MK: A Blues Man?

[Love Expresso]

I was astonished to see so many reservations about the blues tracks on Privateering. I remember some (UK) people saying that his accent didn't fit... On the other hand I think it is authentic when Mark told us in interviews about the record collection of Steve Philips being a "university of blues" for him... Blues being alway a part of his music seems to be out of question, but he never played it so pure and raw, did he?
 
My opinion is, I like it very much, it was long overdue. MK was a brand for always mixing genres, styles and almost the fear of using "only" one single and original style... So in a certain way Privateering offers something new in his career... you could also say, because of "lack of inspiration" he turns to where every old muso gets somewhere in his career, doing just another blues record...

I thought it might be worth a new thread for discussion...

LE

[border_reiver]

You sir, are 100% right!

MK's musical influences pre DS were based on a steady diet of blues and folk. I still remember how fascinated I was at the 2002 charity concert in London when he told the audience just before Muddy Waters 'Can't be satisfied'" how he and Steve used to "mis-spend their youths" playing around with bottlenecks and resonators.

I had never enjoyed MK's music more than ever during that moment because all pieces of the puzzle fell down in my head...



Watch all the clips with the blues songs from the NHB gigs and these charity ones. You can't be mistaken by how happy and joyful Mark looks and plays.

(OH how I wish he would bring the Beltona around for the summer tour )

[superval99]

I  wonder when the mysterious project is going to surface - connected to MK & Steve playing together at Robin Hood's Bay earlier in the year!   

[dmg]

I was really looking forward to the blues tracks on the album but looking at my iTunes playlist these are the ones with fewest plays!  This is due to the style of them I think. 

There is too much harmonica and I think he lets the harmonica actually carry some of the songs - big mistake imo.

This emphasis on Harmonica leaves hardly any room for Mark's guitar and when it does appear from the undergrowth your ears are still ringing from the harmonica!

His singing I fear will start to become tiresome after many listens, rather like the woo-hoo's on WOL only more so.  Same with the made-up ramblings on Privateering.

So the blues tracks offered much and delivered little, for me anyway.  Best songs were the other ones.

Edit:  excluding Bluebird which is kind of bluesy and one of my favourites.  Reminds me a little of Baloney Again for some reason.

[Love Expresso]

You are right about the Privateering track - it has already turned out to be a skipper for me! I still love the live versions, but these goofy little "extras" and Guy Fletchers snyth crap attributions spoiled the song for me... and Mark's strange humming at the very beginning... Just playing it pure and "live" (as f.e.  on Before Gas & TV) would have done the song much more justice... although Guy tells us that Mark sang AND strummed at the same time!!!! 
Would have never thought that before Release...

Rant over...

LE

[qjamesfloyd]

I  wonder when the mysterious project is going to surface - connected to MK & Steve playing together at Robin Hood's Bay earlier in the year!   

superval, The news is, the documentary will be broadcast on Sky Arts at 10pm on Tuesday October 16th

[superval99]

I  wonder when the mysterious project is going to surface - connected to MK & Steve playing together at Robin Hood's Bay earlier in the year!   

superval, The news is, the documentary will be broadcast on Sky Arts at 10pm on Tuesday October 16th

Thank you qjamesfloyd for the info!   Unfortunately I don't have Sky Arts, but maybe it will turn up somewhere eventually!   

[qjamesfloyd]

I don't have Sky Arts either, but that is what YouTube is for

[Justme]

You are right about the Privateering track - it has already turned out to be a skipper for me! I still love the live versions, but these goofy little "extras" and Guy Fletchers snyth crap attributions spoiled the song for me... and Mark's strange humming at the very beginning... Just playing it pure and "live" (as f.e.  on Before Gas & TV) would have done the song much more justice... although Guy tells us that Mark sang AND strummed at the same time!!!! 
Would have never thought that before Release...

Rant over...

LE

Sometimes less is more. And that is the case with the title track. Live version is superior.

[dustyvalentino]

I'll record it from sky arts, and put it on a DVD with the hay thing.:-)

[superval99]

I'll record it from sky arts, and put it on a DVD with the hay thing.:-)

Thank you, dusty - that would be great!   

[Pottel]

I'll record it from sky arts, and put it on a DVD with the hay thing.:-)

dare i ask?
did you manage to get it of your receiver??

[Vesper]

I'll record it from sky arts, and put it on a DVD with the hay thing.:-)

That would be superb!

[dustyvalentino]

I'll record it from sky arts, and put it on a DVD with the hay thing.:-)

dare i ask?
did you manage to get it of your receiver??

I have it stored on the HDD of an old DVD recorder... which won't record DVDs anymore! So I need to take it to my brother's house to transfer to DVD, but he's just had a baby so not great timing' but will happen at some point. :-)

[Pottel]

I'll record it from sky arts, and put it on a DVD with the hay thing.:-)

dare i ask?
did you manage to get it of your receiver??

I have it stored on the HDD of an old DVD recorder... which won't record DVDs anymore! So I need to take it to my brother's house to transfer to DVD, but he's just had a baby so not great timing' but will happen at some point. :-)

no rush amigo.
just make sure you grab that other thing..