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19 Oct 02 - 06:47 PM (#806919) Subject: Lyr Add: WHY AYE MAN (Mark Knopfler) From: michaelr Mark Knopfler's new album "The Ragpicker's Dream" has not been off my CD player since I got it last week -- it's that good. You may think of the former Dire Straits frontman as a rock star and hot-shot electric guitarist, but he's much more than that. Here he delves deep into his Geordie roots, as well as classic American styles, and rolls it all together with keenly observed song lyrics and his impeccably tasteful (mostly acoustic) guitar playing. Knopfler has always been a wonderful storyteller (remember "Romeo and Juliet", "Sultans of Swing" and "Telegraph Road"?), and he's pared down his epic style to what you might call short stories or vignettes, which are told with incredible efficiency and emotional impact. He takes us into the minds of Newcastle expatriates working in Germany (are you there, alanabit?) on "Why Aye Man" and "Fare Thee Well Northumberland" (the latter sung to a variant of "Poor Wayfaring Stranger"); of circus freaks (the John Prine-ish "Devil Baby", complete with a dig at Jerry Springer), a cuckolded redneck ("Hill Farmer's Blues"), a Pennies-from-Heaven-type traveling salesman ("Quality Shoe"), a rail-riding hobo ("Marbletown" and "Old Pigweed") and even the cartoon Roadrunner ("Coyote" -- sample lyric: "It must be hard having dog dreams/ That never come true/ And don't you just wish you could/ Make half the speed I do"). Knopfler even throws in a Jacques Brel-type chanson in "A Place Where We Used To Live" and a Dickensian Christmas story in the title song "Ragpicker's Dream". The scope of his musicality is immense, and all delivered with his trademark laid-back drawl and gorgeous fingerpicking, backed with a light touch by a small ensemble including piano, pedal steel, and harmonica. If you were (as I was) a bit disappointed in his previous effort "Sailing to Philadelphia", you owe it to yourself to check out this album. I could not recommend it any more highly. It's a great folk album! I'll add the lyrics to the CD's first cut: WHY AYE MAN Written by Mark Knopfler © 2002 Will Decide Ltd/Hornall Brothers Music Ltd We had no way of staying afloat Had to leave on the ferry boat Economic refugees On the run to Germany We had the back of Maggie's hand Times were tough in Geordieland We got wor tools and working gear Humped it all from Newcastle to here CH: Why aye man, why aye, why aye man We're the nomad tribes, travelling boys In the dust and dirt and the racket and the noise Drills and hammers, diggers and picks Mixing concrete, laying bricks There's English, Irish, Scots, the lot United nations is what we got Brickes, chippies, every trade German building, British-made (CH) Nae more work on Maggie's farm Hadaway down the Autobahn Mine's a portacabin bed Or a bunk in a Nissen hut instead There's plenty deutschmarks here to earn And German tarts are wunderschoen German beer is chemical-free Germany's alreet with me Sometimes I miss my River Tyne But you're my pretty fraulein Tonight we'll drink the Old Town dry Keep wor spirit levels high (CH) Cheers, Michael |
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19 Oct 02 - 08:00 PM (#806947) Subject: RE: Review: Mark Knopfler, 'Ragpicker's Dream' From: Jerry Rasmussen It sounds like it will be great. I have a copy coming in the mail, or I'd buy it. I just copied Sailing to Philadelphia for someone, and I agree... there are some good tracks on there, but it's not one of his stornger albums. I DO love Do America, though.. Jerry |
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20 Oct 02 - 12:29 AM (#807037) Subject: RE: Review: Mark Knopfler, 'Ragpicker's Dream' From: michaelr "Do America" is great fun, Jerry, and "What It Is" is not bad, either. I thought the duet with Mr Bland, James Taylor, was underwhelming. If you like Mark's playing, you'll love this CD. Let me know what you think when you get it! Cheers, Michael |
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20 Oct 02 - 04:22 AM (#807095) Subject: RE: Review: Mark Knopfler, 'Ragpicker's Dream' From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull I have hreard this CD, it is really nice.john |
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20 Oct 02 - 04:23 AM (#807096) Subject: RE: Review: Mark Knopfler, 'Ragpicker's Dream' From: C-flat I was going to start a review thread myself Michaelr, but not only did you beat me to it, you describe the album far better than I could. It is a masterfully understated mixture of styles, each track sitting comfortably with the other, bound together by Knopflers distinctive voice and tasteful guitar. Difficult to pigeon-hole, as it touches on many different musical roots, but a real delight. Jerry, I promise it is well on its way! |
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20 Oct 02 - 06:25 AM (#807124) Subject: RE: Review: Mark Knopfler, 'Ragpicker's Dream' From: katlaughing Michael, I don't have the knowledge or skill to write such a review, but if I did I couldn't have said it any better. This album if really fantastic. We've been playing ours over and over since getting Saturday morning. Love that man's voice, arrangements, and picking. Already singing along; the lyrics are great, poignant, funny, sad, striking and a few other wonderfuls. The lyrics to the title cut are in this thread: Ragpicker's Dream. Thanks for starting this thread. kat |
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20 Oct 02 - 07:48 PM (#807441) Subject: RE: Review: Mark Knopfler, 'Ragpicker's Dream' From: michaelr Ah kat, it is I who must thank you! I saw your posting of the title song and thought, hmmm, that's pretty interesting... should get the CD... And I did, and was blown away! Musical epiphanies make me verbose... Cheers, Michael |
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20 Oct 02 - 11:07 PM (#807547) Subject: RE: Review: Mark Knopfler, 'Ragpicker's Dream' From: katlaughing *kewl*:-) |
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22 Oct 02 - 09:47 AM (#808487) Subject: RE: Review: Mark Knopfler, 'Ragpicker's Dream' From: Grab Gotta get that! I heard one on the radio (can't remember the name) which I'm dying to try as a solo slide-guitar number. One question - is there any good guitar in there? My main complaint on "Sailing to Philadelphia" was that it stayed too buttoned-up - every time a song looked like getting to one of those stunning "let-it-rip" kind of moments, it just faded out (What it is, Silvertown Blues, Speedway at Nazareth). And not much of the lyrical ballad-style guitar (ala Ruediger, Private Investigations) either. Some good songs in there, but all showing a bit of lack of commitment. Graham. |
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22 Oct 02 - 10:32 AM (#808512) Subject: RE: Review: Mark Knopfler, 'Ragpicker's Dream' From: katlaughing Guitar in there is one of the reasons I love this one, Graham, though I've not heard the others you've mentioned. The main things I loved about Dire Straits were Knopfler's voice and guitar; same things I love about this CD! |
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22 Oct 02 - 12:02 PM (#808584) Subject: RE: Review: Mark Knopfler, 'Ragpicker's Dream' From: Caz I've heard some of it on the radio and thought to myself I'm gonna buy that for Michael (hubby) 1. because he is a huge fan of MK, 2. because Mike has just taken up the guitar again after 15 years, 3. becasue I love him (Mike that is), 4. because I think it will be an inspiration for Mike and 5. becuase your review have just spurred me into action. THANKS. Carole |
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22 Oct 02 - 09:45 PM (#808976) Subject: RE: Review: Mark Knopfler, 'Ragpicker's Dream' From: michaelr Grab -- "Ragpicker's Dream" is quite a laid-back record, over all. There's plenty of tasty guitar, acoustic and electric, but if you're looking for fireworks, you may be disappointed. What you call "lack of commitment" I would put down to MK's maturing as a musician... it seems to me that song craft is more important to him than letting it rip. But as I said above, I think this one is better than "Sailing". I say check it out, and give the songs a chance to work their way under your skin... Cheers, Michael |
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22 Oct 02 - 09:59 PM (#808983) Subject: RE: Review: Mark Knopfler, 'Ragpicker's Dream' From: Jerry Rasmussen Just got my copy and had a first listen. It's nice to get a CD you really want to sit down and give your full attention. I would have liked a couple more energetic songs like The Bug, or Do America, but that's nitpicking. It's a fine album... Jerry |
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23 Oct 02 - 12:15 AM (#809060) Subject: RE: Review: Mark Knopfler, 'Ragpicker's Dream' From: katlaughing Jerry, I thought the Quality Shoe one was plenty energetic. I cannot sit still to it!*bg* |
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23 Oct 02 - 08:27 AM (#809159) Subject: RE: Review: Mark Knopfler, 'Ragpicker's Dream' From: Grab OK, that's one Xmas prezzie sorted then... :-) Graham. |
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22 Nov 02 - 07:27 PM (#833003) Subject: Lyr Add: OLD PIGWEED (Mark Knopfler) From: katlaughing Still listening to this CD - it's really superb! Here are the lyrics to another favourite off of it, though they are all becoming favs! OLD PIGWEED - Mark Knopfler Everything was in there That you'd want to see Corned beef and onions And true love Turnips and tinned tomatoes Parsnips and a few potatoes A couple extra blessings From above Now this here mingle-mangle Was my best one yet A big old bad goulash Worth waiting for And I'm just about to dip my can Taste some brotherhood of man When I get a feeling That there's a flaw Who put old pigweed In the mulligan Was it you Who put old pigweed In the mulligan stew I close my eyes For just a minute What do you do Who put old pigweed In the mulligan stew You won't find self-improvement Or philosophy In a dumpster sitting by The kitchen door There's plenty leek and humble pie Ain't too much ham on rye Sometimes I wonder What I'm looking for But a spoonful of forgiveness Goes a long, long way And we all should do our best To get along Add a pinch of kindness crumbling To your loving dumpling Okra for thickening When something's wrong But who put old pigweed In the mulligan Was it you Who put old pigweed In the mulligan stew I close my eyes For just a minute What do you do Who put old pigweed In the mulligan stew |
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22 Nov 02 - 07:32 PM (#833011) Subject: Lyr Add: QUALITY SHOE (Mark Knopfler) From: katlaughing QUALITY SHOE - Mark Knopfler You got your toecaps reinforced with steel Hard-wearing sole and heel Make those tired feet feel like new Take your pick, black or brown Great for the country or the man in town You're gonna need a quality shoe You don't want no stand-by pair 'Cos these'll take the wear and tear Made to take good care of you For that trip by road or rail For extra grip on those rocky trails You're gonna need a quality shoe Now they maybe ain't too hot for dancing But I don't foresee too much of that You ain't exactly gonna be prancing Around in the moonlight with a cane and a top hat If you could use a change of pace And be excused from the rat race Just take a look at what's on view Lace 'em up, walk around I guarantee you can't wear 'em down You're gonna need a quality shoe Now I wish you sunny skies And happiness wherever you may go But you got to realise There'll be wind, there'll be rain and occasional snow You're gonna want to smile in them If you're gonna walk a mile in them There'll be times when you'll be blue To laugh at rainy days and then Make your getaways in them You're gonna need a quality shoe You got your toecaps reinforced with steel Hard-wearing sole and heel Make those tired feet feel like new Take your pick, black or brown Great for the country or the man in town You're gonna need a quality shoe |
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22 Nov 02 - 07:35 PM (#833016) Subject: RE: Review: Mark Knopfler, 'Ragpicker's Dream' From: michaelr I wonder what pigweed might be? Michael |
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22 Nov 02 - 07:35 PM (#833017) Subject: Lyr Add: HILL FARMER'S BLUES (Mark Knopfler) From: katlaughing HILL FARMER'S BLUES - Mark Knopfler I'm going into Tow Law For what I need Chain for the ripsaw Killer for the weed The dog's at the back door Leave him be Don't feed him Jack And don't wait up for me Going into Tow Law To fuel my fire Shells for the twelve And razor wire The dog's at the back door Leave him be Don't do Jack And don't wait up for me So bad so bad So bad so bad I'm going into Tow Law To have my fun Don't get me wrong You were the only one Behind my back Lord You made a fool of me Don't do Jack And don't wait up for me So bad so bad So bad so bad |
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22 Nov 02 - 07:36 PM (#833021) Subject: RE: Review: Mark Knopfler, 'Ragpicker's Dream' From: katlaughing Should I post the rest? I found a great site with all of them available. |
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22 Nov 02 - 08:13 PM (#833061) Subject: RE: Review: Mark Knopfler, 'Ragpicker's Dream' From: michaelr Why not post the link to that site, kat? Oh, and then there's the cover photo. It makes me feel all squishy inside, it's so pretty. Cheers, Michael |
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23 Nov 02 - 01:07 AM (#833239) Subject: RE: Review: Mark Knopfler, 'Ragpicker's Dream' From: katlaughing Sure, Michael, good idea. Thanks! Here it is LYRICS. I know, I love that photo, too!! kat |
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27 Nov 02 - 03:21 PM (#835924) Subject: RE: Review: Mark Knopfler, 'Ragpicker's Dream' From: katlaughing refresh |
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28 Nov 02 - 12:12 PM (#836571) Subject: RE: Review: Mark Knopfler, 'Ragpicker's Dream' From: winniemih I also love "Ragpicker's Dream". Are any of you familiar with the Mark Knopfler/Chet Atkins work that came out years ago called "Neck to Neck"? It's style in very different from the usual offering by MK, but I have found it lighthearted and enjoyable; I'm just glad that these two masters of the guitar got a chance to get together and share it with the rest of us. |