Tracker [Deluxe Version]

by Mark Knopfler

Overview

Scaled smaller than 2012's double-album Privateering, Tracker also feels suitably subtle, easing its way into being instead of announcing itself with a thunder. Such understatement is typical of Mark Knopfler, particularly in the third act of his career. When he left Dire Straits behind, he also left behind any semblance of playing for the cheap seats in an arena, but Tracker feels quieter than his new millennial norm. Some of this is due to the undercurrent of reflection tugging at the record's momentum. Knopfler isn't pining for the past but he is looking back, sometimes wistfully, sometimes with a resigned smile, and he appropriately draws upon sounds that he's long loved. Usually, this means some variation of pub rock -- the languid ballad "River Towns," the lazy shuffle "Skydiver," the two-chord groove of "Broken Bones" -- but this is merely the foundation from which Knopfler threads in a fair amount of olde British folk and other roots digressions. This delicate melancholy complements echoes of older Knopfler songs -- significant stretches of the record are reminiscent of the moodier aspects of Brothers in Arms, while "Beryl" has just a bit of the "Sultans of Swing" bounce -- and this skillful interweaving of Knopfler's personal past helps give Tracker a nicely gentle resonance. [A Deluxe Version added five bonus tracks.] ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	03/17/2015
Label:	British Grove / Verve / Virgin Emi
UPC:	0602547169792
Rank:	66991

Tracks

1. Laughs and Jokes and Drinks and Smokes
2. Basil
3. River Towns
4. Skydiver
5. Mighty Man
6. Broken Bones
7. Long Cool Girl
8. Lights of Taormina
9. Silver Eagle
10. Beryl
11. Wherever I Go
12. .38 Special
13. My Heart Has Never Changed
14. Terminal Of Tribute To
15. Heart Of Oak

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Mark Knopfler   Primary Artist,Guitar,Mandolin
Ruth Moody   Primary Artist,Vocals,Guest Artist,Featured Artist
Ian Thomas   Washboard,Drums
Guy Fletcher   Keyboards,Bass,Ukulele,Keyboards,Bass,Ukulele
John McCusker   Fiddle,Cittern
Phil Cunningham   Accordion
Glenn Worf   Bass (Upright),Bass (Electric)
Bruce Molsky   Banjo,Fiddle,Guitar (Rhythm)
Nigel Hitchcock   Saxophone
Mike McGoldrick   Flute (Wood),Guitar (Tenor),Featured Artist
Tom Walsh   Trumpet

Technical Credits

Guy Fletcher   Producer,Photography,Engineer,Producer,Engineer
Steve Pyke   Photography
Martin Hollis   Assistant
Henrik Hansen   Photography
Jason Elliott   Assistant
Traditional   Composer
Bob Ludwig   Mastering
Andy Cook   Assistant
Art Turner   Photography
Mark Knopfler   Arranger,Composer,Producer
Peter Blake   Photography
Brendan King   Photography
Basil Bunting   Poetry
Joe Kearns   Assistant
Wendy Whiteley   Sketches
Kitty Aldridge   Cover Photo
George Bray   Photography