Friday, February 20, 2015

Mark Knopfler releases short film to preview new album Tracker


Legendary musician and songwriter Mark Knopfler is sharing a short film by Henrik Hansen to preview his new record, Tracker, due March 17 on Verve Records. To further celebrate the release, Knopler will embark on a 36-city North American tour, kicking off in Vancouver on September 10 and continuing through the end of October.


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Fans that purchase tickets to ‘An Evening with Mark Knopfler and Band’ online will receive a physical copy of Tracker for each pair of tickets purchased. Public on sales begin January 30.


Says Knopfler, ‘Part of the fun is thinking what you might have a go at, for a new tour. For me, that’s part of the joy of it, getting that little crew together again, and setting sail once again. It’s a real adventure.’ Knopfler has always viewed touring as the final part of the process running from songwriting through recording and ending up on the road performing old and new songs. He now writes more music while actually on the road.


‘The songs ‘Lights of Taormina’ and ‘Silver Eagle’ came into being partly through my trips in Europe and the U.S. with Bob Dylan.’


See below for full tour routing.



Tracker marks the eight solo recording from Knopfler, who Rolling Stone praises as one of the ‘100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.’ The single ‘Beryl’ is now streaming worldwide at Vevo here: po.st/Byrlv. Fans who pre-order the record digitally today will instantly receive ‘Beryl’ with the order: smarturl.it/MKTracker.


Recorded at his own British Grove Studios in West London, Tracker includes 11 new songs inspired by a wide range of subjects including Beryl Bainbridge and Basil Bunting. The album was producer by Knopfler and his long-time friend and collaborator Guy Fletcher who also plays keyboard on the record. In addition, Tracker features Mike McGoldrick on whistle and flute, John McCusker on fiddle, Glenn Worf on bass and Ian Thomas on drums. Guest musicians include Ruth Moody (from The Wailin’ Jennys) on vocals, Nigel Hitchcock on saxophone and Phil Cunningham on accordion.



Tracker will be available on CD, double vinyl, deluxe CD with four bonus tracks, and a box set that will include the album on both CD and vinyl with a bonus CD featuring six extra tracks, a DVD with an exclusive short film directed by Henrik Hansen and an interview with Knopfler where he talks about the new record. Sleeve notes have been specially written by acclaimed U.S. author Richard Ford and also contain a numbered art print and six photographic prints.


A multiple Grammy award winner as the lead vocalist and songwriter for Dire Straits, Knopfler has released seven solo albums as well as recording Neck And Neck with one of his guitar heroes, Chet Atkins and collaborated with Emmylou Harris on All The Roadrunning. He has created soundtracks for Local Hero and The Princess Bride and is currently working on a new film, Altamira. In addition to producing his own records Knopfler has also produced albums for Bob Dylan and Randy Newman amongst others. He was made an OBE in 1999 and was given the prestigious ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ at the Ivor Novellos in 2012.


 



MARK KNOPFLER TOUR DATES

 

September 10                              Vancouver, BC                                           Queen Elizabeth Theatre

September 11-12                      Woodinville, WA                             Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery*

September 13                               Portland, OR                                                      Keller Auditorium

September 16                              Las Vegas, NV                            The Colosseum at Caesars Palace

September 18                               Berkeley, CA                                                     The Greek Theatre

September 19                            Los Angeles, CA                                                  The Dolby Theatre

September 20                           Santa Barbara, CA                                             Santa Barbara Bowl*

September 21                              San Diego, CA                           Humphrey’s Concerts By the Bay

September 23                              Morrison, CO                                          Red Rocks Amphitheater

September 25                                 Austin, TX            Austin City Limits Live at The Moody Theater

September 26                                 Dallas, TX                                                    The Majestic Theatre

September 28                            Kansas City, MO                       Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland

September 29                           Minneapolis, MN                                                   Orpheum Theatre

September 30                             Milwaukee, WI                                                     Riverside Theater

October 2                                      Chicago, IL                                                          Chicago Theatre

October 3                                  Indianapolis, IN                      Old National Centre—Murat Theatre

October 4                                    Ann Arbor, MI                                                     Michigan Theater

October 6                                     Toronto, ON                                                               Massey Hall

October 7                                     Montreal, QC                 Place Des Arts—Wilfrid Pelletier Theatre

October 9                                      Boston, MA                                                        Orpheum Theatre

October 10                               Mashantucket, CT            Foxwoods Resort Casino—Grand Theater

October 11                                    Albany, NY                                                             Palace Theater

October 13                                  Pittsburgh, PA                                                                Heinz Hall

October 14                               Niagara Falls, ON                                      Fallsview Casino Resort*

October 16                                  Red Bank, NJ                                                  Count Basie Theatre

October 17                                Philadelphia, PA                                                  Academy of Music

October 18                                Washington, DC                                                       Warner Theatre

October 20                                  New York, NY                                                         Beacon Theatre

October 22                                   Durham, NC                                Durham Performing Arts Center

October 24                                    Atlanta, GA                                     Chastain Park Amphitheater*

October 25                            North Charleston, SC           North Charleston Performing Arts Center

October 27                                St. Augustine, FL                                    St. Augustine Amphitheatre

October 28                                  Melbourne, FL                        King Center for the Performing Arts

October 30                                  Clearwater, FL                                                      Ruth Eckerd Hall

October 31                              Fort Lauderdale, FL              Broward Center for the Performing Arts

                                             *On-sale at a later date