A Mark In Time
Mark Knopfler Discussion => Mark Knopfler Discussion Forum => Topic started by: TDOG3506 on March 29, 2024, 03:36:14 PM
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Hi everyone!! So, I have been a reader for a long time and a fan for the last 40 years. I’ve seen MK and DS roughly 40 times since 1991 and, like everyone else here, MK plays a pretty important part in my life: He’s the reason I picked up a guitar.
Which brings me to my point, and this is just my opinion. I think it’s time he retired before it gets embarrassing. He has nothing to prove. His declining health (which was noticeable back on the STP tour when the wrist support first appeared) has now reached a point where even walking appears troublesome, let alone playing guitar.
I emailed Guy after the charity shows in 2002 when I noticed MK’S left hand trembling and he had to shake it off during the gig. Guy answered that it wasn’t anything serious, but it was clearly the start of something more progressive.
He may have said he wants to make more records and, in Twiggy’s podcast, said he may put some “rockers” on the next album, but I fear this was nothing but playful banter. MK without the guitar parts is just not MK.
Discuss.
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Well I guess it's his own decision. :think
The reviews for the new album sound good and as long as he is able to produce good albums, it's not up to us to decide.
LE
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I think Mark is gracefully slowing things down and purposely doing projects that he is able to pull of quite well. To me it isn't embarrassing at all, I'm enjoying his latest albums as well as his earlier work. Guitar master Mark Knopfler from 30 or 40 years ago has long been replaced by storytelling Mark Knopfler.
As a fan, I hope he will continue to surprise us with new music.
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But Mark already kind of stopped. Playing live, that is, that was the first casualty. Next would be recording, then writing, then Mark himself.
The 2019 tour was on the verge of being what you've described, but Mark succeeded and also made it the most successful tour in his solo career.
So far so good ;D
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Just as Mark knew when it was time to stop touring and playing live, he will know when it is time to stop making music altogether but that time is not yet as we can hear from his latest songs from the new album which sound great.
Meanwhile continue to enjoy his music. :)
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Hi everyone!! So, I have been a reader for a long time and a fan for the last 40 years. I’ve seen MK and DS roughly 40 times since 1991 and, like everyone else here, MK plays a pretty important part in my life: He’s the reason I picked up a guitar.
Which brings me to my point, and this is just my opinion. I think it’s time he retired before it gets embarrassing. He has nothing to prove. His declining health (which was noticeable back on the STP tour when the wrist support first appeared) has now reached a point where even walking appears troublesome, let alone playing guitar.
I emailed Guy after the charity shows in 2002 when I noticed MK’S left hand trembling and he had to shake it off during the gig. Guy answered that it wasn’t anything serious, but it was clearly the start of something more progressive.
He may have said he wants to make more records and, in Twiggy’s podcast, said he may put some “rockers” on the next album, but I fear this was nothing but playful banter. MK without the guitar parts is just not MK.
Discuss.
It's the same old song again. If you expect Mark's albums nowadays to feature a lot of guitar content or solos, you'll be disappointed and you'll think it's time for him to stop.
I think he can write great songs without having to play a lot of guitar. All he has to do is strum a few chords and write some beautiful lyrics. As long as he can do that, he'll keep going.
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Hi everyone!! So, I have been a reader for a long time and a fan for the last 40 years. I’ve seen MK and DS roughly 40 times since 1991 and, like everyone else here, MK plays a pretty important part in my life: He’s the reason I picked up a guitar.
Which brings me to my point, and this is just my opinion. I think it’s time he retired before it gets embarrassing. He has nothing to prove. His declining health (which was noticeable back on the STP tour when the wrist support first appeared) has now reached a point where even walking appears troublesome, let alone playing guitar.
I emailed Guy after the charity shows in 2002 when I noticed MK’S left hand trembling and he had to shake it off during the gig. Guy answered that it wasn’t anything serious, but it was clearly the start of something more progressive.
He may have said he wants to make more records and, in Twiggy’s podcast, said he may put some “rockers” on the next album, but I fear this was nothing but playful banter. MK without the guitar parts is just not MK.
Discuss.
It's the same old song again. If you expect Mark's albums nowadays to feature a lot of guitar content or solos, you'll be disappointed and you'll think it's time for him to stop.
I think he can write great songs without having to play a lot of guitar. All he has to do is strum a few chords and write some beautiful lyrics. As long as he can do that, he'll keep going.
he even recorded a song without playing a single note on guitar : When you leave
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JF, you mentioned some "solos" at your First impressions Thread. Are you able to say something about it? Are they shortened and simple because of Mark's restrictions or can we expect tasty, great solos as in, let's say, the last decade?
LE
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Hi everyone!! So, I have been a reader for a long time and a fan for the last 40 years. I’ve seen MK and DS roughly 40 times since 1991 and, like everyone else here, MK plays a pretty important part in my life: He’s the reason I picked up a guitar.
Which brings me to my point, and this is just my opinion. I think it’s time he retired before it gets embarrassing. He has nothing to prove. His declining health (which was noticeable back on the STP tour when the wrist support first appeared) has now reached a point where even walking appears troublesome, let alone playing guitar.
I emailed Guy after the charity shows in 2002 when I noticed MK’S left hand trembling and he had to shake it off during the gig. Guy answered that it wasn’t anything serious, but it was clearly the start of something more progressive.
He may have said he wants to make more records and, in Twiggy’s podcast, said he may put some “rockers” on the next album, but I fear this was nothing but playful banter. MK without the guitar parts is just not MK.
Discuss.
Everyone will come to meet their maker, that’s certain… and we’ll all probably slow down at some point before that.
MK is probably as busy now as I can ever remember him being. I only came on board with the MK/DS stuff when he was getting ready to release Get Lucky but it seems every other day at the moment we are getting new song snippets, TV news, the charity stuff, podcasts, interviews and so on…
Not quite sure what I’m trying to say, other than it’s over a decade since then, he’s obviously feeling older hence the retirement from touring, yet, he’s just about to release his 10th solo record which so far is sounding pretty good to me. Yes, there may not be those major solos that were used to, but who cares? we have all of that already.
I’m 31 years old, play guitar too thanks to MK, and I can only dream of ever being able to produce what he has with the latest 3 tracks, never mind the back catalogue over the years!
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JF, you mentioned some "solos" at your First impressions Thread. Are you able to say something about it? Are they shortened and simple because of Mark's restrictions or can we expect tasty, great solos as in, let's say, the last decade?
LE
nothing spectacular, it's more "ambient" and slow solos
the most rock/"modern" lead guitar is on Scavengers Yard : screaming distorted guitar, but not really solos in this song, just some licks here and there
the other solos are slow ones. tasty yes, but with usual licks we already know
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the other solos are slow ones. tasty yes, but with usual licks we already know
The way he has disregarded or neglected his guitar playing the last 15 years I almost cannot forgive him. "The usual licks we already know". It's like with Clapton. Soloing as if painting by numbers. Sure Mark has health issues and pain, and no-one expects him to play ripping solos like Alchemy-style Sultans or Telegraph Road, but back in the day even his slow solos had inventiveness and fire. It's just so damn lazy. I mean, listen to this, from almost 50 years ago:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=va7aQJt0Qh8
I want to lie down on the floor and cry when I compare that to how he's been playing on the last few albums.
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the other solos are slow ones. tasty yes, but with usual licks we already know
The way he has disregarded or neglected his guitar playing the last 15 years I almost cannot forgive him. "The usual licks we already know". It's like with Clapton. Soloing as if painting by numbers. Sure Mark has health issues and pain, and no-one expects him to play ripping solos like Alchemy-style Sultans or Telegraph Road, but back in the day even his slow solos had inventiveness and fire. It's just so damn lazy. I mean, listen to this, from almost 50 years ago:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=va7aQJt0Qh8
I want to lie down on the floor and cry when I compare that to how he's been playing on the last few albums.
fully agree
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Agree, his playing on those first 2 DS albums is so tasty, feeling laidback but with attitude.
Magic. My personal guitar-bible! ;-)
edit : So my 'agree' is on the predictability of some to the latter years playing compared to the first years. Not on wether to stop or not; glad he's still pushing forward!
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No.
Next question?
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I think Mark is gracefully slowing things down and purposely doing projects that he is able to pull of quite well. To me it isn't embarrassing at all, I'm enjoying his latest albums as well as his earlier work. Guitar master Mark Knopfler from 30 or 40 years ago has long been replaced by storytelling Mark Knopfler.
As a fan, I hope he will continue to surprise us with new music.
Fully agree. I’m thankful we have best of both MK’s.
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No, as long as MK is producing albums/music lets just make the most of it. Not long now until we will enjoy the new forthcoming album!
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I don't understand the need to compare albums that are more than forty years apart.
Mark is like everyone else, he's evolved, aged and so have his tastes and desires.
I'm not even talking about his physical issues and the frustration it must be to no longer be able to play the way he used to.
He's always been more interested in songwriting than the guitar heroe side of things, like one of his idols, Bob Dylan.
Over time he became a storyteller with enormous talent, and even if his solos became less impressive, technically they always served the song.
And as an amateur guitarist, I'm always amazed by the accuracy of the note selection, the beauty of the sound and the perfect feeling. No need to run down scales at top speed, play lots of notes, just ask BB King.
I've been listening to his music for 40 years, and I've learned to appreciate its evolution, the fact that the beauty of the pieces is revealed as I listen to them.
If I were 20 years old today and discovered the new album, would I find it good? I don't know ... but it's certain that at 20 I was more interested in technical virtuosity on the guitar than in the quality of the compositions and the depth of the lyrics.
Everyone evolves.
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I don't understand the need to compare albums that are more than forty years apart.
Mark is like everyone else, he's evolved, aged and so have his tastes and desires.
I'm not even talking about his physical issues and the frustration it must be to no longer be able to play the way he used to.
He's always been more interested in songwriting than the guitar heroe side of things, like one of his idols, Bob Dylan.
Over time he became a storyteller with enormous talent, and even if his solos became less impressive, technically they always served the song.
And as an amateur guitarist, I'm always amazed by the accuracy of the note selection, the beauty of the sound and the perfect feeling. No need to run down scales at top speed, play lots of notes, just ask BB King.
I've been listening to his music for 40 years, and I've learned to appreciate its evolution, the fact that the beauty of the pieces is revealed as I listen to them.
If I were 20 years old today and discovered the new album, would I find it good? I don't know ... but it's certain that at 20 I was more interested in technical virtuosity on the guitar than in the quality of the compositions and the depth of the lyrics.
Everyone evolves.
I agree with everything you said, and I didn't mean to compare the two albums as such. It's obvious that Mark today is a totally different person than almost 50 years ago. It was just an example of a song with playing that I think he could pull off today technically. I too have no need to hear him ripping it up at top speed - I actually think it would be a little ridiculous if he did - but I miss hearing him play like he really means it, not just a few default licks from muscle memory. He still has a wonderful touch and tone, even when he plays three notes. But the "thrill is gone" as it were.
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just ask BB King.
Everyone evolves.
...Even BB King. ;)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXjDo5Or6Ik
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7CziM9CUJ0
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No.
Next question?
+1
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And it is good to remember that although Mark is a master to express himself with guitar, he is much more than just a guitarist!
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No.
Next question?
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No.
Next question?
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No.
Next question?
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No.
Next question?
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And it is good to remember that although Mark is a master to express himself with guitar, he is much more than just a guitarist!
But since he lost the "guittar hero" the taste is a tad bit bitter.
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I don't even agree that his guitar playing was so much better ages ago, some of last albums solos count as favourites of mine because he still manages to convey the world in a single note and at the end it's why I'm listening to music for, to get the thrill of understanding a message and an intention with a beautiful succession of note, not necessarily a cascade.
I don't regret alchemy, he could play ten notes in a second, and that was fine, but there was a showy side to it too, and he gained a lot since by restraining himself, willingly or forced by life.
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No.
Next question?
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(We need a "Like" feature ::) )
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(We need a "Like" feature ::) )
+1
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(We need a "Like" feature ::) )
+1
Ha-ha!
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I don't like Like buttons.
LE
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Well, there are a thousand threads, so no need to post identical, semi-sarcastic messages if you are not interested in this one...
Personally, I see no need to stop for Mark, though his albums have become difficult to tell apart.
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No.
Next question?
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+8 (my wife agrees)
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I don't like Like buttons.
LE
We had them when the forum started, didn’t work, just ended up causing resentment and problems.
So easy just to click like on a social media post and move on, but without input this forum dies, like so many others have.
So without a like button you hopefully post about how you agree or disagree with a post and then the conversation continues…
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I don't like Like buttons.
LE
We had them when the forum started, didn’t work, just ended up causing resentment and problems.
So easy just to click like on a social media post and move on, but without input this forum dies, like so many others have.
So without a like button you hopefully post about how you agree or disagree with a post and then the conversation continues…
Yeah I remember arguing with Pottel during the first days about those negatives and positives you could add to posts, lol
This way, we can start posts about negativity and freedom of speech from time to time LOL
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I remember it well and I'm glad it didn't continue. If I remember correctly it was called a "kudos" button. The example above is what could happen if we had a "like" button on AMIT. Discussion is essential to keep a forum alive.
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Well I was the one who first answered in this thread although it is strange somehow from the original poster to turn up with post number 1 here and give order to "discuss" and never participate at the thread again. Seems suspicious amd troll-like somehow. Correct me if I am wrong, please.
LE
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Well I was the one who first answered in this thread although it is strange somehow from the original poster to turn up with post number 1 here and give order to "discuss" and never participate at the thread again. Seems suspicious amd troll-like somehow. Correct me if I am wrong, please.
LE
The OP is probably busy:
(https://64.media.tumblr.com/6ff1704c221e038686581b5dd4045ca5/tumblr_n89cgpx60D1rrkahjo1_400.gif)
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So, should MK stop? Well, why should he? There's still a lot of "juice" left in the man, and provided he stays healthy, I think we can expect several albums down the line. As I've mentioned in other threads, I just wish he'd use the opportunity to break the mold a little. I'm not saying I'd wish he'd write a five-hour suite for concrete mixer and accordion, but maybe hook up with some different musicians. Maybe some collaboration projects. I'd love an album of him and Steve Phillips revisiting their Duolian String Pickers repertoire (if Mark is up for it physically), much like Taj Mahal and Ry Cooder a couple of years ago. The opportunites are many for an artist like Mark.
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You are right. For example, and maybe my thoughts are too simple, but why are there no bridges, no breaks, no variations, no solos more often? If TPOH was inspired by something Danny said, why not featuring him more with a little percussion solo or something. It's all too often that when you heard 30 seconds of a song, you already know the complete song. I can't imagine that Two Pairs Of Hands will become an all-time-fabourite of mine. It sounds cool but boring. Same with Ahead Of The Game. Sometimes simple is good but is it some sort of higher level that MK thinks variation is too simple?
LE
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You are right. For example, and maybe my thoughts are too simple, but why are there no bridges, no breaks, no variations, no solos more often? If TPOH was inspired by something Danny said, why not featuring him more with a little percussion solo or something. It's all too often that when you heard 30 seconds of a song, you already know the complete song. I can't imagine that Two Pairs Of Hands will become an all-time-fabourite of mine. It sounds cool but boring. Same with Ahead Of The Game. Sometimes simple is good but is it some sort of higher level that MK thinks variation is too simple?
LE
Over the years the guitar playing has taken a gradually less prominent role in order to not take anything away from the song. Maybe he feels this about music in general now? That more minimalistic arrangements make the listener pay more attention to the lyrics for example? Just guessing here. But in my opinion you can make the arrangements super interesting and varied and still have strong focus on the lyrics.
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I don't think MK is embarrassing himself, but I do wish that there were more guitar bits that sounded original and fresh on the later albums. Some nods to older pieces is just fun, but you want to balance it out with something that makes you go "oh, that's clever", too. And it doesn't have to be blazing fast, either. That said, this is more on a detail level - a good song is a good song on it's own, too, regardless if it's just a variation of an old idea that ended up on a record 20 years ago.
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Well I was the one who first answered in this thread although it is strange somehow from the original poster to turn up with post number 1 here and give order to "discuss" and never participate at the thread again. Seems suspicious amd troll-like somehow. Correct me if I am wrong, please.
LE
+1 ;D
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Well I was the one who first answered in this thread although it is strange somehow from the original poster to turn up with post number 1 here and give order to "discuss" and never participate at the thread again. Seems suspicious amd troll-like somehow. Correct me if I am wrong, please.
LE
Still has just one message.
Who can be and what this person did that?
This is new for me.
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Well I was the one who first answered in this thread although it is strange somehow from the original poster to turn up with post number 1 here and give order to "discuss" and never participate at the thread again. Seems suspicious amd troll-like somehow. Correct me if I am wrong, please.
LE
Still has just one message.
Who can be and what this person did that?
This is new for me.
First hit when I Googled the username: https://cdn-assets.bandmix.co.uk/tdog3506/
Knopfler is named as one of his influences.
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Not sure if there’s a need for any private investigations at this point chaps, be nice!
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Not sure if there’s a need for any private investigations at this point chaps, be nice!
Don't worry, I don't even want to know the identity of this person. I only tried to "prove" that it probably isn't a troll account.
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So, should MK stop? Well, why should he? There's still a lot of "juice" left in the man, and provided he stays healthy, I think we can expect several albums down the line. As I've mentioned in other threads, I just wish he'd use the opportunity to break the mold a little. I'm not saying I'd wish he'd write a five-hour suite for concrete mixer and accordion, but maybe hook up with some different musicians. Maybe some collaboration projects. I'd love an album of him and Steve Phillips revisiting their Duolian String Pickers repertoire (if Mark is up for it physically), much like Taj Mahal and Ry Cooder a couple of years ago. The opportunites are many for an artist like Mark.
One year from now, Mark might announce writing a five-hour suite for concrete mixer and accordion. ;)
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So, should MK stop? Well, why should he? There's still a lot of "juice" left in the man, and provided he stays healthy, I think we can expect several albums down the line. As I've mentioned in other threads, I just wish he'd use the opportunity to break the mold a little. I'm not saying I'd wish he'd write a five-hour suite for concrete mixer and accordion, but maybe hook up with some different musicians. Maybe some collaboration projects. I'd love an album of him and Steve Phillips revisiting their Duolian String Pickers repertoire (if Mark is up for it physically), much like Taj Mahal and Ry Cooder a couple of years ago. The opportunites are many for an artist like Mark.
One year from now, Mark might announce writing a five-hour suite for concrete mixer and accordion. ;)
Sounds like the sort of thing he’d say in an interview with his typical modesty. “I hold a guitar like a concrete mixer holds an accordion.”
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Mark is my favourite artist, so, would I want him to stop? absolutely not, I think a lot of people don't get that Mark has evolved, on many levels, there are many artists of his age and era that don't do that, I mean Eric Clapton just keeps doing the same old thing, and why? I think it's because he really only has guitar playing to offer, as a song writer, there is no comparison to Mark, so, it stands to reason he keeps playing live. Mark is one of the greatest song writers ever, so, why would anyone want a person like that to stop doing what he does best? If he only released albums of just him strumming an acoustic I would buy it, for me, his songs have depth and meaning, something that playing fast scales just doesn't contain!!
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Mark is my favourite artist, so, would I want him to stop? absolutely not, I think a lot of people don't get that Mark has evolved, on many levels, there are many artists of his age and era that don't do that, I mean Eric Clapton just keeps doing the same old thing, and why? I think it's because he really only has guitar playing to offer, as a song writer, there is no comparison to Mark, so, it stands to reason he keeps playing live. Mark is one of the greatest song writers ever, so, why would anyone want a person like that to stop doing what he does best? If he only released albums of just him strumming an acoustic I would buy it, for me, his songs have depth and meaning, something that playing fast scales just doesn't contain!!
I agree. MK is the complete musician. :)
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Well, in today's interview he said that the musician side of him reduced. So he is very well aware of that.
LE
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Maybe he's been inspired by people like Bob Dylan, who has never had any interest in putting instruments and virtuosity to the forefront? And Dylan has nevertheless relased a lot of really intense and interesting albums. I think Mark has a "fear" of being pigeonholed, that he needs to play certain role that people expect of him, which will put limits on his artistic freedom.
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And Dylan has nevertheless relased a lot of really intense and interesting albums.
I disagree strongly. I could name 6 to 8 albums that I would call really intense and interesting any time.
Intense and interesting albums by (solo) MK, objectively spoken? Three, at the most.
LE
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Dylan hired many guitar guns on his albums...
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And Dylan has nevertheless relased a lot of really intense and interesting albums.
I disagree strongly. I could name 6 to 8 albums that I would call really intense and interesting any time.
Intense and interesting albums by (solo) MK, objectively spoken? Three, at the most.
LE
You misunderstood what I wrote. I meant that even though Dylan has not been interested in virtuosity, he has still released a number of intense and interesting albums :)
Mark (solo) has had intense and interesting songs, individually speaking. Whole albums not so much.
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Dylan hired many guitar guns on his albums...
Sure, but as far as I know (I'm not a Dylan expert), they have played more of a supporting role. More in the background. I like a lot of the albums from Time Out of Mind onwards, and there's terrific guitar playing on them, but never long, prominent solos.
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And Dylan has nevertheless relased a lot of really intense and interesting albums.
I disagree strongly. I could name 6 to 8 albums that I would call really intense and interesting any time.
Intense and interesting albums by (solo) MK, objectively spoken? Three, at the most.
LE
You misunderstood what I wrote. I meant that even though Dylan has not been interested in virtuosity, he has still released a number of intense and interesting albums :)
Mark (solo) has had intense and interesting songs, individually speaking. Whole albums not so much.
Ooh sorry. Now I see. My mistake. It was a long and hard day :lol
LE
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"Sure, but as far as I know (I'm not a Dylan expert), they have played more of a supporting role. More in the background"
In addition to Slow Train Coming or Infidels:)
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"Sure, but as far as I know (I'm not a Dylan expert), they have played more of a supporting role. More in the background"
In addition to Slow Train Coming or Infidels:)
:) Of course there are always exceptions, but in my opinion they prove the "rule".
Slow Train Coming features a lot of guitar, but still little compared with, say, Communique.
Anyway, it's not the amount of guitar or technical level that are important, but how creative and inspired the playing is.
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Mark is primarily a songwriter and also a gifted guitarist. A songwriter is looking at the world. He observes and looks closer than most of us do. This is his destiny.
As long as our world is turning and Mark's fingers are moving, he is compelled to write everything down and turn it into a good song, just as he has been doing for almost 50 years.
His guitar playing became secondary to him so many years ago and if one day he hangs the Les Pauls & Co. on the wall and only plays the acoustic, that's fine with me too.
I think the only things that are important to him at the moment are good lyrics and a nice melody. In this respect he is in a class of his own.
I really don't see any reason to stop!