Track Listing

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 Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2931 in Music
• Released on: 2003-08-25
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 55 minutes

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

CD Description
'The Ragpicker's Dream' is the third solo album by the Glasgow-born, former Dire Straits guitarist, Mark Knopfler. The album was recorded in Nashville, and at Knopfler's home studio. Jimmy Nail features on backing vocals on the single 'WhyAye Man', which was the theme tune to the BBC's 2002 'Auf Wiedersehen Pet' reunion series.

Customer Reviews

Low key and easy
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.

Keep on rolling, Geordie boy
It's no use comparing Knopfler's solowork with Dire Straits. The Straits are history, and they are relevant only to the extent that you can hear where Mark came from. His ever-brilliant playing now suits his songwriting. Less is more, I know.

I am really only interested in discovering where Mark wants to go to, what he is searching for. And ever since his solo debut "Golden heart", his musical horizon (and mine) has only become wider.

From blues, rock, country, folk... his songs have only become richer and Mark's latest work sounds like he's finally managed to do what he always wanted to do: sailing between the roots of American and European music and becoming better as a musician and guitarplayer.

This albums sounds very natural, very acoustic and that is why I think "The Ragpickers..." sounds better than "Sailing to...", which still has some poprock-feel to it, but the songwriting on "Sailing..." (my personal favourite up til now) was stronger.

Still, this is a must have for any Knopfler-fan. Take your time to get into it, you won't be disappointed.

Good old laid back rock and roll
You know what you'll get with this:Fine songs,lyrics-often with a twist,some brilliant moments of guitar playing and a slow-
laid back feeling all along.You'll LOVE "Coyote",especially when
you're in your car and feel like putting the pedal to the metal...