Customer Reviews

Music By Mark Knopfler From The Film Cal

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

How good is this soundtrack by Mark Knopfler? Well, the movie (and it was a good little movie) came and went 19 (!) years ago, yet the CD continues to play over and over again here in my home. It's a beautiful, haunting set of instrumentation and melody, combining Knopfler's outstanding musical talents with his study of traditional Irish music. The result: hours and hours of re-listenable, never-tiring pleasure for your ears.

Even if you've never heard of the film, this is a soundtrack well worth picking up.

THE OTHER REVIEWS OF THIS ALBUM ARE ACCURATE. THIS IS A STELLAR
COLLECTION OF SONGS. GREAT MOOD MUSIC THAT IS EASILY ENJOYED BY ANYONE. THE SINGLE NEGATIVE REVIEW OF THIS ALBUM IS INCOMPREHENSIBLE--DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND DISREGARD IT. FOR THOSE WHO REALLY ENJOY THIS ALBUM, I STRONGLY RECOMMEND YOU CHECKOUT CHET ATKINS "SAILS", YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED. IT CONTAINS A BIT MORE "HAPPY" SOUND, BUT THE GENTLE EMOTION AND TOUCH OF THE NYLON STRING GUITAR WORK AND SOFT AMBIENT KEYBOARD FEEL ARE VERY SIMILAR AND VERY PLEASING. LIKE THIS KNOPFLER ALBUM YOU FEEL SO VERY FORTUNATE TO STUMBLE UPON SUCH MEMORABLE AND RELATIVELY UNKNOWN MUSIC. MELODIC AND TRUE. NO HYPE.

I enjoy many different types of music and was intrigued to first hear this in a music store in California. It is the sound track from an obscure movie called "Cal." I recognized the Mark Knopfler/Dire Straits guitar on several cuts but there is also a very haunting Celtic feel. This is a relaxing, peaceful, soothing CD, one of my favorites.

Extraordinary film with Helen Mirren and John Lynch. And extraordinary music that perfectly fits the movie without overpowering the film. I saw the film first and it broke my heart and then I bought the s/t. I can visualize every scene from the s/t to the tragic and heartbreaking ending. Knofler perfectly captures the spirit and hearbreak of Northern Ireland. Just beautiful. If you haven't seen the film, do so. But be prepared to have your heart broken.

In 1983, Mark Knopfler, singer/songwriter of Dire Straits, released the superb soundtrack to "Local Hero", which remains a favorite of mine still, and one of the best soundtracks ever. The next year, he followed with another movie soundtrack, "Cal", which brings the story of an Northern-Irish family tormented by the struggles with the British "occupancy".

"Cal" (12 tracks, 35 min.) evokes the atmosphere of Irish life, with superb result. Check out the opener "Irish Boy", with gentle guitar and flute. The conflict in the movie is born out in "Fear and Hatred", which is the only "harsh" track on the album, all the other tunes are mood pieces. There are 2 center pieces on the album that are beautiful beyond belief: the 6+ min. "Father and Son" which evoke all the ache that is in the movie, and the closer "The Long Road", which is uplifting in sound (and sight onto the screen). Knopler's excellent guitar work is never overbearing, but enhances the mood throughout.

Mark Knopfler would go on to score many other movies, but he never reached the peaks of the 1-2 punch of "Local Hero" and "Cal". "Cal" may only last 35 min., but it is a superb soundtrack, and highly recommended. I bought it on vinyl and again on CD and it remains a favorite of mine.

I first heard this soundtrack as a child - my father has just returned from a trip to the UK and this movie had just come out. He loved the movie and bought the soundtrack - our whole family has fallen in love with this music. It is beautiful and haunting - it's only too bad that this CD is less well known. There is something about this music that just stays with you. I would recommend it to anyone and everyone.

M.K is very good on illustrating the messages about movies in his soundtrack albums. This one is a another proof on this. OK, the pocket was small and no lyrics, but that's not so important here. Intelligent songs who fits the movie very well, once again good storys, and instrumenal playing. someof the songs is very instrumenal...typicall him, he's a genius at this. he is mixing a little blues i guess, whith rockmusic. Mostly rock. also calm rockmusic . And then very smooth music too. so just buy it, if you like his others Soundtracks- albums, and then you will like this one too. bye. /J.L, a M.K fan.

Other than the choppiness of some really short songs, this album really wrings good Irish soul. Knopfler himself doesn't appear out front very much (The Long Road being an exception), with Uellian pipes taking center stage most times. It challenges you, especially "Love and Guilt" but yields much. I think The Long Road may be the best song Knopfler has ever written. Yes, better than "Money For Nothing"!

We enjoy this music so much that we used pieces of the CD for our wedding.

This soundtrack for the film CAL is one of the best I have ever heard.It captures the Irish so well,unlike the film. Think of WAKING NED and you're on the right track.It's only beaten by THE BUTCHER BOY soundtrack