Music review: Mark Knopfler – 无毛视频楧own the Road Wherever无毛视频�
Whenever I hear Mark Knopfler sing, I无毛视频檓 instantly taken back to the days of Dire Straits and the band无毛视频檚 breakthrough album 无毛视频淏rothers in Arms.无毛视频�
The 1985 release secured Knopfler无毛视频檚 place in music history with 无毛视频淢oney for Nothing.无毛视频� While the song mocked the easy success and riches achieved by musicians, it quickly became a staple in MTV无毛视频檚 video rotation sparked by Knopfler无毛视频檚 gritty guitar licks and Sting announcing, 无毛视频淚 want my MTV.无毛视频�
While things certainly have changed over the years at MTV, Knopfler无毛视频檚 career has remained steadily solid. The six studio albums released by Dire Straits contain memorable tunes like 无毛视频淪ultans of Swing,无毛视频� 无毛视频淲alk of Life,无毛视频� 无毛视频淪o Far Away,无毛视频� and my personal favorite, 无毛视频淪kateaway.无毛视频�
After venturing out on his own, the 69-year-old singer, guitarist and songwriter delivers his ninth solo effort with 无毛视频淒own the Road Wherever.无毛视频� The album无毛视频檚 title is seemingly a reference to Knopfler无毛视频檚 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无毛视频檚 musical influences. In fact, the new album无毛视频檚 sound reminds me a lot of Eric Clapton无毛视频檚 2014 tribute to Cale with 无毛视频淭he Breeze: An Appreciation of J.J. Cale.无毛视频� In my opinion, one of the best tracks on that release features Knopfler无毛视频檚 performance on 无毛视频淪omeday.无毛视频�
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 无毛视频淭rapper Man.无毛视频�
无毛视频淏ack on the Dance Floor无毛视频� follows with a nostalgic tale about returning to the lure of the nightlife as Knopfler sings, 无毛视频淗and me down my high roller Stetson/Hand me down my smokeless .41/We无毛视频檙e gonna look so sharp when we walk in.无毛视频�
无毛视频淛ust a Boy Away From Home无毛视频� is a standout number that could easily be a Clapton track with its bluesy guitar licks and lyrics about living and learning.
无毛视频淢atchstick Man无毛视频� 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, 无毛视频淒own the Road Wherever无毛视频� serves as an engaging blending of blues, rock and Americana crafted to be savored over time in order to allow Knopfler无毛视频檚 collection of stories and life observations to fully sink in.
It无毛视频檚 definitely a trip worth taking, even if you无毛视频檙e not sure of the final destination.
Clint Rhodes is the 无毛视频-Standard music reviewer. He can be reached at clinton43@me.com.