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
For our May/June UK dates in 2006 we had the honour of having Mack Starks from Nashville with us as special guest. Other special guests have included Megan Slankard (who's vocals feature on Tears Fall) and Amilia K Spicer.
The next studio album will also include performances from
Tony Carey - piano and hammond
Johnny Mueller - various saxophones
Geoff Dugmore - percussion and half a kit :)
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...
..DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 3.2//EN">
Biography
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
Who I'd like to meet Tess from The Constant Gardener, absent friends
What is a friend?
Tom, it seems has over 77 million friends and that's fine but the Oxford Dictionary defines a "friend" as "one joined to another in intimacy and mutual benevolence." Put another way, I'm purposefully avoiding a meaningless wodge of names as "friends" from people who don't actually know me or my work. So if you wind up in my pending folder that's why... it's not in any way a rejection or a slight. I do however follow up on all messages and requests. Best David
I ALSO RUN A ROTATING TOP TWENTY FOUR - SO CONSTANT CHANGES
Hi David, Thanks so much for a great gig at Cox's Yard, Stratford. It was a memorable evening and as my son, Elison said, "It was a revelation!" It has taken me ages to get to see you live but was well worth the wait. Harry is stunningly good, we both loved his playing and demeanour on stage, a true professional who clearly "lives" the music he plays. I liked the new numbers you played esp. the second one that was folk bluesy, keep up the good work and next time you are playing in the midlands, I will be there! Next time I'll make sure my other son, Oli, who plays piano and loves your music, gets off work early so he can come too. Thanks for signing my CD too. Best regards Robin.
Hi David, great to hear from you :-) I can't believe you've performed in Kilburn on the 5th of June, I live in the area, if I only knew... When is your next London performance? "Here & Gone" is a classic and I'm sure it will get its place on the big screen sooner or later :-) Is your next album coming out soon? Hope so! Regards, Jova x
thanks David - you're so right - I've played the Stables several times and it's one of my two or three favorite venues in the UK. Lovely people and pristine sound. Sorry you will miss the gig, we'll wave on the way past! peace, G
Looking forward to seeing you in MK, will certainly travel to that one! Hope all is well with you and that this nasty cold is not bothering you too much!
Hi David, I hope you're well. I'm enjoying your "If God could make the Angels" a lot!
I wanted to let you know about my latest project.
“Turning Wine into Water” I have created an Album of music made entirely from Wine related objects. I am donating all proceeds to get a Water Well dug in Ethiopia.
I am determined to make the Well a reality. They are installed by some inspirational non profit people called wellwishers.
For the price of a glass of wine, your download will help create a Well.
To find out more and download the “Wine into Water” Music go to www. winemusic. biz
There is water just metres underground but there is no way of villagers getting to it without the resources. As a result, people are dying from water contamination. The wells can only be built by blasting through many metres of rock If I get 1000 downloads, they get a well built. Each Well helps 650 people.
We're 15% of the way there thanks to you all digging deep.
