Telegraph Road - Madrid 2005

[superval99]

Val,Val, Val 

Are you McCusker in disguise?

Darn it, dmg - you've sussed me!      

[Jackal]

I woudl say that TR in 1992 was flawed for several reasons: weak Pensa sound on that one (better on the Fender), annoying Paul Franklin, felt a bit rushed.

As for the playing, of course MK was faster in those days but in my view he has developed his double-stops more and more, which are so integral to the Madrid playout. (For non-guitarists: double-stops are several notes played at once, think of the MFN riff...)

I think the guitar sound was excellent, really full and punchy. Much more processed I guess than compared with Mark's later setups, and personally I like it when it is more organic, but it works. 

As for his playing, he wasn't only faster, but he was more fluent. Nowadays he stumbles a lot, cuts corners, and very often he doesn't bring an idea to its conclusion when soloing.

I like the 92 version because it is very layered and dense, and I think that TR is one of the DS songs which shouldn't be made lighter and more transparent. It's one of them big songs, if ya know what I mean. 

[herlock]

I think the guitar sound was excellent, really full and punchy. Much more processed I guess than compared with Mark's later setups, and personally I like it when it is more organic, but it works. 
As for his playing, he wasn't only faster, but he was more fluent. Nowadays he stumbles a lot, cuts corners, and very often he doesn't bring an idea to its conclusion when soloing.
I like the 92 version because it is very layered and dense, and I think that TR is one of the DS songs which shouldn't be made lighter and more transparent. It's one of them big songs, if ya know what I mean. 

Yes... but in 2005 TR was as fluent as in 1992 and almost as fast; I can't understand those who say "MK is not the same since his motorbike accident". Yes, there was a drop in energy - but this is from 2008 onwards, not 2003... the drop seemed more lnked to age than anything related to the accident.

[Tally]

I agree, herlock. The major different playing-wise was after 2005. I saw MK in Gothenburg in 2005 and Sultans was superb.

[Tally]

By the way, you've all probably seen it, but the London clip on Youtube is great as well from 2005:

 

[superval99]

Yes!   This is probably my favourite TR of all!    RAH 30th May 2005!      Not too fast and played with feeling!   

[Love Expresso]

Hey Superval, that version is also released as a passalong concert, right? I have the Passalong London 2005 show, but I am not sure about the exact date at the moment. I think I will give your favourite version a try, after all this reading about TR I long for some variation from Locarno, it is really mouth-watering in this thread for the last days... 

LE

[superval99]

Hi LE,  Yes, this is a passalong concert!   I have it too!   

[Love Expresso]

Cool, thanks! I remember a very overdriven, "cranked-up" Sultans from that concert... I will give it some showtime tonight! 

LE

[Jackal]

Yes... but in 2005 TR was as fluent as in 1992 and almost as fast; I can't understand those who say "MK is not the same since his motorbike accident". Yes, there was a drop in energy - but this is from 2008 onwards, not 2003... the drop seemed more lnked to age than anything related to the accident.

Just listened to the London clip, and it's very good - excellent drumming by Danny by the way - but regarding fluency, it is nowhere near 92. It just isn't.

I don't know why you brought up his motorbike accident - did anyone mention that? I think the reason why he isn't as fluent anymore is first of all because he is getting older and secondly, because he is getting older, he needs to practice more to keep his faculties "up and running". We all know that Mark was never much into practising, so unless he puts in the hours, his playing will suffer, which is very noticeable when he plays his earlier, more technically demanding songs. 

[herlock]

Just listened to the London clip, and it's very good - excellent drumming by Danny by the way - but regarding fluency, it is nowhere near 92. It just isn't.

I don't know why you brought up his motorbike accident - did anyone mention that? I think the reason why he isn't as fluent anymore is first of all because he is getting older and secondly, because he is getting older, he needs to practice more to keep his faculties "up and running". We all know that Mark was never much into practising, so unless he puts in the hours, his playing will suffer, which is very noticeable when he plays his earlier, more technically demanding songs. 

The motorbike accident was not mentionned in this thread, but in others once in a while...
For fluency, have you tried Lyon 2005 ? It is much more energetic than London...
How do you like Alchemy version ?

[herlock]

hamburg 96 probably my all time favourite boot.

Is hamburg better than Vaison ?

[Love Expresso]

No, I wouldn't say so. Vaison has a very unique "sunny" vibe, and the playing is really absolutely precise with great versions... Hamburg is a great show for me personalwise, but had some little mistakes here and there. Also Marks singing was somehow not that good as let's say in the time since 2008... But of course that is all my personal opinion. I would say Vaison 10/10 and Hamburg 8/10.

LE

[Jackal]

How do you like Alchemy version ?

Just listened to the Alchemy version again now. That's the version for me. Mark's vocals were so emotional, the guitar excellent and the band extremely energetic. Of course, I have a lot of memories from my teenage years attached to that version, so I guess my judgment is more subjective than usual

[superval99]

I love the Alchemy version!   It was so energetic, especially to watch - MK swaying his hips!    

So, my absolute list of favourites, at the moment are, Vaison '96, RAH 30th May 2005, Alchemy and, at the moment, I love Manchester/Bournemouth 2010, cittern too! (sorry dmg!  ) Red Rocks 2008 is also on my list.  I still play it a lot, although after hearing the simfy recordings, the audience noise is very distracting - no cittern on this, because John hadn't arrived yet, due to visa problems!