As soon as he brought this guitar out (a Martin 000-40s MK signature) I had a hunch we'd be treated to Marbletown, another great favorite of both Lara and Ewan.
Mark sat to play 'Song for Sonny Liston', but the light was not right for photography. Then came 'Speedway', for which Richard Bennet brought out his Les Paul, and the two of them jammed with the rest of the band for the outro. It was magnificent.
More 'Speedway'. When Mark sang the lyric about coming to Portland, Oregon the crowd went bonkers. It was as though everyone had been waiting for him to say it.
The combination of lights, percussion, Les Paul / Marshall power chords, and Mark playing that Les Paul lead was nearly overwhelming.
This song also had a long, meandering intro, with some beautiful keyboards. Mark started out with the National on rythm and Richard played lead on a Stratocaster. The intro resolved into 'Telegraph Road', and Mark eventually switched over to the Pensa as the song built, and he took over lead. What an amazing performance of one of Dire Strait's best...
Then the show was over, the band left, and the crowd began to call them back out. After a few minutes, Mark walked out with his Les Paul, and started abruptly into 'Brothers in Arms', a favorite of mine. I told Sally beforehand that I'd probably cry during this one, but I held it together... I have tried hard to learn to play 'Brothers', and I've got a few licks to a recognizable state. To hear the master play it, however, prompts me to sell my guitars and cut off my fingers. My attempts seem like sacrilege.
