The Mark Knopfler / Gaye Delorme debate has just taken on a new twist because Gaye Delorme passed away suddenly two days ago (June 23, 2011) from a heart attack. Personally, I think they're both great musicians — it's sad whenever we lose a gifted artist.

Just to be contrary—this doesn't sound a bit like Knopfler. It does have the generic '80s guitar tone (Strat on the forward pickup with a chorus effect), but Knopfler never used that. His choice of tones was very, very different. So, let's talk ambiance—the feel of the song. In that case, there is a ragged, dotted line leading from Knopfler back to Delorme, but IMHO little more. This is another way of saying: this guy is pretty good—listen to him for what he is, not for what you think he might have been or never was.

Quite Likeable.

Let me fill you in on an obscure connection between this song and the previous one (Procol Harum, Salty Dog) (other than the obvious "sailor" intersection). Procol Harum cut that song with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. Gaye Delorme did concerts with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (1986 and 2006).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HhAYuKBn9E
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlivhBh-kgY&feature=related

I have to rate this 10, because of my very personal connection to this song. Back in the '80s I got mixed up in the music scene in Vancouver. I spent over $100,000 recording the album "Blue Wave Sessions" from which this song comes (named for the studio in which it was recorded). Really bad management left the album about 95% complete with no efforts being made to finish it. In the end Gaye got the album art done and shopped a record deal himself. It's a fantastic album. Everyone I ever played it for liked it and asked who it was.

Gaye is a really nice guy and a phenomenal guitarist. He can play a guitar through a fuzz box and make it sound smooth. Acoustic or electric playing rock, blues, jazz, flamenco, classical... he plays it all and does it brilliantly. (and I'm not saying that to boost sales of "Blue Wave Sessions". All I got back from my investment was 2 CDs. I don't get any royalties.)

Nice, but I don't compare it with MK, just dig it for what it is........

This is a far cry better than Lady Writer, Money for Nothing, and all the later day cruft put out by Dire Straits.

! alanthecowboy wrote: 
LOL!

I was about to comment that this is not Knopfler's best but...  see last 15 comments.

 Jungle_Jim wrote: 
So, since Gaye has been on the earth longer, and has been playing music professionally longer, does that mean that Mark has to go?  I like Mark; say it ain't so... 

There's room for both of them, even if Mark Knopfler's music is a bit derivative of Delorme's.

This must be a joke, a bad one. Think Mark must be laughing .

shrug

There is no other, this guy is a diamond in the rough.

 cayenne wrote: 
Yes, Dire Straights!! I hear it too.

"Hello, sailor," she said in a smoky voice. "Wanna party?"

 Jungle_Jim wrote: 

I hear what you're saying, but a good song is still a good song, and we need all of those that we can get.

The world (and Radio Paradise) only needs one Mark Knopfler. This song is derivative dross.

 GTAMike wrote: 

Holy shit ... I didn't know he wrote the Rodeo Song.

A long, long way from Sailor, Sailor to be sure ...

... but they're both in my Ipod.

Just downloaded my copy through RP's Amazon link.

I totally thought it was Knopfler too....

Hometown Alberta boy. Used to see his CD's cross my desk as Music Director at CHFM. Played this one. Cool.

Heard it from the other room and naturally assumed Knopfler.  I'll be darned, it isn't!  Pretty enjoyable just the same though.

 GTAMike wrote:
If Bill wanted to really be risque, he could have played Tom Robinson's "Cabin Boy" instead of this song.

This is pleasant enough.

My first thought was LRC? But it's likeable!

miahfost wrote: I was thinking Dire Straits, too. Gaye's vocal phrasing and guitar are both slightly Knopfleresque. (Is that a word? It is now!)

Mark Ska-pfler

Gotta love RP for this kind of stuff. I've never heard of this guy but this track fits well in this set.

This guy makes great maps.

I keep hearing "Single handed sailor" by Dire Straits in this.

You don't know the other side of Gaye Delorme, I remember hearing him in Alberta many winters ago. Check out the lyrics of his "Rodeo Song". You can hear a clip of it on his website... The Rodeo Song Well it's forty below and I don't give a fuck Got a heater in my truck and I'm off to the rodeo (chorus) It's an alamana left - an alamana right Come on you fucking dummy get your right step right Get off stage - you God-damned goof you know You piss me off - you fucking jerk You get on my nerves Well here comes Johnny with his pecker in his hand He's a one ball man and he's off to the rodeo (chorus) Well it's forty below and I ain't got a truck And I don't give a fuck 'cuz I'm off to the rodeo (chorus) Well here comes Johnny with his pecker in his hand He's a one ball man and he's off to the rodeo (chorus) Well it's forty below and I don't give a fuck Got a heater in my truck and I'm off to the rodeo (chorus) It's an alamana left - an alamana right Come on you fucking dummy get your right step right Get off stage - you God-damned goof you know You piss me off - you fucking jerk You get on my nerves Well here comes Johnny with his pecker in his hand He's a one ball man and he's off to the rodeo (chorus) Well it's forty below and I ain't got a truck And I don't give a f*ck 'cuz I'm off to the rodeo (chorus) Well here comes Johnny with his pecker in his hand He's a one ball man and he's off to the rodeo (chorus)

pkimbrel wrote: don't be silly, Echo doesn't sound anything like Mark Knopfler...

Sounds like Mark Knopfler after a car accident has caused his jaw to be wired shut and crushed 2 fingers on his left hand.

Holy wackamoley! When this started, it just SANG in my headphones! Great music, and so crisp and clear. Sweet! c.

Zocket wrote: I bet he and the guys from "Echo and the Bunnymen" get together and lament...

this sounds just like gaye delorme

Sounds like Stairway to Heaven meets Dire Straits.

merkabah wrote: ... and simply perfect!

ya...a lot like Mark Nopfler...and JJ cale cool laidback stuff..

Zocket wrote: Is not?

Zocket wrote: I thought the same. Like it enough to give it a 7.

Not bad, I thought this was Bruce Cockburn at first.

Sounds a lot like Mark Knopfler...

Dire Straits sound. I never heard of this guy so I naturally googled him . . . and the guy has some amazing talent! He even gives guitar lessons! Cool.