"the doctor will now waffle on a bit"

see dr fletch 3

see dr.fletch 1

1. No

2. It's all very nice.

3. I was in the band so I did the tour. I've been playing keyboards since I was 17. I occasionally practice and I'm always 'mucking about'.

2. About how many unrelease Dire Straits/Mark Knopfler songs are laying around in the vault? Any chance we'll see a Dire Straits box set with some of these goodies?

1. No DS never did.

2. There's always a chance.

I've got a question concerning the B-side of Why Aye Man, entitled Small Potatoes. When was it recorded? Is it from the TRD sessions, or from the STP sessions? It sounds rather 'electric' when compared to the material on TRD, that's why I wondered.

It was indeed from the RPD (TRD) sessions.

I haven't done a chat for a while now. I'll probably do some more next time out on the road.

Yes, I did build my own website (initial pages written by Dan Fletcher)

Technology and me.....we have a 'thing'.

Thanks...no webcam for me.

Usually on movies, the composer comes onto the scene just after shooting. In the case of 'Tooth', I'm involved from the script reading stage. Initial themes are being written now.

Pyroman was left out for the same reason dozens of other songs have been left off albums throughout the history of music. It simply wasn't wanted. It was fun to play live though and it IS on the list for me to mix from the STP live recordings, so maybe it will see the light of day someday. (what's it worth!)

Don't forget...even with MK....not all songs make it the course.

Hi Dr. Fletch,
1) I was wondering... I had an email from Warner Brothers Knopfler mailing list recently and found myself clicking a link to www.wbr.com/markknopfler. Is this his official site, or is www.mark-knopfler.com his official site??
2) Also, I noticed that from Play.com, you can preorder the new MK album and it comes with a 'free' DVD. Is this the same DVD thats planning to be released soon, or is it something else?

As far as I know, his official site is now www.mark-knopfler.com

This free dvd is I think..the bonus CD. More than that I DO NOT KNOW as keeping up with what the record company plan to put out in various territories doesn't really concern me.

It depends on the artist as to how much influence/freedom the producer has. With MK, it's difficult for the producer as Mark always has a very good idea of the way he wants things to sound. He is more open to ideas these days, although with Ragpickers, he had a concept and pretty much stuck with it! Like any good producer, Chuck contributes musically as well as sonically.

I agree that Daniel Lanois would offer something interesting to Mark's sound...but believe me....it won't happen. trust me.

MK has evolved

1. more true to himself these days I feel.

2. Sings clearer and takes on more vocal challenges these days. (non smoker now)

3. More freedom for musicians in the early stages of recording.

4. Montserrat was no different from the way most albums were recorded except that we were all stuck together on an island , unable to get away from each other, 3 months of constant beer, barbeques, dancing, mountain chicken, sun, swimming, jamming, creativly expressing ourselves, windsurfing! ....it was hell.

Good one this. I've never known a band to form and simply elect a leader. It's usually pretty obvious who will take charge...and often is a struggle for power. Certainly in my earlier bands, any battles for supremacy usually ended up in the band splitting.

Because MK writes the songs and always has a clear idea of what he wants, he's in charge. It's pretty much the same as it was in the Straits although he allows much more musical freedom since going solo.

Older AND wiser.

1. No dates yet.

2. Yes

3. All the cables are in under-floor trunking.....my dream.

1. Yes, I'm starting on it now.

2. I absolutely haven't a clue.

1. I've often thought about it but just havn't devoted enough time to it yet!
2. Yes, It was a Yamaha DX1. I still have it. It's a monster.
3. I'm recording to HD, and possibly analog also.

Not really, but there was an brief element of nostalgia about it. I'm glad you enjoyed it...it WAS fun wasn't it.

Maybe we'll do it again sometime.

Where is the most interesting place that Guy has windsurfed?? the most memorable one?

Also, what kind of motorcycle does MK ride??? I'm assuming that there is more than one..................

Ah a real question....probably Redonda for interest and Hookipa on Maui for adrenaline.

MK whizzes around at breathtaking velocities on a Triumph, a Ducati and a Honda. Don't ask me which models.

1. What song has the ukelele solo?
2. What song has Jim playing two pianos at once?
3. Which song has the cool drum recording technique?

4 in a row (Shot at Glory soundtrack)... very good track - would make a good opener for a show? Would certainly get the crowds warmed up in no time. Looking forward to the new album - and the inevitable question - whatever happened to "Pyroman" - has it been recorded or will it suffer the "Think I love you too much" fate - an excellent song that never made it onto an MK record?

Like the Braithwaites soundtrack, by the way - although "the big wank" is a pretty dodgy title, is it not?

I guess Pyroman died....just like the bass!

Not if you've seen the scene.

MK will always seek the sound which fits the track the best. It's not as if he has the 'MK' settings. He just gets a sound and lo and behold...it sounds like Mark.

Of course the choice of guitar and amp is important and we will often try many different combinations before deciding on one.

OK. Please, no more questions on this matter.

All I can say is that of course we play some of the old stuff, generally the ones we have rehearsed in the past and know work well live. Romeo for example is always nice AND it takes on slightly different arrangements each time we attempt it. I appreciate there's such a wealth of good, old songs to choose from but we just don't play often enough to warrant running that stuff. Don't forget, we are always looking to the future and Mark has some 'beauties' in the pipeline...trust me.

I actually don't know the answer to the 'support' act question, but it's always nice to have an opening act.

If MK decides to use someone else, cool, it will give Fletch time to do the stuff he's always wanted to do...you see, Guy just can't seem to say NO!...a real sucker for punishment. It's beyond me.

See the MK NEWS site for info on the various charities.

Thank you.

Sorry. No set-lists. We do have Jimmy Nail with us though and we'll be doing Why Aye Man! It's fab.

Keep it to yourselves.

We plan to go onstage at 8:00 and play for about 2 and a bit hours, and there is no support act. Just us.

YES. It's true. MK is not really interested in Re-visiting the PAST as there's such a lot of NEW music to look forward to.

I can't honestly say I blame him. I do understand the fans love and fondness to for oldies....that's life...we move on.

It's a rehearsal studio somewhere in deepest London. It was nice to be playing with JI again. It's been a while for him though!

Emotionally, we're still the same old piss-taking, memory-losing, groove-enhibiting bunch of old farts we always were.

Robbie Macintosh excepted of course!!!

Also, is Mark considering himself a good drummer? I think he did an outstanding job on "Going Home" (from the Local Hero soundtrack) :-)

The band was the same as far as I recall.

Mark doesn't play drums. Certainly not on LH.

Mark simply wanted Geraint. Personally, I'd love to see AC on the gig again but It's not my band.

If an artist wants to cover a song, he should get in touch with the local office of Universal publishing who will inform you of the correct procedure.