Deep into Mark Knopfler's solo career the ghost of Dire Straits lurks in his melodies, turns of phrase, and, of course, his voice, which is more likely to croon gentle ballads these days than snap off lines competing with his roiling electric guitar. Guitar heroics and rock 'n' roll in general, alas, are largely distant memories for Knopfler, who nevertheless has become an accomplished writer of songs that are often character studies, chronicles of history, or reminiscences. There's a tantalizing taste of Knopfler's classic guitar fire on a single cut, "Cleaning My Gun,"on... More >>>