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Amazon.co.uk Review
Over the last seven years, Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris quietly recorded an album by stealing "a few precious hours of studio time here and there," as the ex-Dire Straits singer/guitarist puts it. Good thing they kept it largely under wraps--expectations would have pushed through the clouds, especially as Knopfler conjured 10 of the 12 cuts, and Harris, who writes potently, but little, contributed two ("Love and Happiness," "Belle Starr"). Yet now that it's here, All the Roadrunning--while beautiful--seems somehow underwhelming, and without a true centerpiece. Anyone familiar with the artists' famous catalogues would expect the repertoire to be poetic and brooding, and that Harris's ethereal soprano would add light to Knopfler's dark Prozac rumblings. But the surprise is that the album is too tame, never breaks out of its midtempo groove, and never takes any big chances. That said, there is much to like: The marital scrapbook romp of "This Is Us," the bluesy bickering of "Right Now," the wrenching poignancy of the 9/11-inspired ballad "If This Is Goodbye." Knopfler, ever the hypnotic guitarist, turns in some thrillingly droll and laconic vocals, and Harris brings the spirited coltishness of her early work to "Belle Starr." In the end, though, this is not so much a duet album as two famously melancholy musicians singing together--at times, strikingly so. --Alanna Nash
From the Label
For the past seven years, Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris have been quietly compiling a treasure trove of duets--the result, All the Roadrunning.
Co-producing with Chuck Ainlay, Knopfler shares his electric, acoustic and slide playing with guitarist Richard Bennett. The other musicians in the line-up are: Jim Cox and Guy Fletcher keyboards, Glen Duncan fiddle and mandolin, Dan Dugmore steel, Glen Worf bass and Chad Cromwell and Danny Cummins drums.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
31 of 32 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This album contains some very catchy songs like "This is us", but also a few that slowly grow on you, and just get better and better like the title track. Harris' voice make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, and Knopfler's guitar is as haunting as ever. All in all a beautiful collaboration which fully lived up to the expectations.
46 of 48 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
There are two faces to Mark Knopfler - one is the more public, growling rocker we see on Dire Straits classics such as "Money for Nothing", and the other is the more modern, mature, sedate solo artist. I hesitate to say country, even with this album as some might, as Mark Knopfler's work is in many ways unique and as a consequence it falls between genres - not rocky enough for the rockers, not country enough for Nashville.
It is the latter that Knopfler seems to have chosen to target more decisively with this latest album, and by recruiting Emmylou Harris to assist on vocals & creative input, he has certainly got closer to Nashville than any album before.
Fans of Knopfler's solo work, like myself, but who are not fans of country, should not be put off by this connection - this album is still 90% Knopfler and follows a similar vein to previous albums. Emmylou also adds many great qualities to the work: Firstly, we get a very strong, higher voice that compliments Marks characteristic bassy tones and can 'dance' around his guitar licks. Secondly, we get a female personae with which the two songwriters can work into the songs, producing some female perspectives on things and some wonderful back-and-forth duets, in the vein of The Beautiful South (or Cash and Carter?). The potential generated here feels bigger than this album alone.
Whilst many rockers will say that Mark has turned his back on what made him truly great (his fluid rock guitar solos), there is a slight return to lead-work here too. Leaving Emmylou to do what she does best, Mark can relax a little on the vocal and focus on the guitar. No screaming solos here, but a definite increase in the amount of lead guitar over rhythm guitar compared to recent solo albums.
Ultimately, whether you enjoy this album will depend on which side of Knopfler you prefer - guitar heavy, Dire Straits rock fans will feel let down (he still rocks live, BTW). Country or songwriting fans might find this the best album yet, and those who are happy with a balance won't be disappointed by this album, seeing it as a natural step in the evolution of MK's music.
It is the latter that Knopfler seems to have chosen to target more decisively with this latest album, and by recruiting Emmylou Harris to assist on vocals & creative input, he has certainly got closer to Nashville than any album before.
Fans of Knopfler's solo work, like myself, but who are not fans of country, should not be put off by this connection - this album is still 90% Knopfler and follows a similar vein to previous albums. Emmylou also adds many great qualities to the work: Firstly, we get a very strong, higher voice that compliments Marks characteristic bassy tones and can 'dance' around his guitar licks. Secondly, we get a female personae with which the two songwriters can work into the songs, producing some female perspectives on things and some wonderful back-and-forth duets, in the vein of The Beautiful South (or Cash and Carter?). The potential generated here feels bigger than this album alone.
Whilst many rockers will say that Mark has turned his back on what made him truly great (his fluid rock guitar solos), there is a slight return to lead-work here too. Leaving Emmylou to do what she does best, Mark can relax a little on the vocal and focus on the guitar. No screaming solos here, but a definite increase in the amount of lead guitar over rhythm guitar compared to recent solo albums.
Ultimately, whether you enjoy this album will depend on which side of Knopfler you prefer - guitar heavy, Dire Straits rock fans will feel let down (he still rocks live, BTW). Country or songwriting fans might find this the best album yet, and those who are happy with a balance won't be disappointed by this album, seeing it as a natural step in the evolution of MK's music.
69 of 73 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
While I have considered posting reviews of albums this is the first review I have ever taken the trouble to write about.
Knopfler, like Dylan, is producing the best music of his life. Knopfler's last (Shangri-la) is also superb and you have to ask yourself why are both of them still playing? They don't need the money. They don't care about the reviews - they are playing the way they want to and both are playing with the best guys in town. I've seen both live in the last year and neither went for fancy sets, clever lights and gizomos, they just played.....
Yes, neither of them is rocking the house down, but there's a lot more to life than trying to shake your brains out of your ears in front of a stack.
This music on this album is perfect, utterly perfect. The lyrics, the narrative, the musicianship, the production are all sublime.
If you add to that the collaboration with Emmylou Harris, this album is nothing short of remarkable. I can't say I've listened to many `duet' projects over the years - most of them are contrived nonsense featuring Tom Jones - but this is the first one that actually works.
This is an album you need to play for a while and come back to before you pass judgement. I won't do the tedious track by track run-through of comments, I'll only say it's a great album that should have had a lot more attention than it has had. If there's one churlish criticism it's that some of the tracks fade out on some superb guitar playing a little too soon - just 20 seconds more would have put me in heaven forever.
If you don't like this album you haven't got a heart, you haven't got a soul and you don't know what love - and life - are all about.
Knopfler, like Dylan, is producing the best music of his life. Knopfler's last (Shangri-la) is also superb and you have to ask yourself why are both of them still playing? They don't need the money. They don't care about the reviews - they are playing the way they want to and both are playing with the best guys in town. I've seen both live in the last year and neither went for fancy sets, clever lights and gizomos, they just played.....
Yes, neither of them is rocking the house down, but there's a lot more to life than trying to shake your brains out of your ears in front of a stack.
This music on this album is perfect, utterly perfect. The lyrics, the narrative, the musicianship, the production are all sublime.
If you add to that the collaboration with Emmylou Harris, this album is nothing short of remarkable. I can't say I've listened to many `duet' projects over the years - most of them are contrived nonsense featuring Tom Jones - but this is the first one that actually works.
This is an album you need to play for a while and come back to before you pass judgement. I won't do the tedious track by track run-through of comments, I'll only say it's a great album that should have had a lot more attention than it has had. If there's one churlish criticism it's that some of the tracks fade out on some superb guitar playing a little too soon - just 20 seconds more would have put me in heaven forever.
If you don't like this album you haven't got a heart, you haven't got a soul and you don't know what love - and life - are all about.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Simply lovely Country Music
I always enjoy the music of singer songwriter Emmylou Harris and this CD is just lovely. The smooth rich tones of Mark Knopfler along with the crystal clear voice of Ammylou makes... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Mrs C
Rests easy on my mind
I bought this CD several years ago - despite reading some poor reviews. I actually bought this CD and the combined CD and DVD concert pack as well. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Wanda
Two Legends - One Great CD
As a "sometime" fan of both Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris I was surprised at how much I love this CD, it's rarely out of my CD player. Read more
Published 5 months ago by J. I. Winder
an absolute treat
It's one of my favourites. What a musical marriage made in heaven with Mark K and Emmylou H. The voices work together impeccably - neither one overpowering the other. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Brer M
Best ever...
This, to me, is the best album Mark Knopfler has released , this one along with Emmylou Harris. I found it so good , that when I first slipped it into the player of a different... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Ian
Right up there with Plant and Krauss
A bit more country but every bit as good as last great duo of Robert Plant and Alison Krauss. Give it a few listens - not a dud in it.
Published 6 months ago by Robert
Roadrunning
One of my all-time favourite albums. Unusually not a single track that I dislike and so many really brilliant ones that it is very hard to pick a favourite. Read more
Published 7 months ago by BobA
Great
I love all Mark Knopfler music and the teaming with Emmylou Harris is wonderful. Highly recommended, easy listening album. Good price and delivery too.
Published 8 months ago by JEB
Take this on the Road...........
This music was made for the car. The combination of intricate & meaningful lyrics, wonderful sounding instruments particularly the guitar and the stylish voices of two established... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Gorseinonboy
Modern country music
I love this album. Mark Knopfler's and Emmylou Harris's voices blend wonderfully together. Mark's songs (he wrote all but the two that Emmylou wrote) are beautiful. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Hilaryjane
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