Listening to Mark Knopfler’s Privateering conjures up wistful images of the classic American working class of days gone by. The former Dire Straits frontman keeps on truckin’ and presents listeners with 20 original songs across two discs.
‘Redbud Tree’ is the opening track on the double disc compilation and sets the scene for a nostalgic journey through a cross-country landscape.
The following track ‘Haul Away’ takes an unexpected turn. Nautical pipes fill the air and give rise to a tune that may have been better suited to the soundtrack to Titanic, or perhaps even Lord of the Rings.
Stand out moments on the album include those where Knopfler has fun with blues inspired songs. The carefree sounds of ‘I Used To Could’ will have you bopping along and wishing you were in an underground old-town blues club.
Throughout the record, Knopfler’s poetic songwriting incorporates an array of genres that paint pictures of seafarers, country folk and working class heroes.
At times the lyrics become a touch cringeworthy, with references to softly blowing wind, cold grey seas and other poetic clichés that have little effect. The album’s length is another drawback, where its two featured discs could have been filtered down to one.
Perhaps not a collection of songs to excite everyone, but Mark Knopfler’s musicianship can hardly be faulted and will no doubt appeal to his most loyal fans.
– Diana Conti
