Still magical...

jellyroll

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Pa9x9fZBtY

axisus

A damn fine song. I remember that first single coming out (studio version) and it really seemed like something a bit different - the guitar sound, the guitar playing. I listened to Alchemy again recently for the first time in decades. 

rico

Fantastic! Thanks for sharing

welshboyo

For me its Terry Williams pushing it along that makes the Alchemy version

vasselmeyer

welshboyo said:

For me its Terry Williams pushing it along that makes the Alchemy version

Spot on. That  fill he does at 2:30 has Knopfler turning around with a huge grin on his face.

munckee

I was loving listening to tunnel of love on in the car this morning, in my top 4 dire straits songs with sultans, brothers in arms and mans too strong.

merlin

Yeah Terry Williams, best Welsh drummer ever! Apart from my mate Simon Adams...

jellyroll

vasselmeyer said:

welshboyo said:

For me its Terry Williams pushing it along that makes the Alchemy version

Spot on. That  fill he does at 2:30 has Knopfler turning around with a huge grin on his face.

Agreed. The drumming is excellent.

Maybe its because its associated with my teenage years but the song and the playing still get to me after all these decades.

Although the fashion faux pas of both Knopflers are quite eye watering.

richardhomer

MK is an all-time hero of mine - and continues to work at a rate which is unusual for someone approaching 70.

I had the pleasure of meeting him on both the Love Over Gold and Brothers in Arms tours. He was an absolute gent and knew everything about his gear - and was more than happy to talk about it.

A massive talent....

axisus

jellyroll said:

Although the fashion faux pas of both Knopflers are quite eye watering.Actually David had left 

Actually David had left by then, that would be Hal Lindes on 2nd guitar I believe. Victims of 80s style.

dazzajl

Interesting takes on this. The drumming is a force of nature for sure but an essential part of the DS magic for me was the exquisite delicacy and lightness of
touch that Pick Withers brings to his drumming. 

I could never quite love the band in the same way after he left. 

richardhomer

dazzajl said:

Interesting takes on this. The drumming is a force of nature for sure but an essential part of the DS magic for me was the exquisite delicacy and lightness of touch that Pick Withers brings to his drumming. 

I agree - there was real subtlety in his playing. I could never imagine Terry Williams playing something like Water of Love.

I think Knopfler had some doubts about him too - Omar Hakim played on a Brothers in Arms.

welshboyo

richardhomer said:

dazzajl said:

Interesting takes on this. The drumming is a force of nature for sure but an essential part of the DS magic for me was the exquisite delicacy and lightness of touch that Pick Withers brings to his drumming. 

I agree - there was real subtlety in his playing. I could never imagine Terry Williams playing something like Water of Love.

I think Knopfler had some doubts about him too - Omar Hakim played on a Brothers in Arms.

I disagree a little!!!

TW’s drumming really pushes the band and pulls them into an exciting band with lots of dynamics. There could be an element of nostalgia to these thoughts as the album was the soundtrack to my youth.

I’ve jammed with Terry a few times, a lovely player, obviously a lot older and not as on the money as he was on Alchemy but the touch, feel and talent still there in spades.

And it’s not a bad thing to have Jeff Porcaro and Omar Hakim as your replacements!!!!

paulnb57

Saw DS three times live, always epic

Still have lower back problems now after having a young @simonbeckwith ;;; on my shoulders for the gig at Ipswich football ground!

Gutted when they called it a day

So many great, memorable recordings Telegraph Road, Romeo and Juliet, Brothers in Arms, etc etc, I dont think they recorded a bad track.....

One of the best live tracks for me Is Walk of Life with Paul Franlkins excellent Pedal Steel solo

dazzajl

welshboyo said:

I disagree a little!!!

TW’s drumming really pushes the band and pulls them into an exciting band with lots of dynamics. There could be an element of nostalgia to these thoughts as the album was the soundtrack to my youth.

I’ve jammed with Terry a few times, a lovely player, obviously a lot older and not as on the money as he was on Alchemy but the touch, feel and talent still there in spades.

And it’s not a bad thing to have Jeff Porcaro and Omar Hakim as your replacements!!!!

Absolutely no criticism intended, just to be clear. 

That drumming from Terry Williams is spectacular. Just  that I personally miss some of my favourite parts of favourite songs. 

Definitley fair to say that without those huge changes in the band’s sound and image, I can’t see how they’d have gone on to be the global giants they were. 

TTony

Moved to the Chat > Music section.

Winny_Pooh

dazzajl said:

Interesting takes on this. The drumming is a force of nature for sure but an essential part of the DS magic for me was the exquisite delicacy and lightness of
touch that Pick Withers brings to his drumming. 

I could never quite love the band in the same way after he left. 

Agreed 100% that first album was magical.

Wonderful drummer.

proggy

Pure class. Great to see & hear that again.