LuzArt Posted March 25, 2017 Share Posted March 25, 2017 Agreed, can't stand it. Perhaps like a lot of big hits, just over played to death back in the day. Nah. Best riff of all time. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jebediah Posted March 25, 2017 Share Posted March 25, 2017 6 hours ago, LuzArt said: Nah. Best riff of all time. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think MK contacted Billy Gibbons to ask how ZZ Top got their signature Gibson sound, and Billy wouldn't divulge....so MK figured it out for himself. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27OT_FSWrIE This is a great doco by the way if you haven't seen it. Narrated and hosted by John Illsley. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EV Cali Posted March 25, 2017 Share Posted March 25, 2017 19 minutes ago, Jebediah said: Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think MK contacted Billy Gibbons to ask how ZZ Top got their signature Gibson sound, and Billy wouldn't divulge....so MK figured it out for himself. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27OT_FSWrIE This is a great doco by the way if you haven't seen it. Narrated and hosted by John Illsley. Have not watched the doco and not a big fan of DS but MK played a Fender so why would he want it to sound like a Gibson. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jebediah Posted March 25, 2017 Share Posted March 25, 2017 Just now, EV Cali said: Have not watched the doco and not a big fan of DS but MK played a Fender so why would he want it to sound like a Gibson. He didn't just play a Fender. At the point in their career before recording BIA, he wanted that crunchy dirty sound that is a signature Gibson sound. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EV Cali Posted March 25, 2017 Share Posted March 25, 2017 11 hours ago, Jebediah said: He didn't just play a Fender. At the point in their career before recording BIA, he wanted that crunchy dirty sound that is a signature Gibson sound. Yes I see he is using a LP in the MFN vid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jebediah Posted March 25, 2017 Share Posted March 25, 2017 1 minute ago, EV Cali said: Yes I see he is using a LP in the MFN vid Fender was his main guitar in the earlier days for sure. Check out the vid if you have time Robin, it's quite a decent watch, even if not a fan, just for the guitar stuff and history 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuzArt Posted March 26, 2017 Share Posted March 26, 2017 He didn't just play a Fender. At the point in their career before recording BIA, he wanted that crunchy dirty sound that is a signature Gibson sound. I've heard a number of versions of how MFN happened. One is that MK's Les Paul had a Peter Green phase pot mod. Pull a tone pot up (or volume, unsure) and you can adjust the bridge pickup's phase relative to the middle pup. This apparently gave the midrange quack we hear on the track. Two is he used a wah wah pedal and cocked it at the spot to achieve that quack. Three Engineer Neil Dorfsman hadn't yet mic'd up MK's guitar amp when Mark started playing on that day's session. He'd simply left mics in the room from the previous day's work, not in any particular position. Neil is quoted as the sound being amazing and deciding to simply leave things as is and capture the take. The Billy Gibbons yarn is vaguely familiar but I havent heard any more. A real key to that song is the bass line. John Illsley is the master of understated bass. There's a very good reason JI was a founding and lasting member and the only one neve replaced in Dire Straits. Along with understanding from the beginning that Mark Knopfler was in control and simply wanted a vehicle for his songwriting, he was also always bringing appropriate bass sensibility to the songs. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jebediah Posted March 26, 2017 Share Posted March 26, 2017 (edited) Thanks Ben, that is a terrific summation, certainly a tonne more detailed and knowledgeable than what I'd heard in the past. I like the idea of the mic setup per happenstance. Having done some (basic) studio work in the past, that certainly appeals Also, I like your portrayal of JI as an underrated player. Very true really when you think about it and the points you raised. Edited March 26, 2017 by Jebediah 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jebediah Posted March 26, 2017 Share Posted March 26, 2017 Actually, speaking of John Illsley, I'd forgotten I owned this. Giving it another spin now just for posterity 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevoz Posted March 26, 2017 Share Posted March 26, 2017 (edited) Likewise, I had forgotten I had this as well: Mark's brother David Knopfler's debut solo release after he left Dire Straits to escape his big brother's control and get some creative independence. It's not bad either...........a bit more commercial with a DS vibe. Both Mark K and John Illsley play on it. Edited March 26, 2017 by stevoz 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuzArt Posted March 26, 2017 Share Posted March 26, 2017 Likewise, I had forgotten I had this as well: Mark's brother David Knopfler's debut solo release after he left Dire Straits to escape his big brother's control and get some creative independence. It's not bad either...........a bit more commercial with a DS vibe. Both Mark K and John Illsley play on it. And yet the film clip for 'Madonna's' Daughter' shows MK thoroughly enjoying backing up his brothers some 4 years after DK left the Straits: Always have thought that odd. DK also conveys in more recent interviews that Mark is usually pretty stand-offish at family events. All rather odd. Also note Illsley and Terry Williams are playing in that clip also, got a feeling that's Mel Collins ala 'Alchemy' on sax too. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevoz Posted March 26, 2017 Share Posted March 26, 2017 I've seen MK interviewed in years post Dire Straits and he always seems a bit 'awkward' but as far as DK goes, a fractured brotherly relationship for sure...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ollie_08 Posted March 26, 2017 Share Posted March 26, 2017 And yet the film clip for 'Madonna's' Daughter' shows MK thoroughly enjoying backing up his brothers some 4 years after DK left the Straits:Always have thought that odd. DK also conveys in more recent interviews that Mark is usually pretty stand-offish at family events. All rather odd. Also note Illsley and Terry Williams are playing in that clip also, got a feeling that's Mel Collins ala 'Alchemy' on sax too. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Don't forget Pick Withers fantastic drummer and with JI very good combination backing up MK[emoji106]Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metal beat Posted March 26, 2017 Share Posted March 26, 2017 (edited) 35 minutes ago, ollie_08 said: Don't forget Pick Withers fantastic drummer and with JI very good combination backing up MK Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pick Withers drumming is one of the reasons why Dire Straits were so wonderful up to and including Love over Gold. His drumming has organic feel and free flowing energy. Terry Williams I did not like - no subtlety. Edited March 26, 2017 by metal beat 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevoz Posted March 26, 2017 Share Posted March 26, 2017 1 hour ago, metal beat said: Pick Withers drumming is one of the reasons why Dire Straits were so wonderful up to and including Love over Gold. His drumming has organic feel and free flowing energy. Terry Williams I did not like - no subtlety. After the success of the S/T debut, Dylan invited two of Dire Straits to play on the "Slow Train Coming" album, Mark Knopfler of course and yes, Pick Withers....... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ollie_08 Posted March 26, 2017 Share Posted March 26, 2017 After the success of the S/T debut, Dylan invited two of Dire Straits to play on the "Slow Train Coming" album, Mark Knopfler of course and yes, Pick Withers....... Yep no coincidence it's one of my favourite Dylan albums, Knopfler and Withers really shine through on this!Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ollie_08 Posted March 26, 2017 Share Posted March 26, 2017 Genius "Where do u think your going" off Communique Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuzArt Posted March 26, 2017 Share Posted March 26, 2017 Don't forget Pick Withers fantastic drummer and with JI very good combination backing up MK[emoji106]Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk And in this clip Terry Williams is in the chair, I neglected to me to mention. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scuzzii Posted March 28, 2017 Share Posted March 28, 2017 My Pallas releases arrived today..Not played yet - will on weekend as my phone was running hot regarding cyclone Debbie. Sent from my SM-G925I using Tapatalk 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaynin Posted March 28, 2017 Author Share Posted March 28, 2017 @scuzzii let us know your thoughts when you get the chance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delh78 Posted May 15, 2017 Share Posted May 15, 2017 @scuzzii John, How did you get on with the Pallas pressings? I've been following this thread for a while and contemplating the same purchase for the S/T and BIA. dead happy with my Aus pressings of the other albums I have, but these two are pretty tired... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scuzzii Posted May 15, 2017 Share Posted May 15, 2017 1 hour ago, delh78 said: @scuzzii John, How did you get on with the Pallas pressings? I've been following this thread for a while and contemplating the same purchase for the S/T and BIA. dead happy with my Aus pressings of the other albums I have, but these two are pretty tired... Hi Derek I thought the S/T pressing from Pallas was pretty good. I don't own any other release of this so can only go on what I've heard elsewhere and I'd recommend the Pallas if its easy for you to get it. Collectors Choice or such. The cost of the PAllas via CC is on par with just buying the latest Aust releases from JB's (well last I looked). The BIA I have is the MOFI release and its exceptional. I heard the PAllas release of BIA at @Hensa Greg's place and it really was fantastic - MOFI was better in comparison but after we heard the PAllas 1st, we were not expecting the MOFI to better it. Highly recommended for Pallas here if you cant stretch for MOFI 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delh78 Posted May 15, 2017 Share Posted May 15, 2017 So MOFI really is the way to go then. Thanks for the reply @scuzzii Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scuzzii Posted May 16, 2017 Share Posted May 16, 2017 For BIA- yes would be my advice. The mofi BIA release is one of the best mofi releases.Sent from my SM-G925I using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hlov Posted May 19, 2017 Share Posted May 19, 2017 On ?19?/?03?/?2017 at 1:08 PM, Jebediah said: Wow, this thread has inspired me to dig deep into my musical past, as a former MK and DS devotee. I was gutted in 1985 at the Grammy awards when Phil Collins took out best album and BIA missed out, but won for best engineered album, which meant little to me back then, but certainly have a richer appreciation for that award now. So about four years ago when I first started collecting records, I picked up this lot as a bundle on Ebay for $50. Pretty stoked I was, and as I'm now spinning Making Movies to get a handle on the pressing quality, I'm wondering which pressings these actually are. Never investigated, but will have a dig now. Early Aussie pressings I'm guessing, and they sound pretty good. Same hear. I got all yours and a few more 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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