New DS Live Box Set, 3rd November 2023!

[iorch82]

As for Mark's soloing, surely some parts were always more or less improvised (or changed around) - the intro to Heavy Fuel, and the intros and outros of The Bug come to mind. They are all different in the performances with which I'm familiar.

Those songs are simple musically, but more complicated songs like Sultans and Tunnel seem to have sections that start in familiar territory, include improvisation, use familiar phrases as cues to both the band the audience, and finally end on the famous twiddly bits (or what have you).

PONO went through quite a big evolution in the ending solo from the very first tame-ish performances to the late US leg on which he went wild and explored quite unusual phrasings.

[Matchstickman]

Yeah, I would say the solos were always in part improvised, but more similar than not.
Of course there were certain themes and riffs that had to be played to signal the next part of the song.
I never knew what Robbie Macintosh or Macca were going to play in their solos, whereas Mark's solos were more of a variation on a theme from show to show.

Yes, but I think that this is one of Mark's strengths. Not only does this create a very high consistent level, in keeping with the original version but with parts added; it also creates something new each time. It is, in a way, the best of both worlds. What Mark plays often feels "just right" for that song. McCartney, in my experience, mostly plays short simple rock solos, so it is hard to compare to TR or SOS or BIA, with their long solos being fundamental parts of the songs on a more profound level. 

[dmg]

As for Mark's soloing, surely some parts were always more or less improvised (or changed around) - the intro to Heavy Fuel, and the intros and outros of The Bug come to mind. They are all different in the performances with which I'm familiar.

Those songs are simple musically, but more complicated songs like Sultans and Tunnel seem to have sections that start in familiar territory, include improvisation, use familiar phrases as cues to both the band the audience, and finally end on the famous twiddly bits (or what have you).

I would agree with that; his solos have always seemed structured and very lyrical.  A lot of other guitarists have solos that go nowhere and sound very messy, but not Mark.  They usually have their recognisable phrases, which the fans can all lock onto, then some variation in between.

[ds1984]

As for Mark's soloing, surely some parts were always more or less improvised (or changed around) - the intro to Heavy Fuel, and the intros and outros of The Bug come to mind. They are all different in the performances with which I'm familiar.

Those songs are simple musically, but more complicated songs like Sultans and Tunnel seem to have sections that start in familiar territory, include improvisation, use familiar phrases as cues to both the band the audience, and finally end on the famous twiddly bits (or what have you).

PONO went through quite a big evolution in the ending solo from the very first tame-ish performances to the late US leg on which he went wild and explored quite unusual phrasings.

My fave version is from Dublin 91

[Chris W]

What Mark plays often feels "just right" for that song. McCartney, in my experience, mostly plays short simple rock solos, so it is hard to compare to TR or SOS or BIA, with their long solos being fundamental parts of the songs on a more profound level.

I talked about McCartney AND Robbie McIntosh. Of course Macca is a beginner guitarist compared to Mark, although I found Paul's solos often soulful. Robbie however is one of the best guitarists I've ever played with.

[Chris W]

PONO went through quite a big evolution in the ending solo from the very first tame-ish performances to the late US leg on which he went wild and explored quite unusual phrasings.

We hardly played the song, so it never got settled like the mainstays of the set.

[Marnix]

This box is really a highlight of the year. First of all the unreleased Rainbow show and the missing Alchemy songs. But for me personal are the bonustracks from the OES tour the most memorable. Maybe it comes it was the only tour I have seen live but also to have officially live versions of  I think I love you too much, When it comes to you and the fabulous Tunnel of Love version.

Let’s hope we will get more recordings from the vaults

[herlock]

TOL 92 is indeed fabulous.
Ok 85 versions may be better, but this one is very, very enjoyable too. The more I listen to it the more I love it!

[Jules]

PONO went through quite a big evolution in the ending solo from the very first tame-ish performances to the late US leg on which he went wild and explored quite unusual phrasings.

We hardly played the song, so it never got settled like the mainstays of the set.

That song is featured in a lot of concerts as far as recordings we have from the start until the May 92 part of the tour, then it disappears.

There are great versions from the NA leg of the tour where the song is featured in most of the recordings available, also in many of the European gigs before the NA leg. After the American leg I think is featured just in some concerts, being Paris Bercy probably the last one we have a recording.

[Chris W]

I think it was definitely played most on the North America leg.
In my mind it certainly wasn't a regular in the set, albeit I agree, it pops up on other legs from time to time.
The repetitious solos I'm talking about are the songs that go back further. The solos evolved over several tours, they evolved less from week to week on the 92 tour.

[tomtom51]

What Mark plays often feels "just right" for that song. McCartney, in my experience, mostly plays short simple rock solos, so it is hard to compare to TR or SOS or BIA, with their long solos being fundamental parts of the songs on a more profound level.

I talked about McCartney AND Robbie McIntosh. Of course Macca is a beginner guitarist compared to Mark, although I found Paul's solos often soulful. Robbie however is one of the best guitarists I've ever played with.

For instance: https://youtu.be/BORQTtjscTg?si=2WOcS0dPrA4io6ys

[tomtom51]

What Mark plays often feels "just right" for that song. McCartney, in my experience, mostly plays short simple rock solos, so it is hard to compare to TR or SOS or BIA, with their long solos being fundamental parts of the songs on a more profound level.

I talked about McCartney AND Robbie McIntosh. Of course Macca is a beginner guitarist compared to Mark, although I found Paul's solos often soulful. Robbie however is one of the best guitarists I've ever played with.

For instance: https://youtu.be/BORQTtjscTg?si=2WOcS0dPrA4io6ys

And of course: https://youtu.be/hWOWuLWofv8?si=s09gXMyYhc4fTrrc

[Chris W]

Robbie had a longish solo spotlight on the 1990 tour also:
https://youtu.be/IXiKEAF2Wkg?si=xh8Uu-GVBvO5WtwW

[Robson]

Chris you are amazing in Telegraph Road. Not only in the Telegraph, but now I'm listening to the Telegraph once again:)

[Jules]

What Mark plays often feels "just right" for that song. McCartney, in my experience, mostly plays short simple rock solos, so it is hard to compare to TR or SOS or BIA, with their long solos being fundamental parts of the songs on a more profound level.

I talked about McCartney AND Robbie McIntosh. Of course Macca is a beginner guitarist compared to Mark, although I found Paul's solos often soulful. Robbie however is one of the best guitarists I've ever played with.

For instance: https://youtu.be/BORQTtjscTg?si=2WOcS0dPrA4io6ys

And of course: https://youtu.be/hWOWuLWofv8?si=s09gXMyYhc4fTrrc

Robbie is a favourite of most of us, he played many times with MK and we all loved what he played and how he played.

It's a pity he never got to be the MK guitarist on tours, but he did the 4 gigs of MK and friends in 2002 and played in many promotional gigs and also some studio recordings, like two songs in the last MK record (down the road whatever) and also the Local hero musical demos.

We love Robbie!