All The Roadrunning
by Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris
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

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  1. 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 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 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.… Expand

Critic Reviews

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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. AllMusic
    70
    The two couldn't be more at odds vocally, but Knopfler's laconic drawl is like an easy chair for Harris' fluid pipes.
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  2. Amazon.com
    60
    All the Roadrunning--while beautiful--seems somehow underwhelming, and without a true centerpiece.
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  3. Billboard
    60
    While over-produced and quite sentimental, this is a very sweet record.
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