Music review: Mark Knopfler – 鈥楧own the Road Wherever鈥�
Whenever I hear Mark Knopfler sing, I鈥檓 instantly taken back to the days of Dire Straits and the band鈥檚 breakthrough album 鈥淏rothers in Arms.鈥�
The 1985 release secured Knopfler鈥檚 place in music history with 鈥淢oney for Nothing.鈥� While the song mocked the easy success and riches achieved by musicians, it quickly became a staple in MTV鈥檚 video rotation sparked by Knopfler鈥檚 gritty guitar licks and Sting announcing, 鈥淚 want my MTV.鈥�
While things certainly have changed over the years at MTV, Knopfler鈥檚 career has remained steadily solid. The six studio albums released by Dire Straits contain memorable tunes like 鈥淪ultans of Swing,鈥� 鈥淲alk of Life,鈥� 鈥淪o Far Away,鈥� and my personal favorite, 鈥淪kateaway.鈥�
After venturing out on his own, the 69-year-old singer, guitarist and songwriter delivers his ninth solo effort with 鈥淒own the Road Wherever.鈥� The album鈥檚 title is seemingly a reference to Knopfler鈥檚 career and its numerous twists and turns.
Most of the new tracks possess a laid-back vibe possibly inspired by J.J. Cale, one of Knopfler鈥檚 musical influences. In fact, the new album鈥檚 sound reminds me a lot of Eric Clapton鈥檚 2014 tribute to Cale with 鈥淭he Breeze: An Appreciation of J.J. Cale.鈥� In my opinion, one of the best tracks on that release features Knopfler鈥檚 performance on 鈥淪omeday.鈥�
Knopfler eases into the new material with the methodical pace of a seasoned veteran that invites listeners to sit back and enjoy the ride on the opener 鈥淭rapper Man.鈥�
鈥淏ack on the Dance Floor鈥� follows with a nostalgic tale about returning to the lure of the nightlife as Knopfler sings, 鈥淗and me down my high roller Stetson/Hand me down my smokeless .41/We鈥檙e gonna look so sharp when we walk in.鈥�
鈥淛ust a Boy Away From Home鈥� is a standout number that could easily be a Clapton track with its bluesy guitar licks and lyrics about living and learning.
鈥淢atchstick Man鈥� brings the set to an acoustic close with a somber glimpse of a traveling musician hopping from town to town with little fanfare and appreciation for the services provided.
At its core, 鈥淒own the Road Wherever鈥� serves as an engaging blending of blues, rock and Americana crafted to be savored over time in order to allow Knopfler鈥檚 collection of stories and life observations to fully sink in.
It鈥檚 definitely a trip worth taking, even if you鈥檙e not sure of the final destination.
Clint Rhodes is the 缅北禁地 music reviewer. He can be reached at clinton43@me.com.