Afterbach Matinee

To commemorate the 25th anniversary of Mark’s debut solo release Golden Heart in 1996, a new box set, Mark Knopfler - The Studio Albums 1996-2007, will be released on 1st October Worldwide, and 10th December in the US.
Gathering his first five post-Dire Straits solo albums (not counting film scores), and a bonus disc of B-sides titled The Gravy Train, this collection is as sleepy and nonchalant as an old friend’s affable shrug. Knopfler does what he does, blending folk, blues, country and rock into a tension-free take on Americana that’s faintly personal but more about delivering a carpet atmosphere of reflective rumination.
The audio of each album has been newly remastered by Miles Showell at Abbey Road Studios in London.

"Tristes Noticias del Imperio" is a good quality effort through and through, a production that has stood the test of time very well indeed. And while perhaps not exploring the most advanced fiels of the progressive rock universe it is an effort that merits a listen by those who have a general fondness for art rock, with followers of artists like Pink Floyd and King Crimson as a likely key audience.
Argentinian trio Redd was formed in 1977, and "Tristes Noticias del Imperio" was to be the first of two albums this band issued before disbanding. While they were a highly talented act, a disease affecting the hearing of drummer and keyboardist Escalante diagnosed a few weeks after the completion of this debut effort caused an abrupt stop to the further development of this band…

Many of the works on this recording are declarations of love; for example the infinitely heartfelt Serenade by Edward Elgar which was a gift from the composer to his wife on their third wedding anniversary, and had its premiere in Antwerp in 1896. Likewise, the song Jeg elsker dig (I love you) was composed by Edvard Grieg for his beloved wife, the singer Nina Hagerup. I was, however, much more inspired by the all-embracing concept of love and with the contemplation and feelings that arise when listening to this music. The most sublime expression of this is probably Du bist die Ruh (You are repose) by Franz Schubert one of those works which, regardless of its length, and with its mood of almost religious contemplation, its elevated gratitude and ensouled intimacy, is able to transfigure earthly existence into eternal bliss. It is among the most poignant works that a composers pen has ever produced. Naturally the selected repertoire is, in a veiled form, also an exploration of and immersion in my own roots; a manifestation of my identity. (Sofja Gülbadamova)