The Steel Guitar Forum

Good morning everyone from the UK.

I'm an amateur writer with several books to my name. I currently contribute to a series called On Track which revisits and re-evaluates classic rock of the 60s, 70s and 80s. I'm working on my next book on Dire Straits - a band I've followed since hearing Sultans of Swing on the radio in spring 1979.

Listening again their 1991 album On Every Street, it strikes me that Paul Franklin plays on every track - he's all over it.

I'd be keen to get some views around how you think Paul playing fits into the overall sound of a classic rock band ... it certainly put steel playing in front of millions of new listeners.

Perhaps Paul himself is part of this forum? It would be great to chat to him directly

Yes Paul Franklin is a member here. He cotributes quite frequently. Hopefully he will contribute to your thread too.
It must have been during the recording of Notting Hillbillies that he was playing at Gerry Hogan's Steel Festival in England, where a strange thing happened to me. Some people thought I was Mark Knopfler. I denied. Being asked if I could play as good as he I denied also.
Good luck with your writing Andrew!

Joachim Kettner wrote:Yes Paul Franklin is a member here. He cotributes quite frequently. Hopefully he will contribute to your thread too.
It must have been during the recording of Notting Hillbillies that he was playing at Gerry Hogan's Steel Festival in Enland, where a strange thing happened to me. Some people thought I was Mark Knopfler. I denied. Being asked if I could play as good as he I denied also.
Good luck with your writing Andrew!

Nice story - fingers crossed that Mr Franklin sees this and responds.

Just one player’s opinion here, but something tells me I’m not alone in expressing it. Paul Franklin and Dire Straits was a nearly perfect match. He is such a great player he could probably find a way to fit steel guitar with Van Halen if he had to. But Dire Strait’s music practically screams for it, especially that album. “On The Night” is the live album from that era, and Mr. Franklin’s playing is all over it. If you love pedal steel and Dire Straits, it’s quite a dose of ear candy.

It seems he is always involved in a half dozen projects at once, but might be having some down time now like the rest of us.

Fred Treece wrote:Just one player’s opinion here, but something tells me I’m not alone in expressing it. Paul Franklin and Dire Straits was a nearly perfect match. He is such a great player he could probably find a way to fit steel guitar with Van Halen if he had to. But Dire Strait’s music practically screams for it, especially that album. “On The Night” is the live album from that era, and Mr. Franklin’s playing is all over it. If you love pedal steel and Dire Straits, it’s quite a dose of ear candy.

It seems he is always involved in a half dozen projects at once, but might be having some down time now like the rest of us.

Yep - would definitely agree, especially the pedal dobro on 'You and Your Friend'

One of my Dire Straits favorites is Walk of Life (Live at the On Every Street Tour) where Paul's playing is front and center and starting at 4:15 he has the break and outro. Mark introduces him as the best steel player in the world!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p30NV97_MFQ

Chuck Walker wrote:One of my Dire Straits favorites is Walk of Life (Live at the On Every Street Tour) where Paul's playing is front and center and starting at 4:15 he has the break and outro. Mark introduces him as the best steel player in the world!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p30NV97_MFQ

That's my favorite rendition of that song. That solo is right at the top of my favorite solos. That band was made for Paul.