Dream team

[Simon]

In all fairness, wasn't it MK that brought Pick along for Dylan?

Anyway. I for one think that Danny plays more interesting things than Chad, even though the drums are more in the back on Mark's albums these days. I think that's the way Mark wants it.

Live, however, is a different matter. Compare the studio version of Sonny Liston with the live version with Danny; the difference in intensity is staggering, and Danny's part is awesome. The same goes for BLT; it sounds great on record but it's much more interesting live with the intro etc. I would also say that Danny brings an extra dimension to Why Aye Man. There's simply an extra spark.

That being said, Danny's drumming on Cannibals was clearly inferior to the version on GH.

Danny's influence on Telegraph Road and Speedway At Nazareth knock me for six every time I hear them. And I know What It Is is probably not the hardest rhythm to play but he sort of makes it his own. I just couldn't imagine anyone else pulling them off like he does.

[dustyvalentino]

Am not sure exactly what this has to do with going to see an ageing guitarist. I didn't mention MK suddenly taking up percussion or another instrument.

It was referring to your comment that you would prefer to watch someone you liked as a person instead of somebody who was considered to be good at what they do.

[dustyvalentino]

In all fairness, wasn't it MK that brought Pick along for Dylan?

Anyway. I for one think that Danny plays more interesting things than Chad, even though the drums are more in the back on Mark's albums these days. I think that's the way Mark wants it.

Live, however, is a different matter. Compare the studio version of Sonny Liston with the live version with Danny; the difference in intensity is staggering, and Danny's part is awesome. The same goes for BLT; it sounds great on record but it's much more interesting live with the intro etc. I would also say that Danny brings an extra dimension to Why Aye Man. There's simply an extra spark.

That being said, Danny's drumming on Cannibals was clearly inferior to the version on GH.

Excellent post. I was hoping that somebody would come up with a sensible and reasoned argument as to why they prefer Danny, using examples, instead of just saying "He's lovely/cuddly/hits the drums harder/sweats more." and you have. Bravo.

On Dylan, I'm fairly sure MK didn't have that kind of clout in those days. Even on Infidels MK wanted to bring in Billy Gibbons but Dylan vetoed him to get Mick Taylor instead.

[ingridswing]

Excellent examples Tallgren. The songs you name were my less favorites on the albums, but live I keep listening to the songs and love them much more.

[dmg]

In all fairness, wasn't it MK that brought Pick along for Dylan?

Anyway. I for one think that Danny plays more interesting things than Chad, even though the drums are more in the back on Mark's albums these days. I think that's the way Mark wants it.

Live, however, is a different matter. Compare the studio version of Sonny Liston with the live version with Danny; the difference in intensity is staggering, and Danny's part is awesome. The same goes for BLT; it sounds great on record but it's much more interesting live with the intro etc. I would also say that Danny brings an extra dimension to Why Aye Man. There's simply an extra spark.

That being said, Danny's drumming on Cannibals was clearly inferior to the version on GH.

To be fair, I think the whole idea was to have a different arrangement and calm it down a bit;  MK changed to his Tele from a LP for a less powerful sound and that's why the drums were different sounding too.

[tobi777]

IMHO Chad used to overdo things a bit. Watching the Night In London Video from 1996 I noticed Chad was slaving away on his drums like he's in a metal band  Danny's playing is more subtle, he gives the songs more air to breathe even though he doesn't play too academically. I also like Danny's drum sound better - I think Chad sounded a bit harsh.

My dream team:

2nd guitar:  Tim Renwick
Bass: Donald "Duck" Dunn
Drums: Jim Keltner or Gregg Bissonette or Phil Collins 
Piano:  Neil Drinkwater
Synth: GF
Fiddle etc.: John McCusker

[superval99]

When I heard Danny play "Song for Sonny Liston" live in Edinburgh 2005 for the first time, it was breathtaking and was the most memorable song of that tour, because of Danny's drumming!   It certainly elevated the studio version to something amazing!   

Regarding Chad, I love his drums on the Vaison '96 version of "Water of Love".   

[dustyvalentino]

IMHO Chad used to overdo things a bit. Watching the Night In London Video from 1996 I noticed Chad was slaving away on his drums like he's in a metal band  Danny's playing is more subtle, he gives the songs more air to breathe even though he doesn't play too academically. I also like Danny's drum sound better - I think Chad sounded a bit harsh.

My dream team:

2nd guitar:  Tim Renwick
Bass: Donald "Duck" Dunn
Drums: Jim Keltner or Gregg Bissonette or Phil Collins 
Piano:  Neil Drinkwater
Synth: GF
Fiddle etc.: John McCusker

Great dream team! Nice thinking outside the box.

Tim Renwick plays on this, one of my favoutite tracks ever (wearing a Bayern Munic shirt!):

 

[allen]

Simon, you are one of the few lucky fans who saw Pick play.  Didn't he give you a deep impression on his playing?  Personally, I love his playing most.

Wishes
Allen

[Simon]

Allen - that is quite a question.

I saw Pick play with DS on 2 occasions but at that time I was totally guitar orientated and MK was the best thing since sliced bread as far as i was concerned. And I was young!

That was DS at their most raw, no backing, no keyboards/piano/synths etc. The sound was amazing and refreshing at that particular time in music history.

Regardless of this I was transfixed with MK and therefore not able to comment on something that happened 30 years ago and at the time was secondary to the main man.

Back on the subject of Dream Teams however, sometimes, putting the best of their trade all together doesn't always produce the desired result. For example, put the 11 'best ' football (soccer) players in the world together in a team and they will not necessarily be the best team in the world. Players need to gel with each other and get on and read each others minds and be team players and not selfish. On the stage the same thing could happen and it is one of the reasons why I consider MKs current line up as being the best ever - with the absence of Alan Clarke of course (would love to see him back in some guise - even just sat in the front row, feet up being the Mr Cool he is) - although going back to my previous statement - would he and Guy gel together these days? Food for thought!

[Pottel]

you mean they would not fit musically or personally?

[Banjo99uk]

I cant say I'm aware of Tim Renwick but he don't half look like James May or vice versa in that video.
I don't have a dream team but I would love to see MK play a one off with a young band made up of some of todays newer musicians a bit like the odd collaborations they try and do at the brit awards.  It can get a bit boring seeing EC, Sting, Collins etc.  I do appreciate he hasn't done anything like that since the Montserrat concert but he was planning to do the Albert Hall gig with EC in 2003.  I am sure there are musicians out there that would jump at the chance to play with him like The Kooks who I know are fans of Dire Straits.  If you read there playlist on itunes they have Down to The Waterline in it because its " a shit hot groove that is so chilled".
Sadly I think MK will stick to his usual live collaborators of contemporaries and childhood heroes.
Talking of itunes, if you search on Money For Nothing there are about 50 different versions of it.  I never knew there were so many.

[Simon]

you mean they would not fit musically or personally?

Who knows? 

[dustyvalentino]

Allen - that is quite a question.

I saw Pick play with DS on 2 occasions but at that time I was totally guitar orientated and MK was the best thing since sliced bread as far as i was concerned. And I was young!

That was DS at their most raw, no backing, no keyboards/piano/synths etc. The sound was amazing and refreshing at that particular time in music history.

Regardless of this I was transfixed with MK and therefore not able to comment on something that happened 30 years ago and at the time was secondary to the main man.

Back on the subject of Dream Teams however, sometimes, putting the best of their trade all together doesn't always produce the desired result. For example, put the 11 'best ' football (soccer) players in the world together in a team and they will not necessarily be the best team in the world. Players need to gel with each other and get on and read each others minds and be team players and not selfish. On the stage the same thing could happen and it is one of the reasons why I consider MKs current line up as being the best ever - with the absence of Alan Clarke of course (would love to see him back in some guise - even just sat in the front row, feet up being the Mr Cool he is) - although going back to my previous statement - would he and Guy gel together these days? Food for thought!

Fair do's, I can only assume that the band "gelled" better together with Chad in it then, because it sounded better to me.

[Mossguitar]

Somebody sent me this PM recently

I may not be around here much longer. As always when you criticize MK's music (or touring) of getting boring you'll have a flock of agitated fans attacking furiously for one not believing in the true religion 

It's the same thing over and over.

To be honest, I thought they were being melodramatic at the time, but now I see what they mean.

Please!!! That's because music is passion and religion, and we are the believers (fundamentalists, really). So when someone criticizes (any aspect of) MK's music (or Phil Collins', even  ), someone's feelings will always get hurt. And i can't say that the othodox behave worse than the criticizers. I think both sides tend to be quite impolite, caracterizing eachother etc.

Well: Here is my go:

Pick is the best drummer MK's played with, Terry's the worst (but great fun and loud), Chad is better than Danny, but Guy likes Danny better (as a person and also as a player I believe), Jeff Porcaro was great, Money For Nothing is best with MK alone and Richie on cowbell, Glenn has never managed to play Money For Nothing or Brothers In Arms properly, Mel Collins is the best sax play MK has had on tour, but of course Michael Brecker is the best he has played with, Guy's music is a bit boring, and his playing too, JMcC is great!!! Matty is fantastic. DS stopped existing in 1982 and will of course never reunite, the ATTR tour was boring, the original pensa suhr sounds crap live (even on You and your friend) and MK will never play it anymore because of its slim neck and I guess also because of its BMG pu's, Mk's music will become slower and slower... if I want to listen to rock, I will put on Making Movies or som other band than DS or MK. And I really don't want to hurt anyone, these are just my opinions. I love you all (I really mean it!)