A Mark In Time

Mark Knopfler Discussion => Mark Knopfler Discussion Forum => Topic started by: LaszloB on August 10, 2021, 11:27:59 AM

Title: Fortunate Son, if it were written by Dire Straits
Post by: LaszloB on August 10, 2021, 11:27:59 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcD3pnsTmm8

Hi again!
I hope these posts aren't getting old, but I felt like sharing this one with you all, since there's a lot of big MK fans out here that can critique my playing better than the average YouTube commenter.
So first of all I hope you enjoy, and feel free to let me know if you think it's accurate.

Thank you!

- Laszlo
Title: Re: Fortunate Son, if it were written by Dire Straits
Post by: quizzaciously on August 10, 2021, 06:13:57 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcD3pnsTmm8

Hi again!
I hope these posts aren't getting old, but I felt like sharing this one with you all, since there's a lot of big MK fans out here that can critique my playing better than the average YouTube commenter.
So first of all I hope you enjoy, and feel free to let me know if you think it's accurate.

Thank you!

- Laszlo

I've said it already, but you're great. The best idea in MK's cover/tribute world in ages, because honestly, nobody wants to see somebody trying to copy MK. Certainly, I don't want to hear or see that... He took JJ Cale's sound, mixed it with Bob Dylan's lyrics and 'good music' and ran with it and still going. I mean, MK's music is a mash-up from day one, so your videos capture just that. Throw in any style, any song, and apply MK's sound to it, shaken, not stirred. And voila!

P.S. I'm not exactly copying MK on my channel, my job is just to teach his songs and strum them without any obligations. I'm not a (professional) musician and not a teacher, so I just share my passion for free. But if I were a musician, I would do something like you, or write my own songs.
Title: Re: Fortunate Son, if it were written by Dire Straits
Post by: PensaGhost on August 10, 2021, 06:43:28 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcD3pnsTmm8

Hi again!
I hope these posts aren't getting old, but I felt like sharing this one with you all, since there's a lot of big MK fans out here that can critique my playing better than the average YouTube commenter.
So first of all I hope you enjoy, and feel free to let me know if you think it's accurate.

Thank you!

- Laszlo

I've said it already, but you're great. The best idea in MK's cover/tribute world in ages, because honestly, nobody wants to see somebody trying to copy MK. Certainly, I don't want to hear or see that... He took JJ Cale's sound, mixed it with Bob Dylan's lyrics and 'good music' and ran with it and still going. I mean, MK's music is a mash-up from day one, so your videos capture just that. Throw in any style, any song, and apply MK's sound to it, shaken, not stirred. And voila!

P.S. I'm not exactly copying MK on my channel, my job is just to teach his songs and strum them without any obligations. I'm not a (professional) musician and not a teacher, so I just share my passion for free. But if I were a musician, I would do something like you, or write my own songs.

"honestly, nobody wants to see somebody trying to copy MK"

so now you is everyone
Title: Re: Fortunate Son, if it were written by Dire Straits
Post by: quizzaciously on August 10, 2021, 06:49:36 PM
"honestly, nobody wants to see somebody trying to copy MK"

so now you is everyone

Haha, yes, I knew that would happen. Yes, I love to exaggerate, but yes, I stand with what I said, there's no reason to copy what's uncopiable. I mean sometimes when I hear Mark's playing nowadays, I think he's sometimes copying himself, but I cringe every time I see somebody else copying MK's stuff on electric guitar. I mean solos and everything, not his pre-written masterpieces. And I truly believe I'm in a majority here hence 'nobody'.
Title: Re: Fortunate Son, if it were written by Dire Straits
Post by: quizzaciously on August 10, 2021, 07:02:08 PM
I love "If played by" videos in general, I recommend this channel for the fans of piano jazz:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHgMyPchf_E
Title: Re: Fortunate Son, if it were written by Dire Straits
Post by: PensaGhost on August 10, 2021, 08:54:04 PM
I cringe every time I see somebody else copying MK's stuff on electric guitar.

why cringe ?
Title: Re: Fortunate Son, if it were written by Dire Straits
Post by: quizzaciously on August 10, 2021, 10:18:28 PM
I cringe every time I see somebody else copying MK's stuff on electric guitar.

why cringe ?

I can't explain it... Probably because when you try to copy something on that level of uniqueness as Mark's playing, you cross the line when it goes from just playing the lines to straight-up mockery. Like some people who, God forbid, is trying to sing like Louis Armstrong — oh, just don't do it, please! That's total nonsense. And Mark's playing sometimes is so unique that, to me, it crosses the line when you try to copy it and look like a clown, EVEN if you succeeded in copying it. Doesn't matter! I think, with the best and unique writers, guitar players, and creative people in general, there's no need of copying them, but, you can use their tricks or creative works in a different environment, exactly as the original poster did.
Title: Re: Fortunate Son, if it were written by Dire Straits
Post by: Eddie Fox on August 11, 2021, 01:40:48 AM
I love seeing people emulate Mark. That means more people are being influenced by him.

Re the video, great job, sounds fantastic, my friend.
Title: Re: Fortunate Son, if it were written by Dire Straits
Post by: hunter on August 11, 2021, 02:12:22 AM
Shouldn't these videos be in the Almost Straits section?
Title: Re: Fortunate Son, if it were written by Dire Straits
Post by: Knopflerfan on August 11, 2021, 03:11:48 AM
Shouldn't these videos be in the Almost Straits section?

Indeed they should be.......
Title: Re: Fortunate Son, if it were written by Dire Straits
Post by: Knopflerfan on August 11, 2021, 03:16:56 AM
I cringe every time I see somebody else copying MK's stuff on electric guitar.

why cringe ?

I can't explain it... Probably because when you try to copy something on that level of uniqueness as Mark's playing, you cross the line when it goes from just playing the lines to straight-up mockery. Like some people who, God forbid, is trying to sing like Louis Armstrong — oh, just don't do it, please! That's total nonsense. And Mark's playing sometimes is so unique that, to me, it crosses the line when you try to copy it and look like a clown, EVEN if you succeeded in copying it. Doesn't matter! I think, with the best and unique writers, guitar players, and creative people in general, there's no need of copying them, but, you can use their tricks or creative works in a different environment, exactly as the original poster did.

I think personally it's great for people including myself and even you too Pavel to play a bit of MK's influence through their guitar playing, After all it was thanks to the master that I personally pursued the guitar further in life.
Of course I have my own way of playing but I see no harm in playing a few notes similar to how MK would - hammer-ons and bending strings like he does etc
Title: Re: Fortunate Son, if it were written by Dire Straits
Post by: qjamesfloyd on August 11, 2021, 08:32:40 AM
Shouldn't these videos be in the Almost Straits section?

Indeed they should be.......

Also, shouldn't the titles be "....If it were written by Mark Knopfler" as Dire Straits didn't write anything!!
Title: Re: Fortunate Son, if it were written by Dire Straits
Post by: quizzaciously on August 11, 2021, 09:50:15 AM
Shouldn't these videos be in the Almost Straits section?

Indeed they should be.......

Also, shouldn't the titles be "....If it were written by Mark Knopfler" as Dire Straits didn't write anything!!

Ouch :lol

But yes, that's true. However, I've always thought that Dire Straits is just Mark's pseudonym, an excuse to make a "band", so written by MK and written by DS might as well be equal things lol.
Title: Re: Fortunate Son, if it were written by Dire Straits
Post by: quizzaciously on August 11, 2021, 09:55:26 AM
I cringe every time I see somebody else copying MK's stuff on electric guitar.

why cringe ?

I can't explain it... Probably because when you try to copy something on that level of uniqueness as Mark's playing, you cross the line when it goes from just playing the lines to straight-up mockery. Like some people who, God forbid, is trying to sing like Louis Armstrong — oh, just don't do it, please! That's total nonsense. And Mark's playing sometimes is so unique that, to me, it crosses the line when you try to copy it and look like a clown, EVEN if you succeeded in copying it. Doesn't matter! I think, with the best and unique writers, guitar players, and creative people in general, there's no need of copying them, but, you can use their tricks or creative works in a different environment, exactly as the original poster did.

I think personally it's great for people including myself and even you too Pavel to play a bit of MK's influence through their guitar playing, After all it was thanks to the master that I personally pursued the guitar further in life.
Of course I have my own way of playing but I see no harm in playing a few notes similar to how MK would - hammer-ons and bending strings like he does etc

Yeah, it all depends on the context for sure. I just can't get when people start to play/dress/behave like MK, play his solos note for note, buy exactly the same guitars all the time, same amps, and everything, that's a little bit over the top in my opinion. Same with cover bands, but it also depends! If I were to set up an MK/DS cover band, I would hire a guitar player who won't copy MK blindly, but had his own style and played great otherwise. That, at least, would be different.
Title: Re: Fortunate Son, if it were written by Dire Straits
Post by: hunter on August 11, 2021, 01:59:50 PM
I cringe every time I see somebody else copying MK's stuff on electric guitar.

why cringe ?

I can't explain it... Probably because when you try to copy something on that level of uniqueness as Mark's playing, you cross the line when it goes from just playing the lines to straight-up mockery. Like some people who, God forbid, is trying to sing like Louis Armstrong — oh, just don't do it, please! That's total nonsense. And Mark's playing sometimes is so unique that, to me, it crosses the line when you try to copy it and look like a clown, EVEN if you succeeded in copying it. Doesn't matter! I think, with the best and unique writers, guitar players, and creative people in general, there's no need of copying them, but, you can use their tricks or creative works in a different environment, exactly as the original poster did.

I think personally it's great for people including myself and even you too Pavel to play a bit of MK's influence through their guitar playing, After all it was thanks to the master that I personally pursued the guitar further in life.
Of course I have my own way of playing but I see no harm in playing a few notes similar to how MK would - hammer-ons and bending strings like he does etc

Yeah, it all depends on the context for sure. I just can't get when people start to play/dress/behave like MK, play his solos note for note, buy exactly the same guitars all the time, same amps, and everything, that's a little bit over the top in my opinion. Same with cover bands, but it also depends! If I were to set up an MK/DS cover band, I would hire a guitar player who won't copy MK blindly, but had his own style and played great otherwise. That, at least, would be different.


There's a difference between cover band and tribute band. A cover band usually plays a number of songs from various artists, but a tribute band tries to replicate the original band. Personally I think tribute bands are a funny thing, but if people decide to go for this, they have to nail the sound and performance style. Many bands like this earn very good money because they can attract a large number of people (in Las Vegas for example).
Title: Re: Fortunate Son, if it were written by Dire Straits
Post by: quizzaciously on August 11, 2021, 02:40:10 PM
There's a difference between cover band and tribute band. A cover band usually plays a number of songs from various artists, but a tribute band tries to replicate the original band. Personally I think tribute bands are a funny thing, but if people decide to go for this, they have to nail the sound and performance style. Many bands like this earn very good money because they can attract a large number of people (in Las Vegas for example).

As they say, if you're an act in Las Vegas you don't even need to tour because people from all over the world will change every day, it's a great place. You tour there without touring.

Unfortunately, MK/DS tribute bands and "nailed it" are not the words that go together well, there's always some weak link in the band, whether it's a voice, or wrong lines or chords, or weak sound artistic-wise, there's always something off and that's the problem what I was talking about. You can go out and dress like The Beatles and pretty much nail the sound, the voice, and the energy 100%, but not with MK and DS. This music needs ultra super mega duper dedication and even more taste to pull it off. If the slightest thing goes wrong, everything just falls down flat to me. Can't say there are no great bands though, some get pretty close, but only close and that's my problem. With Mark's music, the performer and the band must be 100% dedicated.
Title: Re: Fortunate Son, if it were written by Dire Straits
Post by: PensaGhost on August 11, 2021, 08:34:48 PM
I cringe every time I see somebody else copying MK's stuff on electric guitar.

why cringe ?

I can't explain it... Probably because when you try to copy something on that level of uniqueness as Mark's playing, you cross the line when it goes from just playing the lines to straight-up mockery. Like some people who, God forbid, is trying to sing like Louis Armstrong — oh, just don't do it, please! That's total nonsense. And Mark's playing sometimes is so unique that, to me, it crosses the line when you try to copy it and look like a clown, EVEN if you succeeded in copying it. Doesn't matter! I think, with the best and unique writers, guitar players, and creative people in general, there's no need of copying them, but, you can use their tricks or creative works in a different environment, exactly as the original poster did.

People who try to copy MK look like a clown ? even if they succeed ?

You need to respect people much more, who do you think you are
Title: Re: Fortunate Son, if it were written by Dire Straits
Post by: quizzaciously on August 11, 2021, 08:44:11 PM
I cringe every time I see somebody else copying MK's stuff on electric guitar.

why cringe ?

I can't explain it... Probably because when you try to copy something on that level of uniqueness as Mark's playing, you cross the line when it goes from just playing the lines to straight-up mockery. Like some people who, God forbid, is trying to sing like Louis Armstrong — oh, just don't do it, please! That's total nonsense. And Mark's playing sometimes is so unique that, to me, it crosses the line when you try to copy it and look like a clown, EVEN if you succeeded in copying it. Doesn't matter! I think, with the best and unique writers, guitar players, and creative people in general, there's no need of copying them, but, you can use their tricks or creative works in a different environment, exactly as the original poster did.

People who try to copy MK look like a clown ? even if they succeed ?

You need to respect people much more, who do you think you are

You don't understand my point as always and I'm not even going to try to elaborate, sorry. Do you like Laszlo's video, by the way?