"don't crash the ambulance" was written for Barrack Obama. He should take a listen.
November 10, 2008From an audiophile's or music lover's perspective, this one is a must have. I don't particularly care for country music, which this record does have the air of.. But the song writing and studio production are top-notch, as is the history of Mark Knopfler and Dire Straits. On a personal note, I did spend the extra $$$ on the double vinyl set, which I was greatly disappointed with. The CD has much better charm, harmonic structure, and dynamics than the LP version, which is usually not the case with compact disk audio. I believe this is because the double LP is half-speed mastered. This process requires special equalization to keep the record compliant with RIAA standards. Too bad... So, don't bother with the LP. Buy the CD. The song lineup is very dynamic and has some interesting story lines. Like most good folk/country records, it's life set to music.
October 18, 2008Absolutely love 80% of it. Favorites are 5:15 AM, Boom, like that, Song for Sonny Liston, Postcards from Paraguay and Don't crash the ambulance. Could do without the slower pieces, but I can listen to the whole CD once a day. So glad he does what he does. One CD every 18 months. Please keep it going, Mark. Would love to hear you do an entire CD with spanish guitar. Seems like you've mellowed over time and written better story songs, but your guitar riffs are what bring tears to my eyes. Wife is now a big fan and I'm working on the kids. They love your stuff too.
October 10, 2007 |  | A great album and Knopfler's best! |  |
I love Dire Straits and Mark Knopfler. I think he is right up there with Springsteen, McCartney, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Willie Nelson and Elton John as one of the premier singer-songwriters of the last 40 years. I have all his albums.
I think this is his best album. Like Dylan's most recent album, "Modern Times", it the music of a mature and consummate artist, in many ways the distillation of years and years of writing and performing great music. Also like that album it is one that I come back to again and again. For a solid month and a half after I got it I listened to virtually no other CD in my car stereo. It is loaded with great songs, including the title track. I liked it so much I searched out and bought the LP version. (I am an audiophile with expensive analog and vacuum tube equipment and about 5K LPs.) It sounds even better on the LP version!
Highly recommended.
September 16, 2007| | | Some of his best solo tracks | |
Wow, I cannot believe some of the reviews in here. Although some of the people knocking this CD are complete idiots, so I don't know how seriously to take their attacks. As someone that owns every release that Mark Knopfler has ever made, some people might question my objectivity, but here goes. This CD opens with three great songs in a row. In fact, I put "Sucker Row" up there with anything Mark has done, addictive. "5:15 A.M. is a classic opener as well. Most people sing the praises of "Song for Sonny Liston" and rightfully so, great track. OK, maybe there are one or two songs that are not "great," but give the guy a break, it is hard to stay at the level he has been at with his first three solo albums. That being said, Knopfler has nothing to apologize here for, it is still the same great storyteller and incredible guitarist. If you are a real fan, you will like it.
September 12, 2007More reviews at Amazon.com ...
(153 reviews)