Universal Music celebrates the success of `Tracker’ at The Irish House, Kala Ghoda, tonight with `Live’ band, contests, concerts & more!
“SKYDIVER” is the new single and follow-up to album lead track “Beryl”
Mark Knopfler’s acclaimed new album ‘Tracker’ features 11 new songs is inspired by a wide range of subjects including Beryl Bainbridge and Basil Bunting. The songs contain Mark’s usual wryly but accurately observed vignettes of real life wrapped up in a musical accompaniment of distinctive subtlety. The follow-up single to “Beryl” is “Skydiver” - a rolling groove, is a paean to a certain type of artist, who lives a life of reckless abandon, or, as author Richard Ford describes it, a ‘rollicking, race-course-vagabond song’.
Immediately on release, the album peaked at #3 on the iTunes India chart and is one of the highest selling International albums on Amazon India. To honor the stalwart, leading label Universal Music will pay tribute to the Dire Straits sensation Mark Knopfler at The Irish House, KalaGhoda today, 30th April’15. The evening will see India’s best classic rock covers band ‘One Night Stand’ performing to some of Mark Knopfler’s much loved chartbusters of the 80’s and 90’s. Join in and reminisce some good old Dire Strait hits as we celebrate the success of the rock titan’s latest album ‘Tracker’.
Says Mark on the new single: “‘Skydiver’ is about that period when I was a teenager and being introduced to all that stuff….the Beatles and everything else. It’s about the artist type of guy, an amalgamation of a bunch of different artists…One of the things that comes up in a lot of my songs is gambling. I don’t know why, because I don’t (gamble). It’s a transgression of sorts, which interests me. I will always be interested in people who are compelled to do things. That is one of the most regular elements in what I’m writing about.”
‘Skydiver’ was written by Mark Knopfler, produced by Knopfler and Guy Fletcher and was recorded at British Grove Studios in London. The song features Mark Knopfler on guitars and lead vocals, Guy Fletcher on keyboards and bass, and Ian Thomas on drums and washboard; they are joined by singer Ruth Moody (from The Wailin’ Jennys), who adds sumptuous harmonies to the chorus.
Commenting on the album’s success here, Sunil D’Sa - Vice President, Marketing, Universal Music India says, “‘Tracker’ is definitely Mark’s best solo work yet! Besides his signature vocal style, the album includes some great guitar riffs and melodies reminisce of Dire Straits we’ve all grown up on. And it’s no surprise that his legion of fans here are lapping up `Tracker’ making it one of his fastest selling `solo’ albums in India. The album has peaked at a phenomenal #3 on the iTunes India `overall’ albums chart – a chart dominated by Bollywood soundtracks besides it’s been one of the highest selling International albums on Amazon India since it’s release. To celebrate this success, we’ve lined up a night dedicated to the legend and his new album….so head to The Irish House tonight and have a great time with `live’ band - One Night Stand - as they pay tribute to the original Sultan of Swing!”.
The album is available on both physical and digital formats Exclusively on Universal Music.
About Universal Music India:
Universal Music India Pvt. Ltd. (UMIPL) is a 100% subsidiary of the Universal Music Group (UMG) and is home to record labels such as A&M Records, Blue Note Records, Capitol Records, Capitol Records Nashville, Caroline, Decca, Def Jam Recordings, Deutsche Grammophon, Emarcy, Geffen Records, Interscope Records, Island Records, Machete Music, MCA Nashville, Mercury Records, Motown Records, Polydor Records, Republic Records, Universal Music Latino, Verve Music Group, Virgin Records, Virgin EMI Records.
UMIPL has an extremely rich Indian catalogue comprising songs from classic Hindi and Regional Films, IndiPop, Bhangra, Ghazals and Devotional. It’s enviable catalogue includes artistes such as Asha Bhosle, Anup Jalota, Bombay Vikings, Jagjit Singh, JoSh, Malkit Singh, Pankaj Udhas, Panjabi MC, Raghav, Mohit Chouhan, Euphoria, Adnan Sami, Rabbi Shergill, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan to name a few. UMIPL `film’ catalogue (the 2nd largest in India) spans music from blockbusters such as Sholay, Qurbani, Amar Akbar Anthony, Chori Chori Chupke Chupke, Devdas and Munnabhai MBBS amongst the numerous jewels which symbolize the musical journey from the 70’s to date. On the International music front, UMIPL are the clear market leaders with artistes such as ABBA, Bon Jovi, Bryan Adams, Enrique Iglesias, Eminem, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, The Beatles, UB40, Deep Purple, Enigma, Norah Jones, Deadmau5, The Chemical Brothers, amongst host of others, popular music icons and household names in India.
MARK KNOPFLER ‘TRACKER’ – WHAT THE PAPERS SAY
‘An album threaded with themes of transience and ruminations on time and memory, it’s richly melodic, lyrically involving and boasts an unhurried elegance and quiet intensity which elevates it to the ranks of Knopfler’s most affecting work.’ 8/10 Uncut April ‘15
‘…Knopfler ages like fine wine….a joy.’ The Sun 13 March ‘15
‘…embraces kitchen sink dramas on this typically stellar six string selection.’
Daily Star 13 March ‘15
‘…recalls Dire Straits in the Sultans Of Swing era…poignant…’
The Times 13 March ‘15
‘…leaves a particularly strong emotional aftertaste…Fans will find much to enjoy here…’
Daily Telegraph 14 March ‘15
‘…music that flows with graceful ease: emotion recollected in tranquility, in Wordsworth’s phrase… The music shimmers with reflections of Celtic folk and blues, illuminated by Knopfler’s deft guitar playing.’ 4* Financial Times 14 March ‘15
‘…Knopfler’s music remains a reliable source of warm bluesy guitar work.’
The Observer 15 March ‘15
‘…vivid vignettes…as sensuously irresistible as it sounds.’ 4*
Sunday Express 15 March ‘15
‘…the wry economy of short stories, while Knopfler’s music stays as unfussily erudite as ever.’ 4* Mail On Sunday 15 March ‘15
‘…his sparsely deployed guitar artistry gleams throughout.’ Classic Rock April ‘15
‘Masterly songcraft from one of our finest players…the songcraft has weathered beautifully on this almost literary series of song portraits… Knopfler’s touch on guitar is sparse but powerfully eloquent…’ 4.5* Guitarist April ‘15
‘…Celty-folk musical tone…his storytelling sharpens…every song….Grace notes for sure.’ Mojo April ‘15
‘Mark Knopfler at his most personal…can still make the guitar sing without airs and graces.’ 7/10 Drownedinsound 16 March ‘15
‘…a joy to listen to…His character tales remain as captivating as ever, while his signature electric guitar fills are a significant part of what makes (the) songs…work so well. It is this ability to keep on adding new layers to his already multi-faceted sound that confirms Knopfler’s continuing brilliance.’
MusicOMH 12 March ‘15
