Shangri-La (album)
| Shangri-La | ||||
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| Studio album by Mark Knopfler | ||||
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Publication |
September 27, 2004 |
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| Label (s) | Mercury (Universal) | |||
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Format (s) |
CD, hybrid super audio CD |
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Title (number) |
14th |
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running time |
64:48 |
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| occupation |
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Mark Knopfler, Chuck Ainlay |
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Chart positions Explanation of the data |
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Shangri-La ( English for: " Paradise ") is the fourth solo album by British musician Mark Knopfler . As is typical for Mark Knopfler's albums, it was released in September 2004.
background
After Mark Knopfler devoted himself very much to country in his previous album The Ragpicker's Dream , he combines blues, country and rock elements on this album. The opener 5:15 AM is a slowly starting, steadily increasing, mid-tempo piece, followed by the fast country & blues number Boom, like that , which is reminiscent of the Dire Straits times. After that, the songs are mostly calm and relaxed. There are exceptions, like the juicy song Song for Sonny Liston . Knopfler sings about the boxer Sonny Liston , who once said: " Some day they gonna write a blues for fighters. It'll just be for slow guitar, soft trumpet and a bell. " Mark Knopfler manages a very bluesy up-tempo number with a memorable guitar riff. But it is not the only dedication to - mostly deceased - personalities. Back to Tupelo is a song that takes a critical look at Elvis Presley's film career . In Donegan's Gone he sings about the Irish folk musician Lonnie Donegan .
A very relaxed atmosphere pervades the album. After Mark Knopfler had a motorcycle accident in 2003 and had to cancel his tour, he is only grateful to live here and to be able to record this album. This is particularly noticeable in the title song, which houses the text line: "This is all the heaven we've got, right here where we are."
In addition to the release of the CD, a limited edition of the album was released, which contains interviews and video clips from the songs Boom, like that , Everybody Pays , Whoop De Doo and the unreleased Summer of Love on an additional DVD .
Mark Knopfler embarked on a tour in 2005, starting at the Royal Albert Hall in London. This tour also took him back to Australia after a long time.
Track list
- 5:15 AM - 5:54
- Boom, Like That - 5:49
- Sucker Row - 4:55
- The Trawlerman's Song - 5:00 am
- Back To Tupelo - 4:28
- Our Shangri-La - 5:41
- Everybody Pays - 5:22
- Song For Sonny Liston - 5:06
- Whoop De Doo - 3:49
- Postcards From Paraguay - 4:04
- All That Matters - 3:08
- Stand Up Guy - 4:32
- Donegan's Gone - 3:00
- Don't Crash The Ambulance - 5:06
Reviews
The website laut.de thinks that Mark Knopfler has again delivered a playful and harmonious album with Shangri-La . He has long since left the pressure and expectations from the days with the Dire Straits behind. Now he plays music that comes from his heart. The fact that he still celebrates chart successes is a gratifying minor matter. He is forgiven for not thinking of anything new. The website gave the album 3 out of 5 possible points.