Post by: cannibals on January 19, 2023, 05:52:39 PM
Sadly we may well have already done our final tour.
Post by: Robson on January 19, 2023, 05:59:24 PM
Post by: naif on January 19, 2023, 06:12:35 PM
Post by: superval99 on January 19, 2023, 06:33:08 PM
An era has officially come to an end. And it's clear again what an honorable man Mark is. A lot of rockers could go back to milking the cow like they used to. There's an end to everything. And I'm happy that it's a fitting end for Mark. I can't wait for the new album.
It's exactly how I feel and I'm really looking forward to the new album now. Thanks to Mark for so many wonderful shows! :)
Post by: cannibals on January 19, 2023, 06:58:20 PM
Post by: marki on January 19, 2023, 07:42:53 PM
No tour (which I find reasonable. I always thought that DTRW tour was far too intense with no reason) but we haven’t seen the last live MK performance yet.
Post by: rmarques821 on January 19, 2023, 07:47:25 PM
Post by: Robson on January 19, 2023, 08:23:56 PM
It's true.
Post by: cannibals on January 19, 2023, 10:08:29 PM
Post by: rmarques821 on January 19, 2023, 10:44:23 PM
If Guy is so spoken about this on his forum perhaps MK will make some kind of statement about it anytime soon?No need. He announced he was going to retire at every show of the 2019 tour.
Post by: cannibals on January 19, 2023, 11:34:09 PM
Only the first shows and later went on saying they play till they all fall over but okay, i understand what you mean.If Guy is so spoken about this on his forum perhaps MK will make some kind of statement about it anytime soon?No need. He announced he was going to retire at every show of the 2019 tour.
Post by: dmg on January 20, 2023, 01:24:17 PM
I think this is a belated decision as the 2019 shows were a step too far. He was really struggling at times and he knows that himself for sure. This is why he doesn't want to limp on. He really should've called it a day after 2013. I loved going to the shows and meeting up with fans here but I don't want to see Mark in bad shape.
For people wanting more shows I really don't know what you are wanting to see on stage - your hero embarrass himself? It would be 5 years after the last tour before the next shows and he was really struggling in 2019. Serious question.
Post by: Jules on January 20, 2023, 01:35:17 PM
Since he said in Barcelona, and all the next shows that touring was over, I had clear it was over, he would never said it in public if it wasn't true.
Other thing is if he still wants to play a few shows here and there, but, touring? that's over for good.
Post by: peterromer on January 20, 2023, 01:37:30 PM
Guy did use the word "may" which doesn't put the conclusion on the matter I would like. However, his turn of phrase suggests this is what he means.
I think this is a belated decision as the 2019 shows were a step too far. He was really struggling at times and he knows that himself for sure. This is why he doesn't want to limp on. He really should've called it a day after 2013. I loved going to the shows and meeting up with fans here but I don't want to see Mark in bad shape.
For people wanting more shows I really don't know what you are wanting to see on stage - your hero embarrass himself? It would be 5 years after the last tour before the next shows and he was really struggling in 2019. Serious question.
Well even though he may have been struggling a bit, it was not that bad, come on. No way near embarrassing.
I remember the two 2019 concerts I attended as absolutely stunning. We got tracks not played live for many years, and even though he was not playing as 5 or 10 years ago, it was still fantastic. If those were the last times I saw the man then it is what it is.
Post by: Robson on January 20, 2023, 01:41:18 PM
Guy did use the word "may" which doesn't put the conclusion on the matter I would like. However, his turn of phrase suggests this is what he means.
I think this is a belated decision as the 2019 shows were a step too far. He was really struggling at times and he knows that himself for sure. This is why he doesn't want to limp on. He really should've called it a day after 2013. I loved going to the shows and meeting up with fans here but I don't want to see Mark in bad shape.
For people wanting more shows I really don't know what you are wanting to see on stage - your hero embarrass himself? It would be 5 years after the last tour before the next shows and he was really struggling in 2019. Serious question.
Well even though he may have been struggling a bit, it was not that bad, come on. No way near embarrassing.
I remember the two 2019 concerts I attended as absolutely stunning. We got tracks not played live for many years, and even though he was not playing as 5 or 10 years ago, it was still fantastic. If those were the last times I saw the man then it is what it is.
:thumbsup Exactly!
Post by: dmg on January 20, 2023, 01:46:36 PM
Guy did use the word "may" which doesn't put the conclusion on the matter I would like. However, his turn of phrase suggests this is what he means.
I think this is a belated decision as the 2019 shows were a step too far. He was really struggling at times and he knows that himself for sure. This is why he doesn't want to limp on. He really should've called it a day after 2013. I loved going to the shows and meeting up with fans here but I don't want to see Mark in bad shape.
For people wanting more shows I really don't know what you are wanting to see on stage - your hero embarrass himself? It would be 5 years after the last tour before the next shows and he was really struggling in 2019. Serious question.
Well even though he may have been struggling a bit, it was not that bad, come on. No way near embarrassing.
I remember the two 2019 concerts I attended as absolutely stunning. We got tracks not played live for many years, and even though he was not playing as 5 or 10 years ago, it was still fantastic. If those were the last times I saw the man then it is what it is.
I was quite excited when I heard Once Upon A Time but it never developed into anything and there were no solos to speak of. Compare to the live version of Alchemy and its night and day. He minced the solo of MFN half the time too. He halved the R&J solo because he knew he was struggling with it and still most of them are rough.
The shows were littered with mistakes with solos heavily backed up by other musicians. The 2019 shows are a difficult listen.
Post by: rmarques821 on January 20, 2023, 02:30:18 PM
It wasn't so much the performance, although it was very different compared to 2010, for example. He could still put on a good show. For me it was just the small little details such as almost limping off the stage (remember Cesena event in 2018), having trouble taking the guitar off his body, running out of breath while speaking to the audience or his hands shaking like crazy during Speedway at Nazareth or Romeo and Juliet, as if not knowing where to place them.Guy did use the word "may" which doesn't put the conclusion on the matter I would like. However, his turn of phrase suggests this is what he means.
I think this is a belated decision as the 2019 shows were a step too far. He was really struggling at times and he knows that himself for sure. This is why he doesn't want to limp on. He really should've called it a day after 2013. I loved going to the shows and meeting up with fans here but I don't want to see Mark in bad shape.
For people wanting more shows I really don't know what you are wanting to see on stage - your hero embarrass himself? It would be 5 years after the last tour before the next shows and he was really struggling in 2019. Serious question.
Well even though he may have been struggling a bit, it was not that bad, come on. No way near embarrassing.
I remember the two 2019 concerts I attended as absolutely stunning. We got tracks not played live for many years, and even though he was not playing as 5 or 10 years ago, it was still fantastic. If those were the last times I saw the man then it is what it is.
Were the 2019 shows awful? Of course not, I still listen to the soundboards sometimes. But he was really struggling at times and I don't want to watch that again.
Post by: superval99 on January 20, 2023, 02:43:37 PM
Guy did use the word "may" which doesn't put the conclusion on the matter I would like. However, his turn of phrase suggests this is what he means.
I think this is a belated decision as the 2019 shows were a step too far. He was really struggling at times and he knows that himself for sure. This is why he doesn't want to limp on. He really should've called it a day after 2013. I loved going to the shows and meeting up with fans here but I don't want to see Mark in bad shape.
For people wanting more shows I really don't know what you are wanting to see on stage - your hero embarrass himself? It would be 5 years after the last tour before the next shows and he was really struggling in 2019. Serious question.
Well even though he may have been struggling a bit, it was not that bad, come on. No way near embarrassing.
I remember the two 2019 concerts I attended as absolutely stunning. We got tracks not played live for many years, and even though he was not playing as 5 or 10 years ago, it was still fantastic. If those were the last times I saw the man then it is what it is.
I agree. I enjoyed all three of the shows I attended, especially Leeds and Verona and if it was to be MK's last tour I feel he went out on a high. I still listen to Leeds and Verona now and again.
I can see, though, that another tour five years on would be out of the question and I don't want to see him struggling before my eyes. I think he has come to the correct decision not to tour anymore.
Post by: Robson on January 20, 2023, 02:56:56 PM
Post by: superval99 on January 20, 2023, 03:09:08 PM
I will miss MK concerts very much, but respect for him.
I will miss the concerts a lot too and also the fans I have met along the way, but I know he is right not to tour again.
Post by: Robson on January 20, 2023, 03:22:09 PM
Post by: KnopfleRick on January 20, 2023, 03:24:05 PM
I will miss MK concerts very much, but respect for him.
I will miss the concerts a lot too and also the fans I have met along the way, but I know he is right not to tour again.
I totally agree with you!
Post by: dustyvalentino on January 20, 2023, 03:53:17 PM
I was fortunate to go to a tribute show with Ingrid and some other fans last November so it's still possible to meet up, but harder when we don't all have a place to be for a particular reason.
Still, there was a time when I would have loved to have seen MK just once, I ended up seeing him more than 20 times and meeting him 5 times so I am lucky. It is better to have loved and lost...
Post by: Jules on January 20, 2023, 04:05:01 PM
I knew it was the end, and wanted to live as much shows as possible.
Post by: Leprechaun on January 20, 2023, 06:54:57 PM
There should be some nice material like the Madrid show from the STP tour and more. :think
Post by: cannibals on January 20, 2023, 07:10:34 PM
Guy saying he simply don't know and nothing is planned.
Post by: cannibals on January 20, 2023, 07:13:03 PM
If touring is over now, the time has come to release past concerts (on video and audio). :clapA live album that will be as a bonus with the new one
There should be some nice material like the Madrid show from the STP tour and more. :think
Post by: quizzaciously on January 20, 2023, 07:49:37 PM
If touring is over now, the time has come to release past concerts (on video and audio). :clapA live album that will be as a bonus with the new one
There should be some nice material like the Madrid show from the STP tour and more. :think
Mark lacks terribly in the live albums department, so something HAS to be released. Not having proper live recordings for decades is complete nonsense, especially having this kind of band and songs of that magnitude, so it's basically a sin. I would buy anything at this point, there is just nothing to buy!
Post by: cannibals on January 22, 2023, 08:21:06 PM
Post by: hunter on January 22, 2023, 10:50:46 PM
Post by: Robson on January 22, 2023, 10:57:45 PM
Indeed the right decision to not go on tour, albeit a sad one. I do wish, though, that he makes some kind of statement to the fans.
Mark did it at concerts in 2019. Now we have confirmation.
Post by: peterromer on January 23, 2023, 09:03:43 AM
Post by: Elin N on January 23, 2023, 09:53:59 AM
Post by: Jules on January 23, 2023, 12:04:47 PM
There is no official confirmation yet at the website.
What kind of confirmation do you expect? A statement telling he would tour no more? I don't think he would do such a thing.
Maybe, when there is a release date for the new record, a small line telling there won't be any tour dates announced or something like that, but IO guess that Mk being MK, they are not even say that.
For me the official confirmation is in the promotional interviews from DTRW where MK started saying that touring will be the first thing to end, and when on tour, he confirmed that playing live, so, thats for me official confirmation, from MK himself.
Post by: quizzaciously on January 23, 2023, 07:00:05 PM
There is no official confirmation yet at the website.
What kind of confirmation do you expect? A statement telling he would tour no more? I don't think he would do such a thing.
Maybe, when there is a release date for the new record, a small line telling there won't be any tour dates announced or something like that, but IO guess that Mk being MK, they are not even say that.
For me the official confirmation is in the promotional interviews from DTRW where MK started saying that touring will be the first thing to end, and when on tour, he confirmed that playing live, so, thats for me official confirmation, from MK himself.
Yes, any "confirmation" might be in the form of the Hansen film and interviews. I can't imagine MK releasing a statement like Paul Simon did about his retirement from live performances. By the way, since then Paul Simon played live multiple times, so it's not the end of the world. As long as Mark is alive and healthy, I think he'll keep playing live in some shape or form, just no big tours, which became a little stale anyway. Copy and paste, copy and paste... With different names.
Post by: rmarques821 on January 23, 2023, 08:35:32 PM
“It might very well be. It will be funny to say goodbye to it, because it’s always been the end of the cycle. But I won’t think about it. I’ll just make a record like I’ve always made, and then when it comes to talking about the tour, I just won’t talk about it.”
Post by: Robson on January 23, 2023, 09:26:22 PM
There will be no official statement. Mark said this in 2018 when asked if 2019 would be his last tour.
“It might very well be. It will be funny to say goodbye to it, because it’s always been the end of the cycle. But I won’t think about it. I’ll just make a record like I’ve always made, and then when it comes to talking about the tour, I just won’t talk about it.”
Thank you for this quote and reminder:)
I just won’t talk about it
Just like with DS.
Post by: 2manyguitars on January 24, 2023, 12:09:57 AM
I often wonder if Mark stayed away from guitar complexity because of the pressure to recreate it live coupled with fading ability. Obviously in the studio, stuff can be far more worked on.
So here's the hypothesis. No live work = More adventurous guitar playing.
Thoughts?
Post by: Stiglar on January 24, 2023, 12:28:43 AM
I feel as though if he had played shows like in 96-2001 which featured him much more as a guitar player it would've gotten more stale and it didn't seem to be what he found interesting anymore. I love that MK has snapshots of time that he doesn't try to recreate. Alchemy is Alchemy for instance and i'm glad he didn't try to recreate it later.
I could tell it would be the last tour and I'm happy that he's walking away from it whilst still putting on (in my opinion) great shows. A few RAH gigs would be great after an album but who knows? I'm overjoyed there will be another album coming!
Post by: rmarques821 on January 24, 2023, 02:35:43 AM
Given no tour what will be interesting to see is the standard of guitar on the new record.That's a very interesting point, but I don't think it will happen. Because what we've seen since Shangri-La is a gradual process of song simplification where the guitar no longer plays a major role, with a few exceptions of course. He himself said: "I've become so obsessed with writing songs that my guitar playing as suffered as a consequence."
I often wonder if Mark stayed away from guitar complexity because of the pressure to recreate it live coupled with fading ability. Obviously in the studio, stuff can be far more worked on.
So here's the hypothesis. No live work = More adventurous guitar playing.
Thoughts?
On Tracker there's not much going on as far as guitar playing is concerned, and even less in DTRW with the advent of the sax and trumpet.
Now, we know this next album could be more guitar infused with the involvement of Greg Leisz and his pedal steel guitar. It's a possibility. But it's also a possibility he will be using it to further disguise his guitar playing.
It's going to be very interesting to see that in the future.
Post by: goon525 on January 24, 2023, 02:42:41 AM
I remember the two 2019 concerts I attended as absolutely stunning. We got tracks not played live for many years, and even though he was not playing as 5 or 10 years ago, it was still fantastic. If those were the last times I saw the man then it is what it is.
No, I’m afraid he didn’t play What It Is.
Post by: hunter on January 24, 2023, 11:36:58 AM
Given no tour what will be interesting to see is the standard of guitar on the new record.
I often wonder if Mark stayed away from guitar complexity because of the pressure to recreate it live coupled with fading ability. Obviously in the studio, stuff can be far more worked on.
So here's the hypothesis. No live work = More adventurous guitar playing.
Thoughts?
Interesting thought. He may not be capable of the quick and sinewy solos he did during the DS years, but I'm sure he could work out some beautiful and intricate fingerpicking things.
He has a band which is capable of realizing whatever he fancies, so hopefully they do more than a collection "ditties". It's fine line between making the arrangements interesting and elaborate and avoiding making them feel contrived. DTRW felt exactly contrived in many places. A bit too clever without any real artistic impact.
Post by: Jules on January 24, 2023, 12:32:49 PM
I would like to be optimistic but seems like Guy is warning us to start thinking the live gigs are over in any form.
Post by: hunter on January 24, 2023, 12:54:27 PM
Post by: Jules on January 24, 2023, 01:04:36 PM
I think any live shows are unlikely, but they probably don't make a definite statement as "you never know". They are keeping options open. Big tours though, not so much.
Big tours are over for sure, that's not even the tiniest option. The only hope we have are the spare concerts, one offs etc, and that seems even unlikely...
I still have hope that when the record is out he might want to do a couple of gigs to promote it in a way, but I'm not sure that would even happen.
Post by: hunter on January 24, 2023, 01:19:51 PM
Post by: qjamesfloyd on January 24, 2023, 01:39:14 PM
Post by: cannibals on January 24, 2023, 07:54:05 PM
A better option would be a showcase, like A Night in London.I believe they did a few of them in several countries just before the KTC tour started..
Post by: SlowLearner on January 24, 2023, 08:34:14 PM
I felt the setlist was pretty strong for the most part, but this is also where I'll share my first batch of complaints. The setlist was too static for my taste and it appeared that it was kind of a lazy approach, also it became too predictable after a while, with very few rarities and one-offs across the year. Second complaint is the lack of DTRW songs. I can't think of an album with less songs played from it. Even Kill To Get Crimson had many songs played apart from the 2008 tour in rare performances in 2007 and 2009, so the songs were attempted live somewhere.
Then, Nobody Does That and Silvertown Blues getting cut from the setlist eventually was such a disappointment in so many ways, as they brought more variety of sound to the set, I felt.
But the biggest concern out of all, by far, was Mark's vocals and Mark's appearance, meaning physical appearance. I think these two things kind of go together.
I know Mark has looked differently for a while, and I'm not expecting him to look like he did with Dire Straits, and I know he had that motorcycle accident that kind of affected him in many ways, but.. my god.
In 2018 first, on that interview he did talking about Down The Road Wherever, he looked worse than I've ever seen him before. Don't get me wrong, I think Mark looks good for his age currently, he seems younger and seems to be in good spirits. However, his weight in 2018 was really something that got me worried. And in early 2019 he looked so out of shape physically. But also vocally. Many might say Mark is not that great of a vocalist in the first place. I tend to disagree. I think his songs wouldn't be as great if they weren't sung by him, with that exact voice. His studio albums have kept Mark in good voice thankfully and hopefully that remains the case with this new 2023 album. But his concert voice started carefully becoming weaker after 2010 I believe. 2013, 2015 and 2019 - is filled with a lot of moments of voice not being clear or strong enough. Obviously, I can still live with that. But with 2019 at times it was so hard to accept it. It's like a mix of his former smoking days and then the weight problems which I do believe affect him. Or at least he consumes the kind of food or drinks that affect the voice and doesn't pay too much attention to it anymore. There is almost no pitch at all, neither high or low pitch. He either can't find enough feeling in his soul to sing those or he simply can't, because his throat is so affected by something. Sometimes he could barely even talk how weak his voice was. It's like he can only scream and whisper now, but it doesn't bring out as much as feeling as it should when it's not so melodic. Maybe his vocal mic was not fixed properly for the entire tour, but I don't want to go that far.
Still, despite all that, I'd love to see him tour again.
I do hope he used the pandemic and everything after to get back into better physical shape. He showed progress I believe at the end of 2019, when I think he lost a little weight compared to the beginning of the year. Hopefully that carried on until today.
I'm sure that would make a lot of things easier for him.
Post by: Elin N on January 25, 2023, 09:56:10 AM
Post by: dustyvalentino on January 25, 2023, 10:25:09 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oCvz-HK_74
No further questions m'lud, your witness.
Post by: superval99 on January 25, 2023, 10:30:09 AM
What is more concerning is the weight he carries around his middle, which maybe due to some health issues.
Post by: quizzaciously on January 25, 2023, 10:45:13 AM
For those who don't recognise MK making mistakes, I present MK royally fucking up the MFN riff in Glasgow.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oCvz-HK_74
No further questions m'lud, your witness.
That's indeed concerning. I think people who are complaining are just comparing "modern MK" with past MK, which is this guitar god who makes no mistakes, and have the right to ask questions. But regardless, Mark even at 70 is way over the majority of guitar players: still amazingly creative, a great improviser, classic MK, with a patina of age which does affect his playing. Personally, I think an old man shouldn't play "silly" songs like MFN and sing about faggots and microwave ovens. But he has to play the hits, and this again is the whole point about his tours becoming a little stale and predictable. I would take an odd show with surprises and rarely played songs and healthier and happier MK every time over this overplayed and frustrating big tour thing.
Post by: Elin N on January 25, 2023, 10:52:59 AM
I love BiA, particulary the organ part towards the end. Most of the times I heard it, the organ part was in my opinion "destroyed" by Jim, but nobody talkes about that.
Post by: dustyvalentino on January 25, 2023, 11:18:59 AM
For those who don't recognise MK making mistakes, I present MK royally fucking up the MFN riff in Glasgow.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oCvz-HK_74
No further questions m'lud, your witness.
That's indeed concerning. I think people who are complaining are just comparing "modern MK" with past MK, which is this guitar god who makes no mistakes, and have the right to ask questions. But regardless, Mark even at 70 is way over the majority of guitar players: still amazingly creative, a great improviser, classic MK, with a patina of age which does affect his playing. Personally, I think an old man shouldn't play "silly" songs like MFN and sing about faggots and microwave ovens. But he has to play the hits, and this again is the whole point about his tours becoming a little stale and predictable. I would take an odd show with surprises and rarely played songs and healthier and happier MK every time over this overplayed and frustrating big tour thing.
Except he doesn't have to play the hits, this was the first tour in ages when MFN was played and it was a surprise to see it back, so not predictable at all!
Post by: Jules on January 25, 2023, 11:35:15 AM
Post by: hunter on January 25, 2023, 11:51:05 AM
Post by: cannibals on January 25, 2023, 05:57:31 PM
I was in Ålesund (Norway) and yes I heard the intro was not as on the album. It was the worst audience I have ever witnessed. It was so bad that he seemded to loose focus.Indeed. Jim plays the organ part at the end of BIA very different. Not my cup of tea also.... I prefer the original part. But MK was using the band more and more on the last tour on parts of songs he normaly did with his guitar.
I love BiA, particulary the organ part towards the end. Most of the times I heard it, the organ part was in my opinion "destroyed" by Jim, but nobody talkes about that.
Post by: SlowLearner on January 25, 2023, 06:00:49 PM
For those who don't recognise MK making mistakes, I present MK royally fucking up the MFN riff in Glasgow.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oCvz-HK_74
No further questions m'lud, your witness.
That's indeed concerning. I think people who are complaining are just comparing "modern MK" with past MK, which is this guitar god who makes no mistakes, and have the right to ask questions. But regardless, Mark even at 70 is way over the majority of guitar players: still amazingly creative, a great improviser, classic MK, with a patina of age which does affect his playing. Personally, I think an old man shouldn't play "silly" songs like MFN and sing about faggots and microwave ovens. But he has to play the hits, and this again is the whole point about his tours becoming a little stale and predictable. I would take an odd show with surprises and rarely played songs and healthier and happier MK every time over this overplayed and frustrating big tour thing.
Agree 100% with this and everything stated, especially the rarities and one-offs part.
If he was gonna do any more shows for the rest of his life, I hope they're gonna be Boothbay 2006 type of ones. There are so many underplayed and never played songs from his own and the Dire Straits catalogue, it's crazy.
I was thinking of a hypothetical concert not long ago, where Knopfler would play like a "post-pandemic concert with post-pandemic songs". I had Stand Up Guy, Don't Crash The Ambulance and Remembrance Day as possible candidates.
What's also kinda frustrating is that certain songs were only played on certain tours. For example, so many Golden Heart songs weren't played much since 1996, and even some non-GH songs from '96 weren't revisited since.
So many songs deserved to be dusted off one more time at least, even in massively rearranged fashion if must, I'd welcome it. Think of the number of songs. From Tunnel Of Love, Portobello Belle, Hand In Hand and Love Over Gold to Hard Shoulder, Devil Baby and One Song At A Time. Too many to mention.
Post by: Jules on January 25, 2023, 06:11:22 PM
Post by: hunter on January 25, 2023, 06:49:44 PM
Post by: cannibals on January 25, 2023, 07:10:29 PM
A two-hour show with slow burners. Oh, boy.He could play "unplugged" in theaters across Europe.
Ive seen Bryan Adams in a 1500 venue capitole Gent in Belgium many years ago. He still plays the big arena's today.....
Post by: cannibals on January 25, 2023, 07:18:01 PM
The answer of Guy on a another tour question.
Jep it really is over and i really have a hard time accepting this. But i know it is probably the best.
Post by: rmarques821 on January 25, 2023, 07:25:26 PM
Exactly, MK is perfectly capable of playing kind of Boothbay gigs, or like the middle part of his tours, specially the last one. MK has a long catalogue of songs that doesn't need him playing guitar like he used to play, the kind of rock ones, he could play a catalogue of more than two hours like that. And most of us will be happy with it. Most don't. Better for the ones that would be able to buy tickets with less competition!This is an interesting idea and I have also supported something like this before. But I also think at some point you would have to throw in a rocker or a more uptempo song. It's not possible to do 2 hours of slow acoustic songs. Is he willing to play something like Je Suis Desole, Boom Like That or Who's Your Baby Now?
Post by: Robson on January 25, 2023, 07:34:40 PM
Boothbay Harbor's Opera House on 20th September 2006
Done with Boneparte
Sailing to Philadelphia
Donegan's gone
Rüdiger
The trawlerman's song
Romeo and Juliet
Song for Sonny Liston
Marbletown
Devil baby
Baloney again
Postcards from Paraguay
Whoop de doo
All that matters
A place where we used to live
Wild theme
If this is goodbye
Post by: hunter on January 25, 2023, 07:53:20 PM
In memory :)
Boothbay Harbor's Opera House on 20th September 2006
Done with Boneparte
Sailing to Philadelphia
Donegan's gone
Rüdiger
The trawlerman's song
Romeo and Juliet
Song for Sonny Liston
Marbletown
Devil baby
Baloney again
Postcards from Paraguay
Whoop de doo
All that matters
A place where we used to live
Wild theme
If this is goodbye
I'm sorry, but could he create a duller setlist?! This was in 2006, when he was 55 and still could play guitar all right. I understand he probably tailored the setlist to the specific audience and venue, but this is just incredible.
Post by: KnopfleRick on January 25, 2023, 10:39:49 PM
In memory :)
Boothbay Harbor's Opera House on 20th September 2006
Done with Boneparte
Sailing to Philadelphia
Donegan's gone
Rüdiger
The trawlerman's song
Romeo and Juliet
Song for Sonny Liston
Marbletown
Devil baby
Baloney again
Postcards from Paraguay
Whoop de doo
All that matters
A place where we used to live
Wild theme
If this is goodbye
How I love this concert! Even without a drummer all of the songs sound absolutely great. Never get tired of watching it. Wish Mark would do something like this again.
Post by: Robson on January 26, 2023, 12:07:20 AM
In memory :)
Boothbay Harbor's Opera House on 20th September 2006
Done with Boneparte
Sailing to Philadelphia
Donegan's gone
Rüdiger
The trawlerman's song
Romeo and Juliet
Song for Sonny Liston
Marbletown
Devil baby
Baloney again
Postcards from Paraguay
Whoop de doo
All that matters
A place where we used to live
Wild theme
If this is goodbye
How I love this concert! Even without a drummer all of the songs sound absolutely great. Never get tired of watching it. Wish Mark would do something like this again.
That's true. Mark talked a lot and had a great of humor:)
Post by: dustyvalentino on January 26, 2023, 12:27:42 PM
In memory :)
Boothbay Harbor's Opera House on 20th September 2006
Done with Boneparte
Sailing to Philadelphia
Donegan's gone
Rüdiger
The trawlerman's song
Romeo and Juliet
Song for Sonny Liston
Marbletown
Devil baby
Baloney again
Postcards from Paraguay
Whoop de doo
All that matters
A place where we used to live
Wild theme
If this is goodbye
I'm sorry, but could he create a duller setlist?! This was in 2006, when he was 55 and still could play guitar all right. I understand he probably tailored the setlist to the specific audience and venue, but this is just incredible.
Think you've missed the point, it was effectively an "unplugged" set so it was bound to be more subdued. In fact, he almost ended up doing it completely solo which would have been great.
Another option for MK if he wanted to play live would be some NHB gigs, no pressure and others can also take plenty of solos.
Post by: cannibals on January 26, 2023, 10:17:58 PM
Post by: superval99 on January 27, 2023, 09:41:53 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vn5EJsn3gWo&t=1s
Post by: dustyvalentino on January 27, 2023, 10:13:37 AM
Guy told in his forum some time ago that NHB are over.
Things change all the time. :)
Post by: ChrisGlastonbury on January 31, 2023, 02:00:40 PM
Post by: ds1984 on January 31, 2023, 11:10:44 PM
Have to say I'm pretty gutted by this. I saw DS in 1985 - my first ever live gig, aged 14. I have never seen MK and only recently got into his solo stuff, so was hoping to see him before he retired from live shows.
You have been so lucky to attend the BIA tour.
Post by: ChrisGlastonbury on February 01, 2023, 10:35:47 AM
Post by: Knopflerfan on February 02, 2023, 09:31:06 AM
The word is out. Guy just on his forum about the next tour...
Sadly we may well have already done our final tour.
That quote only confirms what we already knew!
Post by: dustyvalentino on February 13, 2023, 07:14:37 PM
https://youtu.be/2Tp8uPb_UJ8
I hope I die before I get old…
Post by: Knut on February 14, 2023, 02:00:35 AM
Post by: superval99 on February 14, 2023, 08:52:42 AM
I don't think "forever" is doable, but look at The Rolling Stones, for example. Or Ringo Starr. Or Bob Dylan. It's certainly possible to do good shows when you're 80 years old. Now, Mick Jagger at 80 is about as fit as MK at 55, so no wonder he had to stop sooner. I bet MK would've had another tour or two in him if he had looked after his body a bit more. I guess that'll be a lesson for all of us.
Yes, look at Bob Dylan! The last time I saw him live was when he was on tour with MK in 2011 in Manchester. By the time he was on his fourth song people started leaving - he was so bad! As for Mick Jagger, he looks ridiculous, still trying to look 19 when he is 80 and Keith can hardly play guitar these days because of his arthritic fingers. I would hate Mark to end up like these. I'm glad he has stopped touring, because he seems to have had some health issues over the last few years.
Post by: 2manyguitars on February 14, 2023, 09:15:04 AM
Perhaps Mark just wants to spend his dotage with the people he loves, and in my eyes he's more than earnt that right....
Post by: SlowLearner on February 14, 2023, 09:20:11 AM
I don't think "forever" is doable, but look at The Rolling Stones, for example. Or Ringo Starr. Or Bob Dylan. It's certainly possible to do good shows when you're 80 years old. Now, Mick Jagger at 80 is about as fit as MK at 55, so no wonder he had to stop sooner. I bet MK would've had another tour or two in him if he had looked after his body a bit more. I guess that'll be a lesson for all of us.
Yes, look at Bob Dylan! The last time I saw him live was when he was on tour with MK in 2011 in Manchester. By the time he was on his fourth song people started leaving - he was so bad! I would hate that to happen to Mark. As for Mick Jagger, he looks ridiculous, still trying to look 19 when he is 80 and Keith can hardly play guitar these days because of his arthritic fingers. I would hate Mark to end up like these. I'm glad he has stopped touring, because he seems to have had some health issues over the last few years.
In all fairness, Bob Dylan has miraculously developed a lot since 2011, especially vocally. Maybe he's not like he was when he was younger, but he sure sounds great these days, at least up until now. He has new tour dates for 2023 and he sounded great in 2021 and 2022. He also plays barely any hits, if any at all, plays exactly what he wants, mostly stuff from his latest album which is his best in a while. The shows have been pretty good. It's more focused on the lyrics probably than the music, at least on the recordings, but people who go to see him, who are "true" fans, they describe the shows as captivating and hypnotic, a mesmerizing experience.
I guarantee many of Dylan's contemporaries would love to be on his level.
I'm gonna hold myself back from more praise, as I hope I don't bring any bad luck to Bob going forward. At that age, minor issues can affect a lot.
I would like to say that, as for Mark, whatever I said previously (on this topic I believe) doesn't really matter. What matters most is how Mark feels at the end of the day. If he feels comfortable and safe touring and if he still loves to do it and wants to do it - that's all that matters and he should keep doing it.
Fans who go to see him want to see him enjoy himself at this stage of his career and life. That's something that you can't fake in front of an audience, they can see and recognize that.
And if the big tours are too much, just do shorter tours instead and do whatever you want.
I love Mark's taste in music, so I know no matter what he plays out there, I'm gonna feel a certain connection to it no matter what it is. As long as he enjoys it and it's evident in his body language and facial expressions, that's enough for me.
If those things are a stretch for him, then he shouldn't tour. It's okay.
I know that even with his worst physical appearance possible, Mark is still better than the most average person at his age. No one could possibly convince me otherwise.
Can't wait for the new album, I know it'll be a smash.
Post by: Jules on February 14, 2023, 11:19:37 AM
I just love all these assumptions people make about Marks health. Based on what? A view from a show seat 5 miles away from a stage, or youtube footage shot on a potato!
Perhaps Mark just wants to spend his dotage with the people he loves, and in my eyes he's more than earnt that right....
I saw him in front row on various of his gigs and I clearly saw something was wrong with him. Maybe his health permanently, maybe something occasionally, but it was quite clear by his gestures, corporal movements, shake of hands, I even remember he kicked his face with the mic several times...
Post by: KnopfleRick on February 14, 2023, 11:30:15 AM
I don't think "forever" is doable, but look at The Rolling Stones, for example. Or Ringo Starr. Or Bob Dylan. It's certainly possible to do good shows when you're 80 years old. Now, Mick Jagger at 80 is about as fit as MK at 55, so no wonder he had to stop sooner. I bet MK would've had another tour or two in him if he had looked after his body a bit more. I guess that'll be a lesson for all of us.
Yes, look at Bob Dylan! The last time I saw him live was when he was on tour with MK in 2011 in Manchester. By the time he was on his fourth song people started leaving - he was so bad! As for Mick Jagger, he looks ridiculous, still trying to look 19 when he is 80 and Keith can hardly play guitar these days because of his arthritic fingers. I would hate Mark to end up like these. I'm glad he has stopped touring, because he seems to have had some health issues over the last few years.
Absolutely my thoughts! :thumbsup Mark is a wise man and has always been.
Post by: 2manyguitars on February 14, 2023, 11:39:22 AM
I just love all these assumptions people make about Marks health. Based on what? A view from a show seat 5 miles away from a stage, or youtube footage shot on a potato!
Perhaps Mark just wants to spend his dotage with the people he loves, and in my eyes he's more than earnt that right....
I saw him in front row on various of his gigs and I clearly saw something was wrong with him. Maybe his health permanently, maybe something occasionally, but it was quite clear by his gestures, corporal movements, shake of hands, I even remember he kicked his face with the mic several times...
I look out my window and clearly see that the earth is flat...
What you withessed is not a basis for a medical diagnosis, let alone speculation about someone's health.
Time is so precious, something that perhaps we all realise too late. Mark may have decided that time away from home is no longer for him in his 70s.
Post by: dustyvalentino on February 14, 2023, 12:24:31 PM
I just love all these assumptions people make about Marks health. Based on what? A view from a show seat 5 miles away from a stage, or youtube footage shot on a potato!
Perhaps Mark just wants to spend his dotage with the people he loves, and in my eyes he's more than earnt that right....
I saw him in front row on various of his gigs and I clearly saw something was wrong with him. Maybe his health permanently, maybe something occasionally, but it was quite clear by his gestures, corporal movements, shake of hands, I even remember he kicked his face with the mic several times...
I look out my window and clearly see that the earth is flat...
What you withessed is not a basis for a medical diagnosis, let alone speculation about someone's health.
Time is so precious, something that perhaps we all realise too late. Mark may have decided that time away from home is no longer for him in his 70s.
We do have an actual doctor on the forum, maybe they will chip in with a diagnosis. :)
Post by: rmarques821 on February 14, 2023, 01:03:01 PM
Well I also agree with what jbaent said. I saw him during the 2019 tour and something was just not right. Trouble walking, shaking hands, shortness of breath, etc. You could argue that the Tracker tour lacked energy, for example, but at least there we saw Mark dancing during So Far Away, throwing his guitar in the air after the encores. That Mark was long gone in 2019.I just love all these assumptions people make about Marks health. Based on what? A view from a show seat 5 miles away from a stage, or youtube footage shot on a potato!
Perhaps Mark just wants to spend his dotage with the people he loves, and in my eyes he's more than earnt that right....
I saw him in front row on various of his gigs and I clearly saw something was wrong with him. Maybe his health permanently, maybe something occasionally, but it was quite clear by his gestures, corporal movements, shake of hands, I even remember he kicked his face with the mic several times...
I look out my window and clearly see that the earth is flat...
What you withessed is not a basis for a medical diagnosis, let alone speculation about someone's health.
Time is so precious, something that perhaps we all realise too late. Mark may have decided that time away from home is no longer for him in his 70s.
Post by: 2manyguitars on February 14, 2023, 02:25:19 PM
What business of ours is it anyway?
It's Marks life, he can do what he wants ill or not.
Post by: Rolo on February 14, 2023, 03:27:16 PM
It's Marks life, he can do what he wants ill or not.
Exactly. He's 73 and aging comes different for everyone.
It's not his fault if his hands are shaking or he looks sick (or something like that)
He probably is taking some medicines that makes him fat and makes his arms and fingers stuck.
I guess he has Parkinson. I have a relative with Parkinson and he has the same "problems' like MK.
Its sad. But it can be true.
He made his last tour in pain.
Anyone would had cancelled the tour.
Many artists, in same MK health conditions, would prefered to be retired.
Post by: dmg on February 14, 2023, 08:44:41 PM
Post by: Robson on February 14, 2023, 08:48:34 PM
I have the same feelings.
Post by: ds1984 on February 14, 2023, 10:09:31 PM
But I won't go into speculation about what is wrong.
Post by: quizzaciously on February 14, 2023, 10:43:16 PM
Saying that "something is not right" about Mark's health doesn't sound exaggerate for me.
But I won't go into speculation about what is wrong.
I think the motorcycle accident, albeit a distant one, also had an effect and still has. After all, how many bones he broke? 19 or something? I bet he's still ringing through metal detectors. I'll start to worry when he won't be able to record albums in the studio because live shows are a hard thing for anyone, especially 70 year old. Sure, there are some exceptions, but there are always exceptions to anything. Mark still should be great in the studio, so that's a good thing.
Post by: 2manyguitars on February 14, 2023, 11:51:04 PM
"I have to say I feel really uncomfortable talking about anyone's health issues as it's a very personal thing.
I have the same feelings.
Finally, 2 comments I can agree with!
I know lots of this comes from our emotions toward Mark and that's understandable. There always was something of the underdog, the everyday man about him, and thus our urge for him to be well, to succeed, and of course our concerns when things dont seem right. Remember we've all been hanging of his every note for nearly half a century now!
But none of this affords us the right to speculate about his personal health.
His hands shake, he may be ill (who mentioned parkinsons, come on!), could be an older man's response to adrenaline, Or he may simply be suffering from bending his left hand into ridiculous positions for the last 60 years! We don't know, and we don't have any right to know until such time as he chooses to share such info.
I've gone on way too long now!
Post by: Dutchessy on February 15, 2023, 04:42:59 PM
I just love all these assumptions people make about Marks health. Based on what? A view from a show seat 5 miles away from a stage, or youtube footage shot on a potato!
Perhaps Mark just wants to spend his dotage with the people he loves, and in my eyes he's more than earnt that right....
I saw him in front row on various of his gigs and I clearly saw something was wrong with him. Maybe his health permanently, maybe something occasionally, but it was quite clear by his gestures, corporal movements, shake of hands, I even remember he kicked his face with the mic several times...
He already did that in 1980, watch at 11.14 ;D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIiE7JKX2kg
Post by: 2manyguitars on February 16, 2023, 01:25:36 AM
I just love all these assumptions people make about Marks health. Based on what? A view from a show seat 5 miles away from a stage, or youtube footage shot on a potato!
Perhaps Mark just wants to spend his dotage with the people he loves, and in my eyes he's more than earnt that right....
I saw him in front row on various of his gigs and I clearly saw something was wrong with him. Maybe his health permanently, maybe something occasionally, but it was quite clear by his gestures, corporal movements, shake of hands, I even remember he kicked his face with the mic several times...
He already did that in 1980, watch at 11.14 ;D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIiE7JKX2kg
Lol.
And he's doing quite a lot of jumping up and down at various times. Perhaps symptoms of that dreaded UK disease, folk dancing!?!
Post by: Knut on February 17, 2023, 03:22:52 AM
I'd be extremely surprised if the same people who complain here would not worry about his condition after his accident, for example - although that would be just as private as this thing.
I really hope I'll be in better shape than that when I'm 70, that's for sure.
Post by: 2manyguitars on February 17, 2023, 11:24:09 AM
Mark is a public figure. I can't see why wondering about his health would be such a problem. Like, people didn't wonder about the Queen's health for years before she eventually passed? Michael Schumacher also comes to mind.
I'd be extremely surprised if the same people who complain here would not worry about his condition after his accident, for example - although that would be just as private as this thing.
I really hope I'll be in better shape than that when I'm 70, that's for sure.
You're conflating 2 completely different things.
It's one thing to worry about someone after an accident that we know the facts about, and something completely different to speculate randomly about someone's overall health based on our opinion of their appearance.
One is based on established facts, the other is pure speculation.
Post by: 3Strats on February 17, 2023, 11:52:23 AM
I'm "only" 67 and only play for a hobby, but I find I struggle more than I used to to play the fast stuff due to a bit of stiffness in my hands (not particularly arthritis). I used to be able to have a fair crack at Tunnel Of Love & Telegraph Road but I think it's beyond me now.
Marks expression at the end of the Newcastle show on the last tour says it all. Whatever he was saying about maybe retiring from touring, I think he had made up his mind.
https://dtvaviationimages.co.uk/mark-knopfler-tour-photos/down-the-road-wherever-tour-2019/mk_0202lq/ (https://dtvaviationimages.co.uk/mark-knopfler-tour-photos/down-the-road-wherever-tour-2019/mk_0202lq/)
Post by: superval99 on February 17, 2023, 12:34:20 PM
Personally I think all the conjecture is pointless. Mark is over 70 and it's understandable that he's slowing down a bit, even without taking any illness or after effects of injury into account. Despite Guy's loyal support in saying he's as able as he ever was, it seems obvious that he dropped Sultans & Telegraph Road from the set in the last tour because they were too demanding. (too may extended "twiddly bits") I remember as far back as the Golden Heart tour he got cramp in his hand during the Sultans outro & had to strum a few bars ( Newcastle City Hall) and Guy's old tour photo diary showed him wearing a wrist brace. Guy also reported that he said something like "Too many Sultans, Too many Telegraph Roads" with regard to his problem at that time.
I'm "only" 67 and only play for a hobby, but I find I struggle more than I used to to play the fast stuff due to a bit of stiffness in my hands (not particularly arthritis). I used to be able to have a fair crack at Tunnel Of Love & Telegraph Road but I think it's beyond me now.
Marks expression at the end of the Newcastle show on the last tour says it all. Whatever he was saying about maybe retiring from touring, I think he had made up his mind.
https://dtvaviationimages.co.uk/mark-knopfler-tour-photos/down-the-road-wherever-tour-2019/mk_0202lq/ (https://dtvaviationimages.co.uk/mark-knopfler-tour-photos/down-the-road-wherever-tour-2019/mk_0202lq/)
I was at the Newcastle show and I remember the sadness on his face at the end of the concert when he realised it was the end of touring. Thanks for your pictures 3Strats. :)
Post by: Knut on February 17, 2023, 03:00:10 PM
Mark is a public figure. I can't see why wondering about his health would be such a problem. Like, people didn't wonder about the Queen's health for years before she eventually passed? Michael Schumacher also comes to mind.
I'd be extremely surprised if the same people who complain here would not worry about his condition after his accident, for example - although that would be just as private as this thing.
I really hope I'll be in better shape than that when I'm 70, that's for sure.
You're conflating 2 completely different things.
It's one thing to worry about someone after an accident that we know the facts about, and something completely different to speculate randomly about someone's overall health based on our opinion of their appearance.
One is based on established facts, the other is pure speculation.
And if there's no information if there is an accident (i.e. Schumacher), all we can do is speculate if it's a topic of interested. So in the end, the relevant pieces are the same. Not that I think MK cares what we write in here, anyway.
The thing is, that you can just look at like Springsteen's band. We know what Mark at 70 looks like, and then we can see what other performers at the same age look like. If there is a noticeable difference, it's perfectly normal to wonder if something's up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOPt0o9UQ0g
That's what your typical 71-73 year olds musicians are like. Compare that to MK at 69-70. He seems like he's 10 years older than those guys. And it's not like MK is the "one normal guy", and the others are outliers.
I don't have the skills to say why it's so, and I hope it's just a matter of being totally out of shape.
Post by: Robson on February 17, 2023, 06:15:38 PM
Post by: 2manyguitars on February 18, 2023, 02:37:18 AM
Mark is a public figure. I can't see why wondering about his health would be such a problem. Like, people didn't wonder about the Queen's health for years before she eventually passed? Michael Schumacher also comes to mind.
I'd be extremely surprised if the same people who complain here would not worry about his condition after his accident, for example - although that would be just as private as this thing.
I really hope I'll be in better shape than that when I'm 70, that's for sure.
You're conflating 2 completely different things.
It's one thing to worry about someone after an accident that we know the facts about, and something completely different to speculate randomly about someone's overall health based on our opinion of their appearance.
One is based on established facts, the other is pure speculation.
And if there's no information if there is an accident (i.e. Schumacher), all we can do is speculate if it's a topic of interested. So in the end, the relevant pieces are the same. Not that I think MK cares what we write in here, anyway.
The thing is, that you can just look at like Springsteen's band. We know what Mark at 70 looks like, and then we can see what other performers at the same age look like. If there is a noticeable difference, it's perfectly normal to wonder if something's up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOPt0o9UQ0g
That's what your typical 71-73 year olds musicians are like. Compare that to MK at 69-70. He seems like he's 10 years older than those guys. And it's not like MK is the "one normal guy", and the others are outliers.
I don't have the skills to say why it's so, and I hope it's just a matter of being totally out of shape.
There was plenty of accurate info about Marks accident, all in the public domain.
Are you honestly comparing Springsteen, a force of nature, with the 'average' 70 year old?
Sorry but that really is a bit silly. As Robson said different people age at different rates depending on genetics, location, life circumstance, and wealth.
Your average 70+ rocker is not your average man in the street. They are most definitely outliers and will have spent a kings ransom under the knife, Spend 5 minutes and google *insert rock star of choice* - plastic surgery. Makes my point for me...
Springsteen has even had a hair transplant! Wonder if MK ever considered that......back in about 1983!
Post by: Knut on February 18, 2023, 04:16:31 AM
Mark is a public figure. I can't see why wondering about his health would be such a problem. Like, people didn't wonder about the Queen's health for years before she eventually passed? Michael Schumacher also comes to mind.
I'd be extremely surprised if the same people who complain here would not worry about his condition after his accident, for example - although that would be just as private as this thing.
I really hope I'll be in better shape than that when I'm 70, that's for sure.
You're conflating 2 completely different things.
It's one thing to worry about someone after an accident that we know the facts about, and something completely different to speculate randomly about someone's overall health based on our opinion of their appearance.
One is based on established facts, the other is pure speculation.
And if there's no information if there is an accident (i.e. Schumacher), all we can do is speculate if it's a topic of interested. So in the end, the relevant pieces are the same. Not that I think MK cares what we write in here, anyway.
The thing is, that you can just look at like Springsteen's band. We know what Mark at 70 looks like, and then we can see what other performers at the same age look like. If there is a noticeable difference, it's perfectly normal to wonder if something's up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOPt0o9UQ0g
That's what your typical 71-73 year olds musicians are like. Compare that to MK at 69-70. He seems like he's 10 years older than those guys. And it's not like MK is the "one normal guy", and the others are outliers.
I don't have the skills to say why it's so, and I hope it's just a matter of being totally out of shape.
There was plenty of accurate info about Marks accident, all in the public domain.
Are you honestly comparing Springsteen, a force of nature, with the 'average' 70 year old?
Sorry but that really is a bit silly. As Robson said different people age at different rates depending on genetics, location, life circumstance, and wealth.
Your average 70+ rocker is not your average man in the street. They are most definitely outliers and will have spent a kings ransom under the knife, Spend 5 minutes and google *insert rock star of choice* - plastic surgery. Makes my point for me...
Springsteen has even had a hair transplant! Wonder if MK ever considered that......back in about 1983!
I was referring to the band as a whole. Bruce is 73, and is probably above average in terms of fitness. The others? I doubt it. Their ages: 68-71-71-72-73-73(+73 for BS himself). And a few younger ones, but the ones who look rather old in any 2023 BS clip would be among those at 68-73. This is also more about general movement and apparent fitness on MK's side than lack of hair, which is a silly measure in this setting, anyway. If I were to compare MK to someone, it would be someone like Phil Collins. But, in that case we actually know what's up. And, also "insert rock star of choice" - we could try with MK. Or is he oh-so-VERY-special in this manner, also?
And yes, there was some public information about the accident. Now, did people speculate outside of the official information? This was before my time as an MK fan (which started in 2004, from what I recall). If the answer is "yes", then it should also be fine to speculate now - and at any given moment in between. It's not like there's no reason to, either - as pointed out by others.
There's also the case of "none of our business". Most of what we discuss in this forum regarding MK is "none of our business", after all, and pure speculation. Like, all the speculations regarding new albums, and what not - and who he hated on when writing this and that song etc. It seems like what's OK to have a meaning about is related to personal opinions, as "none of our business" certainly isn't a deal breaker in WAY too many other cases. How does one actually define that IS "our business" to begin with, even?
Post by: ds1984 on February 19, 2023, 12:53:56 PM
How does one actually define that IS "our business" to begin with, even?
I would say to answer to that question by : the owner of the forum.
Each of us are entitled to have an opinion.
The problem is, when some being expressed are sometime deeply hurting some others' people view or sensibility.
Dealing with that situation is not easy
Some others forum have a more strict policy about "sensible" topics being not allowed to be discussed.
Post by: 2manyguitars on February 19, 2023, 06:56:09 PM
I don't think anyone has really offended anyone in this topic. For me it's as much about the level of speculation based on literally nothing. Best example so far - hands shaking = parkinsons!
Expressions of concern are fine, we all have deep seated feelings for Mark and his music. Let's just try not to read too much into at best limited, subjective observations.
Post by: Knut on February 20, 2023, 12:26:46 AM
Spot on DS.
I don't think anyone has really offended anyone in this topic. For me it's as much about the level of speculation based on literally nothing. Best example so far - hands shaking = parkinsons!
Expressions of concern are fine, we all have deep seated feelings for Mark and his music. Let's just try not to read too much into at best limited, subjective observations.
I agree with that one if it caught some wind, that's much more specific than we can say with any kind of certainty. As a lone comment... whatever.
Post by: Darling Pretty on February 20, 2023, 01:08:57 AM
I mean 3 of his kids are at the age of... ;D
Post by: Jules on February 20, 2023, 11:10:49 AM
Do we have any information on MK not touring again because he got a Grand daddy-oh?
I mean 3 of his kids are at the age of... ;D
As far as I know. no.
Post by: Klaus74 on February 21, 2023, 11:36:25 AM
OK, picture this, in the mid-eighties, Bruce was a really athletic type of man, no question and MK was more tall and slim, not so really athletic like Bruce. Getting older is also an individual process, like their personas or their lived carreers as celebrities.
Just my two cents to this topic.
Post by: 2manyguitars on February 21, 2023, 01:10:08 PM
I think it is not easy or not necessary to compare MK with BS. Yes, both were born in 1949, and both of them are well respected artists in the music-community and both persons buildt their musical legends in their lifetime. :think
OK, picture this, in the mid-eighties, Bruce was a really athletic type of man, no question and MK was more tall and slim, not so really athletic like Bruce. Getting older is also an individual process, like their personas or their lived carreers as celebrities.
Just my two cents to this topic.
Surely thats the whole point. 2 different people with 2 different lives, and 2 different genetic makeups. I found that comparison amusing as Bruce has obviously altered his appearance over the years whereas Mark has just let age happen. There really isn't much comparison physically. Their music is another story with many interesting common threads.
I was idly flicking through my springsteen collection yesterday and came across the live series songs of location which really reminded me of something Mark said once about creating his own geography in his songs.
Lots of parallels......
Post by: ds1984 on February 21, 2023, 10:18:46 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=US-k6OYjgDE
Post by: 2manyguitars on February 22, 2023, 12:33:13 AM
But Bruce is also better than Mark at guitar throw ;D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=US-k6OYjgDE
That did make me laugh. Lucky he didn't do more damage to the poor guitar tec.
Can you imagine mark EVER doing that with any instrument (with the exception of the pyroman bass!).
Post by: KnopfleRick on February 22, 2023, 09:09:57 AM
Post by: 2manyguitars on February 22, 2023, 09:18:34 AM
A man who gives his guitar a kiss would never ever do this. It hurts me seeing musicians shatter or even burn their Instruments.
I agree, but to be fair to bruce its a staged part of the show (Done numerous times down the years) and I'm sure being the gregarious human being that he has humbly apologised!
;D
Post by: MagicElliott on February 22, 2023, 12:19:26 PM
But Bruce is also better than Mark at guitar throw ;D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=US-k6OYjgDE
That did make me laugh. Lucky he didn't do more damage to the poor guitar tec.
Can you imagine mark EVER doing that with any instrument (with the exception of the pyroman bass!).
There’s a video that n YouTube of a meet and greet from 2005 where he kicks Guy’s ukulele. Let’s not forget his hatred of that instrument.
Doesn’t he sometimes introduce Guy along the lines of: “he can windsurf, juggle, fix your watch and unfortunately plays the ukulele?”
Post by: quizzaciously on February 22, 2023, 01:28:15 PM
But Bruce is also better than Mark at guitar throw ;D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=US-k6OYjgDE
That did make me laugh. Lucky he didn't do more damage to the poor guitar tec.
Can you imagine mark EVER doing that with any instrument (with the exception of the pyroman bass!).
There’s a video that n YouTube of a meet and greet from 2005 where he kicks Guy’s ukulele. Let’s not forget his hatred of that instrument.
Doesn’t he sometimes introduce Guy along the lines of: “he can windsurf, juggle, fix your watch and unfortunately plays the ukulele?”
Lol, it can't be true! How you can hate the ukulele? It's like hating kitties and puppies.
Post by: 2manyguitars on February 22, 2023, 01:58:10 PM
But Bruce is also better than Mark at guitar throw ;D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=US-k6OYjgDE
That did make me laugh. Lucky he didn't do more damage to the poor guitar tec.
Can you imagine mark EVER doing that with any instrument (with the exception of the pyroman bass!).
There’s a video that n YouTube of a meet and greet from 2005 where he kicks Guy’s ukulele. Let’s not forget his hatred of that instrument.
Doesn’t he sometimes introduce Guy along the lines of: “he can windsurf, juggle, fix your watch and unfortunately plays the ukulele?”
Lol, it can't be true! How you can hate the ukulele? It's like hating kitties and puppies.
Wonder if mark apologised to the Ukulele.... ;D
Post by: MagicElliott on February 23, 2023, 11:50:28 PM
https://youtu.be/u_K__PO3nRE
Post by: rmarques821 on February 24, 2023, 12:18:40 AM
These events are the polar opposite of Mark's personality and you can see in all of them he always looks so uncomfortable, not knowing what to say.
Post by: quizzaciously on February 24, 2023, 12:23:21 AM
About six minutes in.
https://youtu.be/u_K__PO3nRE
Man, these guys are TOO GOOD! A good reminder of how funny they actually are. If memory serves me well, I believe this particular ukulele was something like a running joke at this time. Can't remember what exactly, but for some reason, they gave it a really hard life on the road. A story was similar to Pyroman bass.
Post by: quizzaciously on February 24, 2023, 12:23:32 AM
I've always thought these meet and greet events were just an "obligation" by the management to rake in some extra cash.
These events are the polar opposite of Mark's personality and you can see in all of them he always looks so uncomfortable, not knowing what to say.
Maybe they were tired of "informal" meet and greets, I mean on Mark's shows there is always somebody waiting for him to chat and sign stuff, so why not make it "official", so to speak? Nothing wrong with that. The funniest thing is that people usually get frozen when they see MK, which adds to his uncomfortable feeling I think.
Post by: Knut on February 24, 2023, 12:56:14 AM
But Bruce is also better than Mark at guitar throw ;D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=US-k6OYjgDE
That did make me laugh. Lucky he didn't do more damage to the poor guitar tec.
Can you imagine mark EVER doing that with any instrument (with the exception of the pyroman bass!).
Now, this is kindof the problem - you need exceptions like that. Besides, with the Pyrobass the point was to break it at some point - Bruce is throwing guitars that someone is supposed to catch.
I don't know how often he destroys stuff on purpose, but he did "play" the guitar against the mic stand in Bergen in 2012 until some knobs etc fell off, paused the show, said "I broke my guitar!", continued with the song and threw it to the guitar tech when the song was over. Which is fine with me, I ASSUME it was repaired. Almost certainly it wasn't FUBAR - especially since he played it after it was "broken".
Post by: 2manyguitars on February 24, 2023, 02:43:28 AM
But Bruce is also better than Mark at guitar throw ;D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=US-k6OYjgDE
That did make me laugh. Lucky he didn't do more damage to the poor guitar tec.
Can you imagine mark EVER doing that with any instrument (with the exception of the pyroman bass!).
Now, this is kindof the problem - you need exceptions like that. Besides, with the Pyrobass the point was to break it at some point - Bruce is throwing guitars that someone is supposed to catch.
I don't know how often he destroys stuff on purpose, but he did "play" the guitar against the mic stand in Bergen in 2012 until some knobs etc fell off, paused the show, said "I broke my guitar!", continued with the song and threw it to the guitar tech when the song was over. Which is fine with me, I ASSUME it was repaired. Almost certainly it wasn't FUBAR - especially since he played it after it was "broken".
I think you missed my follow up comment knut. No one is accusing Bruce of deliberately damaging instruments in some kind of 'artistic statement' like Townsend did with the who. Its all for show and has been for decades. Its described on some fan pages as 'his signature guitar throw'.
Even the who used to cheat a little with their instrument smashing by going off stage at the end of a set, swapping to cheap instruments and coming back on to as it were 'give the audience what it wants '.
Especially true in the 70s when they were let's say very short of cash!
Post by: Klaus74 on February 24, 2023, 11:21:11 AM
Remember the old days of rock-music, where Jimi Hendrix burned his guitars on stage down with lighter-gasoline, or when Pete Townshend smashed his guitars into pieces, or damaging his amplifiers and loudspekers systematically to trash. Crazy, but they have enogh money for new or replacement instruments. Other example, just imagine the record-cover of The Clash´s London calling album. ;D
Post by: superval99 on February 24, 2023, 11:33:07 AM
Remember the old days of rock-music, where Jimi Hendrix burned his guitars on stage down with lighter-gasoline, or when Pete Townshend smashed his guitars into pieces, or damaging his amplifiers and loudspekers systematically to trash. Crazy, but they have enogh money for new or replacement instruments. Other example, just imagine the record-cover of The Clash´s London calling album. ;D
That doesn't make it OK to trash them! I remember a documentary some years ago about Leo Fender and he was very angry about Jimi Hendrix setting light to his guitars! Having enough money to replace them doesn't make it OK, at least not to me!
Post by: Klaus74 on February 24, 2023, 11:39:05 AM
The Who, for example, were a very rebellish rock-band and they lived that attitude on stage. Same thing with Jimi Hendrix´persona. MK or BS will never destroy only one of their private instruments for that reason. That doesn´t fit to their personas or characters. They didn´t need that form as a tool or as a special form of attitude to be cool in the music-community. They are grown up and well respected artists.
Post by: dustyvalentino on February 24, 2023, 01:08:38 PM
I've always thought these meet and greet events were just an "obligation" by the management to rake in some extra cash.
These events are the polar opposite of Mark's personality and you can see in all of them he always looks so uncomfortable, not knowing what to say.
MK never did those type of meet and greets.
These were always for invited guests, competition winners and the like.
I was lucky enough to attend one in Newcastle after a friend won a GF competition. It was one of the greatest moments of my life, and rest assured that MK was relaxed and happy :)
Post by: JF on February 24, 2023, 02:59:59 PM
https://www.francetvinfo.fr/culture/musique/rock/fender-reedite-la-mythique-guitare-brulee-il-y-a-50-ans-par-hendrix-a-monterey_3369119.html
Post by: Jules on February 24, 2023, 06:11:02 PM
Post by: Knopflerfan on February 24, 2023, 07:35:39 PM
I wonder if this post by John is in any way related...
Not sure how to take that post from JI
Post by: Pasc' on February 24, 2023, 10:25:56 PM
... Il don't like to read this... :hmm :think
Post by: quizzaciously on February 24, 2023, 10:28:32 PM
I wonder if this post by John is in any way related...
Not sure how to take that post from JI
Yeah, the post is so random and I also have no idea how to interpret it. They haven't played together for like... 20 years? So it's probably not about touring.
Post by: Robson on February 24, 2023, 10:35:19 PM
Post by: Dutchessy on February 25, 2023, 01:08:01 AM
Just pure reflection. Beautiful reflection.
Yes, but a strange use of words.
Post by: 2manyguitars on February 25, 2023, 01:46:32 AM
Just pure reflection. Beautiful reflection.
Yes, but a strange use of words.
'To have known'....
Sounds in the past tense. Let's hope that's reading way too much into an innocent comment.
The demise of MK is a day I dread....
Post by: Knut on February 25, 2023, 04:14:31 AM
But hey - we went from being angry about people thinking he has an known illness that's causing guitar playing and/or movement issues to "is Mark still alive???" pretty quickly.
Post by: Pasc' on February 25, 2023, 08:03:51 AM
it's a good barometer...
(I'm asking the question ; you guess the answer... :(. )
Post by: Pasc' on February 25, 2023, 08:43:25 AM
a very nice photo of Mark with this : "a soldier who is dying on the battlefield".
I love you, Mark !
Post by: Knopflerfan on February 25, 2023, 08:50:03 AM
Mark Knopfler on instagram :
a very nice photo of Mark with this : "a soldier who is dying on the battlefield".
I love you, Mark !
Yet another 'strange' post there....
Again the demise of MK is something we shall all have to face, but it's unthinkable!
Post by: Jules on February 25, 2023, 10:23:19 AM
Post by: Dutchessy on February 25, 2023, 11:55:14 AM
Post by: JF on February 25, 2023, 12:01:35 PM
and the back strat was sold in auction
is it an "old" pic ?
and why posting it today ? :think
Post by: Robson on February 25, 2023, 12:02:19 PM
Post by: Dutchessy on February 25, 2023, 12:24:18 PM
Post by: rmarques821 on February 25, 2023, 02:53:14 PM
2 of the greatest guitarists to ever live.
Post by: Pasc' on February 25, 2023, 03:03:46 PM
Why is the photo black and white.
Polly Samson never publishes a black and white photo. Except this one... :hmm
Post by: Robson on February 25, 2023, 03:20:15 PM
Why is the photo black and white.
Polly Samson never publishes a black and white photo. Except this one... :hmm
And how to understand it?
Post by: quizzaciously on February 25, 2023, 03:22:27 PM
Why is the photo black and white.
Polly Samson never publishes a black and white photo. Except this one... :hmm
And how to understand it?
As a black and white photo posted by Polly Samson. Until some news arrives! By the way, how Mark is a local hero when he's indeed a global hero? :think
Post by: Robson on February 25, 2023, 03:24:47 PM
Post by: Dutchessy on February 25, 2023, 05:33:17 PM
Why is the photo black and white.
Because in color they doesnt look that good(see that pic of Guy and David) lol
Post by: qjamesfloyd on February 27, 2023, 01:58:08 PM
Just pure reflection. Beautiful reflection.
Yes, but a strange use of words.
'To have known'....
Sounds in the past tense. Let's hope that's reading way too much into an innocent comment.
The demise of MK is a day I dread....
Being in the past tense maked sense, everything he has done with anyone in the last 46 years would be past tense, including his family. I think/hope he is just celebrating their relationship for whatever reason.
Post by: MagicElliott on March 01, 2023, 10:55:05 AM
About six minutes in.
https://youtu.be/u_K__PO3nRE
Man, these guys are TOO GOOD! A good reminder of how funny they actually are. If memory serves me well, I believe this particular ukulele was something like a running joke at this time. Can't remember what exactly, but for some reason, they gave it a really hard life on the road. A story was similar to Pyroman bass.
Funny but TOO GOOD as musicians too. Just to be able to sit with mates and strum a ukulele like that. Guy isn’t do anything I couldn’t do on uke. My chord knowledge on uke is pretty good but to just be able to play all those songs from your head with no need for chord sheets or anything.
Post by: Jules on March 17, 2023, 02:24:58 PM
I totally can understand that MK doesn't want to tour anymore, and that has nothing to do with health to me. Nothing. It is just that touring needs you out of home and far from family for months, moving from one city to another, from one hotel to the next, durinng a lot of time. Even in the comfort they do it, it's more and more tiring specially when you become older. I totally understand that, and I would asume that's the reason why he want to stop touring.
What I don't get is why someone who used to say that loves the whole cycle, writing, recording and playing wouldn't want to play anymore. It's not that he said that, but when Guy is asked about the chance of MK playing one offs, or a small residence gigs in selected venues near home (London, Birmingham etc) his answer always look like "No, it's not gonna happen", and that's when the health thing comes to mind.
I believe he still enjoy recording songs with his mates, and I guess that someone who loves music, would enjoy a lot playing those songs with them, so, I totally get he doesn't want to tour, but I don't understand that he doesn't want to have fun with them for a week or two in cities at a distance of home that allows him to go back home and sleep. Or even spend a week out of home, that's small period of time that you would enjoy in order to play your songs with your mates in front of your fans, because that's what you've been doing most of your life, because is why you always dreamed to do, is what you love to do...
That's just my thoughts by the way, forgive me if you find them offensive or something similar.
Post by: dustyvalentino on March 17, 2023, 02:37:38 PM
Could easily do a handful of NHB gigs in London, just for fun.
Post by: quizzaciously on March 17, 2023, 03:12:32 PM
Post by: Robson on March 17, 2023, 03:40:36 PM
I'm glad that I was at all the concerts in my country and a few abroad.
I am sad that the 2019 tour was farewell.
Post by: dona74 on March 17, 2023, 03:45:46 PM
Mark is no longer able to play the way he would like to... it's not bad... it's life...
Post by: KnopfleRick on March 17, 2023, 05:17:36 PM
Nothing stays the same in life. Everything changes, even your attitude. We have to accept it!
Post by: 2manyguitars on March 17, 2023, 06:12:45 PM
I know this doesn't add much to this conversation but its just what came to mind reading the new comments.....
Post by: cannibals on March 18, 2023, 08:01:12 PM
Post by: dmg on March 20, 2023, 11:13:41 AM
I wonder if he will do any promo for the new album? Perhaps again something for BBC radio, or maybe he wil be at Jools Holland??? In the worst case, only interview and no playing......
I would say interview with almost certainly no playing. The Ken Bruce thing last time wasn't very well played.
Post by: Sam96 on May 02, 2023, 12:18:35 AM
1. I was in the show in Newcastle, and right after he said he's to old for touring, he added that he just love it too much. Not in this precise words or order but there was definitely a glimmer of hope. So, while it might not be an European tour, I still hope for some live concerts in London.
2. Knopfler's work is so much more than just singing or guitar playing. He's a true master of his music, and that's what I love about him. His music is so full and elegant and nothing would ever change that. Of course, I would love to hear him play like he used to, but it's a small part of the whole show. I have to highlight the live version of 'Heart Full of Holes.' I knew the song before, and honestly, it was never one of my favorites. I was even disappointed it was on the setlist. But after hearing it live, it all changed for me. It's now one of my top five favorite songs. And you know there's some tough competition. He might not sing the best or play the toughest songs, but you can't deny that it's HIS song and HIS arrangement, and a damn good one at that. It's a lot thanks to the band's contribution and performance, mainly McCusker. I think the fiddle part on the outro of this song is his finest, but it's never all of it. What I'm trying to say is that if there were to be a live concert with performances like HFOH, it would be perfect in a way he could never have managed to do ten years ago or so.
3. I can't accept total retirement from live performance as long as there is no live recorded version of So Far From the Clyde. This song just screams for a live arrangement, especially with that amazing group of musicians, it is one of his best songs, and it's an absolute sin that it was never played live (as far as I know, please correct me if I'm wrong).
Post by: cannibals on May 02, 2023, 10:07:15 AM
Post by: Robson on May 02, 2023, 06:49:11 PM
Sorry for the late reply but I feel like sharing my two cents about the Tour\Live shows subject..
1. I was in the show in Newcastle, and right after he said he's to old for touring, he added that he just love it too much. Not in this precise words or order but there was definitely a glimmer of hope. So, while it might not be an European tour, I still hope for some live concerts in London.
2. Knopfler's work is so much more than just singing or guitar playing. He's a true master of his music, and that's what I love about him. His music is so full and elegant and nothing would ever change that. Of course, I would love to hear him play like he used to, but it's a small part of the whole show. I have to highlight the live version of 'Heart Full of Holes.' I knew the song before, and honestly, it was never one of my favorites. I was even disappointed it was on the setlist. But after hearing it live, it all changed for me. It's now one of my top five favorite songs. And you know there's some tough competition. He might not sing the best or play the toughest songs, but you can't deny that it's HIS song and HIS arrangement, and a damn good one at that. It's a lot thanks to the band's contribution and performance, mainly McCusker. I think the fiddle part on the outro of this song is his finest, but it's never all of it. What I'm trying to say is that if there were to be a live concert with performances like HFOH, it would be perfect in a way he could never have managed to do ten years ago or so.
3. I can't accept total retirement from live performance as long as there is no live recorded version of So Far From the Clyde. This song just screams for a live arrangement, especially with that amazing group of musicians, it is one of his best songs, and it's an absolute sin that it was never played live (as far as I know, please correct me if I'm wrong).
:thumbsup Great post.
Post by: Robson on May 19, 2023, 07:56:59 PM
Post by: Jules on May 19, 2023, 09:54:43 PM
Peter Gabriel has started a concert tour in Poland. It's sad that we won't see Mark on stage ever again :(
That's the same that Dylan fans say but for the contrary.
;D
Post by: JF on May 20, 2023, 12:59:18 AM
Peter Gabriel has started a concert tour in Poland. It's sad that we won't see Mark on stage ever again :(
That's the same that Dylan fans say but for the contrary.
;D
I am currently hesitating for going to see Mr Bob in Lyon at the end of june
I saw him in 84 and was very disapointed
I don't know if I should try another one or not :think
Post by: Robson on May 20, 2023, 01:44:28 AM
The only and big downside is ticket prices. Worldwide. It's crazy :o
Post by: Stanko on May 20, 2023, 12:35:33 PM
Sorry for the late reply but I feel like sharing my two cents about the Tour\Live shows subject..:thumbsup
1. I was in the show in Newcastle, and right after he said he's to old for touring, he added that he just love it too much. Not in this precise words or order but there was definitely a glimmer of hope. So, while it might not be an European tour, I still hope for some live concerts in London.
2. Knopfler's work is so much more than just singing or guitar playing. He's a true master of his music, and that's what I love about him. His music is so full and elegant and nothing would ever change that. Of course, I would love to hear him play like he used to, but it's a small part of the whole show. I have to highlight the live version of 'Heart Full of Holes.' I knew the song before, and honestly, it was never one of my favorites. I was even disappointed it was on the setlist. But after hearing it live, it all changed for me. It's now one of my top five favorite songs. And you know there's some tough competition. He might not sing the best or play the toughest songs, but you can't deny that it's HIS song and HIS arrangement, and a damn good one at that. It's a lot thanks to the band's contribution and performance, mainly McCusker. I think the fiddle part on the outro of this song is his finest, but it's never all of it. What I'm trying to say is that if there were to be a live concert with performances like HFOH, it would be perfect in a way he could never have managed to do ten years ago or so.
3. I can't accept total retirement from live performance as long as there is no live recorded version of So Far From the Clyde. This song just screams for a live arrangement, especially with that amazing group of musicians, it is one of his best songs, and it's an absolute sin that it was never played live (as far as I know, please correct me if I'm wrong).
But it is what it is.
Everybody is looking for somebody's arms to fall into.
Post by: dmg on May 20, 2023, 01:16:21 PM
Sorry for the late reply but I feel like sharing my two cents about the Tour\Live shows subject..
1. I was in the show in Newcastle, and right after he said he's to old for touring, he added that he just love it too much. Not in this precise words or order but there was definitely a glimmer of hope. So, while it might not be an European tour, I still hope for some live concerts in London.
2. Knopfler's work is so much more than just singing or guitar playing. He's a true master of his music, and that's what I love about him. His music is so full and elegant and nothing would ever change that. Of course, I would love to hear him play like he used to, but it's a small part of the whole show. I have to highlight the live version of 'Heart Full of Holes.' I knew the song before, and honestly, it was never one of my favorites. I was even disappointed it was on the setlist. But after hearing it live, it all changed for me. It's now one of my top five favorite songs. And you know there's some tough competition. He might not sing the best or play the toughest songs, but you can't deny that it's HIS song and HIS arrangement, and a damn good one at that. It's a lot thanks to the band's contribution and performance, mainly McCusker. I think the fiddle part on the outro of this song is his finest, but it's never all of it. What I'm trying to say is that if there were to be a live concert with performances like HFOH, it would be perfect in a way he could never have managed to do ten years ago or so.
3. I can't accept total retirement from live performance as long as there is no live recorded version of So Far From the Clyde. This song just screams for a live arrangement, especially with that amazing group of musicians, it is one of his best songs, and it's an absolute sin that it was never played live (as far as I know, please correct me if I'm wrong).
If that's what you like then you could have just about anybody to front the band. I was under the impression he did the live arrangements these days alongside Guy, who's given the title Musical Director, so you don't need him for that and HFOH is really the brass and McCusker.
Also I think he really struggles with his vocals now. They're very weak and he noticeably had to adjust his phrasing in 2019.
Post by: Jules on May 20, 2023, 03:44:38 PM
Also I think he really struggles with his vocals now. They're very weak and he noticeably had to adjust his phrasing in 2019.
He had for the first time a teleprompter to help with the lyrics during the last tour, I guess that means something too.
Post by: Robson on May 20, 2023, 04:22:44 PM
Post by: dmg on May 20, 2023, 04:48:37 PM
Teleprompter was most helpful to Bonnie Raitt during Wherever I Go :D
Teleprompter still doesn't help Joe Biden. Repeat the line.
Post by: Stanko on May 20, 2023, 05:45:34 PM
The www loves to see him acting, it's good for mental healthTeleprompter was most helpful to Bonnie Raitt during Wherever I Go :D
Teleprompter still doesn't help Joe Biden. Repeat the line.
Post by: Martin Birds Lover on May 27, 2023, 02:53:46 PM
Also I think he really struggles with phentermine over the counter (https://www.outlookindia.com/outlook-spotlight/phentermine-over-the-counter-6-most-effective-otc-supplements-2023--news-291578) his vocals now. They're very weak and he noticeably had to adjust his phrasing in 2019.
He had for the first time a teleprompter to help with the lyrics during the last tour, I guess that means something too.
That's a good initiative I think.
We should hope for the good outcome.
Post by: vr46mk on June 08, 2023, 06:23:53 AM
Post by: qjamesfloyd on June 08, 2023, 09:03:54 AM
Post by: dustyvalentino on June 08, 2023, 10:03:18 AM
I watched footage of John Fogerty's current tour. That man is running around on stage, full of energy, born 1945, hats off for still having that pace. If only MK would still have that, we might have seen another tour with the next album...
If only Elvis hadn't died, we could be having great Elvis gigs this year.
Post by: superval99 on June 08, 2023, 10:04:24 AM
It's not the age of someone, it's the health, and if they really want to do it or not, if their hearts not really into playing live anymore, why would they? I am happy Mark has stopped touring, I have lots of personal memories of seeing him, and lots of video's on YouTube, it's new songs I am more interested in now.
Agree!
Post by: qjamesfloyd on June 09, 2023, 08:23:38 AM
"It's not the years honey, it's the mileage"
I watch videos of Mark and the whole band from the Brothers In Arms tour, and he is absolutely drained near the tours end, they gave it there all after such a long tour, one of the longest ever by any band, so, I am not surprised he has ended touring, he did do a lot of it over his long career, and he is in a very lucky place to be able to make that choice.
Post by: dmg on June 09, 2023, 11:31:55 AM
It's not the age of someone, it's the health, and if they really want to do it or not, if their hearts not really into playing live anymore, why would they? I am happy Mark has stopped touring, I have lots of personal memories of seeing him, and lots of video's on YouTube, it's new songs I am more interested in now.
Agree!
+3. And with AI these days it won't be too long before we can see the guys playing again!
Post by: quizzaciously on June 26, 2023, 10:04:32 PM
Paul Simon still looking, playing and singing fairly good for 81! He's already retired though.
Post by: the visitor on June 26, 2023, 10:56:30 PM
Post by: Jules on June 27, 2023, 06:42:02 AM
Post by: cannibals on June 27, 2023, 10:40:11 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvSVkcyOtG0
Paul Simon still looking, playing and singing fairly good for 81! He's already retired though.
Simon wanted to get back on the road with his new album and play some concerts,.perhaps even a small tour in US Europe... Beacause of his hearing problem, he is almost deaf in his left ear, he probably will not play anymore concerts... He is trying something he said but if it doesn't work out the way he wants he has to accept that he will not play live any more.
Post by: Jensen on June 30, 2023, 10:02:18 PM
Peter Gabriel has started a concert tour in Poland. It's sad that we won't see Mark on stage ever again :(
That's the same that Dylan fans say but for the contrary.
;D
I am currently hesitating for going to see Mr Bob in Lyon at the end of june
I saw him in 84 and was very disapointed
I don't know if I should try another one or not :think
I lost a lot of respect for him the last time I saw him. He could hardly sing, he seemed bored and though his musicians were good there was no way they could save the event when Bob Dylan himself insisted on mainly talking over the music, making strange noises and the like.
Very many people left before the concert ended. So did I. I can't help but wonder how he manages to make good records to this day when his live performances are so incredibly weak.
Post by: Robson on June 30, 2023, 10:14:29 PM
Post by: cannibals on June 30, 2023, 10:47:30 PM
Sadness in my heart when I see Bruce Springsteen or Peter Gabriel concerts. I can't go to the Mark Knopfler concert... Still hard to believe it's over :(We only know for sure when the news comes out for the new album. Perhaps a few concerts is possible. Something small in the UK. A few showcases or RAH gigs....??
Post by: Robson on June 30, 2023, 10:49:31 PM
Post by: dmg on June 30, 2023, 11:10:22 PM
Yes. There is always hope.
My only hope is that he has retired from touring to preserve his legacy! I cannot believe a true fan wants him to carry on playing in public. He isn't going to be playing any better than in 2019 and the degradation then from 2015 was horrific.
Post by: Robson on June 30, 2023, 11:15:27 PM
Yes. There is always hope.
My only hope is that he has retired from touring to preserve his legacy! I cannot believe a true fan wants him to carry on playing in public. He isn't going to be playing any better than in 2019 and the degradation then from 2015 was horrific.
I see the world differently:)
Post by: herlock on July 01, 2023, 11:34:30 AM
Horrific??Yes. There is always hope.
My only hope is that he has retired from touring to preserve his legacy! I cannot believe a true fan wants him to carry on playing in public. He isn't going to be playing any better than in 2019 and the degradation then from 2015 was horrific.
You yourself said that MFN and BIA were best ever, almost on par with the BIA tour.
WAM was one the best ever with the brassies.
STP was also the best ever.
SAN was still very well played, with crazy solo, at least some nights.
OUATITW and SB (ok, sadly dropped after a while) were great surprises.
New songs My Bacon Roll and Matchstick man were very touching and well played.
Yes, some essential songs (Sultans, HFB...) were missing. But what was played was well played, I enjoyed it tremendously!
Post by: superval99 on July 01, 2023, 01:05:22 PM
Post by: dmg on July 01, 2023, 11:47:21 PM
dmg, I have just looked back at your review of the Leeds concert and you were very generous with your compliments of the show. Indeed, you said that MK's guitar work was impeccable and that it was the best he had played for years! :hmm
It was one of the better shows of the tour for sure but it's always worth a retrospective look and now even the previously disappointing 2015 tour doesn't look too bad.
Post by: dmg on July 01, 2023, 11:47:37 PM
Horrific??Yes. There is always hope.
My only hope is that he has retired from touring to preserve his legacy! I cannot believe a true fan wants him to carry on playing in public. He isn't going to be playing any better than in 2019 and the degradation then from 2015 was horrific.
You yourself said that MFN and BIA were best ever, almost on par with the BIA tour.
WAM was one the best ever with the brassies.
STP was also the best ever.
SAN was still very well played, with crazy solo, at least some nights.
OUATITW and SB (ok, sadly dropped after a while) were great surprises.
New songs My Bacon Roll and Matchstick man were very touching and well played.
Yes, some essential songs (Sultans, HFB...) were missing. But what was played was well played, I enjoyed it tremendously!
MFN really got the crowd going but it was poorly played throughout the tour.
OUATITW calypso version now sounds just lazy with Mark playing a couple of licks at the end before handing over to John or Tom.
WAM was quite good but not as good as 2008 versions.
STP I really couldn't care less about.
Bacon Roll and MM were boring, especially his long story about hitch-hiking!
SAN was a nervy 8 minutes or so just hoping he'd nail it tonight.
R&J was awful. His voice is shot now on all songs but it's especially noticeable here and the final solo seems a real task for him.
Overall I thought his playing was lazy, slack, had far more mistakes than usual and also his vocal has completely gone. All that with a setlist chosen because it has far fewer solos than usual and a brass band to back him up. Yet people want him to play shows 4-5 years later!
Post by: herlock on July 02, 2023, 01:19:02 AM
Post by: rmarques821 on July 02, 2023, 08:11:33 AM
I generally agree with you on this one, but the long story about hitch-hiking was great. It displayed his storytelling abilites and allowed him to contact with the audience a bit more than usual.Horrific??Yes. There is always hope.
My only hope is that he has retired from touring to preserve his legacy! I cannot believe a true fan wants him to carry on playing in public. He isn't going to be playing any better than in 2019 and the degradation then from 2015 was horrific.
You yourself said that MFN and BIA were best ever, almost on par with the BIA tour.
WAM was one the best ever with the brassies.
STP was also the best ever.
SAN was still very well played, with crazy solo, at least some nights.
OUATITW and SB (ok, sadly dropped after a while) were great surprises.
New songs My Bacon Roll and Matchstick man were very touching and well played.
Yes, some essential songs (Sultans, HFB...) were missing. But what was played was well played, I enjoyed it tremendously!
MFN really got the crowd going but it was poorly played throughout the tour.
OUATITW calypso version now sounds just lazy with Mark playing a couple of licks at the end before handing over to John or Tom.
WAM was quite good but not as good as 2008 versions.
STP I really couldn't care less about.
Bacon Roll and MM were boring, especially his long story about hitch-hiking!
SAN was a nervy 8 minutes or so just hoping he'd nail it tonight.
R&J was awful. His voice is shot now on all songs but it's especially noticeable here and the final solo seems a real task for him.
Overall I thought his playing was lazy, slack, had far more mistakes than usual and also his vocal has completely gone. All that with a setlist chosen because it has far fewer solos than usual and a brass band to back him up. Yet people want him to play shows 4-5 years later!
Post by: superval99 on July 02, 2023, 08:46:37 AM
Post by: dmg on July 02, 2023, 05:57:26 PM
For MFN, you once said "no complaint on this tour", dmg :)
Really? Since my old posts from 4 years back are being researched am I seriously expected to reserve my opinions from now on so that I can properly evaluate them in a retrospective manner instead of being impulsive? Everyone is entitled to change their mind.
Anyway, that doesn't sound like me to say something positive about a live show. ;)
Post by: cannibals on July 02, 2023, 10:22:20 PM
Post by: 2manyguitars on July 02, 2023, 10:36:17 PM
Maybe these expectations have an impact on MK himself.
Doesn't feel right without playing my twiddly bits' was the MK quote or something similar.
Personally I would probably pay to watch MK belch the national anthem blindfold! Although I'm sure we'd moan about the brass section :)
.......
Post by: herlock on July 02, 2023, 11:42:41 PM
For MFN, you once said "no complaint on this tour", dmg :)
Really? Since my old posts from 4 years back are being researched am I seriously expected to reserve my opinions from now on so that I can properly evaluate them in a retrospective manner instead of being impulsive? Everyone is entitled to change their mind.
Anyway, that doesn't sound like me to say something positive about a live show. ;)
https://www.amarkintime.org/forum/index.php?topic=7046.0
See reply #4 😜
Post by: ingridswing on July 03, 2023, 12:06:47 AM
I would travel the world again if he would do a concert.
Post by: Robson on July 03, 2023, 12:44:00 AM
Me too.
Post by: dmg on July 03, 2023, 11:32:14 AM
For MFN, you once said "no complaint on this tour", dmg :)
Really? Since my old posts from 4 years back are being researched am I seriously expected to reserve my opinions from now on so that I can properly evaluate them in a retrospective manner instead of being impulsive? Everyone is entitled to change their mind.
Anyway, that doesn't sound like me to say something positive about a live show. ;)
https://www.amarkintime.org/forum/index.php?topic=7046.0
See reply #4 😜
I've deleted it. Once you've listened to more concerts, listened more often and had chance to compare them, then one is better placed to form a more realistic opinion. That only comes over time.
From what I've observed the opening riff was always a worry and he appeared to struggle to do the lyrics and play at the same time. The solos were not bad though.
Post by: superval99 on July 03, 2023, 11:42:25 AM
For MFN, you once said "no complaint on this tour", dmg :)
Really? Since my old posts from 4 years back are being researched am I seriously expected to reserve my opinions from now on so that I can properly evaluate them in a retrospective manner instead of being impulsive? Everyone is entitled to change their mind.
Anyway, that doesn't sound like me to say something positive about a live show. ;)
https://www.amarkintime.org/forum/index.php?topic=7046.0
See reply #4 😜
I've deleted it. Once you've listened to more concerts, listened more often and had chance to compare them, then one is better placed to form a more realistic opinion. That only comes over time.
From what I've observed the opening riff was always a worry and he appeared to struggle to do the lyrics and play at the same time. The solos were not bad though.
dmg - If there were no recordings available, you would still have the memory of wonderful concerts you attended in your mind. Recordings are a double-edged sword! ;)
Post by: herlock on July 03, 2023, 11:53:17 AM
How extreme ! Your first impression is always the best ! :)For MFN, you once said "no complaint on this tour", dmg :)
Really? Since my old posts from 4 years back are being researched am I seriously expected to reserve my opinions from now on so that I can properly evaluate them in a retrospective manner instead of being impulsive? Everyone is entitled to change their mind.
Anyway, that doesn't sound like me to say something positive about a live show. ;)
https://www.amarkintime.org/forum/index.php?topic=7046.0
See reply #4 😜
I've deleted it. Once you've listened to more concerts, listened more often and had chance to compare them, then one is better placed to form a more realistic opinion. That only comes over time.
From what I've observed the opening riff was always a worry and he appeared to struggle to do the lyrics and play at the same time. The solos were not bad though.
Post by: superval99 on July 03, 2023, 11:54:41 AM
How extreme ! Your first impression is always the best ! :)For MFN, you once said "no complaint on this tour", dmg :)
Really? Since my old posts from 4 years back are being researched am I seriously expected to reserve my opinions from now on so that I can properly evaluate them in a retrospective manner instead of being impulsive? Everyone is entitled to change their mind.
Anyway, that doesn't sound like me to say something positive about a live show. ;)
https://www.amarkintime.org/forum/index.php?topic=7046.0
See reply #4 😜
I've deleted it. Once you've listened to more concerts, listened more often and had chance to compare them, then one is better placed to form a more realistic opinion. That only comes over time.
From what I've observed the opening riff was always a worry and he appeared to struggle to do the lyrics and play at the same time. The solos were not bad though.
Exactly! :)
Post by: dmg on July 03, 2023, 01:10:18 PM
How extreme ! Your first impression is always the best ! :)For MFN, you once said "no complaint on this tour", dmg :)
Really? Since my old posts from 4 years back are being researched am I seriously expected to reserve my opinions from now on so that I can properly evaluate them in a retrospective manner instead of being impulsive? Everyone is entitled to change their mind.
Anyway, that doesn't sound like me to say something positive about a live show. ;)
https://www.amarkintime.org/forum/index.php?topic=7046.0
See reply #4 😜
I've deleted it. Once you've listened to more concerts, listened more often and had chance to compare them, then one is better placed to form a more realistic opinion. That only comes over time.
From what I've observed the opening riff was always a worry and he appeared to struggle to do the lyrics and play at the same time. The solos were not bad though.
But a complete fallacy.
Post by: dmg on July 03, 2023, 01:13:08 PM
For MFN, you once said "no complaint on this tour", dmg :)
Really? Since my old posts from 4 years back are being researched am I seriously expected to reserve my opinions from now on so that I can properly evaluate them in a retrospective manner instead of being impulsive? Everyone is entitled to change their mind.
Anyway, that doesn't sound like me to say something positive about a live show. ;)
https://www.amarkintime.org/forum/index.php?topic=7046.0
See reply #4 😜
I've deleted it. Once you've listened to more concerts, listened more often and had chance to compare them, then one is better placed to form a more realistic opinion. That only comes over time.
From what I've observed the opening riff was always a worry and he appeared to struggle to do the lyrics and play at the same time. The solos were not bad though.
dmg - If there were no recordings available, you would still have the memory of wonderful concerts you attended in your mind. Recordings are a double-edged sword! ;)
Maybe, but I always get carried away when I return from shows, almost like an excited child with his Christmas presents! 😂
Post by: dustyvalentino on July 03, 2023, 02:24:27 PM
Also can't believe DMG said MFN was good in 2019, given I know he was there to witness the car crash that was the MFN intro in Glasgow!
Post by: ds1984 on July 04, 2023, 12:04:04 AM
But I don't want to witness the shadow of himself.
Mark said goodbye in Barcelona and if he did it was probably not without very serious reasons.
Post by: straitsway75 on July 04, 2023, 03:41:52 PM
I can't believe I will never see Mark again performing on stage.....your feeling is the same as everyone who really loves his music and his story, which is also our story, his music is part of each of our lives.
But I don't want to witness the shadow of himself.
Mark said goodbye in Barcelona and if he did it was probably not without very serious reasons.
like all the most beautiful things, we can live them as long as we want but the cruelty of time is that one day they will end because this is life for better or for worse.
but the good memories, the moments of happiness those will remain forever within all of us.
:thumbsup
Post by: Jules on July 04, 2023, 04:03:33 PM
He has plenty of songs like that, they are their songs and they are good. No need to be the guitar hero anymore. We had plenty of that.
Post by: Robson on July 04, 2023, 04:17:43 PM
I won't mind seeing MK playing live in a more intimate way, similar than the middle part of his last tour playing things like "heart full of holes".
He has plenty of songs like that, they are their songs and they are good. No need to be the guitar hero anymore. We had plenty of that.
That's true. And another example from the last tour: Matchstick Man.
Post by: superval99 on July 04, 2023, 05:07:19 PM
I won't mind seeing MK playing live in a more intimate way, similar than the middle part of his last tour playing things like "heart full of holes".
He has plenty of songs like that, they are their songs and they are good. No need to be the guitar hero anymore. We had plenty of that.
Songs that he is comfortable playing would be fine, but I wouldn't like him to be struggling with intricate solos. :)
Post by: dustyvalentino on July 04, 2023, 05:26:55 PM
I won't mind seeing MK playing live in a more intimate way, similar than the middle part of his last tour playing things like "heart full of holes".
He has plenty of songs like that, they are their songs and they are good. No need to be the guitar hero anymore. We had plenty of that.
To be honest I would rather see something like that, similar to a Boothbay type thing or like Celtic Connections, surrounded by world class musicians
Post by: cannibals on July 04, 2023, 09:53:36 PM
Post by: ds1984 on July 04, 2023, 11:33:14 PM
The problem lies with getting on stage and or touring itself.
Post by: quizzaciously on July 04, 2023, 11:56:34 PM
I don't think the problem is small or big venues.
The problem lies with getting on stage and or touring itself.
I just watched Telegraph Road in 2015, and it was nearly 10 years ago. Let that sink in! I think it would be a miracle for this man to take the stage 10 years after this.
You can't do it forever though, and Mark, as an avid optimist, knows that and enjoys life. The end of touring is not the end of the world ;D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ci3OyvBvWnQ
Post by: Jules on July 05, 2023, 06:59:07 AM
I don't need to see him touring, I rather see him playing the RAH in an intimate show something he feels comfortable to play and we could enjoy.
This week I made a Spotify playlist which I called "MK mood" with songs that I use to like to listen that are not exactly his hits or songs he played live regularly, and I think that most of them would fit a concert, or a series of concerts that MK could do easily without having to struggle with his guitar playing:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4ZOjPqGFCl6m7Szr9siZS5?si=1b29bc368293442d
Post by: herlock on July 05, 2023, 09:14:16 AM
Do you mean that TR in 2015 was badly played?I don't think the problem is small or big venues.
The problem lies with getting on stage and or touring itself.
I just watched Telegraph Road in 2015, and it was nearly 10 years ago. Let that sink in! I think it would be a miracle for this man to take the stage 10 years after this.
You can't do it forever though, and Mark, as an avid optimist, knows that and enjoys life. The end of touring is not the end of the world ;D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ci3OyvBvWnQ
A bit slow, a bit short, sure, but some nights were very good. Sion comes to mind.
Post by: quizzaciously on July 05, 2023, 01:06:40 PM
Do you mean that TR in 2015 was badly played?I don't think the problem is small or big venues.
The problem lies with getting on stage and or touring itself.
I just watched Telegraph Road in 2015, and it was nearly 10 years ago. Let that sink in! I think it would be a miracle for this man to take the stage 10 years after this.
You can't do it forever though, and Mark, as an avid optimist, knows that and enjoys life. The end of touring is not the end of the world ;D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ci3OyvBvWnQ
A bit slow, a bit short, sure, but some nights were very good. Sion comes to mind.
Not at all, it was nearly perfectly played in 2015! I meant just from an ageing perspective, 10 years is a lot of time.
Post by: herlock on July 05, 2023, 01:08:09 PM
Post by: dmg on July 05, 2023, 01:14:45 PM
I don't think the problem is small or big venues.
The problem lies with getting on stage and or touring itself.
I just watched Telegraph Road in 2015, and it was nearly 10 years ago. Let that sink in! I think it would be a miracle for this man to take the stage 10 years after this.
You can't do it forever though, and Mark, as an avid optimist, knows that and enjoys life. The end of touring is not the end of the world ;D
I think even Mark himself knew he wasn't doing TR justice in 2015, hence the song was dropped from the set later in the tour.
I agree - no touring isn't the end of the world and it's time to accept it, be content with it and respect Mark's decision.
Post by: KnopfleRick on July 05, 2023, 09:14:54 PM
Post by: Robson on July 05, 2023, 09:21:36 PM
In any case, we have to accept his decision to stop touring. Every time I saw him live, it was a highlight for me. These precious moments will stay in my memory forever and will never go away. After these long and hard years of touring Mark really deserves to slow down and enjoy life the way he wants to. And since we all know he still loves writing and recording, I'm sure he will do it as long as he's able to. Let's focus on great new music from our hero in the years to come.
That's a smart thought. I agree, but sadness in the heart will remain a little.
Post by: ds1984 on July 06, 2023, 08:01:39 PM
Get Lucky is the last one I liked.
Unless Mark authorise unreleased stuff of the past, live or studio, the stroy is over for me.
Post by: dmg on July 06, 2023, 08:41:45 PM
The thing is for me that I lost interest in his studio albums.
Get Lucky is the last one I liked.
Unless Mark authorise unreleased stuff of the past, live or studio, the stroy is over for me.
:(
I completely understand what you mean. His latest albums have been very underwhelming as far as I'm concerned too, but there's always a few good songs in there as something to look forward to as well as the bonus tracks, which were excellent last time.
Post by: herlock on July 06, 2023, 11:30:48 PM
The thing is for me that I lost interest in his studio albums.You have been saying this for many years 😜
Get Lucky is the last one I liked.
Unless Mark authorise unreleased stuff of the past, live or studio, the stroy is over for me.
How harsh about the albums! Privateering has KOG, YTC, DOTDS,... Tracker has Long cool girl, Taormina, TOTT,... And DTTW has One song at a time, which makes the album worth for it alone!
Post by: dustyvalentino on July 07, 2023, 10:09:54 AM
Post by: Robson on July 07, 2023, 11:00:07 AM
The thing is for me that I lost interest in his studio albums.
Get Lucky is the last one I liked.
Unless Mark authorise unreleased stuff of the past, live or studio, the stroy is over for me.
Really? Privateering, Tracker, Down The Road Wherever not? You weren't curious?
Post by: hunter on July 07, 2023, 12:13:10 PM
I find it strange given that all his records have sounded exactly the same for 20 years.
"Exactly the same"? Hm. There have been recurring elements and similarities ("country-tinged blues with Celtic ornamentation" :) ), but overall I feel Mark's albums have pretty distinct vibes. My gripe, though, and I've said this before, I think his albums are too long. They really drag towards the end. And I'm an attentive listener who easily sits through whole albums, including jazz and classical concerts.
Post by: quizzaciously on July 07, 2023, 12:55:36 PM
I find it strange given that all his records have sounded exactly the same for 20 years.
"Exactly the same"? Hm. There have been recurring elements and similarities ("country-tinged blues with Celtic ornamentation" :) ), but overall I feel Mark's albums have pretty distinct vibes. My gripe, though, and I've said this before, I think his albums are too long. They really drag towards the end. And I'm an attentive listener who easily sits through whole albums, including jazz and classical concerts.
Well, I think it's absolutely true. It seems like MK has found "the formula, " which is great. My mum said Mark's songs are all the same. I think it's a compliment.
Rather than trying to knock your socks off, and outsmart every songwriter in existence, Mark is silently doing his thing, crafting beautiful songs.
I sometimes think he's a goddamn classical composer, the way you need to carefully listen and analyse his music to get the most out of it.
Post by: KnopfleRick on July 07, 2023, 02:01:48 PM
I find it strange given that all his records have sounded exactly the same for 20 years.
Oh, I feel sorry for you! Do you really think that all of his work sound the same for 20 years? Not to me!
Even after many years of listening there is always something new to discover.
Have you ever listened to all of the great bonus tracks? I'm sure you did. Aren't there any gems to discover?
For me all of his albums have a different sound. I don't think Tracker and DTRW sound the same or Shangri-La and Get Lucky. Just to name a few.
They have all Mark's distinctiv touch but have all its own character which makes them worth to listen very intensly.
I think Mark has never stopped being interested in new things, you can hear it on every album.
But if you look deep inside it's all his distinctive sound, lyrically and musically. Pure Mark Knopfler! And that's what I like. I don't want him to sound different!
Post by: dustyvalentino on July 07, 2023, 02:25:00 PM
I find it strange given that all his records have sounded exactly the same for 20 years.
Oh, I feel sorry for you! Do you really think that all of his work sound the same for 20 years? Not to me!
Even after many years of listening there is always something new to discover.
Have you ever listened to all of the great bonus tracks? I'm sure you did. Aren't there any gems to discover?
For me all of his albums have a different sound. I don't think Tracker and DTRW sound the same or Shangri-La and Get Lucky. Just to name a few.
They have all Mark's distinctiv touch but have all its own character which makes them worth to listen very intensly.
I think Mark has never stopped being interested in new things, you can hear it on every album.
But if you look deep inside it's all his distinctive sound, lyrically and musically. Pure Mark Knopfler! And that's what I like. I don't want him to sound different!
It's not a criticism, I like all his records to a greater or lesser degree, I just believe that the general production style has been the same for the vast majority of his solo career, to the extent that you could make a compilation for a non fan and they wouldn't be able to tell they were from different albums.
That's not the case with, say, Dire Straits, where with the exception of the first two records , they all have a distinct sound.
So I do find it surprising hat someone could like the albums up to Get Lucky and then not like them, unless you think his songwriting dropped off a cliff at that point.
Post by: Jules on July 07, 2023, 05:14:45 PM
Post by: KnopfleRick on July 07, 2023, 06:58:58 PM
I also made a few playlists with songs from different albums and they fit together very well and sound beautiful to me. The man could sing the phone book...... ;D
Post by: Robson on July 07, 2023, 07:05:24 PM
Precious Voice From Heaven ;)
Post by: ds1984 on July 07, 2023, 08:25:33 PM
The thing is for me that I lost interest in his studio albums.You have been saying this for many years 😜
Get Lucky is the last one I liked.
Unless Mark authorise unreleased stuff of the past, live or studio, the story is over for me.
How harsh about the albums! Privateering has KOG, YTC, DOTDS,... Tracker has Long cool girl, Taormina, TOTT,... And DTTW has One song at a time, which makes the album worth for it alone!
Get Lucky is quite an old album.
I enjoyed a lot the 2010 tour and 2013 was my weirdest one.
I remember how sad I was at the time.
The thing with DireStraits and the first half of the solo career of Mark is that each album had really few skipper when not none.
So I tend to listen to them in full.
When I start to skip half of the album I can't say I ilke that album. 3 songs of interest per album are not enough when the name is Mark Knopfler.
The thing is for me that I lost interest in his studio albums.
Get Lucky is the last one I liked.
Unless Mark authorise unreleased stuff of the past, live or studio, the story is over for me.
Really? Privateering, Tracker, Down The Road Wherever not? You weren't curious?
I listened to them but they did not make me happy.
And feeling happy after an album is the only thing I value.
Post by: Pierre on July 08, 2023, 10:07:03 AM
I can say I have the same exact feeling when a new album is coming now than 25 years ago, a kind of new song buzz I get when it comes to MK and very few other artists if any have that impact on my life.
The thing is we are changing too but the thrill is still here because there will always be a song or songs that will stick to you.
Post by: Jules on July 08, 2023, 04:14:21 PM
I agree that "Get Lucky" is probably his best solo record, which I consider perfect from start to finish but in every record, even Tracker, there are at least a couple of tracks that are gemms to me (Laughs etc, Basil and Silver eagle in that one).
And I happen to be the weirdo that love DTRW almost in their entirety, except for "Nobody's child", "When she leaves", and "Slow learner" although these two there are times I enjoy them.
Can't wait for the new one and discover new gems!
Post by: Robson on July 08, 2023, 04:23:49 PM
Post by: quizzaciously on July 08, 2023, 05:07:04 PM
I'm a weirdo too:) but I really like Nobody's Child. For me, it's a classic Knopfler.
I'm such a weirdo to the point that I'm not differentiating Dire Straits and solo Mark Knopfler at all. To me, it's the same exact music, written by the same man at different decades and points of his life. And yes, the same guy who wrote "Brothers In Arms" and "Sultans Of Swing" later wrote "Heavy Up". To me, there's no difference. Once you realise it's the same man, that we all age differently, and that it was a different MK who wrote all these, apparently, "better" songs, you free yourself from this judging and just enjoy the music. The best opinion I heard about this is that fans either grow up with their idols or simply part ways. Provided, that their idol grows up, of course, and not falling back. And Mark is certainly growing up all the time. One of the few geniuses who work consistently and flawlessly.
Post by: Robson on July 08, 2023, 05:11:38 PM
I'm a weirdo too:) but I really like Nobody's Child. For me, it's a classic Knopfler.
I'm such a weirdo to the point that I'm not differentiating Dire Straits and solo Mark Knopfler at all. To me, it's the same exact music, written by the same man at different decades and points of his life. And yes, the same guy who wrote "Brothers In Arms" and "Sultans Of Swing" later wrote "Heavy Up". To me, there's no difference. Once you realise it's the same man, that we all age differently, and that it was a different MK who wrote all these, apparently, "better" songs, you free yourself from this judging and just enjoy the music. The best opinion I heard about this is that fans either grow up with their idols or simply part ways. Provided, that their idol grows up, of course, and not falling back. And Mark is certainly growing up all the time. One of the few geniuses who work consistently and flawlessly.
Perfect comment. I agree with every word.
Post by: Pierre on July 08, 2023, 05:52:49 PM
Post by: superval99 on July 08, 2023, 06:56:32 PM
We are all weirdo I guess in our own way, I skip multiple tracks in Tracker but none in DTRW
..... and I skip multiple tracks in DTRW and none in Tracker! ;D
Post by: Stanko on July 08, 2023, 09:52:44 PM
ExactlyI'm a weirdo too:) but I really like Nobody's Child. For me, it's a classic Knopfler.
I'm such a weirdo to the point that I'm not differentiating Dire Straits and solo Mark Knopfler at all. To me, it's the same exact music, written by the same man at different decades and points of his life. And yes, the same guy who wrote "Brothers In Arms" and "Sultans Of Swing" later wrote "Heavy Up". To me, there's no difference. Once you realise it's the same man, that we all age differently, and that it was a different MK who wrote all these, apparently, "better" songs, you free yourself from this judging and just enjoy the music. The best opinion I heard about this is that fans either grow up with their idols or simply part ways. Provided, that their idol grows up, of course, and not falling back. And Mark is certainly growing up all the time. One of the few geniuses who work consistently and flawlessly.
Perfect comment. I agree with every word.
Post by: KnopfleRick on July 08, 2023, 09:59:38 PM
Post by: KnopfleRick on July 08, 2023, 10:02:00 PM
I'm a weirdo too:) but I really like Nobody's Child. For me, it's a classic Knopfler.
I'm such a weirdo to the point that I'm not differentiating Dire Straits and solo Mark Knopfler at all. To me, it's the same exact music, written by the same man at different decades and points of his life. And yes, the same guy who wrote "Brothers In Arms" and "Sultans Of Swing" later wrote "Heavy Up". To me, there's no difference. Once you realise it's the same man, that we all age differently, and that it was a different MK who wrote all these, apparently, "better" songs, you free yourself from this judging and just enjoy the music. The best opinion I heard about this is that fans either grow up with their idols or simply part ways. Provided, that their idol grows up, of course, and not falling back. And Mark is certainly growing up all the time. One of the few geniuses who work consistently and flawlessly.
I agree with every word. :thumbsup
Post by: cannibals on July 11, 2023, 11:03:07 PM
Is the answer on a tour question from Guy a few days ago. I think it's not 100 procent sure that he wil stop but Guy is saying a lot on this subject..
Post by: qjamesfloyd on July 12, 2023, 10:08:20 AM
Post by: quizzaciously on July 12, 2023, 01:35:56 PM
I must be a big weirdo, there is not one song from Mark I dislike, and I never skip one one of his songs, I find there is merit in every song, even if it's just the guitar or the lyrics.
Every song means something and was inspired by something. And often we don't know by what exactly. For instance, Mark refused to give away an inspiration for the "Trawlerman's Song", because he thought it would ruin the experience. So it was probably inspired by something extremely mundane. But still — inspired by something! So even if it's a song like "Hot Dog", it's still a song, a message, and is still perfectly recorded with this fabulous band. When the writer respects his work so much, you, in turn, respect it as a listener.
Post by: ds1984 on July 12, 2023, 02:57:39 PM
When the writer respects his work so much, you, in turn, respect it as a listener.
:hmm
Art is not a question of respect.
Respect turns you into a jail.
Post by: quizzaciously on July 12, 2023, 03:26:03 PM
When the writer respects his work so much, you, in turn, respect it as a listener.
:hmm
Art is not a question of respect.
Respect turns you into a jail.
Dunno. Considering his low profile, Mark could've easily played in a lesser spectacular band, hire cheaper engineers and producers, and never build his own studio just to record his albums, it's this pure desire to give the best for your children (songs, that is). If that's not respect, then I don't know what is.
Post by: ds1984 on July 12, 2023, 04:45:23 PM
Post by: Robson on July 12, 2023, 04:52:01 PM
I must be a big weirdo, there is not one song from Mark I dislike, and I never skip one one of his songs, I find there is merit in every song, even if it's just the guitar or the lyrics.
Every song means something and was inspired by something. And often we don't know by what exactly. For instance, Mark refused to give away an inspiration for the "Trawlerman's Song", because he thought it would ruin the experience. So it was probably inspired by something extremely mundane. But still — inspired by something! So even if it's a song like "Hot Dog", it's still a song, a message, and is still perfectly recorded with this fabulous band. When the writer respects his work so much, you, in turn, respect it as a listener.
It's true
MK:
I like the way David Hockney talks about his painting, for example, and I try to be as simple and as direct as possible. But sometimes I find the more you try to explain certain songs, the more they can get away from you. And people want to make them their own, into something personal and private, and they do. It's one of the interesting things about it - it moves away from you and becomes theirs after a while. In 'The Trawlerman's Song', for instance, I'd want him to come from wherever in the world you want him to come from, so I wouldn't want to spoil it for you by saying where I got the idea.
Post by: cannibals on July 20, 2023, 12:51:07 PM
Post by: jabbathehut on July 20, 2023, 02:19:12 PM
Post by: cannibals on July 20, 2023, 03:03:51 PM
All depends if travelling is the issue or playing live.The band would probably end up being slimmed down if he did maybe a short residency at rah.The logistics of them all being available for a couple of weeks at the same time would be immense.As for ticket prices .......Still i find it hard to believe he wouldn't be tempted to do some live shows.It's possible. Look at EC. But i know.... probably wil not happen.
Post by: Robson on September 28, 2023, 08:38:49 PM
Great version:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kI51WkVV0eU
Post by: K-alberto on September 28, 2023, 11:57:51 PM
I still it hard to believe that there will be no concerts.
Great version:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kI51WkVV0eU
Wonderful!!
Post by: KnopfleRick on September 29, 2023, 09:06:31 AM
I still it hard to believe that there will be no concerts.
Great version:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kI51WkVV0eU
The boy can (still) play. :clap Fantastic!
Post by: ds1984 on September 29, 2023, 06:33:08 PM
But no recording can really do justice to it.
For that you had to be right in front of Richard and experience the direct sound coming from his amp.
Something I will never forget man.
Post by: quizzaciously on October 02, 2023, 09:23:24 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEivUgsbwOs
Post by: dustyvalentino on October 03, 2023, 10:09:21 AM
Imagine something like this but with MK:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEivUgsbwOs
The chance of this happening died when MK walked away from fame.
Given how crappy fame is, I think he can reasonably say he made the correct decision.
Post by: Robson on October 03, 2023, 11:09:25 AM
Post by: dustyvalentino on October 03, 2023, 11:31:50 AM
Paul Simon is a little embarrassed. I can't imagine MK:)
Not quite as embarrassed as Sting!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gZWIE081po
Post by: Robson on October 03, 2023, 11:39:20 AM
It's true. Mark fled to his niche.
Post by: quizzaciously on October 03, 2023, 12:36:45 PM
Just to think some artists would finally assemble together and realise how many great songs MK wrote. On par, or even more than Simon!
Post by: Robson on October 03, 2023, 12:42:46 PM
Exactly!
Post by: dustyvalentino on October 03, 2023, 02:56:40 PM
Just to think some artists would finally assemble together and realise how many great songs MK wrote. On par, or even more than Simon!
Everything is of course subjective but there are very few people in the world who would try to argue the case that Mark Knopfler is a better songwriter than Paul Simon I feel.
Post by: quizzaciously on October 03, 2023, 04:32:46 PM
Just to think some artists would finally assemble together and realise how many great songs MK wrote. On par, or even more than Simon!
Everything is of course subjective but there are very few people in the world who would try to argue the case that Mark Knopfler is a better songwriter than Paul Simon I feel.
Yeah, I guess so. Mark as we all know is far from fame and not a fan of this whole "recognition" thing, as in Tribute concerts, Hall of Fame inductions, etc.
If Mark wanted to, he could become somebody who can "rival" the likes of Paul Simon. I mean what's the DRAMATIC difference between "Silvertown Blues" and "Graceland"? Both songs are so similar, in the use of backing singers, bluesy backbone, naming after a geographic location, storytelling, etc. And yet, "Silvertown" is just another "obscured" solo MK song, and "Graceland" is a renowned masterpiece that everybody knows. So it's really, really, really subjective.
Both of them wrote iconic songs and were in big bands, but Paul Simon is definitely far more comfortable with fame and recognition than MK, and it's what he gets. However, I would argue that Mark's consistency and quality control are absolutely unrivalled. The man's got no writer's block in 50 years!
Post by: Robson on October 03, 2023, 04:48:38 PM
Just to think some artists would finally assemble together and realise how many great songs MK wrote. On par, or even more than Simon!
Everything is of course subjective but there are very few people in the world who would try to argue the case that Mark Knopfler is a better songwriter than Paul Simon I feel.
Yeah, I guess so. Mark as we all know is far from fame and not a fan of this whole "recognition" thing, as in Tribute concerts, Hall of Fame inductions, etc.
If Mark wanted to, he could become somebody who can "rival" the likes of Paul Simon. I mean what's the DRAMATIC difference between "Silvertown Blues" and "Graceland"? Both songs are so similar, in the use of backing singers, bluesy backbone, naming after a geographic location, storytelling, etc. And yet, "Silvertown" is just another "obscured" solo MK song, and "Graceland" is a renowned masterpiece that everybody knows. So it's really, really, really subjective.
Both of them wrote iconic songs and were in big bands, but Paul Simon is definitely far more comfortable with fame and recognition than MK, and it's what he gets. However, I would argue that Mark's consistency and quality control are absolutely unrivalled. The man's got no writer's block in 50 years!
The man's got no writer's block in 50 years!
I agree with every word.
Post by: dustyvalentino on October 03, 2023, 06:07:39 PM
There's a thing called "nose blind" - where you can get so used to the smell in a house that you are oblivious to it.
I think some people around here have become "MK" blind to the extent that they are delusional about his standing in terms of this stuff.
Yes it is all subjective but there is critical and popular consensus and trying to argue that MK is a better songwriter than Paul Simon would get you laughed out of any room in the world!
Post by: qjamesfloyd on October 03, 2023, 06:16:05 PM
Post by: JF on October 03, 2023, 06:57:29 PM
Neither has Paul Simon and he's been going much longer.
There's a thing called "nose blind" - where you can get so used to the smell in a house that you are oblivious to it.
I think some people around here have become "MK" blind to the extent that they are delusional about his standing in terms of this stuff.
Yes it is all subjective but there is critical and popular consensus and trying to argue that MK is a better songwriter than Paul Simon would get you laughed out of any room in the world!
100 agree especially "I think some people around here have become "MK" blind to the extent that they are delusional about his standing in terms of this stuff. "
I said it many times, but I like to repeat myself : MK is my favorite artist, but I don't consider him as the greatest genius of all time
Post by: quizzaciously on October 03, 2023, 07:59:21 PM
Neither has Paul Simon and he's been going much longer.
There's a thing called "nose blind" - where you can get so used to the smell in a house that you are oblivious to it.
I think some people around here have become "MK" blind to the extent that they are delusional about his standing in terms of this stuff.
Yes it is all subjective but there is critical and popular consensus and trying to argue that MK is a better songwriter than Paul Simon would get you laughed out of any room in the world!
100 agree especially "I think some people around here have become "MK" blind to the extent that they are delusional about his standing in terms of this stuff. "
I said it many times, but I like to repeat myself : MK is my favorite artist, but I don't consider him as the greatest genius of all time
Quality of songs, quantity of songs, commercial success, popularity, awards and recognition, everything is independent. You can write shitty songs and still be rich and famous, hundreds of artists are living proof of this today.
I'm not blind, I'm just looking at the whole picture. How prolific the songwriter is, how many album fillers he's got, what their fans care about, who they are, how his playing live compares to album versions, etc.
In my opinion, Mark gets high points in every single category, hence you can become "MK blind". But it's true, he's really good. Not the best singer, not the best songwriter, not the best guitar player, not the best anything, but boy he's so good overall.
Any time you discuss music with somebody and mention MK, they go like "ahhhh, yes, this guy is the best", even though nobody mentioned his work in the whole conversation. That's exactly what he wants, it's exactly what he gets — being a subtle, discreet genius, as opposed to certain Nobel Prize laureates and knighted fellows.
Post by: quizzaciously on October 04, 2023, 01:38:25 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LS54AJSadT4
Post by: 2manyguitars on October 04, 2023, 12:37:29 PM
If Mark was American his work would be far more lauded than it is....
Post by: JF on October 04, 2023, 01:13:47 PM
Any time you discuss music with somebody and mention MK, they go like "ahhhh, yes, this guy is the best", even though nobody mentioned his work in the whole conversation.
:think :think really ?
I never had the case personnally...
Post by: quizzaciously on October 04, 2023, 02:14:25 PM
Any time you discuss music with somebody and mention MK, they go like "ahhhh, yes, this guy is the best", even though nobody mentioned his work in the whole conversation.
:think :think really ?
I never had the case personnally...
It's actually even worse than that. I remember when I was in school in the mid-2000s, in the whole school only 2 people knew who MK was, and 1 of them was me, and another knew it because I told him so. I remember the sheer shock of meeting the first MK fan in person when you could finally discuss this music with somebody not on the internet, wow. It's not like Russia was living under a rock back then, Mark actually already played there two times by 2005.
So it happens all the time, not only in online discussions, but Mark also rarely gets ranked and mentioned in big YouTuber videos. Like the video "20 best odd tuning songs", or "20 best acoustic guitar intros", and Romeo And Juliet is missing in all of them. What's wrong with this world? At least Rick Beato mentioned Money For Nothing as the #1 electric guitar riff on the planet, which is probably true, so at least that's something.
I know it's all stupid and unrelevant, and lists and ratings are just a bunch of BS, but I speak to MK fans regularly thanks to my lessons, and we all can't help but notice how underappreciated Mark is. But I already told a million times it's probably because he doesn't want to be overly appreciated and discussed in the first place.
Heck, even my lessons are a huge factor in that. Should Mark be more popular and appreciated, there would be a good hundred channels like mine teaching and discussing his music, and not a bunch of nerds you can count using only one hand. At least there are quite a few tribute bands playing his music live.
Post by: quizzaciously on October 04, 2023, 02:29:26 PM
I think you have to take into account that in the UK we treat our successful musical exports differently than they do in America.
If Mark was American his work would be far more lauded than it is....
Thank heavens Mark's not American! Seems like his friend Sting finally transformed into an American with his living in New York all these years. But Mark is still so wonderfully British. Don't get me wrong, I don't want this to change. This flying-under-radars thing suits MK fine.
Post by: dustyvalentino on October 04, 2023, 02:38:24 PM
I think you have to take into account that in the UK we treat our successful musical exports differently than they do in America.
If Mark was American his work would be far more lauded than it is....
I don't really think that is the case. You can easily roll off a list of British musicians who are highly lauded everywhere, McCartney, Jagger, Bowie, Sting, Annie Lennox, Clapton and Van Morrison, although the shine has come off the last two in recent years for non musical reasons.
Post by: quizzaciously on October 04, 2023, 02:46:24 PM
I think you have to take into account that in the UK we treat our successful musical exports differently than they do in America.
If Mark was American his work would be far more lauded than it is....
I don't really think that is the case. You can easily roll off a list of British musicians who are highly lauded everywhere, McCartney, Jagger, Bowie, Sting, Annie Lennox, Clapton and Van Morrison, although the shine has come off the last two in recent years for non musical reasons.
Well, all these guys would be popular anyway, should they emerge from anywhere on Earth, or extraterrestrial places for that matter. It's more impressive to me how somebody like ABBA can become a global phenomenon with their humble Swedish beginnings. But fame really sucks. I remember Sting said the only place he wasn't recognised all the time was something like the Tibetan Plateau of all places. That's why he lives in New York City, probably the only place on Earth where nobody cares about celebrities as they're everywhere. And so you can get why Mark is trying to battle his fame with all the ammunition he's got.
Post by: 2manyguitars on October 04, 2023, 04:37:16 PM
I think you have to take into account that in the UK we treat our successful musical exports differently than they do in America.
If Mark was American his work would be far more lauded than it is....
I don't really think that is the case. You can easily roll off a list of British musicians who are highly lauded everywhere, McCartney, Jagger, Bowie, Sting, Annie Lennox, Clapton and Van Morrison, although the shine has come off the last two in recent years for non musical reasons.
And all of those people were slagged off to high heaven by mainstream music critics as soon as they became relatively successful. My point really is that we have a different attitude to success in the uk than elsewhere. While there are always exceptions to this its generally build them up to knock them down....
Post by: Knut on October 05, 2023, 04:40:17 AM
If MK really IS the best songwriter of the two, I'd like to see some serious proof of that. Not just us fanboys going all "it's so sublime and exquisite" or whatever fancywords we want to use. You might just end up with "oh, they're both great". At least I hope so :)
Post by: Pottel on October 05, 2023, 09:32:51 AM
Post by: 2manyguitars on October 05, 2023, 09:41:33 AM
I find it funny that to some it's soooo important to make statements about MK being greater than "mr X". Like it's some sort of competition. Also, it sort of gives a vibe that says he's not ACTUALLY greater - you just wish he was. If he was greater, it would not be worth talking about to begin with as you'd have few to no people to argue with.
If MK really IS the best songwriter of the two, I'd like to see some serious proof of that. Not just us fanboys going all "it's so sublime and exquisite" or whatever fancywords we want to use. You might just end up with "oh, they're both great". At least I hope so :)
It was more a debate about how artists are perceived. Especially the way the UK treats its musical exports vs the US. Obviously in reality its all subjective and probably some of the greatest songwriters and musicians of all time are unknown and completely ignored.
Post by: dustyvalentino on October 05, 2023, 10:04:43 AM
I think you have to take into account that in the UK we treat our successful musical exports differently than they do in America.
If Mark was American his work would be far more lauded than it is....
I don't really think that is the case. You can easily roll off a list of British musicians who are highly lauded everywhere, McCartney, Jagger, Bowie, Sting, Annie Lennox, Clapton and Van Morrison, although the shine has come off the last two in recent years for non musical reasons.
And all of those people were slagged off to high heaven by mainstream music critics as soon as they became relatively successful. My point really is that we have a different attitude to success in the uk than elsewhere. While there are always exceptions to this its generally build them up to knock them down....
Yes that's true, and MK addressed it in Good On You Son.
Post by: 2manyguitars on October 05, 2023, 10:08:31 AM
I think you have to take into account that in the UK we treat our successful musical exports differently than they do in America.
If Mark was American his work would be far more lauded than it is....
I don't really think that is the case. You can easily roll off a list of British musicians who are highly lauded everywhere, McCartney, Jagger, Bowie, Sting, Annie Lennox, Clapton and Van Morrison, although the shine has come off the last two in recent years for non musical reasons.
And all of those people were slagged off to high heaven by mainstream music critics as soon as they became relatively successful. My point really is that we have a different attitude to success in the uk than elsewhere. While there are always exceptions to this its generally build them up to knock them down....
Yes that's true, and MK addressed it in Good On You Son.
Spot on Dusty. That was my point in the first place.
Post by: Jules on January 25, 2024, 11:13:54 AM
Also Guy confirmed in his forum that live gigs, not only touring, was over for sure.
So that's it.
Post by: Chris W on January 25, 2024, 02:37:38 PM
Don't quote me on it, as it's only a hunch.
On musical exports, I think that has nothing to do with anything. The UK has always been 'cool' conscious, and a place where newness is more valued than legacy. Overall I think that's a good thing as it keeps the scene less stale.
For a very long time Mark has been out of step with music taste in the UK. A lot of successful UK artists are dance music influenced. Americana, folk, country etc have never been particularly popular in the UK.
In the beginning that worked for Dire Straits as when Sultans was released it sounded SO different to everything else on the radio.
It's the same with McCartney. He is still packing out huge stadiums in America, but hardly ever plays in the UK.
Post by: Robson on January 25, 2024, 03:27:12 PM
I don't think he ever wanted it, but I agree. It's worth keeping in mind. Mark never experimented with sound like Sting, for example.
Post by: Chris W on January 25, 2024, 03:43:06 PM
Having worked in the UK for several decades, as soon as you have been around for a few years the music press get tired of you, and the new generation of music fans are less inclined to follow you.
It is notable that in Europe audiences span many generations, whereas in the UK a 70's or 80's era artist will attract an audience mostly of middle aged or older fans. It's just the way it is, and I'm ok with it.
Post by: Stanko on January 25, 2024, 07:58:51 PM
Just take a look at the world you live and there you find the answers.
Post by: Knopflerfan on January 25, 2024, 08:19:56 PM
The word is out. Guy just on his forum about the next tour...
Sadly we may well have already done our final tour.
Did we really need Guy to tell us that? Bit obvious sadly wasn't it?
Post by: Marnix on January 25, 2024, 08:46:08 PM
Post by: quizzaciously on January 25, 2024, 08:57:58 PM
For me it was in 2019 already clear that it was his last tour and I enjoyed it as much as I can. And I know with a new album a lot of people were hoping for a new tour but we have to be realistic.
But why then he would change his speech from saying goodbye to saying "I'll play no matter what"? It was such a strange move from MK. Just mid-sentence change your mind and start telling the opposite, giving people false hope, a perfectly normal way of dealing with things, nothing strange.
Post by: cannibals on January 25, 2024, 09:20:13 PM
He was clearly having second thoughts once the tour started and the reaction of the crowd did him very good. I think he is not fit anymore to do 75 shows and does not want to do 15 or so like Clapton...For me it was in 2019 already clear that it was his last tour and I enjoyed it as much as I can. And I know with a new album a lot of people were hoping for a new tour but we have to be realistic.
But why then he would change his speech from saying goodbye to saying "I'll play no matter what"? It was such a strange move from MK. Just mid-sentence change your mind and start telling the opposite, giving people false hope, a perfectly normal way of dealing with things, nothing strange.
Post by: dmg on January 25, 2024, 10:05:33 PM
For me it was in 2019 already clear that it was his last tour and I enjoyed it as much as I can. And I know with a new album a lot of people were hoping for a new tour but we have to be realistic.
But why then he would change his speech from saying goodbye to saying "I'll play no matter what"? It was such a strange move from MK. Just mid-sentence change your mind and start telling the opposite, giving people false hope, a perfectly normal way of dealing with things, nothing strange.
I think telling the audience "this is the last time you're going to see me here" near the start of the show is a bit of an atmosphere killer. The slight change was a good idea but we still kind of knew.
Post by: Robson on January 25, 2024, 10:14:03 PM
Post by: quizzaciously on January 25, 2024, 10:20:30 PM
I think Paul Simon did it best, announcing his retirement from touring officially and acknowledging he will play one-offs from now on, which he still does.
Post by: dmg on January 25, 2024, 10:34:47 PM
I don't know then what's worse, a never-ending "farewell tour" that many artists are doing, or a false "farewell tour" like this. Nothing seems to be perfect.
I think Paul Simon did it best, announcing his retirement from touring officially and acknowledging he will play one-offs from now on, which he still does.
I would think an official statement on the web site will come with the album release. Guy has already confirmed it.
Post by: rmarques821 on January 25, 2024, 11:04:57 PM
Nope, there will be no annoucement, Mark himself said so. I've shared this quote a lot but will share it again:I don't know then what's worse, a never-ending "farewell tour" that many artists are doing, or a false "farewell tour" like this. Nothing seems to be perfect.
I think Paul Simon did it best, announcing his retirement from touring officially and acknowledging he will play one-offs from now on, which he still does.
I would think an official statement on the web site will come with the album release. Guy has already confirmed it.
Does that mean the 2019 dates will be his last proper tour? “It might very well be. It will be funny to say goodbye to it, because it’s always been the end of the cycle. But I won’t think about it. I’ll just make a record like I’ve always made, and then when it comes to talking about the tour, I just won’t talk about it.”
Post by: quizzaciously on January 25, 2024, 11:19:28 PM
Nope, there will be no annoucement, Mark himself said so. I've shared this quote a lot but will share it again:I don't know then what's worse, a never-ending "farewell tour" that many artists are doing, or a false "farewell tour" like this. Nothing seems to be perfect.
I think Paul Simon did it best, announcing his retirement from touring officially and acknowledging he will play one-offs from now on, which he still does.
I would think an official statement on the web site will come with the album release. Guy has already confirmed it.
Does that mean the 2019 dates will be his last proper tour? “It might very well be. It will be funny to say goodbye to it, because it’s always been the end of the cycle. But I won’t think about it. I’ll just make a record like I’ve always made, and then when it comes to talking about the tour, I just won’t talk about it.”
Great quote but it contradicts a little bit with the "farewell message" turned "I'll play until I fall over" thing. If you don't want to talk about it, then why do you still talk about it even from the stage? Besides, if you take a look at Mark's social media, it's simply bombarded with questions and inquiries about touring over the roof, everybody desperately wants Mark to tour again and see him live, and he's just like this :-X
It's not a good way to deal with the fan base, especially in the age of technology. It's the year 2024 and we just were blessed with first Mark's post on his social media written almost in a personal way ("Just got a new guitar from Pensa"). It's quite astonishing we are still talking about MK as if he's some kind of demigod living in another dimension, without any connection with fans whatsoever.
Even people who harshly criticised social media in the past changed their minds and you can find the likes of Jim Cameron sharing his ideas to the world, while he said social media is a bunch of monkeys picking each other's hair. Now he's one of the "monkeys". I know it's too late and Mark will never change, just lamenting about some of the missed opportunities and yes, an official statement would be nice, though you are right it likely will never happen.
Post by: cannibals on January 25, 2024, 11:19:57 PM
Post by: dmg on January 25, 2024, 11:33:59 PM
I also think there will be no announcement about touring. With the new album he will give some interviews (i think) but you will not see one statement about touring. It's a no go for the interviewer.........
That's why I think there should be a statement. I'm not sure there will be, but there should be.
Post by: diremark86 on January 26, 2024, 06:30:47 AM
None of this compares to the way I have seen him in any recent video. I am going to be criticized for actually saying this, but he can't even turn to a guitar sitting next to him in a semi scripted environment and pick up a guitar without help. He appears to be all Mark outside of a clear physical decline. Respect that Mark recognizes it, and leave it there.
There was no real announcement for DS, I hope there is none for MK. Let him find his own way...
Post by: Love Expresso on January 26, 2024, 07:40:01 AM
(Had to google "commemorative")
LE
Post by: qjamesfloyd on January 26, 2024, 11:21:28 AM
Post by: Jules on January 26, 2024, 11:23:10 AM
Post by: dustyvalentino on January 26, 2024, 11:28:18 AM
Post by: Jules on January 26, 2024, 11:39:39 AM
I cried and hugged Ingrid at the end of RAH in 2019. I knew it was the end and that a huge part of my life was gone.
I joked with Ingrid at the exit of the Verona's show, last MK one in Europe, that in two years time Kitty would be so bored to see Mk hanging around the house that she will kick his ass out on tour for months!
Then the pandemic came and I guess that changed the whole game.
Post by: dustyvalentino on January 26, 2024, 11:54:57 AM
I cried and hugged Ingrid at the end of RAH in 2019. I knew it was the end and that a huge part of my life was gone.
I joked with Ingrid at the exit of the Verona's show, last MK one in Europe, that in two years time Kitty would be so bored to see Mk hanging around the house that she will kick his ass out on tour for months!
Then the pandemic came and I guess that changed the whole game.
Possibly, but given the apparent physical issues I'm not sure if the pandemic actually made any difference in MK's case.
Post by: Jules on January 26, 2024, 12:00:37 PM
I cried and hugged Ingrid at the end of RAH in 2019. I knew it was the end and that a huge part of my life was gone.
I joked with Ingrid at the exit of the Verona's show, last MK one in Europe, that in two years time Kitty would be so bored to see Mk hanging around the house that she will kick his ass out on tour for months!
Then the pandemic came and I guess that changed the whole game.
Possibly, but given the apparent physical issues I'm not sure if the pandemic actually made any difference in MK's case.
My hypothesis is that he felt way better at the NA leg of the 2019 tour and felt he might be able to keep playing live, but the pandemic, being closed at home for so long , seeing people close to him dying, maybe was worth to keep calm at home and his desire to keep playing made that desire to fade out completely.
Post by: Darling Pretty on January 26, 2024, 05:06:49 PM
Maybe without Covid we could have had maybe some Gigs at RAH.
Post by: quizzaciously on January 26, 2024, 05:23:33 PM
I cried and hugged Ingrid at the end of RAH in 2019. I knew it was the end and that a huge part of my life was gone.
I joked with Ingrid at the exit of the Verona's show, last MK one in Europe, that in two years time Kitty would be so bored to see Mk hanging around the house that she will kick his ass out on tour for months!
Then the pandemic came and I guess that changed the whole game.
Possibly, but given the apparent physical issues I'm not sure if the pandemic actually made any difference in MK's case.
My hypothesis is that he felt way better at the NA leg of the 2019 tour and felt he might be able to keep playing live, but the pandemic, being closed at home for so long , seeing people close to him dying, and with whatever health issues he would had, maybe was worth to keep calm at home and his desire to keep playing together with the health issues made that desire to fade out completely.
I feel like since the pandemic the whole world has gone south. Politicians and decision-makers realised you could do with people anything you wanted, close the whole country if you wanted to, close the borders if you wanted to, stop flights, stop the shows, kill entire industries, give people any fines as you wished, and they would not say a thing about it. That mother-tucking pandemic definitely contributed to the downfall of many things, including the accelerated downfall of my own country. The world will never be the same after it just like after 9/11. Needless to say, Mark's theoretical breakdown might be just a small consequence of all this.
Post by: ds1984 on January 26, 2024, 05:55:44 PM
I can imagine he decided to do it but wasn't expecting that effect on himself when it happened.
Maybe it was a rare moment of Mark being so openly true about himself.
After that he turned it into something more positive by doing it one of the usual jokes he does on a tour.
Post by: Knut on January 26, 2024, 05:57:32 PM
Not sure when the guitar parts to the new single were recorded, but if he could do that every day nowadays he could also do a show - the tone is still there. But one day might be like that, and the next day his hands might be all shaky.
Post by: dmg on January 26, 2024, 06:03:31 PM
It might also be that he needs a "good day" to perform on a stage, and that he has both good and bad days. If you record an album, you can postpone stuff a day or two if necessary, if you do a live show... not so much.
Not sure when the guitar parts to the new single were recorded, but if he could do that every day nowadays he could also do a show - the tone is still there. But one day might be like that, and the next day his hands might be all shaky.
You're probably right. He was like that on tour in 2019. Some shows were still of a high standard, although few and far between. We had some of the very best Speedways ever played on some nights; one of the Woodinville shows was standout. Other nights he was struggling or decided to cut the solo short, such as in Paris.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZQtc-vlKbs
Post by: Chris W on January 26, 2024, 06:25:16 PM
It might also be that he needs a "good day" to perform on a stage, and that he has both good and bad days. If you record an album, you can postpone stuff a day or two if necessary, if you do a live show... not so much.
When he's writing new songs he can make the guitar parts align with his current ability. When he plays live, people want to hear the classic songs, which he may feel he can't do justice any more.
Post by: Wario on January 26, 2024, 07:57:37 PM
I think the main mistake of the last tour was making it so intense, that probably exhausted him too much and made him think "I'm too old for this", but I think that on a "good day" (as you have rightly said before) he could do a show, even some isolated dates. I think he should go out and have fun playing what he likes to play and what he feels comfortable with. It's hard to lose a skill you've had your entire adult life and Mark may be a little rusty but he's still better than other musicians of a similar age (Phil Collins, sadly).It might also be that he needs a "good day" to perform on a stage, and that he has both good and bad days. If you record an album, you can postpone stuff a day or two if necessary, if you do a live show... not so much.
When he's writing new songs he can make the guitar parts align with his current ability. When he plays live, people want to hear the classic songs, which he may feel he can't do justice any more.
Post by: Chris W on January 27, 2024, 10:31:30 AM
I think the main mistake of the last tour was making it so intense, that probably exhausted him too much and made him think "I'm too old for this",
My impression was they knew it was going to be the last proper tour before it even started. It was longer and more comprehensive BECAUSE it was going to be the last tour.
Post by: Jules on January 27, 2024, 10:41:04 AM
Post by: MagicElliott on January 27, 2024, 11:20:09 AM
I live quite near The Stables in Milton Keynes. It’s a great venue. I’ve seen, amongst other people, Ginger Baker and Joe Brown there. Two people that once played bigger venues but now can comfortably play in a place like this. (400 odd seats I think.)
Other names that pop up there include John Ilsley, Ralph McTell and Steve Harley. It seems a good “on your way up” and “on your way down” venue if that makes sense.
At least Mark was still playing the RAH and MSG on his last tour. He’d probably have to work a lot harder in a smaller venue though. Can’t surround himself with folkies and brass to supplement his playing.
Post by: ds1984 on January 27, 2024, 11:25:54 AM
I think the main mistake of the last tour was making it so intense, that probably exhausted him too much and made him think "I'm too old for this",
My impression was they knew it was going to be the last proper tour before it even started. It was longer and more comprehensive BECAUSE it was going to be the last tour.
I would guess that performing MFN again was the gift he made to the audience anticipating that it will be the last chance to hear him.
Of course this is only my opinion no proof.
Another reason could be he was simply in the mood to perform it, was searching for a golden hit to replace the absence of both SOS and TR.
I still wonder how an artist decide of a setlist and the order of it.
I mean they are concious of high and low times of the show toward the audience and that is somewhat artisticly managed.
I would say that the 2005 tour had featured the strongest final part of the main show, the triplet Boom, Like That - Speedway at Nazareth - Telegraph Road sending the gig to it paroxismical point.
Post by: ds1984 on January 27, 2024, 11:38:52 AM
In the UK, we have some venues where people seem to play on their “way down” (as well as “one hit wonders.”
I live quite near The Stables in Milton Keynes. It’s a great venue. I’ve seen, amongst other people, Ginger Baker and Joe Brown there. Two people that once played bigger venues but now can comfortably play in a place like this. (400 odd seats I think.)
Other names that pop up there include John Ilsley, Ralph McTell and Steve Harley. It seems a good “on your way up” and “on your way down” venue if that makes sense.
At least Mark was still playing the RAH and MSG on his last tour. He’d probably have to work a lot harder in a smaller venue though. Can’t surround himself with folkies and brass to supplement his playing.
I guess he MSG was an exception, 20 000 seat capacity in US were not being the norm for Mark after the DS days.
On the other hand the 4 000 seat capacity of the RAH was also an exception for the usual UK & Europe touring scheme,
I would say that Mark average venue in UK & Europe were toward 8 000 /10 000 attendance capacity,
Of course you always get exceptions here and there.
Especially as Mark does not bring a big stage set with him, it is only a musician set and it allows to easily play various size.
Post by: Matchstickman on January 27, 2024, 03:42:09 PM
I think the main mistake of the last tour was making it so intense, that probably exhausted him too much and made him think "I'm too old for this",
My impression was they knew it was going to be the last proper tour before it even started. It was longer and more comprehensive BECAUSE it was going to be the last tour.
I would guess that performing MFN again was the gift he made to the audience anticipating that it will be the last chance to hear him.
Of course this is only my opinion no proof.
Another reason could be he was simply in the mood to perform it, was searching for a golden hit to replace the absence of both SOS and TR.
I still wonder how an artist decide of a setlist and the order of it.
I remember Guy saying that Mark asked him for suggestions, and he suggested MFN.
MFN sounded fine, but the true gem in 2019 was Once Upon a Time in the West. That was, by far, the best song of the evening for me, and there are some great versions, like New York, on Youtube.
Post by: dmg on January 27, 2024, 03:53:58 PM
I remember Guy saying that Mark asked him for suggestions, and he suggested MFN.
MFN sounded fine, but the true gem in 2019 was Once Upon a Time in the West. That was, by far, the best song of the evening for me, and there are some great versions, like New York, on Youtube.
[/quote]
I thought Once Upon a Time in the West was poor in 2019. I was so pleased it had made it back into the set but they never built upon the potential. The song relied too much on the brass instruments and just went nowhere at the end with absolutely zero energy. I also hated the tone of Mark's Les Paul on this song.
Post by: Matchstickman on January 27, 2024, 05:01:28 PM
I thought Once Upon a Time in the West was poor in 2019. I was so pleased it had made it back into the set but they never built upon the potential. The song relied too much on the brass instruments and just went nowhere at the end with absolutely zero energy. I also hated the tone of Mark's Les Paul on this song.
Disagreed ;D The mariachi trumpet was a nice touch and a nod to the spaghetthi western that inspired the song. And it featured Mark's best playing of the tour, in my view.
Post by: dustyvalentino on January 27, 2024, 05:11:52 PM
Wasn’t so bothered about Silvertown but I’ve never rated that song.
Post by: ds1984 on January 27, 2024, 05:19:33 PM
I regret that it was dropped so early in the tour besause I could only get it two times I think (Barcelona and one of the two UK gig I attended).
After that it was definitively gone out for the gigs I was at.
Without it, the night was not the same.
OUATITW was another highlight for me.
Post by: Silvertown on January 27, 2024, 09:09:55 PM
Silvertown Blues was THE for me.
I regret that it was dropped so early in the tour besause I could only get it two times I think (Barcelona and one of the two UK gig I attended).
After that it was definitively gone out for the gigs I was at.
Without it, the night was not the same.
OUATITW was another highlight for me.
Silvertown blues is the thing which made me sad. I was super excited when it was played in Barcelona, but unfortunately I was not lucky to hear it in those concerts, which I attended. But it was indeed fantastic to hear OUATITW for the first time live, because it was still great with MK 2019 style.
Post by: Knopflerfan on January 27, 2024, 10:32:24 PM
Another fan of OUATITW here. Loved the LP and the horns.
Wasn’t so bothered about Silvertown but I’ve never rated that song.
Each to their own my friend but the horns absolutely murdered not only OUATITW but the whole show in my opinion. I agree the LP sounded amazing though...
As for SB - wow!!!
Post by: Mossguitar on January 28, 2024, 01:07:27 AM
Post by: Darling Pretty on January 28, 2024, 09:33:17 AM
But: This really would have been the Chance to revive Ride across the River. With all those horns
And of course: Played on a Les Paul. Missed Chance
Post by: border_reiver on January 28, 2024, 10:16:50 AM
Post by: Jules on January 28, 2024, 10:21:44 AM
Having all these great horns and not playing Metroland was also another opportunity missed. It would have suited his playing style at that time extremely well.
Totally agree
Post by: quizzaciously on January 28, 2024, 10:22:48 AM
Having all these great horns and not playing Metroland was also another opportunity missed. It would have suited his playing style at that time extremely well.
Totally agree
Too hard to sing, I'm afraid. As with a lot of other songs, I'm pretty sure "5"15 a.m." was dropped because of this.
Post by: border_reiver on January 28, 2024, 03:11:12 PM
Having all these great horns and not playing Metroland was also another opportunity missed. It would have suited his playing style at that time extremely well.
Totally agree
Too hard to sing, I'm afraid. As with a lot of other songs, I'm pretty sure "5"15 a.m." was dropped because of this.
I disagree. STP and PFP should've been much harder.
Post by: quizzaciously on January 28, 2024, 04:17:30 PM
Having all these great horns and not playing Metroland was also another opportunity missed. It would have suited his playing style at that time extremely well.
Totally agree
Too hard to sing, I'm afraid. As with a lot of other songs, I'm pretty sure "5"15 a.m." was dropped because of this.
I disagree. STP and PFP should've been much harder.
Are you sure? And it was 11 (ELEVEN) years ago!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLxGoMDiQbU
Post by: border_reiver on January 28, 2024, 04:19:08 PM
Having all these great horns and not playing Metroland was also another opportunity missed. It would have suited his playing style at that time extremely well.
Totally agree
Too hard to sing, I'm afraid. As with a lot of other songs, I'm pretty sure "5"15 a.m." was dropped because of this.
I disagree. STP and PFP should've been much harder.
Are you sure? And it was 11 (ELEVEN) years ago!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLxGoMDiQbU
Sorry. I meant compared to Metroland.
Post by: quizzaciously on January 28, 2024, 04:28:50 PM
Having all these great horns and not playing Metroland was also another opportunity missed. It would have suited his playing style at that time extremely well.
Totally agree
Too hard to sing, I'm afraid. As with a lot of other songs, I'm pretty sure "5"15 a.m." was dropped because of this.
I disagree. STP and PFP should've been much harder.
Are you sure? And it was 11 (ELEVEN) years ago!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLxGoMDiQbU
Sorry. I meant compared to Metroland.
Philadelphia and Paraguay have some backing vocals to hide behind, so easier to perform. In Metroland, there is no place to hide, you need to deliver this melody, emotionally and with a pretty wide melody, almost crooner-style. I honestly can barely imagine even mid-50s MK tackling this song, let alone 2019 MK. If only he was a "proper" singer.
My point is his vocals simply must be a very big wall that stopped him from performing a lot of songs live, as an artist with this magnitude of back catalogue omitted there should be a simple explanation. "Lights Of Taormina" is also a song, the absence of which in tours, including shows, well, in Taormina itself can be rationally explained with his voice.
Post by: Matchstickman on January 28, 2024, 04:48:42 PM
Post by: quizzaciously on January 28, 2024, 04:54:20 PM
I think that the explanation is far simpler: many songs, like Metroland and Ride Across the River, have most likely not been considered whatsoever.
That's an even uglier truth, I agree. The example with Taormina always made me chuckle and laugh because in this Universe you imagine a songwriter, whoever he is, that had just written a song about your city, to at least mention it in your city, and better yet — perform. Especially when the song is a fan-favourite from the album. If there were awards for the poor choice of songs to perform from the album, that omission must take the cake. If only, again, it was easier to sing! The song's is a freaking Sinatra classic, no way Mark can sing it live.
Post by: Matchstickman on January 28, 2024, 04:58:19 PM
The real mystery is why seemingly obvious choices like singles or songs performed at promo gigs, such as Beryl, never made it into the set. Another tune that seemed destined for a tour was Punish the Monkey, but alas!
Post by: border_reiver on January 28, 2024, 04:59:35 PM
I think that the explanation is far simpler: many songs, like Metroland and Ride Across the River, have most likely not been considered whatsoever.
Yes, most likely so. And my point was that by not playing Metroland given the obvious conditions in 2019 it was a missed opportunity. Nothing more, nothing less. :)
Post by: Matchstickman on January 28, 2024, 05:02:08 PM
I think that the explanation is far simpler: many songs, like Metroland and Ride Across the River, have most likely not been considered whatsoever.
Yes, most likely so. And my point was that by not playing Metroland given the obvious conditions in 2019 it was a missed opportunity. Nothing more, nothing less. :)
Sure, it was a missed opportunity.
And with the folkies around for years, why no Iron Hand, why no Man's too Strong...? Because it HAD to be Bonaparte ;D
Post by: border_reiver on January 28, 2024, 05:04:58 PM
The more a song was requested or buzzed around, it seemed less likely to get played live.
Post by: quizzaciously on January 28, 2024, 05:47:40 PM
MK always seemed to be a total anti-Springsteen.
The more a song was requested or buzzed around, it seemed less likely to get played live.
*laughs in twiddly bits*
Post by: JF on January 28, 2024, 06:07:25 PM
I think that the explanation is far simpler: many songs, like Metroland and Ride Across the River, have most likely not been considered whatsoever.
That's an even uglier truth, I agree. The example with Taormina always made me chuckle and laugh because in this Universe you imagine a songwriter, whoever he is, that had just written a song about your city, to at least mention it in your city, and better yet — perform. Especially when the song is a fan-favourite from the album. If there were awards for the poor choice of songs to perform from the album, that omission must take the cake. If only, again, it was easier to sing! The song's is a freaking Sinatra classic, no way Mark can sing it live.
even "Seattle" was not played in Seattle.... but it was played in other venues ! :smack
Post by: quizzaciously on January 28, 2024, 06:20:08 PM
I think that the explanation is far simpler: many songs, like Metroland and Ride Across the River, have most likely not been considered whatsoever.
That's an even uglier truth, I agree. The example with Taormina always made me chuckle and laugh because in this Universe you imagine a songwriter, whoever he is, that had just written a song about your city, to at least mention it in your city, and better yet — perform. Especially when the song is a fan-favourite from the album. If there were awards for the poor choice of songs to perform from the album, that omission must take the cake. If only, again, it was easier to sing! The song's is a freaking Sinatra classic, no way Mark can sing it live.
even "Seattle" was not played in Seattle.... but it was played in other venues ! :smack
"Mark Knopfler's way"
;D
This is another reason to think that Mark and Bob Dylan are actual brothers. Either Mark just trying to replicate his Bobness in his remarkable ability to always make crazy setlist selections, changing his songs, arrangements and lyrics on the fly, or they both are just masters at this craft, lost for any other singer-songwriter. But either way, it's quite astonishing how both of them, with one being so static, and the other being the complete opposite of static, generate so much controversy about their setlists. I guess you just can't be a genius at everything.
Post by: Mossguitar on January 29, 2024, 12:33:08 AM
Post by: quizzaciously on January 29, 2024, 07:31:30 AM
Marks setlists are the oposite of controversial. I guess most fans are very happy with his concerts and choices. Remember, his fanbase is enormous and couldn’t care less about Seattle or Taormina. To me he seems professional and just want to put on a great show that pleases the masses.
Yes, Mark is so professional, that Guy needed to ban setlist questions on his forum. No doubt Mark is good at pleasing the general audience, his answers to questions we just discussed earlier in another thread are a good example. Ah, the beloved blowing up the radio story, the first guitar story, I could listen to it another million times (no).
A little fan service would be nice, you know. Sometimes fans get it. SOMETIMES. Most of the time not, and this is where frustration (or controversy) comes from. Bob, on the other hand, delivers the songs fans want to hear, though he changes everything about the song they grew up loving, so it's like hearing a new song. I don't know what's worse.
Post by: Chris W on January 29, 2024, 11:45:15 AM
To me he seems professional and just want to put on a great show that pleases the masses.
That, but there is also a dollop of songs he wants to play.
Many of his most popular songs he obviously doesn't want to play, like Money For Nothing and Twisting By The Pool.
No criticism on my part, he SHOULD play songs he wants to play.
Post by: jabbathehut on January 29, 2024, 02:32:43 PM
Post by: Chris W on January 29, 2024, 03:02:29 PM
Interestingly the last tour was actually quite Dire Straits heavy.
Because I think they knew it was going to be the last major outing.
Post by: Matchstickman on January 29, 2024, 06:27:34 PM
The way he says "we love to play the old songs" really sounds like he actually doesn't.Personally i have always liked the setlists with the exception of when sultans was swopped for sonny liston.No issue with Sultans going as he couldn't any more but there are dozens of songs id rather had heard.Interestingly the last tour was actually quite Dire Straits heavy.
Well, not compared to most tours, when they did SOS and TR in addition to most of the songs in 2019. What was unique in 2019 was the long, long stretch of slow songs in the middle of the set, something unlike anything Mark has ever done. That was testing to a large arena audience.
Post by: Knut on January 29, 2024, 08:16:53 PM
At least he used to play Portobello Belle in Ireland a few times post-1983 :)
Post by: dustyvalentino on January 29, 2024, 09:07:16 PM
Not sure, but I could imagine that playing almost every day means less time to think of something new to play. But it has to be somewhat boring to just repeat the same over and over again. I could get the excitement at the start of the tour, but once you know everything works, the thrill can't be just the same.
At least he used to play Portobello Belle in Ireland a few times post-1983 :)
I saw him play it in Scotland in 1996 :)
Post by: Chris W on January 30, 2024, 09:41:20 AM
Not sure, but I could imagine that playing almost every day means less time to think of something new to play. But it has to be somewhat boring to just repeat the same over and over again. I could get the excitement at the start of the tour, but once you know everything works, the thrill can't be just the same.
The enjoyment playing live is entertaining thousands of people, also the professional satisfaction of doing a good job. You don't need to be playing new songs every few days or weeks to feel that way.
Any new song requires different equipment (guitars maybe, keyboard sounds), different lighting schemes, maybe different settings for the out from sound. It's not as easy as just writing a new set list every few days. The artists who choose songs on a whim (Springsteen/Dylan) are not the kind most musicians want to work with. It's a kind if stressful scenario not knowing what you are doing from one day to the next.
Also, most artists at this level (like Mark) are not playing 'almost every day'.
Post by: Mossguitar on January 30, 2024, 12:34:21 PM
Exactly! I am a (part time, but gigging) musician myself, and it’s very satisfying (and common) to contiousely enhance and develope the same songs and sets and making the performance better and better. I guess it’s the same with other art forms too, like acting and dancing. I am both a Dylan and Springsteen fan and seen countless concerts, but the best songs are almost always the songs they’re played the most.Not sure, but I could imagine that playing almost every day means less time to think of something new to play. But it has to be somewhat boring to just repeat the same over and over again. I could get the excitement at the start of the tour, but once you know everything works, the thrill can't be just the same.
The enjoyment playing live is entertaining thousands of people, also the professional satisfaction of doing a good job. You don't need to be playing new songs every few days or weeks to feel that way.
Any new song requires different equipment (guitars maybe, keyboard sounds), different lighting schemes, maybe different settings for the out from sound. It's not as easy as just writing a new set list every few days. The artists who choose songs on a whim (Springsteen/Dylan) are not the kind most musicians want to work with. It's a kind if stressful scenario not knowing what you are doing from one day to the next.
Also, most artists at this level (like Mark) are not playing 'almost every day'.
Post by: 2manyguitars on January 30, 2024, 12:47:02 PM
Exactly! I am a (part time, but gigging) musician myself, and it’s very satisfying (and common) to contiousely enhance and develope the same songs and sets and making the performance better and better. I guess it’s the same with other art forms too, like acting and dancing. I am both a Dylan and Springsteen fan and seen countless concerts, but the best songs are almost always the songs they’re played the most.Not sure, but I could imagine that playing almost every day means less time to think of something new to play. But it has to be somewhat boring to just repeat the same over and over again. I could get the excitement at the start of the tour, but once you know everything works, the thrill can't be just the same.
The enjoyment playing live is entertaining thousands of people, also the professional satisfaction of doing a good job. You don't need to be playing new songs every few days or weeks to feel that way.
Any new song requires different equipment (guitars maybe, keyboard sounds), different lighting schemes, maybe different settings for the out from sound. It's not as easy as just writing a new set list every few days. The artists who choose songs on a whim (Springsteen/Dylan) are not the kind most musicians want to work with. It's a kind if stressful scenario not knowing what you are doing from one day to the next.
Also, most artists at this level (like Mark) are not playing 'almost every day'.
I think it very much depends on your approach to performance. I've just watched Bruce Hornsby on BBC Piano room and it struck me how he is the complete antithesis of MK. Never plays the same song the same way twice, in fact is compelled to keep changing things up much to the occasional annoyance of his die hard fans. MK on the other hand finds what he likes and (certainly in the last 10 years or so) sticks to it.
Not passing judgement on either approach to live work, its just interesting...
Post by: qjamesfloyd on January 30, 2024, 12:51:53 PM
Post by: quizzaciously on January 30, 2024, 01:09:02 PM
Each way is good, if every musician did things the same way it would be boring, it's the fact that artists do do things differently that makes things good.
They just do what they are good at. If you're good at improvising and creating gold on the spot, you improvise. If you're a perfectionist and don't want to "make your mistakes in public" like Mark often says, you stick to things. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, that works for any artist. Mark always plays it VERY safely, providing only minor changes to things, including his setlists. Add a horn, add a mandolin, add an old DS song here and there.
Again, our man of contrasts says he makes his mistakes in public, but in reality, avoids making such mistakes as much as possible.
Post by: Silvertown on January 30, 2024, 01:20:41 PM
Each way is good, if every musician did things the same way it would be boring, it's the fact that artists do do things differently that makes things good.Again, our man of contrasts says he makes his mistakes in public, but in reality, avoids making such mistakes as much as possible.
I think he refers to the decisions, which he afterwards thinks to be mistakes. And possibly also the fact that there are some people, who like to analyze his every movement and habit...
Post by: hunter v2.0 on January 30, 2024, 01:22:41 PM
Post by: cannibals on January 31, 2024, 10:11:59 PM
Post by: holaknopfler on February 01, 2024, 11:05:56 AM
Is Guy leaving the option open for a possible promo song or 2 with the release of the new album looking at the answer on a question a few days ago???
Seems reasonable. April is still a long time
Post by: Jules on February 01, 2024, 11:10:44 AM
Is Guy leaving the option open for a possible promo song or 2 with the release of the new album looking at the answer on a question a few days ago???
Can't find any answer from him that suggest that...
Post by: cannibals on February 01, 2024, 09:01:15 PM
He's saying:.i don't know.Is Guy leaving the option open for a possible promo song or 2 with the release of the new album looking at the answer on a question a few days ago???
Can't find any answer from him that suggest that...
Could be me but if you ask about a new tour the answer is NO. It seems he leaves a small window open for some kind of promo activities..
But perhaps i'm reading to much in it
Post by: ds1984 on February 01, 2024, 09:48:16 PM
Post by: qjamesfloyd on February 02, 2024, 08:42:46 AM
Post by: MorkY555 on February 02, 2024, 10:24:54 AM
I feel Mark has enough songs that he could put on low key shows, no lead guitar heavy songs, he could even do an unplugged show.
Looking at how Mark handled the aucoustic during the Christie's interview and how he walks about in the PR snip close to the bridge, I honestly believe Mark is no longer physically able to really do what he wants. With friends in the studio they can take all the time to get things on tape and everybody would understand that one day may be better than others, but it looks to me that Mark is battling some rheumatic symptoms. If such is the case, then I can really feel for him not being able to have his body follow what he has in mind.....
Post by: Jules on February 02, 2024, 11:14:13 AM
I feel Mark has enough songs that he could put on low key shows, no lead guitar heavy songs, he could even do an unplugged show.
Looking at how Mark handled the aucoustic during the Christie's interview and how he walks about in the PR snip close to the bridge, I honestly believe Mark is no longer physically able to really do what he wants. With friends in the studio they can take all the time to get things on tape and everybody would understand that one day may be better than others, but it looks to me that Mark is battling some rheumatic symptoms. If such is the case, then I can really feel for him not being able to have his body follow what he has in mind.....
He was in a seat, seated in a bad position to play, and probably hold a guitar that wasn't tuned for the song he tried to ply, so I won't take many conclussions of that.
Post by: MorkY555 on February 02, 2024, 11:29:00 AM
I feel Mark has enough songs that he could put on low key shows, no lead guitar heavy songs, he could even do an unplugged show.
Looking at how Mark handled the aucoustic during the Christie's interview and how he walks about in the PR snip close to the bridge, I honestly believe Mark is no longer physically able to really do what he wants. With friends in the studio they can take all the time to get things on tape and everybody would understand that one day may be better than others, but it looks to me that Mark is battling some rheumatic symptoms. If such is the case, then I can really feel for him not being able to have his body follow what he has in mind.....
He was in a seat, seated in a bad position to play, and probably hold a guitar that wasn't tuned for the song he tried to ply, so I won't take many conclussions of that.
You are right. It's just that we all want to have this flow of beautiful music coming to us until the end of times, and then any indication things may come to an end gives me the shivers... Will stop speculating.
Post by: Wario on February 06, 2024, 07:39:57 PM
Post by: Chris W on February 07, 2024, 09:55:47 AM
There is another thing I forgot to mention, before the concerts they do sound checks as a warm-up and that probably helps a lot.
Soundchecks are usually around three hours before the show. So they might be a way of dusting off some cobwebs, but they don't act as a warm up. When I toured with Mark we hardly ever did a soundcheck.
Post by: dustyvalentino on February 07, 2024, 10:33:36 AM
Post by: Chris W on February 07, 2024, 05:37:40 PM
You don't want to start the show cold, stiff.
Post by: dustyvalentino on February 07, 2024, 06:19:19 PM
Post by: Chris W on February 07, 2024, 07:28:37 PM
Post by: Jules on February 07, 2024, 07:46:32 PM
No, I don't remember that. I don't remember Mark having any tech failures on the tour....but I might have forgotten.
If that happened surely Ron would remember that hehehe
Lucky you that were high and far from that trouble, hehe
Post by: Chris W on February 07, 2024, 09:00:10 PM
If it was I can't remember it....but looong tour.
Post by: Alex_melilla on February 08, 2024, 01:51:38 PM
Post by: dustyvalentino on February 08, 2024, 02:19:45 PM
No, I don't remember that. I don't remember Mark having any tech failures on the tour....but I might have forgotten.
If that happened surely Ron would remember that hehehe
Lucky you that were high and far from that trouble, hehe
I'll dig the magazine out of the loft :)
Post by: Iron Hand on February 11, 2024, 06:33:50 PM
I think if the pandemic hadn't happened, and an opportunity had presented itself to do another tour in 2020 or 2021, he might have done it while he was still riding the wave of appreciation (I remember the love in the room after he talked about wanting to stop touring, at the Stuttgart show) and feeling in good enough shape to do it as in 2019.For me it was in 2019 already clear that it was his last tour and I enjoyed it as much as I can. And I know with a new album a lot of people were hoping for a new tour but we have to be realistic.
But why then he would change his speech from saying goodbye to saying "I'll play no matter what"? It was such a strange move from MK. Just mid-sentence change your mind and start telling the opposite, giving people false hope, a perfectly normal way of dealing with things, nothing strange.
With the virus and everything grinding to a halt, I think he cemented his decision.
My hypothesis is that he felt way better at the NA leg of the 2019 tour and felt he might be able to keep playing live, but the pandemic, being closed at home for so long , seeing people close to him dying, and with whatever health issues he would had, maybe was worth to keep calm at home and his desire to keep playing together with the health issues made that desire to fade out completely.I agree. :wave
But: This really would have been the Chance to revive Ride across the River. With all those hornsOr what about "Planet of New Orleans". I know it was dropped from the DS tour because it was too slow or something, but it would have fit right in on the 2019 tour imo... Well, can't have everything. I'm just glad I did get to see him when it was possible.
And of course: Played on a Les Paul. Missed Chance
Post by: ds1984 on February 11, 2024, 10:07:15 PM
Post by: RockinCat on February 19, 2024, 06:16:30 PM
Post by: Jules on February 19, 2024, 06:36:51 PM
Post by: Matchstickman on February 19, 2024, 06:38:34 PM
Playing-wise, well, the Youtube videos are there for anyone to see. Sometimes good, at times less so. Most of the fast or complex material had been ditched.
Post by: dustyvalentino on February 19, 2024, 07:07:07 PM
The 2019 tour was OK, but I have never seen Mark so static, and he's not exactly known for jumping about the stage. It seemed to me that he was having back issues.
Playing-wise, well, the Youtube videos are there for anyone to see. Sometimes good, at times less so. Most of the fast or complex material had been ditched.
He was more static in 2010 :)
(https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/atlanticcityweekly.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/4/36/436b15a5-1eb0-5fc7-9f4a-c9377e4540c2/54c6e383b365a.image.jpg)
Post by: rmarques821 on February 19, 2024, 07:08:21 PM
I think he may have moved more on the bench in 2010, than without bench in 2019. In 2015 he was swinging his hips to So Far AwayThe 2019 tour was OK, but I have never seen Mark so static, and he's not exactly known for jumping about the stage. It seemed to me that he was having back issues.
Playing-wise, well, the Youtube videos are there for anyone to see. Sometimes good, at times less so. Most of the fast or complex material had been ditched.
He was more static in 2010 :)
(https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/atlanticcityweekly.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/4/36/436b15a5-1eb0-5fc7-9f4a-c9377e4540c2/54c6e383b365a.image.jpg)
Post by: dmg on February 19, 2024, 10:31:19 PM
The 2019 tour was OK, but I have never seen Mark so static, and he's not exactly known for jumping about the stage. It seemed to me that he was having back issues.
Playing-wise, well, the Youtube videos are there for anyone to see. Sometimes good, at times less so. Most of the fast or complex material had been ditched.
Listened to Going Home from one of the RAH shows earlier and sadly it sounded like an amateur. Really I wish the 2019 tour hadn't gone ahead.
Post by: Mossguitar on February 20, 2024, 07:06:35 AM
Well, it was a live tour, not a YouTube tour. And the live tour was great. I was actually there and enjoyed it enormously. You can’t jugde a live tour by watching YouTube videos. They don’t capture the live experience at all. Even the pro live recordings don’t do liveshows total justice.The 2019 tour was OK, but I have never seen Mark so static, and he's not exactly known for jumping about the stage. It seemed to me that he was having back issues.
Playing-wise, well, the Youtube videos are there for anyone to see. Sometimes good, at times less so. Most of the fast or complex material had been ditched.
Listened to Going Home from one of the RAH shows earlier and sadly it sounded like an amateur. Really I wish the 2019 tour hadn't gone ahead.
Post by: MagicElliott on February 20, 2024, 09:00:27 AM
Well, it was a live tour, not a YouTube tour. And the live tour was great. I was actually there and enjoyed it enormously. You can’t jugde a live tour by watching YouTube videos. They don’t capture the live experience at all. Even the pro live recordings don’t do liveshows total justice.The 2019 tour was OK, but I have never seen Mark so static, and he's not exactly known for jumping about the stage. It seemed to me that he was having back issues.
Playing-wise, well, the Youtube videos are there for anyone to see. Sometimes good, at times less so. Most of the fast or complex material had been ditched.
Listened to Going Home from one of the RAH shows earlier and sadly it sounded like an amateur. Really I wish the 2019 tour hadn't gone ahead.
Amen to that. I only ever get to see one show per tour. Go to the RAH. In 2019 we sat behind the stage in the choir seats which gave a unique perspective to the band and behind the scenes.
I missed Sultans and Telegraph Road (and Marbletown too) but I enjoyed the show immensely. Why Aye Mab and Postcards From Paraguay were immense.
Post by: dustyvalentino on February 20, 2024, 10:12:17 AM
Well, it was a live tour, not a YouTube tour. And the live tour was great. I was actually there and enjoyed it enormously. You can’t jugde a live tour by watching YouTube videos. They don’t capture the live experience at all. Even the pro live recordings don’t do liveshows total justice.The 2019 tour was OK, but I have never seen Mark so static, and he's not exactly known for jumping about the stage. It seemed to me that he was having back issues.
Playing-wise, well, the Youtube videos are there for anyone to see. Sometimes good, at times less so. Most of the fast or complex material had been ditched.
Listened to Going Home from one of the RAH shows earlier and sadly it sounded like an amateur. Really I wish the 2019 tour hadn't gone ahead.
DMG was actually there as well, I saw him with my own eyes!
Post by: Mossguitar on February 20, 2024, 10:18:20 AM
I didn’t say he wasn’tWell, it was a live tour, not a YouTube tour. And the live tour was great. I was actually there and enjoyed it enormously. You can’t jugde a live tour by watching YouTube videos. They don’t capture the live experience at all. Even the pro live recordings don’t do liveshows total justice.The 2019 tour was OK, but I have never seen Mark so static, and he's not exactly known for jumping about the stage. It seemed to me that he was having back issues.
Playing-wise, well, the Youtube videos are there for anyone to see. Sometimes good, at times less so. Most of the fast or complex material had been ditched.
Listened to Going Home from one of the RAH shows earlier and sadly it sounded like an amateur. Really I wish the 2019 tour hadn't gone ahead.
DMG was actually there as well, I saw him with my own eyes!
Just that he shouldn’t let YouTube ruin the real deal.
Post by: dustyvalentino on February 20, 2024, 10:50:22 AM
It's funny what time does to our thoughts. :)
Reading on whats app group that there is no running to the the bulls thanks to security. :thumbsdown
Correct. Mark made a comment early in the show about the security being strange watching the audience but they remained in place throughout the show.
It didn't spoil what was an excellent concert tonight though. Mark was in top form - really attacking the guitar and turning back the years. It looked quite effortless for him tonight. Even his vocal was quite aggressive at moments tonight. I like when he performs like this!
Tonight was quite emotional for me because my first show was next door at the old venue, the SECC, back in 1991 and tonight I decided to wear my OES badge (sentimental fool that I am). Of course he only went and played OES tonight, the first time I have heard it live since 1991. I feel it completes a circle for me if this is to be the last one. I don't mind telling you all that I shed a tear after Piper but damn those security for not allowing us down to the front.
I did manage to spot Dusty on my way out and went over for an all too brief chat before rushing for my train. Great to see him again and hopefully not for the last time.
Post by: Matchstickman on February 20, 2024, 05:15:12 PM
Anyway, it is a shame that he can't at least do some songs in a small venue. That would have been nice at this stage.
Post by: dmg on February 20, 2024, 05:26:25 PM
Just for fun I went and looked at DMG's post from 2019.
It's funny what time does to our thoughts. :)Reading on whats app group that there is no running to the the bulls thanks to security. :thumbsdown
Correct. Mark made a comment early in the show about the security being strange watching the audience but they remained in place throughout the show.
It didn't spoil what was an excellent concert tonight though. Mark was in top form - really attacking the guitar and turning back the years. It looked quite effortless for him tonight. Even his vocal was quite aggressive at moments tonight. I like when he performs like this!
Tonight was quite emotional for me because my first show was next door at the old venue, the SECC, back in 1991 and tonight I decided to wear my OES badge (sentimental fool that I am). Of course he only went and played OES tonight, the first time I have heard it live since 1991. I feel it completes a circle for me if this is to be the last one. I don't mind telling you all that I shed a tear after Piper but damn those security for not allowing us down to the front.
I did manage to spot Dusty on my way out and went over for an all too brief chat before rushing for my train. Great to see him again and hopefully not for the last time.
Yes, one enjoys travelling, meeting up, taking in the atmosphere and enjoying the overall experience. It can make people get a little carried away with the quality of the actual concerts themselves.
Post by: Chris W on February 20, 2024, 07:07:17 PM
I saw McCartney play his 'secret' show the night before his Glastonbury appearance.
I was aware of his voice situation and wasn't expecting much. In the end I really enjoyed it, partly because he and the band put on a great show, and partly because the people around me were freaking out about it so much.
The next night I watched the Glastonbury set and Paul's vocals seemed quite poor.
I think with a nice, quite loud PA and some excellent musicians, you can enjoy a Knopfler show in person much more than on video or Youtube.
Post by: Knopflerfan on February 20, 2024, 08:03:09 PM
I just think your ear can be a bit less critical in a show, as the songs fly by.
I saw McCartney play his 'secret' show the night before his Glastonbury appearance.
I was aware of his voice situation and wasn't expecting much. In the end I really enjoyed it, partly because he and the band put on a great show, and partly because the people around me were freaking out about it so much.
The next night I watched the Glastonbury set and Paul's vocals seemed quite poor.
I think with a nice, quite loud PA and some excellent musicians, you can enjoy a Knopfler show in person much more than on video or Youtube.
Wholeheartedly agree with you Chris, in my opinion there is/was nothing better than hearing 'The master' Live and I look back with much fondness at all of the many shows I've been to.
Even the 2019 Live shows were good in retrospect purely because of the atmosphere although I don't personally listen back to any of the recordings much now.
To me it was like dmg has already said, it was the travelling to, meet ups with fellow AMITers, the build up
and then the show itself! These fantastic memories will live on....That said, I've been lucky to see MK in more personal shows - Hay on Wye, Chalk Valley and Bridport Arts Centre and although the music does not have the volume of a large show it was in these three shows the fact of having MK playing in the smaller venues that was amazing....of course meeting MK afterwards at Bridport was the 'icing on the cake' for me!
As for you tube concert recordings - nah!
Post by: ds1984 on February 21, 2024, 08:08:43 PM
I liked the band, I liked the horn section, getting SB after all these years of waiting.
And...me too I have no fun listening to recordings from that tour. You had to be there, otherwise it sounds like a bad ersatz.
Post by: Knut on February 25, 2024, 09:05:59 PM
Post by: Knut on March 04, 2024, 12:25:33 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEgMtw13s9I
Post by: rmarques821 on March 04, 2024, 12:38:54 AM
Just curious, is this the last time he played a full song for an audience?Yes. Unless you count with the cringe 3 seconds of Brothers in Arms in January.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEgMtw13s9I
Post by: Jules on March 04, 2024, 06:04:45 AM
Just curious, is this the last time he played a full song for an audience?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEgMtw13s9I
Not really, I mean, there was no audience there, just playing with Guy in a kind of glass box in front of a camera that showed it to people in other place, was it the start of a race?
Post by: dmg on March 09, 2024, 12:50:43 PM
Just curious, is this the last time he played a full song for an audience?
I'd count this as the last time he's played live and the last time we'll see him do it again.
Post by: quizzaciously on March 09, 2024, 01:44:44 PM
Just curious, is this the last time he played a full song for an audience?
I'd count this as the last time he's played live and the last time we'll see him do it again.
And this is Going Home, and stripped-down duet version done with a colleague of 40 years, and it happened on a race, a lifelong love of Mark's. It can't be more fitting than that if you ask me.
Post by: Jules on March 28, 2024, 09:49:23 AM
Re touring: MK says that he misses the stage, but sees his physical limits and prefers spending time with his wife and make the best of the time that remains. He says that he has no intention of 'copping it' on some autobahn. [I wonder if he used the German word here]
Apparently, he feels too "rusty" to even play some gigs in London, and it would be just as much hassle as a whole tour. He explains that he simply doesn't want to tour because of his marriage and his health.
He compares touring to riding motorcycles, which he couldn't do today because it's painful in the neck and the wrists. He says he prefers sitting upright these days.
(Source: Eclipsed Rock Magazin Nr. 259, April 2024)
I have to admit that I lost any hopes and, what's best, I'm in peace with that. All I need about this thing of not touring or playing live was just listening to him talking about it, in a clear and simple way, why not telling the fans, hey, I'm not playing live anymore because this or that?.
Now I just accepted there won't be anymore concerts and I'm happy for all the ones I was able to attend, and happy about not having to expect if there would be anything else in the future.
Thanks MK.
Post by: dustyvalentino on March 28, 2024, 10:14:10 AM
shock and denial.
pain and guilt.
anger and bargaining.
depression.
the upward turn.
reconstruction and working through.
acceptance and hope.
Post by: Robson on March 28, 2024, 11:23:32 AM
Post by: cannibals on March 29, 2024, 01:01:17 PM
Would it not be great to see him play the song with Bruce Springsteen when he is in London this summer?
But MK is really done playing live and he has some health issues, that's for sure. Good to read he still wants to make some records.....
Post by: cannibals on April 10, 2024, 07:48:40 PM
https://www.vulture.com/article/mark-knopfler-dire-straits-best-music.html
Post by: stratmad on April 10, 2024, 08:11:23 PM
Post by: ds1984 on April 11, 2024, 07:09:19 PM
Post by: bobfan on April 12, 2024, 06:00:44 PM
Post by: ds1984 on April 12, 2024, 06:12:12 PM
For my other artists that is me who retired first.
Post by: Knopflerfan on April 12, 2024, 06:13:41 PM
Post by: KnopfleRick on April 12, 2024, 09:11:11 PM
It certainly wasn't easy to make this decision, but I have the feeling that he has come to terms with the decision and now seems satisfied to me.
Let's hope that he can pursue his passion for many more years and surprise us with good music every now and then.
Post by: Robson on April 12, 2024, 09:24:20 PM
I have the greatest respect for him for recognizing the right time to leave the stage.
It certainly wasn't easy to make this decision, but I have the feeling that he has come to terms with the decision and now seems satisfied to me.
Let's hope that he can pursue his passion for many more years and surprise us with good music every now and then.
Exactly!
Post by: Knopflerfan on April 12, 2024, 10:03:11 PM
I have the greatest respect for him for recognizing the right time to leave the stage.
It certainly wasn't easy to make this decision, but I have the feeling that he has come to terms with the decision and now seems satisfied to me.
Let's hope that he can pursue his passion for many more years and surprise us with good music every now and then.
My wife and I were chatting on the way back from London and we both agree he seemed happier and was really chatty in fact I think we'd still be in the cinema if Mark had his way! I wonder if it's because he does not have the pressure to play live anymore and he can relax. Mark was really in such a great mood looking around at us all and engaging!
I'm very confident having seen him today that there is more music to come however!
Post by: Love Expresso on April 13, 2024, 08:18:12 AM
LE
Post by: Knopflerfan on April 13, 2024, 08:34:19 AM
I fully agree and I am fine with his decision. He's not a machine and he has done a lot of tours to please us. But I also admit, when I heard the new song from the EP, I really imagined to hear it live full blast from his excellent band. This song is made to be played live. The album itself to me is made to listen to carefully at home.
LE
LE,
Great words my friend. When we heared 'All comers' yesterday we were indeed lucky to hear it through the cinema sound system which was the nearest we will get to a Live version. Shades of Border Reiver immediately came to mind and like you would give anything to have heard it with the full band Live!!
Post by: Darling Pretty on April 13, 2024, 08:51:56 AM
I fully agree and I am fine with his decision. He's not a machine and he has done a lot of tours to please us. But I also admit, when I heard the new song from the EP, I really imagined to hear it live full blast from his excellent band. This song is made to be played live. The album itself to me is made to listen to carefully at home.
LE
Exactly my thoughts LE.
I enjoy it at home. No need to be played at concerts. Maybe someday I blow up the Atmos mix on my soundsystem
Post by: arthurvanb on April 15, 2024, 12:28:02 PM
Scavenger’s Yard played with the whole band like Done With Bonaparte. Ahead of the Game same. Watch me Gone with one single big white light on Mark..
I actually thought the last two shows in Antwerp and Amsterdam I saw were some of the best I’ve seen from him!
Personal tragedy: I didn’t go to the MK & Emmylou Harris show because back then I was young and didn’t know Emmylou yet… Wow what a mistake… ;)
Post by: Silvertown on April 15, 2024, 12:31:42 PM
I still hope he’ll do some small live shows here and there, TV performances maybe? Do one last live ‘concert’ somewhere in a studio or on location in Newcastle for DVD. There are surely some great songs I’d love to have seen a live version of.
Scavenger’s Yard played with the whole band like Done With Bonaparte. Ahead of the Game same. Watch me Gone with one single big white light on Mark..
I actually thought the last two shows in Antwerp and Amsterdam I saw were some of the best I’ve seen from him!
Personal tragedy: I didn’t go to the MK & Emmylou Harris show because back then I was young and didn’t know Emmylou yet… Wow what a mistake… ;)
Chances are very slim, because it would need time for Mark to rehearse, time for band to rehearse etc. I think that Mark has made his decision and is happy with it now. Although I am definitely with you on the need to hear those songs live with longer outros etc.
Post by: arthurvanb on April 15, 2024, 12:35:12 PM
Post by: Jules on April 15, 2024, 12:40:55 PM
THERE ARE NO CHANCES.
MK already stated that in interviews promoting the new record.
Post by: nando_5994 on April 15, 2024, 12:57:20 PM
Post by: rmarques821 on April 15, 2024, 01:07:57 PM
I still hope he’ll do some small live shows here and there, TV performances maybe? Do one last live ‘concert’ somewhere in a studio or on location in Newcastle for DVD.No more live concerts, shows or performances, my friend.
But I can see him pick up a guitar and play a song for the Brian Johnson TV show thing. That would be feasible.
Post by: KnopfleRick on April 15, 2024, 07:29:05 PM
I still hope he’ll do some small live shows here and there, TV performances maybe? Do one last live ‘concert’ somewhere in a studio or on location in Newcastle for DVD.No more live concerts, shows or performances, my friend.
But I can see him pick up a guitar and play a song for the Brian Johnson TV show thing. That would be feasible.
And I hope that will happen In Emmylou's living room. :)
Post by: Knopflerfan on April 15, 2024, 07:40:26 PM
I still hope he’ll do some small live shows here and there, TV performances maybe? Do one last live ‘concert’ somewhere in a studio or on location in Newcastle for DVD.No more live concerts, shows or performances, my friend.
But I can see him pick up a guitar and play a song for the Brian Johnson TV show thing. That would be feasible.
And I hope that will happen In Emmylou's living room. :)
And with Vince Gill too!
Post by: goldenheart96 on April 15, 2024, 08:24:00 PM
Well, I‘ve just dug out my reviews of my 2019 concerts and I was one of those fans who were carefully optimistic there will be at least a few concerts in the future. Now that tours and one-offs are officially off the table makes me incredibly sad. I know all the facts and reasons and accept that, but knowing we will never see Mark live again is still a terrible thought :(
I had hoped for at least a farewell show like Paul Simon did, but alas, it‘s what it is I guess. Sigh.
Post by: dustyvalentino on April 15, 2024, 08:36:03 PM
Hello everybody, long time no seen. Thought I‘d peek out of the lurking closet again :wave
Well, I‘ve just dug out my reviews of my 2019 concerts and I was one of those fans who were carefully optimistic there will be at least a few concerts in the future. Now that tours and one-offs are officially off the table makes me incredibly sad. I know all the facts and reasons and accept that, but knowing we will never see Mark live again is still a terrible thought :(
I had hoped for at least a farewell show like Paul Simon did, but alas, it‘s what it is I guess. Sigh.
Welcome back!
Post by: dmg on April 16, 2024, 11:11:34 PM
Hello everybody, long time no seen. Thought I‘d peek out of the lurking closet again :wave
Well, I‘ve just dug out my reviews of my 2019 concerts and I was one of those fans who were carefully optimistic there will be at least a few concerts in the future. Now that tours and one-offs are officially off the table makes me incredibly sad. I know all the facts and reasons and accept that, but knowing we will never see Mark live again is still a terrible thought :(
I had hoped for at least a farewell show like Paul Simon did, but alas, it‘s what it is I guess. Sigh.
Lovely to have you join us again!
Post by: superval99 on April 17, 2024, 09:42:08 AM
Hello everybody, long time no seen. Thought I‘d peek out of the lurking closet again :wave
Well, I‘ve just dug out my reviews of my 2019 concerts and I was one of those fans who were carefully optimistic there will be at least a few concerts in the future. Now that tours and one-offs are officially off the table makes me incredibly sad. I know all the facts and reasons and accept that, but knowing we will never see Mark live again is still a terrible thought :(
I had hoped for at least a farewell show like Paul Simon did, but alas, it‘s what it is I guess. Sigh.
Nice to see you here again!
Post by: Knopflerfan on April 17, 2024, 09:47:15 AM
Hello everybody, long time no seen. Thought I‘d peek out of the lurking closet again :wave
Well, I‘ve just dug out my reviews of my 2019 concerts and I was one of those fans who were carefully optimistic there will be at least a few concerts in the future. Now that tours and one-offs are officially off the table makes me incredibly sad. I know all the facts and reasons and accept that, but knowing we will never see Mark live again is still a terrible thought :(
I had hoped for at least a farewell show like Paul Simon did, but alas, it‘s what it is I guess. Sigh.
Nice to see you here again!
Welcome back...
Post by: goldenheart96 on April 17, 2024, 06:14:52 PM
This no more tours thing still feels weird. No anger about the MK pre ticket sale, no joy if you found out you sit in row one. No who‘s going where thread, no meetings, no bull running, no beaming faces after the shows. No grumpy MK onstage who will eventually put a smile on. I don’t want to whine, but I‘m still sad. If only we had one or two more live DVD‘s from previous tours.
Post by: Darling Pretty on April 17, 2024, 06:33:53 PM
I am also still sad about that. There are moments when I put on my Sennheisser headphones and listen/watch the Mandela 88 concert (mostly BIA) and think to myself:
No tours anymore, even not a single RAH gig.
Where have all those 36 years gone? 11 tours are over. If I count correctly for myself.
That's a point at weekends when I get really melancholic and get myself a single malt.
Cheers Mark
Post by: Knopflerfan on April 17, 2024, 06:43:24 PM
Thanks everybody :)
This no more tours thing still feels weird. No anger about the MK pre ticket sale, no joy if you found out you sit in row one. No who‘s going where thread, no meetings, no bull running, no beaming faces after the shows. No grumpy MK onstage who will eventually put a smile on. I don’t want to whine, but I‘m still sad. If only we had one or two more live DVD‘s from previous tours.
I get your sentiments, in fact queuing to see MK in London on Friday releases the majority of those sad thoughts. No meet ups before a concert, no finding out who you are sat with in rows 1&2 and then out of the blue Ingridswing appeared! It was so surreal! Sad bit surreal!
Post by: stratmad on April 17, 2024, 06:52:51 PM
But actually there is nohing that could stop a fan club from organising a convention, whatever that might look like. Just an idea ;-)
Post by: Darling Pretty on April 17, 2024, 06:57:44 PM
Post by: dustyvalentino on April 17, 2024, 07:08:13 PM
The auction (including viewing for us lucky ones).
The auction catalogue which is magnificent.
The Going Home single.
New album PLUS bonus PLUS vinyl bonus PLUS EP - 25 new songs?!!
The new TV show - six full hours!
So really we are being very spoiled by a soon to be 75 year old man and we should be very happy :)
Post by: Darling Pretty on April 17, 2024, 07:16:41 PM
Post by: Knopflerfan on April 17, 2024, 07:31:13 PM
I get it, but this is also a golden time to be an MK fan:
The auction (including viewing for us lucky ones).
The auction catalogue which is magnificent.
The Going Home single.
New album PLUS bonus PLUS vinyl bonus PLUS EP - 25 new songs?!!
The new TV show - six full hours!
So really we are being very spoiled by a soon to be 75 year old man and we should be very happy :)
Yes you are right it's just looking back on happy memories I guess...and also the journey we have been on all these years following 'The Master'
Post by: Darling Pretty on April 17, 2024, 07:55:29 PM
Post by: Knopflerfan on April 17, 2024, 08:09:29 PM
I will definately miss the Pee-breaks with Ingrid and Pottel during Romeo :P
Those were the days!!!
Post by: localhero1986 on April 17, 2024, 08:11:24 PM
Post by: Robson on April 17, 2024, 09:36:45 PM
I get it, but this is also a golden time to be an MK fan:
The auction (including viewing for us lucky ones).
The auction catalogue which is magnificent.
The Going Home single.
New album PLUS bonus PLUS vinyl bonus PLUS EP - 25 new songs?!!
The new TV show - six full hours!
So really we are being very spoiled by a soon to be 75 year old man and we should be very happy :)
Oh yes, I completely agree. My friend said this is the year of Mark Knopfler :)
Post by: ds1984 on April 17, 2024, 10:30:47 PM
Post by: stratmad on April 17, 2024, 10:39:57 PM
The golden time was...july 2002.
Oh yes!
I've just found a beautiful gem interview on youtube, from around that time. Someone must have put it through some filter, better quality now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0QgA-AL1kw (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0QgA-AL1kw).
Post by: goldenheart96 on April 18, 2024, 04:05:33 PM
I will definately miss the Pee-breaks with Ingrid and Pottel during Romeo :P
Those were the days!!!
Oh yes! I remember Ingrid called them b-breaks sometimes, with b for beer ;D
Post by: goldenheart96 on April 18, 2024, 04:10:49 PM
I get it, but this is also a golden time to be an MK fan:
The auction (including viewing for us lucky ones).
The auction catalogue which is magnificent.
The Going Home single.
New album PLUS bonus PLUS vinyl bonus PLUS EP - 25 new songs?!!
The new TV show - six full hours!
So really we are being very spoiled by a soon to be 75 year old man and we should be very happy :)
You are absolutely right of course. It‘s great to be that spoiled with new stuff and that MK is still active. But it doesn‘t beat the atmosphere of a live concert. Sigh. As I said, I still have to get used to that fact. I‘m a bit in denial still and a part of me hopes for a little miracle, i.e. some mini shows in London. One can dream…
Post by: Matchstickman on April 18, 2024, 04:45:09 PM