Customer Reviews

Mark Knopfler: A Night in London

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Just wanted to post a warning review to you Knopfler fans out there......I previously owned the VHS version of this show, and I have never been so impressed by the sound of basic VHS Hi Fi as I was with that tape. So, of course, when I found out a few months after buying the VHS that it was available on DVD, I promptly mailed my VHS copy as a gift to a close friend and ordered the DVD. After all, superior video and audio, potential for surround (when I upgrade to that some day - right now my 2-channel setup puts all my friends' 5.1 setups to shame), random access of tracks, etc. etc. I just received the DVD in the mail today, and am returning it tomorrow without even opening it, and ordering another VHS copy for myself. Why?? Because the DVD slices over a half hour of program material off the VHS version, and it's in 2.0 format. Shame on them for doing this to a release that should be superior to and more desirable in every way than the VHS.

If you want the most complete version of this show and you own a good Hi Fi VHS machine, buy the tape. It's a few more bucks, but includes tracks (e.g. an awesome version of "Sultans") that I for one do not want to go without. Your purchase will also constitute an indirect boycott of DVD companies who dare to pull nonsense like this on us loyal, money-paying fans.

Just wanted you to be forewarned.

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.

The backbone of Dire Straits is fully exposed in this very intimate and well edited video of Mark Knopfler live in London. It's not the MTV rapid fire editing style, instead the pace follows the colorful and amazing complex artistry of Mark Knopfler and the volumes of musical originality he somehow stores in his head and brilliantly funnels through his guitar and voice.

This cat can play that guitar. His precision and delivery is razor sharp, his vocals are husky and full of mood, and the wide range of musicians he has surrounded himself with are the cream of the crop. The third act slows a bit, the bouzouki, pipes and whistle and can lull one into a light comfortable nod, but before you start to snore Mark rips open a classic Straits tune to fire things back up.

I'd put this in the classics vault, a must have.

Why in God's name would anyone release an edited version of an otherwise fabulous show? Especially when the two edited songs (read "missing completely") are arguably among Dire Straits' most celebrated works? Cut "sultans of Swing" and "Money for Nothing"? Are they nuts? Jesus, what a disappointment...I wish I hadn't sold my VHS copy a couple of years ago. The makers of this disc should be ashamed.

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.

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!

I was amazed! I found out to late! My original copy of this show on VHS broke up, since I kept watching it again and again. Now I just bought the DVD, and the surprise wat that the show IS NOT complete!! there are important songs left out of the DVD (sultans of swing, Money for nothing)that are included in the VHS, that was so dissapointing to me.

Better get the VHS version.

One other bad point is the audio, 2.0 for a DVD? come on!

This video has lots of songs from his "Golden Heart" CD plus some oldies. It is in a small venue and seems like you're witness to a jam session with some extremely gifted musicians. Mark Knopfler introduces the songs and has more interaction with the audience than any other tape available. A MUST buy for any diehard Mark Knopfler/Dire Straits fan.

This is one of Mark Knopfler's best performance ever, however, the DVD does not come with his performance of Sultans of Swing and Money for Nothing, whereas these songs are included in the VHS version. I am a big Dire Straits fan and there are several of there songs that I prefer to Sultans of Swing, however, Mark Knopfler's performance of the sited song is just amazing. I haven't seen anything like it. So the big question is, why didn't they include Sultans of Swing and Money for Nothing in the DVD? The DVD as a whole would get my 5 stars, I have taken 2 away for the frustration of knowing that one of the best guitar performance ever was not included!

With that being said, I still think it is worth buying.

Mark Knopfler is one of the greatest singer, songwriters, guitarists of all time. If you're a fan, you must have this VHS concert. Don't buy the DVD version, since it doesn't have Sultans of Swing on it. If you have ever heard Mark live, you know what I mean. Growing up with classic rock, I got to the point that I couldn't even listen to Sultans of Swing on the radio. But his live versions of the song are absolutely genius. Only drawback is the VHS format in an era of DVD's, but fight through it to enjoy a great concert in an intimate setting in London. Camera shots and the rest of his band couldn't be better.

Must buy for Mark Knopfler fans.