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Any Mark Knopfler fans out there?

I have been a Dire Straits fan since they first started. Had most of their music when I was in college and enjoyed it on my roommates hi-fi system. (Never cared too much for Brothers in Arms).Those old tapes and LPs are long gone but since getting into hi-fi recently I am replacing them with CDs and really falling in love with them again.

Really didn't know anything about Knopfler's very prolific solo career until I got Tracker. Very different from Dire Straits but a really great album musically and sonically (with great DR!). I subsequently listened to some of his other solo stuff and it left me a little cold. Sailing to Philadelphia is okay to me, Privateering seems closer to Tracker in style and content. I ordered it on CD but it has not arrived yet.

His new album comes out later this month. Not sure what to expect. Some of the same band members will be on it. It is described as slow and folksy which is what most of his solo stuff has been. Hope it is not too much 'slower' than Tracker.

Any thoughts on Knopfler's solo career or this upcoming new album?
n80
tonykay
1,315 posts
 
What’s not to like? I’m a big fan. I agree, "All the Road Running" is probably my favorite album. I do like his work with Dire Straits, as well! Like Jackson Browne, you won't go wrong buying any of his albums.
n80 OP
2,134 posts
 
There is a video interview about the Tracker album. It was shot in that studio. Knopfler relates that he enjoys the whole process: writing, playing, recording, producing and even touring. He considers himself lucky in that regard. He seems to be a genuinely nice and interesting person as well. Very thoughtful, open and intelligent.
stevecham
3,340 posts
 
Yes, I am a long time fan since 1979.

My favorites are Love Over Gold (especially all of side 2 and the title track) and Communique. 

Next would be Making Movies and the first album.

Brothers In Arms, I agree with you, sort of watered-down Straits. On Every Street sort of redeemed the band a bit. Again, the title track from this one is the highlight.
tooblue
2,004 posts
 
Also try Bob Dylans/Slow Train Coming which Knopfler plays guitar on. 
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
Apparently Knopfler got bamboozled into playing on that album. He wasn’t aware of Dylan’s religious conversion until after he arrived from England at the recording session, but when he was told about the themes of the album he figured aw, what the heck, I’m already here.
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