Just my 2 cents to the producer discussion: I always prefered the live versions even in Dire Straits days. So i don't know if it is really a recording matter. I like Guy being co-producer and i think it's not a good suggestion replacing him. He is the person who has the longest experience in collaborating with Mark on the whole planet. They are a good team, they have a good spirit and i don't think that a new producer can influence Mark that much you all seem to suppose. I can also understand that they are eager to experiment with all the equipement. They have at least the flow to keep on working. And i think Mark wants to have the control over the production and don't want to be dependent on another person. Guy has been supporting Mark for such a long time now, he has been playing such a centre role in all the producing questions and they do a good job (Privateering is a well produced record). Why don't you respect this?
Hey, Yontwocrows, now we know it: You are Guy!!
(And The Visitor is TK..
) just kidding..
I think wanting a change does not automatically mean "we" are not respecting Guy. Sometimes it brings some fresh air to change some things. Mark tends to do his changes only careful and slightly, mostly drummers
.. and you are right about the fact that Mark wants to have the control over the production and doesn't want to be dependent on another person.
My theory: Maybe the loong recording run last time was a little bit difficult to handle for the Americans. Chuck is maybe not able to stay at BG as long as Mark wishes him to be, same with Richard. Remember, when they recorded RPD or Shangri-La, it was clear that they were in those studios for a certain number of weeks. Now Mark has obviously this open approach, maybe he cannot book Richard and Chuck forever. Playing drum and bass parts might be easier to handle, so Glen comes over, plays his parts and goes back to the US.
So Mark kills two birds with one stone in letting Guy do the producer's job, he is there anyway. Pretty pragmatic if you wish. Just a theory of course.
LE