A Mark In Time
Mark Knopfler Discussion => Mark Knopfler Discussion Forum => Topic started by: Love Expresso on September 09, 2018, 10:20:36 AM
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David Knopfler posted this on his facebook page this morning:
"It’s rare these days that it happens but I woke up with an old Dire Straits song running around my head, tonight. It was among my favourite Mark Knopfler compositions from that 1970s era.
“Single Handed Sailor” has a nicely sketched out, emotionally satisfying, lyric and a quite demanding tune to perform too, with some jazz influenced inflections. I probably wouldn’t be able to figure it all out now.
Mark brought it, pretty much fully formed, to rehearsals and I think, had written it overnight. I don’t believe the slightly quirky and busy, rhythm part I added, after Mark showed me the trickier chords, really met full approval from either Mark or later our Producer, Barry Becket. I’m pretty sure if I’d been a session player, they would have insisted it was tidied up more and delivered something a little more consistent, spacey and disciplined but they generously let it go and it survived to make the cut, for better or worse. If memory serves, and often these days it doesn’t, it was still performed in the live set when I left the band.
It had a kind of rhythmic pace and economy that was simpatico to the sentiment of the song. Maybe I also liked it, in part, because I also found the river Thames at night, with its quiet barges moving, almost invisibly, through the dark, so quickly in and out of view inspirational... a place of excitement and beauty. And there was also the not unremarkable skill for just one person to be handling such a boat. I don’t suppose those long sand barges are still around these days performing their industrial deliveries.
That economical, almost romantic “Eng-Lit” and half-journalistic style of narration worked for me. It wasn’t commonly used by lyricists in the gracelessness of the punk era either. I wouldn’t be surprised if Mark wouldn’t have tipped a nod to the way Ray Davis could mine treasure from the battered grime of Waterloo Station and bridge.
I guess we made a decent noise for four people. It never felt at the time like we had enough men onboard to do the job but maybe that was part of the skeletal charm; that like most four piece bands, you couldn’t disguise much in the arrangements."
LE
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I saw it too, very nice to read. I hope he will share more of this insight stories in the future.
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Enjoyable reading! :)
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Yes ... I interviewed DK by mail for the second edition of my book and he also had quite nice words about MK and those years.
For me it looks like he was really prepared to join his brother at the HOF, mentally and spiritually but maybe Mark wasn't ready yet.
It's nice also to read his comments about his own playing. I always considered his rythmic guitar suited very well the intricate rythmic by MK, simple but effective. His playing was similar in all he recorded with DS, subtle and simple, suiting the songs perfectly, and also did a great job at live shows.
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Indeed ! I always thought that DTTW was nice in the "enhanced" version with keyboards and synth they did in 80/81, but still, that Hal's guitar was no match for David's groove, and that stripped-down '79 versions were better.The BBC arena version is awesome, a bit more uptempo, looks like MK was a bit drunk...:)
On another note, in this interview, is DK trying subtly to convey the message that he co-wrote SHS and should have been credited ? Remember the 2005 interview, he was less nice and said that it was strange he did not get more credits for the 2 first DS albums - without going into details of which songs he would have written...
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What Interview are you talking about? I clearly stated that he posted this on his facebook page today? The first sentence should make this clear? I really think you need a lot of imagination to see this as a try of him to get credited more for Single Handed Sailor? He says clearly that Mark came with it fully formed overnight? Isn't he fully adoring here what Mark came up with, from both levels, musically and lyrically?
LE
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Yes, I'm talking about the recent one, and I actually don't mean anything nasty... I'm just talking about the parts where he says -nicely- that his brother and the production were kind enough to accept his less-than-perfect rythm chords input, which is also stating that he gave some input to the song, albeit minor...
I just then remembered the 2005 interview where he was much more explicit about not having been credited for the first 2 albums, and put the two together - just raising the question about DK maybe still thinking he should have been credited, but presenting it in a much more cheerful manner than he used to...
I did not mean to offend anybody by raising this question, and if I did, please accept my sincere apologies. The interview is nice, no question !
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I also read DK telling that most of the DS songs from the DS and Communique record were built in cooperation, starting from MK lyrics and chords but what is called arrangements was done as a band, and some songs really came from even before they knew John, that he was always under the impression that they were co-writing in some way, starting from MK lyrics and chords, adding this and that, but in the end he only was credited for "what's the matter baby".
He always recognised the obvious MK merits and the genius he was and is, but in that years not only David had inputs in the songs, also John and Pick, specially Pick.
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It's NOT an interview, it's a Facebook post ...
He was part of the band and his job was it to play the rhythm guitar. In stating that they let him get away with his non-perfection, I think he shows some real greatness. It's as he seems embarrassed to be part of this masterpiece, as he apologizes for having spoiled it with his contribution. At least that's my interpretation.
LE
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Sorry about the confusion interview / FB post.
I agree with everything you say. His post is very nicely put, and their is no attack in it. I'm just saying that he used to be more blunt about it, and now he is still subtly conveying the message that Mark did 90%, but the other 10% were contributed by the other members, as Jbaent said it well. Nonetheless, save for "What's the matter baby" which was not even released on a studio album, Mark got all the credits.
My take on it is that now DK has reached wisdom and does not resent these things anymore, but still nicely teases us about them...
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I would say that he really is searching for peace. He is very much on a new path now. Remember him talking about playing with Mark once more before dying, not so long ago? Was very touching from my point of view.
LE
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It is touching indeed !
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I would say that he really is searching for peace. He is very much on a new path now. Remember him talking about playing with Mark once more before dying, not so long ago? Was very touching from my point of view.
LE
Me too.
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I would say that he really is searching for peace. He is very much on a new path now. Remember him talking about playing with Mark once more before dying, not so long ago? Was very touching from my point of view.
LE
Yes!
I think that DK was really nervous and cautious about the HOF thing, it would had been a great occasion to make peace with MK and he knew it....
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It's just that so many people talk about Mark's abilities as a Musician and a songwriter. But often they only repeat what others said or printed. But getting a judgement about his lyrics and writing from no one else than his brother is something very special. And he finds very lyrical words about the song himself.
LE
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My take on it is a little different but somewhat in line with Herlock. We all know that you can sometimes win your argument by praising the person at the start, making them feel special and then they'll back down and be kinder with you. Well, this post by David seems somewhat similar to this to me, compared to his usual more abrupt approach. This time it's more what he doesn't say.
However you take it I'm just surprised and happy that David's started posting about music on his FB! :lol
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David has Two Facebook accounts!
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He's come a long way from creating the first troll site ever on the internet. ;D
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David has Two Facebook accounts!
Dr. David Jekyll and Mr. Hyde-Knopfler?
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I have 2 nicks too, Boy and Ghost, and would like to play once again before dying too
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If Mark was more media and had a private fb he would read David's words.
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Well, it's well played return in tennis terms, as in an "i don't begrudge" manner if you ask me. Winner IF it's sincere actually!
p.s. please dont take that IF in negative context only,
you know, hope for the best and prepare for the worst, nothing to lose than, it's a win-win situation.
:thumbsup
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I hope Mark and David make peace eventually. They are old now, it's about time they left resentment behind and reunited as family. They have children who don't know their father's brother! Of course there might be stuff we don't know about and in that case I take my words back but if what we know isn't much different from what really happened they surely ought to talk.
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I hope Mark and David make peace eventually. They are old now, it's about time they left resentment behind and reunited as family. They have children who don't know their father's brother! Of course there might be stuff we don't know about and in that case I take my words back but if what we know isn't much different from what really happened they surely ought to talk.
Of course there's stuff we don't know, still frankly I don't like MK attitude vs DK at all
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I hope Mark and David make peace eventually. They are old now, it's about time they left resentment behind and reunited as family. They have children who don't know their father's brother! Of course there might be stuff we don't know about and in that case I take my words back but if what we know isn't much different from what really happened they surely ought to talk.
Of course there's stuff we don't know, still frankly I don't like MK attitude vs DK at all
I know there is, but how relevant or bad is it? Bad enough to keep Mark from putting the guard down? How different is that from what we know? Life is too short. I feel comfortable to talk about it because I'm not on speaking terms with my sister - her husband is a douche and she won't talk to anyone who doesn't talk to him, so... but at least it doesn't prevent me from seeing my nieces and nephew.
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Great post by David. Seems genuine and heartfelt.
As for the conflict between the brothers, what exactly is the heart of the it? David claims he's entitled to more money from his contribution on the first albums, Mark disagrees, and until that's settled, they really have nothing further to talk about?
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Great post by David. Seems genuine and heartfelt.
As for the conflict between the brothers, what exactly is the heart of the it? David claims he's entitled to more money from his contribution on the first albums, Mark disagrees, and until that's settled, they really have nothing further to talk about?
I would guess that things are more complicated than this but I have no idea of the reality behind the feud.
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Great post by David. Seems genuine and heartfelt.
As for the conflict between the brothers, what exactly is the heart of the it? David claims he's entitled to more money from his contribution on the first albums, Mark disagrees, and until that's settled, they really have nothing further to talk about?
After David left the band, both MK and John played in David's first record, so what happened when David left DS wasn't the reason of their nowadays situation.
I remember that when "Sultans of swing" compilation was out, David was very angry as MK management left him out of the royalties he would had to get paid by the songs in which he plays from his days with DS, he was angry not only with the management but also with MK as obvioulsy MK knew about it. As far as I know when DS signed the contract they did as a band so the four of them would had signed that right about royalties, maybe that royalties had a date limit, I don't know, but I know DK sued his brother, or his brother managemnt by this reason.
Also there is the MK first guitar chapter. MK gave MK first guitar to David and David about ten years ago tried to sell it in a place like Christie's, and MK got to know about it and bought his own guitar, we don't know if directly or through lawyers.
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Great post by David. Seems genuine and heartfelt.
As for the conflict between the brothers, what exactly is the heart of the it? David claims he's entitled to more money from his contribution on the first albums, Mark disagrees, and until that's settled, they really have nothing further to talk about?
Also there is the MK first guitar chapter. MK gave MK first guitar to David and David about ten years ago tried to sell it in a place like Christie's, and MK got to know about it and bought his own guitar, we don't know if directly or through lawyers.
In this case, MK was entitled to buy his own guitar back at auction, rather than it go to someone else. Nothing strange about that. I would probably do the same if I had given something I treasured to someone and they put it up for auction. ;)
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Great post by David. Seems genuine and heartfelt.
As for the conflict between the brothers, what exactly is the heart of the it? David claims he's entitled to more money from his contribution on the first albums, Mark disagrees, and until that's settled, they really have nothing further to talk about?
Also there is the MK first guitar chapter. MK gave MK first guitar to David and David about ten years ago tried to sell it in a place like Christie's, and MK got to know about it and bought his own guitar, we don't know if directly or through lawyers.
In this case, MK was entitled to buy his own guitar back at auction, rather than it go to someone else. Nothing strange about that. I would probably do the same if I had given something I treasured to someone and they put it up for auction. ;)
The strange thing is that you give you first guitar to your younger brother and never care about it, never asked for the guitar to be back to you, until you see it's in an auction. I can understand that you see your first guitar in an auction and having money, you choose to pay for it and get it back to you but you never cared about it before... well, it's MK's right to do whatever he wants, of course.
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Great post by David. Seems genuine and heartfelt.
As for the conflict between the brothers, what exactly is the heart of the it? David claims he's entitled to more money from his contribution on the first albums, Mark disagrees, and until that's settled, they really have nothing further to talk about?
Also there is the MK first guitar chapter. MK gave MK first guitar to David and David about ten years ago tried to sell it in a place like Christie's, and MK got to know about it and bought his own guitar, we don't know if directly or through lawyers.
In this case, MK was entitled to buy his own guitar back at auction, rather than it go to someone else. Nothing strange about that. I would probably do the same if I had given something I treasured to someone and they put it up for auction. ;)
The strange thing is that you give you first guitar to your younger brother and never care about it, never asked for the guitar to be back to you, until you see it's in an auction. I can understand that you see your first guitar in an auction and having money, you choose to pay for it and get it back to you but you never cared about it before... well, it's MK's right to do whatever he wants, of course.
Obviously DK didn't care about it either, if he put it up for auction. Maybe he needed the money.
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Great post by David. Seems genuine and heartfelt.
As for the conflict between the brothers, what exactly is the heart of the it? David claims he's entitled to more money from his contribution on the first albums, Mark disagrees, and until that's settled, they really have nothing further to talk about?
Also there is the MK first guitar chapter. MK gave MK first guitar to David and David about ten years ago tried to sell it in a place like Christie's, and MK got to know about it and bought his own guitar, we don't know if directly or through lawyers.
In this case, MK was entitled to buy his own guitar back at auction, rather than it go to someone else. Nothing strange about that. I would probably do the same if I had given something I treasured to someone and they put it up for auction. ;)
The strange thing is that you give you first guitar to your younger brother and never care about it, never asked for the guitar to be back to you, until you see it's in an auction. I can understand that you see your first guitar in an auction and having money, you choose to pay for it and get it back to you but you never cared about it before... well, it's MK's right to do whatever he wants, of course.
Obviously DK didn't care about it either, if he put it up for auction. Maybe he needed the money.
It was just a hoffner, LOL If ithad been a 58 or 59 les paul or one of the olds Fender Stratocasters... ;D :lol
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If it is a question of unpaid royalties, I wonder how much money we are talking about. If the amount is "reasonable", I would, if I were Mark, have just paid the money to David and made peace, or at least tried to offer a reasonable compensation in case the amount was very large. This of course would mean that Mark had been in the wrong all along, and I think he's the kind of guy who'd never admit to that. Too proud. Plus if that kind of information surfaced, it would seriously mar Mark's public image.
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Great post by David. Seems genuine and heartfelt.
As for the conflict between the brothers, what exactly is the heart of the it? David claims he's entitled to more money from his contribution on the first albums, Mark disagrees, and until that's settled, they really have nothing further to talk about?
Also there is the MK first guitar chapter. MK gave MK first guitar to David and David about ten years ago tried to sell it in a place like Christie's, and MK got to know about it and bought his own guitar, we don't know if directly or through lawyers.
In this case, MK was entitled to buy his own guitar back at auction, rather than it go to someone else. Nothing strange about that. I would probably do the same if I had given something I treasured to someone and they put it up for auction. ;)
The strange thing is that you give you first guitar to your younger brother and never care about it, never asked for the guitar to be back to you, until you see it's in an auction. I can understand that you see your first guitar in an auction and having money, you choose to pay for it and get it back to you but you never cared about it before... well, it's MK's right to do whatever he wants, of course.
Obviously DK didn't care about it either, if he put it up for auction. Maybe he needed the money.
It was just a hoffner, LOL If ithad been a 58 or 59 les paul or one of the olds Fender Stratocasters... ;D :lol
Yes, I know it was a Hofner, but maybe it could have made a lot more than it was worth....with its connections! ;)
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Great post by David. Seems genuine and heartfelt.
As for the conflict between the brothers, what exactly is the heart of the it? David claims he's entitled to more money from his contribution on the first albums, Mark disagrees, and until that's settled, they really have nothing further to talk about?
Also there is the MK first guitar chapter. MK gave MK first guitar to David and David about ten years ago tried to sell it in a place like Christie's, and MK got to know about it and bought his own guitar, we don't know if directly or through lawyers.
In this case, MK was entitled to buy his own guitar back at auction, rather than it go to someone else. Nothing strange about that. I would probably do the same if I had given something I treasured to someone and they put it up for auction. ;)
The strange thing is that you give you first guitar to your younger brother and never care about it, never asked for the guitar to be back to you, until you see it's in an auction. I can understand that you see your first guitar in an auction and having money, you choose to pay for it and get it back to you but you never cared about it before... well, it's MK's right to do whatever he wants, of course.
Obviously DK didn't care about it either, if he put it up for auction. Maybe he needed the money.
It was just a hoffner, LOL If ithad been a 58 or 59 les paul or one of the olds Fender Stratocasters... ;D :lol
Yes, I know it was a Hofner, but maybe it could have made a lot more than it was worth....with its connections! ;)
in an auction it would had made a lot of money for some collectors... MK's first guitar...
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Great post by David. Seems genuine and heartfelt.
As for the conflict between the brothers, what exactly is the heart of the it? David claims he's entitled to more money from his contribution on the first albums, Mark disagrees, and until that's settled, they really have nothing further to talk about?
Also there is the MK first guitar chapter. MK gave MK first guitar to David and David about ten years ago tried to sell it in a place like Christie's, and MK got to know about it and bought his own guitar, we don't know if directly or through lawyers.
In this case, MK was entitled to buy his own guitar back at auction, rather than it go to someone else. Nothing strange about that. I would probably do the same if I had given something I treasured to someone and they put it up for auction. ;)
The strange thing is that you give you first guitar to your younger brother and never care about it, never asked for the guitar to be back to you, until you see it's in an auction. I can understand that you see your first guitar in an auction and having money, you choose to pay for it and get it back to you but you never cared about it before... well, it's MK's right to do whatever he wants, of course.
Obviously DK didn't care about it either, if he put it up for auction. Maybe he needed the money.
It was just a hoffner, LOL If ithad been a 58 or 59 les paul or one of the olds Fender Stratocasters... ;D :lol
As far as I know David needed the money and sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do when you have mouths to feed. Mark probably wanted the guitar back and cared about it but what could he do? He gave it to David, it was David's.
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Just to make it clear, I strongly disagree with almost everything David says on his facebook in regards to any topic that's not music related but I really admire his recent attitude on his conflict with Mark.
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Great post by David. Seems genuine and heartfelt.
As for the conflict between the brothers, what exactly is the heart of the it? David claims he's entitled to more money from his contribution on the first albums, Mark disagrees, and until that's settled, they really have nothing further to talk about?
Also there is the MK first guitar chapter. MK gave MK first guitar to David and David about ten years ago tried to sell it in a place like Christie's, and MK got to know about it and bought his own guitar, we don't know if directly or through lawyers.
In this case, MK was entitled to buy his own guitar back at auction, rather than it go to someone else. Nothing strange about that. I would probably do the same if I had given something I treasured to someone and they put it up for auction. ;)
The strange thing is that you give you first guitar to your younger brother and never care about it, never asked for the guitar to be back to you, until you see it's in an auction. I can understand that you see your first guitar in an auction and having money, you choose to pay for it and get it back to you but you never cared about it before... well, it's MK's right to do whatever he wants, of course.
Obviously DK didn't care about it either, if he put it up for auction. Maybe he needed the money.
It was just a hoffner, LOL If ithad been a 58 or 59 les paul or one of the olds Fender Stratocasters... ;D :lol
Is that the guitar MK showed during a interview where he was asked by John about his favorite guitars?
I believe the first guitar MK brought up was his very first guitar he got from his dad. I remember John saying he never steen the guitar before in all the years he known Mark. The interview is still on youtube, it was a few years back were John did several interviews for i think BBC. One off them with Mark.
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Is that the guitar MK showed during a interview where he was asked by John about his favorite guitars?
I believe the first guitar MK brought up was his very first guitar he got from his dad. I remember John saying he never steen the guitar before in all the years he known Mark. The interview is still on youtube, it was a few years back were John did several interviews for i think BBC. One off them with Mark.
it's the guitar seen in the guitar stories documentary, the one with John, and it's the guitar seen on KTGC promo pics