Love For John Illsley

[qjamesfloyd]

Mark rightly get most of the plaudits in Dire Straits, but, I have always thought John Illsley gets overlooked, and not enough praise, so, I though we should show some love for John in Dire Straits. I don't think John would be classed as one of the greatest Bass players ever, but he is a very good player, of course his Bass is really highlighted in the 2nd half of Private Investigations, but tell us about your Illsley highlights.

[hunter v2.0]

In the context of the music we associate John with, he has the ability to play exactly what is right. Not more, not less. He is rock solid and never draws attention to himself. He fully understands his function and role. I think he really shines on the first two DS albums. The live highlights for me have always been his playing on Once Upon A Time on Alchemy. God, I love that groove. His playing on You And Your Friend (live) is also deliciously good. I never cared for his live sound in the early days, but from Alchemy on his bass tone is superb. On top of it all, he just seems like a really nice guy.

[peterromer]

For me John has made more meaning after DS.
I can hear the difference in the different drummers in the history of DS, and prefered Chris and Terry, but to be honest the bass no. Im simply not good enough to hear and value the differences in bass playing. 
Of course he was important, but I mean musically, he has meant more after DS.

I think of his own music like "Toe The Line", "It´s A long Way Back" as very good music. Basic lyrics nothing remarkable there, but very good tunes. And his co-work with Pearle on "Beautiful You" for example stand out. Even though I read somewhere they are no longer on friendly terms of some reasons. Him and Pearle.

 

 


 

[rmarques821]

He was okay. I enjoy his basslines on some songs, especially the earlier stuff, but on other songs I think I would have liked to hear something different. Overall I think his style fitted DS well.

[dustyvalentino]

I think he had an important role in DS but not necessarily in musical terms.

He looked after business, especially pre Ed, and I suspect he had a calming influence on MK, even if MK ultimately had the final word in anything that happened.

[Robson]

"Overall I think his style fitted DS well"

I agree. I love his bass on the song Communique, for example.

[Matchstickman]

His playing was very important in the early days. Listen to Sultans - the bass can be heard more clearly than the rhythm guitar, and is an essential part of the groove.

[milicz]

Desperado with Six Blade Knife playing is a highlight.

[ds1984]

He was part of Dire Straits sound signature.

[JF]

he even played a bass solo in some Walk fo life versions during BIA tour  (e.g "American tour 85" bootleg)

[hunter v2.0]

he even played a bass solo in some Walk fo life versions during BIA tour  (e.g "American tour 85" bootleg)

 

Never knew!

I found one version here, though. But either John or Guy messes up and it becomes a trainwreck 

Edit: Someone in the comment section says this clip is fake. Either way it's pretty funny.

[dmg]

"Overall I think his style fitted DS well"

I agree. I love his bass on the song Communique, for example.

I totally agree here and indeed n this whole album more than any other.  Once Upon A Time... has a great bass line too - in fact the bass line drives both these songs and yet you barely notice it unless you deliberately listen for it.  His simple bass playing formed the foundations upon which every DS song was built.

Glenn Worf has always been too fussy and complex for my taste.  Rather like children should be seen and not heard, so should the bass!

[Robson]

"Once Upon A Time... has a great bass line too - in fact the bass line drives both these songs and yet you barely notice it unless you deliberately listen for it"

Exactly!

[ds1984]

Glenn Worf is doing a fantastic job for me.
He's way more skilled than John, the perfect counterpoint.
I did not appreciate John simple but solid style so much until the 2002 gigs.
But man, Glenn Worf is a beast on HFB.
I enjoy both.

[Matchstickman]

One song that has never sounded as good in the solo years is MFN. Another way to put it might be that it always sounded better with John on bass.