Nigel Hitchcock on sax

[Jules]

Probably Chris White was on tour with The Straits so MK call another one...

[Eddie Fox]

I bet Mark couldn't give an utter toss who works with who.... Jesus, he's a musician who probably just enjoys trying different musicians from time to time. Why do some people over analyse way too much?

It's the very first time Mark drafts a sax player other than Chris White in over 20 years, only a few months after The Straits came out. For me it's pretty clear it's no coincidence...

[Pottel]

I bet Mark couldn't give an utter toss who works with who.... Jesus, he's a musician who probably just enjoys trying different musicians from time to time. Why do some people over analyse way too much?

think so too
+1

[Adz]

I doubt MK would be that bothered by who sings/plays his songs, as he's previously said that when the albums are released they are not his songs any more. I would also guess that CW would have told MK about it, out of respect, before going on tour anyway. I would also imagine CW did it because it gave him the chance to play some of the tracks that MK doesn't want to play any more.

Does anyone know who plays harmonica on the new album, I can't see a reference to him/her..?

[Dutchessy]

I doubt MK would be that bothered by who sings/plays his songs, as he's previously said that when the albums are released they are not his songs any more. I would also guess that CW would have told MK about it, out of respect, before going on tour anyway. I would also imagine CW did it because it gave him the chance to play some of the tracks that MK doesn't want to play any more.

Does anyone know who plays harmonica on the new album, I can't see a reference to him/her..?

Kim Wilson

[dmg]

What about Mel Collins?

[ingridswing]

What about Mel Collins?

Mel Collins is not in the list at all?? So I suppose Dutchessy is right

[Best Brown Baggies]

Mel Collins is great. he has played with so many great artists.
Camel, Roger Chapman & Of course DS.

Hal Lindes on the guitar, Mel Collins on the saxaphoooone!!!!!!!! (An aLCHEMY classic)

Cheers. BBB

[another brother]

I know Mel.

We worked in the same TV show.

He is playing in a band of a german late night show (Harald Schmidt)

Years ago, mark played in this show (What it is) and when he came in for rehearsel he saw mel and shouted: MEEEELLLLL!! HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE??!!

Great day. The rehearsel took 2h, for one song, because Mark didn

[Love Expresso]

Nice story!

I remember sitting in front of the TV and waiting, waiting, waiting, (well, it was "late night", wasn't it... crap show, never liked Harald Schmidt, but it was worth it... before every of the (several) commercial breaks they showed a short pic of Mark sitting on the sofa in the waiting room, making a very bored and grumpy impression.... but the performance itself was nice...

2 hours rehearsal for that one song - that's what I like to hear about Mark Knopfler!!  Good man...

LE

[Jules]

If you listen carefully, there is a sax in "Radio City Serenade" playing along with Chris Botti

[another brother]

he was on promo tour and tired.
but the show was at 6 pm, so he performed at 6.45 pm, the complete show was broadcastet at 11 pm in television ;-)

[Love Expresso]

Ah, I see. Never thought about wether that show was broadcasted live or not...

That was autumn 2000. I think, these days, 12 years later, Mark makes a much fresher and agile impression than in those days. Might refer to exhaustion because of promo touring as you said.
Sorry to stay on this:
Was Mel Collins in that band, too? Of course there is no sax in What It Is, but maybe he played something else? And there were many fans in Cologne on that day just because of Mark, wasn't it? I recall Schmidt saying something like that...

LE

[another brother]

no, Mel is playing in the Band of Harald Schmidt. Still today - you can see Mel sometimes in the Show (starts again on SKY this month)
There were some huge fans of MK in the studio yes.

[Pottel]

nice solo at the end. how cool also to see danny and guy fletcher, bobby valentino, Robbie Mccintosch, Brendan croker and Mel Collins (does he point his finger at him and smils when he enters the stage?) all on stage with mark. cool band...