Needing very little backing instrumentation, HarrisвЂ™ ethereal range shines on this rather depressing, somber tune. The first shining moment for Harris (and there are only a few) comes along with her delectable performance of the title track from her Red Dirt Girl album. Dire Straits did with Chet Atkins circa Neck and Neck and the song should become clearer. ItвЂ™s a good start, but it seems like Harris is playing second fiddle here, especially on the fiddle-driven hoedown вЂњRed StaggeringвЂќ, which is basically a Knopfler solo tune with Harris sounding quite twangy in some spots. KnopflerвЂ™s guitar playing you could identify anywhere, and here some of his signature licks carry the tune from top to bottom, including just a touch of slide guitar. The 75-minute collection wastes very little time getting into a groovy, classic, Knopfler-like shuffle on вЂњRight NowвЂќ, a blues-tinged ditty that has Harris almost restraining herself from stealing the lead vocals. And while the two do weave some interesting magic throughout, it feels like it is two stars performing at the same show, not necessarily two stars performing together. Now, the tandem has released a live album and DVD package like damn near everyone else on the road today.

It was a collaborative effort but often, with a few exceptions, that collaboration didnвЂ™t transcend into the songs. The album itself was critically acclaimed but still seemed to lack a bit of cohesion.

So it was somewhat odd but alluring that the two of them would join forces not only for an album entitled All The Roadrunning, but also for a supporting North American and European tour. Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris arenвЂ™t exactly two peas in the same musical pod.

Mark knopfler real live roadrunning