OES rehearsal and preparations

[Chris W]

It wasn't 'just a job'.
I don't think I've done much in my career that was 'just a job'. I sat at home doing nothing for weeks at a time, rather than tour with a band I hated, or rather than recording advertising jingles or movie soundtracks.
I was obviously aware DS was an extremely prestigious gig. It would be a huge honour to play big stadiums, in front of 60,000 people.
I was extremely concerned about Mark's reputation for berating drummers, that I learned through the industry grapevine.
Funny.... someone here posted that MTV documentary link yesterday. I took a look and when I'm interviewed the first thing I say is that I was reluctant to join DS because I was 'burnt out from touring'. Which was basically the truth. I always loved making records the most. After I voluntarily left McCartney my entire aim was to go back to being a studio drummer, which I loved. That is why it was hard to agree to more than a year on tour with Dire Straits.
Anyway, yes you are right.
As a five year old I was obsessed with The Beatles. I could not believe it when I found myself in a room with Paul and Linda playing music (the audition process). When we started his album it was just me, Paul and Hamish Stuart. Very tight knit.
Paul was quick witted and hilarious. We spent a happy year making the album, laughing every day.
When we started tour rehearsals and Paul started pulling out all these classic Beatles songs I just couldn't believe it. I was going to play Back In The USSR, Hey Jude, The Long And Winding Road etc....
The first show (in Oslo) was electric. Likewise when we played the USA for the first time. You could see people in the front rows in tears, almost feinting. It was a religious experience for a lot of people. Paul hadn't toured for ten years and had never played so many Beatles songs. Some of those songs had never been performed live, as they were recorded after The Beatles stopped touring.
So although the DS tour wasn't 'just a job', it also wasn't anything like playing a Beatles song that had never been played live before WITH a Beatle.

[Peter1981]

Oh man, playing those Beatles-classics with an actual Beatle. What a dream come true, Chris!

[Chris W]

Yes, best thing I've ever done. THE career highlight.

[dustyvalentino]

Seeing Paul live in 2018 was a near religious experience for me (and I'm not religious).

Although looking at the state of the charts these days it's not so clear as to which will go first, rock and roll or Christianity. 

[Love Expresso]

It wasn't 'just a job'.
I don't think I've done much in my career that was 'just a job'. I sat at home doing nothing for weeks at a time, rather than tour with a band I hated, or rather than recording advertising jingles or movie soundtracks.
I was obviously aware DS was an extremely prestigious gig. It would be a huge honour to play big stadiums, in front of 60,000 people.
I was extremely concerned about Mark's reputation for berating drummers, that I learned through the industry grapevine.
Funny.... someone here posted that MTV documentary link yesterday. I took a look and when I'm interviewed the first thing I say is that I was reluctant to join DS because I was 'burnt out from touring'. Which was basically the truth. I always loved making records the most. After I voluntarily left McCartney my entire aim was to go back to being a studio drummer, which I loved. That is why it was hard to agree to more than a year on tour with Dire Straits.
Anyway, yes you are right.
As a five year old I was obsessed with The Beatles. I could not believe it when I found myself in a room with Paul and Linda playing music (the audition process). When we started his album it was just me, Paul and Hamish Stuart. Very tight knit.
Paul was quick witted and hilarious. We spent a happy year making the album, laughing every day.
When we started tour rehearsals and Paul started pulling out all these classic Beatles songs I just couldn't believe it. I was going to play Back In The USSR, Hey Jude, The Long And Winding Road etc....
The first show (in Oslo) was electric. Likewise when we played the USA for the first time. You could see people in the front rows in tears, almost feinting. It was a religious experience for a lot of people. Paul hadn't toured for ten years and had never played so many Beatles songs. Some of those songs had never been performed live, as they were recorded after The Beatles stopped touring.
So although the DS tour wasn't 'just a job', it also wasn't anything like playing a Beatles song that had never been played live before WITH a Beatle.

Thank you very much for this interesting answer and going so deep into detail. Very appreciated.

LE

[zeusjazmin]

we are a very very lucky bunch having chris taking the time to post in the forum,giving us all an insight into things we would never have known,many thanks chris

[Peter1981]

Chris, with you obviously being an avid photographer, did you happen to document the rehearsals with some photographs as well?

[Chris W]

No, only the Calling Elvis shoot.

[qjamesfloyd]

Hi Chris. Just from a musicians point of view, how highly did you rate Mark's guitar playing ability from your vantage point?

[dustyvalentino]

we are a very very lucky bunch having chris taking the time to post in the forum,giving us all an insight into things we would never have known,many thanks chris

Unbelievably lucky. I can't tell you how many fans of acts would love to have people like Chris (and Ed) not just answering questions, but also answering honestly, rather than just muttering platitudes.

[hunter v2.0]

Hi Chris. Just from a musicians point of view, how highly did you rate Mark's guitar playing ability from your vantage point?

Ha-ha! I too have been thinking about asking Chris the same question for a few days.

If you could be bothered, Chris, I'd also love to know your opinion of Mark as a musician in general, his strengths and, let's say, limitations.

(Actually, maybe this should be a seperate topic?)