March 19 is Father’s Day here in Portugal. As a kid, I couldn’t stand Dire Straits. Dad, on the other hand, loved them. I lost count of how many times Dire Straits We’re playing on Dad’s workshop or car. Therefore, the Middle of the Week Song is Brothers in Arms by Dire Straits.
I can’t say I have (yet?) came to love everything Dire Straits. It’s more that, for the most part, I play the guitar without a pick, and so does Mark Knopfler. Since I re-start playing guitar I’ve been paying proper attention to Mr. Knopfler guitar playing. So simple, yet so hard to master. Not that I want to emulate, or sound like Mark Knopfler. Knopfler is unique precisely because he developed his own way of playing. However, it’s not easy to find appealing, interesting, pick less electric guitar playing.
This short video features Mark playing, as well as a brief overview of his three favourite guitar players: Hank Marvin, because of whom Knopfler wanted a red guitar (they’re both known for playing a red Fender Stratocaster), Chet Atkins and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Have a nice day everyone.
My next Amazing Songs & Other Delights is #58 – Your Surprise, is My Surprise and airs Monday, 29th, 3-4pm (gmt) on Yé Yé Radio: yeyeradio.com (or on the app).
This edition is wide choices range from a a excerpt of Waṯu, a song that is, at least, 60 thousand years old voiced by brothers David and Daniel Wilfred, singing in Wagiläk language (an Australian Indigenous language. David and Daniel are keepers from Arnhem Land) to just released songs thorough some that would horrify my teenage and younger self.
The programme title comes from four things. My surrprise finding a fabulous Joan Baez song – just marvel at the lyrics, the voice, the, guitar -, dad rock aka The Dire Straights mega hit Sultans of Swing being able to pass for a groovy indie song (it all depends, of context),Mantra, the gentle instrumental by Dave Ghrol Josh Homme and Trent Reznor, and the absolute beauty of a song that is Blunt Knives, by Basalto.
Elaborating a little. I’ve could never could stand Joan Baez. She was always a pet peeve for me. When, by chance, I recently happened upon Diamonds and Rust I was, amazed. The song may ecen gain a place among my all time favourite songs.
The Dire Straits’ Sultans of Swing? It played all the time, everywhere. Dad and his, friends, loved the Dire Straits. Indie kids would get anywhere, near Mark Knopfler’s band. Yet, the song, and probably always was, upbeat and danceable. Besides, Mark Knopfler plays mostly with his fingers rather than with a plectrum and for many years his guitar of choice was a, Strat the guitar he plays on Sultans of Swing. Since I start replaying guitar I have a Strat model and I have always mostly play guitar plectrum less.
Dave Grohl, Josh Homme, Trent Reznor’s Mantra came from my brother Renato. I wasn’t convinced it would be that interesting, he insisted it was, but I didn’t listen to it for a, while. Turned out to be a great instrumental.
Basalto was a fabulous surprise too. I don’t know how I hadn’t noticed Basalto before, but I’m very happy to have it sent to me. Portuguese singer-songwriter Guilherme de Sousa newest single is a delicate, intense, marvelous song.
Trackist: 01 – Basalto – Blunt Knives; 02 – Dire Straits – Sultans of Swing; 03 – Corridor – Mourir Demain; 04 – Aziza Brahim – Bubisher; 05 – Dave Grohl, Josh Homme, Trent Reznor – Mantra; 06 – Dragged Up – Missing Person; 07 – Hand to Earth – Waṯu (excerpt); 08 – Joan Baez – Diamonds & Rust; 09 – Michael Platter – The Alchemist; 10 – Mitski – I’m Your Man (live @ blogotheque); 11 – Paul Weller – You Do Something To Me; 12 – Pete Astor – Model Village; 13 – Vitória & The Kalashnicoles – New World; 14 – Zenxith – She is Lying
Mondo Bizarre Magazine 