Ed Bicknell Interview

[dustyvalentino]

This are the 1991/1992 vibes that I'm referring to when I say it can't have been quite as gloomy as Ed makes it sound.

There's a saying that the musicians play for free and get paid for all the travelling etc in between and I think this applies here.

Relatively easy to get up and do your favourite thing, ie play music, even if you are playing the same song in the same way for the 110th time.

The rest of the touring lifestyle, not so much.

[JF]

This are the 1991/1992 vibes that I'm referring to when I say it can't have been quite as gloomy as Ed makes it sound.

There's a saying that the musicians play for free and get paid for all the travelling etc in between and I think this applies here.

Relatively easy to get up and do your favourite thing, ie play music, even if you are playing the same song in the same way for the 110th time.

The rest of the touring lifestyle, not so much.

yes exactly. and the gig is only 2hours in the day
it remains 22h per day for travelling, hotels, restaurants, taxis, etc... not so fun moments but forced to be with your "collegues"

at the end of the 2 years tour, it's normal that Ed recalls more of this moments than the shows

[JF]

This are the 1991/1992 vibes that I'm referring to when I say it can't have been quite as gloomy as Ed makes it sound.

only few snapshots of a 2 hours gig.
When you're looking at the basel or Nimes video in a row... well you can't see Mark smilling all the time 

[dustyvalentino]

The only person who has been even vaguely positive about the OES tour was John and even then it felt like he kind of skipped over it in his book.

Everyone else who has spoken about it has talked of the friction, going all the way back to that Vox magazine article that was published while the tour was still ongoing.

[Peter1981]

Now I'm getting curious; what article's that?

The only person who has been even vaguely positive about the OES tour was John and even then it felt like he kind of skipped over it in his book.

Everyone else who has spoken about it has talked of the friction, going all the way back to that Vox magazine article that was published while the tour was still ongoing.

[dustyvalentino]

Now I'm getting curious; what article's that?

The only person who has been even vaguely positive about the OES tour was John and even then it felt like he kind of skipped over it in his book.

Everyone else who has spoken about it has talked of the friction, going all the way back to that Vox magazine article that was published while the tour was still ongoing.

I put scans on here a few months back, just do a search.

[Robson]

Incredible interview.

Bad part about being it so long and having so little time to listen to this is I had to listening it while working so I got lost many times as, no matter how well I think I understand English, I have to pay special attention and sometimes I lost that attention so I'm under the impression I lost many things.

Ed, come on, hire something to write your memories, and told that person eveything so it can be translated to a book!

If only this interview could be read it would be easier for me.

[stratmad]

If only this interview could be read it would be easier for me.

Maybe you could use some software to get a rough transcript? Something like turboscribe.ai ?

[dustyvalentino]

If only this interview could be read it would be easier for me.

Maybe you could use some software to get a rough transcript? Something like turboscribe.ai ?

Was going to say, should be straightforward to rip the audio and getting AI to transcribe?

[Rail King]

When you're looking at the basel or Nimes video in a row... well you can't see Mark smilling all the time 

That's true. But it has been true for the other 600'000 hours of his life, too.

I was in the front row at that Basel concert, and remember thinking how awfully cool Mark was. You can't be cool AND smile all the time.

But yes, it will have been the touring (not the playing) that wore them out. It would be so much easier today – everyone would just stare at their phones constantly, no need to interact. Downside: Paul Franklin would need even more sleeping pills, because digital light is bad for your sleep.

[Robson]

"I was in the front row at that Basel concert, and remembering thinking how awfully cool Mark was. You can't be cool AND smile all the time"

Wow! You're lucky I was also sitting in the front row, but in front of the TV:) A very important Sunday.

[iorch82]

and to be honest, on many videos of the tour, I find Mark tired and bored to death

Isn't that just Mark being Mark? I don't think someone can play THAT well when being tired and bored. Not even Mark. Just imagine what level of concentration such a show requires. Calling Elvis is not Broken Bones!

Calling Elvis live for 199x MK was like Smoke On The Water for any intermediate guitarist, total autopilot mode and zero risks at all.

[Rail King]

and to be honest, on many videos of the tour, I find Mark tired and bored to death

Isn't that just Mark being Mark? I don't think someone can play THAT well when being tired and bored. Not even Mark. Just imagine what level of concentration such a show requires. Calling Elvis is not Broken Bones!

Calling Elvis live for 199x MK was like Smoke On The Water for any intermediate guitarist, total autopilot mode and zero risks at all.

Listen closely. The solos in the (looooong) middle sections are different every time. Actually, I can't remember Mark improvising nearly that much on most other songs. It's just the "signature" bits that stay the same. Musically, he was out of this world on that tour.

[Robson]

stratmad
"Maybe you could use some software to get a rough transcript? Something like turboscribe.ai ?

dustyvalentino
"Was going to say, should be straightforward to rip the audio and getting AI to transcribe?

Yes it's a good idea. Thanks

[iorch82]

and to be honest, on many videos of the tour, I find Mark tired and bored to death

Isn't that just Mark being Mark? I don't think someone can play THAT well when being tired and bored. Not even Mark. Just imagine what level of concentration such a show requires. Calling Elvis is not Broken Bones!

Calling Elvis live for 199x MK was like Smoke On The Water for any intermediate guitarist, total autopilot mode and zero risks at all.

Listen closely. The solos in the (looooong) middle sections are different every time. Actually, I can't remember Mark improvising nearly that much on most other songs. It's just the "signature" bits that stay the same. Musically, he was out of this world on that tour.

Can't really agree IMO 80% of the solo consists of these 4 or 5 long phrases he plays in pretty much every single version, and harmonically speaking Calling Elvis allows to pretty much shove any B dorian / Bm Pentatonic / B maj lick without lots of risks of messing it up - the complete oposite of PONO for example , where he quite frequently put blops -

"Musically, he was out of this world on that tour."
I do agree on this tho, it would be interesting to have a thread / poll to discuss what was peak MK in terms of guitar playing