Mark Knopfler Solo Album Elimination Poll - Round 3

[Knopflerfan]

I listened to the latest two albums this morning (along with AC's Backstory) and changed my mind upon my order.  Tracker is now numero uno on my hit list; such a dull list of songs.  DtRW has some really good songs. 

Trapper Man - such a good song with even his vocal sounding energetic
Nobody Does That - nice funky number like he's never released before
Drovers' Road - quality man
One Song at a Time - Classic
and all three bonus tracks are fab.

So vote Tracker - right!!!

Yes, there are lots of great songs on DTRW but, I really can't share Mark's passion for brass instruments be it on the album or on the tour. Terrible! So, good bye DTRW!

BTW, Tracker is one of my favourites. 

Oh yes the Horns - another valid reason to say bye bye to DTRW!!!!

[qjamesfloyd]

Please drop all the horns for the new album Mark.

[Knopflerfan]

Please drop all the horns for the new album Mark.

Oh I do hope so........

[dmg]

I listened to the latest two albums this morning (along with AC's Backstory) and changed my mind upon my order.  Tracker is now numero uno on my hit list; such a dull list of songs.  DtRW has some really good songs. 

Trapper Man - such a good song with even his vocal sounding energetic
Nobody Does That - nice funky number like he's never released before
Drovers' Road - quality man
One Song at a Time - Classic
and all three bonus tracks are fab.

So vote Tracker - right!!!

I listen and enjoy the whole of Tracker, including the bonus songs, but on DTRW I can only get as far as OSAAT without my mind wandering!  Drover's Road is my favourite.

DTRW has become an 'Occasional' album for me unlike Tracker which I listen to a lot more.....

I really only listen to Drovers, OSAAT and the bonus material....Tracker - well I just can't fault it!! Lights of Taormina - well my lordies!!!!

There's something uncomfortable for me about the way he sings Taormina.  Either his phrasing is all wrong or there's too many lyrics for the music - it just sounds awful.  The guitar doesn't have a great sound either tbh.

[Knopflerfan]

I listened to the latest two albums this morning (along with AC's Backstory) and changed my mind upon my order.  Tracker is now numero uno on my hit list; such a dull list of songs.  DtRW has some really good songs. 

Trapper Man - such a good song with even his vocal sounding energetic
Nobody Does That - nice funky number like he's never released before
Drovers' Road - quality man
One Song at a Time - Classic
and all three bonus tracks are fab.

So vote Tracker - right!!!

I listen and enjoy the whole of Tracker, including the bonus songs, but on DTRW I can only get as far as OSAAT without my mind wandering!  Drover's Road is my favourite.

DTRW has become an 'Occasional' album for me unlike Tracker which I listen to a lot more.....

I really only listen to Drovers, OSAAT and the bonus material....Tracker - well I just can't fault it!! Lights of Taormina - well my lordies!!!!

There's something uncomfortable for me about the way he sings Taormina.  Either his phrasing is all wrong or there's too many lyrics for the music - it just sounds awful.  The guitar doesn't have a great sound either tbh.

LOT is just amazing and one can immediately think they are in Taormina listening to the first few bars of the opening! I haven't noticed anything 'wrong' with his phrasing or indeed the music - in fact I love the sound of the slide on his guitar which to me adds depth to the track.....Beautiful and stunning!!

[superval99]

I listened to the latest two albums this morning (along with AC's Backstory) and changed my mind upon my order.  Tracker is now numero uno on my hit list; such a dull list of songs.  DtRW has some really good songs. 

Trapper Man - such a good song with even his vocal sounding energetic
Nobody Does That - nice funky number like he's never released before
Drovers' Road - quality man
One Song at a Time - Classic
and all three bonus tracks are fab.

So vote Tracker - right!!!

I listen and enjoy the whole of Tracker, including the bonus songs, but on DTRW I can only get as far as OSAAT without my mind wandering!  Drover's Road is my favourite.

DTRW has become an 'Occasional' album for me unlike Tracker which I listen to a lot more.....

I really only listen to Drovers, OSAAT and the bonus material....Tracker - well I just can't fault it!! Lights of Taormina - well my lordies!!!!

There's something uncomfortable for me about the way he sings Taormina.  Either his phrasing is all wrong or there's too many lyrics for the music - it just sounds awful.  The guitar doesn't have a great sound either tbh.

LOT is just amazing and one can immediately think they are in Taormina listening to the first few bars of the opening! I haven't noticed anything 'wrong' with his phrasing or indeed the music - in fact I love the sound of the slide on his guitar which to me adds depth to the track.....Beautiful and stunning!!

I agree.  Taomina is a beautiful song, but that is just one of many lovely songs on Tracker - it's way better than DTRW - imo of course!   

[Jules]

I'm not a very big fan of brass (and wood) wind instruments but I have to say that I love any single note of them on DTRW.

And it looks they are going to be back, as Guy insist on saying ALL THE BAND when he talks about February sessions.

[quizzaciously]

I'm not a very big fan of brass (and wood) wind instruments but I have to say that I love any single note of them on DTRW.

And it looks they are going to be back, as Guy insist on saying ALL THE BAND when he talks about February sessions.

Horns are great when used properly, for instance, the horn section is perfect for this type of music:



Mark is of course famous for overusing some instruments in the past (putting pedal steel in everything on OES tour, for instance, then folk guys, now brass section), so I think we should get used to the horns by now lol.

[dmg]

I listened to the latest two albums this morning (along with AC's Backstory) and changed my mind upon my order.  Tracker is now numero uno on my hit list; such a dull list of songs.  DtRW has some really good songs. 

Trapper Man - such a good song with even his vocal sounding energetic
Nobody Does That - nice funky number like he's never released before
Drovers' Road - quality man
One Song at a Time - Classic
and all three bonus tracks are fab.

So vote Tracker - right!!!

I listen and enjoy the whole of Tracker, including the bonus songs, but on DTRW I can only get as far as OSAAT without my mind wandering!  Drover's Road is my favourite.

DTRW has become an 'Occasional' album for me unlike Tracker which I listen to a lot more.....

I really only listen to Drovers, OSAAT and the bonus material....Tracker - well I just can't fault it!! Lights of Taormina - well my lordies!!!!

There's something uncomfortable for me about the way he sings Taormina.  Either his phrasing is all wrong or there's too many lyrics for the music - it just sounds awful.  The guitar doesn't have a great sound either tbh.

LOT is just amazing and one can immediately think they are in Taormina listening to the first few bars of the opening! I haven't noticed anything 'wrong' with his phrasing or indeed the music - in fact I love the sound of the slide on his guitar which to me adds depth to the track.....Beautiful and stunning!!

I agree.  Taomina is a beautiful song, but that is just one of many lovely songs on Tracker - it's way better than DTRW - imo of course!   

He starts singing normally then abnormally speeds up toward the end of the line as if he's try to fit in all the words and there doesn't seem to be any correlation between the pace of the music and phrasing of the lyrics. 

[Darling Pretty]

I keep voting Tracker until it goes out.

Tracker is really a borer. The Quality and sound is excellent and it has Basil.

[superval99]

I listened to the latest two albums this morning (along with AC's Backstory) and changed my mind upon my order.  Tracker is now numero uno on my hit list; such a dull list of songs.  DtRW has some really good songs. 

Trapper Man - such a good song with even his vocal sounding energetic
Nobody Does That - nice funky number like he's never released before
Drovers' Road - quality man
One Song at a Time - Classic
and all three bonus tracks are fab.

So vote Tracker - right!!!

I listen and enjoy the whole of Tracker, including the bonus songs, but on DTRW I can only get as far as OSAAT without my mind wandering!  Drover's Road is my favourite.

DTRW has become an 'Occasional' album for me unlike Tracker which I listen to a lot more.....

I really only listen to Drovers, OSAAT and the bonus material....Tracker - well I just can't fault it!! Lights of Taormina - well my lordies!!!!

There's something uncomfortable for me about the way he sings Taormina.  Either his phrasing is all wrong or there's too many lyrics for the music - it just sounds awful.  The guitar doesn't have a great sound either tbh.

LOT is just amazing and one can immediately think they are in Taormina listening to the first few bars of the opening! I haven't noticed anything 'wrong' with his phrasing or indeed the music - in fact I love the sound of the slide on his guitar which to me adds depth to the track.....Beautiful and stunning!!

I agree.  Taomina is a beautiful song, but that is just one of many lovely songs on Tracker - it's way better than DTRW - imo of course!   

He starts singing normally then abnormally speeds up toward the end of the line as if he's try to fit in all the words and there doesn't seem to be any correlation between the pace of the music and phrasing of the lyrics.

I'm listening to it now and I don't hear any speeding up at the end of lines.  It's the same tempo throughout! 

[dustyvalentino]

I assume dmg means more words are crammed in.

[superval99]

I assume dmg means more words are crammed in.

Maybe.   There are a lot of words, but I like the song a lot. 

[qjamesfloyd]

I'm not a very big fan of brass (and wood) wind instruments but I have to say that I love any single note of them on DTRW.

And it looks they are going to be back, as Guy insist on saying ALL THE BAND when he talks about February sessions.

Horns are great when used properly, for instance, the horn section is perfect for this type of music:



Mark is of course famous for overusing some instruments in the past (putting pedal steel in everything on OES tour, for instance, then folk guys, now brass section), so I think we should get used to the horns by now lol.

I actually like the pedal steel, and think Paul Franklin was a great fit for both Dire Straits and Mark solo, the folk guys addition are ok, but the Brass for me is just not Mark!!!

[dustyvalentino]

Having pedal steel on a "rock" album was kind of innovative in a way and made for a unique sound which us die hards appreciated, not sure it helped commercially all round though. Or maybe the songs just weren't as catchy as BiA.