Mark Knopfler - Kill to Get Crimson
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Free Music Notes for Kill to Get Crimson
Free Music Review: A conversation with Mark Knopfler: 'You really have to want to do this job'
Hit: 5 Stars
When I listen to Mark Knopfler, I think of the element Mercury --- what comes out of his guitar quietly and efficiently fills every available space. And it's been that way since the late 1970s, when Knopfler launched Dire Straits with "Sultans of Swing."
In that era, we were listening to New Wave bands like Talking Heads and the pounding disco of "Saturday Night Fever." But here was a group that seemed to champion old-fashioned music and pride itself on old school musicianship --- "Sultans" was a hymn to retro, just played by a band light years better than any duffers who might have performed it on a Saturday night in a smoky club in Newcastle.
Over a thirty-year career, Mark Knopfler has proved that virtuosity has its charms. At one point in the mid-1980s, Dire Straits was the most successful band in the world; in a single year, the group gave 234 concerts and played for 2.5 million people. Knopfler's projects have sold a hundred million-plus CDs; he's produced CDs for superstars and written soundtracks for movies (Local Hero is the rare film that's as lovely to hear as to watch), and turned out-of-the-box collaborations (like All the Roadrunning, with Emmylou Harris) into crowd-pleasers.
Kill to Get Crimson continues Knopfler's series of restrained solo albums. Many of the songs are short stories in miniature; their lyrics are precise and evocative. Cranking the volume won't turn most of them into rock anthems --- as with Chopin, you often have to lean in to get the nuance. This is complex, adult music: sophisticated and sincere, wry and guardedly hopeful. And the charm of it all is that, in his songs, one of rock's greatest icons still seems to see himself as a bit player in a traveling carnival.
Knopfler lives in London. Third wife, four kids, several motorcycles, no scandal. He's generous in his charity, thrifty in his media --- the one-time journalist usually talks to the press only when he's got a new CD. Which is how, with "Kill to Get Crimson" just out, my phone rang, and there was Mark Knopfler's genial baritone. Knopfler is exceedingly polite, and I try to be; we began, as form dictates, with his new music.
JK: There will always be many who want the "old" Knopfler. Is it possible you grew up and the audience didn't?
MK: It has to be the other way around. I'm always amazed when it gets to the end of shows and I see all the young kids running to the stage.
JK: Your lyrics taste like songs, but the words go down as poems. You started as a journalist. Ever think of...writing?
MK: I'd be shabby dreadful. We should do what we're supposed to.
JK: But you're said to be a huge reader.
MK: No, I am a huge lazy bones. I can just as easily be found horizontal on the sofa as reading. I can pretend to be an intellectual --- I've usually got some book on the go. But I always feel behind, I'm always trying to catch up. I'm a victim, like others, of the laptop.
JK: When Knopfler listens to Knopfler, what does he hear?
MK: Just the music. I have to listen to it quite it lot before pressing time. It's alright then, because I know it's going to end.
JK: You're both an artist and a scientist of the guitar: Is there a technical explanation for the effect your playing has on listeners --- or is it a mystery?
MK: Scientist? I ought to have lessons. I'm about to pick up a guitar --- a cello guitar --- made by a great builder, and I'm going to learn to play it. I intend to improve as a player. But with my little ditties, I can only do what I do: I hum and strum.
JK: Yes, you're just a busker from the North who got lucky. Seriously...
MK: It seems to make no difference whether I'm playing vibrato on my left hand with a whammy bar on my right, or a bottleneck --- I can get a sound that resonates. That's the closest to an explanation I come. It's something to do with touch and vibrato. And what that is, I'm not sure.
JK: Rolling Stone rates you as the 27th best guitarist in rock. If you keep at it, could you get to 25? 20?
MK: I doubt it --- I'm going in the other direction. With any luck, I'll soon slip below l00.
JK: Five words: "Mark Knopfler guitar charity auction." Can you predict how old you'll be when you say those words --- if ever?
MK: I do give guitars away as much as possible. And they're starting to make money. Someone paid 35,000 pounds the other day for a half-hour guitar lesson, which is one of the nice things about having some recognition. But I have to hold a few back --- one of my boys is playing guitar and he may want some of mine.
JK: Let's talk about your work ethic.
MK: My two least favorite words!
JK: The popular image is that playing this music is money for nothing. Please tell the children that you still practice at least an hour a week.
MK: You really have to want to do this job. It always amuses me when kids put a band together, get some success, and are presented with a tour --- and they look at the schedule and say, "I didn't get into this to work." There's a tradition of musicians who play most nights a week --- I've done that. Beats being home and watching the Olympics...
JK: What about being at home and practicing?
MK: Nothing comes of nothing. You have to put yourself in the driver's seat. Chet Atkins said, "Learn to fall asleep playing." I started doing that as soon as I started to play --- to the detriment of other activities. I didn't feel as I if had any choice in the matter. I still feel that way.
JK: Your domestic songs are catnip to those of us who have families. I'm thinking especially of "All That Matters" and "True Love Will Never Fade." Because I don't have $1 million to give to your favorite charity, I have to sing your songs to my daughter at bedtime. Do you sing to your kids?
MK: Singing to your kids is one of the great joys of life. I don't know where it comes from, but with kids, I can make up a song on the spot --- just as some babies do. Push a kid on the swing, that seems to happen. But when a little kid sings, nothing I do adds to it.
JK: I get the sense that there's a big part of you that's still a kid in Northumberland. Scratch the man, find a Geordie?
MK: A Geordie --- and a boy. There's a lot of boy in me, and I try not to let that die. If I were a kid, I'd be looking at guitars and cars. What is that? Life makes us grow up in so many ways; why in every way? If you had a train set as a kid, why give that up?
JK: "Punish the Monkey" --- if I put a political interpretation on that song, would that be vulgar and wrong?
MK: Yes. Although from the point-of-view of politics and business, it's accurate from the things that have happened in both our countries --- they never get the guys who really do it. I try to keep this stuff out of my CDs, but it creeps in. Please make my apologies. And tell people that, next time, I really will try to record "You Are My Sunshine."
[cross-posted from HeadButler.com]
Free Music Review: This Album Is Another Gem
Hit: 5 Stars
As a middle aged man, who also happens to be a guitar player, it was inevitable that I would be drawn to Mark Knopfler after hearing the first few bars of a song many, many years ago called Sultans of Swing.
At that time, of course, Mark was in a band that would later go on to become one of the biggest and most popular bands in the world - Dire Straits.
After the eventual breakup of the band, Mark pursued a solo career - and what a career it has been..!!
I've always said that Mark Knopfler may not be the BEST guitar player on the planet in terms of technical ability - I know there are lots of younger players out there who can tap out thousands of 64th notes in the span of 2 or 3 seconds with both hands.
But if there is a more tasteful player on the planet, frankly, I've yet to hear him.
Mark Knopfler is an incredible musician and songwriter, who just seems to get better and better with the passage of time. You listen to the songs on this album - as well as his other - and he's like an artist who can evoke the richest colors and the most beautiful hues with both his voice and his guitar.
I don't know of anybody who can create such intimate character studies and evoke the kind of emotions with his music as he can. And his ability to coax the perfect note or chord - and the PERFECT tone - at the most precise time in a song is, in my opinion, unparalleled amongst musicians/ songwriters.
Knopfler has been criticized for his relatively limited vocal range. Personally, I have never had a problem with his singing - his deep and comforting, baritone voice is like a fine 24 year old scotch going down for the first time. It's a perfect compliment to the incredible tapestry of tones and riffs that his guitars and fingers conjure up.
In common with his other recent solo efforts, I was luke warm about Kill To Get Crimson when I first listened to it. Again, it was very "laid back" in terms of the tempo and the absence of guitar solos was instantly apparent. I found myself waiting for a beautiful guitar solo a la "Darling Pretty".
However, as I repeatedly listened to it while driving to work, it just sounded better and better - which is EXACTLY the same phenomeon that happened while listening to his other recent albums. And the "need" to want to hear a guitar solo diminished with each listening - I was very content to hear the melodic guitar play a "secondary" and subdued role.
While younger guitar players perhaps feel compelled to have their guitar "front and centre" to appease a younger audience, Mark demonstrates remarkable restraint and the guitar is allowed to compliment the story that's being told - and not DOMINATE it. Mark Knopfler doesn't have to prove he's an incrdibly gifted player - he did that a long time ago. He has nothing to prove anymore.
This is a rich, textural album put together by a consumate professional and master songwriter. As well, Mark is ALWAYS smart enough to surround himself by incredibly talented musicians. And with this album, he again is playing with many of the same very talented people who he has worked and toured with for many, many years now. Clearly, they're very comfortable with each other.
I'm not sure I would have enjoyed this album as much if I were a 25 year old man. I can perhaps see why a younger person might listen to this album and
But you reach a certain age where you're able to clearly make a distinction between the steak and the sizzle.
And this album is another 5 star, filet mignon from a musician / songwriter who is just a pleasure to listen to. The news that Mark Knopfler has another project in the works or a new album release is imminent is now becoming a very anticipated moment for me each year or two.
Perhaps my generation was spoiled by the wealth of timeless music from the 60's - Beatles / Hendrix / Dylan / Rolling Stones / etc that the bar is now set so high for us that very few are able to match - never mind exceed - our expectations.
If so, it's nice to know that there are still people out there like Mark Knopfler, who consistently can put out some of the most enjoyable and beautiful music around.
This cd gets my highest recommendation - do yourself a big favour and treat yourself to this gem - you won't be disappointed..!
Free Music Review: Give it a chance
Hit: 5 Stars
So many negative reviews and comments about this CD. Yes, it's different from earlier works of his. But different doesn't necessarily mean bad. If you're accepting only a similar sound to a previous work, you shouldn't buy this CD. This CD definitely has its own sound. It is not a "rocking - turn up the volume" CD. It's a great CD simply to play. Perhaps it is the slightly mellowing Knopfler that turns away the hard-core rockers. Too bad if so.
I readily admit my first couple of plays through this CD were met with skepticism, as the songs and mood represented a change from earlier solo efforts. Being a huge fan of Sailing to Philadelphia and Shangri-La, I was hoping for more of the same, and took a step back at first. That said, I took the CD to my car to give it a solid week of listening while driving to/from work. If I wasn't going to like it, a week's listening would prove the point. That was months ago and it's still in the car.
I wouldn't expect anyone to stand up and claim to like every song on this CD, and indeed there are a few I don't care for. But how many CD's can make a claim that every song is great? Music strikes everyone in a unique way. If you are one of the people who borrowed this for one listen or two and gave up on it, I recommend you try again. Listen to it more than just a couple of times, and I would guess you'll come away with an appreciation for a lot of what's on this CD. I found many songs that not only grew on me, I can listen to them again and again as with previous Knopfler works. And there is plenty of excellent guitar work throughout this CD, both electric and acoustic. My preferences:
Behind with the Rent - to me this is vintage Knopfler. Outstanding music, great guitar, great story, and my personal favorite.
Punish the Monkey - the most rocking song on the CD, and worthy of increased volume. A fun listen. Possibly Enron's theme song (belated).
Madame Geneva's - a place we've all been, keeping demons away. The refrain will stick with you long after the song stops.
In the Sky - an acoustic gem. I continue to like this song more as I hear it. And a bit of sax adds an interesting sound to the ending.
True Love Will Never Fade - A bit of the "5:15 am" format from Shangri-La, as the song starts out quiet with not much more than Mark and his guitar and picks up from there. It's another song that sticks with you.
There are some great new sounds on a few songs. The Scaffolder's Wife has the unmistakable sound of Knopfler guitar, but adds a flute. I realize this might seem like a strange combination, but it works well. The Secondary Waltz is a sound all to itself, with an accordian waltz track throughout. The words bring some of us older folks back to the days of our youth, hesitant to learn dancing in the gym where (gasp) we might have to touch girls. Even my kids like to sing along with this song.
Overall, I've really grown to like this CD and am glad I have it. Yes, it's somewhat different for Mark Knopfler music. And yes, it's great. Just give it a chance.
Free Music Review: True Love Will Never Fade-Knopfler's Palatte
Hit: 5 Stars
"I wonder if there's no forever
No walking hand in hand
Down a yellow brick road
To never never land
These days I get to where I'm going
Make it there eventually
Follow the trail of breadcrumbs
To where I'm meant to be "
Mark Knopfler
'True Love Will Never Fade' is a quintessential Mark Knopfler song. It has the wonderful tune and the lyrics that paint a picture. 'Kill To Get Crimson' is a CD that takes a painter's palatte and tries to get that certain color, Crimson. The album cover pictures a woman wanting to buy a red scooter. A very Enlish album is what we are told, much different than a CD made here in the US. To my ears this is a magical CD full of images and pictures reflections of various times in a life. The theme and the music are, however, tried and true Mark Knopfler.
The CD is soft country rock songs with the voice and guitar we have come to love. 12 songs written and sung by Mark Knopfler. Most of them tell a story, an autobiograhy maybe of the 60's?
The first single is ' True Love Will Never Fade' - my favorite,a love song.
'The Scaffolder's Wife' an aging spouse in ballad form.
Scottish folk song of a down and outer in 'Heart Full of Holes'.
'We Can get Wild'- 'listen now right here, it is gonna be a beautiful year'- we can get wild.
'Secondary Waltz'- dance lesson for the school Christmas party- don't we all remember those dance lessons?
'Punish The Monkey' sounds like an old Dire Straits song-it is a rollin', rockin' song--punish the monkey let the organ grinder go.
'Madame Geneva'-writer of ballads, a basker's saga it is told.
'In The Sky'-home from the sea, far away from here, weathered a storm,part of the fray, crossed every ocean in the boat thatyou made.
"Three decades after Dire Straits broke onto the scene with their remarkable debut, Mark Knopfler remains an iconic figure in popular music, his graceful guitar playing equaled only by his genial baritone and a novelist's ability to create distinct characters and themes in his songs, with its vagabond pensiveness. If you like Marks husky voice accompanied by a soaring guitar then this album is for you. It is perfect listening for a cold winters night when the curtains are drawn and the log fire is burning". Scott Holter
Mark Knopfler has always brought the life of a balladeer to the fore. His guitar and husky voice have the trademark of a singer that yearns to be heard. This CD is soothing and rockin' and the rhythm, beat,gentle flow of Knopfler's guitar make a glorious CD.
Highly Recommended. prisrob 09-18-07
All the Roadrunning
Free Music Review: New old tunes from a master storyteller
Hit: 5 Stars
This album, fifth in an increasingly complex series, has created enormous controversy amongst the denizens of a forum dedicated to Mark Knopfler and his music. There seems to be little middle ground here; there are those who bewail the fact that this album, in its sweet, understated beauty, lacks the drive of Mark's early years. Still others - mostly those who have sailed along on this long boatride with him into musical oldsterism - are charmed by his ever-more-prevalent folksy leanings. It isn't that he doesn't still have it, as anyone who has attended his recent shows can attest - he can still smoke his way through "Speedway At Nazareth". It seems to be, rather, that he is more interested in exploring the essential roots. He's classed himself as a 'roots music' writer and performer. It doesn't get much more rootsy than this.
The album opens with "True Love Will Never Fade", a song about a tattoo artist (he got the idea from a book called The Electric Michelangelo - a good read, by the way), and it's clear with the first verse that his voice is improving with every album. No longer a growl, it's warm, introspective, affable...and loaded with longing, the vocal equivalent of a fine red wine. The music is gentle, never overbearing, and voice and instruments complement each other. The next song, "The Scaffolder's Wife", injects flute into the mix, and turns the piece into a haunting word-picture. Further in, "Heart Full Of Holes" - my favourite - is another haunting tale which starts out peaceably enough until you read all the lyrics and realize the narrator, an elderly pawn shop owner, is a survivor of horrific events that come out fleetingly and elusively through the words he speaks.
Mark Knopfler is a master at representation, of portrayal, of spinning a tale you want to hear to the end. I get a picture in my mind of the crafty tinker gathering everyone around him by the fire at night to hear his magical tales. This is that picture. Mark is no longer just to be revered for his guitar work...actually he was always a first-rate songwriter, but the blazing licks he used in the past to bolster his songs sometimes overshadowed the words. Now he is in partnership with his guitar, a meeting of equals, old friends that finish each other's sentences.
This is an album to savour, to listen to from every angle. You may be ambivalent on the first hearing, but I almost guarantee you that if you have always appreciated his music in the past, this is an album you cannot help but think about at odd moments in your day. I find myself hearing bits of it here and there throughout my waking hours.