Mark Knopfler Soundtracks: Wag The Dog

Mark Knopfler’s sixth and seventh soundtracks and the only two he wrote in the 1990s were created sequentially in 1997.

While “Metroland” was a relatively small British film, “The Dog Wars” was a small American film with huge differences: an Oscar-winning director (Barry Levinson), an Oscar-nominated writer (David Mamet), and two Oscar-winning films. . star-winners (Robert De Niro and Dustin Hoffman). It was withdrawn in less than a month with an insanely small budget of $15 million.

The original soundtrack lasts 24 minutes, including the title track. Recorded in Nashville, the musicians used the same musicians as on Knopfler’s 1996 album Golden Heart. Stephen Thomas Erlavin, All Music Guide, writes: “Mark Knopfler wrote and performed the soundtrack to Barry Levinson’s political satire Wag the Dog, and this is one of his best compositions, alternately graceful and based. Seven of the eight songs are instrumental, including the last one reserved for the pleasant humorous single “Wag the Dog”. ”

E! Internet (entertainment TV) gives rave reviews (if not mentioned):

Do you want to cheer up orchestral performers? Call John Williams. Circus fantasy? Please leave a message to Danny Elfman. But if you need a evocative, slightly satirical folk-rock to spice up your movie, you can’t beat Knopfler. Although he wasn’t as busy composing soundtracks in the ’90s as he was in the mid-1980s (with Local Hero, Cal, Comfort and Joy and The Princess Bride), the Dire Straits frontman definitely hasn’t lost touch. From his skilful vocals in the title track “96 Tears” to the wonderful mood changes he creates on the other seven tracks of this flamenco EP (especially the charming “An American Hero”), Wag the Dog is a top-notch Knopfler. It’s not staggering, but it’s a little wonder to hear him sketch such brilliant scenes on his guitar.

The soundtrack for the CD Mercury Records (314 536 864-2) is sold out, but it can be bought in a variety of online sources. It includes seven instrumental tracks and a title track voiced by Knopfler. (It should be noted that Knopfler did not write the song “American Dream”, which appears in the film. Tom Behler, who actually co-wrote “We Are The World,” wrote the fictional anthem of the stars.)

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