Review: Mark Knopfler

Photos by Rich Sugg/The Star 

He has now released as many full-length studio albums as Mark Knopfler as he did with Dire Straits. And his tenure as a solo artist is closing in on the lifespan of his band.

Knopfler will never completely shake his identity as the founder of Dire Straits nor the music it recorded, but he has spent nearly 15 years trying to loosen it or at least make it a few chapters in a larger story.

Wednesday night, he performed before a near sellout crowd at the Midland, which sat and listened raptly for more than two hours. At times the show felt as much like a recital as it did a concert starring a former rock star.

His setlist focused heavily on that solo career, including last year's "Get Lucky" CD, his sixth, and especially "Sailing to Philadelphia," his second. 

Knopfler was backed by a seven-piece band that included drummer/percussionist Danny Cummings, whose association with Knopfler goes back to those Dire Straits days. Most of the songs were arranged with instrumentation fit for a Celtic folk and/or bluegrass band, as in the swinging "Donegan's Gone."

But they could rock, when needed. Consequently, their sound shifted from something acoustic, warm and organic -- a mix of the Chieftains and Union Station -- to something stern and electric, like at the ends of "Sultans of Swing," "Marbletown" and "Speedway at Nazareth." 

Knopfler may be more admired for his guitar play than for his songwriting, and without flash or excess, he showed off his distinct and impressive guitar voice. He also gave time to the boys in the band, including Tim O'Brien, fiddler/whistle player John McCusker, and accordionist/pianist Matt Rollings, who, Knopfler said, "can play anything from Oscar Peterson to 'Woolly Bully.' "

Since he turned solo, Knopfler has composed dozens of midtempo ballads, the kinds that suit vocal collaborators like James Taylor and Emmylou Harris. He performed several of those Wednesday night, including "Sailing to Philadelphia," "What It Is" and "Prairie Wedding." The songs typically are handsome and melodic and in a key that suits his singing voice, whose power and range these days are modest. 

But strung together, as they were Wednesday night, they cast a mellow, lambent mood that, at times, became either hypnotic or redundant, depending on your point of view. He didn't have much to say to his audience beyond something like, "This sounds like a music-loving crowd." He also tossed in a Kansas City reference during "So Far Away." But his fans were in an appreciative mood, so they gave him silence when it was required and showered him with cheers and applause and a few extended ovations.

He indulged those who wanted their dose of Dire Straits with the standards: "Sultans," "Romeo and Juliet" and "Telegraph Road" plus, during the encore, two from the breakout "Brothers in Arms" album: the title track and "So Far Away." None was transcendent; all were played straight and clean.

He closed with "Piper To The End," in which he declares: If there's no music in heaven, I'd rather be somewhere else. As well as any,  that song suited the theme of this show and, to an extent, the career of a guy whose identity is less about a hit song and a rock band and more about music in general and its powers to convene and nourish us.

Setlist: Border Reiver; Why Aye Man; What It Is; Sailing to Philadelphia; Coyote; Prairie Wedding; Hill Farmer's Blues; Romeo and Juliet; Sultans of Swing; Donegan's Gone; Get Lucky; Marbletown; Speedway at Nazareth; Telegraph Road. Encore: Brothers In Arms; So  Far Away; Piper To The End.

| Timothy Finn, The Star

 

Comments

[Steve]

Just curious Tim, why did you pick Knopfler over Phoenix? I know Mark comes to town less often, but Phoenix is the up and comer.

[Penny]

Excellent take on the show last night, Tim. You always have the right words to describe an event. And this was an event. I'd go about anywhere to see Mark Knopfler because his music is a magical tonic to me. Devine, soothing, deep to my soul. I've seen him twice at Red Rocks because that was as close as he was coming to KC. He never disappoints and once again took me into that sublime place where I love to dwell when I'm listening to my favorite artist and his music...

[pellboy]

First time seeing Knopfler in any form and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Outstanding playing all around (it should also be noted that longtime DS/MK sideman, keyboardist Guy Fletcher, was also part of this ensemble), nothing real flashy, just a good, solid musical performance. Good setlist with a nice mix of DS and solo stuff (I believe only two of his albums were omitted)and the sound was fine although I wished MK's vocals were a little more out front at times.

Since the tickets were pricey and my first time seeing him, I was okay with it being a fairly flawless, professional and lengthy performance but (and not that it was totally unexpected)I generally prefer a tad bit more energy from a live show. Fortunately, the more laidback moments were brief and spreadout to prevent the show from being somewhat of a yawner.

[Tim Finn]

saw phoenix last summer; they'll be back. first time seeing him.

[Penny]

You did the right thing, Tim...

[tt]

Great performance. Great night.
Really enjoyed Pieta Brown and Bo Ramsey.
Was this MK's first KC stop as a solo artist?

[Penny]

Yes...

[Aardvark]

how was pieta? i'm a huge fan of her father, Greg, and saw her open for him in 08 at liberty. I had never heard her prior to that, but i enjoyed her set then...

[Mark V]

It was a brilliant show- he is that understated genius that plays with great subtlety and nuance- the 8 piece band was composed of all "master" musicians/multi-instrumentalists- There was an extraordinary beauty that permeated everything- I felt it to be transcendent in places I didn't expect- like the acoustic Marbletown, with the upright bass and bouzouki's in play. And I can still hear the sound of his guitar on Telegraph Road after he switches mid-song from his National Steel to that customized Fender- the fresh crisp piercing tone that was utterly electric.

[Tim Finn]

i got there in time for pieta's last two songs. but they hadn't shut down the bar downstairs so it was real noisy. too noisy, really

[Tim Finn]

... and, yes, the acoustics in the midland last night were superb.

[bigfan]

...guitar work was the Best, a real Master...
..I blame the sound-man/board, bad-mix, vocals needed to be turned-up..could not understand Mark's words, from 3rd balconey...a little frustrating

[kmoon]

Amazing, beautiful, & magical show.

[Tim Finn]

vocals were good during songs from where i was; not so easy to understand him when he was speaking. but he's pretty soft spoken

[dclinkscale@810whb.com]

I have seen MK five times now in the last seven years, and this was the best...and the others were great...from where I was about tenth row left, it was the best voice he has been in, best sound quality, he actually spoke MORE than he usually does, really seemed to be having a good time..Midland is spectacular...best Speedway ever...briliant

[bobinop]

Great show. Sound from front of balcony was good once they got it dialed in...took a a few songs. Agree with Danny, great Nazareth, and great Telegraph Road to close out the main set. Knopfler, like all the great ones, makes it look so effortless. This was my first trip to the Midland since it was refurb'ed. Can't wait for the next time. Great venue. Got 4th row for Jeff Beck next week. Kind of an embarassment of riches, guitar hero-wise, here in old KC.

[pellboy]

Yes, bobinop on two counts...Knopfler's playing was effortless and am also looking forward to Jeff Beck although I will be witnessing his greatness from a much further distance...damn 4th row?! I'm very jealous

[Bubba]

How good of a crowd showed up? I'm sure it was a decent gig and all - THANK goodness he didn't (according to the set list) play "Money For Nothing". AUGH!! Way over-played!!

[Nancy]

I've been an absolutely gushy MK fan since the Dire Straits days but had never seen him live. OMG - what a joy! His band's members changed instruments so many times it was obvious what consumate musicians they all were. They had no reason for "flash", they had their talent. The subtlety and layering of each instument's part just amazes me with each song I hear of his. I said it - I'm truly a gushy fan and this show told me why.

[Chris]

A magnificent concert by the greatest guitarist of all time and his extremely talented band.

[Jim]

As suggested by his last tune, this truly was "a day to die for."

[trdedektiflik]

thank you