The Ragpicker's Dream
Even at the peak of Dire Straits' fame, Mark Knopfler's music often seemed informed by a restless worldview as abstruse as his guitar playing was fluid and expressive. This follow-up to his impressive 2000 collection, Sailing to Philadelphia, finds Knopfler chasing a similar musical and lyrical muse, with results that are even more surprising and loose-limbed. "Why Aye Man," the bracing opening chantey that sets much of the album's tone, draws parallels between Geordie pub-speak and Native American chants whilst lamenting economic refugees of Thatcherism forced to ply their blue-collar trades--and keep their Brit pub culture alive--deep in the Fatherland. From there, Knopfler takes us by "A Place Where We Used to Live" for a lounge-y, Jobim-inflected reminder that one can never really go home, drops in on "Quality Shoe" for a tribute to Roger Miller, and gives us a typically dry, so-deadpan-it's-funny rundown of his Circus Sideshow pals on "Devil Baby." "Marbletown," a graveyard folk-blues, showcases the musician at home on solo acoustic guitar, while the loping, laconic "Coyote" draws its good-natured inspiration from a beast named Wile E. But it's the way that Knopfler connects disparate cultures and histories with subliminal, deceptively effortless grace on "Fare Thee Well Northumberland," "You Don't Know You're Born" (both of which feature Knopfler's signature languorous, blues-inflected soloing), the folksy "Hill Farmer's Blues," and the country-fried "Daddy's Gone to Knoxville" that make the album a triumph of understatement. --Jerry McCulley
Third solo album from the acclaimed leader of Dire Straits, Mark Knopfler, a rootsy American-leaning epic about the working man. 2002. Warner.
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97 Reviews
| From: Amazon Posted: Nov 01, 2007 Type: User Review |
A stellar artist sounding tight, but tired
Mark Knopfler is a gem and remains one of the most enduring icons of real talent in a world of fleeting mediocrity. This CD is as solid as ever, is beautifully mastered, and easy to listen to. But, it takes no risks, shows none of the searing...
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 3.00/5 |
| From: Amazon Posted: Oct 24, 2007 Type: User Review |
Wonderful production
I am often disappointed by the steady stream of throw-away tripe that passes for music, so I usually stick with productions I know and enjoy. That having been said, I can report that for a discriminating listener The Rag Picker's Dream is so...
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 5.00/5 |
| From: Amazon Posted: Jun 18, 2007 Type: User Review |
The Ragpickers Dream
I really like Mark Knopfler, I think he's one of, if not "the" best guitar players today. I know there's alot of people who said that before I did. He has a unique "Blues-y" vocal quality. This is typical for Mark Knopfler, never a bad CD....
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5.00/5 |
| From: Amazon Posted: Dec 30, 2006 Type: User Review |
one of the finest singers ever.
i have always loved mark knopfler and he is one of the finest singers ever.i really think that quality shoe is a perfect song for me as well as coyote,coyote has a great driving end..if your having a bad day,why not turn on some mark knopfler and...
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 4.00/5 |
| From: Amazon Posted: Aug 08, 2006 Type: User Review |
Oh no ,not at all
Mark Knopfler is so boring both in Dire Straits and as as well as a solo artist.He only made a single decent song in Sultans of swing.To the reviewer named For whom the bells toll a.k.a Whirligig,your opinion on great bands like LED ZEPPELIN,PINK...
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 1.00/5 |
| From: Amazon Posted: Aug 07, 2006 Type: User Review |
Mark Knopfler is one of our best!!!
I think that Mark Knopfler is one of our best singers, and guitarists that he ranks the top band along with Dire Straits.
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5.00/5 |
| From: Amazon Posted: Jul 14, 2006 Type: User Review |
earthy, grounded and gifted
I have to admit that during the 80's I was listening to the likes of Ivie Anderson w/ Duke Ellington and Sidney Bechet, so I'm still asking myself "Just who is Dire Straits?" Someone gave me a cd and I recognized some tunes from the radio, which...
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4.00/5 |
| From: Amazon Posted: Jul 05, 2006 Type: User Review |
the folkiest of mark knopfler
For many reasons, my favourite album in a body of lifetime achievement that defies having a definitive favourite effort. I suppose the seeming strength here of acoustic accompaniment - even when it's electric, it sounds like wooden music, as...
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5.00/5 |
| From: Amazon Posted: Jun 26, 2006 Type: User Review |
Yawn,Mark knopfler sucks!
Mark knopfler is one of the most boring singers ever.All his albums suck terribly and are ideal for insomniacs as it pull put anybody to sleep.Dont buy this album.GET ANY ROLLING STONES ALBUM INSTEAD.
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1.00/5 |
| From: Amazon Posted: Jun 26, 2006 Type: User Review |
MARK KNOPFLER ROCKS!!!
WOW!!! MARK KNOPFLER AND DIRE STRAITS WERE ONE OF THE GREATEST ARTISTS EVER AROUND. THEY ARE TALENTED AND MAKE GREAT MUSIC. SOME OF MY FAVORITE SONGS I HAVE EVER HEARD ARE FROM MARK KNOPFLER (WITHOUT DIRE STRAITS). COYOTE ROCKS, LISTEN TO THE...
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5.00/5 |
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