Mark Knopfler's Shangri-La

[skrol]

I just stumbled upon this one on DVD-A for $12 new. I haven't gotten through the entire disk yet but it a very enjoyable album. It captures all that I liked about Dire Straits with a musical maturity. If you are a DS fan or not, I highly recommend giving it a listen.

The sound is great even on the CD compatible disk (HDCD). This is my first DVD-A and even in 2ch stereo, I am very impressed with the sound stage. It looks like it is also available on CD and SACD.

Stan

[Midnite Mick]

I find this one to be okay at best. I prefer ragpickers dream.

[Danny Tse]

It looks like it is also available on CD and SACD.

The SACD was not released in the US since Mark Knopfler/Dire Straits are signed to a Warner Music label in this country....and Warner Music was a proponent of the DVD-A format.

However, Warner Music has since reversed itself and has licensed its music to Mobile Fidelity for release on SACD, i.e. The Band, Doobie Brothers, etc.

[F1nut]

I'm spinning Shangri-La on SACD right now, excellent in every aspect.

[RuSsMaN]

Love it, but I'm with Mick, Ragpickers works just a tad bit better for me, but I have an emotional attachment too - as me and Charlie used to spin that one OVER and OVER.

I remember his wife coming in the room, and asking why he had 5000 records when all we listened to on Saturday night was the same 4 or 5 selections. Ragpicker's was one of those. ;)

Cheers,
Russ

[F1nut]

Eh, Ragpickers is in heavy rotation here. :D

[skrol]

I think I'll have to check Ragpickers out. Is it also on SACD or DVD-A?
Stan

[RuSsMaN]

You should, like a lot of Mark's work (including Shangri-La) it tells a story from start to finish, the album has a 'theme' if you will. No need to select tracks, just press play.

Cheers,
Russ

[Midnite Mick]

Absolutely love the title track myself.

[schwarcw]

I like that song from Shangri-La about Sonny Liston. "Dynamite in both his hands"

[Bubinga99]

Anyone have this 2-disc version with Ragpicker's Dream and Sailing to Philadelphia?
http://www.importcds.com/Music/17646...#39;s-Dream-CD
Sometimes these multi-disc combos are crummy re-masters, but maybe Knopfler is the type that won't stand for hot/compressed remasters.

[skrol]

I just picked up the import "Ragpicker's Dream" 2-CD set but I guess you are looking at something different. The recording quality I'd say is very good, as I have come to expect from Dire Straits / Mark Knopfler.

It is probably personal preference but, while I like Ragpicker's Dream, I find Shangri-La more enjoyable. There seems to be a synergy among the musicians that I don't rear in Ragpicker's. I do like the story line of Ragpicker's a little more though. Both are well worth owning.

Stan