DAVID KNOPFLER: Ship of Dreams

David Knopfler

Ship of Dreams

© 2004 Shrewsham Ltd (5016235192859)

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Singer-songwriter and Dire Straits founder. In the tradition of singer songwriters such as Joni Mitchell, Randy Newman and Van Morrison, "No pyrotechnics. No car chases. Just great songs...Dire Straits without the baggage" Gavin Report

tracks

1 4U (Rabbit Song)
2 Easy Street
3 God's Mockingbird
4 Ship of Dreams
5 True Love
6 All I Want Is You
7 Going Down With The Waves
8 When Will The Crying Stop
9 Shine Shine Shine
10 The Price For Loving You
11 Sometimes There Are No Words
12 Mending My Nets
13 Tears Fall
14 Symmetry of the Stars
15 America
16 Anna Tonight

notes

Co produced with lifelong friend Harry Bogdanovs, November 2004 sees the release of David Knopfler's next album, "Ship of Dreams." Recorded in London it features the cream of Britain's musicians, Harry Bogdanovs, Martin Ditcham, Pete Shaw, Alan Clark, Chris Rea, Tim Whitehead and others. Rolling Stones producer Chris Kimsey makes an appearance as mix engineer on several tracks and two tracks feature new co-writing partners Megan Slankard and Mack Starks.This is the album that will persuade the few not already excited by Knopfler's substantial talent that they came late to the party. Several songs feature full orchestra while others are sparse. Knopfler says "Each song makes it's own demands. Sometimes a band will do it justice, other times it might need orchestration. Sometimes just Harry and I on two accoutics will hit the spot better than anything we could dream of adding. Whatever helps the song be what it honestly is - that's what we'll use."

Details of Tours, TV shows and showcases will follow soon.. Artwork for the album features Scotland's most successful living fine artist Jack Vettriano. Other projects in the pipeline include a book of poetry, music for TV and film (details to be announced) and an orchestral DVD in 2005.

Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Knopfler grew up in Newcastle Upon Tyne in the North of England. With a guitar, a piano and a drum kit by age 11, it's not surprising to find him the master of the many instruments he uses. By 14, he was performing his own songs in folk clubs and although he has a college degree he can't recall any other aspirations beyond composing and playing music.

In 1977 David founded Dire Straits, and with brother Mark, recorded and toured extensively before resigning three years later to broaden his horizons. "In Dire Straits I learned how to translate the intimate from the bedroom to the arena. Since leaving I've been wondering how you put the genii back in the bottle. I'm still interested in the way the personal can also translate lyrically to universal themes, but hopefully with less hoopla and distraction. I now make my work for that special someone willing to make time to listen quietly to the work and be reflective. It's the listener who makes the creative connections and finds a personal story therein. Like any artist, I need the work to excite and involve me, but in doing so I also hope my songs will provide a vehicle for the listener to put themselves centre stage and relate to the emotions and ideas. It's not an entirely selfish process; there's also unconsciously something that offers the promise of redemption hidden in there too"

David has always made uncompromising life choices. His relaxed but disciplined approach to his work and his life, showing no regard for hanging out, or to the platinum discs piled up in his cellar is indicative of Knopfler's entire philosophy. David believes in defining success without reference to fame - In finding happiness without hype or glory, preferring to choose the low road and the substance of real work and the loyalty of real friendships and relationships to those more fashion conscious, ephemeral insecurities that so beset the pop glitterati who like to be seen at awards ceremonies."I'm commited to what I do and to everyone feeling fulfilled by what we create together. I believe inevitably our solidarity as artists communicates positively in the work. whether the theme of the song is tragic or joyful, fragile or rebust."

He lives quietly in the English countryside, slowly notching up an impressive list of writing credits. An understated integrity and honesty define David Knopfler both in his work and private life. An uncompromising family man David remains happily married to his first wife Anna... "that just keeps getting better" says Knopfler. His son, whom David has always made a more important priority than work, is now regularly working in David's studio. A lifelong member of Greenpeace and Amnesty, David is more prone to sending a cheque than using such organizations to further his own publicity. That he has deftly avoided the usual media intrusions and the drink, drugs - burn out - rock-n-roll traps for so many years, unperturbed in the marketing and promotion led hysteria this business engenders, is testament to David's consistent ongoing maturation and development.

Writing all his life David says "I don't regard what I do as remotely glamorous. I write and record music because I completely love doing it and pretty much despite any so called "celebrity status" that sometimes comes with the job." His heroes are diverse but if pressed to name them, he'll usually offer Randy Newman, Joni Mitchell, Lowell George and Bob Dylan among others.

Knopfler has been lucky enough to touch a wide audience without prejudicing his own aesthetics. While he has enjoyed the respect of his peers, critical accolades and chart successes abroad, in his home country, England, he appears, with evident mischievous enjoyment, to have managed to keep his profile so low as to be almost invisible. "I really enjoy pottering around the garden. The stars here look completely amazing at night."

"I can't exactly say what lends a song, or a story, power" he ponders, "but I sure know when I hear it. It's not a clinical manufactured thing. It's something you feel in a cold chilled tingle of excitement. Hitting that nerve for me is the whole addiction. I wouldn't want to mess too much with it. Songs either work on your emotions or they don't. It's something I've been doing all my life. In the end it's just about the songs... either they hit that spot for you or they don't."

Concerts will soon follow together with TV appearances media interviews and a hive of other activities. David also maintains a substantial personal web-site: www.knopfler.com

Knopfler remains unmoved by hyperbole: "I'm just a songwriter" he says " all this talking about the process has nothing to do with whether my next song will be the best I ever wrote - or the best I ever recorded, or whether my next live performance of it will be my best rendition i.e. whether I can communicate it effectively... the rest is so much air. This new record is easily my best work to date and I dug deeper than I ever have before to create it. I hope the critics and public will agree with me"

First German reviews for Ship of Dreams

STEREO
"David's songs exude intimacy. Ship Of Dreams is a real winner."

FRANKY
"It's the lyrics Knopfler writes that make us contemplate and leaves
footsteps in the sand. This man is a real phenomena".

ELBE Wochenblatt
""Ship Of Dreams" is a little masterpiece"

more review comments at knopfler.com

reviews

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  • Diverse and divine!
    author: Laura T Lynch of Kweevak.com

    David Knopfler is a first class player and producer and his latest sixteen track CD is a testimony to his talent. Ship of Dreams travels a broad range of styles from sparse arrangements to fully orchestrated pieces. A crew of brilliant musicians adds diversity and drama to David's lush, musical landscapes. Knopfler's lyrics are poetic and rich in visual imagery. Vocally, David sounds like his brother singing his songs with passion. The CD is strong from start to finish. I particularly liked the light yet serious '4U (Rabbit song)' with its rock arrangement. 'Easy street' is a bluesy, edgy song about David meeting the devil who is trying to make a deal. Keys and a solid beat add to the dynamic of the song. 'Shine shine shine' starts off with stark instrumentation with the piano and vocals as the main focus. Subtle horns lead up to the hopeful hook slowly dancing with descriptions of disappointment. David Knopfler has charted his own course and his latest release is dreamy!

  • Superb
    author: Steve Sowerby

    I've listened to David's music for a goodly number of years and like good wine - it just seems to get better. Probably the best way to test how much of an impression an album makes is to see how often its gets played. This one gets lots and lots of playing time, both at home and when driving. To watch the songs being performed live borders on 'awesome'. If you get a chance to hear David live - BE THERE.

  • my favourite record - period
    author: Jay

    A top drawer singer-songwriter too tasteful for top commercial success - Damien Rice CD alternates with this record morning noon and night

  • Outstanding Album!
    author: Shawn

    I first heard David Knopfler on NPR and immediately rushed out to buy his album "Wishbones", which is a musical masterpiece. I became a confirmed fan and set out to buy more of his work. "Ship of Dreams" was equally impressive as is "The Giver". Buy them all. You WON'T be disappointed. Additionally, I agree with another reviewer that Megan Slankard (a contributing musician on Ship of Dreams) is a very talented artist. You can listen to samples of her work on CD Baby. Buy and enjoy!!

  • Join the "Ship"!
    author: Thomson

    This is a great album, no doubt about it! I have always been a great fan of his brother. But this is wonderful music, and I can't stop listening to it. What a superb voice! And good lyrics too. Excellent work.

  • The Best Cd You Will Buy All Year!!!
    author: Darren Richardson

    If CD Baby Were a treasure trove, you just found it's diamond. David Knopfler's 'Ship of Dreams' is easily one of the finest crafted albums I have listened to in a very long time. From it's opening bars with the catchy 4U (Rabbit song) right through to it's touching closing track (Anna Tonight) it has you keen and eager for more.It will be an integral part of your Cd playlist in no time at all. The album is very uplifting and the way David and longtime collaborator Harry Bogdanovs have produced it each song has room to breathe each instrument and vocal is clear and flowing. Contributing musicians as well as David and Harry include Chris Rea, Jule Neigel, Alan Clarke, Megan Slankard (check out her CD also on CD baby!) as well as a cast of other fine musicians. Listen to the samples that are available, I can't recommend this CD enough and then check out the rest of David's work at WWW.Knopfler.com

  • Fabulous!
    author: Peyman Moazami

    There are few musicians in the world today who can combine quality with emotion. David Knopfler is undoubtedly one of them. Known generally as an ex-Dire Straits member by many, he has kept his profile so low that he is unkown to the public. He doesn't care about the fame and glory of being a rock star. He just keeps on creating and recording high-quality albums through a series of high quality albums since 1983. His new release following the critically-acclaimed 2001 album, "Wishbones", establishes the artist as a breakthrough musician and songwriter. "Ship of Dreams" took 3 years to make and the result is absoultely fabulous. Away from the dark atmosphere of Wishbones, Ship of Dreams shows a mature artist in his glittering mood. The songs here are not as dark as Wishbones. The lyrics carry the message of life in a happier mood. Here David experiments a variety of musical styles. "4U (Rabbit Song)" & "All I Want Is You" are nice catchy Pop tunes whereas "Easy Street" & "Sometimes There Are No Words" are perfect Blues numbers. Jazzy title-track with excellent Sax (played by Tim Whitehead) has a beautiful contrast to the sheer simplicity and emotion of "The Price For Loving You" & the folk-rock tune, "God's Mockingbird". Tunes all find their places in the CD like the colours of a painting do. David Knopfler's latest CD deserves notice and acclaim. It's a precious work of art in these days when all radio stations are crapped by R&B junk. It's what I really call music. A modest collection of crafted songs from a modest and humble musician. Thanks for the inspiration David.

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