Your Dream Box Set in 2025?

[Love Expresso]

Yes, it seems there is no time limit as it is usual with other bands. Endless fiddlin' around with happy microphones guaranteed.

LE

[dustyvalentino]

Hi gang

Very pleased to say we have a very welcome surprise in the form of persoanl responses to topics in this thread from the one and only legend that is MR ED BICKNELL!

Ed has asked me to emphasise that these answers are from MEMORY, and that he doesn't have documentation or tapes... (except one?...)

[dustyvalentino]

Pink Floyd had Live in Wembley in their 50th Anniversary Dark Side Of The Moon Release, with Blu-ray, DVD, Atmos Mix and Vinyl of both albums. I might add that package and pressing gets the highest praise from PF fans, apart from it being a rip-off after so many other DSOTM releases.   That made me dream of how in a perfect world next year's BIA jubilee should be celebrated:

I would go for a Box Set with BIA on CD, Atmos, and complete Wembley 85 Show on CD and vinyl and Blu-Ray plus a reprint of the 1985 tour book, and if there were, a bonus with outtakes or unreleased stuff (which there apparently isn't). The Wembley Live Blu-Ray and Vinyl should be released separately also, same as the BIA Atmos mix.
 
Any comments? How can we make Guy read this? 

LE

WEMBLEY 85. As I think I've already mentioned that was undertaken and most importantly PAID FOR by the TV co ( can’t recall who) so legally the copyright rests with them unless it was assigned to DS which I can assure you it wasn’t.
It was just conceived as a TV show at the time, nothing more and I’m 99.99% sure that everything that was taped and was good enough to use was used ie nothing left over.
It was edited to fit the length of the TV transmission ( by them).
I don't believe anyone looked at it back then, way too busy, off to USA etc.

I dream of a concert on July 10, 1985 at Wembley Arena or Uniondale NY, October 11, 1985. Dreams, dreams...

What makes you think Uniondale ( 🤮 )was professionally recorded ? Again I don't recall ANY of the 85 US dates being recorded other than bootlegs and if anything was I’ve no idea where the tapes might be. We ( DS) certainly didn’t, way too busy to think about that ( pursuing girls and glory).

So now it is 2025, what do we think the actual likelihood is of something other than a half speed master of BIA  being reissued once again? 

There are various clues which could point to something being reissued but I don't hold much hope if I'm honest.  I'm struggling to think what might accompany the regular edition of BIA in an anniversary.  Guy seems to have stated on multiple occasions that there are no multitracks for live recordings from the tour, and the Ed thread didn't shed any other light more than the major broadcasts we already know.  The Mandela gig would be a suitable accompanying disc as it is an essentially greatest hits 60min show but again not much to lead to hope for.

That just leaves the instrumental segment of Why Worry which was issued on a 12 inch B side. But we have that already.

Any other thoughts of glimmers of hope?

I’m not involved in this  but see above …there is NOTHING….you are dreaming I’m afraid.
Guy is correct…why question him?
Mandela.
Owned by whoever paid for it ( the TV co..can’t recall which…BBC 2 ?)
DS did not record it ( or even thought of recording since it was being transmitted live).
Putting out ( any ) charity shows commercially was never considered ( yes I know we could have donated proceeds although that one wasn’t actually to raise money, more “awareness” ).
That’s a dead end I’m afraid and same old, same old…who has the tapes?

[dustyvalentino]

Soundtrack Vinyl Box

Live in Wembley 1985 Blu-Ray

Brothers In Arms Jubilee Box Set with Vinyl, Atmos Mix, Tour Book and/or another '85 Live Show from the vaults

Sailing To Philadelphia 25 years Special Live Box with live recordings, Atmos mix and Pyroman Live as 12 inch vinyl

What do you mean by "not much to lead to hope for"? 

LE

See comment re Wembley show above.
Another live from vaults….where? Who owns? Where are the tapes? Were they wiped?

"That just leaves the instrumental segment of Why Worry which was issued on a 12 inch B side. But we have that already"

Official? On what single?

Comes on the 12 inch maxi single of Brothers in Arms

Dire Straits - Brothers In Arms (Full Length Version)

Url: https://www.discogs.com/release/3170620-Dire-Straits-Brothers-In-Arms-Full-Length-Version

But is that the band's idea or the label's?

"That just leaves the instrumental segment of Why Worry which was issued on a 12 inch B side. But we have that already"

Official? On what single?

Comes on the 12 inch maxi single of Brothers in Arms

Dire Straits - Brothers In Arms (Full Length Version)

Url: https://www.discogs.com/release/3170620-Dire-Straits-Brothers-In-Arms-Full-Length-Version

But is that the band's idea or the label's?

When BIA was originally released, the lp versions was shorten than the cassette and the cd so the lp didn't had the instrumental outtro of Why worry because it didn't fit, but it was released in the b side of the maxi.

If I remember well, the trumpet intro of Your Latest Trick wasn't in the lp versions, neither the long MFN intro, all that stuff was released in singles or maxis, also BIA was shorter in the lp.

As I dealt with in the Q and A …the labels got everything that was released in any territory from US which really means via me, and one of the greatest frustrations I had throughout the band’s entire career was the LACK of “B sides "( which was often two) since we just didn't have the material ( which led to sub standard twoddle like “ Badges”, “ Millionaire Blues”, being used ) AND as has been correctly referenced here, the different genres..vinyl, tape, CD etc had different running times that had to be accommodated.
If I sound “testy” it's because all this drove me nuts at the time and I got NO input from the band or MK who had almost NO interest in singles ( and in fairness he/we were relentlessly busy and all this was really boring).

[dustyvalentino]

"That just leaves the instrumental segment of Why Worry which was issued on a 12 inch B side. But we have that already"

Official? On what single?

Comes on the 12 inch maxi single of Brothers in Arms

Dire Straits - Brothers In Arms (Full Length Version)

Url: https://www.discogs.com/release/3170620-Dire-Straits-Brothers-In-Arms-Full-Length-Version

But is that the band's idea or the label's?

When BIA was originally released, the lp versions was shorten than the cassette and the cd so the lp didn't had the instrumental outtro of Why worry because it didn't fit, but it was released in the b side of the maxi.

If I remember well, the trumpet intro of Your Latest Trick wasn't in the lp versions, neither the long MFN intro, all that stuff was released in singles or maxis, also BIA was shorter in the lp.

I know, but Why Worry is just an instrumental part, the same as the original version, right? That's why I'm asking if it was the label's idea, because it seems weird to me.

The labels put out what we gave them and ONLY what we gave them ( or I cleared in the absence of anything else).

MK never had enough extra songs for b sides so they would just use any old crap.

Correct, “crap” being expedient.

MK never had enough extra songs for b sides so they would just use any old crap.

DS not MK 

DS and MK are the same in this context.

MK never had enough extra songs for b sides so they would just use any old crap.

DS not MK 

Well MK wrote all the songs, so...

Ok:) I meant that Mark wrote fewer songs during the Dire Straits period. And really only the single Calling Elvis (Millionaire Blues is great:)) and Heavy Fuel has a B-side with additional songs.

Badges Posters as well, but yes, that's basically what I said. They would fill it out with stuff from soundtracks etc. Wild that Walk of Life was the B-side of So Far Away then went on to be a bigger hit in its own right.

PS Millionaire Blues is fine as a listen once, throwaway joke B side, but definitely not a great record

Hmmmmm. Someone who likes MB and KC and LH. Oh dear 🤪.
“ Assuming they exist”….NO.
That should be “assuming someone has” and that is a HUGE assumption.
Same comment re all the titles mentioned here.
"Too much to ask"?
Well someone would have to locate, check for damage and content, ownership, copyright, length, some ( most)  you mention are bootlegs if they exist at all ......we did NOT professionally record Budapest ( that was playback, one song only MFN ) , Jerusalem ( short bits for local TV and The Tube) , Woburn, Oslo, Knebworth, Live Aid ( def not) and as a general comment, we did NOT record endless gigs ( why?) other than what you know about.
And even if they did WHO is going to listen to all this stuff again?
I know one person who DEFINITELY wouldn’t!

[dustyvalentino]

Dire Straits - Love Over Gold | The complete recordings.

All 15 tracks, outtakes, demos...

Since the Q and A I've thought about this, usually on the toilet.
I may have unintentionally misled/misremembered .
On reflection I don't think anything like 15 tracks or whatever it was, were EVER actually recorded.
The conversation re a double ( pre CD) album took place BEFORE recording started ..at rehearsals I think ….and only “Private Dancer” got as far as a version with a guide vocal ( not mixed) a cassette of which I gave to Tina.
POSSIBLY TWIAS was a contender that got used for LH ( not certain) but that was a completely new recording with Gerry Rafferty on vocals, NOT anything reused from LOG.
What I am sure of is that other than what was put out, no tapes exist of anything else though there may be a 1/4” master of PD in my storage facility and I am NOT going to look for it. Sorry!

I want a MK live concert. Preferably from 1996 - 2010, but I'll happy if they give us a show from 2015.

Not my time

For what it is worth I would love an expanded. Ideally with a recording I've not heard before in terms of a live addition  though I'd be happy with an accompanying live disc of something only available from pre broadcast material.

What would be amazing would be to hear some demos or tour rehearsal material; was listening last night to the Split recording of Six Blade Knife and Wild West End, unique vibes on this tour.

All accompanied by some expanded sleeve notes and photos.

We did not record rehearsals. Why? Who was going to listen ?
Demos…no idea who has those…..
John maybe?
Some delivered to Phonogram “went missing” …..1st album for sure ( read stolen).
Expanded sleeve notes…by whom?
Photos …..contemporaneous or current ? ( you'd never get those..I’m laughing at what I just wrote! )

My biggest wish is for an official recording from the 2001 tour. I know the material is there, as there were tracks on the singles of the TRD album. I know it's wishful thinking, but please don't let Guy mix it. The 2001 tour was extremely powerful, but Guy is mostly great at mixing slow and soft and ballad stuff. I can't listen to the RLRR mix, and though I'm grateful for the 2023 Live box set, I think it could sound much better.

There are great-sounding recordings from the 1996, 2005, and 2010 tours, so I wouldn't be interested in that. The quality of most 2013 recordings is poor, except for Malaga, which I really enjoy! Honestly, I would not release anything from 2015 or 2019.

I could wish for Mark's version of "Private Dancer," "Speedway" from the GH sessions, or "Bonafide," but we know it's never going to happen.

No comment.
“PD” I’ve dealt with.
You are right…it’s never going to happen and I know that 25 years after I quit!

1- Video of the Rainbow Theatre 79 show in full
2- Video of Alchemy in full and Paris 83 (but, the latter, at best, was only recorded in audio and not filmed)
4- Wembley Arena 85 in full.
5- Full video of the shows that were used to record OTN, Nimes and Rotterdam 92. (There must be many videos of full shows that were filmed between May and October 1992 for the big screens at stadium shows)

(All these releases without Guy's involvement, due to the great risk of him messing things up a lot, in my opinion, he is the king of archive mutilation, Alchmey could have been released in a much better way, Rainbow 79 has the low voices of JI and DK, however, OTN and live at the BBC are ok for me.)

Anyway, I'm more interested in videos, I really value the audiovisual experience that it can offer, it has always impacted me more, I would love to see Setting me Up, Sounthbound Again, Portobello Belle... live in the context of 1979, as well as Portobello Belle live in 1983, since there is no recorded video of the audience from 82 83. even seeing RATR and Wild West End at Wembley 85 and I think I love you too much, Fade to black, When it comes to you, TOL in 1992...

6- Of course, if there is audio of the band's rehearsals from 77-92, especially a live recording from 77, it would be very welcome.

7- Audio of Paris 83 and Alchemy's first night

But, all this is mere utopia, possible only in our imagination, if one of these were released, it would be a miracle.

Ah. Brunno. I can't really comment …memory loss brought on by too much weed OR sheer boredom. You choose. Fuck knows where all that stuff is.
We MUST have delivered to the labels in order to put out but as we now know filing, storage, security back then was horrendous. Really appalling and DS were one of many acts where stuff just disappeared ( the police investigated in UK but no prosecutions ).

Rehearsals 77. Never happened. We couldn’t afford sausages then so def not film!

Stop dreaming, get real….it’s going to remain utopia I’m afraid.

1- Video of the Rainbow Theatre 79 show in full
2- Video of Alchemy in full and Paris 83 (but, the latter, at best, was only recorded in audio and not filmed)
4- Wembley Arena 85 in full.
5- Full video of the shows that were used to record OTN, Nimes and Rotterdam 92. (There must be many videos of full shows that were filmed between May and October 1992 for the big screens at stadium shows)

(All these releases without Guy's involvement, due to the great risk of him messing things up a lot, in my opinion, he is the king of archive mutilation, Alchmey could have been released in a much better way, Rainbow 79 has the low voices of JI and DK, however, OTN and live at the BBC are ok for me.)

Anyway, I'm more interested in videos, I really value the audiovisual experience that it can offer, it has always impacted me more, I would love to see Setting me Up, Sounthbound Again, Portobello Belle... live in the context of 1979, as well as Portobello Belle live in 1983, since there is no recorded video of the audience from 82 83. even seeing RATR and Wild West End at Wembley 85 and I think I love you too much, Fade to black, When it comes to you, TOL in 1992...

6- Of course, if there is audio of the band's rehearsals from 77-92, especially a live recording from 77, it would be very welcome.

7- Audio of Paris 83 and Alchemy's first night

But, all this is mere utopia, possible only in our imagination, if one of these were released, it would be a miracle.

+1000 

and I would add the Communique demos recorded in fall 79, as well as all early demos in good sound

See my comment re demos under 17. I don't even recall demos for ALL of Communique ( some yes I think…I’m not even sure that M didn't write some stuff in Nassau.)

[dustyvalentino]

BIA turns 40 this year, so a Box with CD, LP Remasters would be cool and Atmos mix and of course a Wembley Audio with the Full show.
Audio and Blu Ray

STP turns 25, maybe same thing with Madrid 2001 full show. That would a killer

I have laid out the “issues” above.

I always wondered why Mark decided to leave real professional producers out of his work and let Guy do more and more in a most amateurish way. All this tape and BG praise and talk is just nonsense, there are WAY better produced albums (yes and vinyl) out there. I often wondered how their financial deal is.. is Guy paid a fixed sum per album or is he paid like the band session wise or on a daily base...   however. The best sounding albums are all Dire Straits ones and the first thee solo albums from my point of view.

LE

You should ask Mark, perhaps he doesn’t share your view.
No idea what their financial arrangements are now ( and I wouldn’t tell you if I did..that’s between them).

1- Video of the Rainbow Theatre 79 show in full
2- Video of Alchemy in full and Paris 83 (but, the latter, at best, was only recorded in audio and not filmed)
4- Wembley Arena 85 in full.
5- Full video of the shows that were used to record OTN, Nimes and Rotterdam 92. (There must be many videos of full shows that were filmed between May and October 1992 for the big screens at stadium shows)

(All these releases without Guy's involvement, due to the great risk of him messing things up a lot, in my opinion, he is the king of archive mutilation, Alchmey could have been released in a much better way, Rainbow 79 has the low voices of JI and DK, however, OTN and live at the BBC are ok for me.)

Anyway, I'm more interested in videos, I really value the audiovisual experience that it can offer, it has always impacted me more, I would love to see Setting me Up, Sounthbound Again, Portobello Belle... live in the context of 1979, as well as Portobello Belle live in 1983, since there is no recorded video of the audience from 82 83. even seeing RATR and Wild West End at Wembley 85 and I think I love you too much, Fade to black, When it comes to you, TOL in 1992...

6- Of course, if there is audio of the band's rehearsals from 77-92, especially a live recording from 77, it would be very welcome.

7- Audio of Paris 83 and Alchemy's first night

But, all this is mere utopia, possible only in our imagination, if one of these were released, it would be a miracle.

+1000 

and I would add the Communique demos recorded in fall 79, as well as all early demos in good sound

It was item 3, for some reason it didn't appear on my post, it appeared 1-2-4-5... I only realized now.

But here it is

3- Release of all existing demos.

Dealt with. Where are they?

I wonder if they even know where the Paris 83 tapes are... The record company had to sent Guy the Hammersmith tapes instead because they didn't find the Paris one to recreate the original MFN compilation... They didn't find the "Where do you think" demo either and Guy had to treat it with IA software from the 88 release...

What can we expect thinking about this?

LOL

Where are they?
You can expect that NO ONE is thinking about this because it’s 38 years ago and nobody working at the labels now except senior management was born then.
They DO NOT CARE and this material in some form or other has been exploited to the point of ridiculousness.
But then I’m just an observer….

[dustyvalentino]

What I’d love to see is a solo live box set that mirrors the Dire Straits Live set, perhaps with a selection of concert recordings including the unreleased 2001 Madrid show, one of the 2002 charity shows, or a show from the 2008 Kill to Get Crimson tour as there were never any official live downloads available from that tour. And if something like that were to happen, I’d love Guy to mix it too. I think he’s done a fabulous job of mixing Mark and Dire Straits work over the years. Constructive criticism is fair enough - we all have different tastes and opinions but I find some of the criticism of him on here unfathomable, unwarranted and frankly hurtful.

After my time. I agree with your comments re Guy.

What I’d love to see is a solo live box set that mirrors the Dire Straits Live set, perhaps with a selection of concert recordings including the unreleased 2001 Madrid show, one of the 2002 charity shows, or a show from the 2008 Kill to Get Crimson tour as there were never any official live downloads available from that tour. And if something like that were to happen, I’d love Guy to mix it too. I think he’s done a fabulous job of mixing Mark and Dire Straits work over the years. Constructive criticism is fair enough - we all have different tastes and opinions but I find some of the criticism of him on here unfathomable, unwarranted and frankly hurtful.

I would also love to have a show from the KTGC tour.

Personally I’d settle for a Girls Aloud Boxed Set.

love millionaires blues, and kingdome come, and long highway, and....
would love a mega box including all demo's that are worth it, assuming they exist. then wembley 85 in full, audio and video, Paris 83 in full, 22 and 23 hammersmith as well, vid and audio (all 3 83 shows)
budapest 85 (mfn video live parts were from there no?) jerusalem 1985, last BIa show in audio and video, in full,basel 92 in full, audio and video, wobburn abbey 92, in full, audio and video, Oslo 92 same thing. and all other bits and pieces that were ever recorded live either by the band or some tv/radio station, knebworth full version audio and video, same for Mandela, live aid,...
is that really too much to ask?
the live box was a step in the right direction. let them continue down that road

Oh yes, love millionaires blues, and kingdome come in Atmos, and BIA as well.
Plus the digital recording Live Copenhagen from 1996 with the complete show, including MK playing alone in the break.

Peter…straight to the point as always.

I always wondered why Mark decided to leave real professional producers out of his work and let Guy do more and more in a most amateurish way. All this tape and BG praise and talk is just nonsense, there are WAY better produced albums (yes and vinyl) out there. I often wondered how their financial deal is.. is Guy paid a fixed sum per album or is he paid like the band session wise or on a daily base...   however. The best sounding albums are all Dire Straits ones and the first thee solo albums from my point of view.

LE

I could be wrong but I think I read somewhere once that he said he was very often there, also often working there without Mr. Knopfler so maybe he has a more or less fulltime job there.

’m told that BG contains Britain’s largest collection of old 70’s copies of Playboy, Penthouse, Mayfair, Men Only and Milk Filled Jugs ( British Milk Marketing Publication). So Guy is there pretty much 24/ 7 when he’s not being a grandfather , reading the letter’s pages, doing the crosswords, wondering why he didn't pursue a career as Alan Clark’s drum machine programmer.

Yes, it seems there is no time limit as it is usual with other bands. Endless fiddlin' around with happy microphones guaranteed.

LE

And LOVE EXPRESSO makes it full circle.

Still, you may get a dream bin liner.

[Pottel]

to the one and only mr. B
when people on here talk about the uniondale it is because there is a semi ok sounding bootleg for that show, a show that sounded great perfomance wise and which has the longest version of Tunnel of love ever (25min or so)
that is all :-)

[Robson]

to the one and only mr. B
when people on here talk about the uniondale it is because there is a semi ok sounding bootleg for that show, a show that sounded great perfomance wise and which has the longest version of Tunnel of love ever (25min or so)
that is all :-)

Exactly! I was also thinking about Tunnel Of Love 

If I remember correctly, David Sanborn played the saxophone at this concert.

[the visitor]

Thanks to Ed for the answers.  Well the DS Bonfire is well and truly out (as we probably knew ready). 

I guess for the MK solo fans there is some hope and probably where the next box set release will turn up. Alas not where my focus really lies.

BIA 40th anniversary quarter speed press with inverted colour sleeve here we come.

[JF]

Thanks again Ed for you answers 

about the Communique demos, Jerry Wexler said in Nassau something like "the album has already been recorded, we have to record it again" talking about demos recorded in London in fall 78, before the band gone to Nassau in december.
We know at least "where do you think you're going" from these sessions, on the MFN comp, there must be some other songs on tapes ?
The song Cmmuniqué itself seems to have been composed by Mark in Nassau, so of course it can't be featruing on these sessions from London, but the other songs from the album maybe...

that said, I understood what you said about demos in general, and that noboby knows where they are.
It's a shame
All other bands/artists publish demos and unreleased tracks at some point on deluxe versions of their albums. why Dire Straits didn't do that ?

[Love Expresso]

Ok, time to say sorry I guess, sorry to Guy for the way I chose my words. Although contentwise about the producer thing it's my opinion still. I must confess I am still trying to work out or detect the exact level of sarcsam in Ed's answers (language barrier and stuff). Thanks again for taking your time for this. Many dreams shattered indeed!

LE

[Jules]

Thanks Ed for taking your time reading our posts, it really means a lot for us.

It is crystal clear that the key sentences here are "where are the tapes" and "who cares", LOL

I remember reading Hal Lindes on facebook that he had tapes recorded from the small sound desk they were using rehearsing of all the LOG songs in various stages of development, and also from the BIA rehearsals at Dave Stewart studio before they went to Montserrat, and I recall someone mentioned that MFN initially was very different, more like a Rolling Stone style of song, but I guess that tapes are kept by who have them as a personal item and the record company don't have anything, as Ed said, they have what they send them!

I also remember that someone (Hal? Alan?) said on facebook that most of the stuff written for LOG that wasn't considered ended on other DS or MK solo records, I remember we discused at the time if maybe BIA was written during the LOG period as it kinds of coincide with the Falklands war.

I really don't expect much of a box set, but the Wembley 85 could be done if anyone cares enough to ask for the TV company about the multitracks tapes they recorded (if they still have them) with the Rolling Stone Mobile which is mentioned in the credits at the end of the broadcast, who knows if the tv company still has the full video recording or they wiped anything unusued.

Also the Houston, San Antonio and Sydney gigs were radio (or tv in the case of Sydney) broacasted and mixed for the broadcast, probably just in stereo with no multitracks so I guess they are not good enough to be proffesionaly released. Same with Mandela, probably.

Unless John has stuff in his vaults that can be used, I guess there is not much in the case of DS to be released.

About MK solo stuff, there are many many unreleased songs and live concerts from 2005 to 2019, and some from 2001, but I recall Guy said once all that stuff remain in different formats and too often unlabeled so just thinking about digging in all that material looks like a crazy task... one that only getalifers like us would do happily!

[rmarques821]

Ed came here, said "you'll get nothing, you bastards", and left.

What a legend.