A Mark In Time

Mark Knopfler Discussion => Mark Knopfler Discussion Forum => Topic started by: ybot on May 11, 2019, 08:58:50 PM

Title: SOS from studio to live versions
Post by: ybot on May 11, 2019, 08:58:50 PM
From studio version to 1979 most gigs were similar.
By 1980 he added more phrases and changed it a lot.
By 1982 to Alchemy you can listen to a total different song from the begining gigs. I believe, Alan Clark arrangements did matter.
BIA versions differ a little bit from Alchemy.
By 1988 with the mk1 and another swing , it sounds as a different song compared with Bia.
At OES Mark modified it again and had it unique seal.
At Mark's solo carreer he started playing another way .
Now, playing the red fender he played different notes with his magic.
How do the band(alan, guy, phil , jack) influenced to  these variety of versions?
Title: Re: SOS from studio to live versions
Post by: Justme on May 11, 2019, 09:44:39 PM
Sometimes I wish he'd go back to the roots of Dire Straits. Just a four-piece-band.
The stage seems to be overcrowded these days to be honest.
Title: Re: SOS from studio to live versions
Post by: straitsway75 on May 11, 2019, 09:58:02 PM
Sometimes I wish he'd go back to the roots of Dire Straits. Just a four-piece-band.
The stage seems to be overcrowded these days to be honest.
I agree with you much, too persons now on stage, too brasses on every song  :smack
Title: Re: SOS from studio to live versions
Post by: JF on May 11, 2019, 09:58:37 PM
it's in french, but I have compiled all that I have learned through 30 years about this song in this article :

https://www.facebook.com/notes/textes-blog-and-rocknroll/une-chanson-%C3%A0-la-loupe-sultans-of-swing-de-dire-straits/470623356771437/
Title: Re: SOS from studio to live versions
Post by: ybot on May 13, 2019, 01:13:28 AM
JF, very nice article!
Title: Re: SOS from studio to live versions
Post by: ybot on May 13, 2019, 01:43:21 PM
Sometimes I wish he'd go back to the roots of Dire Straits. Just a four-piece-band.
The stage seems to be overcrowded these days to be honest.
I agree with you much, too persons now on stage, too brasses on every song  :smack
There many songs which would lose a lot without AC keyboards or a saxo
Title: Re: SOS from studio to live versions
Post by: Terry01 on June 11, 2019, 04:36:13 AM
For me the best version ever is Wembley  ´85. Simply magig for me..
Title: Re: SOS from studio to live versions
Post by: dmg on June 11, 2019, 01:03:42 PM
For me the best version ever is Wembley  ´85. Simply magig for me..

Couple of minor greenies.  There are many better versions from later in the tour for me such as Seattle 20.09.85 or both Boston shows and just about every other version too.  It's merely that this is the best known and filmed version that has elevated the performance to the heights it has.  It was still early in the tour and performances and arrangements generally improved as the tour progressed.
Title: Re: SOS from studio to live versions
Post by: ybot on June 11, 2019, 01:08:24 PM
1985 had many brilliant versions.  You can determine which one was the best but it helps the way the were recorded
Title: Re: SOS from studio to live versions
Post by: dmg on June 11, 2019, 01:33:22 PM
1985 had many brilliant versions.  You can determine which one was the best but it helps the way the were recorded

Yes.  The one from 10.07.85 is listened to most often because it was professionally filmed, but there are much better versions in bad sound.  The ones I mentioned though are in excellent sound.  The Austin 16.08.85 version is also better IMO, and a soundboard.
Title: Re: SOS from studio to live versions
Post by: dannr1 on June 11, 2019, 01:46:58 PM
I have always preferred SOS closer to the original, 4-piece set up. I like the genuine, small pub rock and roll feel and not the massive stadium set-up
Title: Re: SOS from studio to live versions
Post by: ybot on June 11, 2019, 02:42:13 PM
Dmg, where can I find Austin version?
I can only find San Antonio and Houston
Title: Re: SOS from studio to live versions
Post by: herlock on June 11, 2019, 04:48:05 PM
For me the best version ever is Wembley  ´85. Simply magig for me..

Couple of minor greenies.  There are many better versions from later in the tour for me such as Seattle 20.09.85 or both Boston shows and just about every other version too.  It's merely that this is the best known and filmed version that has elevated the performance to the heights it has.  It was still early in the tour and performances and arrangements generally improved as the tour progressed.
There's something magicial about this version though. Maybe it's the video, the energy, the 80s cheap visual effects, Mark turning towards Terry alsmost aggressively to signal him to up the tempo... I love it. Sydney 86 at the end of the tour sounds tired in comparison...
Title: Re: SOS from studio to live versions
Post by: ybot on June 11, 2019, 07:11:44 PM
Yes, Wembley 1985 was widely broadcasted
Many of SOS version were recorded with vhs or other 80s devices.
The way they were recorded matters in Live gigs
Title: Re: SOS from studio to live versions
Post by: dmg on June 11, 2019, 07:21:56 PM
Dmg, where can I find Austin version?
I can only find San Antonio and Houston

Sorry, I meant San Antonio.  Apologies if you thought I had an uncirculated bootleg.  :smack

@Herlock: It is an excellent version - no doubt.  I also don't like the Sydney broadcast in general; very tired performance.
Title: Re: SOS from studio to live versions
Post by: qjamesfloyd on June 12, 2019, 03:37:45 PM
Sometimes I wish he'd go back to the roots of Dire Straits. Just a four-piece-band.
The stage seems to be overcrowded these days to be honest.
I agree with you much, too persons now on stage, too brasses on every song  :smack

Ironically, this is also what Mark thought at the end of the On Every Street tour!! get things back to basics, it had all got so big, and it is strange that now he has 11 musicians on stage.
Title: Re: SOS from studio to live versions
Post by: dmg on June 12, 2019, 05:03:24 PM
Sometimes I wish he'd go back to the roots of Dire Straits. Just a four-piece-band.
The stage seems to be overcrowded these days to be honest.
I agree with you much, too persons now on stage, too brasses on every song  :smack

Ironically, this is also what Mark thought at the end of the On Every Street tour!! get things back to basics, it had all got so big, and it is strange that now he has 11 musicians on stage.

I think it was the set-up in general that had become too big, meaning the crew, stages, lighting etc.  Not that the band itself had become too big.
Title: Re: SOS from studio to live versions
Post by: qjamesfloyd on June 12, 2019, 06:37:47 PM
Yes, I agree, but I think you can tell that Mark felt it "all" got to big.