It varies from tour to tour and album to album but that said...
David Knopfler - vocs, guitar, piano- anything else that comes in handy
Harry Bogdanovs - guitar and piano and anything that comes in handy
Then when we can afford it we add
Martin Ditcham on drums
Pete Shaw on bass
which will be the case for the October/November 2009 dates in Germany
More details at my website
Some of the musicians who've played on my recordings, (in no particular order) include but are not limited to, Arrun Ahmun, Martin Ditcham, Geoff Dugmore, Craig, Blundell, Martin Wild, Curt Cress, Pindit Dinesh, Ray Singer, Tom Macfarland, Pino Palladino, Pete Shaw, John Giblin, Kevin Powell, Mark Smith, John Illsley, Nathan East, Kuma Harada Taif Ball, Danny Thompson, Mark Knopfler, Chris Rea, Harry Bogdanovs, Bub Roberts, Phil Palmer, Pascal Danae, David Arnold, Tim Cansfield, Melvin Duffy, BJ Cole, Betsy Cook, Danny Schogger, Simon Clarke, Alan Clark, Richard Dunn, Miriam Stockley, Lance Ellington, Margo Buchanon, Chris Thompson, Judy Cheeks, Julya LoKo, PP Arnold, Marie Broady, Germaine Johnson, Karen Young, Katie Kissoon, Mick Jackson, Dave Jackson, Forrest Thomas, George Mayr, Graham Edwards, Bobby Valentino, Andy Longhurst, Ben Hoffnung, Chris White, Mike Paice, Andy Hamilton, Roger Downham, Alan Dunn, Graham Henderson, Tim Whitehead, Jule Neigel, Jane Weatherhog, Robin Thompson Clarke.
Influences
The biggest influences are really pretty random... a line from a poem... something overheard... a kindness of a loving friend... Dave Crosby's generosity of spirit, Joseph Campbell - but the usual musical culprits would have to include Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Randy Newman, Tom Waits, James Taylor, Jackson Browne when with David Lindley especially, Rickie Lee Jones and on and on. Going chronologically music that stopped me in my tracks would include The Shadows Apache, Dylan (again), Early Beach Boys, The Byrds, The Kinks, Hendrix, CSN, CSNY. the Liverpool Poets, Layla should be in there somewhere. Elton John esp Tumbleweed Connection at that time, two Cat Stevens LPs - Tea for the Tillerman and Teaser and the Firecat,then my student years should include Roy Harper, Lowell George, Little Feat and Steely Dan... then there's Nina Simone and ooh Morricone... then of course JJ Cale with the founding of Dire Straits... Okay this is fun for me, but boring as death for anyone else, so enough already.
Sounds Like
sounds like me :)
Buy my records in stores, or at www.knopfler.com or at CDBaby or download from itunes etc - I guess this is the space where the search engines come looking for goodies though... so here's a bunch of names to keep the software fed, Shawn Colvin, Van Morrison, Dire Straits, Bob Dylan, JJ Cale, Randy Newman, Tom Waits, Cat Stevens, James Taylor, Jackson Browne, Mark Cohn, I need to check out my CD collection ... who do you think should be here?
This is the pro-forma bumph...
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..Biography..
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Biography
David Knopfler
Founder of Rock group Dire Straits, David has subsequently faithfully pursued
his own musical vision, writing and producing his own compositions on ten solo CDs
to date.
Knopfler has been fortunate enough to
reach a wide audience without compromising his art and while he's enjoyed the respect
and admiration of his musical peers, widespread critical acclaim, international awards
and worldwide chart successes, has managed, in his own country, Britain, to keep
a profile so low as to be nearly invisible. He lives quietly in the English countryside,
notching up an impressive list of writing credits.
A regular panelist at music conventions and lifelong member
of organizations like Amnesty International and Adopt a Minefield, David has always
made uncompromising life choices: "I don't regard what I do as remotely glamorous.
I write, record and perform my music because I completely love
doing it and despite any so called celebrity status that sometimes comes with
the job."
Ship of Dreams, David's latest album, co-produced with Harry Bogdanovs
(Westerhagen) features guest appearances by Chris Rea and Alan Clark
(Dire Straits) amongst others.
The album cover features a
painting generously supplied by Scotland's most successful living artist,
Jack Vettriano
As well as having produced a clutch of underscores for film and TV projects, David's first book of poetry entitled Blood Stones and Rhythmic Beasts was released earlier this year by Blackwing Books.
US/Canadian release of Ship of Dreams (on award winning Justin-Time Records
label) 25th October 2005
"An elegant wordsmith"
Toronto Star Review Canada
"A lush and gentle gem of a record"
The Ottawa Xpress
""Ship Of Dreams" is a little masterpiece"
ELBE Wochenblatt
Many thanks for adding me - I love the work you have on here; your new songs seems to combine the hallmark "slightly gritty" Knopfler vocals that came to light in Dire Straits with something much more personal and sensitive.
Interesting you mention Chris Rea - there's a touch of something of him in the mix, too.
You inspire me to go out and buy a CD or two - and to long for something that can deliver a little more detail than standard silver disc technology ...
Hello David, I am so glad you have added me. Yes I know that we are not "real friends" and here it's a virtual thing, but it means a lot to me because I have been listening to Dire Straits early recordings (including a lot of bootleg cd's) since I was a kid, I have adsorbed DS style, a very big influence for me and the way I play, by the way amongst my music projects I have a DS tribute band, I play lead guitar and I sing, check it out on my MySpace page, I hope you enjoy it. I have always loved your guitar rhythm style which was so unique and I like your solo works too. Thank you very much and cheers from Italy :) Angelo
Hi David, thank you for add me as your friend and thanks for your music. I admire you since Dire Strait's early days and i love your solo records aswell. I like very much "Songs For The Siren" but i don't forget "Madonna's Daughter" nor "Bernadette" etc. Greetings from Canary Islands, Spain.
Hello David, I was wondering the song 4u what is that about? it sounds like a love song of sort to me. Is there a 12 string in there? I hope you have new music soon Good luck!
Gaynor
