Next March 15, Mark Knopfler will release a new special recording of his anthem Going Home (Theme From Local Hero) to raise funds for the fight against cancer. For this, the British musician has recruited possibly the best line-up of guitarists that has never appeared in a single song.
The track, which was recorded at British Grove Studios in west London, will be a new version of their 1983 instrumental, originally written for the film Local Hero and starring Burt Lancaster. This was Mark Knopfler’s first time composing for film and earned him a BAFTA Award nomination.
Produced by his long-time collaborator Guy Fletcher, the new version, which will last 9 minutes, features an unprecedented lineup of the best guitarists in history. Interpreted by Mark Knopfler and the greatest guitar heroes, such as David Gilmour (Pink Floyd), Ronnie Wood (The Rolling Stones), Slash (Guns N’Roses), Eric Clapton, Sting, Sheryl Crow, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Morelo (Rage Against The Machine), Pete Townshend (The Who), Peter Frampton, Nile Rodgers (Madonna, Daft Punk, Aretha Franklin), Joan Jett, Brian May (What in), Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath), Zucchero…and many more great musicians come together for a good cause. And, furthermore, the song opens with the last recording in life of the recently deceased guitar master Jeff Beck. Other protagonists are Ringo Starr and his son Zak Starkeywho will play the drums or Roger Daltrey (The Who) the harmonica.
“What I really want to do, first of all, is thank each and every participant for this excellent response.” “I really didn’t believe this project would have so many talents.” “Guy and I realized from the beginning that we had to make the song longer, in its duration, to cover the number of friends and great musicians who were joining. “Before I knew who to call, Pete Townshend walked into my studio armed with a guitar and an amplifier. And when you hear that first chord from Pete… freak out! It was fantastic. And from there Eric (Clapton) arrived, he played great, it was like one kiss after another. Then came Jeff Beck’s contribution and it was fascinating. I think what we have had is magic and magicians. “Everything was a point”declared Knopfler.
New album in April
Just a few weeks ago, Mark Knopfler announced that he will release his tenth solo studio album on April 12, 2024. This new work, which will be titled One Deep Rivercontains 12 new songs, all of them composed by Knopfler, in which he reflects his poetic narrative and his melodic skill on the guitar, as present and dazzling as ever.
