Mark Knopfler - Shangri-La
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Music Reviews of Shangri-La
Music Review: Mark's Great Last Album
Rating: 4 Stars
Mark Knopfler and Dire Straits were the greatest rock group of all time. Now this is Mark Knopfler's latest album and this contains excellent songs like Boom, Like That. It's some kind of song about Fast Food, McDonald's. Yeah I go there a lot. It's hell cool. I was at the Shangri-La concert this Summer 2005, and
man they played Boom, Like That great. It was the Greek Theater
in Berkeley, CA where me, my dad, my mom, and my partner went. It was on July 23, 2005 I think. It was that night before I went
to Georgia to see my family. My favorite song they did at that concert was Telegraph Road. I always wanted them to play Heavy Fuel but they didn't. Here was the complete list of songs I think
they played at the concert.
1. Walk of Life
2. Romeo & Juliet
3. Sultans of Swing
4. What It Is
5. Telegraph Road
6. Sailing to Philadelphia
7. Boom, Like That
8. Brothers in Arms
9. Money for Nothing
10. So Far Away
11. Our Shangri-La
It was one hell of a great concert. Why did they not include Calling Elvis, Heavy Fuel, or Tunnel of Love?
Music Review: Mark Knopfler is Mark Knopfler - Wouldn't have it any other way.
Rating: 5 Stars
A true companero and more than worth los dinero, even if you have to rob a bank to get it! Mark Knopfler is at the top of his gig here. There's no shortage of great guitar work, and like his other solo releases, the story telling is top notch!
Rock, blues, country, salsa, and more styles of music intertwine here than in any other album I've heard. You can't help but learn while being entertained by Knopfler's stories about ill-fated big-shot crooked gamblers, Ray Crock (the man behind the McDonald's fast food chain), go-go club owners, bank robbers, lovers, boxers, and presidents.
Shangri-la is a collection of great stories put to crisp, well produced, and certainly well played music. Fun, dramatic, touching and spirited songs from one of the music world's greatest original talents.
I read a review that said that Mark Knopfler's solo material is a far cry from Dire Straits. That's because Dire Straits is Dire Straits and Mark Knopfler is Mark Knopfler. Life is about change, experience, adventure and fun. Every CD by Knopfler is a step forward, and I enjoy making the trip with him.
Music Review: A few really good songs, lots of storytelling
Rating: 4 Stars
I have always enjoyed Mark Knopfler's mix of ingenious music and history based story songs. This album probably leans too strongly to the narrative side for most listeners' tastes but I thoroughly enjoy repeated listenings and the insight which comes from getting to know the characters which populate his songs. "5:15 a.m." is my current favorite. It combines a melancholy sound with a compelling story. "Boom, Like That", "Song for Sonny Liston" and "Postcards from Paraguay" are tracks I also enjoy. I am sure I will come to appreciate many of the other tracks as I listen over time but I must say that 4 or 5 of them are destined to be victims of the "next track" button more often than not. That's okay with me. Any time I can find a CD with a half-dozen intriguing songs, I'm satisfied. The first editorial review here at Amazon calls this Knopfler's "most rocking" since Dire Straits. Way off on that assessment. Even Ragpicker's dream has more to get your toe tapping. That said, I have never been disappointed by anything Mark Knopfler released, but then even "Notting Hillbillies" suits my taste.Music Review: One for Your Retirement
Rating: 1 Stars
Don't be fooled....The first `editors' review here is simply misleading and wrong.In my view, (and I speak as a session guitarist) the very first album Dire straits produced was distinctive, but what followed simply sounded like other artists, the list of influences is too long to include here.
I have always taken an interest in Marks work, but enjoy guitarists such as Van Halen perhaps more than MK simply because of the showmanship and entertainment value.
A certain snob value has attached itself to Mks playing as if understated playing is something new, and I suspect for many reviewers here it is something of a revelation.
This latest album is High on jargon, and again disappointingly low on exciting guitar playing. If you are a fan of Mks songs and singing you wont be disappointed, but there's no evidence of ROCK on this album,
Nor any of the fire behind the playing that existed on the first album MK made with DS.
If a handfull of notes correctly played makes your retirement-day you'll love it, but I'm going to pass on this one.
Music Review: Solid effort from master musician
Rating: 4 Stars
Dire Straits maestro Mark Knopfler offers a typically well-done effort here with SHANGRI-LA, filled with his trademark guitar licks and dry Dylan-esque vocals. This album finds Knopfler sounding more like his old band, Dire Straits, than on his previous effort, though the mood here is still restrained. In fact, at times, Knopfler sounds a little too laconic for his own good, but his unerring sense of melody, unique vocal and instrumental phrasing, and wry lyrical observations generally carry the day. "5:15 a.m." and "The Trawlerman's Song" are standouts, as are "Back to Tupelo" and the bluesy "Song for Sonny Liston." Knopfler displays almost unprecedented tenderness on the lovely "All That Matters" and pays tribute to the late, lamented Skiffle King on "Donegan's Gone." Unfortunately, the closing track, "Don't Crash the Ambulance" doesn't enhance the experience of SHANGRI LA with its jarring vulgarities and jaundiced tone...leaving the listener with a bit of a sour aftertaste. That aside, Knopfler has another winner here with SHANGRI LA...it's real music in an age of manufactured noise.