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Mark Knopfler

Mark Knopfler talks Johnnie Walker through key tracks from his life, both compositions and influences, and his last album Tracker.

Mark Knopfler talks in depth to Johnnie Walker about his hugely successful career as a solo artist and member of Dire Straits and The Notting Hillbillies, his collaborations with people like Bob Dylan, James Taylor, Chet Atkins and Emmylou Harris and his work as a film soundtrack composer.

Mark also discusses his earlier jobs and musical adventures, the first steps of Dire Straits and his childhood, especially his first treasured guitar and the vinyl singles and performances from the Everly Brothers, Hank Marvin and Duane Eddy, which sent him down a path that led to 125 million record sales.

Mark will talk us through all the key tracks from his life (both influences and compositions) and his most recent, eighth solo album Tracker.

He talks about the thrill of tracking down subject matter, tracking down an idea, investigating the whole thing, as he prepares to write and work in the studio.

Tracker also contains a new cast of characters drawn from Mark's endless fascination with people, both real and imagined, and places and times in his own life.

Co-produced with his longtime confidant Guy Fletcher, it features frequent collaborators, such as John McCusker on fiddle and cittern, Mike McGoldrick on whistle and flute, bassist Glenn Worf and drummer Ian Thomas.

The record also features the fruits of newer friendships, for example two elegant saxophone cameos by Nigel Hitchcock on River Towns and Wherever I Go. The latter song closes the album and features Mark duetting with singer-songwriter Ruth Moody (famous for her work with the Wailin' Jennys) .

57 minutes

Last on

Thu 29 Dec 2016 17:05

Music Played

  • Phil Cunningham, Michael McGoldrick, Bruce Molsky & Mark Knopfler

    Laughs and Jokes and Drinks and Smokes

    • Tracker.
    • Mercury.
    • 001.
  • Dire Straits

    Romeo and Juliet

    • Money For Nothing.
    • Vertigo.
    • 6.
  • Dire Straits

    Sultans Of Swing (27.07.77 Charlie Gillett Session)

    • The Honky Tonk Demos.
    • Mercury.
    • 1.
  • Dire Straits

    Tunnel of Love

    • Alchemy: Dire Straits Live, Part Two.
    • Vertigo.
    • 002.
  • Dire Straits

    Money For Nothing

    • Sultans Of Swing - Best Of Dire Straits.
    • Vertigo.
  • Mark Knopfler

    搁眉诲颈驳别谤

    • Golden Heart.
    • Mercury.
    • 11.
  • Mark Knopfler & Emmylou Harris

    If This Is Goodbye

    • All The Roadrunning.
    • Mercury.
    • 11.
  • James Taylor & Mark Knopfler

    Sailing to Philadelphia

    • Sailing To Philadelphia.
    • MERCURY.
    • 2.
  • Guy Fletcher, Nigel Hitchcock & Mark Knopfler

    River Towns

    • Tracker.
    • Mercury.
    • 003.
  • Dire Straits

    Skateaway

    • (Single).
    • Vertigo.
    • 6.
  • Mark Knopfler

    Going Home (Theme of the Local Hero)

    • Hits On CD Volume 4.
    • Mercury.
  • The Everly Brothers

    Why Worry

    • Born Yesterday.
    • Mercury.
    • 8.
  • Duane Eddy

    Because They're Young

  • Phil Cunningham, Michael McGoldrick, Bruce Molsky & Mark Knopfler

    Lights of Taormina

    • Tracker.
    • Mercury.
    • 008.
  • Dire Straits

    Brothers In Arms

    • Sultans Of Swing - Best Of Dire Straits.
    • Vertigo.

Broadcasts

  • Mon 25 May 2015 20:00
  • Thu 29 Dec 2016 17:05