A Night In London 1996 on Youtube

[ds1984]

Hello

Some time ago, the official MK account posted the truncated edition of A Night In London as featured on the worldwide DVD release



Surprise today they just posted a new video that is featuring  Money For Nothing




Sultans of Swing is still missing but someone already did the job 

[TheTimeWasWrong]

I've never figured out whether I like "A Night in London" or not. On the one hand, it has some great versions (SOS solo, Je Suis Desole, Brothers), but I never understood the lack of energy. The crowd seems super bored, and MK looks and sings like he could fall asleep at any minute. I find this MFN also completely soulless. And that's while the '96 tour had such great energy!

[the visitor]

I heard from someone who was there (or knew someone who was there) that the actual filmed part of the show was about the third run through already of the set and it was late into the night by the time that it was recorded. Sounds plausible. Everyone does look tired.

[Love Expresso]

Tired or stoned, I was never sure. If that's true it is very understandable. But who decides to go through three times? No wonder the energy has left the building.

LE

[Dutchessy]

They were wasted the night before the recording, so i've heard...

[Love Expresso]

That would not be that professional, wouldn't it. But I remember that, too. Astonishing to hear but there is along story of MK and video recordings not being compatible.

LE

[dmg]

I've never really liked it and funnily enough I watch MFN yesterday having never seen it for years and thought pretty much the same - completely flat.

Let's remember that it was recorded before the tour even kicked off, which was definitely a mistake to begin with; better to do a big show when you are well rehearsed and the cobwebs are off.  When you're concentrating harder not to make a mistake and playing beneath yourself a performance can maybe look a bit under par.

[Peter1981]

very curious, what's the complete story behind this? They went on a drinking spree in London the night before or...?

They were wasted the night before the recording, so i've heard...

[Dutchessy]

Yes, thats what i've heard from fellow Dutchie Marijn, who was in the audience. I think they celebrated a birthday or something like that. And indeed the songs or some songs took multiple takes to record.

[Knut]

Cannibals is great. But that's really the one track I will listen to once in a while from this show.

[ds1984]

Yes the show lack of energy but there is still great parts.

The shows recorded during the actual tour featured of course better performances and thanckfully this tour was greatly documented with many radio recordings.

[Knopflerfan]

I've never figured out whether I like "A Night in London" or not. On the one hand, it has some great versions (SOS solo, Je Suis Desole, Brothers), but I never understood the lack of energy. The crowd seems super bored, and MK looks and sings like he could fall asleep at any minute. I find this MFN also completely soulless. And that's while the '96 tour had such great energy!

Of course sadly SoS is not on the DVD version - I'm not sure why? (SoS only featured on the original broadcast - Monday 6th May 1996 and on the video only!)

[qjamesfloyd]

I really love this show, maybe because I still think Golden Heart is Mark's best solo album, that song and Are We In Trouble Now and Rudiger are amazing among others played.

[Wario]

Analyzing the concert (and I consider myself a fan of Mark), what I think is that the final product, despite having very good sound, doesn't convey the feeling of being there (at a concert), and that's the most important thing in a DVD. RLRR does it much better, probably due to technological advances as well, but I think many of us would like a recording of his solo concerts that matches his productions on studio albums and live shows.

[Chris W]

Tired or stoned, I was never sure.

I've never done a show at this level where anyone was 'stoned' or drunk. You just wouldn't keep your job, you'd be out the door the next morning.
Even if they had a birthday party the night before, they would be recovered.
The suggestion this was the second or third time playing the show and it was late at night is plausible.
The whole set up is also fake - a live studio session with middle aged people standing, not dancing, not reacting with unbounded joy. That sucks the energy out right there.
Four years earlier, in the gaps between chorus and verses of Romeo and Juliet the crowds cheered loudly. In this show there is absolute silence.
Moreover, a fish rots from the head down. Mark looks pissed off, doesn't want to be there. Eyes half closed, not a hint of a smile. Reminds me of times on OES tour. He looks unbelievably uncomfortable playing MFN, no joy or energy. Says to me "why are we playing this song"?
I'm not an expert on this period, but the band are all good players and seem to be playing well. It's just a combination of the fake 'live show' set up in a small studio with an overly conservative audience, plus Mark looking like he's not interested, doesn't want to be there.