Mark Knopfler Announces ‘Tracker’ — Exclusive Quotes & Pre-Order Here
Limited edition deluxe boxset now available to pre-order from the uDiscover store here.
Mark Knopfler’s eagerly-anticipated eighth solo album, titled ‘Tracker,’ will be released on Virgin EMI on March 16. The follow-up to 2012’s Europe-wide top ten set ‘Privateering,’ it was recorded as usual at the celebrated singer-guitarist’s British Grove Studios in west London, and produced by Knopfler with his longtime collaborator Guy Fletcher.
With Knopfler on all guitars and Fletcher playing all keyboards, the album features a stellar core band of Glenn Worf on bass, Ian ‘Ianto’ Thomas (drums), John McCusker (fiddle) and Mike McGoldrick on whistle and flute. Additional contributors include Nigel Hitchcock on saxophone, Phil Cunningham on accordion, Tom Walsh on trumpet and Ruth Moody, leader of Canadian roots trio the Wailin’ Jennys on vocals. Moody duets on the 11-track album’s closing duet ‘Wherever You Go.’
Subject matter on the record is drawn from characters and situations, both real life and imagined, in Knopfler’s own experiences. ‘Basil’ is inspired by the poet Basil Bunting, whom Mark encountered when he was a teenage copy boy working on the Newcastle Evening Chronicle, and ‘Beryl’ is about the Liverpudlian writer Beryl Bainbridge.
In comments revealed first today on uDiscover, Knopfler explains the title of the album by saying: “You’re involved in tracking down subject matter, tracking down an idea, investigating the whole thing. Sometimes you’re not exactly sure what it is you’re tracking, and you find out as you’re circling it, and getting closer to it. That’s part of the thrill.”
Of Ruth Moody, he says: “I came across Ruth through hearing her singing with the Wailin’ Jennys. They always sounded great, and I saw Ruth singing on ‘The Transatlantic Sessions.’ Then I realised that, of course, she was making her own records, and that they were beautiful. There’s just something celestial about her voice.”
The track listing of the album features ‘Laughs and Jokes and Drinks and Smokes,’ ‘Basil,’ ‘River Towns,’ ‘Skydiver,’ ‘Mighty Man,’ ‘Broken Bones, ‘Long Cool Girl.’ ‘Lights of Taormina,’ ‘Silver Eagle,’ ‘Beryl’ and ‘Wherever I Go,’ featuring Ruth Moody. A double heavyweight vinyl edition has the album over four sides, and a vinyl Deluxe edition adds four bonus tracks, ‘.38 Special,’ ‘My Heart Has Never Changed,’ ‘Terminal of Tribute To’ and ‘Heart of Oak.’
The lavish box set edition, pictured above, has six extra tracks (the four above-named plus ‘Time Will End All Sorrow’ and ‘Oklahoma Ponies’). The box contains the CD, a 12-inch LP, the six-track bonus disc, a DVD containing an exclusive video and interviews, a numbered art print and six photographic prints. All of these editions can be pre-ordered now from the uDiscover Deluxe Audio Store: click here for the CD, here for the Deluxe CD, here for the vinyl LP and here for the box set.
As ever, immediately following an album release, Knopfler and his band will embark on an extensive European tour. Dates begin on May 15 in Dublin, and their seven-date UK and Ireland itinerary is followed by a huge 40-date European trek that continues until July 31.
“As soon as there’s a soundcheck or a rehearsal, and the band’s there, you’re putting it all together, and I feel very at home,” Knopfler tells us. “It’s something I can do.’
Explore our dedicated Mark Knopfler Artist Page
Update: Please note that due to unprecedented demand, the initial planned run of the limited edition box sets has been increased in quantity to allow more fans to get hold of them. It remains limited however and fans are advised to order soon to be sure of securing a set!
UK English
Tigres
January 16, 2015 at 10:57 am
Buenos veremos aber que nos saca esta vevez el maestro de maestros..
interesante por supuesto
Ohad Shemen Ariely
January 16, 2015 at 11:42 am
Can’t wait
Ohad Shemen Ariely
January 16, 2015 at 11:42 am
Can’t wait
Thomas
January 16, 2015 at 3:30 pm
There’s no feeling I can relate to the feeling of waiting to hear new Knopfler songs. It’s like knowing that you are going to make a life long friend, but not knowing who, how or where.
Philipp
January 16, 2015 at 6:53 pm
25 € shipping to Germany is quite a tall order for the box set. Not sure how I feel about that “exlusive” deal…
John Pittman
January 16, 2015 at 7:37 pm
by far my favorite artist of all times. Been listening and following him for years and will continue to do so, thanks Mark! Would love a signed pic for my guitar room!?! Lol
Tyson
January 17, 2015 at 12:51 am
I was a High school junior in a small Michigan town when I first heard Sultans. Didn’t love the song at first but the guitar work made me buy the album (yes vinyl). Lifelong fan since hearing the first 30 seconds of Down To The Waterline. I truly think his solo work is in many ways better than Dire Straits. It’s a joy to discover his new songs and feel like a 16 year old kid again.
Tom Heath
January 17, 2015 at 9:42 pm
Months ago I booked seats at the O2 Arena for May 22nd…it makes me feel like a teen again to know I will soon be center stage in the 12th roow…just about the same seats from which I watched him last May at RAH…the introduction to Ruth Moody last year was also a high point of the concert…hooked for life is what I am…
Eric
January 17, 2015 at 7:19 am
I love MK’s music and am very much looking forward to the new release, but—-REALLY???—you couldn’t put all 6 of the bonus tracks on the “deluxe” CD? I can’t afford the box set, so I guess I’ll have to miss out.
Carsten Dyrhave Jensen
January 17, 2015 at 11:51 am
Looking forward to see you in TIVOLI, Copenhagen DK
Juan Luis Fabregat
January 17, 2015 at 5:53 pm
Gracias, Mark, por toda tu aportación a la música y a mi vida. Tú música siempre está en algún momento de mi via. Esperaré con ganas este nuevo disco. Juan Luis
esa
January 19, 2015 at 10:58 am
I hope Mark visit to Helsinki Finland.Here is many fans!
Robert P.
January 20, 2015 at 9:02 am
“Limited edition deluxe boxset now available to pre-order exclusively from the uDiscover store here.” Really? http://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B00S1M7LHY/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1638&creative=19454&creativeASIN=B00S1M7LHY&linkCode=as2&tag=superdeluxe0c-21&linkId=ZKRB76UX6P3YZJWI and where is information about limit 300 copies of this box?
uDiscover
January 21, 2015 at 3:16 pm
Hi Robert, uDiscover were initially told that the box set would only be available from our store, whereas in actual fact it was only exclusive to our store in the UK. This is why you have found it on other online stores. Regarding the limited edition, we have also now been told that due to unprecedented demand the planned quantity has been increased to allow more fans to be able to pre-order a copy.
Please accept our sincere apologies for any confusion; it was never our intention to mislead fans in any way. Sincerely, uDiscover.
Bali
January 20, 2015 at 3:50 pm
Limited copies? uDiscover exclusive?
http://www.amazon.de/Tracker-Ltd-Super-Deluxe-Knopfler-Mark/dp/B00S1M7LHY/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1421768504&sr=1-1&keywords=tracker
uDiscover
January 21, 2015 at 3:26 pm
Hi Ball, uDiscover were initially told that the box set would only be available from our store, whereas in actual fact it was only exclusive to our store in the UK. This is why you have found it on other online stores. Regarding the limited edition, we have also now been told that due to unprecedented demand the planned quantity has been increased to allow more fans to be able to pre-order a copy.
Please accept our sincere apologies for any confusion; it was never our intention to mislead fans in any way. Sincerely, uDiscover.
Marie Jo
January 21, 2015 at 2:53 pm
Hello,
As I never got the chance to see Mark Knopfler perform on stage before, I decided that this time with Tracker coming out I had to book my ticket for Le Zenith Paris in June and I did!! Beryl is a wonderful song as usual with his work!! Now I just have to be patient until the whole album is released in March and I really look forward to attend the Paris Gig!! Greetings from Paris…