INTRO
Before write about 'Down the Road Wherever' I feel rightful to write about what represents for me Mark Knopfler, his songs, his music, his guitarplaying, because I have listened to him since I was a kid and he has accompanied me so far.
He represents something of really special for me.
The music is one of the pleasures of the life, I certainly listen to other monsters too as Bob Dylan and JJ Cale but I have arrived them departing from Mark not the contrary.
Other thing: Mark is not God. Mark Knopfler is an artist, human, with all of his merits and defects that every man can have, however, he is a TRUE ARTIST, that through his genius, his sensibility, his art, in 40 years he has succeeded and still manages to touch the heart and excite his vast audience of admirers all over the world.
Historically and objectively the first part of his production, 1978-1985 are that more meaningful (SULTANS, OUATITW, R&J, TELEGRAPH, BIA, LOCAL HERO) this led him to realize himself and to give himself great satisfaction, including those to play with Hank Marvin, Bob Dylan, Chet Atkins and The Everly Brothers.
Mark said a lot of times being among that very small percentage of people in the world to be really lucky: it is true, but it deserved it.
Dire Straits is the name of the band where Mark played and sang his songs, he was musically surrounded of very skilled people, but who of it was the soul (sorry for David, Pick and Alan
) of that extraordinary band was undoubtedly Him.
My opinion is that perhaps Mark already after the BIA tour had to begin the solo career, but this is another story.
From 1987 to today, with the parenthesis of OES album & tour, he has continued his walk in the music and do what has wanted, in spite of what wanted record houses, manager and companions of band giving us pearls of extraordinary beauty: Y&YF, RUDIGER, METRO,STP, TRPD,PIPER, SUBMARIN and many many others.
A thing that I have very musically desired has been that of one collaboration of him with JJ Cale and the desire to have the recording of the concert where they have played together a long time ago in San Francisco. So....
DOWN THE ROAD WHEREVER
There are songs that enter right to the heart.
One Song At a Time: that is a masterpiece under all the points of view, writing, production, guitarplaying, music and sung, it is under the eyes of everybody.
What makes it so special is that melancholy that you feel among the lines, that it moves you and it drags yourself in that final instrumental that you would like never ends.
Nobody's Child: Turgid and evocative. That sad voice, the slow rhythm and then that 'solo', the words cannot describe as much raw beauty.
Trapper Man: don't I succeed in not listening to it 3-4 times following, every time, do I wonder me Why? Do I have to also listen to the others? I answer me: 'I can't stop, I like it too much.'.
Just a Boy Away From Home: when Mark takes the guitar to have a good time, for me is Christmas, no one is like him, there is only to enjoy it.
Back On The Dance Floor: apart that wind to the beginning (they could invent something better), the song is splendid, and Glenn Worf is a monster to Grammy, not only for this song obviously it is one among the best musicians, that Mark has had beside.
Drovers' Road: A Magic Diamond. When Mark speaks of the fact that in solo he feels many liberty in the use of other tools for painting his songs, Drovers is the example of a good result of it.
Don't suck me in: I adore it. Mark after 40 years from Dire Straits. It belongs to those songs type.. 'I can still do it and if I don't do often it, is because I don't want, not because I don't know how to do it anymore in high level'.
The fire still burns
Sky and Water: It moves me. Thanks Mark. God bless you my friend.
Matchstickman: Mark with his guitar around the world, to tell places and characters sometimes miserable sometimes worthy of praise.
Others:
When You Leave: A happy man is an in love man, and that for Kitty Aldridge, for him is the love that changed his life. Great song that makes part of that seam of songs that departs from Darling Pretty up to Long Cool Girl. I am happy for him.
Bacon Roll: maybe musically is nothing too special but thing that can not be said for the solo.
If a stratocaster could be interviewed, to talk to her, is certain that it would tell you 'they have been so many the guitarists that have played me, with which I have had a good time, but from that guy from Newcastle, I have felt beloved, it is for this that what you feel is so special.... between me and him only love'.
…...the story continues friends
