Knopfler

I'm falling in love with Mark Knopfler again. I had sidelined him unduly because he was painfully reminding me of my ex-girl friend. It's strange somehow. I grew up listening to Mark Knopfler with her. In fact, I was into Knopfler even before I met her. But somehow, after introducing him to her -and she going bonkers over him- my passion for Knopfler just doubled. We used to share notes about his music, words, and sound. After my breakup with her, I stopped listening to him as he was bringing back the memories. I shelved those tapes and CDs in the loft.

After a good amount of break, I took him out of the loft. Also perhaps lots have happened since our breakup demeaned the event. So I can get back to the Knopfler I knew before her.

Now onto Knopflers music. I dare anyone arguing that Knopfler is past his prime since Dire Straits split. I think he's getting much better. Or more so I feel that he has broken the shackles of the pattern and also began experimenting at the outer boundary of rock. To see where the line ends and what starts beyond. Like those astrophysists who try to find what lies beyond Milky Way. Some of his attempts at Golden Heart and Ragpickers dream are at these boundaries. They mock anyone trying to bind them in a category. Will you call Daddy's gone to Knoxville rock?

I've never known a musician who's so sensitive about your sensitivities as Knoplfer is. He's so careful not to disturb you with his music. I can write reems on those makers of music who've inserted some chord, a raise of voice, or that interfering symbols that snap your listening senses. Knopfler doesn't believe in tranditionally starting and ending a song. His chords are quite tender. Notes are quite delicate. He plays guitar as if he's tending a beautiful pigeon that's wounded.

Knopfler's voice needs no appreciation from anyone. It looks like he's preparing you for some meditation. It's amazing how some one can create such huge meditative and calming effect within the framework of rock. Check out the title number of Ragpickers dream and Baloney of Sailing to Philadelphia. My favorites.

Thank god for knopflers the world is a nice place to live.