A Mark In Time

Mark Knopfler Discussion => Mark Knopfler Discussion Forum => Topic started by: JF on July 26, 2024, 12:21:18 PM

Title: A new book about MK
Post by: JF on July 26, 2024, 12:21:18 PM

Swiss musician Richard Koechli is preparing to release a book on Mark Knopfler by the end of the year. He explains his approach on his Facebook page :

https://www.facebook.com/richard.koechli/posts/pfbid04GsqNVwe8aCQqTSK4bbmdkpEHXhbAR21zEkLupxDf4Nx4S5xcc7Gwp6zRGdbGAe8l
Title: Re: A new book about MK
Post by: Darling Pretty on July 27, 2024, 08:50:07 AM
when you donate CHF 300 you will be mentioned as an executive producer.
wow. How many AMITer will think about that now. Nice idea. I will buy this thing
Title: Re: A new book about MK
Post by: wakeywakey on July 27, 2024, 10:06:47 AM
when you donate CHF 300 you will be mentioned as an executive producer.
wow. How many AMITer will think about that now. Nice idea. I will buy this thing

I take it you are being sarcastic?
To pay £260 to get your name in a book is a complete rip off/madness.
Title: Re: A new book about MK
Post by: Darling Pretty on July 27, 2024, 10:26:47 AM
sure it is.
But still sure some fans will do it :lol
Title: Re: A new book about MK
Post by: Rail King on July 27, 2024, 05:08:17 PM
It's called crowdfunding. Can't see anything wrong with it.
Title: Re: A new book about MK
Post by: stratmad on July 29, 2024, 12:13:52 PM
It sounds promising anyway. Firstly because he's a musician himself, which is a totally different perspective, and because apparently he's not doing it for the money, if he relies on crowdfunding.
Title: Re: A new book about MK
Post by: ds1984 on July 29, 2024, 01:41:18 PM
It sounds promising anyway. Firstly because he's a musician himself, which is a totally different perspective, and because apparently he's not doing it for the money, if he relies on crowdfunding.

Where did you read that he won't intend to make money with it?

He does not say much about "the how" that crowdfunding works, other than if you give him enough money you will have your name printed in the book.

So what I currently understand is that he is looking for money for the book - no more no less.
Title: Re: A new book about MK
Post by: qjamesfloyd on July 29, 2024, 02:16:10 PM
Good job this book is not written by Henrik Hansen :think we'd never get to read it.
Title: Re: A new book about MK
Post by: dustyvalentino on July 29, 2024, 02:19:22 PM
What's the author's record as a writer? Has he had positive reviews previously?

Hello to the author if he is looking in by the way, I'm sure he has referenced AMIT, nearly anytime you google something about MK AMIT is one of the top results.
Title: Re: A new book about MK
Post by: stratmad on July 29, 2024, 06:42:34 PM
It sounds promising anyway. Firstly because he's a musician himself, which is a totally different perspective, and because apparently he's not doing it for the money, if he relies on crowdfunding.

Where did you read that he won't intend to make money with it?

He does not say much about "the how" that crowdfunding works, other than if you give him enough money you will have your name printed in the book.

So what I currently understand is that he is looking for money for the book - no more no less.

Of course he'll want to earn some money with it, but to me it doesn't sound like a big commercial project that's aimed at "milking" a big name, otherwise he'd have a contract with a publishing company, marketing etc. The impression I got is that he is genuinely interested in the music. If that's the case, I think it's something to look forward to. :-)
Title: Re: A new book about MK
Post by: dustyvalentino on July 30, 2024, 09:24:17 AM
If he was sensible he would ask some of the experts on here like Jbaent to fact check it before publishing. :)
Title: Re: A new book about MK
Post by: Love Expresso on July 30, 2024, 10:07:33 AM
If he was sensible he would ask some of the experts on here like Jbaent to fact check it before publishing. :)

Wow, harsh! Why rub it in? 

LE
Title: Re: A new book about MK
Post by: dustyvalentino on July 30, 2024, 10:15:29 AM
If he was sensible he would ask some of the experts on here like Jbaent to fact check it before publishing. :)

Wow, harsh! Why rub it in? 

LE

I was being serious and didn't give a thought about what you are referring to until you brought it up.

Julio and many others (not me) will know much more than this author will about the facts around MK. I mentioned Julio specifically because he has already written a book on MK so has been through this process of fact checking, I don't know anyone else who has done that.

For the avoidance of doubt, in my opinion Julio is a great man and also happens to be one of the people in the world with the most knowledge of MK and I am proud to call him a friend.

So I stand by my suggestion that this author would be sensible to ask someone like Julio to fact check their book. John Illsley should have done that too. :)
Title: Re: A new book about MK
Post by: tobi777 on July 30, 2024, 12:00:31 PM
The author is well known in the guitar scene and has written several good and professional instruction books.
He has also worked as a musician for many years. That's why I have a lot of confidence in him.
There are also capable people outside this forum...
Title: Re: A new book about MK
Post by: dustyvalentino on July 30, 2024, 12:28:04 PM
The author is well known in the guitar scene and has written several good and professional instruction books.
He has also worked as a musician for many years. That's why I have a lot of confidence in him.
There are also capable people outside this forum...

I have no idea who this person is so I definitely was not questioning their knowledge or ability.

I was just pointing out that there are people on here who have a lot of knowledge and to me it would make sense to tap into that if you wanted the book to be as good as it could be. Of course there are people who don't post here who also have a lot of knowledge, but this is an easy place to find such people. :)
Title: Re: A new book about MK
Post by: Robson on July 30, 2024, 12:35:31 PM
Fans always know better. And they remember a lot :)
Title: Re: A new book about MK
Post by: Love Expresso on July 30, 2024, 01:04:44 PM
The author is well known in the guitar scene and has written several good and professional instruction books.
He has also worked as a musician for many years. That's why I have a lot of confidence in him.
There are also capable people outside this forum...

Exactly.

LE
Title: Re: A new book about MK
Post by: stratmad on July 30, 2024, 01:27:30 PM
It's even possible that the author is actually a forum member.
Or maybe Julio has a double identity and a second home in Switzerland? 🤣
Title: Re: A new book about MK
Post by: Pottel on July 31, 2024, 08:23:37 AM
It's even possible that the author is actually a forum member.
Or maybe Julio has a double identity and a second home in Switzerland? 🤣
mad rich that Jbaent!
Title: Re: A new book about MK
Post by: Pottel on July 31, 2024, 08:26:02 AM
It sounds promising anyway. Firstly because he's a musician himself, which is a totally different perspective, and because apparently he's not doing it for the money, if he relies on crowdfunding.

Where did you read that he won't intend to make money with it?

He does not say much about "the how" that crowdfunding works, other than if you give him enough money you will have your name printed in the book.

So what I currently understand is that he is looking for money for the book - no more no less.
do not think writing a book on MK will bring you the big money these days, if ever. also, fully understand what Dusty was trying to say and also happy to call him a friend, be it of a somewhat dubious nature, but i will gladly look past that.
Title: Re: A new book about MK
Post by: Love Expresso on February 03, 2025, 07:22:42 PM
The book is out now, released today. I ordered it and will report back when I've read it. The author already mentions that these 550 pages are only about the Dire Straits times and that there will be a second volume about the solo years.

LE
Title: Re: A new book about MK
Post by: Kris-b on February 03, 2025, 07:49:06 PM
The book is in German and is also available as an e book at Amazon.. I just downloaded a sample and will have a look later.
Title: Re: A new book about MK
Post by: KnopfleRick on February 03, 2025, 08:40:44 PM
Thanks for this great news, LE and Kris-b!  :thumbsup
Title: Re: A new book about MK
Post by: Love Expresso on February 03, 2025, 08:48:19 PM
The author also announces french and english translations for spring 2025, in case anyone is interested.

LE
Title: Re: A new book about MK
Post by: Kris-b on February 04, 2025, 09:16:50 AM
I have read my sample now. The first chapters are about Mark‘s musical influences. So about music at home and the musicians of his youth. Long passages of Lonny Donegan and Chris Barber, Hank Marvin, Bert Weedon ( never heard this name brfore). And about his first guitar and also about blowing the family radio😂😂. A lot philosophical stuff too
It doesn‘t have any pictures but lots of links to videos.

I will download the rest and look forward to more information!
Title: Re: A new book about MK
Post by: superval99 on February 04, 2025, 10:13:43 AM
I have read my sample now. The first chapters are about Mark‘s musical influences. So about music at home and the musicians of his youth. Long passages of Lonny Donegan and Chris Barber, Hank Marvin, Bert Weedon ( never heard this name brfore). And about his first guitar and also about blowing the family radio😂😂. A lot philosophical stuff too
It doesn‘t have any pictures but lots of links to videos.

I will download the rest and look forward to more information!

Thanks Kris.   Bert Weedon was a guitarist from the '50s.  He wrote a book called "Play in a Day" which is referenced in  "We Can Get Wild".
Title: Re: A new book about MK
Post by: Kris-b on February 04, 2025, 10:50:55 AM
Yes, that book was mentioned!
Title: Re: A new book about MK
Post by: Robson on February 04, 2025, 01:45:41 PM
... A lot philosophical stuff too...

Can you write more?
Title: Re: A new book about MK
Post by: KnopfleRick on February 04, 2025, 02:13:54 PM

It doesn‘t have any pictures but lots of links to videos.


That means no pictures at all. Really?  ???
Title: Re: A new book about MK
Post by: Love Expresso on February 04, 2025, 03:36:05 PM
... A lot philosophical stuff too...

Can you write more?

Jesus. Give us some time to read will you?  My book needs 8 days to be delivered.

LE
Title: Re: A new book about MK
Post by: Robson on February 04, 2025, 03:55:41 PM
... A lot philosophical stuff too...

Can you write more?

Jesus. Give us some time to read will you?  My book needs 8 days to be delivered.

LE

Jesus. I asked Kris-b not you.
Title: Re: A new book about MK
Post by: hunter v2.0 on February 04, 2025, 04:32:41 PM
Unless the author has info from people like Ed or others who were there, what else can be said about Mark that hasn't been said thousand times before?
Title: Re: A new book about MK
Post by: Love Expresso on February 04, 2025, 05:19:03 PM
Unless the author has info from people like Ed or others who were there, what else can be said about Mark that hasn't been said thousand times before?

Philosophical stuff.  ;)

LE
Title: Re: A new book about MK
Post by: Kris-b on February 04, 2025, 05:41:54 PM

It doesn‘t have any pictures but lots of links to videos.


That means no pictures at all. Really?  ???
He wrote that in the foreword
Title: Re: A new book about MK
Post by: Chris W on February 04, 2025, 05:50:13 PM
Unless the author has info from people like Ed or others who were there, what else can be said about Mark that hasn't been said thousand times before?

^^^ This ^^^
Title: Re: A new book about MK
Post by: Jules on February 05, 2025, 08:02:33 AM
Unless the author has info from people like Ed or others who were there, what else can be said about Mark that hasn't been said thousand times before?

^^^ This ^^^

Exactly.

There is a book in Spain released recently that covers until the very last MK record (One deep river) and EP, The Boy, and took some information from Chris and Ed posts here and info from Jack podcast so that's something new:

https://www.amarkintime.org/forum/index.php?topic=8948.msg184607#msg184607

Right now there is only version in Spanish.
Title: Re: A new book about MK
Post by: qjamesfloyd on February 05, 2025, 08:50:45 AM
Quote from: Kris-b link=topic=8895.msg186464#msg186464
date=1738657010
I have read my sample now. The first chapters are about Mark‘s musical influences. So about music at home and the musicians of his youth. Long passages of Lonny Donegan and Chris Barber, Hank Marvin, Bert Weedon ( never heard this name brfore). And about his first guitar and also about blowing the family radio😂😂. A lot philosophical stuff too
It doesn‘t have any pictures but lots of links to videos.

I will download the rest and look forward to more information!

Thanks Kris.   Bert Weedon was a guitarist from the '50s.  He wrote a book called "Play in a Day" which is referenced in  "We Can Get Wild".

I am sure people have seen this but here is a clip with Mark and Bert Weedon.
https://youtu.be/vVvNeCp73ds?si=A89tydQKRbWWl_1S
Title: Re: A new book about MK
Post by: Kris-b on February 05, 2025, 08:58:36 AM
Thanks!
Title: Re: A new book about MK
Post by: dustyvalentino on February 05, 2025, 04:09:44 PM
Unless the author has info from people like Ed or others who were there, what else can be said about Mark that hasn't been said thousand times before?

There will be casual fans who won't want to trawl through all the nonsense that is written on here, dig out old interviews etc that may like to just sit down and read a book with lots of good info in one place.

You can make the same argument for The Beatles, Dylan, Sinatra etc but new books are released about them every year (note, in no way am I comparing MK to any of them).
Title: Re: A new book about MK
Post by: Robson on February 05, 2025, 04:50:43 PM
Unless the author has info from people like Ed or others who were there, what else can be said about Mark that hasn't been said thousand times before?

There will be casual fans who won't want to trawl through all the nonsense that is written on here, dig out old interviews etc that may like to just sit down and read a book with lots of good info in one place.

You can make the same argument for The Beatles, Dylan, Sinatra etc but new books are released about them every year (note, in no way am I comparing MK to any of them).

That's true. I agree. Fans from the forum know a lot about MK because they want to know, but many people would definitely like to read a book about DS/MK. I believe that a book always makes sense.
Title: Re: A new book about MK
Post by: hunter v2.0 on February 06, 2025, 10:46:15 AM
Unless the author has info from people like Ed or others who were there, what else can be said about Mark that hasn't been said thousand times before?

There will be casual fans who won't want to trawl through all the nonsense that is written on here, dig out old interviews etc that may like to just sit down and read a book with lots of good info in one place.

You can make the same argument for The Beatles, Dylan, Sinatra etc but new books are released about them every year (note, in no way am I comparing MK to any of them).

Sure, but unless someone like Ed, who actually knows how to tell a story and was there, writes it, I really don't see the point. Then I mean just update the Wiki article on Mark.
Title: Re: A new book about MK
Post by: dustyvalentino on February 06, 2025, 10:54:47 AM
Unless the author has info from people like Ed or others who were there, what else can be said about Mark that hasn't been said thousand times before?

There will be casual fans who won't want to trawl through all the nonsense that is written on here, dig out old interviews etc that may like to just sit down and read a book with lots of good info in one place.

You can make the same argument for The Beatles, Dylan, Sinatra etc but new books are released about them every year (note, in no way am I comparing MK to any of them).

Sure, but unless someone like Ed, who actually knows how to tell a story and was there, writes it, I really don't see the point. Then I mean just update the Wiki article on Mark.

I guess you could apply that logic to any biography... and as we have seen with John Illsley's book, even an autobiography written by the man himself (cough) can have errors. Different authors will have different standards of research and accuracy. Peter Guralnick for example is a very trustworthy writer in my experience.
Title: Re: A new book about MK
Post by: hunter v2.0 on February 06, 2025, 11:04:11 AM
Well, a biography should be more than just a chronicle of events and facts, at least for me to buy it. If not I prefer reading the short version in an encyclopedia article.
Title: Re: A new book about MK
Post by: Chris W on February 06, 2025, 11:14:17 AM

That's true. I agree. Fans from the forum know a lot about MK because they want to know

Historically I've seen more unsubstantiated guess work than actual facts. This is also highlighted by Ed Bicknell's lengthy posts correcting all the misinformation.
People who were there often have differing experiences, different memories. I know when chatting with Chris White, he remembers things I have absolutely no memory of.
But it's better to get your 'facts' from the people in the room, on the stage, than from people who have used the internet as their research database.
Title: Re: A new book about MK
Post by: Robson on February 06, 2025, 01:02:35 PM

That's true. I agree. Fans from the forum know a lot about MK because they want to know

Historically I've seen more unsubstantiated guess work than actual facts. This is also highlighted by Ed Bicknell's lengthy posts correcting all the misinformation.
People who were there often have differing experiences, different memories. I know when chatting with Chris White, he remembers things I have absolutely no memory of.
But it's better to get your 'facts' from the people in the room, on the stage, than from people who have used the internet as their research database.

Of course. I just wanted to say that a real, honest biography book will always be needed. I think people like to read a biography if they are moderate fans of the artist.
Title: Re: A new book about MK
Post by: KnopfleRick on February 06, 2025, 02:49:16 PM

That's true. I agree. Fans from the forum know a lot about MK because they want to know

Historically I've seen more unsubstantiated guess work than actual facts. This is also highlighted by Ed Bicknell's lengthy posts correcting all the misinformation.
People who were there often have differing experiences, different memories. I know when chatting with Chris White, he remembers things I have absolutely no memory of.
But it's better to get your 'facts' from the people in the room, on the stage, than from people who have used the internet as their research database.

Of course. I just wanted to say that a real, honest biography book will always be needed. I think people like to read a biography if they are moderate fans of the artist.

For me it's always great to read a book about my favourite artist MK even I've been a longtime fan and know (or think) to know a lot about him.
It's always interesting to read about another person's opinion or interpretation of his guitar playing, song writing etc.

But I think a real and honest biographical book only can be written by our man himself.
But this probably will never happen!
Title: Re: A new book about MK
Post by: quizzaciously on February 06, 2025, 02:55:34 PM

That's true. I agree. Fans from the forum know a lot about MK because they want to know

Historically I've seen more unsubstantiated guess work than actual facts. This is also highlighted by Ed Bicknell's lengthy posts correcting all the misinformation.
People who were there often have differing experiences, different memories. I know when chatting with Chris White, he remembers things I have absolutely no memory of.
But it's better to get your 'facts' from the people in the room, on the stage, than from people who have used the internet as their research database.

Of course. I just wanted to say that a real, honest biography book will always be needed. I think people like to read a biography if they are moderate fans of the artist.

For me it's always great to read a book about my favourite artist MK even I've been a longtime fan and know (or think) to know a lot about him.
It's always interesting to read about another person's opinion or interpretation of his guitar playing, song writing etc.

But I think a real and honest biographical book only can be written by our man himself.
But this probably will never happen!

It's funny because I named my project "Mark Knopfler Songbook", and from time to time I get emails from people who want to buy the actual "book" which of course doesn't exist. So yes, people do love books, and I always had deep admiration for anybody who can write one — it's not easy. So yes, a book on MK is not a problem, and a good author/journalist will always stumble upon good resources like AMIT in his search for information.