All The Roadrunning
by Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris
Metascore
63

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. Amazon.com
    60
    All the Roadrunning--while beautiful--seems somehow underwhelming, and without a true centerpiece.
  2. Billboard
    60
    While over-produced and quite sentimental, this is a very sweet record.
  3. Observer Music Monthly
    60
    It proves a warm, agreeable affair, though likely to disappoint anyone expecting creative sparks.
  5. Rolling Stone
    60
    An elegant, sometimes sleepy collection.
  6. Uncut
    60
    All The Roadrunning isn't quite the success they would have hoped. The problem, perversely enough, lies in the disparity of voices. [May 2006, p.126]
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  7. Q Magazine
    60
    It's got some fine, graceful tunes. [May 2006, p.128]
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  8. Blender
    60
    Playing Coke to Knopfler's bourbon on some decent songs, [Harris] challenges his guitar to a beauty contest; it's a draw. [Jun 2006, p.140]
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  9. Mojo
    60
    Belle Starr and... Red Staggerwing finds [Knopfler] reaching for a goodtime clambake feel that ends up sounding kinda grating and twee. [Jun 2006, p.98]
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  10. NOW Magazine
    40
    Although Harris does her best with some tasteful harmonies to save the session from the usual Knopfler over-egging, there's only so much she can do.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 28 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 28
  3. Negative: 2 out of 28
  1. Hippophile
    Apr 22, 2007
    10
    Don't get the low ratings from the critics on this one. This CD is chock full of beautiful, sonically fantastic, well-written tunes and Don't get the low ratings from the critics on this one. This CD is chock full of beautiful, sonically fantastic, well-written tunes and performances.… Full Review »
  2. MikeF
    Mar 13, 2007
    3
    Listening to the tracks in my local CD store, trying to decide whether to buy the album, I ended up being very disappointed by the Listening to the tracks in my local CD store, trying to decide whether to buy the album, I ended up being very disappointed by the cliche'd quality of so many of the lyrics. Knopfler has lyrically been at his most poetic on his previous three albums (Shangri'La, Ragpickers Dream, and Sailing To Philadelphia), so the pedestrian nature of much of the material was a real let-down. So that when Emmy-Lou kicked off a track with "My father always told me..." I just walked away. Sorry to be so harsh, but it reflects my disappointment. Here's hoping Knopfler's next effort will take him further on his earlier trajectory -- higher and brighter with his trademark excellent story-in-song.… Full Review »
  3. BradP
    Jul 14, 2006
    5
    Very much in the vein of Knopfler's recent work - laconic, somewhat bitter and lushly produced. Listening, I found myself wondering if Very much in the vein of Knopfler's recent work - laconic, somewhat bitter and lushly produced. Listening, I found myself wondering if Emmylou wanted to push Knopfler a little harder and if he refused... both his vocals and guitar work are relentlessly laid back. This results in some unfortunate homogenization of the tracks, with nothing standing out as inspired or challenging. The younger Mr. Knopfler was edgy and wonderful, taking chances and writing songs that celebrated life's little observations. His guitar was bright, emotional and daring. The current musician cannot be bothered, it seems, to invest himself in such risks. While the first Dire Straits album was a lesson to all of us guitarists, this is all stuff we can do in our sleep. I appreciate that Emmylou Harris continues to evolve (especially in her work with Lanois) and will always cherish her '70's output with reverence - but this is a no-brainer for her as well.… Full Review »
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