A Mark In Time

Mark Knopfler Discussion => Mark Knopfler Discussion Forum => Topic started by: ybot on January 14, 2017, 02:17:58 PM

Title: Mk with EC tour in 1988
Post by: ybot on January 14, 2017, 02:17:58 PM
Why did Mark(and Alan Clark) tour with EC?
Friendship, money? both?

Title: Re: Mk with EC tour in 1988
Post by: dmg on January 14, 2017, 03:06:24 PM
Why did Mark(and Alan Clark) tour with EC?
Friendship, money? both?

You'd probably have to ask Mark but he has said in the past that the only way to get better is by playing with other good musicians.  Remember there wasn't an album to promote so he maybe just wanted to keep his hand in.

He actually toured some dates in '87 and a RAH residency in '89 as well.
Title: Re: Mk with EC tour in 1988
Post by: xardas on January 14, 2017, 06:48:31 PM
For me it was strange when i read eric claptons biography and he didnt
mentioned that tour at all. Also Mark was only once breafly mentioned.
Title: Re: Mk with EC tour in 1988
Post by: ds1984 on January 15, 2017, 01:59:36 AM
Exact reason and how these did set up is unknown but it sounds like friendship between both and certainly not a money matter.
Mark being free, and getting an opportunity of touring again without the pressure of DS nor too many concerts to perform.
At the time Mark needed to breathe off Dire Straits.




 
Title: Re: Mk with EC tour in 1988
Post by: the visitor on January 15, 2017, 10:02:16 PM
Exact reason and how these did set up is unknown but it sounds like friendship between both and certainly not a money matter.
Mark being free, and getting an opportunity of touring again without the pressure of DS nor too many concerts to perform.
At the time Mark needed to breathe off Dire Straits.

Yes, I heard this too, probably from an interview.  I think off the back of the BIA tour Mark was just looking to keep himself up and running and in good form - also gave him chance to get away from his home situation, which he referred to on the BBC Radio 2 interview, but not this tour specifically.

Clapton can first be traced with MK back on stage in December 1985 where he joined Dire Straits on stage at the Hammersmith Odeon.  Check recordings of 19th December 1985 and 22nd December, both being great.   I read Eric enjoyed playing with younger musicians who had respect for him.
Title: Re: Mk with EC tour in 1988
Post by: ybot on January 15, 2017, 10:12:00 PM
Mk and EC shared some stages at Prince Trust in the 80s and MK was par of the EC band by 1987 1988

I believe, Mark owed Eric one when Eric took Jack Sonni place in Mandela.

Have Jack ever played with DS ever since? No. I guess he had some issue
Title: Re: Mk with EC tour in 1988
Post by: ybot on January 15, 2017, 10:26:05 PM
Besides, at Mandela , EC played WOL solos , MFN and his Wonderful tonite.
Mark introduced him in the interlude of WOL . After this song EC was actually forgotten.
It was like Mark introduced the best guitarrist ever and confined him to petty tasks.
Title: Re: Mk with EC tour in 1988
Post by: ds1984 on January 15, 2017, 10:36:44 PM
Exact reason and how these did set up is unknown but it sounds like friendship between both and certainly not a money matter.
Mark being free, and getting an opportunity of touring again without the pressure of DS nor too many concerts to perform.
At the time Mark needed to breathe off Dire Straits.

Yes, I heard this too, probably from an interview.  I think off the back of the BIA tour Mark was just looking to keep himself up and running and in good form - also gave him chance to get away from his home situation, which he referred to on the BBC Radio 2 interview, but not this tour specifically.

Clapton can first be traced with MK back on stage in December 1985 where he joined Dire Straits on stage at the Hammersmith Odeon.  Check recordings of 19th December 1985 and 22nd December, both being great.   I read Eric enjoyed playing with younger musicians who had respect for him.

Even earlier, Eric was pictured attending Dire Straits during their LOG tour.
Title: Re: Mk with EC tour in 1988
Post by: ybot on January 15, 2017, 11:11:48 PM
LOG tour was at the end of 1982 to 1983
I did not know EC met DS
Did they meet at global concerts?
Title: Re: Mk with EC tour in 1988
Post by: jbaent on January 16, 2017, 06:47:20 PM
In the Michael Oldfield book there is a picture of Clapton with End Bucknell, attending one of the Wembley Arena 1982 shows.

Clapton joined MK on stage at Hammersmith December 1985 concerts, at least the 19th and I think 22nd.

Then Princes Trust 1986 at Wembley Arena, and after that Mk joined Clapton band for some concerts in the UK, Paris, Brussels and maybe some more, then a full tour in 1988 and some RAH dates in 1989, while MK was composing Last Exit to Brooklyn score at home with Guy.

In his biography it just mention that MK was in his band for the 1988 tour, just mention, like if MK was just another random musician hired for the tour.
Title: Re: Mk with EC tour in 1988
Post by: allen on January 18, 2017, 12:34:50 AM
I don't have a BIA album at hand now, if my memory serves me right, MK borrowed a guitar from EC during the BIA recoring session and that is the reason why EC was mentioned in the inner notes of BIA album.  I think they had started their friendship earlier than 1985.
Title: Re: Mk with EC tour in 1988
Post by: Eddie Fox on January 19, 2017, 02:37:15 PM
I recall coming across a picture where you could spot Mark, Eric and David Knopfler, plus Robert Plant and others. Having David in I assume that was taken before his departure from DS which means pre-1980.

As for Eric's book I believe he simply respected the fact that Mark is a very private person. That being said it's not clear how close they are, sometimes it seems they are good buddies but sometimes I tend to believe it's just musical camaraderie. For instance, in the JJ Cale tribute promo video he says he never spoke to JJ about Mark. I was shocked.
Title: Re: Mk with EC tour in 1988
Post by: dmg on January 19, 2017, 03:06:01 PM
I recall coming across a picture where you could spot Mark, Eric and David Knopfler, plus Robert Plant and others. Having David in I assume that was taken before his departure from DS which means pre-1980.

As for Eric's book I believe he simply respected the fact that Mark is a very private person. That being said it's not clear how close they are, sometimes it seems they are good buddies but sometimes I tend to believe it's just musical camaraderie. For instance, in the JJ Cale tribute promo video he says he never spoke to JJ about Mark. I was shocked.

Interesting relationship indeed.  I think perhaps mutual respect.
Title: Re: Mk with EC tour in 1988
Post by: ds1984 on January 20, 2017, 08:10:34 PM
The strange thing is that at some point Eric and Mark ware sharing the stage but since the 2003 gig that never happened they never crossed their way again, and most surprisingly Mark never performed on any Crossroads event  :think
Title: Re: Mk with EC tour in 1988
Post by: dmg on January 20, 2017, 08:58:30 PM
The strange thing is that at some point Eric and Mark ware sharing the stage but since the 2003 gig that never happened they never crossed their way again, and most surprisingly Mark never performed on any Crossroads event  :think

Not really surprising to me; not since the Monserrat show in 1997 has Mark performed at such a high-profile recorded/televised event with other major stars and it is never going to happen again.
Title: Re: Mk with EC tour in 1988
Post by: Love Expresso on January 20, 2017, 09:00:32 PM
That Layla rendition of both of them however was really awesome.

LE
Title: Re: Mk with EC tour in 1988
Post by: Love Expresso on January 20, 2017, 09:04:32 PM
Mark's solo was pure magic. One of the really rare pure "goosebumps" moments. Absolutely unique and awesome.

LE
Title: Re: Mk with EC tour in 1988
Post by: dmg on January 20, 2017, 09:11:29 PM
That Layla rendition of both of them however was really awesome.

LE

The version they played at the Princes' Trust concert '88 is reputed by many EC fans to be the best ever.  Wonderful tone, fills and pacy.  Then Badge gave Mark a chance to steal EC's solo, two shows were filmed professionally.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xV3M83A4aiI

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgvJyxruIQg
Title: Re: Mk with EC tour in 1988
Post by: Love Expresso on January 20, 2017, 09:24:53 PM
 Thanks, yeah. However, I like the relaxed approach of the acoustic version of Layla more, as the one from the Unplugged album which was obviously the inspiration for the Montserrat one.

LE