“ARTIFACTS,” NEW TRACKS AND IMPROVISED GENIUS …
Guitar legend Mark Knopfler graced the Palmetto State this week … playing before a packed house of nearly 2,500 at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center on Sunday evening.
The 66-year-old Scottish roots rocker – who founded the iconic British band Dire Straits back in 1977 – breezed through a lively, technically proficient two-hour set with his bandmates, playing several tracks from his new solo album Tracker as well as a few “historical artifacts” from his old band’s heyday.
And while Knopfler no longer sports the signature headband he wore during Dire Straits mid-1980s “Money For Nothing” era, his signature guitar sound remains every bit as evocative and unique as it was back then. In fact his blistering solo during a rousing rendition of “Sultans of Swing” – released way back in 1978 – was one of the most compelling displays of musical genius we’ve ever seen live. Feverishly working the fretboard of his custom Fender Stratocaster, Knopfler closed his eyes and ripped off the famous solo – which brought the mostly reserved audience of mostly fifty-somethings to its feet.
Knopfler also played “Romeo And Juliet” – a 1980 hit that’s been given new life by The Killers and The Indigo Girls, among others – and “So Far Away,” off of the band’s worldwide No. 1 album Brothers In Arms, released in 1985.
The most impressive part of the show?
The skill of Knopfler’s backing band – comprised of Guy Fletcher (keyboards), Richard Bennett (guitar, ukulele), Glenn Worf (bass), Jim Cox (piano, organ, accordion), Ian Thomas (drums), John McCusker (violin, cittern), Michael McGoldrick (whistles, uilleann pipes) and Nigel Hitchcock (saxophone).
It wasn’t just the precision with which these gifted multi-instrumentalists refined Knopfler’s hits – new and old – it was the improvised jams and instrumental interludes between songs that made this concert so special. McCusker and McGoldrick in particular lent an earthy, Scottish folk flavor to the sound – evoking images of the movie Braveheart.
Knopfler didn’t play our founding editor’s favorite song of his – “Boom, Like That” (off of 2005’s Shangri-La album) – but his new tracks more than made up for the omission, especially the brooding/ grinding “Broken Bones,” which opened the two-hour set.
Knopfler’s 2015 world tour – which began back in May in Dublin – concludes on Halloween in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
62 comments
Sounds like an outstanding show, and an excellent review.
I can’t help but observe that the venue for this event is owned and operated by the City of North Charleston. So how can you justify sucking up government resources, for this performance? You should set an example, and refuse to attend *any* taxpayer subsidized event, held at a taxpayer owned and operated venue, and *only* attend such events, when they are held at privately owned venues.
But FitsNews is a staunchly Libertarian media outlet.
For real. Right?
“You should set an example, and refuse to attend *any* taxpayer subsidized event, held at a taxpayer owned and operated venue, and *only* attend such events, when they are held at privately owned venues.”
The government is going to take his money whether he goes or not, so if he can get something back from government now and then he should-
He can be against the concept of gov’t taking his money and still try to get some of his money back.
No, he’s a hypocrite. As a principled Libertarian, he should have been protesting outside of the government complex that Mark Knopfler, was receiving a government subsidy to perform a non-core government function. i.e., play the guitar.
Shit, there’s so much to protest it’s pretty much pointless. I’m sure there’s a lot of things that tick you off but you don’t go around protesting them all.
Anyway, we disagree- gov’t takes money from him so he’s entitled to get as much of it back as he can.
Just having some fun, with the core, non-core function of government bit.
FINALLY…FITS has a REDEEMING quality.
Knopfler is at the TOP (if not THE top) of the list for guitarists. Although he has to take a back seat to the more cliche-known, mass-lockstep favorites.
From playing backup for Dylan (Slow Train Comin’) or John Anderson (Seminole Wind) you can always tell it’s Knopfler if you know guitar. Making Movies (Dire Straits) is one of the best albums of music, ever. Knopfler’s a guitarist’s guitarist. Second to none. And he don’t give a damn, ’bout no trumpet-plain’ band….
And he is a big supporter of getting rid of racist symbols, like the confederate flag.
A true class act, indeed.
WTF does that have to do w/ playing guitar??…Respect the man for his tremendous talent…not piss-ant little political causes. That’s a BIG problem in society…Liberalizing EVERYTHING. It just breeds hate and confrontation.
He stands for righteousness and equality. That’s way more important than playing without a pick. But his playing is great. No doubt.
Is it ‘righteous and equal’ to allow other people to differ w/ your opinion? Most liberals DON’T…..Maybe you should follow what he is teaching your bigioted and close-minded ass.
Mark Knofler is a big time liberal. How do you enjoy all those liberal sounds going in your ear from those liberal fingers? Not even a pick to help filter out the liberalism pouring from that man’s soul. You’ve probably even finacially supported that liberal over the years. At least there is one liberal you shout out praises to the masses for. Good for you.
News flash, many artists are. What’s your point?
No point. Just trolling a troll.
And making an ass of yourself in the process.
Leave him alone. He’s right and you’re wrong. The art is separate from his politics It’s ignorance on your part to try to combine the two.
Art originates from the impulse to give. You seem to be based in taking…So it’s no wonder you don’t get it…’I guess you never will’ to quote Don McLean.
Shit, I have to agree with you on something. Maybe you’re Grand Tango.
man you don’t listen to enough music, hell i thought music taming the savage beast was just a wive’s tale, great post, i’m gonna have to youtube, Dylan and Anderson and check out his guitar
“Music has charms to soothe a savage breast,”-William Congreve
But I get the point your making. I was working in Apopka, Fl. when I was invited to a “grove party”. Basically a kegger in an orange grove with a band playing on a flatbed trailer. The featured singer told the crowd he had just returned from Nashville where he had just finished a single about to be released. So the guy sang the song “Swinging” and I think I’ve heard that song for the rest of my life. Everybody at that party said that guy is going to make it big one day.
Do any current and relevant artists come to SC?
Seems like one big state fair circuit.
Past their primes or tribute groups.
Maybe because Bruno Mars and Miley Cyrus SUCK…and you have to be a bubble-gum, dumbass airhead to get into that cheap, no-talent shit. Sucks to be you…
Bruno Mars has actual talent. Not sure why you are listening to Miley Cyrus.
I can see why most current, successful artists passover SC.
Small, drunk and broke market. No big deal.
LMAO…You’re bashing Mark Knopfler and exalting Bruno Mars…LMAO….
Every been accused of being shallow and lightweight? (:
You brought up Bruno, not me. He has undenible musical talent and songwriting chops. So, I don’t know why you used him as an example of bad new music. You’re old and hate anything ‘new’ anyways.
Knopfler’s great on guitar, but watching him play his old hits with a different band 30 years after their prime is a little boring to most music fans.
Chops???..LMAO. I’m sure you originated that description..Hahahah……..WTF is chops,,,especially as it pertains to songwriting..???..
Ever been accused of being a lemming, and a blind follower???…
PS: I bet you smashed your Renoir when it became 100 years old…And Beethoven’s Fifth was good then…but you can’t dance to it these days…right?….LMAO…Dumbass…
Wow. You are old and out of touch. Yes, his songwriting chops get him many gigs. If you have trouble understanding try Google.com. It’s a website you can use to search the world wide web for information. Like, “what is a slang musical definition of chops”. It’s pretty cool….er, I mean…It’s very useful. Sorry for the crazy slang, again.
When you have to use trite (and archaic) words that OBVIOUSLY came from someone else…it says A LOT about your ability to assess art and/or artists.
Bruno Mars is definitely talented.
He’s also written a lot of hit songs for other people. One day he might even be a triple threat entertainer, who knows…he can sing & dance and acting isn’t THAT tough.
Familiar with Jason Isbell? He sold out the Music Farm in Columbia back over the summer. There MUST be some people in South Carolina who are up on what’s relevant. I agree, Bruno Mars is a talented artist, but suggesting that a genius like Mark Knopfler is “past his prime”, is lunacy.
He’s alright. He’s no Sturgill Simpson, though.
Two totally different directions. There’s really no way to compare them.
Maybe .38 Special will come to town.
Some of them golf in MB all the time.
No, they usually show up at the very beginning of their career or at the very ending of their career.
We don’t get the their good stuff.
Worked security at a 1500 seat venue called the Fish House that had exactly that line-up. Had Gary Wright singing “Dream Weaver” one week and a new band called the Spin Doctors singing their first single “Two princes” the next. Also worked a place called The Barn, but not very long, there were times it made that joint in Roadhouse look like the Girls Club.
And most likely he’ll sound as shitty as the rest of these rock stars who should have hung it up 20 years ago. Gordon Lightfoot sounded like any other 80 year old man singing, Fleetwood Mac sounded like shit at their last concert in Charlotte… speaking of shitty concerts which I hear Lauren Hill is coming to Columbia.
At least Lauren Hill had a hit in the 90’s.
Maybe a band from the 21st century will breakdown on 95 and have pity on the inhabitants of that dingy little backwater.
Since you’re so hip and connected to what’s relevant, you do know she spells her name, Lauryn, don’t you?
No. Don’t care, feecal mattars
She did… I guess I’m not urban enough to know.
Knofler is a cockroach, his bass player is a cockroach.
His whole band? Nothing but a bunch of cockroaches.
Cockroaches.
The “Sultans of Swing,” with Eric Clapton, it will give you a “rock and roll” hard-on.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jxsnIRpy2E
Born in Scotland but settled in N.E. England at age 7 . Thus the references to Geordie Boys in songs (Sailing to Philadelphia, others). Love his playing but described by Chet Atkins as “not knowing what he was doing” when they jammed together
I would pay good money to see HEART come to Columbia, again.
“Crazy on you,” was my favorite, good vocals and a great backup guitarist.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gpNqB4dnT4
Ann Wilson has one of the best rock voices of all time. Up there with Freddie Mercury and Robert Plant.
and Tiny Tim
Oh yeah, always enjoyed all of Heart’s music.
Here they are in 2013, still got it at that point in time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBq_THTWNM4
Are you serious??? Comparing AW with rock and roll voice legends? Jesus, she was a garage-band talent at best. Sort of like Hootie and the Blowfish. No artistic talent, but marketed to extremes. By the way, Dan Rather did a recent interview with Ann and Nancy Wilson. Jerry Springer was booked on that date apparently.
Here’s an amazing recent performance from Heart!
Enjoy!
http://youtu.be/4izMuXBP6OA
Funny, that will make your rock not roll anymore.
that was sooooooooooooo wrong on many levels. hehe
Chances are both of the girls now weigh 300 pounds.
No they don’t. Ann has struggled with weight issues for much of her life, but she will always be known for her awesome vocals. Nancy doesn’t look much different now than she did 30 years ago. She csn still do those high kicks she was known for.
Both of them still looked good in the 2013 video I referenced.
Damn straight!!!!
Guitarist’s guitarist .Especially like his work w/Chet Atkins
“technically proficient”
Hmmmm…not sure that’s the greatest endorsement. Reminds me of American Psycho when Bale is talking about Huey Lewis & the News to his soon to be victim:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzN3qO-qc8U
Don’t get me wrong, I actually like HL& the News…even though most people find them mainstream/cheesy.
“Walk of Life ” videos of live performance are good. One has CLAPTON.
We have been to 3 concerts this year, alas, ALL at government subsidized venues.
January at the Gwinnett Arena in Duluth for Bob Seeger.
June at Grant Field for “THE WORLDS GREATEST ROCK AND ROLL BAND”.
Also in June, at The Bell Auditorium in Augusta for MELLANCAMP.
One more in December, at the Newberry Opera House for “God’s Music”, southeast coast beach music, THE EMBERS!
Is he still dating Amanda White and working at the Putty Division?
Check out Guitar Mark a winner if we’ve ever heard one Sting sung backup to this relic who is still young