Mark Knopfler seems to have two desires on this, his seventh solo album: to write some solid songs to add to his already impressive catalog and to relax and have some fun playing the blues. While these two desires are not really in conflict, they often find separate expressions. That may be the reason why Privateering is a double CD set; that gives him plenty of space to explore both inclinations.
The song progression flows, more or less, from the serious to the lighter, more fun songs. In fact, there is almost a division between the two: CD1 focuses on songcraft, CD2 on jamming. It is as if the more serious songs he got down, the more he felt freed to cut loose and have some fun. The division is not absolute; the blues make their first appearance on track number 3, "Don't Forget Your Hat," and "Dream of the Drowned Submariner," near the end of CD2, is as serious (and as powerful) as any song on the album.
The distinction between the two influences on Privateering is more a matter of style than substance. Musically, the "serious" songs are carefully crafted, with an emphasis on structure and melody. "Redbud Tree" echoes the best of his old band Dire Straits, while "Dream of the Drowned Submariner" is gorgeous and subtle, melodic and, yes, dreamlike. The lyrics of these tunes are equally strong and crafted. "Seattle" uses descriptions of the city to delineate the status of a relationship. Lines like "Every wounded soldier/ needs a lady with a light" ("Radio City Serenade") abound.
The blues songs are looser, with an emphasis on jamming. Knopfler only really lets loose on his guitar on the blues numbers, but on several, such as "Gator Blood" and "Don't Forget Your Hat," he shows how much he can rip it up. Lyrically, the blues songs are looser too, much more playful, while still being well-written. Song titles like "I Used to Could" and "Gator Blood" indicate this playfulness. As do lines like "A hen can lay a golden egg/ But it still can't sing" ("After the Beanstalk"). And how many blues songs can slip in a line like "I like a nap" ("Today is Okay") without just sounding lazy?
Still, the songs often explore similar territory, regardless of their stylistic drives. There is a thematic unity to the album. Many of the songs deal, in one way or another, with hard times economically. This is true of both the blues and the more crafted songs. There are tales of the down and out ("Corned Beef City" and "Yon Two Crows"), and of those attempting to rise above their status, whether legitimately or not (the title track, a little history lesson of the border line between mercenaries and pirates, and ""Hot or What," told from the point of view of a gambler on a streak). "Kingdom of Gold" looks at the same circumstances from the view on top. There are some standard love songs and such, but this idea of economic struggle runs throughout the CD.
It should come as no surprise that the best songs come when Knopfler blends the two, when he uses a blues structure but gets serious, both musically and lyrically. "Bluebird" is a beautiful song, trying to convince his woman he's not right for her, using the condition of his farm as evidence. Perhaps the best song on the album, "Yon Two Crows" follows a similar theme, as a shepherd describes the hardness of his life (and who would think you could write a such a beautiful song about a sheep farm?).
This duality is one of the biggest, most captivating strengths the album, although I'm not sure if it justifies the length (over ninety minutes). The first couple of tracks ("Redbud Tree" and "Haul Away") are reminiscent enough of Dire Straits that the immediate impression is that Knopfler is out to recapture his old glory. The blues songs not only shatter that impression, they serve as a counterpoint which enables the listener to appreciate the more crafted songs rather than be overwhelmed by them. The whole definitely becomes greater than the parts.
On Privateering, Knopfler manages to achieve both of his goals: he demonstrates that he is still a master of songcraft, and he manages to have some fun. Sometimes even in the same song.
Artist:
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Album:
Privateering is out now. Buy it here on Amazon .
