A Mark In Time
Mark Knopfler Discussion => Mark Knopfler Discussion Forum => Topic started by: Klaus74 on June 20, 2022, 12:25:46 PM
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Hello again.
What do you think about the other "lost DS-musicians" and a hypothethical collaboration with MK in the near future ?? Is that possible or not ? Never ever, or maybe in the near future ??
Picture this: What do you think about it, if MK will getting in contact again with Alan Clark (synths and pianos), with Chris White (Saxophone), with Hal Lindes (Guitars), with Jack Sonni (Guitars), with Pick Withers (Drums). Can it be possible, that MK will reactivate musical relationships with those mentioned musicians from the Dire Straits past ??
What do you think ? Phantasy or possible reality. :think
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I don't think so, we know he has seen Hal in the RAH backstage and also at the Illsley's book presentation, that he helped JAck raising money when his daughter died, but the rest, I don't think he would want to contact them, specially Chris and Alan since they started "The Straits" and the keep it with their bands "DS Experience" and "DS Legacy"...
I think that working with any of them would be more a dream than a reality, but, who knows...
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Hello again.
What do you think about the other "lost DS-musicians" and a hypothethical collaboration with MK in the near future ?? Is that possible or not ? Never ever, or maybe in the near future ??
Picture this: What do you think about it, if MK will getting in contact again with Alan Clark (synths and pianos), with Chris White (Saxophone), with Hal Lindes (Guitars), with Jack Sonni (Guitars), with Pick Withers (Drums). Can it be possible, that MK will reactivate musical relationships with those mentioned musicians from the Dire Straits past ??
What do you think ? Phantasy or possible reality. :think
Yeah, everything is possible, but why? Only for nostalgic sake? Mark isn't known for this at all, he's got access to the best players out there. Richard Bennett is easy as experienced and qualified as all Mark's rhythm guitar players combined and then some. I can't see a real reason to reactivate relationships. Even Mark's biggest partner, John Illsley, never recorded with him in the studio again, so I can't see other guys joining in other than for some epic tribute or charity project, but I doubt it as well. So most likely, no.
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To jbaent and quizzaciously, thank´s for your both thaughts in that hypothetical question from my side. :think
Sure the so called "96ers" are of course excellent musicians, no question. They did very good jobs on the subject of studio and live-performances, also Guy Fletcher.
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Alan Clark said recently he does still talk to MK. He got approval for his version of R&J from MK.
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Alan Clark said recently he does still talk to MK. He got approval for his version of R&J from MK.
Yes, and Hal Lindes work frequently at British Grove as a session player for other artists.
Regarding Alan, I always wondered why he wasn't at the MK and friends concert, one would say they didn't talk to each other at that time, but MK and Alan played I think in 2005, after that concerts, at the Alan Shearer pub opening...
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"Even Mark's biggest partner, John Illsley, never recorded with him in the studio again"
Sometimes he recorded ;)
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"Even Mark's biggest partner, John Illsley, never recorded with him in the studio again"
Sometimes he recorded ;)
Thgether? When?
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I mean JI solo albums with MK:)
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"Even Mark's biggest partner, John Illsley, never recorded with him in the studio again"
Sometimes he recorded ;)
Thgether? When?
Mk played on two songs in the Streets of heaven record
John usually records or mix at British Grove
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"Even Mark's biggest partner, John Illsley, never recorded with him in the studio again"
Sometimes he recorded ;)
Thgether? When?
Mk played on two songs in the Streets of heaven record
John usually records or mix at British Grove
Ah, I thought I've missed something bigger than that. That's certainly not a big collaboration for friends of their magnitude though, Mark played even on his brother's debut album back in the day.
Of course, John would record in BG, where else he can record his stuff! Mark could've hired John to play on a million songs since and including Golden Heart as a nostalgic gesture, but tend to look forward lol.
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Why would he? First of all, Mark is completely unsentimental about the past. He's almost cold. Second, there's nothing that those musicians can bring to the table that Mark's current band can't do. None of them are big artists or have a special gift or "voice", if you like. They are not his equals. They're good musicians, but not extraordinary ones. All that matters to Mark is his artistic vision and networking with people who can help him realize that vision.
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Why would he? First of all, Mark is completely unsentimental about the past. He's almost cold. Second, there's nothing that those musicians can bring to the table that Mark's current band can't do. None of them are big artists or have a special gift or "voice", if you like. They are not his equals. They're good musicians, but not extraordinary ones. All that matters to Mark is his artistic vision and networking with people who can help him realize that vision.
Guy has made no secret of the fact that they consider Glenn W the best bass player around bar none, and that suggests that they do consider him a better musician than John.
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Why would he? First of all, Mark is completely unsentimental about the past. He's almost cold. Second, there's nothing that those musicians can bring to the table that Mark's current band can't do. None of them are big artists or have a special gift or "voice", if you like. They are not his equals. They're good musicians, but not extraordinary ones. All that matters to Mark is his artistic vision and networking with people who can help him realize that vision.
Guy has made no secret of the fact that they consider Glenn W the best bass player around bar none, and that suggests that they do consider him a better musician than John.
Oh, totally. John's tehcnical level is very basic. Although I will say his style is quite musical and always worked well with DS.
By the way, when I wrote "those musicians", I meant the ones that the OP mentioned in the first post. The current band, i.e. the 96ers plus the rest, are musicians of the highest caliber and can do anything "those musicians" can do and a lot more. So musically Mark has no reason to reconnect with them.
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OK, thank you all for your thaughts in the case of the "old DS-musicians". :thumbsup
In conclusion we can say, MK has his circle of important and well educated musicians for his musical work. No doubt and no question anymore. So we can say MK lives his life as an artist, songwriter and musician and the "other DS-members" make their things.
Have you ever heard something new about Terry Williams. Williams had a musical career with the welsh rockband MAN, with Dave Edmunds, Rockpile and with Dire Straits, at least. But now, what about him, is he a jolly pensioner, or is he currently involved in some musical works. ?? :think
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to me the only DS members that really made a significant difference in the band-sound apart from Mark were Pick Withers ( that groovy, laidback, easy feel is such a big part of the first records and never again matched) and I have to say; Alan Clark. I feel his playing style is such a big part that made the Love over Gold record, and also in the live shows after that his playing is a signature part of the band-sound.
I do find it a bit strange that Pick never really appeared in another professional outfit after DS, I can image a lot of other artist would want him in his band after him leaving DS, being such a great drummer.
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A good point on the subject of Pick Withers. :thumbsup To me, he is a very sensitive drummer, of course with a little jazzy flavour in his drumming, and that makes him very special and notable, no question. Maybe Pick is getting a little bit "lost" or "underrated" in the worldwide musical circus. Yes, he is able to fulfill several musical work with his drum abilities. That is a fact. Pick and Terry, for example, are two totally different drummers. Terry was much powerful and he drove the "Dire Straits train" in a more rock-direction. Pick was more smooth and jazzy in the early DS tunes, but he also was able to drive some songs, like Telegraph road.
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Maybe he had an offer but rejected it. Everyone from the original line-up is still with us, but they are so far apart.
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A good point on the subject of Pick Withers. :thumbsup To me, he is a very sensitive drummer, of course with a little jazzy flavour in his drumming, and that makes him very special and notable, no question. Maybe Pick is getting a little bit "lost" or "underrated" in the worldwide musical circus. Yes, he is able to fulfill several musical work with his drum abilities. That is a fact. Pick and Terry, for example, are two totally different drummers. Terry was much powerful and he drove the "Dire Straits train" in a more rock-direction. Pick was more smooth and jazzy in the early DS tunes, but he also was able to drive some songs, like Telegraph road.
It was not a coincidence that Bob Dylan invited both MK and David to record on his 1979 album. Both are so unique, that you immediately get grabbed by their sound. Can't imagine early DS with less sophisticated drumming, that would be a disaster. They got really lucky by getting this guy behind the drums! And his current band sounds phenomenal and shows that he's quite a professional. Their relationships with DS tho... I hope he's happy with his decisions. And I think he is.
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"It was not a coincidence that Bob Dylan invited both MK and David to record on his 1979 album"
Pick ;)
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Terry seems to be living a happy non musical retirement going by Facebook.
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Pick has been playing non stop since he left Dire Straits, but with low profile artists. He was very tired of the rock style of life, that's why he left DS and that's why he chose to play with artists like Dennis Locorriere, Dave Kelly etc etc
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to me the only DS members that really made a significant difference in the band-sound apart from Mark were Pick Withers ( that groovy, laidback, easy feel is such a big part of the first records and never again matched) and I have to say; Alan Clark. I feel his playing style is such a big part that made the Love over Gold record, and also in the live shows after that his playing is a signature part of the band-sound.
I do find it a bit strange that Pick never really appeared in another professional outfit after DS, I can image a lot of other artist would want him in his band after him leaving DS, being such a great drummer.
I agree on both points, as others have said Pick's drumming style fit the mood of early DS better than a more conventional rock and roll drummer would have done. As for Alan Clark, I thought he was an excellent foil for Mark on Love Over Gold, I like Roy Bittan's piano work on Making Movies but he was essentially playing a supporting role whereas Alan added a different dimension to their sound and his musical contribution is very apparent on all five songs on the album. Musical passages such as the outro on Love Over Gold's title track, with Alan's piano weaving in and out with Mark's guitar licks, offer something that hadn't been present on their earlier albums and make the album stand out in hindsight as this interplay was not such a big part of the band's sound on either Brothers In Arms or On Every Street.