A Mark In Time
Mark Knopfler Discussion => Mark Knopfler Discussion Forum => Topic started by: the visitor on January 06, 2025, 09:00:24 PM
-
Hello
Happy New Year
I've just begun to dive into Clapton shows featuring MK on second guitar.
I listened to Irvine Meadows, Lauguna Hills 1988 over the weekend and it sounds really hot, lively performance. I'd heard a bootleg called Beetle Clasher before but didn't really do it for me.
In more recent years I've come to the conclusion EC is a bit of a p#@!# but you can't fault his guitar playing and his interactions with MK seem to drive both of them to play better and harder.
Any other good recordings of MK with EC that people can recommend?
-
Oh yes, I love those recordings! That whole band was pure dynamite :lol
The Japan shows are great, check out Tokyo and Osaka or Kyoto (can't remember which). They were recorded for Japanese tv, so the quality is superb. I think there's also an AI-remastered 4k version of it.
Eric was really on fire around that time. I saw him in 1990, and that was one of the best shows I've ever seen. Same band, but sadly without MK, Elton John and Phil Collins.
The combination of these four in Japan, plus a superb "backing" band (Alan Clark, Greg Phillinganes, Nathan East, Steve Ferrone and Ray Cooper, plus Katie Kissoon and Tessa Niles for background vocals) is just incredible!
What I find amazing is that it's so finely arranged that you can really hear every single note, which is probably hard to do with such a mass of great players. MK keeps a very low profile, but it's his guitar and Collins' drums that make all the difference, imho.
-
Thanks Stratmad ill check those recordings out!
On the gig ive heard interesting to hear the riff of No Can Do used as the base music for the band introduction, some 8 years before it appears on Golden Heart album, and after having found it's way as a lick on Ride Across the River in live versions even earlier.
You are right MK stays in the background but does come to the fore when called for, notably on Badge on the 1988 recording I mention, as well as elsewhere, really rocking solos that are complex but not over rehearsed as on OES tour.
Great stuff
-
Hey thanks, I'd never noticed that riff from No Can Do!
There is, I believe, also a recording from the Albert Hall 1988 / 1989 / 1990 (December, Christmas special or something?) with that same stellar band and MK, but I've never managed to find it. Has anyone ever heard of this?
-
Hey thanks, I'd never noticed that riff from No Can Do!
There is, I believe, also a recording from the Albert Hall 1988 / 1989 / 1990 (December, Christmas special or something?) with that same stellar band and MK, but I've never managed to find it. Has anyone ever heard of this?
I think you mean february 3rd 1989 at the royal Albert hall with Knopfler. Clapton played for 12 nights over there. The show of february 3rd circulates as soundboard bootleg called "Beetle Clasher"
-
Not to forget this one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zm1BBG5LkxA (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zm1BBG5LkxA) MK as backup.
-
Thanks Stratmad ill check those recordings out!
On the gig ive heard interesting to hear the riff of No Can Do used as the base music for the band introduction, some 8 years before it appears on Golden Heart album, and after having found it's way as a lick on Ride Across the River in live versions even earlier.
You are right MK stays in the background but does come to the fore when called for, notably on Badge on the 1988 recording I mention, as well as elsewhere, really rocking solos that are complex but not over rehearsed as on OES tour.
Great stuff
Yes, that RATR lick appeared in Cocaine just before the band intro.
This is the only pro-filmed version of Badge I know of, from San Francisco, 21st September 1988:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgvJyxruIQg
-
Hey thanks, I'd never noticed that riff from No Can Do!
There is, I believe, also a recording from the Albert Hall 1988 / 1989 / 1990 (December, Christmas special or something?) with that same stellar band and MK, but I've never managed to find it. Has anyone ever heard of this?
I think you mean february 3rd 1989 at the royal Albert hall with Knopfler. Clapton played for 12 nights over there. The show of february 3rd circulates as soundboard bootleg called "Beetle Clasher"
Thank to both of you!!! I've been looking for this for 12 years! :D
-
Thanks Stratmad ill check those recordings out!
On the gig ive heard interesting to hear the riff of No Can Do used as the base music for the band introduction, some 8 years before it appears on Golden Heart album, and after having found it's way as a lick on Ride Across the River in live versions even earlier.
You are right MK stays in the background but does come to the fore when called for, notably on Badge on the 1988 recording I mention, as well as elsewhere, really rocking solos that are complex but not over rehearsed as on OES tour.
Great stuff
noticed that riff many moons ago and mentioned it on this forum as well. always love to hear such "early" versions
-
MK & EC - 1987 to 1989
Sorry, to meu it was PURE SH*T
Layla... Damn. Mark was really lost
-
MK & EC - 1987 to 1989
Sorry, to meu it was PURE SH*T
Layla... Damn. Mark was really lost
not all was shite, there are some gems throughout, but most of it is too "80ies" like for my taste
-
MK & EC - 1987 to 1989
Sorry, to meu it was PURE SH*T
Layla... Damn. Mark was really lost
not all was shite, there are some gems throughout, but most of it is too "80ies" like for my taste
one or two songs are 'ok less' or almost toreable
-
I love the contrast here MK & EC - 1987 to 1989, a lot of cool stuff happens during this period as already mentioned here, I love MK's interventions in the songs of the EC set, Mark has a very particular way of playing blues, it's not the traditional way as is usually expected and that's what attracts me, I love how he develops the solo in Crossroad, especially in Badge, in addition to the subtleties in I Shot the Sheriff, among others.
In 1987 things work differently than in 1988, the arrangement changes, the way of approaching the songs, MK with the black Pensa, sometimes with the sunburst Schecter, probably the last year that this guitar was used live by Mark, a shame, it would have been incredible on other tours.
-
Yes, I've wondered about that, too. That black beauty looks like a fantastic guitar, but he didn't use it very often (Ferry Aid/ Let it be and Willy deVille / Storybook Love are the only recordings I can think of right now). I wonder why he didn't like it so much. Any ideas?
-
Yes, I've wondered about that, too. That black beauty looks like a fantastic guitar, but he didn't use it very often (Ferry Aid/ Let it be and Willy deVille / Storybook Love are the only recordings I can think of right now). I wonder why he didn't like it so much. Any ideas?
And you can watch him play it at the Notting Hillbillies Snape gig on YouTube of course, as you probably know. Sheer beauty!
LE
-
Yes, I've wondered about that, too. That black beauty looks like a fantastic guitar, but he didn't use it very often (Ferry Aid/ Let it be and Willy deVille / Storybook Love are the only recordings I can think of right now). I wonder why he didn't like it so much. Any ideas?
And you can watch him play it at the Notting Hillbillies Snape gig on YouTube of course, as you probably know. Sheer beauty!
LE
he also used it on Vic and Ray (both studio an live)
-
Yes, I've wondered about that, too. That black beauty looks like a fantastic guitar, but he didn't use it very often (Ferry Aid/ Let it be and Willy deVille / Storybook Love are the only recordings I can think of right now). I wonder why he didn't like it so much. Any ideas?
And you can watch him play it at the Notting Hillbillies Snape gig on YouTube of course, as you probably know. Sheer beauty!
LE
he also used it on Vic and Ray (both studio an live)
You're right!
The guitar seems to have a twin sister, in "Porsche purple", which belonged to Jeff Williams. The colour would've looked nice with MK, too!
https://guitarmotel.net/guitar/pensa-suhr-1989-flat-top-strat-purple-black-porsche-wmatching-headstock-ex-jeff-williams/ (https://guitarmotel.net/guitar/pensa-suhr-1989-flat-top-strat-purple-black-porsche-wmatching-headstock-ex-jeff-williams/)
-
I love the contrast here MK & EC - 1987 to 1989, a lot of cool stuff happens during this period as already mentioned here, I love MK's interventions in the songs of the EC set, Mark has a very particular way of playing blues, it's not the traditional way as is usually expected and that's what attracts me, I love how he develops the solo in Crossroad, especially in Badge, in addition to the subtleties in I Shot the Sheriff, among others.
In 1987 things work differently than in 1988, the arrangement changes, the way of approaching the songs, MK with the black Pensa, sometimes with the sunburst Schecter, probably the last year that this guitar was used live by Mark, a shame, it would have been incredible on other tours.
His solo in lay down sally, (from the budokan gig) it’s a study of Chet aktions licks combined by Marks. Really a great solo.
-
I love the contrast here MK & EC - 1987 to 1989, a lot of cool stuff happens during this period as already mentioned here, I love MK's interventions in the songs of the EC set, Mark has a very particular way of playing blues, it's not the traditional way as is usually expected and that's what attracts me, I love how he develops the solo in Crossroad, especially in Badge, in addition to the subtleties in I Shot the Sheriff, among others.
In 1987 things work differently than in 1988, the arrangement changes, the way of approaching the songs, MK with the black Pensa, sometimes with the sunburst Schecter, probably the last year that this guitar was used live by Mark, a shame, it would have been incredible on other tours.
His solo in lay down sally, (from the budokan gig) it’s a study of Chet aktions licks combined by Marks. Really a great solo.
you mean this one ?
EC introduces Mark by singing :)
https://youtu.be/3qfmATi5kOg
-
The perfect stuff for Mark.
-
I am sorry to be a party pooper, but do you really like these shows? I struggle to watch them and listen to them. The versions are too clean cut and they sound safe. But it is just my opinion
-
I am sorry to be a party pooper, but do you really like these shows? I struggle to watch them and listen to them. The versions are too clean cut and they sound safe. But it is just my opinion
These concerts couldn't be worse.
It's a total mess.
In my opinion, it's one of the worse EC eras along with one of the worse MK playing ever. I'll blame the 80's for that
Mark's tone sounds like a toy. Clapton overshadowing every player on the stage, Alan playing his cheesy synths... Everyone overplaying.
I have talk about this once, but there are people that consider Mark's solo on Badge as a masterpiece, tale, genius, a solo that make Eric jealous.... but, to me, sounds very bad. And he starts playing in the wrong key.
-
I quite like some of Mark’s solos on Eric’s songs. Enjoy his playing on Lay down Sally (a great song-Josh Turner’s one man band cover is incredible, find it on YouTube.)
I certainly prefer MK on EC rather than EC on MK songs. Eric soloing on Walk of Life is painful. Playing strat even for rhythm doesn’t work on that song at all.
-
I have talk about this once, but there are people that consider Mark's solo on Badge as a masterpiece, tale, genius, a solo that make Eric jealous.... but, to me, sounds very bad. And he starts playing in the wrong key.
fully agree. Mark plays pentatnonic minor D, while Eric plays in major dorian D which is the right way to play it
-
I have talk about this once, but there are people that consider Mark's solo on Badge as a masterpiece, tale, genius, a solo that make Eric jealous.... but, to me, sounds very bad. And he starts playing in the wrong key.
fully agree. Mark plays pentatnonic minor D, while Eric plays in major dorian D which is the right way to play it
Playing the minor scale over a major chord progression isn’t wrong, it’s bluesy. Mixing the two together is guitar heaven. That being said, I love every single bit of those concerts, that band is the best Eric’s had in my opinion. And yes, it was very 1980s, maybe because… they were in the 1980s? 😄
-
Playing the minor scale over a major chord progression isn’t wrong, it’s bluesy.
yes of course :) but its' not the musical flavour in Badge if you listen to the original version, and all other versions played live by EC, e.g. in 85 with Tim Renwick on 2nd guitar
-
I quite like some of Mark’s solos on Eric’s songs. Enjoy his playing on Lay down Sally (a great song-Josh Turner’s one man band cover is incredible, find it on YouTube.)
I certainly prefer MK on EC rather than EC on MK songs. Eric soloing on Walk of Life is painful. Playing strat even for rhythm doesn’t work on that song at all.
still. that intro on MFN during knebworth though!
-
I certainly prefer MK on EC rather than EC on MK songs. Eric soloing on Walk of Life is painful. Playing strat even for rhythm doesn’t work on that song at all.
different taste here, I love Mandela WOL version
-
Solos on Walk of Life have always been problematic, Paul Franklin was the only one to pull it off IMO.
-
Eric did rock 'n' roll WOL in Wembley
-
I certainly prefer MK on EC rather than EC on MK songs. Eric soloing on Walk of Life is painful. Playing strat even for rhythm doesn’t work on that song at all.
different taste here, I love Mandela WOL version
Right there with you, J.F.
The whole Dire Straits performance at Mandela is legen- wait for it - dary !
-
Solos on Walk of Life have always been problematic, Paul Franklin was the only one to pull it off IMO.
I fully agree. Even though the chord progression is super simple, it takes a lot to play a fresh and unique solo on it. It very quickly becomes bluesy or Albert Lee country-like. Paul's solo is also super melodic, I have always loved it.
-
Solos on Walk of Life have always been problematic, Paul Franklin was the only one to pull it off IMO.
I fully agree. Even though the chord progression is super simple, it takes a lot to play a fresh and unique solo on it. It very quickly becomes bluesy or Albert Lee country-like. Paul's solo is also super melodic, I have always loved it.
Albert Lee would do a great job on it I'm sure!