Alan Clark plays new single Romeo and Juliet (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

[PensaGhost]

Makes me wonder why they are in contact. A question for Guy 

No need to ask, they are in contact to share stock market ideas

[JF]

Sometimes fans may take things way too seriously.

So to be back on the subject I have no proof of what comes form Alan and what doesn't come form him but he was the man that Mark hired and worked with to produce this wonderful music. What happened during the On Location Tour and ended as the LOG album production IMHO feature the most interesting keyboard works during the DS years.

+1000 

[JF]

Still, musically it’s interesting, sound kind of late 60s, like Cream or something.

it has the same melodic line as in Brian Wilson's "cry"



we discussed that some years ago : https://www.amarkintime.org/forum/index.php?topic=5987.msg117684#msg117684

[qjamesfloyd]

Mark would have to have given the ok for Alan to release this version, so maybe that is why they were in contact? The version Alan has made is ok, but it does go on to long in my view, the full band version is fine going on that long because there is more to keep the interest level high, but this song with just piano is not really working for me, apart from the famous piano intro and outro sections, but even those I prefer the more loose live version.

[quizzaciously]

Mark would have to have given the ok for Alan to release this version, so maybe that is why they were in contact? The version Alan has made is ok, but it does go on to long in my view, the full band version is fine going on that long because there is more to keep the interest level high, but this song with just piano is not really working for me, apart from the famous piano intro and outro sections, but even those I prefer the more loose live version.

Too long is right, he repeats the intro sequence far too often I think. It's not on the same level as some amazing long covers like this:



Also, flexing being in contact with MK to me is kindergarten level of communication.

[dmg]

He told me on Facebook the tribute bands were because he loves the music and not for the money, so I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. They're just not for me.

He also said he believes in getting credit for his own work.  Well, there I still think being humble would have been better as others would have had a hand in things too but haven't mouthed off about it.  It was a band after all and he was credited as a band member.  Still, it was good of him to get in touch so I appreciated that.

 

[PensaGhost]

He said the tribute bands were because he loves the music and not for the money

clearly 100% unreliable words by Alan

I don't even know what's wrong with tyring to make some money (how can they live otherwise ? they are musicians)
and what's wrong with admitting it, it's 100% legal

[PensaGhost]

as a member of Dire Straits for 15 years ?
having played a BIG part in the arrangements AND production of Dire Straits songs ?
LOL

[ds1984]

as a member of Dire Straits for 15 years ?
having played a BIG part in the arrangements AND production of Dire Straits songs ?
LOL

Alan was active from 1980 to 1992  so 15 years is only a little exageration (you can also take into accounts that the band's "existed" until 1995).

Regarding Alan exact input nobody knows the thruth here.

[PensaGhost]

Regarding Alan exact input nobody knows the thruth here.

the point is that officially all songs are written by MK, Alan Clark was never credited for anything,
so stating to have been a big part of the arragement is a very bold statement from many points of view

he even states that outside Dire Straits he is "meticulous" about being credited, but with Dire Straits zero credits ?
and why ? it's just a bunch of BS imo

Moreover I have checked with Mimmo Carrata, the biggest collector in the world as many of you know,
he knows everything and has everything (including Telegraph Road Studio without the fade out
and Tunnel of Love Studio with MK's guitar intro and so many other stuff,
I will go to his home sooner or later and then report everything here,
we have known for 30 years and don't know why I haven't gone yet (well the other side of italy is not close actually),
he has invited me many times and promised I will be stunned),
well the point is that he says Alan Clark has written nothing and arranged nothing.

[qjamesfloyd]

The album will be released 21st September 2021

1. I & I
2, Romeo & Juliet
3. Big River
4. Have I told You Lately That I Love You
5. Licence To Kill
6. Private Dancer
7. Brothers In Arms
8. Going Home
9. Love Over Gold
10. The North
Love Over Gold - Bonus digital download only track.

Every track except 1 has a conection to Mark, although I don't know the song The North. I guess the talk about Mark and Alan not getting on can't be true, Mark would have to have ok'd these songs to be released.

[tobi777]

I really wonder where this negative attitude towards Alan Clark and Phil Palmer comes from. If Mark Knopfler is not so interested in honoring the Dire Straits legacy, I'm grateful that at least other musicians care about it. They don't pretend that it's their songs - but they keep saying what great songs MK wrote there. And every time they play something of his, he earns money without having to do anything. So it's good for all sides.

I'm convinced that musicians like Alan Clark have earned quite a lot of merit in terms of arrangements on the tracks. Without Alan, Guy etc. maybe some pieces would not be as we know and love them today. One should get rid of the idea that the brilliant Mark Knopfler - just because he is the composer - has planned everything down to the last detail. Without Guy's lick in "Walk Of Life" it might not have become such a hit.

Phil Palmer is one of the most successful session guitarists around for a reason. I wonder when and where he ever behaved arrogantly or unsympathetically, as is claimed here. So far he was the only guitarist who challenged Mark Knopfler technically - and was allowed to do so to a certain extent - Richard is never allowed to show what he can do.

[PensaGhost]

The album will be released 21st September 2021

1. I & I
2, Romeo & Juliet
3. Big River
4. Have I told You Lately That I Love You
5. Licence To Kill
6. Private Dancer
7. Brothers In Arms
8. Going Home
9. Love Over Gold
10. The North
Love Over Gold - Bonus digital download only track.

Every track except 1 has a conection to Mark, although I don't know the song The North. I guess the talk about Mark and Alan not getting on can't be true, Mark would have to have ok'd these songs to be released.

Not really, Covers don't need any approval by the writer, zero, just like playing it live, zero approval is needed, you just pay the royalties.

[quizzaciously]

The album will be released 21st September 2021

1. I & I
2, Romeo & Juliet
3. Big River
4. Have I told You Lately That I Love You
5. Licence To Kill
6. Private Dancer
7. Brothers In Arms
8. Going Home
9. Love Over Gold
10. The North
Love Over Gold - Bonus digital download only track.

Every track except 1 has a conection to Mark, although I don't know the song The North. I guess the talk about Mark and Alan not getting on can't be true, Mark would have to have ok'd these songs to be released.

Not really, Covers don't need any approval by the writer, zero, just like playing it live, zero approval is needed, you just pay the royalties.

Absolutely. People who want to brag about it tend to say that they contacted the artist personally, had an evening spent together, telephone calls, and got a personal approval of your versions when in the reality it needs only some management work and signing some papers so the author would receive his share.

[quizzaciously]

I really wonder where this negative attitude towards Alan Clark and Phil Palmer comes from. If Mark Knopfler is not so interested in honoring the Dire Straits legacy, I'm grateful that at least other musicians care about it. They don't pretend that it's their songs - but they keep saying what great songs MK wrote there. And every time they play something of his, he earns money without having to do anything. So it's good for all sides.

I'm convinced that musicians like Alan Clark have earned quite a lot of merit in terms of arrangements on the tracks. Without Alan, Guy etc. maybe some pieces would not be as we know and love them today. One should get rid of the idea that the brilliant Mark Knopfler - just because he is the composer - has planned everything down to the last detail. Without Guy's lick in "Walk Of Life" it might not have become such a hit.

Phil Palmer is one of the most successful session guitarists around for a reason. I wonder when and where he ever behaved arrogantly or unsympathetically, as is claimed here. So far he was the only guitarist who challenged Mark Knopfler technically - and was allowed to do so to a certain extent - Richard is never allowed to show what he can do.

I often think about it and I think the negativity comes from two things: what Alan says/said and how well the songs he loves so much were executed without MK. And both things were, let's say, not of the highest level. Personally, I have no problem listening to Mark's music when other people play it, but when it comes to a band that supposed to be like Dire Straits Part 2 and doesn't deliver, that's bothering me. So I have questions both for his attitude and for music and pay attention that I said nothing about his legacy, works, and plans. Just two factors are enough, to me, to receive some deserved backfire.