A Mark In Time
Mark Knopfler Discussion => Mark Knopfler Discussion Forum => Topic started by: dmg on March 11, 2013, 10:45:47 PM
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Seems Bieber has cancelled his gig in Portugal due to poor ticket sales! Maybe this is an indication as to why Mark isn't having a concert there this year. Or perhaps his management are using that as an excuse for his recent "issues." Whatever, I thought it was quite interesting to note.
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I already mentioned some months ago that it was curious that the European countries were the crisis really hit hard, Portugal, Ireland and Greece are out of the tour.
And I
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Well, maybe he could play for minimum profit as a way to show his support, or offer an early pre-sale on conditions. If it sells 80% of the tickets 3 months before the date, then go ahead. If not then abort. It is not like going to the other side of the world. But of course who could ask for something like this. I guess Greece was more of a problem with all the fear spreading from EU headquarters, about leaving Euro and going back to Drachma. But Portugal and Ireland is totally beyond me. About Bieber, I don't think he has much of an audience in Europe, at least not like the US, but I would never imagine coming over for a tour. Does it include lipsync and dancing? Hardly about music. Why don't they pay to go see a play or a movie instead...
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Teenegers are queuing for weeks just to buy tickets (magine when they discover ticketmaster and the computers...) for Bieber in Spain.
MK can
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You are right jbaent. I was only suggesting to work for minimum profit, but since there is hardly any money being made from sales (or is it?) he has to compensate from tours. No hard feelings whatsoever. Just wondering if Bieber is coming in Greece. I will feel like having saved 40-50 Euros, because I certainly will not go to see him... ;D
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If playing in Portugal was such a big concern, maybe Mark could have played Vigo in Spain like in '92. This is near the border and would probably attract fans from places like Porto.
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If playing in Portugal was such a big concern, maybe Mark could have played Vigo in Spain like in '92. This is near the border and would probably attract fans from places like Porto.
Same problem here. The Spanish dates had been difficult to close too, with the crisis hitting harder and harder, to find the money to pay for the concerts its very difficult. I guess MK doesn
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jbaent, I LOVE your avatar, but it would be perfect without that short shot of Mark at the end of the loop (or is it at he beginning ?) :)
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bieber only cancelled one of two shows. i will be at the second :-)
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:smack If you see him get his autograph, for me! ;D
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bieber only cancelled one of two shows. i will be at the second :-)
You forgot the embarrassed emoticon. :-[
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obviously you misspelled and meant the proud one? yes?
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Pottel, shall we expect a recording ?
Is there a chance you also go to the first one ? ;)
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tunnel 85, I already have the bootleg recordings of his first 100 shows. It is in fact the studio recording with the addition of different crowd noise for each one. Interested?
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tunnel 85, I already have the bootleg recordings of his first 100 shows. It is in fact the studio recording with the addition of different crowd noise for each one. Interested?
Excellent !
By any chance, do you already have next month recordings ?
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The comments on lip-synching at concerts reminded me of a 1962 review of an LP by Odetta. Of course, she did not lip-synch but the editors of LITTLE SANDY REVIEW ( a folk magazine out of Minneapolis) considered both her and her album "Odetta At Town Hall". They started by saying she was "a dignified person" and an "imposing performer" but added, "there is a point at which dignity verges on grandiosity" and that she "hovers uncomfortably close to this point all too often". They criticised her "theatricality" and then that "her monstrous stage image pounds her material into whimpering insignificance". They went on to complain that this live album had few songs she hadn't recorded elsewhere and was "musically redundant". And then the final sentence (and the point of this post): "Odetta fans may want to buy it for the applause". Ouch!
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The comments on lip-synching at concerts reminded me of a 1962 review of an LP by Odetta. Of course, she did not lip-synch but the editors of LITTLE SANDY REVIEW ( a folk magazine out of Minneapolis) considered both her and her album "Odetta At Town Hall". They started by saying she was "a dignified person" and an "imposing performer" but added, "there is a point at which dignity verges on grandiosity" and that she "hovers uncomfortably close to this point all too often". They criticised her "theatricality" and then that "her monstrous stage image pounds her material into whimpering insignificance". They went on to complain that this live album had few songs she hadn't recorded elsewhere and was "musically redundant". And then the final sentence (and the point of this post): "Odetta fans may want to buy it for the applause". Ouch!
Ouch indeed! I hope when MK visits Minneapolis he keeps Little Sandy (just how little is he :think) out of the venue!
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The comments on lip-synching at concerts reminded me of a 1962 review of an LP by Odetta. Of course, she did not lip-synch but the editors of LITTLE SANDY REVIEW ( a folk magazine out of Minneapolis) considered both her and her album "Odetta At Town Hall". They started by saying she was "a dignified person" and an "imposing performer" but added, "there is a point at which dignity verges on grandiosity" and that she "hovers uncomfortably close to this point all too often". They criticised her "theatricality" and then that "her monstrous stage image pounds her material into whimpering insignificance". They went on to complain that this live album had few songs she hadn't recorded elsewhere and was "musically redundant". And then the final sentence (and the point of this post): "Odetta fans may want to buy it for the applause". Ouch!
Ouch indeed! I hope when MK visits Minneapolis he keeps Little Sandy (just how little is he :think) out of the venue!
I even hurt upon reading it! :o You have to respect their sincerety, even if it lacks courtesy. ::) But saying such things for Odetta? Very strange indeed.
By the way Sandy is a male or female name? Or both?
I really think that it is unfair for any musicians to read such reviews that are rather insulting. I guess I prefer bad reviews that you can actually read about the flaws between the lines. On the other hand, some people that use music as a basis for their shows, are not musicians at all. And I am not against lip sync as a promotional tool for musicians, but even in these cases music must be the show. J.J. Cale refused to appear in Carson's show and make his first record a hit, because he had to lip-sync)
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Ouch indeed! I hope when MK visits Minneapolis he keeps Little Sandy (just how little is he :think) out of the venue!
I even hurt upon reading it! :o You have to respect their sincerety, even if it lacks courtesy. ::) But saying such things for Odetta? Very strange indeed.
By the way Sandy is a male or female name? Or both?
I really think that it is unfair for any musicians to read such reviews that are rather insulting. I guess I prefer bad reviews that you can actually read about the flaws between the lines. On the other hand, some people that use music as a basis for their shows, are not musicians at all. And I am not against lip sync as a promotional tool for musicians, but even in these cases music must be the show. J.J. Cale refused to appear in Carson's show and make his first record a hit, because he had to lip-sync)
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Sandy can be either male or female. When male it is usually short (no pun intended) for Alexander. In Greek: defender of man.
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Nice one with Alexander!
You know the word umbrella comes from the Greek word omvros meaning rain. But since some umbrellas are used for the sun, they call them (not regularly-they prefer the word umbrella) alexilion : preventing the sun. And the most famous use is alexikeravno: preventing from lightnings.
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Nice one with Alexander!
You know the word umbrella comes from the Greek word omvros meaning rain. But since some umbrellas are used for the sun, they call them (not regularly-they prefer the word umbrella) alexilion : preventing the sun. And the most famous use is alexikeravno: preventing from lightnings.
Here's a nice web site with some information and stats about names:
Sandy: http://www.behindthename.com/name/sandy
Me (beloved :D): http://www.behindthename.com/name/david
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I do not know the origin of "Sandy" in THE LITTLE SANDY REVIEW (usually called LSR for short) but it was not, as far as I am aware, anybody's name. The magazine started in Minneapolis around 1960 and the editors were Jon Pankake and Paul Nelson. Latterly, Paul Nelson moved to New York but it continued to come out of Minneapolis, where Jon Pankake lived. Around the same time, their blues album reviewer became another jhoint editor. This arrangement continued up to Issue #30, though there were four later issues published in California under the LSR name. Paul Nelson went on to write for ROLLING STONE.
None of these people was called "Sandy", "Alexander", "Alexandra" or any similar name.
I would not wish to give the impression that all the reviews in LSR were scathing but the editors disliked commercial folk music and, as they termed them, "the Protesty people". In the mid-1960s, there were lots of releases of these kinds.
Given my background, you may be wondering what they made of Dylan. They knew him when he was a university student in Minneapolis and, despite the fact that he tried to steal some records from them, they were fairly balanced on the subject. Paul Nelson supported Dylan over his "going electric" at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965 and, later, wrote the notes for the BLONDE ON BLONDE folio songbook - notes that should be essential reading for anyone who has heard that album.
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I do not know the origin of "Sandy" in THE LITTLE SANDY REVIEW (usually called LSR for short) but it was not, as far as I am aware, anybody's name. The magazine started in Minneapolis around 1960 and the editors were Jon Pankake and Paul Nelson. Latterly, Paul Nelson moved to New York but it continued to come out of Minneapolis, where Jon Pankake lived. Around the same time, their blues album reviewer became another jhoint editor. This arrangement continued up to Issue #30, though there were four later issues published in California under the LSR name. Paul Nelson went on to write for ROLLING STONE.
None of these people was called "Sandy", "Alexander", "Alexandra" or any similar name.
I would not wish to give the impression that all the reviews in LSR were scathing but the editors disliked commercial folk music and, as they termed them, "the Protesty people". In the mid-1960s, there were lots of releases of these kinds.
Given my background, you may be wondering what they made of Dylan. They knew him when he was a university student in Minneapolis and, despite the fact that he tried to steal some records from them, they were fairly balanced on the subject. Paul Nelson supported Dylan over his "going electric" at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965 and, later, wrote the notes for the BLONDE ON BLONDE folio songbook - notes that should be essential reading for anyone who has heard that album.
Some of the very best (and most famous) critics are also the most critical, as one would assume - only logical! I was always a fan of legendary film critic, the late Leslie Halliwell who offered the most scathing of attacks on cinemas most popular films and in doing so made a fortune selling his film guides every year. He was, though very accurate in his assessments and only stubborn in not giving in to popular opinion like so many other critics are. His is the only film guide I go to for any kind of reference point today and yet he wrote his last one in the late 80s. Rating range from zero to four stars and only a select breed receive the maximum rating!
"I know people think I'm old-fashioned. And I only hope I'm wrong about the way in which television today is headed. But the answer lies with the public and what they will finally accept ... they have the on-off switch." LH.
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Here's another gem from LITTLE SANDY REVIEW, this time apart of a response to a reader's letter about Joan Baez: ... she is a superficial performer who doesn't probe the inner content of the material
Judy Collins: ... has abadoned her futile grapplings with the intricacies of traditional music ... . she has continued to progress her skills in a pointless direction ...
Jackie Washington: ... talentless... ... a sorry amateur in every sense of the word ... a whole album of his vague and hazy bumblings ...
The above were all active and well-known in concert and in folk clubs. The following is less well-known but I saw him once and have the album that is being reviewed:-
Hamilton Camp: A cleaned-up, smoothed-out, utterly manufactured Dylan doll. Camp is to Dylan what Muzak is to music. Wind him up and maybe he'll go blowin' in the wind
He was also an actor. When I saw him, he was dressed in a weird pixie-like outfit and the only reason I bought the album was that it included a number of Dylan songs that Dylan had never recorded and/or released at that time.
Enough of this stuff.
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Very interesting info! Thanks twm!
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Thanks twm for these amusing snippets - love reading these.
Here are some of the aforementioned Halliwell's finest moments:
A Clockwork Orange (1972)
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twm, by the way, have you ever seen live Nick Drake and John Martyn? What is your opinion for them and perhaps your favourite records? Do you remember reading any reviews about them, in the British press?
dmg, strangely enough I saw all films while well in my twenties and I kind of have the same opinion! Only for the orange I have some resernations. And I kind of like the latter (2 or 3) Exorcist with Burton.
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twm, by the way, have you ever seen live Nick Drake and John Martyn? What is your opinion for them and perhaps your favourite records? Do you remember reading any reviews about them, in the British press?
dmg, strangely enough I saw all films while well in my twenties and I kind of have the same opinion! Only for the orange I have some resernations. And I kind of like the latter (2 or 3) Exorcist with Burton.
I tend to agree with Halliwell most of the time too. I should do because I've read his books since I was at school! I think was probably the only honest critic out there, when the rest pander to popular opinion and changed their review from edition to edition he stood by his word. I admire him for this. His reviews were always based on how well made a film was (which is objective) and not on whether he personally enjoyed it (which is subjective). More importantly, he also knew his stuff!
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We used to prefer Halliwell's film reviews and bought several editions of his book but, as the last got more and more out-of-date, we had to buy others' review books. In the end, the last Halliwell went. We still have a copy of his "Who's Who In the Movies" on the shelves somewhere round here.
Barry Hansen became Dr Demento - http://www.drdemento.com/ Strange to think that he started out writing blues record reviews in a small circulation folk magazine - and he used to be very knowledgeable about the blues indeed.
Paul Nelso died a few years ago and there is a book that combines a biography with some of his writings: Everything Is an Afterthought: The Life and Writings of Paul Nelson by Kevin Avery (Fantagraphics). I keep meaning to buy it. Paul Nelson wrote some wonderful music articles but was also a bit of a film buff, too. Despite what appear from the pieces I've quoted, he was not hidebound as to tradtional folk music. As well as supporting Dylan's changes in 1965, he went on the laud and support New York punk in the 1970s.
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We used to prefer Halliwell's film reviews and bought several editions of his book but, as the last got more and more out-of-date, we had to buy others' review books. In the end, the last Halliwell went. We still have a copy of his "Who's Who In the Movies" on the shelves somewhere round here.
I also have a copy of Who's Who In the Movies and it's interesting to note that although sold as Halliwell's Film Guide, since his death in 1989 the guide was edited by John Walker with his reviews gradually replacing those of Halliwell and the guide becoming less critical, offering stars to unworthy films. This led to the guides printing being ceased a number of years ago now.
Halliwell's verdict on The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith with zero stars:
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I can
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I can
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You're right. We've gone away from the original theme. I don't mind that myself but some do, so I'll keep this bit brief. I definitely did not see Nick Drake and can't recall seeing John Martyn either. And, though we still buy a Film Guide from time to time, I don't find them as comprehensive or as "accurate" in their assessments as used to be the case. Barry Norman of THE RADIO TIMES , though not always "accurate" in the sense of my own taste, comes pretty close much of the time. That's me done off-theme.
In terms of playing certain countries or not, it is down to a lot of factors - potential ticket sales, exchange rates, trustworthiness of local promoters, support or lack of it from local authorities, security considerations, level of corruption and so on and so on. Any tour organizer would have to weigh these things up.
Does anyone happen to know if PCM actually organize the tours directly or do they work through a booking agency?
Dylan, for example (with the exception, sometimes, of festival shows and the odd one-off show), has tended to use one agency to put together his tours in Europe and they, in turn, liaise with local agents in the various countries. A number of possible itineraries is usually prepared and Dylan's own people then choose the preferred option with the one agency that coordinated it all.
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Seems Bieber has cancelled his gig in Portugal due to poor ticket sales! Maybe this is an indication as to why Mark isn't having a concert there this year. Or perhaps his management are using that as an excuse for his recent "issues." Whatever, I thought it was quite interesting to note.
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I repeat that I
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its sad!!! my poor country :smack
In this year very good music names come to Portugal, i don't understand why Mark knopfler don't come..... i think the problem is about manegement, during all this years mark knopfler concert was full!!! in real don't understand!!
Because this i will spend much more money, i will go to London :thumbsup
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Seems Bieber has cancelled his gig in Portugal due to poor ticket sales! Maybe this is an indication as to why Mark isn't having a concert there this year. Or perhaps his management are using that as an excuse for his recent "issues." Whatever, I thought it was quite interesting to note.
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Haven't seen any of the others, as well. Hmmm, must start looking a bit to that direction. I liked very much the movie Proof, from 1992 (about a blind photographer) and Muriel's wedding was not bad, considering there is an ABBA fixation ;D
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Haven't seen any of the others, as well. Hmmm, must start looking a bit to that direction. I liked very much the movie Proof, from 1992 (about a blind photographer) and Muriel's wedding was not bad, considering there is an ABBA fixation ;D
I can highly recommend the two I mentioned. Both among my favourite films ever.
Quite stunning photography in Walkabout. I was first introduced to the film when I studied the book at school.
Picnic is based on a true story and very atmospheric.
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I will try to find them and I will back with comments! MAybe we should take it to a new thread ! Thanks for introducing me to them.
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Haven't seen any of the others, as well. Hmmm, must start looking a bit to that direction. I liked very much the movie Proof, from 1992 (about a blind photographer) and Muriel's wedding was not bad, considering there is an ABBA fixation ;D
I can highly recommend the two I mentioned. Both among my favourite films ever.
Quite stunning photography in Walkabout. I was first introduced to the film when I studied the book at school.
Picnic is based on a true story and very atmospheric.
dmg, which 2 movies are highly recommended by you. You mind, mention them again ?
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Picnic At Hanging Rock and Walkabout
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Picnic At Hanging Rock and Walkabout
Thanks vgnois, never heard of either one. :)
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Picnic At Hanging Rock and Walkabout
Thanks vgnois, never heard of either one. :)
Directed by Peter Weir and Nicholas Roeg respectively!
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There must be some misunderstanding in here! The non-Portugal concert has nothing to do with economy!
As for the kid Bieber, he had 2 sold-out concerts in Lisbon. He did the 1st night, but because of unknown circumstances (health problems, as they say) he cancelled the 2nd show.
And checking the list of concerts in Portugal for the next weeks, with bigger bands (and more expensive ones) than MK's band, as Bon Jovi, Rihanna, Depeche Mode, Alicia Keys and so on.., this MK's absence looks really strange!
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And also, this recent addition of countries (with all the respect for them), as Romania, Bulgaria, Malta, Serbia, etc., makes it even stranger!!
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Picnic At Hanging Rock and Walkabout
Thanks vgnois, never heard of either one. :)
Directed by Peter Weir and Nicholas Roeg respectively!
Peter Weir's break through film! He has directed many blockbusters since! While Nicolas Roeg is best remembered for Performance and the man who fell on earth. Harder nut to crack! Have enjoyed films by both but these two went under my radar. Funnily, the book from which came "Picnic..." had a final chapter that offered a clear solution, but the published and editor took it away when it was first published, in order to enhance the mystery. It looks as though the writer left a will for this final chapter to be published 3 years after her death, and it was published in 1987! http://www.castleofspirits.com/picnicathangingrock.html
Have you read this complete version dmg? Does it add to it?
About MK's concerts, your arguments Nuno Rita, are quite valid, but the fact that he avoids completely or reduced dramatically his appearences at the counties in crisis, probably means that the reason is this. And anyway, the rest of the names you mention, probably have a younger-bigger-stronger audience-fan base and healthier sales. But yes, its still a mystery.
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I saw John Martyn. Hilarious on stage.
And I love Clockwork Orange, must have a sick mind.
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I love Clockwork Orange too
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@vgonis: No I haven't read the book Picnic, I'd prefer to live in the dark and have the mystery "hanging" over me.
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Fair enough dmg! Photophobia eh? ;D I wouldn't stand the Damoclean mystery though.
Dusty, you were lucky! One of the few artists I would have liked to see live.
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Hey vgonis, you got right on the spot - maybe this weird situation is due to MK management's ignorance. They read just the titles on the news and became trembling little girls!!
You know, this Irish and Portuguese finantial markets crisis would be a wonderful and grateful situation for Romanians, Bulgarians, Serbians or Russians, to name just a few!
And infact, if you packed 80.000 people to attend at a Bon Jovi concert, you'd get 12.000 to a MK gig! Actually the average age of fans is not so different...
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Nuno Rita, I wouldn't fool myself about concert going, based on my preferences. MK has attracted all ages in Greece when he came around in 2008, many of them guitarists (metal fans as well) paying tribute to the man. But I guess the recent sales were not that good and it is a solid indicator about concert goers, or so it seems. Knopfler got more fans than Dylan or Loenoard Cohen, around that time, but Depeche mode and Iron Maiden and Roger Waters sold 8-15 times the tickets. And yes the audience for these bands are about the same age, but attract a whole lot more teens and people in their early twenties.
The point was made by mr. jbaent earlier, being from Spain he shares this problem with us!
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A bit late now but I have bought the Paul Nelson book though not read it yet. However, I skipped through for references to LITTLE SANDY REVIEW. Paul Nelson himself used to tell people that they knew a lot of girls named Sandi, so got the name from there. His co-editor said (a touch more plausibly, I suspect) that there used to be a magazine called THE LITTLE REVIEW and there was a Little Sandy River in Kentucky or Tennessee and they simply conflated the two.
There, you can't say that AMIT isn't educational!
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A bit late now but I have bought the Paul Nelson book though not read it yet. However, I skipped through for references to LITTLE SANDY REVIEW. Paul Nelson himself used to tell people that they knew a lot of girls named Sandi, so got the name from there. His co-editor said (a touch more plausibly, I suspect) that there used to be a maggazine called THE LITTLE REVIEW and there was a Little Sandy River in Kentucky or Tennessee and they simply conflated the two.
There, you can't say that AMIT isn't educational!
Indeed - and I thought it was because he wrote his reviews from a beach! ;D
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Ah, yes, the golden strand of Minneapolis.