage, nothing technically challenging and when he does do a solo like with the hillbillies or in BIA a few tours back it is always free of inspired improvisation and out of the nerve of playing a solo he speeds on many occasions
- Graeme hasn’t played a single good solo from start to finish on OES to date as far as I’m aware of. Always timing errors, notes that are out of key and by far the worst of all are those long way too high notes that he tries to reach and that really hurt my ears
Negativity mode off now. I think this band is fantastic and I really enjoyed the one concert I attended this tour in Antwerp.
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mmm, i am one of those few that really liked Mike Henderson, so add him, and Robbie and kick (even though i also really like him) Richard.
then add Franklin indeed.
few ? who doesn't like Mike Henderson hehe
I don't like much Ianto on the drums and this is really a major minus to the band imo, so no, this is not the best band ever really imo
I don't like Mike Henderson. He just made noisy noise.
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To me this is indeed the best band he’s had. However, they’re not always that good.
A few examples:
- Into speeding on some tunes making the band sound less tight, and those added ‘last word’ endings after an already proper ending of a song on almost every song (sounds almost amateurish to me)
- Jim being so bored with only getting to play solos on silly songs like IUTC and CBC and being obsessed with playing different every time resulting in progressively wackier and wilder solos the extend that it just isn’t good anymore
- Glenn really got problems with his intonation on the big bass, just listen to any version of Bonaparte from this tour to hear how off he is so many times making the song almost unlistenable at times
- John’s playing isn’t melodically as inventive, original and interesting as Mike’s, also he seems to have some problems with intonation with high notes on the fiddle and he’s got some timing issues when strumming stringed intruments as sometimes is notacible on CBC
- Mike making mistakes on the pipes on many occasions last tour on F&S
- Richard plays the exact same strat solo on R&J since 1996 which baffles me and still it doesn’t sound confident at times
- Guy never does anything else on the keys than filling the soundstage, nothing technically challenging and when he does do a solo like with the hillbillies or in BIA a few tours back it is always free of inspired improvisation and out of the nerve of playing a solo he speeds on many occasions
- Graeme hasn’t played a single good solo from start to finish on OES to date as far as I’m aware of. Always timing errors, notes that are out of key and by far the worst of all are those long way too high notes that he tries to reach and that really hurt my ears
Negativity mode off now. I think this band is fantastic and I really enjoyed the one concert I attended this tour in Antwerp.
Interesting observations. I haven't listened to enough shows to compare, but I've noticed tuning and timing issues.
"Best" band for me is DS during Alchemy :)
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mmm, i am one of those few that really liked Mike Henderson, so add him, and Robbie and kick (even though i also really like him) Richard.
then add Franklin indeed.
few ? who doesn't like Mike Henderson hehe
I don't like much Ianto on the drums and this is really a major minus to the band imo, so no, this is not the best band ever really imo
I don't like Mike Henderson. He just made noisy noise.
I agree with you, jbaent! He spoiled the concert at the RAH 2001 for me, by drowning MK with his noisy guitar! ::)
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mmm, i am one of those few that really liked Mike Henderson, so add him, and Robbie and kick (even though i also really like him) Richard.
then add Franklin indeed.
few ? who doesn't like Mike Henderson hehe
I don't like much Ianto on the drums and this is really a major minus to the band imo, so no, this is not the best band ever really imo
I don't like Mike Henderson. He just made noisy noise.
Nothing new, You are the perfect contrarian indicator :lol :lol
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mmm, i am one of those few that really liked Mike Henderson, so add him, and Robbie and kick (even though i also really like him) Richard.
then add Franklin indeed.
few ? who doesn't like Mike Henderson hehe
I don't like much Ianto on the drums and this is really a major minus to the band imo, so no, this is not the best band ever really imo
I don't like Mike Henderson. He just made noisy noise.
Nothing new, You are the perfect contrarian indicator :lol :lol
Me and Val. We like the conspiracy.
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mmm, i am one of those few that really liked Mike Henderson, so add him, and Robbie and kick (even though i also really like him) Richard.
then add Franklin indeed.
few ? who doesn't like Mike Henderson hehe
I don't like much Ianto on the drums and this is really a major minus to the band imo, so no, this is not the best band ever really imo
I don't like Mike Henderson. He just made noisy noise.
Nothing new, You are the perfect contrarian indicator :lol :lol
Me and Val. We like the conspiracy.
Count me in mate. Noisy Mikey indeed. :thumbsup
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I like Mike!
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Dire Straits 1977-1992 Love over gold world tour
Even if it preceded their most successful album, even though it didn't have thet Mark's best playing of all time (it grew exponentially in the 88-92 period) that was really the best rock'roll orchestra. The set list up to now included the best works that had been flawlessly played by all.
Mark Knopfler 1993- 2019 Golden heart tour
The best band he has put together throughout his solo career.
The 1996 concert could be defined as 'Mark with his guitars', from SOS to TR to F&S to TLHW from Rudiger to WOL he was really like 'a rolling river'.
The band of that time was assisted by the fabulous Electra Strings which enriched the sound in some parts of the show, but it was a concert in which you felt that Les Paul got everywhere, the Pensa-Surh was 'mistreated' for good.
The folk side of the show was basically Bonaparte and Night in summer but nothing more.
In subsequent tours he added new extraordinary songs, but the concert in the later tours gradually faded, adding violins, brass and flutes to an ever-increasing weight.
:thumbsup
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Les Paul got everywhere, the Pensa-Surh was 'mistreated' for good.
:thumbsup
I agree with a lot of what you've said.
But I do believe MK dropping the Pensa-Suhr and start playing a genuine 58 Burst was one of the best moves he ever made. Such a richer sound for many of the iconic songs and solos.
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At least I remember some of Mike H's playing from listening to bootlegs in the past. I rarely remember anything from Richard, even though he has been with Mark for ages. But, if you want to see MK only and everything else should be in the background, "to support The Great Master", then I guess that's how it should be? Personally, I prefer the band approach, where each member fills a role and is equal to whoever they're on stage with. Like, Dire Straits was a BAND, not Mark with some random people he could use for recording purposes and live gigs.
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Mike was out after one tour. Maybe he was a good guitar player, but it sounded like he wanted his own band, he was all over the place. I prefer Richard.
IMHO, DS was much more MK+people who were told what to play, than what we have now. It doesn't matter if the band had a name, I think this band is much more of a band than ever, in the sense of feeding off each other, listening to each other and being mates.
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Mike was out after one tour. Maybe he was a good guitar player, but it sounded like he wanted his own band, he was all over the place. I prefer Richard.
IMHO, DS was much more MK+people who were told what to play, than what we have now. It doesn't matter if the band had a name, I think this band is much more of a band than ever, in the sense of feeding off each other, listening to each other and being mates.
So true!
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It's not the "MK + random people" I hear when I listen to the albums with Alan Clark. I guess he was/is a bit like Mike: wants to be heard. And it's a good thing, really. He added alot to the songs, and they wouldn't be half of what they are if he didn't put his signature on them. Alan would be in my "best MK band", if not for the fact that he seemed to refuse to be Marks puppet. Dictatorship is never a good thing, also in Rock'n'roll.
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...Which is why I like MK even more today than with DS. So much bitterness?
I hope you have had the chance to see some shows this tour, it's simply amazing :D
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It's not the "MK + random people" I hear when I listen to the albums with Alan Clark. I guess he was/is a bit like Mike: wants to be heard.
Alan Clark is another issue, but I did enjoy his contribution to DS. Regarding Mike Henderson wanting to be heard - he certainly did that, to the point that he almost drowned MK at the concert I attended!
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I don't think its possible, or fair to try and give a serious answer to this question really. Its like 2 constantly moving points on a graph, Mark and his music has changed, some would say evolved, and we all have changed and evolved. What gave me enjoyment as a 16 year old was different than when I was 28, and now in my 40s its different again. I need more subtle music to grab my attention these days, less bluster. And of course again all of us are different each with our own changing tastes. I cant begin to compare early DS (the first music I really heard and was passionate about) with what marks doing now, but it does make you think about the way we age and change....
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Mike was out after one tour. Maybe he was a good guitar player, but it sounded like he wanted his own band, he was all over the place. I prefer Richard.
IMHO, DS was much more MK+people who were told what to play, than what we have now. It doesn't matter if the band had a name, I think this band is much more of a band than ever, in the sense of feeding off each other, listening to each other and being mates.
First up it's great that you enjoyed the 2019 shows so much.I wish I had got as much out of them.
I don't believe that this band is the friendliest he has been involved with.I don't think you can ever beat the camararderie and hunger of a new band,desperate to be heard and experiencing the highs and lows for the first time.
The current line up never seems to get out of second gear and overburdens most of the songs.The only improvement I can see and hear is that of Danny.
The musical appeal of MK is his unique guitar sounds and this tour has far too few.I don't want to pay over 100 Euros to hear a brass section ruining yet another song.
Other than Danny the other big plus is affable MK.
Some more stories would be great and I'd definitely pay over 100 Euros for a Just Me and My Guitar tour.No need for all his buddies from the current tour,maybe just Jim-Guy can film it:)
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To me this is indeed the best band he’s had. However, they’re not always that good.
A few examples:
- Into speeding on some tunes making the band sound less tight, and those added ‘last word’ endings after an already proper ending of a song on almost every song (sounds almost amateurish to me)
- Jim being so bored with only getting to play solos on silly songs like IUTC and CBC and being obsessed with playing different every time resulting in progressively wackier and wilder solos the extend that it just isn’t good anymore
- Glenn really got problems with his intonation on the big bass, just listen to any version of Bonaparte from this tour to hear how off he is so many times making the song almost unlistenable at times
- John’s playing isn’t melodically as inventive, original and interesting as Mike’s, also he seems to have some problems with intonation with high notes on the fiddle and he’s got some timing issues when strumming stringed intruments as sometimes is notacible on CBC
- Mike making mistakes on the pipes on many occasions last tour on F&S
- Richard plays the exact same strat solo on R&J since 1996 which baffles me and still it doesn’t sound confident at times
- Guy never does anything else on the keys than filling the soundstage, nothing technically challenging and when he does do a solo like with the hillbillies or in BIA a few tours back it is always free of inspired improvisation and out of the nerve of playing a solo he speeds on many occasions
- Graeme hasn’t played a single good solo from start to finish on OES to date as far as I’m aware of. Always timing errors, notes that are out of key and by far the worst of all are those long way too high notes that he tries to reach and that really hurt my ears
Negativity mode off now. I think this band is fantastic and I really enjoyed the one concert I attended this tour in Antwerp.
Really interesting post.
I completely agree re Jim and weird solos. I remember listening to different recordings of Marbletown in 2015. Jim tended to end up getting two “spots” in the playout of the song and towards the end of the tour, I remember it sounding like he was trying to emulate the whacky solo on the end of Bowie’s Aladdin Sane. Quite a few of his bits on this tour sound like that too.
Re John and Mike. I love them both. They recently played in a pub that’s local to me and I only found out a couple of days after it happened grrrrrr. It does seem that they were “the latest thing” a few years ago. I remember a post on Guy’s forum a few years ago (pre Nigel or Graeme) where someone asked him about what the chances were of having a sax player in the band. I searched for the question recently and can’t find it but I recall his reply running something along the lines of “it would be nice on some songs but he’d end up playing tambourine 90% of the time.” The irony is that John and Mike are playing more percussion in this tour than ever before.
Danny-I love Danny and when I met him I thought he was so friendly and easy to talk to. To be honest, if you think of the whole world of MK as an industry or a business, then there must be professionalism involved as there is in any job. If Glenn asked for a new drummer then really, as fans, we shouldn’t know about it. That information should be kept among Mark and management. Hard to give an analogy as I’m a teacher so can’t relate to many jobs but if I put in a “complaint” (for want of a better word) against one of my colleagues then I’d hardly expect the parents of my children (as stakeholders and customers) to ever know about it.
I’m not a drummer and don’t want to give an opinion on who is better but Ianto doesn’t seem to pay much attention and, as already stated, he fees the need to have the last word on every song which I feel shows immaturity.
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The best band for me would be a band in which the musicians would have a say in the setlist and in the orchestration of the songs. It would make for some change.
I would love if Richard took more liberties in the few spaces he has for instance, he is the man for the job but it’s because he is a great guy that I keep him.
I loved Chad Cromwell's drumming, I could not explain why. It bothers me that he was chucked but there must be a reason for that, anyway I would take him.
Danny is the man when percussions are concerned.
I guess you need an unassuming guy like Guy in any band for the not so flashy job of making the others shine plus he can fix your bike or watch
I simply love Jim Cox to such an extent that I listen to the new Postcard with great pleasure and I did download 60+ shows from 2015 just to listen to his wonderful improvisation in ... Marbletown
His playing can improve any songs for me. Ah the sultans breakdowns in 1996…
Glenn is not Pastorius but he is what this band needs and it would be really great if Mark had the same dedication when practice is concerned.
The folkies are a perfect combination of cool and skill and musicianship so it’s Mike and John for me plus I don’t know of any other pair.
The horn section, I couldn’t tell, I’ve always thought that MK’s music didn’t need horns. Horns are okay on a song or two but they are not needed in ALL the songs. I understand you can’t have paid musicians just for 2 or 3 song in a show but in this case why not play songs in which sax or trumpet were originally meant to be.
That tour I expected Heavy up, Good on you, my parties, Radio city, El Matcho… etc
There would be so many ways to please aficionados like us. Simply by playing Romeo as an encore would we be pleased. It’s how much we have learned not to expect too much.