Way OT: Gift of Music

[tomcat]

Forgive me for this off-topic interruption. I'm still flying after a surprise early b'day gift my wife gave me. We flew to Vegas to see Mark Knopfler in concert. He's by far my favorite musician and one of the few people I would ever see in concert.

For those of you who are too young, or older BYers who lost track (or never cared), Mark was the lead singer/guitar in Dire Straits, the hit rock band in the 80s. Since the band broke up, he's had a wonderful career writing and singing intelligent songs with beautiful melodies and touring with an eight-piece band of wonderfully talented musicians. In addition to the standard rock band setup of lead guitar, bass guitar, drums and keyboard, on various songs they played ukelele, flutes, tin whistle, uilleann pipes, violin and flutes. On another, there were six stringed instruments being played, producing a sound that was almost orchestral.

I'll have the tunes floating in my mind for weeks. If you don't know his music and like music ranging from rock to roots, check Knopfler out. There are videos all over YouTube.

 

[Icebear]

Tomcat, he is a personal favorite of mine, too. His technique is fantastic and produces some beautifully pure tones.

 

[tomcat]

You would not believe how beautifully he did "Romeo and Juliet" in this show. About two minutes of instrumental prelude and easily five minutes on the back end. I was just speechless. His concerts have always given me the impression of being very carefully rehearsed, but this one was full of improvisation, and better for it. Richard Bennett, the guitar guy who always is "second fiddle" to Mark in concert, was perfect, as always. If you want to hear pure tones, listen to him, too. He's a wonder.

 

[RadyLady]

effortless music is the result of much rehearsal....trust me

 

[Icebear]

Absolutely, the same is true when performing magic. It must be done without the slightest guilt or effort. A magician has no shame.

 

[Brad Palmer]

Saw him at Foxwoods a few years back and he was amazing. He had a bad back so he sat in a cushioned office chair (with wheels) for the entire show. "Romeo & Juliet" could be one of my top 10 songs of all-time.

Check out this internet radio station devoted to all things Knopfler: http://www.private-investigations-radio.com/en/about/about-pi

 

[DaddyChoc]

 

[meyers7]

One of my favorites of theirs.