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Questions For Richard Bennett; We can ask 10
Topic Started: Thursday, 4. April 2013, 07:07 (795 Views)
qjamesfloyd
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I have some exciting news for Silvertown Blues, the chance to ask Richard Bennett a question. I have been in contact with Mark's sideman, and he has agreed to answer 10 questions from forum member :) He is of course about to enter a busy time but he said he will answer the questions as soon as he can. So, if you have 1 or 10 questions for Richard please submit them via a PM to me, and I will choose 10 at random.
"Yeah, me and my mate like ac-dc
Hot & sweaty, loud & greasy"
Mark Knopfler.
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suprlinda
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Hi, James, Are we working under a time line on these questions? This kind of took me by surprise, I hadn't considered ever having the chance to do this, so I will have to think on it! :wallbang: Great job, BTW, to get his agreement to answering them. :waytogo:
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Hophead
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Got one for you for you to ask QJF...on it's way.
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dsmolik
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Ten at random, James? Ask mine!!! Actually, Richard Bennett is so approachable. I have a personal email from him :P that I tucked away in a special file where nobody can find it!! :yay:

Actually, this is great news - I will pm you my questions - like Linda said, I will have to think on it for a minute of two.

Great news! You're such a great guy!! :)
Regards,

Darryl

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then that's where I'll be
Where the living is fine
and living is free
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qjamesfloyd
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Your all very welcome and I'm glad you like the idea, I have 2 questions from members already, and I have a few myself, but I'd like most of them to come from forum members.
Linda, I would like to send Richard the questions by 12th April, because with the tour coming up he will be to busy to answer them after that.
"Yeah, me and my mate like ac-dc
Hot & sweaty, loud & greasy"
Mark Knopfler.
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KitKat
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what an exciting opportunity! I'm looking forward to reading!
"...her lucky stars give her just enough..."
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qjamesfloyd
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I will send Richard the questions tomorrow, so the 12th is the deadline, I was hoping to get more questions though, come on people, isn't there a question you'd love Mark's sideman to answer? :rockon:
"Yeah, me and my mate like ac-dc
Hot & sweaty, loud & greasy"
Mark Knopfler.
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3Pints
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qjamesfloyd,Apr 11 2013
11:07 AM
I will send Richard the questions tomorrow, so the 12th is the deadline, I was hoping to get more questions though, come on people, isn't there a question you'd love Mark's sideman to answer? 

Really sorry I missed this. Oh well. Sometimes life gets in the way...... :(
Cheers,
3Pints

"It’s a quiet life from here on in,
You’ve dropped your poisoned cup
The telephone is ringing, but you’re not picking up
"
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dsmolik
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Ah yes ... so much for my 10 questions. Funny thing is,when an opportunity like this presents itself, I am at a loss. Like when someone asks me what I would like for Christmas or a birthday or whatever, I can never put my finger on what I really want because I have everything I could possible need.

The question thing is a bit harder because I don't "know" Richard, so the question would have to be something pretty simple and then I would appear to be pretty simple for asking such a simple question!!! :puzzledleft:

I look forward to read Richard's replies ... maybe Richard will let s do this again - and this time I'll prepare. :yeahright:
Regards,

Darryl

If heaven's like this
then that's where I'll be
Where the living is fine
and living is free
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qjamesfloyd
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Fear not people, I have not sent the questions to Richard yet :) I thought I'd give it a few more days, to see if anyone had anymore questions, so if you have something to ask get your questions in quick.
"Yeah, me and my mate like ac-dc
Hot & sweaty, loud & greasy"
Mark Knopfler.
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suprlinda
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Just a suggestion, James. If it isn't too much of a hassle, if you posted the questions you have, it might jog some more from us! :)
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qjamesfloyd
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Ok, here is what I have so far:

1. What is your favourite guitar and why?
2. "if in fact Bap Kennedy is opening some European concerts with MK , which ones? "
3. What have you learned most about playing with Mark?
4. Which country has the best food?
5.I have been wondereing if Richard feels that he, Mark, and the other band members are about even in the area of teaching the rest of the group new things, or if certain people, Mark for instance, tends to be more of a teacher than the others? I do know they learn from each other, as Guy mentioned on that video.
6.Secondly, has being in Mark's band increased his own personal creativity, or has it been difficult, particularly the last several years, to find time to do his own thing?
7.How does Richard's family feel about him being so closely associated with a band that headquarters in London? Has that made any difference to them?
8.When did you decide to pursue music as a career and how did you have the courage to pursue what can sometimes be a rather uncertain career?
9.Who is the lady on the front cover of your new album?

We need one more question :)
"Yeah, me and my mate like ac-dc
Hot & sweaty, loud & greasy"
Mark Knopfler.
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qjamesfloyd
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I have sent Richard 12 questions in all, including a couple from myself, I don't expect he will reply that quickly, as it's so close to the tour, but I look forward to his reply.
"Yeah, me and my mate like ac-dc
Hot & sweaty, loud & greasy"
Mark Knopfler.
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dsmolik
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qjf - did you get my questions? I hope they fit somewhere. I think RB's solo work is fabulous!!
Regards,

Darryl

If heaven's like this
then that's where I'll be
Where the living is fine
and living is free
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qjamesfloyd
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Yes, I got your questions, and sent them to Richard too :)
"Yeah, me and my mate like ac-dc
Hot & sweaty, loud & greasy"
Mark Knopfler.
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qjamesfloyd
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Richard has already sent me the answers to half of the questions :) I will wait till I get all the answer to post them here. He is very generous with his time.
"Yeah, me and my mate like ac-dc
Hot & sweaty, loud & greasy"
Mark Knopfler.
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dsmolik
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EXCELLENT! Nothing but good guys are in Mark's band :) :rockon:
Regards,

Darryl

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then that's where I'll be
Where the living is fine
and living is free
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qjamesfloyd
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Ok, Richard has replied to the questions, and although I originally asked him to answer 10 questions, I submitted 12 and asked him to answer any 10, but he kindly answered all of them :)

1. What is your favourite guitar and why?
I don't have one favourite guitar. They are all very different
from one another and that is the reason professional musicians tend to
accumulate many instruments... they have very different voices and
excel in different situations. Among my favourites.... 1954 Fender
Telecaster because it does so many things so well from rock, country,
jazz, r&b, jangle and rhythm.
1956 Gretsch Model 6120 because of it's large, distinctive and twangy
voice. Also, I've become very partial to a good Stratocaster. I
never used to like a Strat but it's become one of my favourite
instruments for it clarity, transparency, creaminess and vibrato bar.
A good portion of my album For The Newly Blue was done on a Strat.

2. "if in fact Bap Kennedy is opening some European concerts with MK , which ones? "
I wasn't aware that Bap was opening shows this tour. Doesn't mean
it's not happening, but I'm the last one to pay much attention to
those details.

3. What have you learned most about playing with Mark?
More a case of re-learning things I'd drifted away from like
playing very quietly and what an impact that can have. Also, I find
myself playing with my fingers now more than ever before and how much
feeling you can derive from that. I still use a plectrum for certain
things, but my natural inclination now is to use my fingers.

4. Which country has the best food?
They ALL do. I can't think of a country where we've not had
exceptional food. Conversely, one can find awful food in every
country as well.

5. I have been wondereing if Richard feels that he, Mark, and the other band members are about even in the area of teaching the rest of the group new things, or if certain people, Mark for instance, tends to be more of a teacher than the others? I do know they learn from each other, as Guy mentioned on that video.
I think it all goes around evenly. Every one in the group has a
wealth of knowledge on their instruments as well as others. Much of
that has to do with their particular style or upbringing or what
they're currently interested in. It all cross pollenates due to us
spending so much time around one another. I've learned much from
everyone and would hope I've been able to bring something to the table
as well.

6.Secondly, has being in Mark's band increased his own personal creativity, or has it been difficult, particularly the last several years, to find time to do his own thing?
Being with Mark has spurred my creativity. It is the very reason I
began making my own records after having played on thousands of them
for other people. I found myself writing more and really focussed
myself as a guitar player after a short time in the band. As a studio
musician one tends to be a jack of as many trades as you can cover and
that is what is expected of you. But after many years of trying to be
all things to all people, I found the focus to be me with these
records. I find I do a lot of writing when we're touring. As for the
time issue, it is generally not a problem and I manage to get my own
things recorded as well as doing sessions for others when I'm home.

7.How does Richard's family feel about him being so closely associated with a band that headquarters in London? Has that made any difference to them?
Along with my work doing recording sessions, I've toured on and off since 1971 when I was playing with Neil Diamond. My family is very understanding about my being away for several months at a stretch. It is my work and how I make a living.

8. .When did you decide to pursue music as a career and how did you have the courage to pursue what can sometimes be a rather uncertain career?
I met a fellow who would become my mentor, entree into the world of studio work as well as becoming like a big brother to me, Al Casey, when I was about 14 years old. On that first encounter with him I clearly decided I wanted to do what he did... be a professional studio musician in Los Angeles. Through his friendship and guidance that happened. It was my work in the studios that led me Neil Diamond and much later to Mark Knopfler. In short I was a very young teenager when I made that decision. After that it didn't take any courage at all, just a lot of hard work and a belief that somehow it would happen.

9. Who is the woman in the window on your latest album cover?
Absolutely no idea. It was a photograph I'd found, liked, obtained the appropriate permission and used. Very evocative shot.

10. When it comes to writing and producing you own albums, are you inspired by any artists with whom you've worked, or do you find it's only your voice you hear?
I suppose to a certain extent one is inspired by everything and everyone you come in contact with. I don't know that anyone, if they're honest, can say they work in a vacuum. However, when coming up with these tunes from my various albums, I'm guided just by what's in my head. You get a little seed of an idea and roll up your sleeves, go to work and begin crafting it into a tune. The songs often guide and tell you what they need as you go.

11. The touring takes months, does your wife and/or kids ever come on tour at any time to see you?
Once in a while but not often. We're usually very busy travelling and working. Unless we have a break in the middle of a tour where it makes it feasible for family to come out, they generally don't.

12. How's your singing voice - do you ever sing on your own or as back-up?
I'm a lousy singer and never inflict it on anyone, including myself.

I think you will all agree, that was very kind of Richard to reply so quickly, at a busy time.
"Yeah, me and my mate like ac-dc
Hot & sweaty, loud & greasy"
Mark Knopfler.
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KitKat
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Wow! That was so nice of Richard to take the time to answer the questions. I really enjoyed reading his responses. Thanks, QJF for submitting and to all who posed questions.

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tanoose
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This was a great idea! Thank you QJF for arranging it for all of us!! Mark has assembled not only some of the BEST musicians around, but some of the nicest, most down to earth guys as well!!
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tanoose
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I just revisited Bap Kennedys' home page. He has announced that he'll be joining MK July 9th at Nimes & July 22nd at Geneva France!! So now I"m twice as sad not being able to attend any shows this time around. :toad: My only hope is that his part of the show will be recorded as well.
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suprlinda
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Thanks, James. This was great that Richard was able to respond so quickly and thoroughly. I hope you will convey to Richard our collective thank yous for his responses. They were very interesting and informative.

I wonder if Guy would do the same, or not, because of his own forum. I know he has to be extremely busy right now.

Thanks, again. :waytogo: :waytogo:
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qjamesfloyd
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Your all welcome, and thanks for your questions, and yes Linda I did send Richard a big thanks from us all :)
"Yeah, me and my mate like ac-dc
Hot & sweaty, loud & greasy"
Mark Knopfler.
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