Mark Knopfler (from the album One Deep River

Mark Knopfler (from the album One Deep River

Mark Knopfler (from the album One Deep River available on Blue Note Records) (by Lee Zimmerman)
 
Mark Knopfler could hardly have been blamed if he had decided to exploit the superstar status he achieved at the helm of Dire Straits. After all, that band made a very big splash during the Post Punk era by combining the attitude and agility of an insurgent approach with a melodic sensibility that easily found favor with the mainstream. Yet to his credit, Knopfler decided instead to pursue his own possibilities while opting for a more sophisticated sound. The approach he took established him as a reliable artist capable of scoring soundtracks while also indulging in a style requiring a closer listen from those with a more discerning set of ears.
 
While he’s fallen short as far as maintaining the popular acclaim he attained early on, each of his albums have been embraced by those with discerning tastes and the desire to focus on rich melodies that require room for further exploration. In effect, One Deep River lives up to its name when it comes to that deeper navigation, and yet it, like all of Knopfler’s solo sets, is evocative and engaging, even if to a more modest degree. Granted, the material is far more measured and carefully considered than typical commercial fare, but so too songs such as “Smart Money”, with its tropical tempo, and the reggae-tinged “Scavengers Yard” ought to satisfy those that demand instant accessibility, albeit in a somewhat subtle manner. Likewise, “Black Tie Jobs”, “Tunnel 13”, “Janine”, and the title track are all modest ballads that require a closer listen to fully absorb their innate appeal.

Taken in tandem, One Deep River is lovely collection of songs; quiet, contemplative and evocative to a decided degree. So, while it lacks a certain immediacy, there’s no denying the craft and care invested in each of its entries. Knopfler may not be aiming for absolute infatuation, but regardless, the feeling and finesse clearly come through.
(by Lee Zimmerman)
 
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