Una band che ha ideato una fusione D generi mai sentiti prima. Un chitarrista, Mark Knopfler, che con i suoi assoli e il suo gioco D corde ha strabiliato intere generazioni: rock, folk, pop... Uniti assieme per regalare attimi indimenticabili.
Ecco chi sono i Dire Straits, una rock band britannica fondata nel 1977 e che ancora adesso sa tenere il ritmo, nonostante la rottura, datata 1995, occorsa dopo aver suonato con Eric Clapton e Bruce Springsteen ( uno dei componenti, Roy Bittan, tra l'altro ha fatto parte della E Street Band, guidata, appunto, da Mr "Born in The Usa" ), tra gli altri, collezionando successi in ogni dove.
Insomma, problematiche sociali, carica poetica, l'amore, la guerra... Ai Dire non sfugge nulla e tutto è trattato in modo ricercato ma struggente e mai falso.
Pur avendo debuttato in piena epoca punk ed essendosi affermati negli stravaganti anni Ottanta, i Dire Straits sono sempre rimasti una band di rock and roll "all'antica", ispirata prevalentemente dalla musica blues e dalle sonorità degli anni Sessanta e perfino degli anni Cinquanta.
All'attivo il gruppo ha 6 album, 2 EP, 3 Live e svariate raccolte, ultimamente Mark Knopfler, l' ex leader dei Straits, si sta dedicando ad una carriera solista fatta D colonne sonore per film più o meno famosi e D album e concerti in giro per il mondo.
Un "breve" saggio delle loro magiche melodie lo danno in questo video: gustatevelo!!!

Attendo commenti!

P.S.: Eccovi alcuni link utili:

Mark Knopfler Official Site

Wikipedia - Dire Straits ( che ringrazio infinitamente per i cenni storici che compaiono in questo articolo )

Community Ufficiale Italiana Dire Straits

Ciaoo Steven.

La.St.

escric aquest post per simple curiositat i espero la vostra participació, si pot ésser massiva millor, jaja. Avui ja és l'ultim dia que treballo fins a l'1 de septembre, avui s'inauguren els jocs olimpics, avui tinc ganes de saber quines cançons o quina canço us agrada més de tocar amb la guitarra.

Us deixo les meves preferides, a veure si coincidim! Una d'elles és la Layla d'Eric Clapton, en la seva versió de MTV Unplugged. Amb en Mark Knopfler també en té una interpretació, que es la que poso en el video! la guitarra de Mark Knopfler: mítica!

Bon Agost!

• Eric Clapton - Layla Unplugged
• Stevie Wonder - Sunshine of my life
• Metallica - Nothing else matters
• Andres Calamaro - Flaca
• Sau - Boig per tu
• Serrat - Hoy puede ser un gran día

Album: Kill to Get Crimson

Mark Knopfler

They're driving long nails into coffins
You've been having sleepless nights
You've gone as quiet as a church mouse
and checking on your rights
The boss has hung you out to dry
And it looks as though
they'll punish the monkey
and let the organ grinder go

You've been talking to a lawyer
Are you going to pretend
that you and your employer
are still the best of friends?
Somebody's going to take the fall
There's your quid pro quo
They'll punish the monkey
and let the organ grinder go

Here comes a policeman
He won't be sidetracked
He's asking about a smoking gun
He's after the facts

It's a quiet life from here on in
You've dropped your poison cup
The telephone is ringing
But you're not picking up
Time's up, Sir Lord Flunkey
And everybody knows
they'll punish the monkey
and let the organ grinder go

Sto migrando tutti i miei album ad una fantastica libreria.
Con questo pc mi trovo proprio bene, e finalmente posso archiviari tutti gli album che voglio.. mi aspettavo che fossero di più sinceramente :) .

Naturalmente continuo a postare da QTM,e questo significa che il post è stato scritto più o meno prima di quando lo vedete pubblicato sul blog.

In questo periodo come vi avevo già anticipato, i post sono drasticamente diminuiti, e soprattutto sono più blandi, più soft... più Mark Knopfler insomma:) .

Come sempre il mio interesse e la mia ammirazione per lo zio mark, come d'altronde per tutta quella che secondo me è la bella musica d'estate aumenta, soprattutto grazie alla mia enciclopedia musicale ambulante... teniamoci in contato

My twenty-ninth recommendation is: Loretta Lynn's "Miss Being Mrs." from her 2004 Van Lear Rose album.  I dunno how it took me so long to spotlight this great legend, but I think she's the perfect person to come back with after my 2-3 week absence.   It's hard to know where to begin with Miss Loretta Lynn. I don't think I really knew her too well growing up in the '90s.  I remember reading and hearing her name when my favorite artists would list their influences or their own personal favorites, and seeing her on TV for news and countdowns and such, so I grew intrigued.  Her music is so country and has a lot of spirit and attitude, and she's so funny and kind to everybody.  What a woman.  I remember my mom loves her video for her duet, "Portland, Oregon", with Jack White (of The White Stripes fame) because she thinks it's cute how their relationship is like that of a grandmother and grandson.   I've always enjoyed Loretta's wit, and how it shows in her songwriting and songs.  Her heartache songs are like no other, so I was definitely pulled towards that (also, it's pretty damn cool that she's Patty Loveless's distant cousin... or the other way around ;) ).

I believe the first time I heard "Miss Being Mrs." was probably during an awards show when Vince Gill was sitting playing guitar by her (don't remember what year that was).   Unfortunately, I didn't really listen to it, and I wasn't crazy over Loretta by that time, nor did I know her too well.  The first time I really listened to the song was when I was the music video on TV (I'm a very visual person).  Man, it is an amazing video and captures the message of the song very well.  The song is, of course, written by Loretta, and portrays like a letter of her feelings of emptiness and sadness that came with the death of her husband, "Mooney" Lynn (or "Doo" as she called him too).  Even the title is pretty cleverly worded.  The simple acoustic arrangement accompanies Lynn's strong emotional vocals in this heartbreaking tune, done in traditional country-style. The highlight of the song is the chorus, when Loretta lets it all out: "Oh, I miss being Mrs. tonight.  Oh, and how I loved them lovin' arms that once held me so tight..." with the acoustic guitar chords played by Jack White channeling all that pain. The video shows Lynn and White in Lynn's mansion with a dark, empty tone to it, and it's full of gloom.  She really really loved her husband, despite the troubles they dealt with, and the song is a nice tribute to him.

The album, Van Lear Rose, has had many praise by critics and fans a like about everywhere I look, and it should be.   I myself do not own the album, but own like three of the songs.   I'm not totally blown away by the other song clips I've heard, but it sounds like a fine fine album, and I'm so glad it won GRAMMY awards and brought Loretta back into the spotlight amongst the mainstream.  I love how all these recent "odd pairings" over the years of country legends/artists and rock icons have proven to be brilliant (Krauss & Plant, Emmylou & Knopfler, Loveless & Seger, and even Cash & Rubin, and more). Another song from the album that I own and really enjoy is the steel-heavy "Trouble On the Line".  Other top favorites from Loretta would be "Don't Come Home a Drinkin' (With Lovin' On Your Mind)", "Will You Visit Me On Sunday?" (duet with Marty Stuart), "Coal Miner's Daughter", "After the Fire Is Gone" (duet with Conway Twitty), "You Ain't Woman Enough (To Take My Man)", and on.  Hopefully, I can see her live in concert someday!  Currently, she's working on two albums.

Thanks for reading!

Buy the song on iTunes now!

Here are the full lyrics to "Miss Being Mrs.", written by Loretta Lynn:

I lie here all alone
In my bed of memories
I'm dreaming of your sweet kiss
Oh, how you loved on me
I can almost feel you with me
Here in this blue moonlight
Oh, I miss being Mrs. tonight

Like so many other hearts
Mine wanted to be free
I've been held here every day
Since you've been away from me
My reflection in the mirror
It's such a hurtful sight
Oh, I miss being Mrs. tonight

Oh, I miss being Mrs. tonight
Oh, and how I loved them loving arms
That once held me so tight
I took off my wedding band
And put it on my right hand
I miss being Mrs. tonight

Oh, I miss being Mrs. tonight
Oh, and how I loved them loving arms
That once held me so tight
I took off my wedding band
And put it on my right hand
I miss being Mrs. tonight

Oh I miss being Mrs. tonight

—————————————————-

http://www.lorettalynn.com/

Prendete un bel rocckettino sognante con un sound che ricorda molto quello di Mark Knopfler e dei Dire Straits, aggiungete un po' di sperimentazione stile primi Pink Floyd e shakerate il tutto dopo aver aggiunto qualche bell'organetto qua e la e qualche bell'assolo di chitarra veramente romantico.

Il risultato è l'album "Reflets" de "L'Autre Cote", disponibile GRATUITAMENTE su jamendo. In questi giorni il mio ipod lo sta "suonando" (termine molto 80s!) di continuo, mi ha veramente conquistato, anche se purtroppo il mio francese (mio? non mi sembra di averne mai avuto uno! ;-) ) non mi permette di capire una beneamata cippa dei testi. Ascolteremo presto qualcosa tratto da questo disco sul PizzaCast, nel frattempo ascoltatelo e, se vi piace, scaricatelo senza dimenticare di supportare gli artisti, anche solo lasciando una recensione del disco su jamendo. Ciauz e buon ascolto!

Now, I will have to admit I had no idea who Mark Knopfler was. Scott (hubby) mentioned something about Dire Straits and I knew who Dire Staits was, but I didn't know if Mark had been a member of that band or what, but because hubby was excited about it, I tried to be, too.

But, as the days approached, I got more nervous. Nervous for several reasons.

One - our daughter, who has babysit PLENTY of times, was going to babysit, but we were going to be over an hour away. I was nervous about leaving the kids in her care when we were that far away. We took care of that issue by placing two families in the call list for emergencies.

Two - the concert was going to be in Miami Beach at the Jackie Gleason Theatre. I am a HOMEBODY. I love my city, a bedroom community to Ft. Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. It's not the country, but not a crowded city. I get nervous traveling into the larger cities. It's simply out of my comfort zone. So, the closer July 31 came, the sweatier my palms became. And had it not been for the fact that my husband asked me on a date to go with him to this concert, I would have bowed out.

Three - I'm not a huge fan of secular music. Where my heart is right now, is in music that specifically worships the Lord. But the music has to be good and have heart, so I don't listen to radio Christian stations, either. I have the songs I love on my iPod and my iPod comes with me everywhere I go. I enjoy listening to secular music, a song at a time, when nostalgia hits, but I really cannot handle, spiritually, more than a song at a time. So, I was nervous about spending a few hours in a setting with secular music.

Four - I have a difficult time being around the egos of the rock world. I just don't like it. I thought that I would probably be encountering that and was not looking forward to it.

Well, July 31 arrived and I was ready to go when Scott got home from work. We left around 6:30 and encountered a rainstorm and a traffic accident on the way. Not something we had planned, but it wasn't too bad since we were heading south and east and most everyone else was heading north and west to come home from work. The actual drive into Miami Beach (99% highways) was not bad at all, and I suppose I will even say that Miami Beach is very beautiful (as long as I don't have to live there :D).

We got to the theatre, paid for valet parking and found our seats. The lights went down as we were walking toward the row, but we found them ok. We were on the 3rd floor just a little off center on the left (our left). A female singer named Jessica Hooper (can't find any info on her as of yet) opened. She was good. Talented. Not my style, but she was good.

Then Mark and his team came out. Wow. I enjoyed every song. I had such a great time and I'm so glad that Scott invited me to go with him. It was great hearing the different instruments, from upright bass, to ukulele, to keyboards, a violin and many more. This band worked so well with each other and it was great not sensing an ego. It was great to just enjoy the music without having to cringe because I was offended spiritually by something. I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed this concert. And it was their last show of the tour. I'm glad I was able to go.

Mark Knopfler, Dire Straits...y "tú último engaño".

All the late night bargains have been struck
Between the satin beaus and their belles
And prehistoric garbage trucks
Got the city to themselves
Echoes roars dinosaurs
They're all doing the monster mash
And most of the taxis, most of the whores
Are only taking calls for cash

I don't know how it happened
It all took place so quick
But all I can do is hand it to you
And your latest trick

My door was standing open
Security was laid back and lax
But it was only my heart got broken
You must have had a pass key made out of wax
You played robbery with insolence
And I played the blues in twelve bars down Lover's Lane
And you never did have the intelligence to use
The twelve keys hanging off my chain

I don't know how it happened
It all took place so quick
But all I can do is hand it to you
And your latest trick

Now it's past last call for alcohol
Past recall has been here and gone
The landlord he finally paid us all
The satin jazzmen have put away their horns
And we're standing outside of this wonderland
Looking so bereaved and so bereft
Like a Bowery bum when he finally understands
The bottle's empty and there's nothing left

I don't know how it happened
It was faster than the eye could flick
But all I can do is hand it to you
And your latest trick...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Los negocios nocturnos han sido golpeados
Entre pretendientes satinados y sus bellezas
Y camiones de basura prehistóricos
Tienen la ciudad para ellos
Los dinosaurios rugen con su eco
Hacen su monstruoso puré
Y la mayoría de los taxis y las prostitutas
Sólo aceptan llamadas por dinero

No se cómo es que pasó
Sucedió tan rápido
Pero todo lo que puedo hacer es regresarte
Tu último engaño

Mi puerta estaba abierta
La seguridad estaba relajada
Pero sólo mi corazón se rompió
Debiste de tener una llave de acceso hecha de cera
Fingiste un robo con insolencia
Y yo entristecí en doce bares en la línea de los amantes

Y nunca tuviste la inteligencia para usar
Las doce llaves colgando de mi cadena

No se cómo es que pasó
Sucedió tan rápido
Pero todo lo que puedo hacer es regresarte
Tu último engaño

Ya es demasiado tarde para la última llamada al alcohol
Los recuerdos del pasado han estado aquí y se han marchado
El dueño finalmente nos ha pagado a todos
Los músicos han guardado sus trompetas
Y estamos parados afuera de este lugar maravilloso
Tan afligidos y privados
Como vagabundos cuando por fin entienden
Que la botella está vacía y no queda nada.

No se cómo es que pasó
Fue más rápido de lo que el ojo pudo captar
Pero todo lo que puedo hacer es regresarte
Tu último engaño

Mark Knopfler, July 31, Fillmore Miami Beach

Those that know Mark Knopfler from his work in Dire Straits... well, you know that he is truly one of the legends of guitar. Some of his songs are true classics: "Sultans of Swing", "Romeo and Juliet", "Skateaway", "Money for Nothing", "So Far Away", "Brothers In Arms", "Walk of Life".

While others were studying Jimi Hendrix's pyrotechnics, Knopfler also included a more esoteric set of influences, such as Hank Marvin and Chet Atkins, and even reaching back to the guitar jazz of Django Reinhardt. Knopfler has always brought a sense of class to the rock guitar.

But he is so much more than that. He's written film scores (Local Hero, The Princess Bride). He was a member of the more country-influenced Notting Hillbillies. He recorded a brilliant album with country legend Emmylou Harris, called All The Roadrunning.

And he's continued his career long after quietly putting Dire Straits to rest in 1995. His fifth and most recent album, Kill To Get Crimson, shows a Celtic side to Knopfler's music, and serves as a good quiet album.

Not that you should expect that at his show in Miami -- expect hits, but also some interesting, more obscure choices. Don't just take my word for it. Here's a blog entry from someone who saw him on this tour at Philly's Mann Arts Center.

Give a listen to: "Heart Full Of Holes"
[audio http://pbpost.podbean.com/medias/play/aHR0cDovL21lZGlhNS5wb2RiZWFuLmNvbS83MDI1Mi91LzA0LUhlYXJ0RnVsbE9mSG9sZXNBbGJ1bVZlcnNpb24ubXAz/04-HeartFullOfHolesAlbumVersion.mp3]

Also coming this week: If you're not quite into the heavy "Rockstar Energy Mayhem Festival" featuring such metal thunder boys as Mastodon and Disturbed on Wed., July 30 at West Palm's Cruzan, may I suggest the Flobots show down at Lauderdale's Culture Room. "Handlebars" is only the beginning for this Denver rap/rock combo. Also, a rap fest like no other is coming to Miami's Bicentennial Park on Sat., Aug. 2. Called "Rock the Bells", this is only part of the lineup: A Tribe Called Quest, Mos Def, De La Soul, Raekwon, Redman, Method Man, The Pharcyde, Santogold, The Cool Kids, Ghostface... man, it doesn't get better than that.

Eric Clapton, Tina Truner ,Phil Collins, Mark Knopfler & Jon

George Harrisson, Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Phil Collins and Elton John

Bob Dylan & Eric Clapton

mark knopfler, eric clapton and elton john

Roger Waters & Eric Clapton

Eric Clapton and Sheryl Crow

Stevie Nicks & Sheryl Crow 

clapton bb king jeff beck

John Lennon, Keith Richards, Eric Clapton and Mitch Mitchel

Siempre he odiado a los Beatles: con todos mis respetos, he pensado desde que tengo uso de razón y mi "identidad musical" comenzó a formarse que estaban sobrevalorados. Eso de que han sido el grupo más grande, influyente e innovador de la historia de la música es una pasada. Sobre todo porque le da la espalda a todo lo que se hizo antes de que nacieran los 4 de Liverpool...y ya existía la música antes de los "bichitos".

Y, de cualquier forma, ni Harrison es el mejor guitarrista que ha conocido la música (ahí andan Hendrix, Santana, Slash, Chuck Berry,  Jimmy Page, Keith Richards, B.B. King, Mark Knopfler...Eric Clapton!!), ni Lennon/McCartney los mejores letristas o vocalistas (Bob Dylan, Freddie Mercury, David Bowie, Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye...), ni Starr es el mejor batería de la historia tampoco (Lars Ulrich, Rick Allen, Keith Moon, John Bonhan...andan por ahí rebatiendo esta teoría).

Entonces...¿A qué viene tanta historia?. Quien sabe...quizás porque se ganaron el favor del público, porque sus canciones son las más versionadas, porque sí que cambiaron el Pop, pero su influencia considero que fue escasa o, directamente, nula, en otros géneros musicales como el Soul, el Jazz o el Funky, porque estos beben directamente de otras fuentes. Por mil motivos son el grupo más famoso de la historia de la música, pero no creo que sea el mejor. Como mínimo, estarán al nivel de otras bandas, pero no por encima de ellas: los incombustibles Rolling Stones, The Who, The Beach Boys, Pink Floyd, Queen, Led Zeppelin, los Guns n' Roses previos al "Spaghetti Incident", Metallica aunque yo no soy muy heavy metal...y voy a obviar a grandes cantantes del Soul porque se me vería el plumero y no pararía durante párrafos y párrafos peeeero, ahí están Aretha, Marvin Gaye, Ottis Redding, Solomon Burke...aunque, claro, el Soul es minoritario, al menos en Europa. Vale, no pasan de moda y no hay nadie en el planeta que viviera después de los Beatles que no conozca, al menos, un par de canciones de la banda. Aceptamos barco como animal acuático.

Y ahora, al lío que me voy por las ramas.

El caso es que tras años despotricando en contra de los Beatles acabé topándome de frente con ellos. Alguien me enseñó a, como mínimo, apreciarlos en su justa medida. Alguien para quien, por supuesto, sí que son el grupo más grande de la historia de la Música. ¿Cómo hizo que acabase enamorándome del sonido Beatle? Fácil: primero te dicen que una canción le recuerda a tí ("Here Comes The Sun"); luego te hablan constantemente del grupo y de su influencia; te envían canciones del grupo, desde las famosísimas a pequeñas joyas que acabas descubriendo ("While My Guitar Gently Weeps" con el grandísimo Clapton); te cuentan historias curiosas en torno a la Leyenda de la muerte de McCartney o la portada del "Sgt. Pepper's" que te dejan alucinada; te llaman "Lucy" tras narrarle una experiencia psicotrópica en Amsterdam donde acabas viendo diamantes en el cielo...Ah, claro, y, finalmente, te llevan, en plan cita, a un concierto "desenchufado" (y sin la MTV de por medio) de Los Escarabajos, gran grupete andaluz que homenajea a los de Liverpool desde hace años y que han tocado incluso en "The Cavern" levantando pasiones (musicales) a su paso.

Tras el "Escarabásico" ocurrieron dos cosas: él se ganó, definitivamente (porque ya tenía un gran trayecto recorrido), mi corazón, mi alma y mi mente porque, simplemente, oirlo hablar con esa pasión sobre música me hacía derretirme (Dios mío, aquella tarde fue perfecta...me sentía morir cuando me susurraba al oido o me agarraba fuerte por la cintura y me dejó con un palmo de narices cuando se limitó, al despedirnos, a abrazarme y darme un beso en la mejilla...y es que un tío también es capaz de dejar a una chica con la miel en los labios si se lo propone); y, por otra parte, hizo, no sólo que aprendiese a reconocer la valía e influencia de los Beatles en la música sino el más difícil todavía: que realmente me gustasen, me interesase por su música e incluso me dedicase a oirlos ¡en el coche!.

Después de romper nuestra relación me he atormentado musicalmente con demasiada frecuencia. Así, a mi tendencia "suicida" a escuchar temazos con reminiscencias depresivas de Clapton (este hombre es grande, muy grande...pero desgarrador en demasiadas ocasiones: "River of Tears", "Tears in Heaven" (sí, le gustan las lágrimas), "Blue Eyes Blue", "I Get Lost", su impresionante versión del "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" (para mi gusto superior al original de Dylan)... incluso "Layla" tiene un punto amargo importante), me he dedicado a los Beatles, Dire Straits, Pink Floyd, Calamaro...y todo lo que me recordaba a él (excepto los Sunday Drivers...cosa que me sorprende porque resulta que fue algo que también hicimos juntos: ir a un concierto de estos mendas rodeados de "poperitos" con camisetas de los Ramones, los propios Beatles y otras viejas glorias del Pop-Rock). Masoquismo puro con letra y música...la banda sonora de mi tristeza digamos.

Sea como sea, gracias a él he aprendido a amar a uno de los grandes grupos de la historia, no sólo a través de sus discos sino, incluso escuchando las versiones que grupos y solistas de ayer y de hoy han hecho de sus temas: Wilson Pickett, Marvin Gaye, Aretha, The Supremes, Wallflowers, Stereophonics, Fiona Apple, Oasis...y un larguísimo etcétera que, probablemente, seguirá creciendo con el paso de los años.

Por cierto, mi beatle favorito siempre fue Paul McCartney y mi canción preferida "Hey Jude". Y como cantan Pereza, aunque con una pequeña variante en la frase: "Me siento más cerca de los Beatles que de 'mis' discos de Jazz". Supongo que gracias a él.

Otras canciones de los Beatles que me encantan:

• Across the Universe
• I'm Looking Through You
• Oh! Darling
• Dont' Let Me Down
• Let It Be (por supuesto)
• Helter Skelter
• While My Guitar Gently Weeps
• Here Comes The Sun
• I Want To Hold Your Hand
• Yesterday
• Revolution

Aftenposten 22.07 2008

Ulven står nå på den såkalte rødlisten, noe som betyr at den er i sterk fare for å bli utryddet, men ulvejakten fortsetter. Miljøministeren vil ikke gripe inn.

Dette kan ikke miljøverneren Dag Wærner akseptere. Han er styremedlem i Norges Miljøforbund og fant ut at ord ikke var nok for å vekke folks oppmerksomhet.

Resultatet ble albumet Mother Earth Blues, hvor en imponerende rekke internasjonale stjerner har bidratt; Mark Knopfler, Elvis Costello, Mark Olson, Emmylou Harris, Norton Buffalo & Steve Miller og Poco. Overskuddet av salget går i sin helhet til arbeidet for at vi fortsatt skal ha ulv i norsk natur. Albumtittelen var det Tony Joe White som kom opp med, mens selveste Bruce Springsteen ville være med på laget. Springsteen synger "Everything I Do (Leads Me Back To You)" sammen med Elliot Murphy. Roger Waters gitaristen Snowy White åpner platen med "Birds Of Paradise", og alle Pink Floyd-fans kan glede seg.

En annen godbit er, konsertaktuelle Little Feats "I'd Be Lying", mens den gamle Animals-vokalisten, Eric Burdon tar oss med til magiske New Orleans. Dette er en samling sanger som vil glede alle med et øre for jordnær rock. Samtidig er man med å støtte kampen for å bevare en av våre mest utsatte rovdyr i norsk natur.

:)))

Dejaba va platim...

Mark Knopfler's music has been sending chills up my spine for 30 years now, ever since I heard that opening snare beat and guitar chords of "Sultans of Swing." He has an amazing talent for telling stories and creating landscapes, woven together with his virtuoso guitar playing and a band that includes violin and Hammond organ as well as drums, bass, keyboards, more guitars, and the odd recorder and sitar. I just saw him live for the first time, last night. I guess I don't get out enough.

There's little point in trying to describe the concert, but I'll try to tell you how it felt. Watching the man play and sing songs I've listened to hundreds of times was moving. It was like coming home. It was watching a master practice his craft and get a little something new out of it with every new performance. You see, I've composed movies in my head for each of those songs (don't we all?), and to see and hear the music performed live, visually, in real time, was almost overwhelming. The movies meshed with the live performance in a way that's hard to describe.

Who but Knopfler could make a driving rock anthem, "Boom Like That," out of Ray Kroc's bio? Listen to the historical sweep of "Telegraph Road," to the voices of the characters in "Why Aye Man," "Sailing to Philadelphia" (Mason and Dixon), "The Trawlerman's Song," and "Brothers in Arms." Don't miss Knopfler's unique take on love songs in "Romeo and Juliet" and "Tunnel of Love."  If you decide to take a listen, I wish you well in your journey. If you already know what I'm talking about, it's been nice sharing this with you.

THE PRINCESS BRIDE | A FILM BY ROB REINER

THE CLASSIC FAIRY-TALE LOVE STORY FEATURING BILLY CRYSTAL!

"When I was your age, "television" was called "books"."

With this, Grandpa (Peter Falk, TV's Columbo) introduces Grandson (Fred Savage, TV's The Wonder Years) to "The Princess Bride", S. Morgenstern's tale of high adventure. What follows is a delightful story interspersed with Grandpa and Grandson bantering about how to tell the story and other things. Director Rob Reiner (This is Spinal Tap) brings a great cast and a great script together to make one of the greatest films of all-time. 

Buttercup (Robin Wright Penn, Forrest Gump) is a beautiful young lady on a farm in the countryside. She spends her time tormenting the farm boy, Westley (Cary Elwes, Saw). His only answer is "As you wish." Buttercup soon realizes that he means, "I love you," when he says that. Soon the couple are swept in love. Westley leaves to get money for marriage. But he is killed by the Dread Pirate Roberts, and Buttercup is devastated. Meanwhile, Prince Humperdink (Chris Sarandon, Dog Day Afternoon) has chosen her to be his bride. Buttercup doesn't love Humperdink, and only finds joy in her daily rides. On one of them, she is captured by the Sicilian genius Vizzini (Wallace Shawn, voice of Rex in Toy Story films) and his cohorts: the oft-drunk Spaniard Inigo Montoya (Mandy Patinkin, TV's Criminal Minds) and Turkish wrestler Fezzik (Andre the Giant, WWF wrestling). Along the ride, they meet the Dread Pirate Roberts, go through the Fire Swamp, and encounter a very interesting character...Billy Crystal!

Though it was not a huge success at its release, The Princess Bride has grown in popularity, often being shown on network and cable television. There are many great points and few weak points about this movie.

Positives: The acting in this film is ridiculously good. Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin, and Robin Wright Penn all give great performances as the three leads. Chris Sarandon, Christopher Guest (as Humperdink's right-hand man Count Rugen) and Wallace Shawn give crazy great performances as supporting actors. And, Billy Crystal is hilarious as Miracle Max and Andre the Giant's transition from wrestler to actor is seamless. "It's not my fault I'm the biggest and the strongest. I don't even exercise." The script in this film is also ridiculously good. The Writers Guild of America named the screenplay the 84th greatest of all-time, beating films such as Forrest Gump and Memento. There are so many one-liners. Lemme give you a few here:

• "Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die."-Inigo Montoya
• "I only dog paddle."-Fezzik's response to Vizzini's plea to jump into the water
• "Ever heard of Plato, Aristotle, Socrates?...Morons."-Vizzini
• "I always think everything could be a trap-which is why I'm still alive."-Humperdink to Rugen
• "And this is for posterity, so, be honest."-Rugen to Westley
• "Sonny, true love is the greatest thing in the world. Except for a nice MLT, a mutton, lettuce and tomato sandwich, where the mutton is nice and lean and the tomato is ripe. They're so perky, I love that. But that's not what he said. He distinctly said "to blave." And, as we all know, "to blave" means "to bluff," huh? So you're probably playing cards, and he cheated!"-Miracle Max

Chiudo qui, e con me anche Mark Knopfler spegne la Les Paul e se ne va...fiero di se stesso... perchè si è divertito e ha fatto emozionare...

Imagine my surprise, then, when I caught the name of the composer of the theme song for "The Princess Bride": Mark Knopfler!

Not sure if anyone else gives a damn, just the sort of thing I catch at 3am after a few beers. (Don't ask why I was watching the Princess Bride at 3 am.)

From Sailing to Philadelphia to Sonny Liston.  Brothers in Arms to Telegraph Road they just cranked out one great tune after another.

And to the dink who sat 10 feet away from us and talk all night:  Put a sock in it, A-hole.  Or if you're really not there to see the show--stay home and chat with your coffee clatch.  Just because a concert is outside doesn't give you the right to talk so loudly that no one around you can hear the thousands of watts of sound coming from the 75 amps and PA on the stage.  **Hey Security, take note.

Thanks again, Mark Knopfler.  You still rock.

Καταρχήν δε μπορώ αυτό το mainstream ρεύμα του αντι-mainstream. Πραγματικά δε θεωρώ τίποτα πιο ηλίθιο από το να απορρίπτεις μια μουσική επειδή απλά και μόνο είναι εμπορική ή επειδή την ακούνε άνθρωποι που δε γουστάρεις-συμπαθείς- ταιριάζεις. Είμαι σίγουρος ότι όταν είχαν πρωτοβγάλει οι Evanescence το Fallen o γαμάω-ροκάς γούσταρε μέχρι που πούλησε 14 εκατομμύρια δίσκους κι έτσι άμα το άκουγε ο γαμάω-ροκάς δε θα ξεχώριζε από τη μάζα. Και όλα αυτά τα λέω όχι γιατί μου αρέσουν σα μπάντα. Το αντίθετο. Αν και η φωνή της Amy Lee είναι εκπληκτική, η μπάντα δε μου λέει και πολλά. Αλλά αν μου έλεγε δε θα είχα πρόβλημα να το πω, επειδή τους ακούνε τα πιτσιρίκια. Έχω βαρεθεί αυτή την greek-καμάκι ερώτηση " τι μουσική ακούς?" κάτι αντίστοιχό με το "τι ζώδιο είσαι?".

Η μουσική πηγάζει από τη κοινωνία, από την εξέλιξη της. Δε μπορεί να γουστάρεις απλά μια μουσική που γράφτηκε πριν 30 χρόνια και να μη σου αρέσει τίποτα καινούριο. Κάτι δε πηγαίνει καλά τότε. Η μουσική δεν έχει όρια. Οι προσωπικότητες των ανθρώπων έχουν όρια, και αυτοί προβάλλουν τους περιορισμούς της προσωπικότητας τους στη μουσική που ακούνε έχοντας την απαίτηση αυτός ο περιορισμός να είναι κοινωνικά αποδεκτός και η αλήθεια είναι πως πολλές φορές γίνεται κατεστημένο.

Η μουσική είναι ήχος και για να την ακούσεις χρειάζεσαι ανοιχτά αυτιά!

Πήγα στη συναυλία του Mark Knopfler στο Λυκαβηττό (ναι το πρόλαβα ανοιχτό!). Βγήκε ο τύπος, έπαιξε τα κομμάτια του, τις κομματάρες των dire straits,για μια ώρα, έκανε και ένα ανκορ και μη τον είδατε, καληνύχτα πριν προλάβεις να το καταλάβεις. Ήταν όμως όμορφα. ΉΞερες τι πας να δεις και τι να περιμένεις. Αν περίμενα να δω τον ίδιο άνθρωπο που τραγούδαγε και ζούσε τον ύμνο Heavy Fuel, θα ήμουν αφελής. Όμως ήταν μια πολύ όμορφη εικόνα από μια άλλη εποχή. Στο κοινό έβλεπες 50αρηδες, 60αρηδες με γκρι μαλλιά, καλόντυμένους με τη Mercedes απέξω και τους φανταζόσουν 20-25 χρονών με μακριά κοτλέ καμπάνα, μαλλιά και μούσια να ακούνε το solo του Sultans of Swing και να παίζουν με τα δάχτυλα κιθάρα στον αέρα.

Πήγα στη συναυλία του Μάλαμα στο θέατρο Βράχων και είδα έναν τραγουδιστή που έδινε τα πάντα πάνω στη σκηνή και το διασκέδαζε. Ε εντάξει, είχε πιει λίγο παραπάνω ως συνήθως και αυτό βοηθούσε. Είδα ένα τρελαμένο κοινό από νέους και μεγαλύτερους, να ακούνε μια μουσική που δε τους επέβαλε κανείς αλλά την ανακαλύψαν μόνοι τους. Όλοι με μπουκάλια τσίπουρο να χορεύουν και να τραγουδάνε. Μια μουσική, τόσο κοντά στη παράδοση και τη κουλτούρα της χώρας μας.

Και μιας και μιλάμε για μουσική και βαρέθηκα να γράφω πάρτε ένα video με Paco de Luccia, John Mclaughlin και Al Di Meola τους τρεις καλύτερους κιθαρίστες του κόσμου ( προσωπική άποψη) μαζί στη σκηνή. Έτσι να δείξω και πόσο κουλτουριάρης είμαι εκτός των άλλων.

Paco de Luccia αριστερά όπως κοιτάμε, Al Di Meola στο κέντρο και John Mclaughlin ο δεξιά. Κάτι παίζουν τα παιδιά δε νομίζετε?

All I Intended to Be von Emmylou Harris - hier informieren & CD bestellen

All I Intended to Be von Emmylou Harris - hier informieren & Track/s herunterladen

12 Grammys kann die heute 61-Jährige mit dem silbernen Haar verbuchen, und 15 Millionen EMMYLOU HARRIS-Alben fanden ihren Weg zu den Fans. Mit All I Intended To Be legt sie nun ihr zweites international vertriebenes Album auf Nonesuch vor, das sich noch erdiger und reiner darstellt als das 2003 erschienene Album Stumble Into Grace, mit dem sie sich in den Top-60 der Billboard-200 zurückmeldete.

Quelle: © Warner Music Group Germany Holding GmbH

Für All I Intended To Be lud EMMYLOU HARRIS einige langjährige Freunde ins Studio ein, die überdies zu den besten Musikern gehören, die sich in ihrem Genre finden lassen. So übernahm Brian Ahern die Produktion des Albums, der bereits für die HARRIS-Klassiker Pieces of the Sky (1976), Elite Hotel (1976) und Blue Kentucky Girl (1979) verantwortlich zeichnete. Auch die Instrumentalisten und Gastmusiker sind nicht nur wahre Ikonen des Bluegrass, Country und Folk, sie alle haben die Sängerin bereits ein Stück auf ihrem Weg begleitet: Dolly Parton, die Sängerinnen Pam Rose und Maryann Kennedy, Dobro-Spieler Mike Auldredge, Keyboarder Glenn D. Hardin (von HARRIS’ Hot Band) und Bill Payne (Little Feat). Zwei Songs schrieb EMMYLOU HARRIS mit Kate und Anna Mc Garrigle zusammen, nämlich den June Carter-Tribut How She Could Sing The Wildwood Flower und das atemberaubend schöne Sailing Round The Room.

Quelle: © Warner Music Group Germany Holding GmbH

Start- und Inspirationspunkt für All I Intended To Be war die 80er-Jahre Version von Shores Of White Sands von Karen Brooks, die auf dem Album auch als Backgroundsängerin in Erscheinung tritt. Der Song selbst stammt von John Wesley Ruth und erfährt in dieser Version eine verdiente Würdigung. Die Vocal-Arrangements stammen von Randy Sharp, der EMMYLOU HARRIS als Gesangspartner begleitet. Er schrieb auch den Song The Connection, für dessen Interpretation EMMYLOU HARRIS im Jahre 2005 einen Grammy in der Kategorie „Best Country Vocal Performance“ bekam.
Bemerkenswert ist ebenfalls das Broken Man’s Lament des Trucker-Poeten Michael Germino. Ein bislang wenig bekannter Song, den EMMYLOU HARRIS hiermit dem Vergessen entreißt und mit neuem Leben anfüllt.

HARRIS’ eigene Kompositionen, etwa die Ballade Gold und das elegische Not Enough, fügen sich wunderbar harmonisch in das übrige Repertoire des Albums ein, zu dem auch Patty Griffins Moon Song, Merle Haggards Kern River und Billie Joe Shavers Old Five And Dimers gehören, dessen Text auch der Titel All I Intended To Be entnommen wurde. Und ein moderner Klassiker gewinnt ebenfalls neuen Atem: Tracy Chapmans All That You Have Is Your Soul, eine bemerkenswerte Erzählung, deren Chorus ein profundes Gebet darstellt.

Quelle: © Warner Music Group Germany Holding GmbH

Im Februar wurde EMMYLOU HARRIS in die CMA (Country Music Association) Hall of Fame aufgenommen, und mit All I Intended To Be beweist sie jene Eleganz, die sie auf ihrem musikalischen Weg bis heute begleitet hat. Nach der äußerst erfolgreichen Mark Knopfler-Kooperation All The Road Running von 2006, hat EMMYLOU HARRIS mit All I Intended To Be eine emotionale und höchst spirituelle Reise dokumentiert. Ein Album, das alles enthält, was ein Fan erhoffen konnte.

Im September wird EMMYLOU HARRIS auf Europa-Tournee gehen.

Tracklisting

Shores of White Sand
Hold On
Moonsong
Broken Man’s Lament
Gold
How She Could Sing the Wildwood Flower
All That You Have is Your Soul
Take That Ride
Old Five and Dimers
Kern River
Not Enough
Sailing Around the Room
Beyond the Great Divide

Quelle / Vollkontakt:
Warner Music Group Germany Holding GmbH

All I Intended to Be von Emmylou Harris - hier informieren & CD bestellen

All I Intended to Be von Emmylou Harris - hier informieren & Track/s herunterladen

Emmylou Harris - alle Downloads - hier informieren

Links
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emmylou_Harris
http://www.emmylouharris.com/
http://www.myspace.com/emmylouharrismusic

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