My unhealthy obsession with BIA and Montserrat

[Hunno]

Hey all - just joined the forum
Ive been a DS/MK fan since BIA came out in 85.  Ive seen DS 4 times - once in Sydney in 86 and 3 subsequent times on the OES tour also in Sydney.  Ive also seen MK a handful of times in the UK and here in Australia
Anyway - Ive been obsessing about some of the photos taken in Montserrat during the recording of BIA.  Comparing the photos of Mark etc lounging by the pool and sat on a patio staring out to sea with those of Air Studios, I realised that these photos were not taken at Air Studios.  eg:
https://www.gettyimages.com.au/detail/news-photo/guitarist-and-band-leader-of-dire-straits-mark-knopfler-and-news-photo/587467540?adppopup=true
and
https://www.gettyimages.com.au/detail/news-photo/musician-mark-knopfler-with-band-dire-straits-posing-in-news-photo/669339460?adppopup=true
The pool looks different as is the building.
Heres a pic of Air Studios:
https://th.bing.com/th/id/R756df51e493d74a1bbf2f43aac197540?rik=zxL2zB2Ly6R6KA&riu=http%3a%2f%2fwww.ajournalofmusicalthings.com%2fwp-content%2fuploads%2fAIR-Studios-Monserrat.jpg&ehk=Q40J7xxh%2fh3F1noFzKDp9bFD0fV7ODjGhT%2bcCXe2mZ0%3d&risl=&pid=ImgRaw
(I hope these links work - Im not sure how to embed them in this post).

So I concluded that they must have been staying somewhere close to the Studio but not at the actual studio. 
After exploring google earth around Air Montserrat - I think I found the place where the band were staying:
https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/VacationRentalReview-g147334-d6416759-Vista_De_Redonda_Isles_Bay_Montserrat-Plymouth_Montserrat.html

Its had a new coat of paint since 84/85 - but I reckon this in the place - in the description, it states:
"this villa was once the home away from home to many very famous recording artists and musicians of the time, such as Elton John! "

THis place is just a stones throw from the studio. ..... and you can book the villa for your own holiday! 

Maybe this is common knowledge to this group but I just thought Id introduce myself and demonstrate the depth of my obsession with this period of my life.  Its been a fun exercise in internet forensics.

Ive got some other pictures that fit this theory - If someone could let me know how to embed an image - Ill post some more.

Mark H

[quizzaciously]

Hi Mark! Enjoy it, we're all nerds here and we're all once were new here, and we're all are as obsessed with MK as you, so feel like at home. This is a great investigation and something I never knew, but I'm pretty sure some guys here know this better. I feel so bad for the studio, the way it got destroyed is beyond any comprehension.

[dustyvalentino]

Wow, thanks for making your private investigation public.

[Pottel]

now where is Jbaent when you need him?

[Hunno]

now where is Jbaent when you need him?

Something I missed ? 

[Jules]

now where is Jbaent when you need him?

why?

[Pottel]

now where is Jbaent when you need him?

why?

coz you love puzzles like this

[Pottel]

or bruno nunnes!!

[Jules]

now where is Jbaent when you need him?

why?

coz you love puzzles like this

Just Google "Brothers in Arms recording" or "recording Brothers in Arms" and there are plenty of info on all that articles and interviews about the air complex and the houses and Vilas around they (and all musicians recording there) occupated. Also the famous Sting favorite restaurant.

[Brunno Nunes]

or bruno nunnes!!

I think his theory is right, as far as I know, the band was staying somewhere close to the studio, but not in the studio itself, as he himself quoted and showed a link to recent photos of the exact location where the band stayed between 1984 and 1985.

[Jules]

Again, that info can be found on all those interviews I mentioned. I recall reading some of the band were staying in George Martin house, for example...

[Hunno]

Again, that info can be found on all those interviews I mentioned. I recall reading some of the band were staying in George Martin house, for example...

That makes sense. Looking at the floor plan of that villa, it wouldn’t fit everyone.

I wonder how many personnel were there over the recording? I know in one of those DSIS news letters, Liz W mentioned she travelled to Montserrat and stayed with Mark in a villa.

[Jules]

Watching the "Under the Volcano" documentary, I think I saw probably the only picture of Jack Sonni in Montserrat during the BIA recording sessions...

[Peter1981]

Wow, great find! I'd say the house you found definitely is the one; comparing the 2nd TripAdvisor picture to the one where they're sitting inside.
From the window-shades is the back, the different floor-height, the bow, the glass, the fence; it's all the same.
Very interesting to dive in details like this, thanks!

Hey all - just joined the forum
Ive been a DS/MK fan since BIA came out in 85.  Ive seen DS 4 times - once in Sydney in 86 and 3 subsequent times on the OES tour also in Sydney.  Ive also seen MK a handful of times in the UK and here in Australia
Anyway - Ive been obsessing about some of the photos taken in Montserrat during the recording of BIA.  Comparing the photos of Mark etc lounging by the pool and sat on a patio staring out to sea with those of Air Studios, I realised that these photos were not taken at Air Studios.  eg:
https://www.gettyimages.com.au/detail/news-photo/guitarist-and-band-leader-of-dire-straits-mark-knopfler-and-news-photo/587467540?adppopup=true
and
https://www.gettyimages.com.au/detail/news-photo/musician-mark-knopfler-with-band-dire-straits-posing-in-news-photo/669339460?adppopup=true
The pool looks different as is the building.
Heres a pic of Air Studios:
https://th.bing.com/th/id/R756df51e493d74a1bbf2f43aac197540?rik=zxL2zB2Ly6R6KA&riu=http%3a%2f%2fwww.ajournalofmusicalthings.com%2fwp-content%2fuploads%2fAIR-Studios-Monserrat.jpg&ehk=Q40J7xxh%2fh3F1noFzKDp9bFD0fV7ODjGhT%2bcCXe2mZ0%3d&risl=&pid=ImgRaw
(I hope these links work - Im not sure how to embed them in this post).

So I concluded that they must have been staying somewhere close to the Studio but not at the actual studio. 
After exploring google earth around Air Montserrat - I think I found the place where the band were staying:
https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/VacationRentalReview-g147334-d6416759-Vista_De_Redonda_Isles_Bay_Montserrat-Plymouth_Montserrat.html

Its had a new coat of paint since 84/85 - but I reckon this in the place - in the description, it states:
"this villa was once the home away from home to many very famous recording artists and musicians of the time, such as Elton John! "

THis place is just a stones throw from the studio. ..... and you can book the villa for your own holiday! 

Maybe this is common knowledge to this group but I just thought Id introduce myself and demonstrate the depth of my obsession with this period of my life.  Its been a fun exercise in internet forensics.

Ive got some other pictures that fit this theory - If someone could let me know how to embed an image - Ill post some more.

Mark H

[Jules]

Guy recently mentioned "Olveston House" about Montserrat in his forum.