Mark Knopfler is probably my second favorite guitarist, although it's a tough contest. David Gilmour is, and always will be, king in my world. Gary Moore comes in a very respectable third.
I love listening to a good guitarist, especially one who understands that the instrument doesn't need to be beaten into submission to make its voice heard. There is something wonderfully soothing about a guitar played with feeling, restraint, and an understanding of what a song needs. Technical ability is one thing, but knowing how to make an instrument sing is something else entirely.
Mark Knopfler is a musical genius. I love his guitar playing, of course, but I love his singing, too. There's an unpretentious warmth to his voice that draws me in, and his playing has a distinctive character all its own. His duets with Emmylou Harris are a beautiful example of his musical sensibility, but even on his own, Mark has a way of making a guitar tell a story.
Working on It is another reminder of why I admire him so much. There's a natural ease to his playing that makes it sound almost effortless, although we know better. He doesn't need to overwhelm a song to make an impression. He simply knows what to do with those strings.
And while Mark holds a very special place on my list, David Gilmour remains untouchable at the top, with Gary Moore close behind. Three extraordinary musicians, each with his own voice, each capable of making a guitar speak in a way that goes far beyond the notes themselves.
But this one is for Mark. Some musicians make you admire their talent. Others make you want to sit back, turn up the volume, and enjoy every minute of what they do. Mark Knopfler manages to do both.
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