Mark Knopfler is extremely underrated

I don't think he's underrated by any means. Most people that really understand guitar playing, recognize what a great player he is. The rest, are more into heavy effects and his style just doesn't do it for them.

Another thing about him, he doesn't want you to get totally lost in his guitar work, so he keeps it pretty simple and melodic. He has a song and a story to sing to you, and he tries to keep you right there with him. It's different from being just a guitar player, trying to get his best licks in.
A song like Sultans Of Swing, is complicated lyrically and is telling a long story. That's not for everybody. Some people just want it hard and fast and not have to think about it.
You would have a hard time, finding a bigger Knopfler Fan than me, and I don't think he's underrated at all.

I've been working out a version of Sultans Of Swing, on my Banjo, it sounds pretty damn good. I hope can get it good enough to let other people hear it soon. That Dminor is just a haunting sound from a banjo. Really, it almost seems like the song was written for a banjo, to begin with.

He seems to have a solid following on this board.

He’s my go-to. Of hundreds of musicians and bands I listen to, Mark Knopfler is who never gets old. It’s completely in my lane. His solo albums imho are about as good as it gets. What a songwriter. Prairie Wedding or Speedway at Nazareth for instance. And he always stays in the service of the song, which is why all his solo stuff never ever gets old. He doesn’t overwhelm his music with some kind of desire to make the listener aware of how good he is. I think that’s a nod to the music he grew up with and the respect he has for a lot of those old timers from the 50s and 60s. The song is first . I love that man.

His tone is really only rivaled by David Gilmour.

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His tone is really only rivaled by David Gilmour.


Very similar. Seems to me, that Gilmour leans slightly more to a bluesy edge that uses some classical/opera technique, where Knopfler is more country, folksy, with a good bit Of Clapton and Keith Richards and Buddy Holly influence. Both are incredible, and it would be something to hear them together.

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and similar to Gilmour, he understands "not" playing is as important as playing. Note the video above he even says "you only need to play a few notes and it'll sound great"

Something needs to be said about the musicians that Knopfler always has around him on stage too. Pretty damn incredible to see performances that damn tight.

Fantastic musician. He is one of those guitarists that has such a unique tone, you know who it is with just one or two notes. Gilmour's tone is different, but also immediately recognizable.

Knopfler has done several movie soundtracks which are awesome as well.

If you get a chance, check out Mark Knopfler and Chet Atkins album "Neck & Neck". Incredible guitar playing !!!

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I've been working out a version of Sultans Of Swing, on my Banjo, it sounds pretty damn good. I hope can get it good enough to let other people hear it soon.

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That sounds very intriguing, would love to hear it when you're ready to share. I bet that sounds great on banjo !

I've played guitar for several years now, and the older I get, the more I respect the banjo. It's really a great instrument !

Brothers in Arms is one of those albums I could listen to on an infinite loop.

He’s outrageously talented. I think
Most listeners know that fact.