Mark Knopfler returns with new album Down The Road Wherever

Mark Knopfler has announced details of his ninth solo album.

It’s titled Down The Road Wherever and it’ll launch on November 16 through his own British Grove label via Universal/Virgin EMI on CD, deluxe CD, 2LP and a box set.

The box set will come with the new album on both vinyl and deluxe CD, along with a 12-inch EP containing four bonus tracks, a 12-inch print of the cover art and a 12-inch guitar tablature of a selected song.

The former Dire Straits vocalist and guitarist says: “Down The Road Wherever is a line from One Song At A Time. I remember my pal Chet Atkins once saying that he picked his way out of poverty one song at a time, and it just stuck in my mind.

“You get to an age where you’ve written quite a few songs. But Down The Road Wherever seems to be appropriate for me just because it's what I've always done. I've always tried to make a record and also to keep my own geography happening in the songs.”

Knopfler is joined on the record by a wide range of musicians including Jim Cox and Guy Fletcher on keyboards, Nigel Hitchcock on saxophone, Tom Walsh on trumpet, Trevor Mires on trombone, John McCusker on fiddle, Mike McGoldrick on whistle and flute, bassist Glenn Worf, drummer Ian ‘Ianto’ Thomas, Danny Cummings on percussion, along with guitarists Richard Bennett and Robbie McIntosh

Backing vocals are performed by Imelda May, Lance Ellington, Kris Drever, Beverley Skeete and Katie Kissoon.

Knopfler adds: “I think the business of making a record, from having written a song and then bringing it to musicians, it can be quite a bendy route.

“It’s not just motorways all the way – and you can end up in the occasional cul-de-sac, then you have to do a 16-point turn to try to get your truck back out on the main road, as unobtrusively as you can. That’s part of the fun of it.”

Down The Road Wherever is now available for pre-order. Find full details below.

Mark Knopfler - Down The Road Wherever
1. Trapper Man
2.   Back On The Dance Floor
3.   Nobody’s Child
4.   Just A Boy Away From Home
5.   When You Leave
6.   Good On You Son
7.   My Bacon Roll
8.   Nobody Does That
9.   Drovers’ Road
10. One Song At A Time
11. Floating Away
12. Slow Learner
13. Heavy Up
14. Matchstick Man

Artists

Scott has spent 37 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in 2014 before moving into e-commerce in 2020. Scott maintains Louder’s buyer’s guides, highlights deals, and reviews headphones, speakers, earplugs and more. Over the last 12 years, Scott has written more than 11,500 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog. He's previously written for publications including IGN, Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from news and features, to tech reviews, video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, Marillion and Rush.