Post by: the visitor on July 06, 2017, 12:07:28 AM
I'm sure this will cause some controversy but it is really a reaction to some of the views expressed since the announcement was made about the new projects.
Many people have spent however long it has been waiting for an announcement about what MK is working on and now news has broken the general feeling seems to be somewhat underwhelming and regarding any resulting tour that over the last few years the music has deteriorated considerably.
It got me thinking : should MK pack it in? Or should we simply expect less of him? He's spent his whole life
Writing and recording music, but the formula of recording / album / tour may need rethinking now.
I think we should give the guy a break ... I've got so much music of his I'm happy to listen to what I have. Put your feet up MK I say!
Post by: quizzaciously on July 06, 2017, 12:31:21 AM
As we all know, Mark "enjoys the whole cycle"™, although through the time the mixture of these was completely different. I see it like, nowadays "songwriting" is taking for him as much space as possible, as he even decided to write constantly on the road with people "only seeng him in the lift with a stool going to his hotel suit to write songs".
Obviously, you can't juggle all the three bottles perfectly, even though you love all three of them equally.
So, inevitably, Mark stays now in a unique position, where due to his age and other factors he have less time and choice for getting all the aspects of his music as perfect as it used to be and struggle to balance it all. As an infinite amount of people did mention before, his touring already got out of control, as well as guitar playing (a bit, of course, but still, it's not my point). His strongest power is still songwriting and it is stronger than ever, so with all of that being said all I can think about it is this:
— It would be nice for him to tour less, but without degrading the quality
— to record and release as much of material as he can (which he does)
— and yes, to rethink his set-list completely to fit his 2017-18 world
And yes, I know he'll do it, because his name is
Post by: Rail King on July 06, 2017, 08:57:59 AM
As you say, he's in a very fortunate position in that he's both an incredible songwriter AND a brilliant musician. His technical guitar skills will deteriorate, no doubt – they already have significantly - but the great thing is that for HIM (as opposed to less gifted musicians who are "just" players) that's not a problem. First, he's still a better guitarist than most people will ever dream of being. Maybe he should put "Sultans" aside, yes, but he'll remain a joy to listen to for the foreseeable future. Second, and most importantly, he's as great a songwriter as he ever was, and that's an ability you don't just lose with age. Even if both of his hands should be cut off (heaven forbid), he could continue to write songs. And since he's simply the best songwriter I've ever heard of, his songs - ideally played by him, but even if played by someone else - will always be something I look forward to. I'll never have enough of them.
Post by: superval99 on July 06, 2017, 09:03:35 AM
I believe Mark is self-aware and humble enough to realize when it's time to shift his priorities. In a way, he already took such a decision when he disbanded Dire Straits.
As you say, he's in a very fortunate position in that he's both an incredible songwriter AND a brilliant musician. His technical guitar skills will deteriorate, no doubt – they already have significantly - but the great thing is that for HIM (as opposed to less gifted musicians who are "just" players) that's not a problem. First, he's still a better guitarist than most people will ever dream of being. Maybe he should put "Sultans" aside, yes, but he'll remain a joy to listen to for the foreseeable future. Second, and most importantly, he's as great a songwriter as he ever was, and that's an ability you don't just lose with age. Even if both of his hands should be cut off (heaven forbid), he could continue to write songs. And since he's simply the best songwriter I've ever heard of, his songs - ideally played by him, but even if played by someone else - will always be something I look forward to. I'll never have enough of them.
Totally agree! :thumbsup
Post by: Love Expresso on July 06, 2017, 10:51:24 AM
Guy: "Hey Mark, these Get-A-Lifers from AMIT are talking about us stop making music..."
"AAAAHAAHAAHAAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHH HAAA HAAA HAA" (from studio 2, where John and Mike hang around, tuning their whistles..)
Mark: "For fuck sake Guyus, stop surfing the internet.. we have SO much work to do... our Mysterious Project as those wankers call it is not ready yet, and we have only just recorded 24 songs from my 68-song-project...."
Guy: "Yes, sorry Mark"
Mark: "Have you done the photography for the Box Set? Do you think Kitty can do ALL the work?? What about the Neumann Mic ebay auction? When will the Choir arrive? When on earth will you finally start the Diary as promised? Boy, you are SO lazy..." (strumming his Martin..)
Guy: "Errm... Want a cuppa tea?"
Mark:"Hmmm.. what... yeah yeah... had an idea last night, have a new title for my album.... will call it "TYNE - 68 - Songs" Get it? 1968?? I am getting 68 in August?""
Guy: "Super idea, Mark! Best idea you ever had!!"
(Door opens, Glen Saggers peeps in): "The LP is ready, set up for killer solo take 19, ready if you are! By the way, have you read what they write on AM.."
(Stops talking, Mark gives him a very cold view)
A moment of silence, Mark strumming and mumbling, whistle sound coming in from Studio 2, whistle and pipes...
Phone rings!
(Guy picks up and jokes warmly with Bob Dylan about the first 16 rough demo versions that Bob had listened to and gives a thumps up)
Mark: "So what about my cup of tea??"
(Guy hastily puts down the phone and beetles off into the kitchen)
Mark: (mumbles) "Hmmmm..... I need an Orchestra.... with strings... Dahummm...dahummm.... dee dee dum deeee ..." Guy? Call Rupert!! NOW!!! Guy? GUUUUUY!!!!"
;)
Mark will play until he falls over! Nuff said!
LE
Post by: Millionaire Blues on July 06, 2017, 10:58:28 AM
Mark Knopfler's guitar playing is still of an incredible standard. His phrasing, quick flurries and melodic instinct are still as good as ever, if not better.
I do not recognise many of the comments about his live performances deteriorating, his shows are ever improving to my ears. Barcelona and Manchester were the best I have ever seen from him and his great band.
In general, the overall musicianship, respect / interpretation of his songs is ever evolving taking things to a higher level.
Emotionally his shows are as engaging and beautiful as they ever have been.
MK is a victim of his own brilliance in my opinion.
Post by: quizzaciously on July 06, 2017, 12:37:30 PM
Bravo! :clap :clap
No nonsence, Millionaire Blues, because to hate everything is equally insane as to love everything. There must be a line in between...
MK is a victim of his own brilliance, but nobody tortured him to put Broken Bones as an opener, it just happens to be the worst opener.
I agree with everything you said, guitar playing and writing, just don't throw away some things that are pretty objective. Like...
2015 live recordings was really bad sounding? Correct. Was Broken Bones one of his worst openers of all time? It was. You get the idea.
Speaking of retirement, you know Mark was born in Scotland, and you know Sean Connery was born in Scotland, too. And he decided to quit acting in 2003, when he was 73 and lives happily ever since. Obviously, he can act, but he just don't want to do it. I don't think that Mark will be touring as hard as the likes of Chuck Berry or B.B. King in their 70s and 80s, maybe he would even quit, but writing? It's a timeless activity.
As Penn Jillette of "Penn & Teller" said — "No plans to retire. I will die in office."
Post by: herlock on July 06, 2017, 01:13:58 PM
There has been a lot of nonsense being talked on this forum over past few months.I kind of concur.
Mark Knopfler's guitar playing is still of an incredible standard. His phrasing, quick flurries and melodic instinct are still as good as ever, if not better.
I do not recognise many of the comments about his live performances deteriorating, his shows are ever improving to my ears. Barcelona and Manchester were the best I have ever seen from him and his great band.
In general, the overall musicianship, respect / interpretation of his songs is ever evolving taking things to a higher level.
Emotionally his shows are as engaging and beautiful as they ever have been.
MK is a victim of his own brilliance in my opinion.
Yesterday I listened to both Lyon 2005 and Sion 2015 recordings.
While there is little doubt that the 2005 playing was faster and more technical, it is not obvious to me that it is the better recording.
What has been lost in the technical side (a little bit - not that drastic, still very high standards) has been regained on the emotion, quality of voice, clarity of instruments.
Take TR - Lyon 2005 is longer and faster. But Sion 2015 is more touching.
Broken bones is no masterpiece but I didn't mind it.
2015 SOS, TR, BIA, SAN, HFB, KOG, GH are among my very favorites to listen to on my phone playlist. BIA has the intro and flute it had been lacking for years.
If MK is still able to tour in 2018 as per 2015 standards I will happily go for 10+ shows.
So I don't want him to retire.
And songwriting skills are outstanding so I still want him to make albums.
Short answer to the question is a definite no.
Post by: Millionaire Blues on July 06, 2017, 01:36:19 PM
Corn Beef City on the other hand!!
:smack
Post by: quizzaciously on July 06, 2017, 02:46:54 PM
Before the tour I dreamed of Broken Bones being the opener, it's a cool track!!
Corn Beef City on the other hand!!
:smack
If you dreamt about BB as an opener then I can confirm I don't know a thing about this world. I would never even think of BB as an opener...
Sometimes I can be grumpy and moaning, but I know that the main thing Mark can teach you is being happy, so I'm happy he's still going :clap
Post by: Millionaire Blues on July 06, 2017, 02:48:55 PM
:lol
Post by: quizzaciously on July 06, 2017, 02:56:43 PM
I'm waiting for a lesson on BB from you my friend!!!
:lol
Challenge accepted! ;D
Post by: rmarques821 on July 06, 2017, 04:54:00 PM
As for his touring/playing ability, I think his playing has clearly got worse over time and as the years went by, which his completely normal considering his fingers are almost 70 years old (and we should be thankful he doesn't suffer from arthritis like Clapton).
In my view, 1992 Mark Knopfler was the best guitarist I've ever seen. There was nothing that man could not do at that peak.
Post by: Love Expresso on July 06, 2017, 05:41:00 PM
I remember on the 2005 tour he had massive problems with his wrists and Guy quoted him in his tour diary "too many Sultans, too much Telegraph Roads..." I guess it is not getting better with the years...
LE
Post by: quizzaciously on July 06, 2017, 05:41:57 PM
In my opinion, that does not make much sense. It's obvious that he loves writing and recording, so why would he stop? He has said plenty of times that he doesn't need the money anymore, and he does it just because the loves it, the whole thing.
As for his touring/playing ability, I think his playing has clearly got worse over time and as the years went by, which his completely normal considering his fingers are almost 70 years old (and we should be thankful he doesn't suffer from arthritis like Clapton).
In my view, 1992 Mark Knopfler was the best guitarist I've ever seen. There was nothing that man could not do at that peak.
I can't remember when Mark said something like that about money, I only remember when he said he will run his studio until his accountant say it doesn't make any money. In fact, Van Morrison said point-blank in an interview, that he tours a lot nowadays, because he have a lot of stuff waiting to be paid, and he has exactly the same estimated net worth as MK and doesn't even have a recording studio which literally demand millions of dollars. I don't want to discuss someone's money here, but my point is—it's easy to think of guys like MK or VM that because he's a millionaire he can do nothing for his entire life and do everything just because he "wants it". It doesn't work like that!
And yes, in the early 90s Mark was a monster player who made many people quit guitar I suppose. I love that he learn jazz more and more!
Post by: rmarques821 on July 06, 2017, 06:20:31 PM
In my opinion, that does not make much sense. It's obvious that he loves writing and recording, so why would he stop? He has said plenty of times that he doesn't need the money anymore, and he does it just because the loves it, the whole thing.
As for his touring/playing ability, I think his playing has clearly got worse over time and as the years went by, which his completely normal considering his fingers are almost 70 years old (and we should be thankful he doesn't suffer from arthritis like Clapton).
In my view, 1992 Mark Knopfler was the best guitarist I've ever seen. There was nothing that man could not do at that peak.
I can't remember when Mark said something like that about money, I only remember when he said he will run his studio until his accountant say it doesn't make any money. In fact, Van Morrison said point-blank in an interview, that he tours a lot nowadays, because he have a lot of stuff waiting to be paid, and he has exactly the same estimated net worth as MK and doesn't even have a recording studio which literally demand millions of dollars. I don't want to discuss someone's money here, but my point is—it's easy to think of guys like MK or VM that because he's a millionaire he can do nothing for his entire life and do everything just because he "wants it". It doesn't work like that!
And yes, in the early 90s Mark was a monster player who made many people quit guitar I suppose. I love that he learn jazz more and more!
If I remember correctly, he acknowledged that in the Mark Lawson interview. You'd guess that with a net worth of about 95M $, he wouldn't bother working 9 to 5 ;D
Besides, who knows if Van Morrison hasn't made any bad investments? I don't think that's the case with MK. I surely don't see him as a guy who spends his money unwisely.
Post by: quizzaciously on July 06, 2017, 11:53:34 PM
By the way, guys like Tommy Emmanuel, you can't even dare to ask questions like "should he retire?". He doesn't even have a set-list and plays whatever he feel at the moment, and his playing only gets better with age. Same as with Mark's songwriting!
Post by: dmg on July 07, 2017, 01:21:29 PM
Thank you for mentioning this interview, I guess I need to rewatch it again... The last time was in 2013! By the way, Tommy Emmanuel at one point said that he tours like crazy (don't even look at his schedule!) partly because he need to pay for lots of things, too. Crazy, but true!
By the way, guys like Tommy Emmanuel, you can't even dare to ask questions like "should he retire?". He doesn't even have a set-list and plays whatever he feel at the moment, and his playing only gets better with age. Same as with Mark's songwriting!
Really? IMO his songwriting is much poorer than it used to be. In every successive album since STP there are more and more filler songs and probably even before STP his songwriting start to get simpler. Cannibals is a rehash and simpler version of WOL, same for HF and MFN.
The last single Beryl has astonishing bad lyrics and the subject matter was completely uninteresting too. He must've wrote it in about 2 minutes because there are only 10 lines in the song - count 'em! We would all deride the song had it been written by Justin Bieber. None of great lines of the DS days, especially the first 4 albums where there was barely a bad song at all.
Post by: Dutchessy on July 07, 2017, 01:39:22 PM
Hell no!! ;D
Post by: naif on July 07, 2017, 01:40:24 PM
Thank you for mentioning this interview, I guess I need to rewatch it again... The last time was in 2013! By the way, Tommy Emmanuel at one point said that he tours like crazy (don't even look at his schedule!) partly because he need to pay for lots of things, too. Crazy, but true!
By the way, guys like Tommy Emmanuel, you can't even dare to ask questions like "should he retire?". He doesn't even have a set-list and plays whatever he feel at the moment, and his playing only gets better with age. Same as with Mark's songwriting!
Really? IMO his songwriting is much poorer than it used to be. In every successive album since STP there are more and more filler songs and probably even before STP his songwriting start to get simpler. Cannibals is a rehash and simpler version of WOL, same for HF and MFN.
The last single Beryl has astonishing bad lyrics and the subject matter was completely uninteresting too. He must've wrote it in about 2 minutes because there are only 10 lines in the song - count 'em! We would all deride the song had it been written by Justin Bieber. None of great lines of the DS days, especially the first 4 albums where there was barely a bad song at all.
Absolutely I agree. The lyrics in the first four albums were unique. Mark was not in that class again except for a few songs. But still he has tons of good songs of course since he is very very productive musician.
Post by: jbaent on July 07, 2017, 02:07:17 PM
Post by: quizzaciously on July 07, 2017, 03:43:23 PM
Really? IMO his songwriting is much poorer than it used to be. In every successive album since STP there are more and more filler songs and probably even before STP his songwriting start to get simpler. Cannibals is a rehash and simpler version of WOL, same for HF and MFN.
The last single Beryl has astonishing bad lyrics and the subject matter was completely uninteresting too. He must've wrote it in about 2 minutes because there are only 10 lines in the song - count 'em! We would all deride the song had it been written by Justin Bieber. None of great lines of the DS days, especially the first 4 albums where there was barely a bad song at all.
Consider comparing the amount of good songs in Mark's 21 century albums and other artists of his generation... I wouldn't say that I liked even half of the most recent albums by Paul Simon, Leonard Cohen, Sting, Paul McCartney, Springsteen, etc... Sting's last album sounds like if Mark would want to do a DS reunion in his solo album, and it would sound... strange and out of place.
Bob Dylan is the greatest guy ever. If he have nothing new to put out, he just do The Great American Songbook. Better that, than a filler album complete with filler songs. I'm pretty sure if Mark would encounter a writer's block, he would just stop write rather than release an album-skipper.
Post by: the visitor on July 08, 2017, 10:15:18 AM
Cannibals = walk of life
Heavy Fuel = money for nothing
Used to Could = Two Young Lovers (itself a rip off of Chick Berry 'You Never Can tell')
Privateering = Mans Too Strong (with elements of Je Suis Desole)
Beryl = Sultans of Swing
No Can Do = listen closely to the end of live versions of Ride across the river
I am sure there are more, and the same is also true of the composition of the set lists.
There's nothing wrong with recycling, in fact this happens all the time across other musical genres (just look at rhythm tracks reused in reggae time after time, sometimes hundred of times) but it does get a bit boring, especially in instances when the original versions are superior. Why not just leave those be?
Post by: quizzaciously on July 08, 2017, 01:59:34 PM
There's nothing wrong with recycling, in fact this happens all the time across other musical genres (just look at rhythm tracks reused in reggae time after time, sometimes hundred of times) but it does get a bit boring, especially in instances when the original versions are superior. Why not just leave those be?
True. As I said a couple of years before, what baffles me is when you compose a song, similar to the other, in my mind it means it should become the "old song killer" so to speak, and if you have Beryl "killing" Sultans, why on Earth you keep playing the old song? I mean, "we're only looking forward" and stuff. If you compose Silver Eagle, why you play Sailing To Philadelphia again? Mark, what's happening? :lol
But hey, Mark played Cannibals back in the day instead of Walk Of Life and to be honest, it was one of the best openers I've ever heard! :thumbsup
Post by: dmg on July 08, 2017, 02:14:33 PM
There's nothing wrong with recycling, in fact this happens all the time across other musical genres (just look at rhythm tracks reused in reggae time after time, sometimes hundred of times) but it does get a bit boring, especially in instances when the original versions are superior. Why not just leave those be?
True. As I said a couple of years before, what baffles me is when you compose a song, similar to the other, in my mind it means it should become the "old song killer" so to speak, and if you have Beryl "killing" Sultans, why on Earth you keep playing the old song? I mean, "we're only looking forward" and stuff. If you compose Silver Eagle, why you play Sailing To Philadelphia again? Mark, what's happening? :lol
But hey, Mark played Cannibals back in the day instead of Walk Of life and to be honest, it was one of the best openers I've ever heard! :thumbsup
I never liked Cannibals as the opener in 2008. It was played too slowly and lacked energy and power. It paled in comparison with the GH tour versions. If you aren't going to improve on the original musically then I don't think it should be released at all. I can't think of an example where this has happened, Privateering/Man's Too Strong maybe an exception. Why play a crap song like Beryl when Sultans is an all-time classic? Over time you will end up with a set full of your inferior songs.
Post by: Rail King on July 11, 2017, 09:31:08 AM
To say that Mark is a "recyclist" is ridiculous. I don't think I know any other artist who recycles less of his former music when writing new songs. Occasional similarities (as in Walk of Life and Cannibals) are inevitable, but would you really claim that an album like Get Lucky bears any similarity to, say, Communiqué? Not really, right? They're a world apart. And you know what? The latter might actually be even better than the former.
Regarding lyrics, he always wrote great stuff, but the best, in my opinion, were fairly recent songs, the likes of Old Pigweed or Kingdom of Gold. Oh, and Cannibals has the better lyrics than Walk of Life.
Finally, just because a song is 10 minutes long and comprises a novel's worth of lyrics doesn't mean that it's "better". The lyrics of Redbud Tree are just as good as those of It Never Rains. The same is true for the musical quality of these two songs. They're both favourites of mine, and I would never be able to put one above the other.
Post by: tngemini on July 11, 2017, 01:52:04 PM
Post by: Mossguitar on July 11, 2017, 01:56:56 PM
Why should he retired? If someone does not like new songs skip them, don't buy any cd, don't go to gigs,... But please let's others to have fun ...Best post in this thread!
Post by: jeffreyvr on July 11, 2017, 03:32:06 PM
Why should he retired? If someone does not like new songs skip them, don't buy any cd, don't go to gigs,... But please let's others to have fun ...Best post in this thread!
Agreed. The day I'm asking for Mark to retire, I might need to wonder about retiring myself.
Post by: Knopflerfan on July 11, 2017, 04:27:03 PM
However,if you don't enjoy his music now then bye bye :wave
MK is such an amazing artist who still has it and I look forward very much to the next instalment/Chapter....I rue the day he does actually retire.....
Post by: ingridswing on July 11, 2017, 04:32:43 PM
Why should he retired? If someone does not like new songs skip them, don't buy any cd, don't go to gigs,... But please let's others to have fun ...Best post in this thread!
Agreed. The day I'm asking for Mark to retire, I might need to wonder about retiring myself.
Exactly, if you don't like it anymore. Don't listen, don't go to concerts and also... don't moan about it. In this forum are a lot of people who loves his music till now. So let everyone be happy and enjoy what they like best.
Post by: holaknopfler on July 11, 2017, 04:58:41 PM
Why should he retired? If someone does not like new songs skip them, don't buy any cd, don't go to gigs,... But please let's others to have fun ...Best post in this thread!
Agreed. The day I'm asking for Mark to retire, I might need to wonder about retiring myself.
Exactly, if you don't like it anymore. Don't listen, don't go to concerts and also... don't moan about it. In this forum are a lot of people who loves his music till now. So let everyone be happy and enjoy what they like best.
:clap
Post by: quizzaciously on July 11, 2017, 07:21:05 PM
Post by: ds1984 on July 11, 2017, 09:51:19 PM
Post by: Crusty on July 11, 2017, 10:04:56 PM
Post by: Marijo58 on July 11, 2017, 10:14:33 PM
Envoyé de mon Moto C Plus en utilisant Tapatalk
Post by: quizzaciously on July 11, 2017, 10:20:19 PM
Post by: Rail King on July 12, 2017, 09:36:37 AM
Today Van Morrison has announced and will release his second album while Mark is working on his one on September, 22nd. Just sayin :lol
What are you referring to, quizzaciously?
Post by: cannibals on July 12, 2017, 11:21:25 AM
Post by: quizzaciously on July 12, 2017, 11:47:55 AM
Today Van Morrison has announced and will release his second album while Mark is working on his one on September, 22nd. Just sayin :lol
What are you referring to, quizzaciously?
Just saying, as I said. But funny, still. See, if you would not stick to the "album only tours" schedule, you have more freedom, even to release an album a year. Anyway, this topic is pointless, I don't get it. My topics was deleted numerous of times, but here nonsense question right there in the title of the topic, I don't get it. Let's discuss wether Mark's gay or not, maybe?
Post by: qjamesfloyd on July 12, 2017, 12:18:28 PM
You are talking about one of the greatest guitarists and songwriters of all time!! He has been a huge influence on the art of songwriting and guitar playing, he has got more prolific as he gets older, he can do everything, sing, write lyrics, compose music, play guitar, he is quite simply one of the greatest musical artists the world has ever known!!! He doesn't have to do it, but he loves to do it, it's a compulsion with him, it has been his life's work. The day Mark stops making music will be a very sad day. I remember the likes of Hank Marvin and Mike Oldfield saying they had gone into retirement, but they both released new albums this year, I think if you reach the level people like that do, you never retire. I think as fans we have been spoiled by Mark over the solo years, and long may it continue.
Post by: Robson on July 12, 2017, 12:34:47 PM
Post by: quizzaciously on July 12, 2017, 02:25:10 PM
Post by: Crusty on July 12, 2017, 02:57:05 PM
Captain Obvious is crying reading this thread :lol
Because question was retoric?
I don't care. I think topic is good. MK is great music man and should not retire because he create art for art and not for money. I will like another format for concert and other setlist, but MK is superstar and has curse of mandatory hits. Shorter concert tour and smaller place is better for him now.
Post by: Lis on July 12, 2017, 06:07:50 PM
Should Mark retire? Short answer. NO.
You are talking about one of the greatest guitarists and songwriters of all time!! He has been a huge influence on the art of songwriting and guitar playing, he has got more prolific as he gets older, he can do everything, sing, write lyrics, compose music, play guitar, he is quite simply one of the greatest musical artists the world has ever known!!! He doesn't have to do it, but he loves to do it, it's a compulsion with him, it has been his life's work. The day Mark stops making music will be a very sad day. I remember the likes of Hank Marvin and Mike Oldfield saying they had gone into retirement, but they both released new albums this year, I think if you reach the level people like that do, you never retire. I think as fans we have been spoiled by Mark over the solo years, and long may it continue.
Agree 100%.
I am so grateful that MK is writing and performing, and cannot imagine otherwise.
Post by: superval99 on July 13, 2017, 10:07:52 AM
Should Mark retire? Short answer. NO.
You are talking about one of the greatest guitarists and songwriters of all time!! He has been a huge influence on the art of songwriting and guitar playing, he has got more prolific as he gets older, he can do everything, sing, write lyrics, compose music, play guitar, he is quite simply one of the greatest musical artists the world has ever known!!! He doesn't have to do it, but he loves to do it, it's a compulsion with him, it has been his life's work. The day Mark stops making music will be a very sad day. I remember the likes of Hank Marvin and Mike Oldfield saying they had gone into retirement, but they both released new albums this year, I think if you reach the level people like that do, you never retire. I think as fans we have been spoiled by Mark over the solo years, and long may it continue.
Agree 100%.
I am so grateful that MK is writing and performing, and cannot imagine otherwise.
I agree also! MK's music gives me more pleasure than anyone else and his songwriting just keeps getting better and better! I hope he continues for many more years!
Post by: Stiglar on July 13, 2017, 11:55:20 AM
To me His songwriting is excellent and definitely as I've gotten older i've appreciated MK's lyrics more and more. I thought tracker was his best album in quite a while but understand I may be in the minority on that one.
I think the shows have the right amount of new/nostalgia/middle also. The musicians are great. no 2 ways about it. everyone's cup of tea? definitely not. But the thing I absolutely loved about seeing MK was that I felt there was a bit of everything he's ever done in the show a real retrospective of his whole career. Again i've always felt it wasn't worse just different. To me the most astounding thing about MK is that his voice is fantastic. I think his voice is much stronger now than it was on other tours. He always sings exactly in tune (the show's i've listened to) and expressively.
To me the artists I think should retire are the ones that simply try (and fail) to recreate their glory days from 20-30 years ago as they age. MK has adapted to his ageing well. It's not a fresh show to us diehards by any means but to people in the public I think they would walk away satisfied. I think if MK was out there playing terrible versions of DS tunes struggling through the guitar playing and singing with a souless hire band then I would say it was time to hang it up.
Again just my 2 cents!
Post by: Shangri-La on July 13, 2017, 03:15:54 PM
Tracker was his best album since 2004 and SL.
Post by: Pottel on August 11, 2017, 04:46:35 PM
HelloAgree. Take it as it comes.
I'm sure this will cause some controversy but it is really a reaction to some of the views expressed since the announcement was made about the new projects.
Many people have spent however long it has been waiting for an announcement about what MK is working on and now news has broken the general feeling seems to be somewhat underwhelming and regarding any resulting tour that over the last few years the music has deteriorated considerably.
It got me thinking : should MK pack it in? Or should we simply expect less of him? He's spent his whole life
Writing and recording music, but the formula of recording / album / tour may need rethinking now.
I think we should give the guy a break ... I've got so much music of his I'm happy to listen to what I have. Put your feet up MK I say!
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Post by: Pottel on August 11, 2017, 04:49:10 PM
There has been a lot of nonsense being talked on this forum over past few months.Word. I prefer his sound / tone to his speed on guitar
Mark Knopfler's guitar playing is still of an incredible standard. His phrasing, quick flurries and melodic instinct are still as good as ever, if not better.
I do not recognise many of the comments about his live performances deteriorating, his shows are ever improving to my ears. Barcelona and Manchester were the best I have ever seen from him and his great band.
In general, the overall musicianship, respect / interpretation of his songs is ever evolving taking things to a higher level.
Emotionally his shows are as engaging and beautiful as they ever have been.
MK is a victim of his own brilliance in my opinion.
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Post by: Eddie Fox on August 11, 2017, 06:50:03 PM
To me it's pretty clear his guitar playing is no longer the same but it's still unique and brilliant. It doesn't matter though, he's still producing top quality music and I hope he keeps doing it for as long as he wants and his body allows him to.
Post by: Guitarman1972 on August 11, 2017, 10:14:08 PM
Though, I must admit I wouldn't mind some fresh blood / input in the production team. Hope the next album will be a bit heavier/spicier. Since Chad Cromwell en Chuck Ainlay left the songs got in general softer/slower. Wish Mark would attract guys like Warren Haynes, Derek Trucks, Jerry Douglas, Joe Bonamassa, Bela Fleck, Jeff Beck and Chris Rea to spice up some things on his next album. :D
Joe Bonamassa - Just Got Paid
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSQwj3s8Y4s
Midnight In Harlem - Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0hr2HWOohM
Dave Matthews Band feat Warren Haynes - Cortez The Killer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QjIHnb5Ivs
Post by: Tobben on August 12, 2017, 09:19:53 AM
Post by: Stanko on August 12, 2017, 09:13:19 PM
He always sings exactly in tune
This does it! One of my favourite of him definitely!
and when it comes to retire, I think it's just not his decision, it's all about Let It All Go! "these are not my decisions, flaming visions, ringing expressions the clamouring voice, It's volcanic desire the unquenchable fire It isn't a question
Of having the CHOICE!!!"
Post by: quizzaciously on August 13, 2017, 12:38:45 AM
What kind of thread is this? :smack
Double that.