Pick, you nailed it in DS. Anyone who says differently knows not of what they speak. The first four DS albums are the best of the lot for reasons, not the least for your contribution. I still play them and still love them. A great drummer I used to occasionally do sessions with told me that a beat is a very long thing, it has a beginning a middle, and a finish. Where you decide to play in that beat, whether you anticipate it or "pocket" it is what music and rhythm are all about and how swing and feel is created. This goes for all instruments, and that lesson is one I've never forgotten
I saw them play Manchester Uni in 1978 just after Sultans of Swing had released but was going nowhere. The ticket cost 80 pence, I was about 10 feet from the band and they played pretty much the whole of the first two albums. Amazing musicianship. Best 80p ever!
Pick Withers is my number one drummer. Since 1978 I have tried to play like Knopfler, and the first albums with Pick on drums are my absolute favorites.
Pick is THE most conversational of all the rock drummers. Wonderful talent for responding to melody and other instrumental parts, even lyrical message. Spot-on timing and superb sense of touch. One of my favourite drummers.
Pick gave Sultan's of Swing a certain groove, with his 'top/ down' drumming style. Everytime I've jammed that song in a cover's band, with myself playing guitar, very few drummer's seem to nail that Pick Wither's way of playing, but when they do, it fit's like a glove.
Top down is spot on. He would use the kit exactly as you describe it. Rhythmically everything up top was important, including hi hats as individual instruments.
I loved PIck's drumming on the song Skateaway from Making Movies. It's simple sounding but there's nothing simple about what he's doing. The gated kick drum in stereo is just freaking incredible sounding.
Met him backstage at Newcastle city hall on the making movies tour. Nice guy happy to talk to fans, signed my programme from one David to another. His real first name. Great drummer.
The Snare drum on Sultans and the drum kit to me, is the best recorded and sounding snare ever. Pick is an amazing drummer. Was disappointed when he left. But he had to do what he had to do. The whole of the song with the drum kit, bass guitar, lead and rhythm guitar and the fact that everything was clean especially Knopflers guitar was totally amazing. That's the kind of song that you remember where you were and what you were doing when you first heard it. Thanks PICK! 👍
Thanks for giving veteran classic rock artists their true points of view Jon you are doing such an amazing job with your interviews on this channel being a fan of classic rock you do these artists justice keep up the good work I'll keep on viewing
I remember hearing that airing of "Sultans" on Charlie Gillet's Show, essential listening on Sunday mornings, and having two thoughts. Firstly, "This guy is a great guitarist and clearly has every album JJ Cale ever made" and, "This band are great, what a shame they'll never make it big with all this Punk stuff going on." Whoops!
Facinating video, Piick Withers is a great drummer, we've all heard the drummer jokes, none of them apply to him, totally professional, always held the band together. Saw him with Dire Straights at Barbarellas in Birmingham just after Sultans was released, great night, tightest band ever, next time, NEC Birmingham still great, but it cost a fortune. Thanks for posting.
Absolutely great, thank you. Saw the original band a few times in London in the 70’s (small venues mostly). I thought they were a ‘Pub Rock’ band like Brinsley Schwarz, The Attractions, The Blockheads but they took it so much further. Great music from wonderful times.
Hearing the great Pick talk about the shortcomings of guitarists reminds me of Stewart Copeland's comment about how a Phase 90 thrown at the back of the singer came in handy from time to time!
I like the very original of Sultans of Swing best. The drums are awesome, with the multiple hi-hats in the last few notes of each pattern. I haven't heard it in the later versions.
Immediately after hearing Sultans of Swing Bob Dylan employed Mark Knopfler and Pick Withers to play lead guirar/drums on his upcoming Slow Train Coming album in 1979. If you are totally unknown but Dylan puts his trust in you then you must have something!
@@jonncockrell3606 no, but they weren't a very big deal yet. the original '78 release of sultans went nowhere. Dylan heard them in early '79, shortly after the re-release, as the single was peaking. He went to see them at the Roxy, and then invited Knopfler to play on the album. Sultans -- the only DS song most Americans had ever heard -- had been in the top 40 for about 6 weeks. The album had been in the top 100 for about the same, but most people didn't know sweet eff all about the band, & wouldn't have recognized Knopfler's face or name.
I really enjoyed his drumming in Dire Straits. I think later on Dire Straits got way too polished for me. Lost some of its musicality for production perfection.
For me Dire Straits stopped being interesting after "Making Movies." "Telegraph Road" was like Mark thinking, "Everybody loved Tunnel of Love.' How do I follow it up? I know! I'll make one longer!!!" No, Mark, no. Wrong. Boy did that song suck. Boy did that whole album suck. 😁
I have a lot of respect for Pick and it would be a privilege to play in a band with him. There are many more technical drummers but nobody quite has the feel Pick puts into his playing.
All music can be coversational,or should be IMHO.Question & answer solos,suggestions,feeding ideas to the other musicians.Yes as drummers we need to leave space,depends on the music,give it what it needs. This can be the difference recorded vs live where you need to be in the moment ,action/reaction. It should always be a team effort but you still support each other,maybe you just need to sit back a bit and serve the star/stars,each situation and style has it 's own arena.
If you have a band where 4 or 5 guys are playing but only 2 have any natural good time (one being the drummer)...the whole band will suffer. Especially if one has really bad timing. It makes for a loose sounding band and it is also uncomfortable to those who do have really good timing. But a bad where everyone has great timing will sound tight and a stage presence because they are truly having a great time playing. because a musician with bad timing will at some point get lost in their head due to the crowd or camera or a girl...and they will be way off in just a beat or two. Been there and done that and it is not any fun. But when everyone is great in the timing...what a blast.
Mark plays his guitars like a violin, and his fingers are individual bows. Miles of tone. It got me to want to not use a pick though keep playing guitar. I am the sultan of sultana raisins.
I always thought that drummers had an inate sense of time and as a former band member it was always the drummer or director's job to hold the time. Since bands typically don't have a director I just assumed it became the drummers responsibility.
How i wish PW became more popular and more successful when he left DS because according to his fans he is the best drummer. BUT, my thought, he only became famous while he was in DS. And for that alone, all concerned must be grateful to Mark Knopfler. The hardest part of being a "young" band and still struggling to be successful went to MK. Being the lead vocalist, the lead guitarist, the songwriter, MK made DS soared high to the highest level. Not to forget the press and media attentions given to MK until they called him Genius. Let's give credit to MK where credit is due.
Thanks Pick for your contribution to direstraits best work .. i listen intently to all thats going on not just the brilliance of MK but the beat and artistry that you and the band provided. Thanks ..still playing and enjoying the early stuff!
Yawn... standard problem of a person that brushed against a genius and imagines he/she was the key part of the accomplishment. Levon Helm? Salieri? Take your pick. Sad.
Hmmm, somewhat rude and dismissive comment IMO. I've followed the entireity of MK's career, he's probably my favourite songwriter....but the drumming on the first four album's is special and not to be underestimated......
Not sure if what you say is true. He was part of a group. If Bob Dylan could observe how one the Dire Straits were as an organism, I see no reason to geniucise MK over his fellow players. I haven't heard Pick demand more over his mates.
The band was a pretty big part of his life. Probably felt spectacular. He has many fans. Perhaps you could present some important parts of your life to the public and see how they respond.
Pick, you nailed it in DS. Anyone who says differently knows not of what they speak. The first four DS albums are the best of the lot for reasons, not the least for your contribution. I still play them and still love them.
A great drummer I used to occasionally do sessions with told me that a beat is a very long thing, it has a beginning a middle, and a finish. Where you decide to play in that beat, whether you anticipate it or "pocket" it is what music and rhythm are all about and how swing and feel is created. This goes for all instruments, and that lesson is one I've never forgotten
I saw them play Manchester Uni in 1978 just after Sultans of Swing had released but was going nowhere. The ticket cost 80 pence, I was about 10 feet from the band and they played pretty much the whole of the first two albums. Amazing musicianship. Best 80p ever!
Lucky you, they never went to my U in Cardiff. I first heard them in Europe and thought they sounded so 60's. What a classic it turned out to be.
Luck you that you could afford the 80p! Lot of money in them days. ;)
Pick Withers is my number one drummer. Since 1978 I have tried to play like Knopfler, and the first albums with Pick on drums are my absolute favorites.
Ya, he's not like trying to jam with a drummer that has a 1000 drum solos comprising a song. Less is more.
Pick is THE most conversational of all the rock drummers. Wonderful talent for responding to melody and other instrumental parts, even lyrical message. Spot-on timing and superb sense of touch. One of my favourite drummers.
I like Pick Wither’s drumming. He gave the band a unique sound. The band wasnt the same when he left
Pick gave Sultan's of Swing a certain groove, with his 'top/ down' drumming style. Everytime I've jammed that song in a cover's band, with myself playing guitar, very few drummer's seem to nail that Pick Wither's way of playing, but when they do, it fit's like a glove.
Top down is spot on. He would use the kit exactly as you describe it. Rhythmically everything up top was important, including hi hats as individual instruments.
I loved PIck's drumming on the song Skateaway from Making Movies. It's simple sounding but there's nothing simple about what he's doing. The gated kick drum in stereo is just freaking incredible sounding.
Pick is an extremely musical drummer. Love his playing.
Met him backstage at Newcastle city hall on the making movies tour. Nice guy happy to talk to fans, signed my programme from one David to another. His real first name. Great drummer.
This video is missing an audio comparison between the two versions of Sultans of Swing.
The Snare drum on Sultans and the drum kit to me, is the best recorded and sounding snare ever. Pick is an amazing drummer. Was disappointed when he left. But he had to do what he had to do. The whole of the song with the drum kit, bass guitar, lead and rhythm guitar and the fact that everything was clean especially Knopflers guitar was totally amazing. That's the kind of song that you remember where you were and what you were doing when you first heard it. Thanks PICK! 👍
Thanks for giving veteran classic rock artists their true points of view Jon you are doing such an amazing job with your interviews on this channel being a fan of classic rock you do these artists justice keep up the good work I'll keep on viewing
I remember hearing that airing of "Sultans" on Charlie Gillet's Show, essential listening on Sunday mornings, and having two thoughts. Firstly, "This guy is a great guitarist and clearly has every album JJ Cale ever made" and, "This band are great, what a shame they'll never make it big with all this Punk stuff going on." Whoops!
One of my favourite drummers. So musical and inspired. Merci to Rock history Music for this interwiew !!
Great drummer, I loved what he had to say. It is harder to only play what is needed. crisp and cool. very tasty chops
one of the most underrated drummers ever
totally agree, his work on the 2 DS albums is very unique.
Understated...and I mean that in the best possible way...but in a crowded room, it can lead to being underrated. Sad, that...Pick was the bomb.
Pick IS the most musical drummer ever. I love his works, It makes me feel Very happy. Thanks for this J man.
Facinating video, Piick Withers is a great drummer, we've all heard the drummer jokes, none of them apply to him, totally professional, always held the band together. Saw him with Dire Straights at Barbarellas in Birmingham just after Sultans was released, great night, tightest band ever, next time, NEC Birmingham still great, but it cost a fortune. Thanks for posting.
Absolutely great, thank you. Saw the original band a few times in London in the 70’s (small venues mostly). I thought they were a ‘Pub Rock’ band like Brinsley Schwarz, The Attractions, The Blockheads but they took it so much further. Great music from wonderful times.
Pick was the force and grace of dire straits. Can't say enough good..
once upon a time in the west. conversational drumming
Spot on
Hearing the great Pick talk about the shortcomings of guitarists reminds me of Stewart Copeland's comment about how a Phase 90 thrown at the back of the singer came in handy from time to time!
I like the very original of Sultans of Swing best. The drums are awesome, with the multiple hi-hats in the last few notes of each pattern. I haven't heard it in the later versions.
Actually I think it was the first two albums.Making movies was great but the first two were spectacular.
I loved the Dire Straits. I feel so old now. I guess I am. Youth is fleeting. This is a great video and I thank you!!
Immediately after hearing Sultans of Swing Bob Dylan employed Mark Knopfler and Pick Withers to play lead guirar/drums on his upcoming Slow Train Coming album in 1979. If you are totally unknown but Dylan puts his trust in you then you must have something!
They weren't unknown by then
@@jonncockrell3606 no, but they weren't a very big deal yet. the original '78 release of sultans went nowhere. Dylan heard them in early '79, shortly after the re-release, as the single was peaking. He went to see them at the Roxy, and then invited Knopfler to play on the album. Sultans -- the only DS song most Americans had ever heard -- had been in the top 40 for about 6 weeks. The album had been in the top 100 for about the same, but most people didn't know sweet eff all about the band, & wouldn't have recognized Knopfler's face or name.
At that time, Dylan was quoted saying that the Dire Straits band members played so well together “it’s like they are one being.”
Brilliant. Pick certainly knows what it's about. Would love to hear him with Mark now. As his drummers just don't understand him.
Random guitarists telling world class drummers about time and space Hahaha
I really enjoyed his drumming in Dire Straits. I think later on Dire Straits got way too polished for me. Lost some of its musicality for production perfection.
For me Dire Straits stopped being interesting after "Making Movies." "Telegraph Road" was like Mark thinking, "Everybody loved Tunnel of Love.' How do I follow it up? I know! I'll make one longer!!!" No, Mark, no. Wrong. Boy did that song suck. Boy did that whole album suck. 😁
@@dank8865 Telegraph Road is a masterpiece and beloved by most of his fans!
@@sergirodon1986 Yep... Telegraph Road is excellent but I think Making Movies is a much better album than Love Over Gold by a long shot.
I found this to be an amazing look into how to be a great drummer!
I have a lot of respect for Pick and it would be a privilege to play in a band with him. There are many more technical drummers but nobody quite has the feel Pick puts into his playing.
He's full of interesting ideas
All music can be coversational,or should be IMHO.Question & answer solos,suggestions,feeding ideas to the other musicians.Yes as drummers we need to leave space,depends on the music,give it what it needs. This can be the difference recorded vs live where you need to be in the moment ,action/reaction. It should always be a team effort but you still support each other,maybe you just need to sit back a bit and serve the star/stars,each situation and style has it 's own arena.
If you have a band where 4 or 5 guys are playing but only 2 have any natural good time (one being the drummer)...the whole band will suffer. Especially if one has really bad timing. It makes for a loose sounding band and it is also uncomfortable to those who do have really good timing. But a bad where everyone has great timing will sound tight and a stage presence because they are truly having a great time playing. because a musician with bad timing will at some point get lost in their head due to the crowd or camera or a girl...and they will be way off in just a beat or two. Been there and done that and it is not any fun. But when everyone is great in the timing...what a blast.
As far as I know, MR withers had one thing i common with
Great drummer!
Great drummer.
cool
Pick is a good bloke. Miss his style on later DS...
I passed on seeing a Dire Straits' live performance in the late 70's and am sorry I did.
Same ... I had a chance to see them in Mackay Qld (Aust) in 1985 and I passed... still kicking myself every frickin' day! Arghh!!!
Mark plays his guitars like a violin, and his fingers are individual bows. Miles of tone. It got me to want to not use a pick though keep playing guitar.
I am the sultan of sultana raisins.
Really enjoying the talks with Pick and David - curious if John Illsley was willing to do any interviews?
Splendid and original drummer. The best DS had.
I think pick is bit of an "I am" sort of band member
Yes for me...can't beat the original Straits 4 piece. First 2 albums are my favourite
He said it bluntly too either you play mark's music or you walk away from it
David and pick wanted a bigger role so they parted
I always thought that drummers had an inate sense of time and as a former band member it was always the drummer or director's job to hold the time. Since bands typically don't have a director I just assumed it became the drummers responsibility.
Not always the case. For instance, Charlie watts has always says that Keith Richards is the Stones’ timekeeper.
He certainly never mentions Mark Knopflers name.
Have you seen every snippet?
How i wish PW became more popular and more successful when he left DS because according to his fans he is the best drummer. BUT, my thought, he only became famous while he was in DS. And for that alone, all concerned must be grateful to Mark Knopfler. The hardest part of being a "young" band and still struggling to be successful went to MK. Being the lead vocalist, the lead guitarist, the songwriter, MK made DS soared high to the highest level. Not to forget the press and media attentions given to MK until they called him Genius. Let's give credit to MK where credit is due.
Yeah he does fills right at the beginning of a verse. It's kind of cool though.
First 3 albums with Pick were the stuff. Always loved his drumming. Lost interest after that.
Me too.
Pick was great on the first few albums. Nobody like him.
DS were never the same after Pick left.
💯💯💯💯
STOP SPAMMING!
Thanks Pick for your contribution to direstraits best work .. i listen intently to all thats going on not just the brilliance of MK but the beat and artistry that you and the band provided. Thanks ..still playing and enjoying the early stuff!
Not many Guitar players wish to hear about having bad time!!!!!!!
On witch records Pick played for DS ??
The first four albums.
Dire straits were never the same after Pick left. Ruined their sound in my opinion.
Yes, just your opinion. MK & DS got better & better when he & David left. MK made DS soar high to the highest level.
Sultans of swing sounds a lot like a track called Messed Up by a band called Top Drawer recorded in 1969... Just saying 🤔
Just looked this song up. You're absolutely correct. Ol' Knopfler's a bit sneaky.
DS "died" when he left, that and the use of sax and synths...
Yawn... standard problem of a person that brushed against a genius and imagines he/she was the key part of the accomplishment. Levon Helm? Salieri? Take your pick. Sad.
Hmmm, somewhat rude and dismissive comment IMO. I've followed the entireity of MK's career, he's probably my favourite songwriter....but the drumming on the first four album's is special and not to be underestimated......
Not sure if what you say is true. He was part of a group. If Bob Dylan could observe how one the Dire Straits were as an organism, I see no reason to geniucise MK over his fellow players. I haven't heard Pick demand more over his mates.
The band was a pretty big part of his life. Probably felt spectacular. He has many fans. Perhaps you could present some important parts of your life to the public and see how they respond.
Most boring band ever👎
Nah!! Coldplay are contenders for that title. As are ac/dc where every song sounds the same.