The Ragpicker's Dream Explained

The Ragpicker's Dream
Type:studio
Artist:Mark Knopfler
Cover:MK_The_Ragpickers_Dream.jpg
Recorded:January–June 2002
Studio:Ocean Way, Nashville
Genre:Roots rock, folk rock, blues
Label:Mercury
Warner Bros. (USA)
Producer:Mark Knopfler, Chuck Ainlay
Prev Title:A Shot at Glory
Prev Year:2002
Next Title:Shangri-La
Next Year:2004

The Ragpicker's Dream is the third solo studio album by British singer-songwriter and guitarist Mark Knopfler, released on 30 September 2002 by Mercury Records internationally, and by Warner Bros. Records in the United States.[1] The album received generally favorable reviews upon its release.[2]

Composition

The album is a collection of songs written from the point of view of poor but dignified itinerant men, struggling to get by in life, often enjoying small triumphs. Knopfler gives a folk imprint to the whole album without relying too heavily on the acoustic guitar. The first song, "Why Aye Man", was used as the theme tune for the third series of Auf Wiedersehen, Pet which first aired in 2002. The album contains numerous other references to North East England, including the village of Tow Law on "Hill Farmer's Blues".[1]

Artwork

The album cover shows a black and white photograph of a man and a woman dancing in a kitchen. The photograph was taken by Elliott Erwitt and is titled "Spain, Valencia, 1952, Robert and Mary Frank".[3] The photo was also used as the book cover for two novels: The Marriage Artist by Andrew Winer (2010, Henry Holt & Company), and Ancient Light by John Banville (2012, Viking).[4]

Critical reception

In his review for AllMusic, Hal Horowitz gave the album three out of five stars, calling the album "a pleasant, classy, often inspired effort whose unassuming charms are best appreciated after repeated listenings."[1] Horowitz continued:Horowitz acknowledges Knopfler's versatility and breadth of music on the album: the atmospherics of "Hill Farmer's Blues" and "Fare Thee Well Northumberland", the unaccompanied folk/blues of "Marbletown", the "shuffling groove" on the spooky "You Don't Know You're Born", the mid-tempo "Coyote", the authentic honky tonk swing of "Daddy's Gone to Knoxville", and Roger Milleresque "Quality Shoe". Horowitz singles out the title track, which he describes as "an homage to the American roots music he's always admired."[1]

Track listing

All songs were written by Mark Knopfler.[1]

Limited edition bonus disc
Singles from the album

Personnel

Music
Production

Charts

Year-end charts

Chart (2002)Position
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[7] 44
French Albums (SNEP)[8] 83
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[9] 61
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[10] 46
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[11] 57
UK Albums (OCC)[12] 183

References

Notes
  • Citations
  • External links

    Notes and References

    1. Web site: Horowitz . Hal . The Ragpicker's Dream. AllMusic. 24 November 2011.
    2. Web site: The Ragpicker's Dream . Metacritic . 28 November 2012.
    3. Web site: Elliot Erwin 1952 . Magnum Photos . 28 November 2012.
    4. Web site: Different Book, Same Cover: Andrew Winer's The Marriage Artist . OpinionLess . November 24, 2012.
    5. The Ragpicker's Dream . Mark Knopfler . 2002 . 7 . booklet . Warner Bros. Records . 948318-2 . Burbank, California.
    6. Book: Salaverri, Fernando. Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002. 1st . September 2005. Fundación Autor-SGAE. Spain. 84-8048-639-2.
    7. Web site: Jaaroverzichten – Album 2002. dutchcharts.nl. 18 November 2020.
    8. Web site: Top de l'année Top Albums 2002. SNEP. fr. 18 November 2020.
    9. Web site: Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts. de. GfK Entertainment. 18 November 2020.
    10. Web site: Årslista Album – År 2002. Sverigetopplistan. sv. 18 November 2020.
    11. Web site: Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2002. hitparade.ch. 18 November 2020.
    12. Web site: 2002 UK Albums Chart. ChartsPlus. 18 November 2020.