One Deep River Explained
One Deep River is the tenth solo album by British musician Mark Knopfler. It was released on 12 April 2024.[1] [2] [3] On 5 February, Knopfler released a behind-the-scenes video on YouTube of him and the band at work on the album. Guy Fletcher, John McCusker, Michael McGoldrick and Greg Leisz are shown to be part of the band.[4]
The first three singles from the album released are "Ahead of the Game" (released on 24 January),[5] "Watch Me Gone" (released 22 February)[6] and "Two Pairs of Hands" (released 27 March).[7] [8]
The album was followed by a standalone EP for Record Store Day called The Boy, containing four exclusive songs around a common theme of fairgrounds and boxing.[9]
Critical reception
Classic Rock writer David Quantick defined the album as one of the best of Knopfler's career, finding "gorgeous songs" which "sounds like it's lived a life that's full".[10]
In a mixed review Robin Murray of Clash wrote that the album "display his guitar chops, and his honesty" with references to "blockbuster Dire Straits albums", pointing out that it is "rooted in classic American songwriting, it feels humble, and often moving". The writer found that "While the playing is never less than exceptional" the productions "can sometimes falter, [...] a little dated, and rob the material of energy".[11]
AllMusic critic Timothy Monger gave the album a positive review, stating that Mark Knopfler's "output as a singer/songwriter has remained remarkably consistent and uniquely his own". He went on to say that "Like its predecessor, 2018's Down the Road Wherever, One Deep River doesn't necessarily break new ground for Knopfler, but it does add a clutch of well-written, impeccably played songs to his canon ... These are the kind of smart slice-of-life lyrics Knopfler has built his career on and can still deliver with a craftsman's ease".[12]
Personnel
Musicians
- Mark Knopfler – lead vocals, electric guitar
- Ian Thomas – drums
- Danny Cummings – percussion
- Guy Fletcher – synthesizer (tracks 1–4, 6, 7, 9–12), Mellotron (5), harmonium (6)
- Richard Bennett – electric guitar (tracks 1, 2, 11), acoustic guitar (3–10, 12), bouzouki (9)
- Glenn Worf – bass guitar (tracks 1, 3–9, 11, 12), upright bass (2, 10)
- Greg Leisz – lap steel guitar (tracks 1, 4), acoustic guitar (2, 3), pedal steel (3, 5–12)
- Jim Cox – digital piano (track 1), piano (2, 3, 5, 7–11), organ (4), Wurlitzer electric piano (6), Hammond organ (12)
- Emma Topolski – background vocals (tracks 3, 5–8, 10–12)
- Tamsin Topolski – background vocals (tracks 3, 5–8, 10–12)
- John McCusker – fiddle (track 11)
- Mike McGoldrick – uilleann pipes, whistle (track 11)
Technical
- Mark Knopfler – production
- Guy Fletcher – production, mixing, engineering
- Bob Ludwig – mastering
- Luie Stylianou – mixing assistance, engineering assistance
- Edie Delafield – engineering assistance
- Eve Morris – engineering assistance
- Rowan McIntosh – engineering assistance
- Tom Coath – engineering assistance
Charts
Notes and References
- MarkKnopfler . 1750089596111667707 . One Deep River, the tenth solo studio album from Mark Knopfler, will be released globally on 12th April 2024..
- Murray . Robin . 2024-01-24 . Mark Knopfler Announces New Album One Deep River News . 2024-01-24 . . en-GB.
- Bonner . Michael . Hear Mark Knopfler's new single, "Ahead of the Game" . . 24 January 2024 . 24 January 2024.
- Web site: On the Record – One Deep River (Part 1) . 5 February 2024 . .
- Web site: 2024-01-24 . Mark Knopfler Announces New Album 'One Deep River': Hear "Ahead Of The Game" . 2024-03-19 . Stereogum . en.
- Web site: Lewrypublished . Fraser . 2024-02-22 . Mark Knopfler releases poignant new single Watch Me Gone . 2024-03-19 . louder . en.
- Web site: Mark Knopfler – New Single "Two Pairs of Hands" Available Now (March 27) – Press Releases – Universal Music Canada . 2024-03-29 . www.universalmusic.ca.
- Web site: Stickler . Jon . Mark Knopfler Shares New Single Two Pairs Of Hands - Stereoboard . 2024-03-29 . Stereoboard.com . en.
- Web site: Alper . Eric . 2024-02-19 . Mark Knopfler Set To Release New EP The Boy Out April 20 . 2024-03-19 . That Eric Alper . en-US.
- Web site: Quantick . David . April 12, 2024 . Out now: Mark Knopfler repeats his formula to great effect on One Deep River . April 19, 2024 . Classic Rock.
- Web site: Murray . Robin . April 12, 2024 . Mark Knopfler - One Deep River Reviews . April 19, 2024 . Clash.
- Web site: Monger . Timothy . AllMusic Review - Mark Knopfler - One Deep River . November 11, 2024 . AllMusic.
- Web site: ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart. Australian Recording Industry Association. 22 April 2024. 19 April 2024.
- Web site: Lista prodaje 16. tjedan 2024.. April 8, 2024. . hr. April 24, 2024. April 24, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240424162104/https://www.top-lista.hr/www/lista-prodaje-strano-16-tjedan-2024/. dead.
- Web site: Album – Classifica settimanale WK 16 (dal 12.04.2024 al 18.04.2024). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. it. 20 April 2024.
- Web site: NZ Top 40 Albums Chart. Recorded Music NZ. 22 April 2024. 19 April 2024.
- Web site: Veckolista Album, vecka 16. Sverigetopplistan. 19 April 2024.
- Mark Knopfler Chart History: Top Rock & Alternative Albums. Billboard. 23 April 2024.
