Let’s see if this works:-
FIRST NIGHT: POP
Review: Mark Knopfler and Band at the Royal Albert Hall
In an era when virtuosity in rock music isn’t celebrated as much as it used to be, it was thrilling to watch a master at work
Joe Clay
May 23 2019, 12:00pm,
The Times
Music
Mark Knopfler supplied mesmeric fills and effortless, mellifluous riffs
Mark Knopfler supplied mesmeric fills and effortless, mellifluous riffs
REX FEATURES
Share
Save
★★★★★
The “and Band” on the billing was crucial as the former Dire Straits main man played the first of two sold-out nights at the Albert Hall. Mark Knopfler, who will turn 70 in August, has spent the decades since that band ended putting together a formidable ensemble of supporting musicians. On stage with him were ten extra bodies, all as skilled as the band leader in their field. “I play one instrument,” he said, deadpan. “They play about 47.”
It was not an exaggeration. There were fiddles, mandolins, flutes, penny whistles, a pedal steel, a Hammond organ, a sax, a trumpet, a double bass, drums and every kind of percussion imaginable from the exuberant Danny Cummings. There were even uilleann pipes and a cittern on the beguiling Celtic folk of Done With Bonaparte.
Of course, the one instrument that Knopfler plays he plays better than most people. In an era when virtuosity in rock music isn’t celebrated as much as it used to be, it was thrilling to watch a master at work. He changed guitar between every song, from his faithful old red Fender Stratocaster for the delicate, countrified Sailing to Philadelphia to the beautiful Dobro that graced the cover of the multimillion-selling Brothers in Arms. “All I ever wanted was a guitar,” he said. “Now they’re everywhere.”
Those mesmeric fills and effortless, mellifluous riffs adorned every song, most strikingly on a spellbinding rendition of Brothers in Arms. Age has not withered his talent, although his conversational, gruff vocals were almost whispered at points, which was fine for the rootsy material (a new song, My Bacon Roll, was a highlight), but meant that the old favourite Romeo and Juliet lacked the emotional punch it once had.
Inevitably, the biggest cheer of the night was reserved for the anthemic rocker Money for Nothing as the audience left their seats to come to the front and celebrate their guitar hero up close. Ordinary fella. Extraordinary talent. Exceptional band.
SSE Hydro, Glasgow, May 26; the O2, London, May 28; Manchester Arena, May 29; Resorts World Arena, Birmingham, May 30
