Wishbones

David Knopfler | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 12, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Koch Records
• ASIN: B00006SFA0
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #201,399 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply Beautiful and Finally a Stateside Release!!!!!, November 12, 2002

By 

JD Cetola (Omaha, NE USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wishbones (Audio CD)

David Knopfler, founder of the great Dire Straits has finally released his eighth solo album. Always a literate songwriter, David Knopfler manages to put thought-provoking and insightful lyrics to beautiful, acoustic music. The music (nearly 59 minutes worth) on "Wishbones" lives up to the stratospheric standard set on 1993's brilliant "The Giver" and the (until now) unprecedented magnificence of David Knopfler's last album, 1994's "Small Mercies" (Note: if you can find either of these cds, do yourself a favor and buy them--you won't be disappointed).

The instrumentation on this album is much like the last two releases (by far his best in my estimation; although 1983's "Release" comes close)--and that's a good thing. Knopfler sings (and his voice continues to get better with age), plays piano (which is front and center), guitars, vibes, and mandolin. Back is the multi-talented Harry Bogdanovs on guitars, electric piano, banjo, bass (additional), and mandolin. Alan Clark shines on Hammond and Chris Rea adds his talent to the lead track, "A Clear Day (St Swithun's Day)"--a reference to the weather saint and just one example of Knopfler's literate songwriting skills. Eddi Reader contribues vocals for the album's weakest track (but by no means a weak track in and of itself), John Martyn's "May You Never" (the only track Knopfler didn't write although he co-wrote a couple tracks with Bogdanovs).

Highlights include the Celtic-infected "Jericho", the brilliant "A Clear Day" (a great single if ever there's been one), the moving, haunting, jazzy "The Bones", the thought-provoking "If God Could Make the Angels", and my personal favorite, the poignant "The Snowscape Paperweight Girl". The bonus tracks (there are two) are no throwaways either. "Shadowlands" is a rollicking tune reminiscent of 'Double Dealing' from 1985's "Behind the Lines" and the acoustic version of "A Clear Day" is a worthy contrast to the electric version.

This is an album full of beautiful melodies, brilliant lyricism, and showcases a tight band playing for the love of music. Music doesn't get much better than this. Very Highly Recommended.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wishbones: David Knopfler, November 12, 2002

By 

Wisteria (CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wishbones (Audio CD)

A founder member of Dire Straits, this is David Knopfler's eighth album release since going solo.

A seriously good song-writer's songwriter, I don't think I can think of any recording artist who's
been more shamefully under-noticed by the mainstream media in the US, nor who's lyrics are
more arresting. Perhaps Knopfler has been his own worst enemy in this respect as I'm pretty
sure he has never toured over here.

In terms at least of lyrical artistic achievement it wouldn't be over the top to see him critically,
albeit not commercially, in the same drawer as the likes of Leonard Cohen, Dylan, Joni Mitchell,
Tom Waits or any of the other holy saints of rock iconogaphy.

Musically this continues where "Small Mercies" (his previous release) left off but it has a new found
sense of relaxed self assurance and quiet reflection that is extremely honest and moving. Check out
King of Ashes for example. The production sounds very expensive without being flashy, with plenty
of space for gloriously appropriate guitar lines from David and his sideman, Harry Bogdanovs to ring
out. David is no slouch on the piano either as Arcadie demonstrates. Warm deep vocals, it has to be
said, leave brother Mark on the starting grid. though there are superficial similarities for first time
listeners.

A nice lean toward an acoustic hand-made production without any of the tattiness this can sometimes
imply. There are even some tasteful orchestral additions on several tracks though only when strictly
helpful which helps create the overall impression of a spare but no expense spared production.

Without the singer being remotely maudlin or self pitying, this feels like a very intimate, mature record
and is easily his best work to date. If you, like me, believe, singer-songwriters are capable of making
serious art that's also accessible and that Jagger's "I know it's only rock n roll but I like it" completely
misses the point, then I think you'll want to buy this record. And when you do - like most other
converts you'll be baffled why. given the quality of the music, it took you so long to discover it.

Knopfler and his co-producers Harry Bogdanovs and Chris Kimsey (Rolling Stones) in this
production bring out the best of the skills of some amazing musicians including several former
Dire Straits members, like Alan Clark on Hammond , Chris White on sax and Phil Palmer on guitar
- as well as a couple of interesting guest appearances by Chris Rea and Eddie Reader. I also noticed Bonnie Raitt's
bass player Hutch Hutchinson makes an appearance.

Whether this record needed bonus add on tracks is debatable. At nearly one hour it's a lot longer than
most contemporary albums, however it feels more like 40 minutes when listening and the unplugged
version of "A Clear Day (St Swithun's Day)" is in some respects better than the original.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A True Acoustic Masterpiece, July 28, 2003

By 

Peyman Moazami "Peyman" (Tehran, IRAN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wishbones (Audio CD)

I still don't understand why people have this tendency to confuse David Knopfler with his elder brother Mark. David has always been my favourite kind of artist and with the relese of Wishbones he shines brighter than ever. For those of you who haven't listened to other David Knopfler's CD's this is a great kick-off. The atmosphere of the album is Acoustic and unplugged style except for the first single 'St. Swithun's Day' and the bonus track, 'Shadowlands'. Coproduced by his old friend Harry Bagdanovs, this is a true work of art so rarely seen of musicians these days. St. Swithun's Day is performed with Chris Rea whereas Eddi Reader (Fairport Convention lead singer) joins him on May You Never. David shines on guitars and Piano and his lyrical magic is still thrilling. This is a perfect follower to the two previously released CD's : 'The Giver' and 'Small Mercies'. Just turn the lights off and enjoy the tranquility and honesty of David Knopfler's music. But please don't think of Mark Knoplfer when you are listening to this CD. Thank you David for such a strong and perfect CD.