David talk about Mark − 2005 (Analyzing)

[Brunno Nunes- (Universo Dire Straits)]

I was watching this documentary again about the Knopfler brothers and one of the questions that came to me was:. Why not let David have at least one track per album to show what he could do? Seems to me Mark despite all his talent was too insecure to do that.

One thing is certain, after David left, everything changed drastically in the band's sound, not that it was for the worse (this will always be very subjective), but the band lost a certain sound signature that had with the original formation, two first albums and his first tours, was another style and musical proposal. There are many nuances surrounding the sound of the original lineup, it was something unique, "a miracle of the quantum physics", there is never anything like it, nor does Mark himself, with or without DS, play those songs from the first two albums so that it sounds as the original quartet, the key is exactly the chemistry between the founding members, just the ones I hope to see in April in the Rock and Roll of Fame.

It is a pity that until now this distant among the brothers has not been surpassed, however, who knows this would not be dissolved with the introduction of Dire Straits in Rock and roll of fame and they go up on stage for the songs they did.

[Brunno Nunes- (Universo Dire Straits)]

I love their game live, I really appreciate the bootlegs of 1978 and 1979, I love to see this communication that David notes in that doc, the gestures between the brothers, easily see it in Rockpalast 1979, (Lady Writer, What's the matter baby , Wild West End, Sultans of swing, Where do you think you're going?). It's sad to know that this will probably never happen again! 

[Ingo]

I was watching this documentary again about the Knopfler brothers and one of the questions that came to me was:. Why not let David have at least one track per album to show what he could do? Seems to me Mark despite all his talent was too insecure to do that.

I remember Ed Bicknell, the manager at that time, to have answered this question like this (it should be somewhere in the Oldfield book): the reason why in some bands the keyboarder writes one song for each album is that it is some kind of democrcy, but a band is not about democracy.

And remember that not only David's song Sacred Loving was omitted for the album but some of Mark's songs as well (Eastbound Train, Me and my friends, Real Girl,..). The producer Muff Winwood surely also had some final word here.

I agree with you that the band sound with David was really, really great. His rhythm guitar - while maybe technically not the most difficult and fanciest stuff you can think of - was top-notch when it comes to feel and the way the whole thing sounds. Also, have you ever heard any bootleg recording where David played something wrong? ( many mistakes to be found by Mark or John)

[Brunno Nunes- (Universo Dire Straits)]

I was watching this documentary again about the Knopfler brothers and one of the questions that came to me was:. Why not let David have at least one track per album to show what he could do? Seems to me Mark despite all his talent was too insecure to do that.

I remember Ed Bicknell, the manager at that time, to have answered this question like this (it should be somewhere in the Oldfield book): the reason why in some bands the keyboarder writes one song for each album is that it is some kind of democrcy, but a band is not about democracy.

And remember that not only David's song Sacred Loving was omitted for the album but some of Mark's songs as well (Eastbound Train, Me and my friends, Real Girl,..). The producer Muff Winwood surely also had some final word here.

I agree with you that the band sound with David was really, really great. His rhythm guitar - while maybe technically not the most difficult and fanciest stuff you can think of - was top-notch when it comes to feel and the way the whole thing sounds. Also, have you ever heard any bootleg recording where David played something wrong? ( many mistakes to be found by Mark or John)

Although David's songs like Eastbound Train, Me and my friends, Real Girl were left out, as well as Sacred Loving (written by David), certainly David would have other songs, Bernadette came out long in the first show on the second American tour, Boston- 8th September 1979 and certainly was touched on much of that part of the tour. Maybe she could have been a candidate to be included on the album Making Movies if there had not been this taxation from the beginning with David's songs. Particularly I think Bernadette a song well fitted in the sonority of the band, would not see problem of seeing this song in the Communique or in Making Movies.

As for the many mistakes, I really do not recall noticing any mistakes from David Knopfler, but I've noticed mistakes from Mark and John. From these mistakes, what do you highlight with the original quartet, Ingo?

[JF]

I remember Ed Bicknell, the manager at that time, to have answered this question like this (it should be somewhere in the Oldfield book): the reason why in some bands the keyboarder writes one song for each album is that it is some kind of democrcy, but a band is not about democracy.

I think he says the bass player, and I always thouht he was referring to Bill Wyman's Another land on Stones' Satanic majesties request

[Jules]

Interesting parts from Muff Winwood.

[Eddie Fox]

It’s so simple: Mark was the boss and his songs were better. It would only make sense if David’s songs improved the album which is/was not the case.

[Brunno Nunes- (Universo Dire Straits)]

David's songs could not be the height of certain MK classics in DS, yet he had songs that owed nothing to songs such as Angel of Mercy, Follow Me Home, Love Express, Les Boys. Songs like What's the matter baby in which the lyrics and melody is a partnership of siblings could be contained in either of the first two albums and could be the first of other siblings' partnership. Of course, as well as other bands like Beatles, Queen, Eagles, that other members could participate with one or more songs, it would not diminish the brilliance and importance the presence of at least a song from another member of the band in that period. (What's the matter baby, Bernadett, Sacred loving), the band was a unit, it worked that way, that's what I feel when I hear Sultans of Swing or What's the matter baby as well as Bernadett.

Now, of course, even some of Mark's songs did not come in (Eastbound Train, Me and my friends, Real Girl, In My Car), should have the producer's finger, at least live they played them.

[Ingo]

Songs like What's the matter baby in which the lyrics and melody is a partnership of siblings could be contained in either of the first two albums and could be the first of other siblings' partnership.

I can imagine that What's the mater with you baby was considered as a bit too close to Lady Writer to be on the same album.

However, there was in fact a plan to release this song, on an EP together with Twisting by the Pool and Solid Rock. Unfortunately it was never released. The studio versions of both SR and TBTP - at least parts of them - can be heard on the Arena BBC documentary.

[JF]

I like the song Bernadette
the riff is very close to Clash's London Calling

[Jules]

Any of David songs could had been recorded and released at least as b-sides for singles, many bands do that...

If Muff Winwood says in the documentary that David songs were good enough to try to convince Mark... He was the producer so...

[boriszhukov]

Can anyone explain how and why Mk appeared on Davids record in 1984. Is the rift first really after this period?  Seems very odd...

[dmg]

Can anyone explain how and why Mk appeared on Davids record in 1984. Is the rift first really after this period?  Seems very odd...

It is certainly curious.  Perhaps Mark thought it was a good opportunity to promote the Alchemy album! 

[Robson]

Can anyone explain how and why Mk appeared on Davids record in 1984. Is the rift first really after this period?  Seems very odd...

I'm wondering about that too. In 1983 Release

[Eddie Fox]

Can anyone explain how and why Mk appeared on Davids record in 1984. Is the rift first really after this period?  Seems very odd...

I think they weren’t on good terms at the time but that was just a family issue. Maybe it got ugly only after David went after what he thought to be his share.