In 2004, British guitar legend Mark Knopfler came out with another great solo album. I have a few of his solo records and maybe one or two from his days in Dire Straits. 2004's "Shangri-La" is notable for the great guitar tones that Knopfler always seems to get through his playing (usually sans a pick) on either a Stratocaster or a Les Paul. Not only that, but his songwriting also really comes through on this record. Knopfler and co-guitarist Richard Bennett do really well, though.
Still, I emphasize, listen to the lyrics on some of these songs, particularly "Boom, Like That", which satirizes the fast food industry in a subtle way, and "Sucker Row" which also has to do with the pitfalls of business in a way. Knopfler doesn't have to rely on extreme volumes to get a good guitar tone. He is a picker, so, he's more apt to just get the tone through his fingers and the touch he applies to the strings, rather than a knob on the guitar or the amp. But, "Boom, Like That", and "Sucker Row", have these great melodic lines he plays on a Les Paul. Knopfler proves you can still be a bluesy guitarist and play an electric similarly to how a songwriter would play acoustically.
Each song on this record has it's own character, as Knopfler is backed in a subtle way by bass, drums, and B3 organ. It is a simple band with Knopfler and the four other well know session players (Bennett on guitar, Glenn Worf on bass, Jim Cox and Guy Fletcher on piano and organ, (two alternating keyboard players apparently), and drummer, Chad Cromwell, who really fits the tempo of each song well. This is a very simple sounding record. But, definitely check it out. Strong songs are the sure backbone of it both lyrically and melodically.
1. 5:15 A.M.
2. Boom, Like That
3. Sucker Row
4. The Trawlerman's Song
5. Back to Tupelo
6. Our Shangri-La
7. Everybody Pays
8. Song for Sonny Liston
9. Whoop De Doo
10. Postcards from Paraguay
11. All That Matters
12. Stand Up Guy
13. Donegan's Gone
14. Don't Crash The Ambulance
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