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| Rollingstone 50 Best Albums Of 2015; Tracker At 23 | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Thursday, 3. December 2015, 12:00 (157 Views) | |
| suprlinda | Thursday, 3. December 2015, 12:00 Post #1 |
Making Movies
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Hi, all. Here is a short comment by RollingStone about Tracker, which it lists at 23 of 50.
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| A pack of dog jackals and a rabble of ravens | |
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| qjamesfloyd | Friday, 4. December 2015, 15:36 Post #2 |
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Administrator
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Thanks Linda, 23 out of 50 is really good, I wasn't expecting Tracker to be in the list at all, I know we would place it higher but I'll take 23 :) I don't know any of the Greatful Dead's music, so I can't comment on if there is an influence in there, can anyone elaborate on why the reviewer stated that? |
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"Yeah, me and my mate like ac-dc Hot & sweaty, loud & greasy" Mark Knopfler. | |
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| 3Pints | Saturday, 12. December 2015, 01:42 Post #3 |
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Old Pigweed
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Hi QJF, The reviewer feels that the song "Skydiver" takes some small influence (he did use the word "touchstone") from the work of Jerry Garcia, who was the lead guitarist and (one of) the primary creative force(s) behind the Grateful Dead. It's not a connection that jumped out at me initially, but I have thought about it before with regard to other songs and I certainly wouldn't disagree. Given that some folks here may not be familiar with Jerry or the Grateful Dead, I won't attempt to speculate about what specifically might have caused him to make that connection. Instead, I'll offer a more high-level overview and hope that provides some insight: Despite the Grateful Dead's eternal reputation as an improvisational rock band in live performance, they really were at the heart, more of a progressive "Americana" roots band, taking their influences from folk, country, bluegrass, blues, and early rhythm & blues and melding everything into their own style. And in essence that's what Mark does too - he takes much of his playing and song-writing style from those same traditional Americana styles. He also interpolates musical elements from his many other influences including jazz, show tunes, British folk music, and "classic" early 20th century pop music. Where Mark wears his influences quite openly on his shirt-sleeves though, Jerry and The Grateful Dead incorporated theirs into a more homogeneous stew, and gradually developed their own very unique and identifiable sound. I think that anyone who can listen with "open ears" (i.e. without preferential prejudice) and/or who has a musical background will notice similarities between the two artists. Given those stylistic similarities then, the comparison may become even more clear if we look at just the two as guitarists. Despite their unique backgrounds Jerry and Mark come to their instruments with some very similar roots and influences. Both very talented and melodic players though, who simply can't avoid breaking through the fragile boundaries of those traditional genres and taking their guitar lines outside for some joyous musical exploration. And that is likely a significant factor in their respective successes and acclaim as well. As for the review itself, if I were Mark I would take that critic's opinion as a compliment. On a more personal note, and as a great fan of both players, I think it would have made for a completely natural and delightfully compelling collaboration if Mark Knopfler and Jerry Garcia had done an album together. |
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Cheers, 3Pints "It’s a quiet life from here on in, You’ve dropped your poisoned cup The telephone is ringing, but you’re not picking up" | |
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| qjamesfloyd | Friday, 18. December 2015, 16:25 Post #4 |
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Thanks for the info 3Pints. I will have to give them a listen :) What would you recommend I start with? |
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"Yeah, me and my mate like ac-dc Hot & sweaty, loud & greasy" Mark Knopfler. | |
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| 3Pints | Friday, 8. January 2016, 04:14 Post #5 |
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Old Pigweed
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Hi QJF, Well to be honest, from what little I know about your musical tastes I would actually recommend you don't listen to The Grateful Dead. I don't believe that they'll be your cup of tea at all. I think that the musical connection with Mark's work won't be especially apparent either and that you'll just end up being disappointed. If you do want to explore though, I would suggest you start with their 1987 album, "In the Dark". It's one of their later, and more commercially accessible studio releases. If you find you like it, then maybe work backwards chronologically from there. The Dead were known for extended jamming and there are lots of live albums (and videos) out there where you'll find Jerry Garcia gets the chance to stretch out and improvise. His influences are many and varied and he often veers into jazz territory and modal explorations, which I don't think you'll enjoy. His musical roots are in bluegrass, country, and blues though and he's played on many albums with other artists. Anyway he's one of those guys who you can't really label or put into any neat little box. You just have to listen with open ears and enjoy.... or.... :winky: |
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Cheers, 3Pints "It’s a quiet life from here on in, You’ve dropped your poisoned cup The telephone is ringing, but you’re not picking up" | |
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12:57 AM Jul 11