Blue Pensa on telegraph road

[dmg]

I think the MK D would be the wrong instrument for 'Telegraph Road'. With those two P90 pick-ups, it has the wrong sort of tone. And MK evidently prefers to use this guitar for more overdriven sounds, as we have heard on the live version of 'Kingdom of Gold' and the recent Last Post tribute. I think you need a more Strat-like tone for 'Telegraph Road' and for me, the MK II suits it perfectly. And I have to say I actually prefer the more recent versions of this song. Although there is less emphasis of MK's guitar part, with the continuing improvements in his voice it allows his vocal to be more prominent.

Improvements in his vocal?  Pity he "speaks" the lyrics now then instead of trying to sing them! 

Since his vocal isn't particularly talented (he's no Tom Jones e.g.) any improvements in clarity can actually be regarded as a degradation in his vocal because Mark's main vocal attribute was it's rough sounding character;  that's what made it so special.

I liked his voice when it was rough and I also like it now that it's smoother - he has always done the speaky/singy thing though, that was a major part of his style!  I would say his voice has improved a lot in the last few years and I like it that way.   

You're right in what you say but he doesn't even try to sing parts of TR now.  He talks his way through most, if not all of it to the point it's just embarrassing.  I still love it though and the final solos last tour were an improvement over 2010.  The shows need a song like this and he simply can't drop it from the set.

[superval99]

I think the MK D would be the wrong instrument for 'Telegraph Road'. With those two P90 pick-ups, it has the wrong sort of tone. And MK evidently prefers to use this guitar for more overdriven sounds, as we have heard on the live version of 'Kingdom of Gold' and the recent Last Post tribute. I think you need a more Strat-like tone for 'Telegraph Road' and for me, the MK II suits it perfectly. And I have to say I actually prefer the more recent versions of this song. Although there is less emphasis of MK's guitar part, with the continuing improvements in his voice it allows his vocal to be more prominent.

Improvements in his vocal?  Pity he "speaks" the lyrics now then instead of trying to sing them! 

Since his vocal isn't particularly talented (he's no Tom Jones e.g.) any improvements in clarity can actually be regarded as a degradation in his vocal because Mark's main vocal attribute was it's rough sounding character;  that's what made it so special.

I liked his voice when it was rough and I also like it now that it's smoother - he has always done the speaky/singy thing though, that was a major part of his style!  I would say his voice has improved a lot in the last few years and I like it that way.   

You're right in what you say but he doesn't even try to sing parts of TR now.  He talks his way through most, if not all of it to the point it's just embarrassing.  I still love it though and the final solos last tour were an improvement over 2010.  The shows need a song like this and he simply can't drop it from the set.

Did you listen to the link I posted above?   MK's voice sounded pretty good to me, but I would be interested in your opinion on that particular version as a whole, please.   

[superval99]

 
superval99, I enjoy reading your posts, something inside me always responds to your words with a warm smile and sincere sympathy 

Thanks Throttle!   The "sincere sympathy" part worries me a bit, though!   

[dmg]

Did you listen to the link I posted above?   MK's voice sounded pretty good to me, but I would be interested in your opinion on that particular version as a whole, please.   
[/quote]

Well, I was referring to his performances in general throughout the 2013 tour.  One cannot base a fair judgement on one single performance alone. 

P.S.  I'll gladly take the "sympathy" vote!

[superval99]

Did you listen to the link I posted above?   MK's voice sounded pretty good to me, but I would be interested in your opinion on that particular version as a whole, please.   

Well, I was referring to his performances in general throughout the 2013 tour.  One cannot base a fair judgement on one single performance alone. 

P.S.  I'll gladly take the "sympathy" vote!
[/quote]

dmg - You haven't answered my question yet!    I'm sure you must be a politician!   

[dmg]

Did you listen to the link I posted above?   MK's voice sounded pretty good to me, but I would be interested in your opinion on that particular version as a whole, please.   

Well, I was referring to his performances in general throughout the 2013 tour.  One cannot base a fair judgement on one single performance alone. 

P.S.  I'll gladly take the "sympathy" vote!

dmg - You haven't answered my question yet!    I'm sure you must be a politician!   
[/quote]

I beg your pardon - that was impolite.  I have listened to it and think it was a very average version overall.  I did notice that he got a little tongue-tied with the lyrics at "rolling river" and I'm sure he sang "I've run every headlight on memory lane" as well!  Good final solo, as usual but not outstanding for the tour IMHO.

Politicians?  "Nothing is more surprising than the easiness with which the many are governed by the few."  - David Hume.

[LoveExpresso]

I am not a politician for sure (I wouldn't survive very long if I was one I am aware of that) - and I do not want to sound harsh, but I gave this Carcassonne version a listen and I must say it pretty much sums up everything that what I was talking about in my last post. 

LE

[superval99]

Did you listen to the link I posted above?   MK's voice sounded pretty good to me, but I would be interested in your opinion on that particular version as a whole, please.   

Well, I was referring to his performances in general throughout the 2013 tour.  One cannot base a fair judgement on one single performance alone. 

P.S.  I'll gladly take the "sympathy" vote!

dmg - You haven't answered my question yet!    I'm sure you must be a politician!   

I beg your pardon - that was impolite.  I have listened to it and think it was a very average version overall.  I did notice that he got a little tongue-tied with the lyrics at "rolling river" and I'm sure he sang "I've run every headlight on memory lane" as well!  Good final solo, as usual but not outstanding for the tour IMHO.

Politicians?  "Nothing is more surprising than the easiness with which the many are governed by the few."  - David Hume.
[/quote]

My apologies if it seemed impolite - I'm sorry!         Yes, he did say "headlight", but it makes a change, doesn't it and I really liked the way he sang that line which was different to other versions.   

[superval99]

I am not a politician for sure (I wouldn't survive very long if I was one I am aware of that) - and I do not want to sound harsh, but I gave this Carcassonne version a listen and I must say it pretty much sums up everything that what I was talking about in my last post. 

LE

I think it's great that we can all have such diverse opinions and of, course, that is a good thing, it would make for a very boring forum otherwise.   

[dmg]

My apologies if it seemed impolite - I'm sorry!         Yes, he did say "headlight", but it makes a change, doesn't it and I really liked the way he sang that line which was different to other versions.   
[/quote]

I think you may have misunderstood me.  I meant that it was impolite of me i.e. not to answer your question the first time of asking.  Never sure with these smiley faced emoticon things just what people mean sometimes! 

[superval99]

My apologies if it seemed impolite - I'm sorry!         Yes, he did say "headlight", but it makes a change, doesn't it and I really liked the way he sang that line which was different to other versions.   

I think you may have misunderstood me.  I meant that it was impolite of me i.e. not to answer your question the first time of asking.  Never sure with these smiley faced emoticon things just what people mean sometimes! 
[/quote]

LOL!         

[ds1984]

Funny thing when you start to read "he played that one well at that particular show" that mean that it is really time to drop it.

TR has less degradation in his playing than SOS, I did not analyse why but that is how it sounds to my ears. First signs for SOS were 2005 with some erratic soli in Rotterdam...

[superval99]

Funny thing when you start to read "he played that one well at that particular show" that mean that it is really time to drop it.

TR has less degradation in his playing than SOS, I did not analyse why but that is how it sounds to my ears. First signs for SOS were 2005 with some erratic soli in Rotterdam...

In the olden days (before usb sticks and audience recordings) people went to a show and generally had a great experience, listening to music that sounded wonderful, then went home, felt euphoric and played their CDs to death to try to relive the concert.  I know I  did! 

That would probably still be the case, but these days we do have recordings and can hear the whole thing over and over again and have the time to scrutinise the performance -  wrong notes, timing not quite right, etc - have a post mortem in fact.   

Of course it's great to have usb sticks and audience recordings, but I do wonder if we nitpick over faults rather too much at the expense of the memory of a really enjoyable experience!   Most imperfections are not really that important or even noticeable when carried away by the general excitement of being there!   

[Jules]

Happy new year to all forumers !
asked Doc : "Hi Doc, New Year begins, let us pray that it will be a year with new peace, new happiness, god bless you through out the New Year, again, thank you for your time on the forum and for sharing so much informations with us. Can you tell us if Mark tried the blue pensa on Telegraph road just to see how it sounds ? I really love this gem and wondering if it will be the special guest of next tour. Happy new year."

answer : It has been tried

I hope it will for the next tour

Guy should had added "...and failed"

Mk tried the blue Pensa for last tour in rehearsals but it didn't work. Someone involved with the rehearsals told me.

[jakehadlee]

Funny thing when you start to read "he played that one well at that particular show" that mean that it is really time to drop it.

TR has less degradation in his playing than SOS, I did not analyse why but that is how it sounds to my ears. First signs for SOS were 2005 with some erratic soli in Rotterdam...

In the olden days (before usb sticks and audience recordings) people went to a show and generally had a great experience, listening to music that sounded wonderful, then went home, felt euphoric and played their CDs to death to try to relive the concert.  I know I  did! 

That would probably still be the case, but these days we do have recordings and can hear the whole thing over and over again and have the time to scrutinise the performance -  wrong notes, timing not quite right, etc - have a post mortem in fact.   

Of course it's great to have usb sticks and audience recordings, but I do wonder if we nitpick over faults rather too much at the expense of the memory of a really enjoyable experience!   Most imperfections are not really that important or even noticeable when carried away by the general excitement of being there!   

You are spot on  - he's not the player he was, but if you listen to any bootlegs from 1978-82 he made plenty of cock-ups then too. It's the nature of live rock music, even for the best.