Mark Knopfler: A Night in London
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Movie Reviews of Mark Knopfler: A Night in London
Movie Review: Top notch performance
Summary: 5 Stars
A lot of classics from the late 90's, particularly the CD Golden Heart. Excellent quality as usual. Does Mark Knopfler do anything bad?Movie Review: A time-specific glimps of Knopfler post D.S.
Summary: 4 Stars
I waited a long time for this DVD. I ordered it in mid November, prior to its release date of the 23rd of that month. The estimated delivery date from November was for the 23rd of January, two full months. In answer to my e-mail about why the DVD was not available in November, Amazon told me that the distributor under-estimated the demand for it, and they would be slow to fill the orders. I just got it today in mid January, and I can say it was worth the wait.
First thing, this would be a 5 out of 5 disc in every way, but for the fact that it doesn't fully utilize the potential of the technology. It is simply a basic two-channel, left / right stereo rendering of a concert shot in 1996. It could, no should be presented in Dolby 5.1 to get the most out of the format. There are too many things happening and too many sounds being generated by the terrific musicians on the stage to be compressed into two speakers. Something has to take a back seat, and too often it is Knopfler's vocals, which are already right at the edge of being considered to be mumbling. If a 1976 concert like the "Last Waltz" can be re-mastered and released on DVD in very credible 5.1 sound, then why not this 1996 show?
The production quality of the filming is pretty good. Many multiple camera angles, and seamless transitions from camera to camera show that someone initially took the recording of this show serious. The venue is very intimate, not like a giant stadium shows where the crowds swallow the stage. The rapport between the players is clear and the mood is relaxed. There are several guests that add to the pool of players, such as piano player Jools Holland and slide guitar ace Sonny Landreth, and Knopfler lets them have some lead time, especially Landreth. The songs are mostly from the "Golden Heart" album, but there are a few Dire Straits songs in the mix, including "Brothers in Arms" and "Romeo and Juliet", both of which are very well done. The disc comes in at just over 90 minutes, and ends on a nice rocking Jam where everyone takes a bit of lead-time to show off. Overall, this is a satisfying show, except for the realization that the sound could be better. Any Knopfler fan will enjoy this disc.
So after getting this disc, the bench mark for me to watch and listen to Mark Knopfler will still have to be his performance in Royal Albert Hall for the "Music for Montserrat" show filmed in 1997. It is shows like that that let you know why you traded up from VHS to DVD, and ran speakers all over the living room.
Movie Review: A shame it's only 2.0 sound
Summary: 4 Stars
First, the bad:
I don't know the history behind this show, but it almost looks like it was done for TV and not for a video/DVD.
For starters, it's in 2.0 stereo. Is this all they had in 1996? I'm not being a wise guy, I really don't know.
Second, the title "A night in London" reveals nothing about the fact that it coincides with his first solo album, Golden Heart. Buying this 8 years after it came out, I wasn't familiar with most of the songs.
Also, the cover has a pic of him circa 1980's, with the tennis head- band ala Dire Straits. In the concert, he is minus the headband, and a little less hair. Not a big deal, but just shows they skimped on the details of this package. They did include the lyrics, however.
Lastly, if the sub-par sound format wasn't a downer enough, there are NO extras in this DVD. Perhaps a time constraint on the disc, I'm not sure. It's also missing some songs from the VHS release.
Now to the good:
As a MK fan, it's fantastic! The quality of the recording is good, despite the limited format they used. Mark's Les Paul has such a warm tone to it. I never realized he never uses a pick, either. Richard Bennett sounds real good on the 12 string.
The first song, Darling Pretty, is so beautiful and upbeat. If it doesn't move you, you're not alive. The other songs are really good, mostly mellow. I really like the fact that he used a string section, too. Female fiddle players are always hot! Later on, he does Romeo & Juliet and it sounds great.
One thing that makes the concert sound so good is the subtlety of the different array of instruments. The steel pedal at times, adds that unique sustain; the B-3 organ and piano complement, but don't overshadow the songs.
All in all, I'm really glad I bought this, mainly because it introduced me to some of MK's music I wasn't familiar with.
If you're an MK fan, you'll like it, but at the same time, you'll be disappointed at the economny the company used to put it out. Mark deserves better; he deserves 6-channel surround!
Movie Review: Almost Perfect
Summary: 4 Stars
As a long time Mark Knopfler fan, I anxiously awaited the release of this DVD. I bought the VHS version when it came out, and always loved it, but like others have noted, I was disappointed that the DVD edition had been substantially truncated, with the most irritating deletion being the removal of "Sultans of Swing." I honestly can't imagine why this would be done given the excess of space on the DVD and the relative brevity of the show, which was done for English TV in 1996. I would have easily given this DVD five stars were it not for the editing of the set list.
The performance itself is, of course, wonderful; the performers obviously have excellent rapport and are having fun, and despite the fact that the DVD only has two channel stereo sound, the recording quality is still very good. I particularly like to see Mark when he performs with Chad Cromwell, the drummer featured here, as the two of them obviously click so well as a team. The Electra Strings and the Irish musicians are welcome additions here as are guests Sonny Landreth and Jools Holland. I am frankly not a big fan of the pedal steel guitar, so I could have done without Paul Franklin's appearance, but that's just a personal preference.
There are many standout tracks on this DVD, but my favorites here are "Golden Heart," "Je Suis Desole," the beautiful "A Night in Summer Long Ago" (which took a while to grow on me, but now I consider a favorite), and perhaps the most uplifting version of "Going Home" I have ever seen or heard.
I do recommend this DVD without reservation; I just wish the set had not been pruned from the VHS edition.
Movie Review: Pros and Cons
Summary: 4 Stars
On the upside, this concert DVD features Mark Knopfler and some outstanding backup musicians, including the amazing Sonny Landreth; it covers many of the lovliest songs from Knopfler's Golden Heart CD, plus some of the movie music and a couple of the Dire Straits hits. This is enough to make it a thoroughly enjoyable evening of music. The downside is that the sound isn't all that good--a duet between Knopfler and Landreth to intro Cannibals is almost inaudible--and the director doesn't seem to have a very good grasp of who is playing what during the final number--a three-way jam on Gravy Train that will knock your socks off. Unfortunately, the camera is often focused on the wrong musician, zooming in on an idle Paul Franklin when Landreth is burning down the house, then switching to Landreth when Franklin cuts in for a solo ride. Overall, however, these frustrations don't diminish the fact that this is marvelous Knopfler music, with plenty of his clean, distinctive guitar work, fine, literate lyrics, and outstanding work from the whole band and guest artists. I really enjoy this DVD and play it often, but I wish the film and sound team had been a bit sharper.