A Mark In Time

Previous Albums => Tracker (2015) => Topic started by: shangri la 1 on March 02, 2015, 05:16:46 AM

Title: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: shangri la 1 on March 02, 2015, 05:16:46 AM
(http://amarkintime.org/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=3806.0;attach=1422)
Heart Of Oak (Mark Knopfler)


LYRICS
And how he used to thrill the crowd
The ready eye with bat and ball
The village fighter, heavy browed
The Englishman who had it all
A mighty shoulder to the wheel
To join in battle with the best
The iron arm, the will of steel
And heart of oak to mourn the rest

A power harnessed to the game
Once yoked and tempered fades away
The willing arm, the steady aim
The youth and fire that won the day
As twilight shadows dim the field
The ageing fighter stands bereft
With just the will to never yield
And heart of oak to mourn what’s left
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: foma on March 12, 2015, 06:58:45 PM
This is my favourite song from this album actually.
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: Dutchessy on March 12, 2015, 07:03:56 PM
Beautiful!
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: regmka on March 12, 2015, 08:05:17 PM
I wish Mark would record a full album of songs like this one or "River of Grog"
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: Throttle on March 12, 2015, 08:15:11 PM
Strikingly beautiful song, got to like it at once
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: dmg on March 12, 2015, 08:16:45 PM
Eh?  Why the enthusiastic reaction to a tiny ditty that anyone off the street could play/sing?
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: border_reiver on March 12, 2015, 08:30:23 PM
Shot in the dark here but is it about cricket?  :think

Could it be a relative to "Batting for England"?
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: foma on March 13, 2015, 05:48:11 PM
I see this song actually as an irish instrumental whistle tune. I think it will work as instrumental very well. Gonna do it :)
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: Throttle on March 13, 2015, 09:19:41 PM
Quote from: dmg on March 12, 2015, 08:16:45 PM
Eh?  Why the enthusiastic reaction to a tiny ditty that anyone off the street could play/sing?

My inner child told me it's a fairy tale  :)
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: dmg on March 13, 2015, 09:23:39 PM
Quote from: Throttle on March 13, 2015, 09:19:41 PM
Quote from: dmg on March 12, 2015, 08:16:45 PM
Eh?  Why the enthusiastic reaction to a tiny ditty that anyone off the street could play/sing?

My inner child told me it's a fairy tale  :)

Ah, then I must be the big bad wolf then!  ;)
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: LoveExpresso on March 15, 2015, 01:21:39 PM
Best vocal performance by Mark on this album by far. Phantastic little melody and this voice gives me really goosebumps. Did I mention goosebumps today?

LE
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: dmg on March 15, 2015, 01:25:01 PM
Quote from: Love Expresso on March 15, 2015, 01:21:39 PM
Best vocal performance by Mark on this album by far. Phantastic little melody and this voice gives me really goosebumps. Did I mention goosebumps today?

LE

A couple of times!  Obviously you need to turn your heating up a little.  ;)
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: holaknopfler on March 15, 2015, 01:26:20 PM
Quote from: dmg on March 15, 2015, 01:25:01 PM
Quote from: Love Expresso on March 15, 2015, 01:21:39 PM
Best vocal performance by Mark on this album by far. Phantastic little melody and this voice gives me really goosebumps. Did I mention goosebumps today?

LE

A couple of times!  Obviously you need to turn your heating up a little.  ;)

Lol ;D
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: Knopflerfan on March 15, 2015, 03:24:57 PM
Maybe a jumper too to stop those goosebumps..... :wave

Yes this track MK has written about cricket - I'm pretty sure that's why MK calls Guy 'Keith' after 'ex' England Cricket coach 'Keith Fletcher''
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: dmg on March 15, 2015, 04:05:05 PM
Quote from: Knopflerfan on March 15, 2015, 03:24:57 PM
Maybe a jumper too to stop those goosebumps..... :wave

Yes this track MK has written about cricket - I'm pretty sure that's why MK calls Guy 'Keith' after 'ex' England Cricket coach 'Keith Fletcher''

Well, compared to cricket Mark's never produced a "snoozefest" in his life!  ;D
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: Knopflerfan on March 15, 2015, 04:15:17 PM
Quote from: dmg on March 15, 2015, 04:05:05 PM
Quote from: Knopflerfan on March 15, 2015, 03:24:57 PM
Maybe a jumper too to stop those goosebumps..... :wave

Yes this track MK has written about cricket - I'm pretty sure that's why MK calls Guy 'Keith' after 'ex' England Cricket coach 'Keith Fletcher''

Well, compared to cricket Mark's never produced a "snoozefest" in his life!  ;D

Snoozefest = Football!! ;)
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: dmg on March 15, 2015, 04:23:07 PM
Quote from: Knopflerfan on March 15, 2015, 04:15:17 PM
Quote from: dmg on March 15, 2015, 04:05:05 PM
Quote from: Knopflerfan on March 15, 2015, 03:24:57 PM
Maybe a jumper too to stop those goosebumps..... :wave

Yes this track MK has written about cricket - I'm pretty sure that's why MK calls Guy 'Keith' after 'ex' England Cricket coach 'Keith Fletcher''

Well, compared to cricket Mark's never produced a "snoozefest" in his life!  ;D

Snoozefest = Football!! ;)

 Depends who's playing!  At least it's only 90 minutes though!   ;)
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: dustyvalentino on March 15, 2015, 04:28:38 PM
Cricket is so boring people take newspapers to the game to read.  :(

MK's love of cricket proves that despite being born in Scotland,  he's an Englishman really. :)
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: Knopflerfan on March 15, 2015, 09:36:32 PM
Quote from: dmg on March 15, 2015, 04:23:07 PM
Quote from: Knopflerfan on March 15, 2015, 04:15:17 PM
Quote from: dmg on March 15, 2015, 04:05:05 PM
Quote from: Knopflerfan on March 15, 2015, 03:24:57 PM
Maybe a jumper too to stop those goosebumps..... :wave

Yes this track MK has written about cricket - I'm pretty sure that's why MK calls Guy 'Keith' after 'ex' England Cricket coach 'Keith Fletcher''

Well, compared to cricket Mark's never produced a "snoozefest" in his life!  ;D

Snoozefest = Football!! ;)

 Depends who's playing!  At least it's only 90 minutes though!   ;)

90 minutes of complete boredom.... ;D
Rugby - now we are talking!!! I wont mention yesterday...
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: LoveExpresso on March 15, 2015, 09:41:07 PM
As I think MK would never just write a song about cricket, there must be another level of meaning in this song. What do we know about cricket players?
Well I don't know anything about it. I remember a certain (player's?) name was mentioned. It seems a concrete person is described.

Is there any relation to the young cricket team that was portrayed in Remembrance Day, those young men who never returned from WW1?

LE
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: Knopflerfan on March 15, 2015, 10:22:36 PM
Well noted LE, may even be carrying on where he left off in the sense of the villagers playing cricket in RD and then going off to war. That is what is what I am picturing...
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: Knopflerfan on March 15, 2015, 10:25:59 PM
Also on the same theme: 'The Heart of Oak' is the march of the british royal navy.....
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: Nick14 on March 16, 2015, 10:41:37 AM
This short little acoustic song is an absolute stunner. I can;t stop playing it - just gorgeous. Would love to see him incorporate something like this into the live show - just him, alone, band go off for a break, and he plays this short acoustic song - he would have every arena in the palm of his hand.
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: Knopflerfan on March 16, 2015, 11:15:01 AM
Yes I agree with you. Such fantastic words encased in alovely little tune....
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: goon525 on March 19, 2015, 08:08:36 PM
Speaking as a cricket fan as well as an MK fan, the song is clearly about cricket - though it may well have multi-layered meanings, as someone else has already pointed out. I'm wondering if it's actually about Sir Ian Botham, one of the few - and much the most prominent - Englishmen to excel with both bat and ball.
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: shangri la 1 on March 20, 2015, 07:21:43 AM
Maybe Fred Trueman?
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: Knopflerfan on March 20, 2015, 05:40:52 PM
Not sure actually it's aimed at any famous cricketer, maybe more about a soldier who lived in a village, played cricket for the village team and went to war...
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: goon525 on March 20, 2015, 09:54:43 PM
Yes, that's just about possible, although the reference to excellence with bat and ball suggests a significant all-rounder. Which certainly rules out Fiery Fred.
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: Knopflerfan on March 20, 2015, 09:57:11 PM
And his famous phrase to an incoming batsman entering the field at Lords, Leave the gate you won't be out here long!!!! :lol
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: Justme on March 26, 2015, 07:26:20 PM
This has to be the very last song of the tracker tour setlist, right after "Going Home", just MK and his guitar. I bet you could hear a needle drop - even in O2 arenas. 
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: Knopflerfan on March 26, 2015, 08:57:29 PM
What a fantastic thought!! Beautiful little track that I play and play and PLAY!!! :clap
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: Fletch on March 27, 2015, 01:57:50 AM
Quote from: Justme on March 26, 2015, 07:26:20 PM
This has to be the very last song of the tracker tour setlist, right after "Going Home", just MK and his guitar. I bet you could hear a needle drop - even in O2 arenas. 

Springsteen did this for us on his second encore - came back on stage alone with an acoustic, performed two more songs - amazing !!
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: border_reiver on March 27, 2015, 09:01:20 AM
Quote from: Fletch on March 27, 2015, 01:57:50 AM
Quote from: Justme on March 26, 2015, 07:26:20 PM
This has to be the very last song of the tracker tour setlist, right after "Going Home", just MK and his guitar. I bet you could hear a needle drop - even in O2 arenas. 

Springsteen did this for us on his second encore - came back on stage alone with an acoustic, performed two more songs - amazing !!

Springsteen and his persona is unfortunately like a bazillion times more of a fans' artist than MK ever was or will be.
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: jbaent on March 27, 2015, 10:17:24 AM
This is the song MK is playing and whisteling at the start of the Henrik Hansen short film, isn´t it?
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: wespresso on March 27, 2015, 10:26:06 AM
Quote from: jbaent on March 27, 2015, 10:17:24 AM
This is the song MK is playing and whisteling at the start of the Henrik Hansen short film, isn´t it?
Yes it is. Beautiful melody
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: stormbreaker on April 01, 2015, 05:41:21 PM
Something is wrong with the Heart of Oak copy on my cd, it doesn't work good and you hear strange sounds (ticks).
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: Pondlive on April 01, 2015, 08:45:01 PM
I've had similar problems with this track (and ToTT) after ripping them to the computer. Anyone else have any issues?

Pondy :hmm
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: H97 on April 01, 2015, 09:27:03 PM
Given that second encore idea... would be awesome if he'd perform this one, then Guy would join and they would go out with an acoustic Wild Theme  :clap
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: Justme on April 06, 2015, 03:14:24 PM
Quote from: goon525 on March 20, 2015, 09:54:43 PM
Yes, that's just about possible, although the reference to excellence with bat and ball suggests a significant all-rounder. Which certainly rules out Fiery Fred.

But Fiery Fred (requiescat in pace) was heavy browed indeed: http://blog.thecricketer.com/?p=32931
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: stormbreaker on April 06, 2015, 08:29:55 PM
Quote from: Pondlive on April 01, 2015, 08:45:01 PM
I've had similar problems with this track (and ToTT) after ripping them to the computer. Anyone else have any issues?

Pondy :hmm

Yeah it happened after ripping!
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: Shai on April 09, 2015, 11:47:16 PM
I still don't understand what the "Heart of Oak" refers to in this song.

According to Wikipedia, the chorus of the official march of the UK is as follows:

Heart of Oak are our ships,
Jolly Tars are our men,
We always are ready: Steady, boys, Steady!
We'll fight and we'll conquer again and again.

Does this tie in?

Saul
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: Stanko on May 28, 2015, 10:07:59 PM
Quote from: Knopflerfan on March 15, 2015, 10:22:36 PM
Well noted LE, may even be carrying on where he left off in the sense of the villagers playing cricket in RD and then going off to war. That is what is what I am picturing...
I am along with those thoughts too... The finale of the song is remarkable imho. It is impossible to describe it - any comment would stray and ruin the true meaning surely...
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: Fernando on May 26, 2016, 02:04:08 PM
Hi folks,

I love this song. I will cover it for sure.

In my humble opinion, the cricket player might be John Phillip "Jack" Wilson. He was a first-class cricket player before the First World War when he joined the Royal Navy Air Service. Indeed, I believe it is a cricket song and the character went to war. The song has two parts (Past, Youth and Present, Adultness) with two different scenes in every part (cricket and war). Being Heart of Oak the march of the Royal Navy and having survived the war, Mr. Wilson could be the one.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/england/content/player/23076.html
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: FabioSorbello on September 29, 2016, 01:08:03 AM
Hi all,
In my opinion this song is very special. It's not about cricket, although mark has certainly made reference to any given sport-man with bat and ball.

And how he used to thrill the crowd (the subject is Mark himself)
The ready eye with bat and ball
The village fighter, heavy browed
The Englishman who had it all

In this and following verses Mark looks back at his past. The time of his big days with the dire straits. When his long solos would send lots of people to tears, give the big goose bumps to any vip sport man, wealthy or bright and knowledgeble English man who attended his gigs. He looks at what he was with admiration with the view that little is left of the wonderful guitar player he was.

A mighty shoulder to the wheel
To join in battle with the best
The iron arm, the will of steel
 And heart of oak to mourn the rest

Mark likes to hide the true meaning of his songs and uses phrases to confuse the listener... However to me there is no doubt as to who this mighty shoulder belongs to. Mark broke his collarbone in the motorbike accident and I have noticed he still carries post trauma effects on his arm and hand.

I don't think there is more to explain as the above text is far too obvious if read under this perspective.

To me the reference to the heart of oak is not fully clear but it seems plausible that he meant to refer to himself as a very strong and confident man, like a warrior, with little attention to the rest of the world who did not have as much talent. Heart of oak could also be a reference to the brave and fearless man he was years ago. He probably has more fears nowadays.

A power harnessed to the game
Once yoked and tempered fades away
The willing arm, the steady aim
The youth and fire that won the day
As twilight shadows dim the field
The ageing fighter stands bereft
With just the will to never yield
And heart of oak to mourn what’s left

The subject of this verse his 'the ageing fighter'. We move from the glorious past to the present days. Mark sees himself now as an old man who has tempered over the years due to the huge effort and will to carry on with heavy duty work (productions, collaborations, thousands of concerts and rehearsals). The tempering of a metal makes it harder but brittler. He refers to himself as the aging fighter. He looks at what it is left of himself with sympathy. He is determined as ever to carry on to give the best he has to produce good songs and keep hold of his strong heart to mourn what's left of his own talent.

Clearly this is not what I think of him but just how he sees himself today. I have gathered this from what he recently says. How much humble he has become. He claims not to be a true musician but simply the songwriter, and he can afford to get away with plenty of mistakes or with forgetting his licks.

This song to me is the core of tracker. With this record MK wanted to go back in time and tell his story to the world. And he really did an amazing job!! Even the decision to use the sultans of swing tune is for a reason. It is the tune that changed his life for good, it identifies the time when everything started for him.
This song is so personal that he frightens me. I think he wrote it with the thought that he may not have another chance to write a further record. It is not by chance he placed this song at at the end of Tracker.

I just don't get the reason why he has relegated it to the deluxe cd!
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: skydiver on September 29, 2016, 09:03:12 AM
Thanks for your very interesting post.
You add the perspective that Mark refers to himself in this song.
I would be a bit more cautious.
He often writes about people who have character traits he admires like resilience for example or who master life circumstances that he himself is familiar with.
So in the song he could refer to himself but it does not necessarily be about himself but about a character he can relate to.
The same holds for The Oldest Surfer on the Beach which gets very close to beeing about MK himself.
Finally your post reminded me what a very personal and intimate overall theme MK laid into the Tracker album.
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: FabioSorbello on September 29, 2016, 09:21:15 AM
I am pretty confident, from what I know of him who I have been following for over 25 years, about my interpretation. This said nobody knows exactly what Mark writes about and we can only make a best guess. So I cannot claim that this is 'the meaning of the song'
The Oldest Surfer on the Beach was not written by Mark as far as I know but by Jimmy Buffet.
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: Stanko on September 29, 2016, 08:43:44 PM
Well, the truth is - It could be about any HERO!
Anyone is recognised here is welcome in my book.
Also, my apologies but I would say what I want - Subtle and Intangible - but I can feel a bit of envy in your explanation FabioSorbello?
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: Justme on September 29, 2016, 09:33:00 PM
To me it is about ageing. It is about heroes, but that could mean about you and me. We are heroes, too. We feed the kids, care for our family, pets, flowers - whatever floats your boat. And sometimes we might get the feeling that it all will have to end. You may have got a trillion dollars, but when we arrive at the pearly gates, it doesn't matter anymore. So make the best out of it and enjoy the ride! Whatever you want to do, do it with passion.

That's it what I think about HoO after some time.
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: FabioSorbello on September 29, 2016, 09:43:25 PM
I also think that it is about heros and ageing.... And I am aware that any artist to be able to express others need to somehow speak about him/herself first... Mine was just a contribution, I honestly don't mind any other interpretation, but let me choose by myself that which I believe is most appropriate...

I haven't got time for provocations. Isn't this a place for grown ups? The place for fans interested in knowing more about Mark and his music? I love Mark and whatever I write and think comes naturally from it. I have no interested in books or any other show off....
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: quizzaciously on September 29, 2016, 10:07:45 PM
Quote from: FabioSorbello on September 29, 2016, 09:43:25 PM
I also think that it is about heros and ageing.... And I am aware that any artist to be able to express others need to somehow speak about him/herself first... Mine was just a contribution, I honestly don't mind any other interpretation, but let me choose by myself that which I believe is most appropriate...

I haven't got time for provocations. Isn't this a place for grown ups? The place for fans interested in knowing more about Mark and his music? I love Mark and whatever I write and think comes naturally from it. I have no interested in books or any other show off....

I like that Mark have basically two types of songs — the ones with certain story, which you can turn into longer story or prose (5:15 a.m., Sailing To Philadelphia, Sultans Of Swing etc.) and the ones with meaning to be determined by every fan on their own (Heart Full Of Holes, Heart Of Oak, Golden Heart, etc.). Oh, I just realised I used three songs with "heart" in its name for the second example...
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: Love Expresso on September 29, 2016, 10:26:50 PM
Quite interesting take, Fabio. I personally think that the humbleness you were referring to forbids it for MK to write about himself this way. The song In The Sky for example contains "You're a light in the dark, a beacon of hope, strong as a sea boat, strong as a rope". These lines made it clear for me that the soul balladeer is not him as he would never talk about himself this way. Even if he chooses sceneries or metaphors he would never bring himself up as a hero. Look at Basil, look at LAJADAS, he is always having a refreshing distance to himself.

Might be rubbish but is the way I think his mind works.

Maybe you read my take of Heart of Oak being some sort of Epilogue to Remembrance Day which also featured those young boys in that Cricket Team who almost all not came back. (It was not unusual that complete teams went to war in a lot of small towns or villages across England and almost no one came back). Changing the perspective, mirroring an older song again is something he has done before. Broken Bones portraited a "victim" of Sonny Liston, a man he has written at least three songs about.

No it's not Cricket alone. But the older player, the Captain, realizes that the young ones, the Youth if you like, is gone. Not too far from your Interpretation I would say.

Be aware when you offer your opinions and Interpretations on MK stuff on this very special place it is open to discussion and discussion means sometimes little disturbance in the written word unintentionally. Not everyone is English spoken by Mother tongue (look at me for example). Is English your first language? Oh, one last "the mighty shoulder to the wheel" I learned is a phrase meaning trying hard, aiming for the best efforts if I am not mistaken.

Welcome!

LE
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: Love Expresso on September 29, 2016, 10:43:26 PM
What really struck me is your thought about the "last written song" as I was indeed thinking almost the same some days ago while listening to "Tracker". IF this would be his last album, it would be fine. With Basil and LAJADAS and some other songs he obviously had in mind to craft some sort of testament, personal signature, last important thoughts. Not in a depressing way but being aware that time is running and not coming back.

Heart of Oak very much would be my song of choice to play (and not Brothers in Arms) if I was working at a radio station and had to report the sad news sometime when THAT day is coming hopefully in a very far future.

Forgive me this slightly dark thought. Must be the stormy weather outside.

LE
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: FabioSorbello on September 29, 2016, 10:49:31 PM
Hi love expresso,
I knew I would get a valid contribution from you. It' the main reason why I lost some sleep yesterday to write my post. I will think about your interpretation, which also seems plausible.
It's striking the fact that you quoted one of my all time favourite songs. And again I have got the opposite impression about its subject. I really find it very hard to believe that In the sky is not about Mark himself. There are songs where he is fully inspired by others and others where he may have been so but not predominantly.
I think Mark plays a lot with the words because he loves the odd phrases, he learned to write them down 50 years ago when he worked as a journalist, he reads a lot and he likes to write about himself in a way that people cannot really tell if it is him or not.
There are some songs like Silver Eagle or Are we in trouble now that can only be understood if one experiences in own life what he describes. It took me forever to understand the latter for example... It could be because my English was not very good 20 years ago (I am Italian) but the meaning shined obvious few years ago when I found myself in the same position as Mark describes it..... I hope you will agree that most of golden heart is about Kitty... It is way too obvious...
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: FabioSorbello on September 29, 2016, 10:54:46 PM
We are on the same line of thoughts there LE..... Tracker is Mark's testament and to me Heart of Oak is the key.
Yours is a dark thought that I have most days in the last few years unfortunately... I am really scared about that day when he'll go and I won't be able to wait for more beauty to be crafted by the master. I would rather go first myself.....
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: Love Expresso on September 29, 2016, 10:55:58 PM
Nice response. I completely agree about Kitty. And he is indeed a man who thinks EXACTLY about every single word and letter in his songs. I rate his writing skills, his way of words, higher than the fact that he is a guitarist.

About In The Sky I agree to disagree.

I feel very puzzled that someone really should expect a post from me, but thanks a lot!

LE
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: Love Expresso on September 29, 2016, 10:59:23 PM
Quote from: FabioSorbello on September 29, 2016, 10:54:46 PM
7
We are on the same line of thoughts there LE..... Tracker is Mark's testament and to me Heart of Oak is the key.
Yours is a dark thought that I have most days in the last few years unfortunately... I am really scared about that day when he'll go and I won't be able to wait for more beauty to be crafted by the master. I would rather go first myself.....

Oh no. His work is so rich and complete in a way. And he is not done yet for sure. He will indeed work until he falls over as he once said or is stopped by destiny. He is not releasing some sort of crap like Bob Dylan does lately. Every song he crafts will be a Mark Knopfler trademark song (Altamira rubbish excluded). So hopefully long it may continue and many more songs will see the light of day! :-)

LE
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: FabioSorbello on September 29, 2016, 11:00:18 PM
I wasn't expecting a post from you... Your desire to know more made me write. I have been following Amit for years on and off and never wrote anything. I feel that there is no point in telling things to people who don't want to know. You wanted to know more and I told you. That's it....
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: Love Expresso on September 29, 2016, 11:02:30 PM
Ok I see, thanks!  :thumbsup AMIT is quite silent these days so your initial post was like a ray of light.

LE

Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: FabioSorbello on September 29, 2016, 11:04:53 PM
Altamira Rubbish??????????
To me it's wonderful!!! But the difference may be that I am from Sicily and those sounds feel like home.
To me the only issue with Altamira is that it is way too short....
Every time I listen to it feels like I have been waiting ages from the previous time
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: Love Expresso on September 29, 2016, 11:07:20 PM
It would be interesting to hear your take on Are We In Trouble Now. I don't think that song has been discussion ver much. So if you like feel free to contribute.

LE
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: FabioSorbello on September 29, 2016, 11:07:35 PM
These days I write in a Facebook page to Italians MK' fans: it is called Mark Knopfler World. I have transcribed the interview with Dave Johnson early in the year. Have you seen it or listened to it by chance?

I have corrected a mistake....
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: FabioSorbello on September 29, 2016, 11:09:37 PM
Ok I will. But to write a full contribution takes some time and tonight i want to watch metroland... :)
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: Love Expresso on September 29, 2016, 11:16:36 PM
Quote from: FabioSorbello on September 29, 2016, 11:07:35 PM
These days I write in a Facebook page to Italians MK' fans: it is called Mark Knopfler World. I have transcribed the interview with Dave Johnson early in the year. Have you seen it or listened to it by chance?

I have corrected a mistake....

No I haven't. Thanks for pointing out I will see if I can find it.

No hurry, never saw that one! Love the sound track though. Bought it in London when I was there for the first time  after finding it coincidentally  without knowing that it existed.  Had to wait until I was back in Germany days later to listen to it for the first time. I guess it was 1998? Too lazy to check...

Looking forward to your ideas about Are We In Trouble Now.

LE
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: FabioSorbello on September 29, 2016, 11:21:59 PM
Here is the link...
https://youtu.be/ovQ4nA5qHeY
You will find the transcription in English in the uploading label text immediately under the video
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: Love Expresso on September 30, 2016, 11:09:06 AM
Thanks a lot. Nice work and very interesting story. Must have totally missed it when it appeared. And shows that MK really knew what he wanted..
Strange sounding voice however, hardly any resemblance.   So much for off-topic here.  :)

LE
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: superval99 on September 30, 2016, 11:22:17 AM
Quote from: Love Expresso on September 30, 2016, 11:09:06 AM
Thanks a lot. Nice work and very interesting story. Must have totally missed it when it appeared. And shows that MK really knew what he wanted..
Strange sounding voice however, hardly any resemblance.   So much for off-topic here.  :)

LE

Here it is LE!  :)

http://www.amarkintime.org/forum/index.php?topic=4922.0
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: Love Expresso on September 30, 2016, 11:48:57 AM
Thank you very much, Val. Read the complete thread. Went off-topic also pretty fast. So there ARE some treasures in the vaults still. Hope one will live long enough to be there should they appear one day!
That song Summer Coming My Way doesn't sound too bad, I like the mood. Pity we cannot hear it completely.

LE
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: Stanko on September 30, 2016, 07:50:24 PM
I haven't got time for provocations. Isn't this a place for grown ups? The place for fans interested in knowing more about Mark and his music? I love Mark and whatever I write and think comes naturally from it. I have no interested in books or any other show off....
[/quote]
It was just me being overbuilding it.
I'm sorry.
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: FabioSorbello on October 01, 2016, 12:21:36 AM
Apologies accepted. Thanks 😊
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: Love Expresso on January 06, 2017, 10:31:25 AM
Heart of Oak is running on heavy rotation at my home  the last couple of days. So great! I really love the complete recording. The guitar sounds so good, every single string resonates deep and powerful together with Mark's great singing on this one. Short, yes, but brilliant!

LE



Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: quizzaciously on February 18, 2017, 03:47:17 PM
As I'm preparing the lesson for "Heart Of Oak" I experienced a very strange sensation while listening this tune and looking on a photo of young MK.
I was like — errrrrm, this is really the same man who wrote it? As he said, "I can't write Sultans anymore, because it was written by other man."*

* I'm not sure he did say that, but I remember reading something along those lines.
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: Love Expresso on February 19, 2017, 11:46:15 AM
Was it not more like if he would go into that Pub these days he was sure he would write the same song again as there are things that let his song writing going off? Not sure about it however.

Heart of Oak is such a Masterpiece. Could be an old English poem. I have Tracker Revival weeks at the last couple of weeks and must have listened to this song a hundred times or more alone in 2017. Along with Laughs & Jokes, Basil, River Towns, Broken Bones, Mighty Man, and so on. Phantastic music and I don't miss any guitar solo at all!

LE
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: superval99 on February 19, 2017, 11:59:59 AM
Quote from: Love Expresso on February 19, 2017, 11:46:15 AM

Heart of Oak is such a Masterpiece. Could be an old English poem. I have Tracker Revival weeks at the last couple of weeks and must have listened to this song a hundred times or more alone in 2017. Along with Laughs & Jokes, Basil, River Towns, Broken Bones, Mighty Man, and so on. Phantastic music and I don't miss any guitar solo at all!

LE

I agree with you LE about Tracker.   I still listen to the whole album with great pleasure.   It feels like going on a wonderful journey and I don't think I will ever tire of listening to it.  I don't miss the solos either.   :)
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: jbaent on February 19, 2017, 01:05:47 PM
That's what happens to me with Kill to get crimson
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: Stanko on February 22, 2017, 10:31:31 PM
"Panta Rhei" I would say - ONLY that Mark is able to catch the moment and make a memorable notice out of it!
Today is Sultans tomorrow is Heart Of Oak. You know what I mean - If there would be "Sultans" today he would have got the song for them as well!
 :wave
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: Stanko on February 22, 2017, 10:46:44 PM
And he really does! (Oklahoma Ponies! :D )
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: Love Expresso on April 14, 2017, 04:13:54 PM
You have a Heart of Oak when you are young, you have it all and can achieve anything you want. And when you are getting older you really  need a Heart of Oak to manage things with at least almost the same power that were available in you in younger years. That's all it is about. It has nothing to do with cricket really and nothing with Remembrance Day as I assumed some time ago. It's still the most powerful song of the complete record to me. Love and adore it.

LE
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: quizzaciously on April 14, 2017, 05:20:34 PM
Quote from: Love Expresso on April 14, 2017, 04:13:54 PM
You have a Heart of Oak when you are young, you have it all and can achieve anything you want. And when you are getting older you really  need a Heart of Oak to manage things with at least almost the same power that were available in you in younger years. That's all it is about. It has nothing to do with cricket really and nothing with Remembrance Day as I assumed some time ago. It's still the most powerful song of the complete record to me. Love and adore it.

LE

A great and simple explanation! From the very first listen this one was my favourite song from Tracker.
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: Justme on April 14, 2017, 08:27:10 PM
 :thumbsup
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: FabioSorbello on May 11, 2017, 09:20:22 AM
Quote from: quizzaciously on April 14, 2017, 05:20:34 PM
Quote from: Love Expresso on April 14, 2017, 04:13:54 PM
You have a Heart of Oak when you are young, you have it all and can achieve anything you want. And when you are getting older you really  need a Heart of Oak to manage things with at least almost the same power that were available in you in younger years. That's all it is about. It has nothing to do with cricket really and nothing with Remembrance Day as I assumed some time ago. It's still the most powerful song of the complete record to me. Love and adore it.

LE


I am glad that someone's else recognises the meaning of this song
It's not the best song of Tracker and certainly not of the whole MK career, although o love it very much,
But in those 2' Mark has fully responded to all criticisms about dire straits and great solos...
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: Lis on May 11, 2017, 06:32:18 PM
Thank you LE and FabioSorbello, for bringing this interpretation full circle.  I agree with you both -- 100%. 
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: vr46mk on September 19, 2019, 07:06:42 PM
This melody really reminds you of Matchstick Man, just realised now when listening to it. Beautiful  8)
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: quizzaciously on September 20, 2019, 12:46:12 AM
Quote from: vr46mk on September 19, 2019, 07:06:42 PM
This melody really reminds you of Matchstick Man, just realised now when listening to it. Beautiful  8)

Yeah, Mark simply bring out "bonus" songs to the main record. Matchstick Man sounds like Heart of Oak bonus track, but in 4/4 time instead of waltz, while Back On The Dance Floor sounds like Terminal Of Tribute with different arrangement.
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: jbaent on September 20, 2019, 08:37:53 AM
I always thought that MK wanted to use again the melody from "heart of oak" for something more important than a bonus track... and thats why he used it on Matschtick man again.
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: Stanko on September 20, 2019, 11:29:28 PM
like whiskey or wine, you store both in a cask of oak
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: mschaap on September 21, 2019, 09:57:24 PM
Quote from: jbaent on September 20, 2019, 08:37:53 AM
I always thought that MK wanted to use again the melody from "heart of oak" for something more important than a bonus track... and thats why he used it on Matschtick man again.
I also thought something like that. I assumed he already wrote both songs at the time of recording Tracker and of course was aware of the similarity between the two, so then he probably decided to use one as a bonus track and shelve the more important song to be released on the next album as a centre piece. From Guy we know it was the very first thing they recorded when starting on the new album, which became DTRW. Anyway, both are fantastic songs imho and I’m glad they both got released.
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: Knopflerfan on August 13, 2021, 03:49:26 AM
Quote from: vr46mk on September 19, 2019, 07:06:42 PM
This melody really reminds you of Matchstick Man, just realised now when listening to it. Beautiful  8)

Indeed both MM & HOA are both very similar. Lovely vocal & guitar work....
I must confess I prefer HOA....
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: dmg on August 13, 2021, 05:25:53 PM
Quote from: Knopflerfan on August 13, 2021, 03:49:26 AM
Quote from: vr46mk on September 19, 2019, 07:06:42 PM
This melody really reminds you of Matchstick Man, just realised now when listening to it. Beautiful  8)

Indeed both MM & HOA are both very similar. Lovely vocal & guitar work....
I must confess I prefer HOA....

Me too.  It's basically the same tune.
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: Knopflerfan on August 13, 2021, 06:55:01 PM
Quote from: dmg on August 13, 2021, 05:25:53 PM
Quote from: Knopflerfan on August 13, 2021, 03:49:26 AM
Quote from: vr46mk on September 19, 2019, 07:06:42 PM
This melody really reminds you of Matchstick Man, just realised now when listening to it. Beautiful  8)

Indeed both MM & HOA are both very similar. Lovely vocal & guitar work....
I must confess I prefer HOA....

Me too.  It's basically the same tune.
Indeed and both beautiful...
Title: Re: (15) Heart Of Oak (1:43)
Post by: Stanko on August 13, 2021, 09:54:19 PM
second that