KNOPFLER HAS TYNE ON HIS MIND

Former Dire Straits frontman Mark Knopfler has been inspired by influences close to home on his latest solo album. The title track of One Deep River dwells on the guitarist’s deep affection for the Tyne which runs through his childhood hometown of Newcastle. “Crossing the Tyne is always on your mind,” he says. “It’s what you were doing when you were leaving as a youngster and that feeling is always the same every time you do it. You’re heading out or you’re coming back, and it just connects with your childhood. The power of it doesn’t go away.”

Ahead Of The Game, the lead single from the album is a wistful, perhaps autobiographical, story about a singer-songwriter struggling to make it, set to a distinctively Knopfleresque classic riff.

Traversing blues, folk and rock, the album has been produced by Knopfler alongside long-time collaborator Guy Fletcher. One Deep River will be released on CD, deluxe 2CD, double gatefold vinyl and cassette. Also available will be a special limited edition LP and CD boxset that includes bonus tracks, litho prints of Mark, a guitar pick set and tin, plus an enamel badge.

In other related news, on 31 January London auction house Christies hosted a sale of the Mark Knopfler Guitar Collection, which raised £8.8 million. Comprising more than 120 guitars and amps, the collection spanned Knopfler’s 50-year career in music and included a 1983 Gibson

Les Paul that Mark played on Dire Straits’ Brothers In Arms album and at Live Aid. Mark’s 1959 vintage Gibson Les Paul Standard, which he used on two of his live tours, sold for a world record price for that instrument of £693,000.

Knopfler has also teamed up with AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson to make a new six-part TV series for Sky Arts.

The two friends take a look at the history of popular music alongside various special guests including Sam Fender and Emmylou Harris. Broadcast dates to be announced soon.