 |
"the doctor will now offer a course of treatment" |
ask dr. fletch (round 3) inspired?
aggrieved? or just plain nosey? (the most recent questions are nearest the top of page) |
| illness | your symptoms | doc's diagnosis |
| Pics'n'sounds | What's the deal with taking cameras and/or recording gear to a show? | Click here to find out |
| Band line-up |
The ill-fated band line-up for the tour?............ |
MK
- sings and plays |
| MD? | I've had lots of questions about the announcement on the MK site that I will be MD.? | It simply means what it says...Musical director. ie. I'm personally to be held responsible for all things musical on stage. |
| DVD | What ever happened to the DVD? Did someone lose it? | I think we no know. |
| tour prep. | With the tour coming up, how does Guy prepare for the lengthy period away from home? What does he miss the most and what keeps him going? I would imagine the phone bill is fairly high!! | It's really not a lengthy period especially when you consider the DS tour lasted 14 months continuous. There are many bands out there who are on the road much longer than us. However, it's still tough going away from the family. |
| more 96k | I have a question for you. The Ragpicker’s dream is a beautiful record, but in an interview of guitar magazine Mark says “It’s recorded analogue” .Why is this not recorded digital? What have the 96 kHz converters to do in your studio diary? |
Good
question and a common misunderstanding. |
| Cameras | Looking forward to the shows in Amsterdam. What's your idea about fans taking pictures during the show ? Can I bring my camera without the risk of the guards not letting it through ? | YES, you can bring your camera as far as the band are concerned. However, please be aware that some venues seem to have an adverse reaction to them. Usually because some artists Freak at the sight of photographers, and the venues assume all bands are the same..WRONG! We always do our utmost to inform the venue of our relaxed policy, but sadly it doesn't always sink in. |
| Friends | Hi Doc! Can you explain us how did you know Mark Knopfler? Did you contact with Dire Straits? Or Did DS contact with you? And, after that years, do you have only a professional relation? Or are you friends and you go to drink some beers? Thanks! | Initially I was contacted through respective management. Part of being in a band is being mates so when it's just professional...it's not working. |
| NEW BAND | I
presume that Guy will be a part of Mark's band on the TRD-tour. Who else? Will
all the 96ers (Richard, Glenn, Chad and Jim) join Mark for the tour? |
Relevant question this, as there will indeed be a NEW line-up for the 2003 tour. No names yet but judging by the resposes I got in the summer, those who saw the charity shows in July will be pleased. |
| the line-up | So...what's
the new line-up then? |
Myself
and Jim Cox on keyboards |
| More band q's | How
is Jim's ears doing? Will he be touring with you, or will Geraint play be the
piano/Hammond-player? What about Mike Henderson? Will this skillful musician join
you? I also have to admit I was surprised that Guy was not part of the promo tour band that visited Norway. You have to say to Guy that he was greatly missed. Another question from a MK and GF fan from cold Norway: Is Bobby Valentino an artist name the fiddle and mandolin player user. When you visited Norway for the StP promo Bobby Valentino was not mentioned as part of the band. Instead The Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation operated with another name - Robert Beckington (or something like that). Same persons? |
I can confirm that Jim will be with us. Sorry, I couldn't be there for all the promo....just too much going on. Bobby and Robert are indeed the same person. |
| Hawaiian | Hi
Dr., i just wondered who plays the guitar part on daddy´s gone to knoxville? Is it MK playing some kind of bottleneck, or is it Guy playing his (what is it called ... ) lapsteel? It sounds very untypical for a slide guitar, and i would have said it is Paul Franklin OF COURSE, but he´s not in the liner notes for that track! Please help P.S.I´m looking forward seeing Guy next year in Munich (and maybe Hamburg ..) could you tell him that? Thank you very much! |
If you mean the steel guitar, It's Richard Bennett on a Hawaiian electric. |
| anecdotes | Dear
Dr. Fletch, As we all know, Mr. Fletcher is a musician of superior quality. However,
could you give us struggling amateurs (strictly hypothetically of course): 1. an estimation of the number of 'mistakes' (hypothetically) he makes during the average live performance (e.g., starting in the wrong key, missing a cue, or playing false notes at crucial moments)? 2. an anecdote of something that, in a hypothetical sense, went horribly wrong on stage? Thank you. |
1. Not that many real mistakes as such. I've only ever started a song in the wrong key ONCE. That was with Roxy Music in 1981! 2. Many things happen onstage..I once played with Steve Harley (Cockney Rebel) and we were donig the song 'Mr. Raffles'. I was accompanying him on the CS80 synth. He got it all wrong and went into the Chorus while I played the verse and he stopped the song, blamed me by suggesting I was only young.. and we restarted. Embarrassing. It was at a place in Victoria called The Venue in 1979, sadly, no longer there. |
| Live? | Dear
Guy, I’ve been chatting to a fan of MK through www.mark-knopfler-news.co.uk
|
All I can say is don't BUY them. Yes it IS illegal. No-one seems to recognise this fact. More live releases would obviously help and I'm trying to push that concept. Freebies are fine. |
| reservations? | 1) The Ragpickers is on the whole, very much an acoustic affair. Does Guy have any reservations about how it will all sound on a big tour?? 2) Any news on the book?? 3) A Guy solo project??(not sound track) and finally, 4) Jim's ears. How they doing? Fit for flying?? Thanks. |
Why should I have reservations? Book, bad idea, maybe one day. Guy solo, can't find the time. Jim's ears? more on that later. |
| 192 | Hello
great Dr Fletch ! I've just discovered that some soundcard manufactors propose some hardware stuff to record at the high frequency of 192 KHZ ! What do you think about it ? Don't you think it's a liite bit exaggerated ? Indeed I know you recorded TRD at the frequecy of 96 KHZ. |
Yes, I'm perfectly aware of current sample rate possibilities. 192 sounds great on paper, but the massive file sizes are scring people off at the moment. Together with the compatibility issue. 96k is cool though. |
| SM57 | Dou
you ever used Shure SM 57 mics to record guitar amps in the studio ? (I've seen
one of these mics on a picture of the Studio diary, just in fornt of the "unidentified"
Gibson amp). I Ask you this question because I just bought a Beta 57A, and I can't
have a plain and well balanced sound... Thank you Dr Fletch, for answering such questions ! |
We nearly always use these mics as they respond to the mid frequencies so often associated with electric guitar sounds. They also deal with high SPL's very well. |
| single choice? | Hi Doc Fletcher! I´ve got a question about the singles. Who decides the single song (ex. why aye man) and the rest of the songs of the cd single (ex. small potatoes, so far away and speedway at nazareth)? Mark Knopfler or the record acompany? Thanks to listen all of us. | I believe the record co. make the initial decision although ultimately MK has the last word. |
| fun? | hello
guy thanks 4 taking time to answer questions 1. which album did you have the most
fun making? 2. do you ever listen to any of the albums long after they are made?
3. would you tell any of the others if you thought their part was not right /working? |
1.
Brothers in Arms 2. No, but curiously, I find myself listening to Ragpickers... 3. YES in no uncertain terms!! |
| parts | 1)
What's with you and synth pads (in good way)? Does Mark want you to use them in
his songs or is it your idea? Do you use same sounds or do you always (with a
new song) search a new one? I gotta hand to you, they give a nice flavor to MK's
songs.
2) 'You Don't Know You're Born' and 'Coyote' both have a synth loop or melody in instrumental parts (for example in intro). Again, are those your ideas or written by Mark? |
I'm a textural kinda Guy. Indeed I have various pad vistas which have found there way onto Mark's tracks over the years. Generally I always end up creating new ones as the space in each song is different ...man. They are custom made you-know! If it's a synth....it's me. sometimes Mark will have a part in his head, and sometimes not. The Brass line in Coyote was his idea for example. |
| Recording tips | Hi
DR Fletch, I know he's (Guy) a busy man, but with all his "real" knowledge
and experience of recording, I was thinking that it would be great if he would
consider putting a quick tips guide on recording together? i.e. Recording Vocals Recording Guitar Recording Keyboards Adding effects to the mix etc.. |
sure...I
like these questions. Vocals - use as good a quality mic you can afford. A joe Meek JM47 is an ideal (actually better than ideal) option. Also use a good pre-amp. (Joe Meek VC1 for example) Plug, plug...but seriously...they're really good! Guitar - Shure SM57 close to the amp and another mic of your choice about 18 inches back. Play around! Keys - DI using a DI box and use NO eq unless you're after an effect or need to 'tune' out unwanted resonances from specific samples. FX - Whatever 'cranks your tractor'....use it and record it if you like it. don't waste time deciding 'if it's right'. and kids..........respect the 'space' in a track. (ie. don't clog it up with!) |
| influent enhancement | << Well, well, well doctor, am I right to assume that the song "Coyote" is the most "Fletcher-influenced" song on the album? I hear some programmed drumming and a tendency to step onto new territory for a MK rooted song? >> | I guess so. Not really influenced, merely enhanced. |
|
unreleased songs . . 'A life' |
Hello. I am just going to suggest something that although unlikely that it would be taken seriously, all MK fans would adore to have in their collection. Basically, there must be a huge collection of unreleased Knopfler tracks that we all have not heard, or b sides, like Camerado, Long Highway, etc. A lot of these songs seem to be some of the best works in my opinion. I was just wondering if the there would ever be a chance of all these great, unknown tracks to be put on to an album. Perhaps it could come in a special Rag Picker's Dream, etc edition? Very ambitious, but i thought i'd let you know how i feel! Love the new album by the way, in my opinion, its the best yet! | Thanks,
it's a popular opinion and one the record co. shares but sadly MK is reluctant
to put that stuff out, but as he mentioned today in an interview....ALL his songs
will 'have a life' .....of sorts. Read into that what you will. |
| it's illegal you know! | Dear Doctor, What is your (or Guy's) opinion of the filesharing apps such as Kazaa, or Napster? As with any other band, there are hundreds of tracks available to download by DS and MK... does this bother you, or do you encourage it? What is MK's opinion? | mmmmmm, no sir, I don't like it. Can't really say much except, yes it bothers us. |
| best work | 1.
Have you got any news about the DVD release?? 2. I think the Ragpicker`s Dream is the best solowork from M.K, what do you think? |
1. sadly no news.....I'm confident it will get done though. 2. Yes. |
| air |
1. On Alchemy´s Sultans of swing there is the fabulous extended outro thing.
Is there a story about how you/MK came up with that? When did you first "practise"
that live? 2. I read somewhere that you helped MK with the setup to Money for Nothing when you where doing a thing for Weird Al. What kind of Wah-wah was he using? How can that affect the sound? 3. Why is there so much background noise on the recording of Wanderlust? Not that it´s bad but it´s a big difference from the other songs 4. Why didn´t you release the extended version of "What it is" on the STP album? Is there a story behind it? 5. I´ve heard that you where the first to record an album (On every street) at Air Studios in London, before it was fully tested. How come? I haven´t heard anything about Air Studios today, is it still is use? I think that the sound quality of "On every street" is still superior. I´ve been working in a Hi-Fi store and the album was the only right choise when testing speakers. |
1. Alchemy was before my time so I can't answer, but, It would have been MK's idea. 2. The wah is a 'Cry-Baby' made by Jim Dunlop and it is set 'stationary' for that sound. 3. Because it's recorded to analog tape, at VERY low levels and is completely LIVE with no overdubs or digital enhancement whatsoever. 4. I've no idea. 5. Actually, on every street was one of the last records made at the Oxford Street Air studios (studio 1) before they moved to Hampstead. What I think you're referring to is Golden Heart (I think) which was mixed at the new Air Lyndhurst - before any other clients had used it. They were still installing the gear as we were in there. It's called Air Lyndhurst because it is sited in the old Lyndhurst Hall in Hampstead. |
| country? | Hi Dr. Fletch: I just wonder how comes MK evolves to country-like music style. I mean, OK, he's done a disc with Chet Atkins but i don't really think he's meant to play this kind of music. I really hope that the next projects will be more bluesy (and DS traditional) as i was a bit dissappointed by TRD. PS. An interesting project would be acoustic versions of various DS-MK tracks, don't you think? |
err, I guess 'cos he's spent so much time in Nashville, and because in learning about the roots of the music he's into, he finds himself inspired by the genre????? Just a guess. (You can see why I never became a journalist.) |
