[Slowhand] MarkKnopflerReview

[Mel Boss]

Here's my brief review of the Mark Knopfler show we attended this past week. Albeit no Clapton-content, I'm sure no one will object in that most of us are also MK fans. His latest "Get Lucky" album released in November is superb. It took me a few listens to "get it," but as always with Mark's work, much of the wonder is in his lyrics. With this album, it is also in the orchestration, which I'm sure has much to do with Guy Fletcher. This is the review I submitted/posted on the TicketBastards website:
 
Mel
 
Mark Knopfler @ Paramount Theatre,Oakland, Tue, Apr 13, 2010
 
The setlist was a bit tweaked from Seattle. I liked the additions - particularly Donegan's Gone and Get Lucky. At setlist midpoint, Marbletown - wow! What a coolgroove w/Tim O'Brien on banjo! McGoldrick on flute was an incredibly good addition to the band/orchestra. Sorry that So Far From the Clyde was not played - when I saw that they were going off from the Seattle setlist, it gave me hope for that. I was thrilled that GetLucky was added - excellent! I also thought that Romeo/Juliet was done superbly - perhaps, the best that I've ever heard him do live!
 
As always MK's guitar-playing was very precise and fluid. His voice is undeniably improved from the DS days. I think that Guy is a huge influence in that band. Also, although he played a lesser role most of the night, RichardB played a superb mandolin on HillFarmerBlues and MADE that song sing!
 
We had a bit of a mixup on our tickets - think that I'll go to the box office first-hand next time and avoid TM entirely. I complained to TM, but got no satisfaction. They sold me "limited mobility seating" (for my wife who has MS) that was five seats in from the aisle! Their official consensus was I got what I paid for - no apologies. Five-stars for Mark but zero for TM. Buyer beware!
 
Favorite moment: Marbletown groove among Mark, Tim and Glenn - guitar-banjo-bass was soul-shaking!
 
Setlist : BorderR, Why Aye Man, What It Is, Sailing to Phil, Coyote, GetLucky, HillFarmerB, R&J, Sultans, Donegan'sG, Marbletown, RemembranceD, SpeedwayNaz, TelegR, SoFarAway, Brothers in Arms, Piper to the End