Mark Knopfler's new album, "Get Lucky"

[carlb]

Just got my copy in the mail today, and gave it a quick listen this evening. It reminds me a lot of his last album, "Kill to Get Crimson." No real instant favorites, and no up-tempo rockers. Mostly slow, moody, thoughtful music filled with honest laborers, seedy characters, and remembrances of Scotland and Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Knopfler was born in Glasgow, and has lately been adding a more Celtic feel to his music, so this counts as Scottish music, right?

A couple of interesting things picked up from the liner notes (since you won't get those if you buy the album from iTunes or Amazon):

• The first track, "Border Reiver" is an ode to the Albion lorries Knopfler used to see being manufactured near Glasgow, and then on the roads around Newcastle.
• "Monteleone" is a tribute to the New York guitar-builder John Monteleone, who constructed Knopfler's Isabella. Some of the lyrics are taken from things Monteleone would say during the process of making an instrument. ("The chisels are calling.")
• "So Far From the Clyde" is a dirge for the Glasgow- and Newcastle-built ships who were sent to India to die.
• Here are Knopfler's own words regarding the last track:
  "Piper To The End is for my Uncle Freddie, Lance Corporal Frederick John Laidler, a piper of the 1st Battalion, Tyneside Scottish, The Black Watch, RHR, who carried his pipes into action and was killed with them at Ficheux, near Arras on the 20th May, 1940, aged 20.
  Knowing the story behind it makes this track the tear-jerker of the album, although it's not quite to "Romeo & Juliet" levels.

I've already got my tickets to see him at The Chicago Theatre in April. My wife has become very indulgent on this front; I don't even ask her anymore if the evening is free, or if she wants to go. When Mark Knopfler tours, I buy tickets and we go. It's that simple.

[shawhighlander]

Brilliant! Mark has been a favorite since I was a Lad. Sounds like I will be picking up this album based on your low down of the album. I like that he is getting back to the celtic roots. That style, with him behind the music suits it for everyone.

Rock&Roll

[Macman]

Thanks for the review! It sounds like the new album is just what I'd expect. That CD will go on my Christmas wish list.

[dfmacliam]

I have enjoyed Mark, and especially after listening to Brothers in Arms.. a song about the Falklands.. he touched my soul, with that song. I served in Beirut in 1983, and the wounds were still fresh on my spirit. I will always be a fan of his...

[Darkislander]

Thanks for the detail, must give it a go.

[andyfg]

Thanks for the heads up. Downloaded it! Always loved Knopfler. Always been one of my favorite artists.

[sydnie7]

Got the CD from Amazon and it's a keeper -- thanks for bringing it to my attention! Have enjoyed him in other genres and this is yet another example of his fabulous musicianship.