In the beforetimes, when live concerts were a thing, I got a chance to see Mark Knopfler live. It was a lovely night with lovely friends in a lovely setting. He played way longer than I thought he would and all was right with the world for just a moment.
This man holds a special place in my heart for at least two reasons and then another one (kinda):
Reason #1: Dire Straits is responsible for my only non-negotiable Desert Island Disk, which is still relevant over 30 years after its release and may be the greatest make-out album of all time. Brothers In Arms is a masterpiece both musically and lyrically, and the while there’s a strong argument for Walk of Life - specifically, that it’s the perfect song to end any movie - this track could play on an endless loop in my house if I lived in my house by myself.
Reason #2: "This is Us", a song that narrates as well as any, what it's like to be and to stay married. Sure, it's just a collection of snapshots, but that's what marriage really is...a collection of moments knit together with harmony and love and time. Knopfler gets it.
Reason #3: This phone prank...maybe the greatest ever. I first discovered this recording in my freshman dorm room and I do not remember laughing so hard ever or since. I should be noted, I was 19 years old so my idea of “funny” was probably underdeveloped. (Warning: Not the real Mark Knopfler and NSFW - which is pretty fun to type - as it's probably rated "R" for language.)
kZB