Mark Knopfler Moves To Verve Records, Readies Privateering

It’s never too late for a change — Mark Knopfler will attest to that. The Dire Straits vocalist and prolific composer has signed with UMG’s Verve Records to release his new, double album, Privateering, out September 10. This is quite the break from the norm, as Knopfler has had a 35 year relationship with Warner Brothers Music.

“Mark has long been one of the most innovative and successful artists in music,” Max Hole, Chairman and CEO UMG International said. “And we’re thrilled he’s decided to sign to Verve so that we are now working with him everywhere across the world.”

To balance this change, Knopfler brought in musicians that have worked with him over many years: Guy Fletcher on keyboards, Richard Bennett on guitar, Jim Cox on piano, Glenn Worf on bass, Mike McGoldrick on whistle and flute and John McCusker on fiddle, just to name a few. Rising songwriter Ruth Moody is included as a special guest.

“I chose to make a double album this time just because of the sheer volume of material,” Knopfler explains. “I didn’t want to separate songs into genres and I didn’t want to leave too many songs on the shelf. I just wanted it to be a reflection of the fantastic sessions we had. With a great bunch of players, it’s the same as a great group of actors reading a script from the page, the thing can come alive in ways it just never has before. This is the band I have been working towards my whole life.”