Search - Dire Straits, Mark Knopfler :: Private Investigations: Best of (W/Book)

Great musician great packaging--but...

Iris Rose | beautiful northeastern California | 11/22/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"As always, anything that MK does is great. The only new track, however, on this cd is from the upcoming release with Emmylou Harris, and it brings out the best in both of them. The other 21 tracks can all be found on other releases by DS and MK. Nevertheless, it is nice to have these outstanding recordings gathered onto one collection. The short critical essay by Timothy Ferris is also a joy to read, not only for the information on MK (which most die-hard MK fans know already) but for the superb writing of TF himself. The little book is a lovely glitzy production of TF's essay, photos spanning MK's career, and song lyrics.

HOWEVER, at $78 plus dollars the whole package is vastly overpriced. Yes, I bought it, both for the TF essay and the packaging, but I would not recommend it at this price to anyone but the most devoted fans who want another collectible piece. Every MK fan has these tracks on other cds--or can buy the double cd without the glitz. Patient fans can wait for the duet cd to be released. Again,though, not one negative criticism of MK, himself, or TF would ever escape my lips--or my keyboard."