- Audio CD (1 Oct 2002)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Format: Import
- Label: Wea
- ASIN: B00006J3T4
- Other Editions: Audio CD | MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 772,912 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Product details |
Track Listings
| 1. Why Aye Man |
| 2. Devil Baby |
| 3. Hill Farmer's Blues |
| 4. A Place Where We Used To Live |
| 5. Quality Shoe |
| 6. Fare Thee Well Northumberland |
| 7. Marbletown |
| 8. You Don't Know You're Born |
| 9. Coyote |
| 10. The Ragpicker's Dream |
| 11. Daddy's Gone To Knoxville |
| 12. Old Pigweed |
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Up until now, Mark Knopfler seems to have had three separate modes of operation: there's been the moody rock style of Dire Straits, the quieter introspection of his soundtracks and the more boisterous lads-down-the-pub humour of his solo outings. With The Ragpicker's Dream, his third solo album, he indulges in all three, often to great effect. Naturally, the humorous tracks (the "King of the Road"-like "Quality Shoe" and Auf Wiedersehen Pet theme "Why Aye Man") are throwaway items. But when Knopfler mixes his two dearest loves--American roots music and the "real" life of the working-man--he produces some of his most heartfelt material to date. The title track is a sweet Christmas narrative, a downbeat "Fairytale of New York". "Marbletown" and "Coyote" are both Southern-style travelling songs, the latter being like an up-tempo "Ode to Billie Joe". Best of all, though, is the mournful and slightly loungey "A Place Where We Used to Live", in which the protagonist looks back on the poignant moments of a hard life. It's a beautiful song, almost matched by the delicate, and sorely troubled "Hill Farmer's Blues", the only track to feature major bursts of that trademark Dire Straits ambient guitar. Knopfler fans will love this album, and there's plenty for roots aficionados, too. --Dominic Wills
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Ragpickers Dream,
By A Customer
This review is from: The Ragpickers Dream (Bonus Tracks) (Audio CD)
I was not a big fan of his 'Golden Heart' album and certainly preferred 'Sailing to Philadelphia'. However, this is certainly his best solo album yet. In this new album, there is a complete mix of all his styles from the electric blues guitar sounds of later straits tracks to acoustic country sounds. He has produced some wonderful new tracks and, as usual, seems to get the instruments talking between themselves, with superb build-ups starting with a quiet acoustic beat to a full blues electric guitar. All this linked together with some particularly good singing.The only criticism that I would have is that there is not enough of it and the songs end too quickly. I miss some of those long guitar solo play-outs of old (Telegraph Road etc).....these will have to be witnessed live next year. In conclusion, this is a must for anybody who appreciates true music.
29 of 31 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Low key and easy,
By
This review is from: The Ragpicker's Dream (Audio CD)
I lost interest with Dire Straits and Mark Knopfler pretty soon after "Brothers In Arms" but this solo collection was a pleasant surprise. It may not cause your jaw to drop but it's a really easy listen, immaculately played and produced and with enough little nuggets to warrant the investment (I bought the special 2 CD edition cheap here on Amazon which was a real deal.Most of the tracks are laid back, rootsy blues and folk tunes with simple but effectrive arrangements that won't challenge but sooth. "You Don't Know You're Born" and "Coyote" are straight out of the J.J.Cale songbook, "Quality Shoe" wouldn't have sounded out-of-place on George Harrison's last album and there's a fair sprinkling of Geordie blue collar songs ("Why Aye Man" the theme from Auf Weidershen Pet is the only really upbeat track on the collection). The mixture of North East folk and Americana works quite well, but some of the lyrics begin to grate for me after a while. At times it sounds a little like Springsteen -lite ("A Place Where we Used To Live")but overall it's a gentle, undemanding listen and quite refreshing compared to some of the more overblown corporate rock I began to associate with Dire Straits. The Special Edition CD contains a live version of "Brothers in Arms" which still sends a shiver down my spine and is worth the purchase price alone. If you like country blues, a bit of ragtime, a lot of J.J.Cale and some tasteful, un-pretentious guitar playing, this is a good buy. Don't expect to be blown away, play it on a Sunday morning reading the papers and you won't be disappointed.
21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Ragpickers will light your Heart,
By Torch (USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Ragpickers Dream (Bonus Tracks) (Audio CD)
Knopfler continues to write excellent melodies and will keep long time fans happy with the shades of blues not forgotten in his latest gift, the Ragpickers Dream. Listening to this album will remind you once again what drew millions to the Dire Straits of years ago. He shows us once again his brilliance for lyrics and his maturing sense of style that will tug at your soul. With a tale woven with music, he has captured the feeling of this theme with songs like "Why Aye Man" and "Quality Shoe". "The Ragpickers Dream" will forever be a favorite holiday song for me for years to come and "Coyote" is just a fun jam altogether.
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