Pick Withers Live - 78 and 81. A Musical Analysis.

[Robson]

"The only thing I regret is not having had the opportunity to see the band live when they were active. I wasn't even old enough, and they never came to Brazil, but that's life"

Me too. Maybe I wasn't so young anymore. DS simply didn't want to come to my country 

Mark Knopfler (solo) fixed it

[Brunno Nunes]

It's remarkable that Pick is one of the most overlooked drummers in rock history, even with his significant contributions to four DS albums, as well as Bob Dylan's Slow Train Coming.

The work he did on several songs is so tasteful; his drumming on SOS still poses a challenge for many drummers today. Whenever I play with a SOS band, the drummers struggle to reproduce the level of subtlety Pick always displayed, and SOS is just one example.

I don't know if he chose to keep a low profile himself, or if there are other reasons for it... Dylan invited Mark to record Slow Train Coming. It's unclear whether Pick's participation on the album was Mark's recommendation, or if Dylan invited both after seeing the performance in Los Angeles on March 29, 1979. But the fact is that this album bears his notable signature drum sound, as do the DS albums. Yet, we don't see his name linked to any world music luminaries, post-DS, either for recording or touring. Lack of invitation?

While he may not care about it, considering the spectrum of great drummers in rock history, he deserves more attention, to be better recognized for his artistry and unmistakable style. Stewart Copeland is a legend of his generation, the same one in which Pick became world-renowned. Much of what he does is as enchanting as Pick. I think the fact that it's a power trio and that he was the only drummer throughout the Police's history also counts.

But anyway. Pick is so talented, damn. Just sit in front of a drum kit and try anything to see how awesome he was.

[Chris W]

In my humble opinion, Pick's time in the limelight was short.
Mark was always the most visible member of Dire Straits as far as fans and the media were concerned. It could have been an MK solo show from the start.
Like Bob Dylan or Bruce Springsteen.

I had a thesis on Sultans Of Swing - everyone post Pick has played it too loud, with too much of a heavy kick and snare. Like I said earlier in the discussion, Pick's signature style is 'busy top kit'. So it's an ever evolving conversation between hi-hat, ride cymbal and snare drum, also in conversation with Mark's guitar.
As the band got louder and/or played bigger venues, it became less relevant to feather the bass drum and play intricate complexities around the cymbals and snare - is my opinion. I could be wrong.

Addendum
As a young drummer I toured North America supporting U2 (in theatres, not arenas). I watched Larry Mullen jr every night with fascination.
He played more or less the same thing every show, no improv. His playing was direct and clear. Nothing was complex or cluttered.
I took that as a lesson from a master live performer.
At the end of 2024 I played a (largely theatre) world tour. Over a hundred shows I don't think I played a single complex drum fill. Everything was slowish, hand to hand. The front of house mixer complimented me on what a great sound I had on stage. I think it's because I played every hit with confidence, purpose and only what was needed.

[wayaman]

In my humble opinion, Pick's time in the limelight was short.
Mark was always the most visible member of Dire Straits as far as fans and the media were concerned. It could have been an MK solo show from the start.
Like Bob Dylan or Bruce Springsteen.

I had a thesis on Sultans Of Swing - everyone post Pick has played it too loud, with too much of a heavy kick and snare. Like I said earlier in the discussion, Pick's signature style is 'busy top kit'. So it's an ever evolving conversation between hi-hat, ride cymbal and snare drum, also in conversation with Mark's guitar.
As the band got louder and/or played bigger venues, it became less relevant to feather the bass drum and play intricate complexities around the cymbals and snare - is my opinion. I could be wrong.

Addendum
As a young drummer I toured North America supporting U2 (in theatres, not arenas). I watched Larry Mullen jr every night with fascination.
He played more or less the same thing every show, no improv. His playing was direct and clear. Nothing was complex or cluttered.
I took that as a lesson from a master live performer.
At the end of 2024 I played a (largely theatre) world tour. Over a hundred shows I don't think I played a single complex drum fill. Everything was slowish, hand to hand. The front of house mixer complimented me on what a great sound I had on stage. I think it's because I played every hit with confidence, purpose and only what was needed.

I'm glad that you had a great last tour, with confidence. Do you feel like touring again with other bands?

[Chris W]

Only if I like the people and enjoy playing the music. Life is too short to be stuck doing something I dread every day.

[TJ]

I had a thesis on Sultans Of Swing - everyone post Pick has played it too loud, with too much of a heavy kick and snare. Like I said earlier in the discussion, Pick's signature style is 'busy top kit'. So it's an ever evolving conversation between hi-hat, ride cymbal and snare drum, also in conversation with Mark's guitar.
As the band got louder and/or played bigger venues, it became less relevant to feather the bass drum and play intricate complexities around the cymbals and snare - is my opinion. I could be wrong.

This supports the quote by Pick when asked why he had quit the band, that he "was in danger of becoming a rock drummer", or something along those lines.

[Ingrained]

I had a thesis on Sultans Of Swing - everyone post Pick has played it too loud, with too much of a heavy kick and snare. Like I said earlier in the discussion, Pick's signature style is 'busy top kit'. So it's an ever evolving conversation between hi-hat, ride cymbal and snare drum, also in conversation with Mark's guitar.

I love Terry’s drumming. His energy was incredible, and he put all of himself into his performances, which endeared him to the fans. He played from the heart.

I happen to think he did play off Marks guitar, incredibly well. If you listen to Sultans Alchemy, then you can hear how he interacted with different riffs of Mark's. If anything, I feel Terry sometimes made songs flow a little more easily for me, personally. Maybe Terry wasn’t weighed down with all the thoughts that Pick had about the songs, because Pick had helped create them he was invested in a different way. It was a new sound for the whole band. Terry wasn’t there to recreate Pick's drums. He did his own thing.

Of course, I love Picks drums as well.

[Rolo]

Musicians leaving bands are a very common act by many reasons.
Pick's case is on of those that happens when 'The fun is over'
As Ed mentions, neither Mark or John forced Pick to play harder. Pick is a great musician and he'd kow that he needed to play "agains't his style".

Pick's angry had is nothing to do with him leaving the band.

[the visitor]

I had a thesis on Sultans Of Swing - everyone post Pick has played it too loud, with too much of a heavy kick and snare. Like I said earlier in the discussion, Pick's signature style is 'busy top kit'. So it's an ever evolving conversation between hi-hat, ride cymbal and snare drum, also in conversation with Mark's guitar.

I love Terry’s drumming. His energy was incredible, and he put all of himself into his performances, which endeared him to the fans. He played from the heart.

I happen to think he did play off Marks guitar, incredibly well. If you listen to Sultans Alchemy, then you can hear how he interacted with different riffs of Mark's. If anything, I feel Terry sometimes made songs flow a little more easily for me, personally. Maybe Terry wasn’t weighed down with all the thoughts that Pick had about the songs, because Pick had helped create them he was invested in a different way. It was a new sound for the whole band. Terry wasn’t there to recreate Pick's drums. He did his own thing.

Of course, I love Picks drums as well.

Totally agree re Terry. Just listen to the interplay between Terry's kick drum and Marks "fast parts" in the long solo before the bridge and you can hear they are entwined and feeding off each other.  Incredible energy..for me these are the best live versions of Sultans.

[Rolo]

I had a thesis on Sultans Of Swing - everyone post Pick has played it too loud, with too much of a heavy kick and snare. Like I said earlier in the discussion, Pick's signature style is 'busy top kit'. So it's an ever evolving conversation between hi-hat, ride cymbal and snare drum, also in conversation with Mark's guitar.

I love Terry’s drumming. His energy was incredible, and he put all of himself into his performances, which endeared him to the fans. He played from the heart.

I happen to think he did play off Marks guitar, incredibly well. If you listen to Sultans Alchemy, then you can hear how he interacted with different riffs of Mark's. If anything, I feel Terry sometimes made songs flow a little more easily for me, personally. Maybe Terry wasn’t weighed down with all the thoughts that Pick had about the songs, because Pick had helped create them he was invested in a different way. It was a new sound for the whole band. Terry wasn’t there to recreate Pick's drums. He did his own thing.

Of course, I love Picks drums as well.

Totally agree re Terry. Just listen to the interplay between Terry's kick drum and Marks "fast parts" in the long solo before the bridge and you can hear they are entwined and feeding off each other.  Incredible energy..for me these are the best live versions of Sultans.

In my point of view...

DS rehearse every little aspect of the show. If I am not wrong (CW can confirm) DS rehearsed for 3 months aprox for every tour. During the LOG tour, except for MK, improvisations or interplay are very, very restrictive and depended on Mark's mood.

Add:
What I mean is that all interplay and every little aspect of the show was rehearse to death. With very Little margin for spontaneous interplay.

[dustyvalentino]

I was reminded of this chat while watching Spinal Tap 2 last night.

Seems that only one band was treated worse than DS by the R&R HOF:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOJBlupEbZd/