Mark Knopfler has featured here a bunch not only as founder of Dire Straits, but as a solo artist. I think his track Going Home which ends the movie soundtrack Local Hero is one of the most powerful instrumental songs I’ve heard composed by any contemporary music artist. I remember back in the early nineties my guitarist friend Malcolm telling me when we were listening to this song – ‘Listen to Knopflers’ guitar zinging when the Saxophone is prancing‘. That’s a good ear.
Now onto to a softer and mellower later day track Our Shangri-La. I have been watching a lot of surfing videos of late and this song seems in harmony with my morbose fascination of big surf. This song just gives off a great vibe even more so after repeated listens.
Also how could I not think of the Frank Capra film Lost Horizon (1937) which I reviewed here where British diplomat Robert Conway and a small group of civilians crash land in the Himalayas, and are rescued by the people of the mysterious, Eden-like valley of Shangri-la. Protected by the mountains from the world outside, where the clouds of World War II are gathering, Shangri-la provides a seductive escape for the world-weary Conway. But is it the miraculous utopia it appears to be?
[Verse 1]
It’s the end of a perfect day
For all surfer boys and girls
The sun’s dropping down in the bay
And fallin’ off the world
[Chorus]
There’s a diamond in the sky
Our evening star
In our Shangri-La, oh
[Verse 2]
Get that fire burnin’ strong
Right here and right now
It’s here and then it’s gone
There’s no secret anyhow
[Chorus]
We may never love again
To the music of guitars
In our Shangri-La
Shangri-La is the fourth solo studio album by British singer-songwriter and guitarist Mark Knopfler, released on 28 September 2004 by Mercury Records. In March 2003, Knopfler was involved in a motorbike crash in Grosvenor Road, Belgravia, and suffered a broken collarbone, broken shoulder blade, and seven broken ribs. Knopfler spent seven months away from the guitar in physiotherapy, but eventually recovered and was able to return to the studio in 2004 for his fourth album and supporting tour the following year. Knopfler supported the release of Shangri-La with the Shangri-La Tour, which consisted of three legs: South Africa, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand; Europe; and North America.
The video below is Mark Knopfler performing “Our Shangri-La” from his solo album Shangri-La at the AVO Session in Basel, Switzerland on the 12th November, 2007.
References:
1. Shangri-La (Mark Knopfler album) – Wikipedia
“The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.”- Michel Legrand
Observation Blogger 
Great song 🎵
I’m chuffed you like it so. I love it the more I hear it. His guitar work here is fantastic as always.
He has always impressed me. Right, his guitar is awesome.
He has that same guitar sound, but it never grows tiresome.
You can tell it’s his own sound. I never tire of it either Matt.
Nice song Matt… Knopfler never disappoints.
I couldn’t help but think of that Frank Capra movie you recommended to me when I was researching the song. This song is so soothing and pleasing to hear multiple times.
That is what I thought of when I saw the title… thanks for posting this.
‘This is all the heaven we’ve got
Right here where we are
In our Shangri-La, oh’
Great song.
Dodgers signed Ohtani?
Yes!!!
Then. I’m on the Dodgers Express next season.
He won’t be able to pitch in 2024 but he will be able to hit…he is recovering from TJ surgery.
Welcome aboard!
I didn’t know that. What a bummer. Look forward to it.
He had Tommy John surgery in August I think…but he will be able to hit.
That’s ashame. Oh well.
I’m glad he can hit…but they sure need pitching.
What’s his OBP since coming to the majors? I imagine it’s over 0.300
Nope…over .400
That’s seriously good isn’t it?
Yes it is…really good.
Hall of Fame good.
I never realised he was that good as a hitter. That’s awesome.
That’s seriously good isn’t it?
Mellow!