A truism that largely goes unchallenged is once musicians reach a certain age and are no longer deemed marketable by some hot-shot, twenty-three-year-old, know-nothing-about-music, junior executive, they slink away to the musicians graveyard and are content to blend into the shadows. Maybe they end up producing records of newbies or gigging session work to get by. Others hit Vegas for shows (yes, all the Diva's eventually end up in Vegas. Just ask Cher and Celine Dion)Voices of generations have been lost to the inevitable 'has-been-dome.' Not Mark Knopfler. Mark Knopfler's newest album Get Lucky shows exactly why he is one of the most important songwriters of our lifetime. For those of us who grew up with the Dire Straits, the hugely successful British rock band he co-founded and lead, Knopfler's ability to keep his craft well-fueled and relevant does not come as a surprise. He is by far one of the most prolific songwriters of not only his generation, but of generations that follow.
For those who are unfamiliar with Knopfler, he's worked with some of the best artists around, including The Dandy Warhols, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Jefff Healey, John Fogerty, Steely Dan, the Chieftains, and Chet Atkins to name a few. He has produced works by Bob Dylan, Tina turner, Willy Deville, and Randy Newman. He can claim film credit to Metroland, Cal, Wag the Dog, Local Hero, Last Exit to Brooklyn, and smash-hit, The Princess Bride. He is widely accepted as the most respected fingerstyle guitarists of the modern rock era. Rolling Stone magazine ranked him number twenty-seven of the top one hundred greatest guitarists of all time. And he keeps getting better with age.
Knopler joins the elite group of musicians that still kick-ass like Bruce Springsteen and Jeff Beck. His sixth and newest album solo album Get Lucky delivers all the passion, and sharp, vivid, poignant story-telling we have come to expect from Knopfler. The eleven tracks on Get Lucky trace his childhood memories, like the song, "The Car Was the One," inspired by racer Mark Donohue, and he creates some of the most riveting lyrics he has laid down to date. You'll hear some Southern rock, some dirty blues, a little country twang, and some good old-fashioned rock and roll.
In short, for the first time I can say that an album is gorgeous and mean it. Lush, warm lyrics swim in contemplative luxurious compositions. Get Lucky was Recorded at Knopfler's award-winning British Grove Studios in West London, Get Lucky was co-produced with longtime collaborators, engineer Chuck Ainlay and keyboardist Guy Fletcher and featured Richard Bennett, Danny Cummings, John McCusker, Matt Rollings and Glenn Worf.
Knopfler is taking a world tour in support of Get Lucky. If you have a chance to check it out, I highly suggest catching him live. His newest album has ranked number one on all of my electronic playlists.
