Straits UK Tour

[Best Brown Baggies]

I've just been watching some of the YouTube footage
From the Straits gig @ RAH.
For any of you doubters out there, it's worth the
entrance fee just to hear Alan's keyboard.
What a trip down memory lane.
Imho, putting Mark's guitar & voice (obviously the most important part)
to one side, Alan's keyboard sound live is probably the next
most important part which makes up 'THE' Dire Straits sound.

Cheers.  BBB

[dona74]

When thet get to Newcastle, I hope they get the reception they deserve.

I was "hoping" they might get booed off for being part of something that could be perceived as slightly fraudulent. That's what I think they deserve.

I hope so.... but It will not happen.... For me Alan and Chris are doing a big mistake... and the fusion of "Dire Straits brand" with "The Straits" brand is only at the beginning....
Few weeks and sure we will read enthusiastic reviews as "better than the originals...." .....for sure.....

[dustyvalentino]

Imho, putting Mark's guitar & voice (obviously the most important part)
to one side, Alan's keyboard sound live is probably the next
most important part which makes up 'THE' Dire Straits sound.

Difficult to make such a sweeping statement IMO. It really depends on the song and the era.

I'm sure we would all agree about MK.

But after that, on Sultans the next thing (all this is just my opinion) is Pick's drums.

On Tunnel of Love after MK comes Roy Bittan's keyboards.

On Money for Nothing after MK comes Guy's synths.

On Calling Elvis after MK you have Jeff Porcaro's drums or perhaps Paul Franklin's pedal steel.

Etc etc.

[the visitor]

Imho, putting Mark's guitar & voice (obviously the most important part)
to one side, Alan's keyboard sound live is probably the next
most important part which makes up 'THE' Dire Straits sound.

Difficult to make such a sweeping statement IMO. It really depends on the song and the era.

I'm sure we would all agree about MK.

But after that, on Sultans the next thing (all this is just my opinion) is Pick's drums.

On Tunnel of Love after MK comes Roy Bittan's keyboards.

On Money for Nothing after MK comes Guy's synths.

On Calling Elvis after MK you have Jeff Porcaro's drums or perhaps Paul Franklin's pedal steel.

Etc etc.

On Walk of Life you have Alan Clark's keyboard
On Brothers in Arms you have Alan Clark's organ and solo
On Telegraph Road you have Alan Clark's piano
On Romeo & Juliet (live shows like Alchemy, Mandela) you have Alan Clark's keyboard intro and Chris White's sax solo

Etc etc.

[Best Brown Baggies]

Agreed Dusty. I must admit the statement was a bit sweeping
I think because I had just watched lots of YouTube footage in which
Alan was prominent in most of the clips, I just got a bit carried away.
I'd also been listening to Alchemy all day!!!!!
Of course 'THE' DS sound is made up of many parts, of which I love
everyone's contribution.
I think I was also being protective towards Alan in the context of this thread
seeing as there seems to be an ever increasing Ill feeling towards 'The Straits'
I just love Mark Knopfler & the music he has created over the years.
Yes of course 1st & foremost I like it when I hear Mark perform his songs live,
but I still see nothing wrong with other people performing his songs live.
For me it just keeps his music (especially the rarely heard eg. TOL) alive.

Cheers. BBB

[Best Brown Baggies]

These are the kind words from Alan Clark from
His website regarding The Straits.


Since Dire Straits played their last gig in 1992, the magnificently talented, musical genius that is Mark Knopfler has made 6 solo records and, understandably, prefers to leave Dire Straits behind him and concentrate on his solo career. We formed The Straits to satisfy the huge demand to hear Dire Straits' music played by the people who made it. I joined the band in 1980. A part of me is woven into most of Dire Straits' music. Chris White has been a part of the band since 1985; Phil joined in 1990. Mark's brilliant music is in safe hands. We love it.

Cheers. BBB

[ds1984]

Even if it is not Alan that is playing on MM, when you hear the work he has done on the "On Location Tour" you clearly understand how important he has modified the sound of "Dire Straits Mk2" up to the Alchemy area.




 

[dustyvalentino]

On Walk of Life you have Alan Clark's keyboard
On Brothers in Arms you have Alan Clark's organ and solo
On Telegraph Road you have Alan Clark's piano
On Romeo & Juliet (live shows like Alchemy, Mandela) you have Alan Clark's keyboard intro and Chris White's sax solo

Etc etc.

Absolutely, wasn't trying to take anything away from Alan's contributions, was just pointing out that other people played an important part as well. Thinking back to the 80s, Terry Williams' drums seem pretty overwhelming to me, they are just booming away all the time.

[Best Brown Baggies]

The Straits will never be better, or Even as good, as DS,
but bearing in mind DS with MK is 99.9% never gonna happen
(Mark's choice) then please give The Straits a chance.
They are not trying to take anything away from Mark, they are just
trying to satisfy maybe the not quite so die hard fans such as us
who maybe are going to hear the songs that brought them so much
joy 20-30 years ago, & are not worried if Mark is there or not.
MK will always be the No.1

Cheers BBB

[Jules]

I guess that person that must remains nameless is Ed Bicknell. I was very surprised to see him there. Yes, he and MK are not as friends as they used to be, but I always thought that probably Ed Bicknell may be still related to the "Dire Straits" trademark, as he was who signed them in 1977 and managed them until the very end, and probable he wont like this thing...

And I must say It looked like he really enjoyed it!

A funny man, really

[ds1984]

These are the kind words from Alan Clark from
His website regarding The Straits.


Since Dire Straits played their last gig in 1992, the magnificently talented, musical genius that is Mark Knopfler has made 6 solo records and, understandably, prefers to leave Dire Straits behind him and concentrate on his solo career. We formed The Straits to satisfy the huge demand to hear Dire Straits' music played by the people who made it. I joined the band in 1980. A part of me is woven into most of Dire Straits' music. Chris White has been a part of the band since 1985; Phil joined in 1990. Mark's brilliant music is in safe hands. We love it.

Cheers. BBB

BBB what are you talking about ?
Alan Clark is the one who wrote in his homepage that The Straits are better than any DS line up.
That sounds like the opposite of kind to me.

now he has removed it and changed into:
''Someone who shall remain nameless, who was massively connected to Dire Straits, likens The Straits to Dire Straits in their heyday - the Brothers in Arms era. I agree, and I'm not alone in thinking that occasionally we're even better.''

From better than any DS line up to occasionally better

Well if you exclude Mark when refering to the DS line up this is something that can be discussed.
In my mind the 85 line up remains my fave and will be near impossible to outrival.
Phil is a great guitarist but inside DS I like Jack's work much better.
 

[Pottel]

just now i wondered why they had not bothered to include Chris Whitten, seeing as he participated in the Australian effort last year...

[Jackal]

David Knopfler wouldn't fit in with The Straits. He is Dire.

[Pottel]

i wonder if they considered it?

[dustyvalentino]

David Knopfler wouldn't fit in with The Straits. He is Dire.

Ha. Chris Whitten is based in Australia so probably not that handy. Plus Steve is Alan's mate, and did play with DS at Knebworth.