Album Description: Third solo album from the acclaimed leader of Dire Straits, Mark Knopfler, a rootsy American-leaning epic about the working man. 2002. Warner.
Amazon.com: Even at the peak of Dire Straits' fame, Mark Knopfler's music often seemed informed by a restless worldview as abstruse as his guitar playing was fluid and expressive. This follow-up to his impressive 2000 collection, Sailing to Philadelphia, finds Knopfler chasing a similar musical and lyrical muse, with results that are even more surprising and loose-limbed. "Why Aye Man," the bracing opening chantey that sets much of the album's tone, draws parallels between Geordie pub-speak and Native American chants whilst lamenting economic refugees of Thatcherism forced to ply their blue-collar trades--and keep their Brit pub culture alive--deep in the Fatherland. From there, Knopfler takes us by "A Place Where We Used to Live" for a lounge-y, Jobim-inflected reminder that one can never really go home, drops in on "Quality Shoe" for a tribute to Roger Miller, and gives us a typically dry, so-deadpan-it's-funny rundown of his Circus Sideshow pals on "Devil Baby." "Marbletown," a graveyard folk-blues, showcases the musician at home on solo acoustic guitar, while the loping, laconic "Coyote" draws its good-natured inspiration from a beast named Wile E. But it's the way that Knopfler connects disparate cultures and histories with subliminal, deceptively effortless grace on "Fare Thee Well Northumberland," "You Don't Know You're Born" (both of which feature Knopfler's signature languorous, blues-inflected soloing), the folksy "Hill Farmer's Blues," and the country-fried "Daddy's Gone to Knoxville" that make the album a triumph of understatement. --Jerry McCulley
A stellar artist sounding tight, but tired Mark Knopfler is a gem and remains one of the most enduring icons of real talent in a world of fleeting mediocrity. This CD is as solid as ever, is beautifully mastered, and easy to listen to. But, it takes no risks, shows none of the searing energy that used to make the hair stand up on the back of my neck, and simply does not showcase his limitless talent. I listen to Dire Straits religiously and crank up the volume like I'm still 20 years old. I listen to this CD once in a while. The old Mark Knopfler - the guy that stood toe to toe with Clapton at Knebworth and whipped the crowd into a frenzy - seems forever gone, and I miss him. I wish HE would record another CD, because DAMN that guy was good.
Wonderful production I am often disappointed by the steady stream of throw-away tripe that passes for music, so I usually stick with productions I know and enjoy. That having been said, I can report that for a discriminating listener The Rag Picker's Dream is so worthwhile that you may well find yourself so immersed in this wonderful CD that you will listen to little else as I have for the last two weeks.
The Ragpicker's Dream not only touches me at a personal level with its warm ballads of common people, hardships, and small triumphs but appeals to me with rich, varied, and textual quality.
I should add that until my youngest brother turned me on to this CD I had no idea who Knopfler was.
You will not be disappointed with this purchase. So, one question; is the "Springer" in Devil's baby Jerry Springer and is the comparison between the freak shows of circuses past to modern television programming purposeful or only in my imagination?
The Ragpickers Dream I really like Mark Knopfler, I think he's one of, if not "the" best guitar players today. I know there's alot of people who said that before I did. He has a unique "Blues-y" vocal quality. This is typical for Mark Knopfler, never a bad CD. This is not my favorite CD of his but it has more than enough of what I like about his music to make it a must-have for Knopfler fans. For me, the import version would not be worth the doubled price for the reason that I have all his CD's and DVD's and the extras are found on other cd's. If you don't have the Sailing To Philadelphia" CD, buy the import, it's worth it for even that one song.
one of the finest singers ever. i have always loved mark knopfler and he is one of the finest singers ever.i really think that quality shoe is a perfect song for me as well as coyote,coyote has a great driving end..if your having a bad day,why not turn on some mark knopfler and he'll make your day much,much better.
Oh no ,not at all Mark Knopfler is so boring both in Dire Straits and as as well as a solo artist.He only made a single decent song in Sultans of swing.To the reviewer named For whom the bells toll a.k.a Whirligig,your opinion on great bands like LED ZEPPELIN,PINK FLOYD,LYNYRD SKYNYRD and THE ROLLING STONES has not been asked for.Leave those great bands alone and go and listen to your awful Green day and foreigner.Ragpickers dream is very very boring.DONT PURCHASE THIS,BUY LED ZEPPELIN'S FOURTH ALBUM instead.
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