Those of you with access to the Internet will be pleased to know that as from 19th October Mark Knopfler News will have its own web site at http://www.mark-knopfler-news.co.uk/ and you can also send e-mail @mark-knopfler-news.co.uk
If you do not have access to the Internet don't worry as I will continue to send out hard copies of this newletter providing I have a stamped addressed envelope or an addressed envelope with a postage coupon. The web site will, of course, carry more information that I can put in the copy newsletters and will be up-dated as news becomes available but I'll make sure that those still wishing to receive hard copy don't miss out on anything important!!
As reported in February's newsletter, the new DS compilation CD, Sultans of Swing: The Very Best of Dire Straits, will be released on 19th October. Liner notes have been written by Robert Sandall. There will be two CDs available, the second is optimal limited edition CD - like Encores - with live tracks from the Golden Heart tour concert at the Royal Albert Hall, 23rd May 1996. The musicians on the second CD are Dinah Beamish, Richard Bennett, Jim Cox, Chad Cromwell, Guy Fletcher, Mark Knopfler, Jocelyn Pook, Julia Singleton, Sonia Slany and Glenn Worf.
The Very Best of Dire Straits track list:
CD1: Sultans of Swing/Lady writer/Romeo & Juliet/Tunnel of Love/Private Investigation/Twisting By The Pool/Love Over Gold (Live)/So Far Away/Money For Nothing/Brothers In Arms/Walk of Life/Calling Elvis/Heavy Fuel/On Every Street/Your Latest Trick (Live)/Local Hero-Wild Theme (Live)
CD2: Calling Elvis/Walk of Life/Last Exit To Brooklyn/Romeo & Juliet/Sultans of Swing/Brothers in Arms/Money For Nothing
I'm sure that those who were lucky enough to get to any of the NHBs Ronnie Scott gigs in Birmingham and London on July had a really great time, both venues being so small and intimate. Every show was sold out!! The 'Billies played for around 2 and a half hours. The set list at the show in Birmingham was:
SET 1 |
SET 2 |
|---|---|
| Run Me Down | Denomination Blues |
| One Way Gal | KC Moon |
| Good Rockin' Tonight | Can't Be Satisfied |
| Your Own Sweet Way | Blues Stay Away From Me |
| Railroad Worksong | Calling Elvis |
| Why Worry | His Latest Flame |
| Water of Love | I'm The Fool |
| Rope Stretchin' Blues | Bewildered |
| Hobo's Lullaby | Mystery Train |
| Meet Me In The Bottom | Are We In Trouble Now |
| Setting Me Up | |
| I Feel Like Going Home (encore) | |
| The Next Time I'm In Town (encore) |
The set list remained pretty much the same for the rest of the Ronnie Scotts concerts. There were no changes at all to the first set at any of the show. Changes, when they came applied to the second set only. On the Tuesday night in Birmingham I'm The Fool was replaced with a great version of an old Jim Reeves hit called He'll Have to Go but this song was not played in London where it was replaced by Long Highway. Bewildered was dropped in London though it was revived on the final Saturday night - to replace Are We In Trouble Now - when saxophonist Pat Crumly join the NHBs on stage for a couple of numbers. Going Home was brought in as an encore with just Mark and Guy on Stage, and this song replaces Bewildered on the other nights in London. The 'Billies also played the Chuck Berry classic Nadine for all but the first night in Birmingham but it was not included in the set lists in London where the wonderful Mississippi Blues was added to the set list. It was also decided to move His Latest Flame to later in the second set as it tended to clash with the equally up-tempo Calling Elvis. When the legendary Lonnie Donegan guested with the band on the 24th of July they played rousing versions of Frankie and Johnny and Corrina. Also appearing as a guest on the second Thursday in London was trombone playing jazz great, Chris Barber. The band produced a much bluesier arrangement for Blues Stay Away From Me with Guy playing haunting riffs on the lap steel. Talking to enthralled fans after the show revealed that His Latest Flame was undoubtedly the most popular of the new songs with the Latin influenced arrangement of Rope Stretchin' Blues and Mississippi Blues coming in close behind. Personally, I loved He'll Have to Go from the Birmingham gigs. There was feeling that this was the best mix of songs by the NHBs so far and the band enjoyed playing at both Ronnie Scott venues. If the 'Billies do something like this again maybe they can be persuaded to record the shows and give us Live At Ronnie Scott album - who knows?
The NHBs also played at the Taplow Court Music Festival on Saturday the 18th of July in support of the charity War Child. After a grey start it turned out to be a beautiful sunny day and it was good to see lots of fans present. The 'Billies came on stage around 5 pm and played for about 90 minutes. The set list was:
Run Me Down/One Way Gal/Your Own Sweet Way/Railroad Worksong/Why Worry/Water of Love/Hobo's Lullaby/Calling Elvis/His Latest Flame/Bewildered/Setting Me Up/I Feel Like Going Home/Nadine/The Next Time I'm In Town
Also on the printed set list for Taplow Court was Are We In Trouble Now but this song was not actually played.
All the artists appearing at the festival gave their services free of change including Shola Ama/Paul Brady/Richard Niles with Hamish Stuart, Pat Kane & Michael Ruff/The Ronnie Scott Legacy/The Eagle Peak Percussion Ensemble. Proceeds from the day were donated to the War Child Emergency Appeal, Bahr El Gazal, Southern Sudan.
When Mark was in Nashville for the Chet Atkins-Waylon Jennings-Johnny Cash tribute at the Ryman Auditorium - original home of the 'Grand Ole Opry' - in June Chet presented him with Gibson 'Chet Atkins' model guitar signed 'In Remembrance of Me' which Mark found deeply touching. Mark was featured on BBC Radio 2's Jazz Diaries on 14th September when he talked about some of early influences on his music. He has been asked to considetr a few film scores and a number of artists, including Elvis' Telecaster-toting guitarist James Burton, have asked if he will collaborate on their new albums. However Mark wants to concentrate on completing his second solo album which will needs a lot of work as it only about two/third complete. As yet, no arrangements have been made for a promotional tour next year.
The Steve Phillips and Brendan Croker tour earlier in the year was a great success. They played a good mix of songs: country blues classics such as Cool Drink of Water, Rope Stretchin' Blues and Boogie Woogie Dance; self-penned songs such as Steve's emotional Burning Sand and Brendan Croker's Poor Boy In This Town. Familiar to NHBs fans were Will You Miss Me, Blues Stay Away From Me, Railroad Worksong, Hobo's Lullaby, I Feel Like Going Home, KC Moan and Bewildered. Most nights they finished off with a rousing version of the Leadbelly classic Goodnight Irene. During the tour Brendan splashed out and purchased his own personal mirror-ball which managed to put in an appearance at the Ronnie Scott NHBs gig too!
Mark Knopfler News has had a clear out together with the newsletter I am sending you details of a sale of DS memorabilia ...
Best wishes............
