Privateering after about a month

[Guitarman1972]

Totally agree with Love Expresso that this album doesn't work as an album. It's more like a bunch of songs dumped on a disc. What i really miss on this album is a coherent dynamically balance and characteristic uptempo riff driven rocky song, like we have seen on other albums. Songs like What It Is, Why Aye Man, This Is Us etc.

I tried to make my own version of the album, but that doesn't really work either. Cause all the uptempo or more heavy songs are blues / old style rock 'n roll songs. Corn Beef City for example totally doesn't sonically fit with the other songs. Besides that, and with all due respect to Mister Knopfler, the bluesy or rock 'n roll songs on Privateering aren't as good as what is already out there in that music style. It also has been done over and over again on thousands of albums. It has such a predictable chord progression and instrument arrangement that I personally don't understand why one would still choose to write in that style. For example "I used to could" is like Chuck Berry's "You Never Can Tell" with all the piano twingling.
Anyway, when you leave the blues and rock 'n roll stuff out then you are left with only slow and a few mid tempo songs. Which makes the album dynamically not very interesting. You always need an uptempo song after two slow tempo songs which will energize you to keep you awake and keep your attention.

[MisterYES]

Even thou i like uptempo songs more over slow ones, the trouble i got with those is their distraction (need to be listen intensively and focused to fully enjoy) so i end up too often with waving hands and playing air drums instead of working/drawing comics, as i should 

Privateering, for me at the moment, is the best MK's album for that "not too much distraction" working background atmosphere music.

[TJ]

I remember just after STP came out, that there was talk of the duets thing with Emmylou Harris, and also reports that Van Morrison wanted to get together with Mark and do an album of blues material.  I recall that someone asked Guy about it, and he said that he didn't think it would ever happen, which of course it didn't.  But after hearing Privateering, I kind of wish that Mark and Van had gotten together and done that project.  Like maybe release Privateering less the blues stuff, and a separate duet blues album with Van.  I think the blues tunes would be better, and Van would probably have brought some of his own songs to the project.  Certainly would be better than ATRR.

[rosco]

It's a good album rather than great. For me STP,GL then possibly Privateering. There aren't any standout tracks like there has been on other albums though, overall not bad. Light years away from KTGC which almost switched me off MK...That album I would describe as poor, with only one or two passable songs.

As album openers go, Redbud Tree is only beaten into last place by True Love Never Fades !!

[Love Expresso]

Imagine Occupation Blues as the "real" opener and Follow The Ribbon as the "real" closing song - then I think I could judge much better...

LE

[Jules]

Actually I consider "Follow the ribbon" as very very boring, a very repetitive melody, a very long song where nothing happens musically... I dont get how that song is a favourite of many of you, but I respect that!

"Occupation blues" is a great song with a great melody, I agree with that one.

[dmg]

Actually I consider "Follow the ribbon" as very very boring, a very repetitive melody, a very long song where nothing happens musically... I dont get how that song is a favourite of many of you, but I respect that!

"Occupation blues" is a great song with a great melody, I agree with that one.

+1

[herlock]

It's a good album rather than great. For me STP,GL then possibly Privateering. There aren't any standout tracks like there has been on other albums though, overall not bad. Light years away from KTGC which almost switched me off MK...That album I would describe as poor, with only one or two passable songs.

As album openers go, Redbud Tree is only beaten into last place by True Love Never Fades !!

KTGC is underestimated to me; even by MK himself, he never bothered to promote the album properly; but there are gems on it... TLWNF is not a good opener, agreed; but Punish the Monkey is great ! So is Madame Geneva, the Scaffholder's wife, Heart Full of Holes... vastly underestimated. A much better album than Shangri-La, I think...

I don't share your opinion about Redbud Tree, I think it is great... just needs a bit more development. Could be a great opener, even though I still prefer Border Reiver. Border and Piper on the GL album are masterpieces that I really hope to hear again next year.

[vgonis]

That is why LE is putting it last! It is a sleeper, but one of those that are not going to wake up, but rather put you to sleep.  It has merits though. Nice guitar licks and somewhere bending his voice reminds me of another MK song. (Stand up guy) Maybe that is why it was not in the regular release. And some nice lyrics as well.

Herlock, I know what you mean when you say underestimated, but still, it is a matter of desire to listen to the album and the number of time and spins you give it. But for me it is not underestimated, or at least not like when we talk about underestimated artists, like Nick Drake. Great albums and music, cherished and always in your rack and playlist, but really the desire to listen to them often is not there. But when you do, they still send shivers down my spine, like when I first heard them. But KTGC is not this case.  I returned and listened to it repeatedly to find the "truth" and hidden treasures, and I did find some (you mention them) but then again it went back to its case and into its box. Let's hope it is not the case with the new one. Time will tell. It is after all a matter of taste. I love Shangri-La. Maybe my favourite album, together with STP and TRD. A strange choice, but I was in London just before the release on a photographic tour and I have been chasing the SL promo on every store in London. So it certainly added up.   

[dustyvalentino]

I really like the bonus tracks. Occupation Blues and Follow The Ribbon should have been on the album 

And Your Perfect Song!
It's small, sweat, lovely and great

I still haven't heard the bonus tracks from the box set. D'oh!

[vgonis]

Dusty look them up on youtube, they are there, courtesy of some fan.

[panzerdriver]

Well, I have to say that PRIVATEERING got me through a very long road trip recently...There are several of MK's albums that are 'road' albums for me, and will be forever associated with me being in the car singing where I can't bother anybody..."Kill To Get Crimson", "Shangri-La", and "Ragpicker's" all belong to the road for me. (And the very first DS album belongs to a trip I made to South Dakota and Wyoming!) "Get Lucky" is the album I recovered to, after a bad accident; every album has something different to give. There IS a LOT of blues on "Privateering", but it just reflects MK's moods at the time; he seems to be really into blues lately. And btw, I LOVE "After the Beanstalk"!

My favorite albums, probably, would be: Shangri-La, Get Lucky, Kill to Get Crimson,Privateering, Ragpicker's, Goldenheart.  But I go through phases where one or the other is all I want to listen to for a month. I was on a Goldenheart kick just before I went on vacation.

[Knopflerfan]

Hi All,

Just thought that I'd add that MK's new album is of real help at the moment as my father passed away at the weekend after his brave battle with Vascular Dementia which had worsened over the past month. My wife and I are using the music to help us focus on our loss. With so much choice of genres on this wonderful album there is so much to help us. I was doing ok until 'DOTDS' started and then I just broke down - natural I guess.

(Ingridswing - glad the standee arrived ok and hope you enjoy - See you next year...)

I will join in again once my fathers funeral has happened next week, incidentally father was not a huge music fan but certainly encouraged my guitar playing so much so he persuaded me to buy the first MK strat. Dad in his latter days seemed to take comfort in listening to MK and particulary like PTTE so that particular tune will be played at his funeral next week.

Speak soon

[vgonis]

May your father rest in peace and you live long to carry his memory .

[nababo]

I really don't know how to say this in English, but I see this forum as a big family and I'm really sorry for your loss. I wish you the best!