This week's artist is one that I have a great respect for, but I tend to overlook him in favour of other musicians. Admittedly, this occurs less and less as time progresses. Like most children of the '80s, I remember Mark Knopfler first and foremost as the lead singer and guitarist for the British band Dire Straits. I still contend that "Money For Nothing" from their classic 1985 album Brothers in Arms features one of the greatest guitar riffs--possibly the greatest, certainly among my top three--of the entire decade.
In the four decades since, Knopfler has gone on to release quite a few solo albums, most recently 2024's One Deep River. Expressing his clearly deep love of American country music, he's also collaborated with country legends Chet Atkins and Emmylou Harris, and even formed an English country group, The Notting Hillbillies.
During that time, he has also scored a number of films, most notably The Princess Bride and Wag the Dog. His first film score, to the 1983 film Local Hero, was so enchanting that by about my tenth viewing of the movie, I felt compelled to buy the soundtrack. It's still one of my favourites and I'm actually listening to it as I write this. (In fact, I did feature it as an early Album of the Week "sermon" in around 2019--when it was exclusively on Facebook. Perhaps I may have to repost it here as "One From the Vault." Now that I think about it, I highlighted the film early on when I started writing about those as well...)
"Never seen anyone who can filibuster his way around a G chord more fluently."
--Guitarist Heather Freeling on her admiration for Mark Knopfler
I've often talked about the "transportative" power of music--a term I created to describe the ability of certain pieces of music to transport you to another time and place, even if it's just in your own mind. When I listen to Knopfler's music, I feel like I'm being transported into the music itself--as if, somehow, I've become part of the song. Off the top of my head, I can't think of another musician whose work has ever had that effect on me.
On a few occasions, while browsing in record stores, I'll happen to stumble upon one of his albums in the racks. Invariably, I've felt compelled to buy it even if I've never heard it because I've been enchanted by his music often enough that I know I want to hear more. This week's album is one of those. I've often said that the Ignition Music Garage in Goshen, Indiana, is the best record store within a 50-mile radius of me. Every trip feels like a pilgrimage to a holy site. One day awhile back, while perusing the CD shelves, I happened to spy this week's album. I immediately bought it and have frequently found myself revisiting it--twice this past week alone.
This is Dire Straits' third album, released in 1980. During the recording sessions at New York's famed Power Station, founding member David Knopfler (rhythm guitarist and Mark's younger brother) left the band. Although his tracks were fairly complete by the time of his departure, Mark re-recorded them. Knopfler (Mark) recruited Jimmy Iovine to co-produce their upcoming album with him after admiring his work on Patti Smith's recording "Because the Night," a song she had co-written with Bruce Springsteen. Iovine, having also worked with Springsteen on his albums Born To Run and Darkness on the Edge of Town, brought in E Street Band keyboardist Roy Bittan for the sessions. This week, please enjoy Making Movies.
Until next week, stay safe, be good to your neighbours, and please remember that if at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
Yours in peace, love, and rock 'n' roll!
The Reverend Will the Thrill
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