Search - Mark Knopfler: A Night in London on DVD

Why is some program material AWOL??

Charles H. Lein | Forest, VA USA | 02/17/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"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."

Almost Perfect

Robert I. Hedges | 07/13/2005

(4 out of 5 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.
"

Why, oh Lord?

The Wallace | Seattle, WA USA | 05/19/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"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."

Very Live in London

Mark Dixon | Yachats, OR United States | 11/13/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."