TRIBUTARIES

The route to One Deep River

DIRE STRAITS

VERTIGO/WARNER BROS, 1978

While the startling “Sultans Of Swing” launched the band, the quieter, slower tracks on Dire Straits’ self-titled debut – notably “Water Of Love” and “Wild West End” – paved the way for Knopfler’s 21stcentury work. 8/10

MAKING MOVIES

VERTIGO/WARNER BROS, 1980

Arguably DS’S finest record, their third album begins with “Tunnel Of Love”, a Springsteen-meets-television epic that finds Knopfler exploring his continuing fascination with fairgrounds and carnivals, in this case the Spanish City in Whitley Bay. It’s followed by “Romeo And Juliet”, his first great ballad. 9/10

LOCAL HERO OST

VERTIGO/WARNER BROS, 1983

Knopfler’s first soundtrack remains a stellar piece of work: a stately, breezy, vaguely Celtic album, halfway between Eno’s Apollo… and Clannad. “Freeway Flyer” delights in fuzz-drenched rockabilly, while the closing “Going Home: Theme Of The Local Hero” remains one of the guitarist’s most powerful compositions. 8/10

SAILING TO PHILADELPHIA

VERTIGO/WARNER BROS, 2000

His second solo album proper, this features guest appearances from Van Morrison and James Taylor, alongside long-time cohorts such as Glenn Worf and Guy Fletcher. The highlights come with the undulating ballads such as the title track, inspired by Thomas Pynchon’s Mason & Dixon, and the spectral “Wanderlust”. 7/10

KILL TO GET CRIMSON

MERCURY/WARNER BROS, 2007

Knopfler here homes in on the hushed Americana sound he’s played ever since, with songs such as “Let It All Go” – continuing his fascination with the creative call of the artist – winding like the finest folk classic. The thing here is the songs, despite the excellent, tasteful guitar playing. 8/10

DOWN THE ROAD WHEREVER

BRITISH GROVE/VIRGIN EMI/ BLUE NOTE, 2018

An elegant 70 minutes (78 if you grab the deluxe version), Knopfler’s ninth solo album unhurriedly runs the range of human emotions: from the tragedy of “Nobody’s Child” and the wistful, romantic “Matchstick Man” to the dark comedy of “My Bacon Roll”. 9/10

ONE DEEP RIVER

BRITISH GROVE/EMI, 2024

A songwriting tour de force conceived over Covid times, One Deep River finds Knopfler revisit his past (“Watch Me Gone”, “Black Tie Jobs”), confront death (the title track, “Before My Train Comes”) and masterfully weave tales of heroes and villains (“Tunnel 13”). 8/10