This and Ragpicker's Dream are my two favorite Knopfler albums. A lot of roots-based, memorable, well written songs. Down-home themes, character pieces, more electric guitar than Ragpicker.
March 4, 2008To hear Mark in a live setting really gives you the sense of the power of this talent. The recording is crisp and deep. Immaculate as well as spontaneous, Mark delivers his collection of songs with passion, integrity and even a touch of humor. A trail blazer for more then 30 years, Mark's talent is seemingly, like great wine, only sweetening and deepening with age! Bravo Mr. Knopfler!
January 9, 2007 |  | Intelligent Music from a Master |  |
Mark Knopfler never disappoints. His nuanced, inflected tones come through beautifully on this gift from the man. "Back t Tupelo" really shines here, much improved over the Shangri-la version. The up tempo version of "Donnegan's Gone" and "Everybody Pays" bring them to life, and the smirking on "Song for Sonny Liston" shows enough grit to please.
This is a gem, with superb musicians playing together and having a grand time of it. Richard Bennett is a gem -- his playing showcases Knopfler beautifully. Enjoy.
November 17, 2006I begged my sister for this cd for Christmas and it has, quite literally, never left the car since December 25. It has its own place on the passenger seat like a talisman, my own audio good luck charm. In some odd way I don't feel right if I can't look over and see him on the cover, gazing off into space. No Mark Knopfler collection is complete without this, a sort of studio-work-within-a-studio-work. He always manages to put a different spin on every new rendition, a fresh energy, a wry nuance that wasn't there before. I have honestly never really gotten his attachment to "Rudiger" - one of my least-favourites - but I don't question his inclusion of it here. It certainly connects the old with the new, which perhaps was his intent. I love any variation of "Everybody Pays" (a sentiment I have always wished I could render so succinctly),and I've come to be very fond of "Stand Up Guy" and "Donegan's Gone" (the man wasn't just one of Mark's heroes, Mark eventually got to be friends with Lonnie Donegan, so it makes sense he should include this song - Mark has always given credit where it was due.)I am not ashamed to say I would and will stand by everything I've heard from Mark Knopfler - I fully appreciate the continued excellence of a member of my own generation in a world that increasingly snubs those who have earned better - and having said that, I am glad to have this collection of songs in my library. I wouldn't feel whole without it.
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July 9, 2006The CD is one that everyone who loved "Shangrila" will love. My only complaint is that the CD skips. Not sure if this is someone getting rid of second rate pressings or whatever, but I've never had a CD that is brand new skip out of the case.
July 5, 2006More reviews at Amazon.com ...
(18 reviews)