Personnel: Mark Knopfler (vocals, guitar); John McCusker (cittern, violin); Chris White (flute, clarinet, saxophone); Ian Lowthian (accordion); Steve Sidwell (trumpet); Guy Fletcher (keyboards); Frank Ricotti (vibraphone); Glenn Worf (bass guitar); Danny Cummings (drums, percussion).

Recording information: British Grove Studio, London, England.

Photographer: Fabio Lovino.

KILL TO GET CRIMSON, Mark Knopfler's fifth solo album since folding Dire Straits in the mid 1990s, continues the trend of his solo work back to the sound and feel of the British folk revival of the 1960s and '70s. While Dire Straits was a very British version of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band circa BORN TO RUN, specializing in well-constructed epic pop-rock tunes, KILL TO GET CRIMSON suggests that Knopfler's true heart is in favorites like Pentangle and Fairport Convention. The songs on KILL TO GET CRIMSON are all originals, but they build upon old Scottish, English, and Irish folk forms, as on the ballads "The Scaffolder's Wife" and "The Fish and the Bird." Those expecting a new "Money For Nothing" might be disappointed, but KILL TO GET CRIMSON shows a new depth to the guitarist and singer's recasting of vintage British folk-rock.

Rolling Stone (p.77) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "[I]t's a gem....Knopfler has dedicated himself to making music that blends the deep resonance of traditional folk with the off-kilter edginess he brought to his former [group]..."

Uncut (p.93) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "[A] more studiedly English collection, full of easy folk melodies sung in an attractive burr and burnished with classily restrained guitar licks."

Dirty Linen (p.73) - "The collection is varied, layered, and rich, a good substantive listen."

No Depression (p.99) - "The songs on KILL TO GET CRIMSON are sharply drawn -- most notably 'True Love Will Never Fade'..."