Mark Knopfler (4/25/10 State Theater, Minneapolis)
by Scott Lyson
For my 50th concert, I was really looking forward to catching Mark Knopfler once again in Minneapolis. This was my third time seeing Knopfler. The first in 06′ with Emmylou Harris and then again in 08′. Last month I turned 25, and when I go to concerts I usually feel quite young, such was the case at the State Theater Sunday night. There were a handful of us younger folk, but most of the audience was alive and well during Knopfler’s Dire Straits days.
When Knopfler played at the Orpheum back in 05′ he offered downloads of each concert. I wasn’t able to make that concert, but I was able to enjoy it through the download. When I was able to finally see Knopfler a year later, he was supporting his album “All The Roadrunning.” Which he made with Emmylou Harris. The show was excellent, even though some of the country numbers weren’t very thrilling. The second concert I went to two years later was in support of the album “Kill To Get Crimson.” For that concert the setlist was very similar to the 05′ show with just two numbers from the new album. So, for my 50th concert, I was hoping to hear “Money For Nothing” for the first time, and experience another solid show.
Opening act for the evening was Pieta Brown, who’s record company Red House Records is based in Minnesota. She came out with an acoustic guitar and was accompanied by Bo Ramsey on electric guitar, he also did some background singing. The two knocked out a terrific opening set that included a song from her recently released album “One and All,” a cover of Muddy Waters’ “Rollin & Tumblin,’” and even a song written on during this very tour, which was inspired by watching Knoplfer perform. Both seemed to be completely wrapped up in and very moved by the music, as was the audience. Pieta was perfect to open up the show.
After the brief break, Knopfler and his band were onstage performing “Border Reiver,” the opening track from Knopfler’s new album “Get Lucky.” It was a great choice for an opener and followed by the rocking “What It Is.” The next song was “Sailing to Philadelphia,” originally a duet with James Taylor. It almost seemed like filler – an excuse for artist and band member Tim O’Brien to sing, not that Tim didn’t nail it, but it did seemed tired. Spirits were lifted quickly when guitarist Richard Bennett started playing the riff to the new song “Cleaning My Gun.” This is the only real rock song from the new album, and it sounded very fresh live. Next, Mark made reference to Prairie Home Companion and then performed “Prairie Wedding,” which met with approval.
Thus far, the night looked up, a new song to open the show, another a few songs later, and then an unexpected number. It was a bit depressing when “Hill Farmer’s Blues” followed. Not the best of songs to be repeated in a setlist from the previous performance, as it probably sounds exactly like how you’d think “Hill Farmer’s Blues” would sound. It came as no surprise that the double-shot of “Romeo and Juliet” and “Sultans of Swing” followed. The only difference about these songs was that a ‘guitar-cam’ was attached at the head of Mark’s strat and during the end solos of both songs a screen behind the band switched to the ‘guitar-cam.’ The songs were played pretty much identically as they have before. The Straits songs didn’t have an fire in them, but if you haven’t heard them before, they are a treat. Things quieted down when Mark then grabbed a slide and played bit of a Blind Willie Johnson number, I believe, as an intro to the next song “Donegan’s Gone.” A song probably left best for CD listening. “Get Lucky” followed in line and was a number, again, not really a song one wants to hear performed live by such a marvelous guitar player.
Band member introductions were followed by “Marbletown.” Things seemed to be sliding downhill, which was confirmed when “Speedway at Nazareth” came next. ‘Speedway’ seems to have become a centerpiece in Mark’s live shows, and rightfully so. Plenty of fireworks during this song, but it came much too soon in the set, indicating that the fourteen minute “Telegraph Road” completed the main set. It’s a solid song, but at this point I gave up all hope for a strong finish to the show. The band was in cruise control, little inspiration from the playing. The same old, same old. Again, no surprise that “Brothers In Arms” kicked off the encore, followed by “So Far Away.” Songs known backwards and forwards. They did have one final song to perform, and I was aching for “Money For Nothing” but was letdown. On the bright side it was a new song, “Piper to the End.” That gave new band member Mike McGoldrick more time on his whistlin’ instruments.
Most of the audience seemed to leave quite pleased by the show, but I wondered if they had seen Knoplfer play recently. After the first five songs the show become unpredictable, unexciting, and I felt I should’ve saved my money. My money wasn’t wasted though, Pieta Brown was most delightful and I will definitely be checking out her records. Knopfler is one incredible guitarist and he’s backed by one incredible band; so, when 2/3 of the set is the same old stuff, it stings. Nothing from recent albums “Shangri-La,”(except Donegan’s Gone) “All the Roadrunning,” or “Kill to Get Crimson.” Instead of pulling out a tune from those albums or even digging deep for another “Making Movies” tune or “Walk of Life”…it seems like such a missed opportunity. Mark and they band seem to be in town every other year, and right now, if there isn’t a major shakeup in the setlist, I don’t think I have reason to see them again. Changing venue from the Orpheum to the State theater just isn’t enough. If you haven’t seen him though and are a classic rock or folk rock fan, I would suggest you take in a gig.
3 stars out of 5
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