Do we really want another tour?

[PensaGhost]

Clapton is doing a European summer tour next year.
Is this something we could expect for MK’s next tour   

https://www.whereseric.com/eric-clapton-news/303-eric-claptons-summer-2020-european-tour-dates-announced

actually this seems the usual tough schedule with some empty holes which could/should be filled later

Gilmour's last tour was really light, just some shows here and there, that's what MK should do

[privinvest]

Question: Which songs in general and which performances in particular were better than their studio versions? Some may prefer to use the word "different" rather than "better" but I'm afraid, although there were some isolated moments of brilliance, Mark's live songs are not better than their originals anymore. In the past, they were both a) different, b) longer and often c) "better". Not anymore. And it's a legitimate concern. Age obviously is the main factor, but his preferences, too. I think he's still a very very good recording musician, and he has at least two good studio recordings in him, I'm afraid he's no longer a long tour man anymore. Another thing, maybe the songs he record now are not suited to play in arenas, big concert halls. Though I'm not sure about this last point.

[2manyguitars]

Question: Which songs in general and which performances in particular were better than their studio versions? Some may prefer to use the word "different" rather than "better" but I'm afraid, although there were some isolated moments of brilliance, Mark's live songs are not better than their originals anymore. In the past, they were both a) different, b) longer and often c) "better". Not anymore. And it's a legitimate concern. Age obviously is the main factor, but his preferences, too. I think he's still a very very good recording musician, and he has at least two good studio recordings in him, I'm afraid he's no longer a long tour man anymore. Another thing, maybe the songs he record now are not suited to play in arenas, big concert halls. Though I'm not sure about this last point.

That's a really interesting point for debate.

For me, MKs live work hasn't been as good as studio for some while, at least the last 2 or 3 tours. I haven't liked some of his guitar tone choices at times, some of the better album songs don't get an outing at all, and lots of what does seems to get at times a basic arrangement with very little extra or new parts developed as you said.

I just wonder though if Mark feels like he's getting more time in the studio to bring songs to a place where he's happy with them. I mean by his own admission, lots of the older stuff was badly recorded, and hastily produced, to the point where you'd have to tie him to a chair to get him to listen to them!

Let me put it another way. We all know that MK is unique (as stated by many collaborators) in that more often than not he arrives in the studio knowing exactly what he wants for a song and how it should sound. I don't know anyone else in recording history who has that level of preparation, most artists use the recording process itself as a creative tool.

The DS albums, perhaps even some early solo work may be regarded as Mark learning how to make a record, learning how to translate what he hears in his head onto a recorded medium.
Maybe the lack of live development of the songs is because he feels they're already there if you know what I mean.

I'm not saying he's right all the time, after all this is art and will always be open to interpretation....

[hunter]

Question: Which songs in general and which performances in particular were better than their studio versions? Some may prefer to use the word "different" rather than "better" but I'm afraid, although there were some isolated moments of brilliance, Mark's live songs are not better than their originals anymore. In the past, they were both a) different, b) longer and often c) "better". Not anymore. And it's a legitimate concern. Age obviously is the main factor, but his preferences, too. I think he's still a very very good recording musician, and he has at least two good studio recordings in him, I'm afraid he's no longer a long tour man anymore. Another thing, maybe the songs he record now are not suited to play in arenas, big concert halls. Though I'm not sure about this last point.

Not an answer to your question, but I agree with all of your observations.

[neco]

I think there are a lot of songs that are better than the studio versions. For example, matchstick man (more complex arrangement) and my bacon roll (powerful lead guitar) were great live, but also older songs like  Why aye man, sailing to philadelphia and speedway really outshined their studio versions in my opinion.

[jeffreyvr]

I think there are a lot of songs that are better than the studio versions. For example, matchstick man (more complex arrangement) and my bacon roll (powerful lead guitar) were great live, but also older songs like  Why aye man, sailing to philadelphia and speedway really outshined their studio versions in my opinion.

Certainly agree on My Bacon Roll!

[Robson]

And Heart Full Of Holes too

[skydiver]

I think there are a lot of songs that are better than the studio versions. For example, matchstick man (more complex arrangement) and my bacon roll (powerful lead guitar) were great live, but also older songs like  Why aye man, sailing to philadelphia and speedway really outshined their studio versions in my opinion.

 

[dmg]

Question: Which songs in general and which performances in particular were better than their studio versions? Some may prefer to use the word "different" rather than "better" but I'm afraid, although there were some isolated moments of brilliance, Mark's live songs are not better than their originals anymore. In the past, they were both a) different, b) longer and often c) "better". Not anymore. And it's a legitimate concern. Age obviously is the main factor, but his preferences, too. I think he's still a very very good recording musician, and he has at least two good studio recordings in him, I'm afraid he's no longer a long tour man anymore. Another thing, maybe the songs he record now are not suited to play in arenas, big concert halls. Though I'm not sure about this last point.

Interesting points.  I would agree probably that most, if not all of his more recent songs (last few albums) have little to no development for the live arena, and they do not benefit from being played live at all really. 

Bacon Roll had an annoying outro merely to add some audience participation but actually added proved to add an uncomfortable moment during the show when nobody around you was clapping.  I just want to watch and listen to good music!  It was also rather 'empty' sounding during the vocal part with a distinct lack of...well, music!  Basically Mark speaking the lyrics with the occasional near silent fill (hand movements visible) to the backing of a restrained Ianto.  Nothing compared to the album version.

Other songs have been played as per the album but with his increasingly weary, mumbling vocal.  I was listening to MFN from 1985 yesterday and his vocal back then, by comparison, was terrific!  So much energy.  I realise he's older now but this is the question, isn't it.

[superval99]

I think there are a lot of songs that are better than the studio versions. For example, matchstick man (more complex arrangement) and my bacon roll (powerful lead guitar) were great live, but also older songs like  Why aye man, sailing to philadelphia and speedway really outshined their studio versions in my opinion.

I agree with all that you have mentioned and I particularly liked My Bacon Roll, especially the solo part and the outro, which I looked forward to hearing every time.  I loved that crashing chord towards the end!   STP was really beautiful on this tour too.   Another song I enjoyed better than the album version is Coyote and although I like the simple studio version of Marbletown I really loved the long live versions (sorry dmg) - it always received great applause from the audiences.  There are also many TRs that I like more than the studio version too.

[wakeywakey]

I think there are a lot of songs that are better than the studio versions. For example, matchstick man (more complex arrangement) and my bacon roll (powerful lead guitar) were great live, but also older songs like  Why aye man, sailing to philadelphia and speedway really outshined their studio versions in my opinion.

Sorry but how on earth is Danny a better singer than James Taylor?
On most of the recordings I have heard Danny spoils STP.
It's a beautiful song and the 2019 arrangement is stunning-except for Dan who isn't the man on this song.
I agree that the other songs are better live and would add CBC-although this isn't a particularly good song to begin with.

[Robson]

dmg we clapped we clapped:)

[dmg]

dmg we clapped we clapped:)

I felt downright uncomfortable. 

[Robson]

I do not. Those were cool moments. Danny Cummings was convincing:)

[Lis]

I think a lot of the time, some people just can't or won't accept that Mark has moved on, Dire Straits is now a long and distant memory for Mark, that was the first phase of his career, he has been on the 2nd phase now since 1996. As has been said before, if you want the long guitar hero songs and solo's there is a lot out there to listen to and watch. But Mark is now more happier as a man, and a songwriter, and I am fine with that. So many other artists keep playing in the same way all the time, but Mark doesn't, he dips his toes into so many genres, and adapts his guitar playing accordingly, I always think of Eric Clapton, he is always on stage playing long noodling solo's, and to be honest, that's all he's got, he can't write great songs like Mark, so he has to keep doing the guitar hero thing, so in that way, he hasn't moved forward as an artist. He tours a lot more than Mark, so it's not to much of a big deal to see him play live, but every time Mark tours it's special to me. I never got to see Dire Straits live, I can only imagine how amazing that would have been, but I have been to several of Mark's solo concerts, and I loved just getting to see the man and his guitars in front of me, let only hear him play his wonderful songs. I think Mark is one of the greatest song writers ever, and his guitar playing is unique, his tone and touch are sublime, just look at the way Bonnie Raitt was watching Mark solo, you can see the awe, love and respect she has for his talent. Just look at the videos from this tour, every song was applauded, I didn't hear any booing, at the end of the shows, the applause and cheering was huge, if all those people were not happy with what Mark was doing, they would not have had that reaction. When he does stop playing live, it will be a sad day, but we have many many videos to look back on, and albums of amazing music, lyrics and guitar playing that has enthralled millions of people for decades. I can't speak highly enough of Mark and how he and his music have influenced my life. Just read the comments on YouTube, he is so admired by people young and old, some new to his music, and 99% of the time people love his songs and guitar playing. So, if he tours again, great, I will be there, if he doesn't, thanks for the memories Mark

Fully agree!