Lions - Live - Old Grey Whistle Test - May 16 1978

[Brunno Nunes]

Pure gold, my favorite song from the first album. I've been waiting decades to see this full video in this quality.

It seems like part of the end of the video was lost, apparently, but the audio is intact, and they did a good job of editing it, which worked well.

I have no words to describe how much this sound and this band represent me, especially its original lineup.

It's wonderful to have access to this video; it made my day.🎸🔥♥️🙌🏻

https://youtu.be/fXgfgEgDHP0?si=nqwXALk4f9oh3xuv

[Robson]

Do I remember correctly that Lions wasn't supposed to be on the first album?

[Brunno Nunes]

Do I remember correctly that Lions wasn't supposed to be on the first album?

Yes, it should, they were just written when they were recording the album in 1978, it came from a melody that David Knopfler had created, the band developed it, Mark wrote the lyrics and it materialized as we know it, it has the signature of the original formation, there is nothing like it.

[Robson]

Luckily the first album has 9 songs

[Brunno Nunes]

Luckily the first album has 9 songs

I would have loved it if they had recorded the song Real Girl with that Muff Winwood production, it would have been incredible!

[Robson]

I would prefer the studio version of Eastbound Train

[dmg]

Probably best live version as most go on forever with no merit and plenty boredom.

[Brunno Nunes]

I would prefer the studio version of Eastbound Train

It would also be a good option

[Brunno Nunes]

Probably best live version as most go on forever with no merit and plenty boredom.

I disagree. I like the groove of the song that runs from beginning to end. He plays around with the harmonic range of A, and David is creating the rhythm that probably gave rise to the intro and outro of "Communiqué." I like to think so. I think playing guitar has always given me a more expansive perspective on the musical experience of listening to these songs. What might seem monotonous to some, for me can be a moment to appreciate many things happening. But, I repeat, there's a subjective aspect involved. Whether you like it or not is personal!

[the visitor]

Pure gold, my favorite song from the first album. I've been waiting decades to see this full video in this quality.

It seems like part of the end of the video was lost, apparently, but the audio is intact, and they did a good job of editing it, which worked well.

I have no words to describe how much this sound and this band represent me, especially its original lineup.

It's wonderful to have access to this video; it made my day.🎸🔥♥️🙌🏻

https://youtu.be/fXgfgEgDHP0?si=nqwXALk4f9oh3xuv

Nice to see this, wasn't aware they played anything other than Sultans.  Do you know if they played any other tunes during this session Brunno?

[fan no more]

I don't know ... I love the studio version of Lions. It's perfect.

As I'm getting older, I'm starting to feel that a lot of the old songs lost a lot when they were played live (which may be an ironic thing to say since the first album basically consists of songs DS had played live in pubs, and the tracking was pretty much live as well). The live versions are a lot rougher around the edges, and later, when they adapted the songs to larger (and much larger) stages, the elegant nuances got lost. Or drowned in keyboards, saxophones and loud, meaningless guitar solos (Jack Sonni and Wild West End comes to mind  ). Sultans became a rock anthem, which is so far away (no pun intended) from the original spirit of the song.

The two first albums, so simple, yet so mature and elegant. Pure works of art.

[Peter1981]

yeah, I agree; pure works of art, those 2 first albums.

I'd say the only ones that really sound fresh & cool these days. There's a more timeless sound to it compared to later records, which tend to be a bit more dad-rock/synth-prog rock.
Dire Straits & Communique still sound current these days, it's got a certain no-nonsense/understated attitude and the (drum)grooves are so timelessly cool because the don't rock too hard. Much like some new indie records (Mac DeMarco for instance).

[JF]

I would have loved both : eastbound train and real girl !

11 songs would have fit for an album

[JF]

thanks for the link Brunno

did you notce that Marks uses middle pickup for intro and midlle solo ? first he switches wrongely on middle+neck and then immediately switches on middle
on chorus TV show he used bridge pickup for the solo. very rare !

on this video from old grey whistle test show, David's cable seems a lttle bit too short ! 

[dustyvalentino]

I would have loved both : eastbound train and real girl !

11 songs would have fit for an album

My opinion: those songs aren't as good as the others.

The first album is perfect.

MK never bettered it at any point.