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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Shangri-La sees the sweatband-loving Knopfler team up once again with producer Chuck Ainlay for a sturdy celebration of Americana through country and the blues with a dash of easy listening thrown in. The overall sound is laid back with only the electric blues of "Song for Sonny Listen" providing a bit of a crunch. For the most part Knopfler sounds heavily influenced by troubadour JJ Cale and none more so than on "Boom, Like That", a groove driven country honk with soft, lazy vocals. Renowned for not taking things too seriously, many of the lyrics are comical in their narrative such as "I stuck a couple of air-craft carriers up his ass" on the mariachi backed "Don't Crash the Ambulance", a tongue in cheek song set around the Mexican border.
His style may have softened since the Dire Straits days but this can only be a good thing whe none recalls the bloated synths of their latter years. Shangri-La is Knopfler living his cowboy dream which seems to be what keeps his spirit for good music as fresh as it ever was.--Steve Beefmark
Product Description
titolo-shangri laartista-mark knopfler etichetta-mercuryn. dischi1data21 marzo 2005supportosuperaudio cdgenerepop e rock internazionale----1. 5.15 am2. boom like that3. sucker row4. the trawlerman's song5. back to tupelo6. our shanri-la7. everybody
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Entrancing...but maybe not for everyone,
By The Goat (London, UK) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Shangri-La (Audio CD)
I used to be a huge Dire Straits fan, right up until the end, although the synth-fuelled casino-extravaganza of "On The Night" left me wishing for a more stripped down sound. When Mark Knopfler put out his first solo album, I was the first in line at the store, but I didn't like it that much. Sounded a bit "in between things", like he was trying to get Dire Straits out of his system and find a real solo voice. "Sailing to Philadelphia" was a bit irritating, but I started liking "The Ragpickers' Deam" more.On "Shangri-La", I think Mark has really found the voice that he needed. The storytelling and lyrics are as subtle and quiet as usual, making you actually listen to what is being played. None of the melodies feel forced, and Mark and the band clearly play so well together by now. It's definitely a quiet and mellow album, but I think that's a welcome change from some of Mark's recent more country-rock tracks. Every song is meditative in its own way...perhaps it's just me, but it makes me feel all relaxed and cozy to listen to this stuff. His guitar work is increasingly minimalist, and his voice is smoother than ever. Happy music, but not bouncy. Perfect for a contemplative evening with a cup of coffee.
22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome Knopfler,
This review is from: Shangri-La (Audio CD)
Like another reviewer on here, I only bought this album because of stumbling on the classic Knopfler guitar signature on "Boom, Like That" when radio channel surfing. The album in its entirity does not dissapoint. On first listen, the sound and feel of the album did not become immediately clear, but, on second listen I suddenly realised that it is unlikely I will hear a better album in 2005.First of all, the album is majestically produced. Every chord and note played is perfect, they emphasise the lyrics and dance around the subject with a penache that only Knopfler can produce. Of more note are the brilliantly satirical and often witty storytelling achieved by Knopfler's lyrics. "Boom, Like That" is a song which I cannot stop going back to over and over again. The subject of Ray Kroc's somewhat unscrupulous success with the early McDonalds restaurants is brilliantly depicted by the track. Other tracks of note include the oft-graphic but very entertaining "Don't Crash the Ambulance" which finishes off the album with aplomb. This is not a Dire Straits stlye collection of music. Despite being relatively young, my Dad introduced me to the wonderful World of Dire Straits. This is equally brilliant, but totally different. I cannot reccommend this album highly enough - if at first you don't like it, just put it on again and listen carefully. You cannot fail to be rewarded for just listening.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A pleasure from beginning to end,
By
This review is from: Shangri-La (Audio CD)
If you simply hear snippets of the album then you may wonder what I'm talking about and might think twice about buying but you really should have faith. This is not the same kind of music he was making in the early days of the Straits, it is in many ways a mix of On Every Street's more poignant songs (the title track especially) and his last two solo albums. It is stunning, from the heartfelt and touching 5.15am (one of my all time favourites and a must hear for people who like Sailing to Philadelphia) to the quirky final track with its hidden meanings everyone will find something to relate to.From a musical point of view the playing is beyond reproach and the production be it CD or SACD is superb. Mark's guitar playing is what has always got the plaudits and the magazines writing but it is the lyrics which stand out to fans and this album only serves to strengthen this adding to his catalogue of sharp, witty story telling. If your have grown up with Mark's music and have developed your taste as he has experimented and grown musically then you will love this album. Don't expect a Brother's in Arms 2 or Money for Nothing all over again this is an album from an artist who is confident and able to change musical styles in a way most artists would never even be able to think of doing. If you are an MK fan then this is a must buy, if you liked Sailing to Philadelpia and are looking to get more into his music or simply want to buy your first album by one of the most talented and respected artists of our time then this is a great place to start. A number of artists who have been going as long as Mark has at the fore front of their respective genre's have resorted to putting out the same type of album again and again or have tryed to change musical styles only to lose the aspects that made them popular in the first place. Mark has constantly produced top class music in different styles and the breadth of his musical knowledge has been made even greater with the completion of this album. Lyrically and musically fresh while sticking to his strengths what more can I say.
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