Friday, September 14, 2012 12:30 PM

Universal

Mark Knopfler was the lead singer of Dire Straits, an English rock band that formed in the late ‘70s and was last seen almost 20 years ago. Their songs shaped many a school disco or adult night out (depending on how old you were at the time). Since then Mark has continued performing as a solo artist and has just released a new album called Privateering. There’s a feature on it and his history as a musician on Prime TV this Monday night. I’ve been lucky enough to see an advance screening, I found it fascinating. I learnt a lot about him, and how all those old songs came about.

He’s always had a wonderful guitar tone, which he confesses to creating simply by playing around with the switches and knobs until he finds something he likes. It’s as un-technical as a musician can get. The twiddling and tweaking has continued on these 20 new songs, spread out over two discs.

The title track sounds like an old sea shanty. There’s a definite Celtic influence throughout this, while other tracks have more time of the genre folk or blues. While there are some upbeat tracks, most of the songs have plenty of space. At times he sings so softly, he almost sounds sad, melancholy. Kingdom Of Gold sees him contemplating false riches, while Radio City Serenade and Seattle yearn for actual places. While the other three members are no longer there by his side, Gator Blood has a definite Dire Straits flavour, while Bluebird sounds like a definite continuation of their sound.  It’s not a Dire album but you can definitely tell who he is, and who he was. After several listens I can tell you it’s a really lovely laid back album. Dads will love it!


Track listing

Disc one
1. "Redbud Tree" – 3:19
2. "Haul Away" – 4:01
3. "Don't Forget Your Hat" – 5:15
4. "Privateering" – 6:19
5. "Miss You Blues" – 4:18
6. "Corned Beef City" – 3:32
7. "Go, Love" – 4:52
8. "Hot or What" – 4:54
9. "Yon Two Crows" – 4:26
10. "Seattle" – 4:17

Disc two
1. "Kingdom of Gold" – 5:22
2. "Got to Have Something" – 4:01
3. "Radio City Serenade" – 5:13
4. "I Used to Could" – 3:36
5. "Gator Blood" – 4:15
6. "Bluebird" – 3:27
7. "Dream of the Drowned Submariner" – 4:57
8. "Blood and Water" – 5:19
9. "Today Is Okay" – 4:45
10. "After the Bean Stalk" – 3:54