New for 2022

[Robson]

Good point. But was the tour on every street really not a success?  Was Mark bored? He knows best It doesn't matter in my opinion - every street tour was a success.

[TheTimeWasWrong]

Start - 1986: The unmistakable DS voice
1991 - 1992: Bored, tired, effortless
1996 - 2005: Same darkness as 91/92 but with far more effort and joy
2006 - 2010: Favorite solo era, had to keep up with Emmylou's beautiful singing, especially singing marvelous on the KTGC tour!
2011 - 2015: Mix between 1996-2010 era's

I found his singing on Tracker generally weak, but it suited the record. Of course, I still love the sound of his voice, but all power and urgency faded away. On DTRW, it's not a style/choice anymore. The need to deliver is gone. I think you can even hear which songs were recorded at the beginning of the session and the ones later on, closer to the release. Is he even trying on Heavy Up? You can also hear it on the latest tour, for example, in R&J, which always had passion and urgency, but it's completely gone.

[hunter]

Mark is a pro and soldiers on, but he's terrible at faking happiness. He's not an actor like some artists are. For good or worse.

[hunter]

Start - 1986: The unmistakable DS voice
1991 - 1992: Bored, tired, effortless
1996 - 2005: Same darkness as 91/92 but with far more effort and joy
2006 - 2010: Favorite solo era, had to keep up with Emmylou's beautiful singing, especially singing marvelous on the KTGC tour!
2011 - 2015: Mix between 1996-2010 era's

I found his singing on Tracker generally weak, but it suited the record. Of course, I still love the sound of his voice, but all power and urgency faded away. On DTRW, it's not a style/choice anymore. The need to deliver is gone. I think you can even hear which songs were recorded at the beginning of the session and the ones later on, closer to the release. Is he even trying on Heavy Up? You can also hear it on the latest tour, for example, in R&J, which always had passion and urgency, but it's completely gone.

I was just listening to DTRW and was struck by how lackluster his vocal performance is. Very little emotion. Some of those songs would really benefit from being sung by someone with a strong voice.

[Jules]

That's possible. Just like over 40,000 people at St. James's Stadium:)

That's Newcastle. Basel one is St Jakobs lol

[Robson]

Yes my mistake. Thanks jbaent.

[KnopfleRick]

Why can't I see it when I watch the concert from Basel, for example.

The boredom of MK on every street tour is overrated

Because you are wearing very thick rose-tinted glasses.

So I too was wearing these glasses last night when I watched the Basel DVD.  ;)I didn't have the feeling that he was bored and I saw him smilling to the audience and his band mates many times. Mark has never been a great entertainer. For him it's all about the performance of his songs. He never felt the need to wear flashy suits and talk a lot. I love him the way he is. And just let me say this. If your private life is falling into pieces you can't act like being the happies guy in the world.

[Robson]

I agree with every word KnopfleRick

"If your private life is falling into pieces you can't act like being the happies guy in the world.

That's true. And this is worth remembering

[rmarques821]

Good point. But was the tour on every street really not a success?  Was Mark bored? He knows best It doesn't matter in my opinion - every street tour was a success.

Oh come on, dude! How was that tour a success? For whom? Mark and John funded the beginning of the tour and lost millions of pounds so the tour wasn't financially successful; the ticket sales were nowhere near the BIA tour. I learned sometime ago that concerts in Australia had to be cancelled due to poor sales; the coverage in the media, from what I have read here, was superficial compared to 85/86. So, also in reception it was unsuccessful.

Even Mark, I think, hated that tour, as he never mentioned it ever again and has shown hints of disdain about that period. I remember an interview from 2018 where the reporter tells him his personal favourite song My Parties and Mark gives him the most indifferent reply possible and tells the journalist he doesn't even remember that song was on OES! 

I'm happy to hear that you like it, there are also certain moments of that tour which I think are superb and I listen to songs from 1991 quite often. But to claim that the tour was a success...

[ds1984]

Australia and US tours were losses.

Europe was a stong success

But in economics gains are sums to your capital, losses are divisions to your capital.

[dustyvalentino]

I'm no expert on the economics of concerts but it was notable that they played to stadiums at the end of the tour where presumably they can make more money per show.

[Jules]

I'm no expert on the economics of concerts but it was notable that they played to stadiums at the end of the tour where presumably they can make more money per show.

Yes, and they played, for example, in Spain, in towns where usually nobody that big goes, and all stadiums.

I guess that if they wanted, they could had played in 12 more cities, in football stadiums, and fill all of them, but I guess at that time they simply wanted to finish.

[dmg]

I'm no expert on the economics of concerts but it was notable that they played to stadiums at the end of the tour where presumably they can make more money per show.

Yes, and they played, for example, in Spain, in towns where usually nobody that big goes, and all stadiums.

I guess that if they wanted, they could had played in 12 more cities, in football stadiums, and fill all of them, but I guess at that time they simply wanted to finish.

Same in UK.  I mean Ipswich Town FC?

Still, it's not as bad as Elton John and The Killers playing Falkirk FC in more recent times!

[Jules]

I'm no expert on the economics of concerts but it was notable that they played to stadiums at the end of the tour where presumably they can make more money per show.

Yes, and they played, for example, in Spain, in towns where usually nobody that big goes, and all stadiums.

I guess that if they wanted, they could had played in 12 more cities, in football stadiums, and fill all of them, but I guess at that time they simply wanted to finish.

Same in UK.  I mean Ipswich Town FC?

Still, it's not as bad as Elton John and The Killers playing Falkirk FC in more recent times!

They also played at Gateshead stadium, come on! MK is a geordie, play at St James's Park!!!!!

 

[MaxG]

I think there is a bit of an over emphasis on Mark's personal situation in relation to his performances and music. He is a professional musician, much like a professional sportsmen, people are paying for your shows and you must try and do your best to deliver. Chris Witten even stated this where he said the OES tour as we all know was not the happiest camp, but he realised he had to go out and give it his best. I think the last thing a musician wants to do is let their fans down.

In general, I feel MK always tries to give his best in shows and realises the fans are there for him. Any perceived weak performances I would therefore be inclined to put down rather to his physical or health situation at the time as opposed to any personal situation of just not being in the mood.