The Straits Charity in RAH?

[ds1984]

Lets prepare to attend The Nutting Hillbillies feat Ed Bicknell Steve phillips and Brendan Crocker

[Jules]

I already paid for a Brendan & Steve show playing the full NHB cd in Barcelona some years ago, so I

[Jarle]

A little review of the show at the "Under the Bridge" club:

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/247712/Gig-review-The-Straits-at-Under-The-Bridge

[Pottel]

thnx jarle!

[Jackal]

I especially liked these bits:

[...] are faithfully reproduced, helped in large part by Reis' stirling impression of the famous bandana-wearing lead singer.

and

everyone is enjoying themselves; group, audience, and especially 24-year-old keyboardist James Squire who receives a mighty cheer on being introduced by the very spry looking Clark.

Did especially not like these bits:

[...] The Straits (formerly Dire)

and

Mark is absent tonight, [...]

[superval99]

How about:

The most Dire Straits bit of Dire Straits was always Mark Knopfler's voice..........

What about his guitar sound?      

[Love Expresso]

I think the article is rather fair, compared to some other rubbish that was written before... Wonder what that "soft-rock" instrumental is, a new composition by them or maybe something that our reporter hasn't recognized? Would be interesting to know the complete set-list...

LE

[Jules]

How about:

The most Dire Straits bit of Dire Straits was always Mark Knopfler's voice..........

What about his guitar sound?      

If you are talking about the 1977-1979 Dire Straits, yes.

From 1980 it was not only that but also all the new musical arrangements that came with the keyboards, and later with the sax, both instruments were very present in all the songs.

To me thats the difference between Dire Straits and MK solo career. Although the main instrument was always Mk guitar and his voice, in DS the other instruments had their role, very important, it was really a band.

[Tally]

Funny you should say that, jbaent, because to me it seems to be more of a group thing now. It depends on how you look at it of course, but there are certainly fewer extended guitar solos on Mark's part today, leaving room for others. Yet the contributions of the band are seldom as pronounced as, say, the sax, which tended to dominate proceedings whenever it was brought out (and it ruined Sultans for years in my opinion).

Along similar lines, it think it is fair to say that the guitar defined DS all the way through, and still defines MK solo; but clearly, with more acoustic songs these days, the guitar is less up-front now. I was also suprised at the comment about the voice defining DS. Of course it did, in combination with the gee-tar.

[aborille]

Yet the contributions of the band are seldom as pronounced as, say, the sax, which tended to dominate proceedings whenever it was brought out (and it ruined Sultans for years in my opinion).

I cannot agree more!
Alessandro

[dmg]

Yet the contributions of the band are seldom as pronounced as, say, the sax, which tended to dominate proceedings whenever it was brought out (and it ruined Sultans for years in my opinion).

I cannot agree more!
Alessandro

I have to say here that for the final solo after the piano break something is needed to answer Marks guitar in the build up.  When he tries to play that part without a sax he has to put in fills and it sounds too busy and doesn't flow.

[xxFordiexx]

That newspaper review is utter gash!

Yes, that's right people JUST the voice was missing in the gig.

OMG! Douche bags.

[the visitor]

That newspaper review is utter gash!

Yes, that's right people JUST the voice was missing in the gig.

OMG! Douche bags.

So were you at the gig Fordie?  How can you comment?

[aborille]

Yet the contributions of the band are seldom as pronounced as, say, the sax, which tended to dominate proceedings whenever it was brought out (and it ruined Sultans for years in my opinion).

I cannot agree more!
Alessandro

I have to say here that for the final solo after the piano break something is needed to answer Marks guitar in the build up.  When he tries to play that part without a sax he has to put in fills and it sounds too busy and doesn't flow.

It's a matter of personal taste I suppose. I love the 4 pieces version of Sultans far more than any keyboards/sax/steel guitar integrated version.
Especially the 2005 version. I don't think the lack of the sax part forces MK to put in many fills. Listen to the 2008 and 2010 versions where Sultans is sustained by a great groove and rhythmic part.

Alessandro

[superval99]

I used to like the longer version with sax, but these days I love the four piece version best, especially 2010.