Tribute Dire Straits

Scaled smaller than 2012's double-album Privateering, Tracker also feels suitably subtle, easing its way into being instead of announcing itself with a thunder. Such understatement is typical of Mark Knopfler, particularly in the third act of his career. When he left Dire Straits behind, he also left behind any semblance of playing for the cheap seats in an arena, but Tracker feels quieter than his new millennial norm. Some of this is due to the undercurrent of reflection tugging at the record's momentum. Knopfler isn't pining for the past but he is looking back, sometimes wistfully, sometimes with a resigned smile, and he appropriately draws upon sounds that he's long loved. Usually, this means some variation of pub rock – the languid ballad "River Towns," the lazy shuffle "Skydiver," the two-chord groove of "Broken Bones" – but this is merely the foundation from which Knopfler threads in a fair amount of olde British folk and other roots digressions.

On 4 December 2023, many illustrious names from the world of rock music gathered together to perform a concert to remember the legendary Gary Brooker, acclaimed front man of Procol Harum and solo artist. Gary sadly passed away in February 2022 and left an incredible musical legacy. His many musical friends and admirers came together to stage this concert to celebrate Gary’s wonderful music and life and also to feature some of the music which he enjoyed. A stellar gathering of musicians including Roger Taylor (Queen), Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike and the Mechanics), Paul Carrack (Mike and the Mechanics, Ace), Andy Fairweather Low, John Illsley (Dire Straits), Mike Sanchez, Gary’s band mates from Procol Harum and many more, staged a fantastic sold-out concert at G-Live in Guildford which raised funds for two charities close to Gary’s heart, The Royal Marsden and Cure Parkinson’s.

Drawn largely from Vince Gill's first three albums for MCA Records, 1989's When I Call Your Name, 1991's Pocket Full of Gold, and 1992's I Still Believe in You, Souvenirs functions as a greatest-hits collection from what is arguably Gill's finest period as a solo artist. Gill's smooth tenor singing is practically the definition of modern slow-burning country sincerity, all done with a touch of that bluegrass "high lonesome" sound, and his ease with ballads frequently obscures the fact that he is one hell of a guitar player when he decides to be. Highlights on this easy to like set are duets with Reba McEntire ("The Heart Won't Lie") and Dolly Parton ("I Will Always Love You"), an interesting cover of the Eagles' "I Can't Tell You Why," and the infectious and upbeat "Liza Jane," which lets Gill rock things out a little. Souvenirs isn't the last word on Vince Gill, who continues to record and release quality contemporary country and bluegrass albums, but there isn't a better single-disc introduction to the commercial side of his output than this one.

One of the best guitarists does the honors and leads the listener into a virtuoso world of guitar sounds. The quantum leap of his musical development and career will be released on October 08, 2021. It is no longer a secret that Gus G. plays in the top league in the world of guitar virtuosos. Not only that he played the world's biggest stages in his time with Ozzy Osbourne, but also that he was able to gain a firm place and a loyal fan base in recent years with his own band Firewind and his solo project Gus G. ennoble the guitar artist. In his new album "Quantum Leap", Gus G. continues his straight and inspirational path, this time focusing only on his excellent craft. For this reason, the new album is an instrumental album, but so complete in itself that it can make many a person green with envy. Gus G. has again relied on his longtime colleague Dennis Ward for production, but has done the mixing and mastering entirely on his own terms. Hard metal tracks line up with melodic riffs and make this album seem like a complete work. "Quantum Leap" is a tribute to himself, to a great guitarist and instrumental artist.