Jack Vettriano’s new collaboration is with David Knopfler, founding member of Dire Straits. He has allowed his painting of the Drifter to be used as the album cover. Glasgow born Knopfler’s first book of poetry, “Blood Stones and Rhythmic Beasts” was released earlier this year by Blackwing Books. His heroes are diverse, but if pressed to name them, he’ll usually mention such artists as Randy Newman, Joni Mitchell, Lowell George and Bob Dylan.
“Ship of Dreams,” David’s latest recording, was co-produced with lifelong friend Harry Bogdanovs. Recorded mainly in London, it features some of Britain’s finest musicians, including Martin Ditcham, Pete Shaw, Alan Clark, Chris Rea, and Tim Whitehead, in addition to Harry Bogdanovs, who plays guitar, bass and mandolin. Rolling Stones producer Chris Kimsey makes an appearance (as mix engineer) on several tracks and two tracks feature new co-writing partners Megan Slankard and Mack Starks. The album’s cover features a painting , The Drifter , generously supplied by Scotland’s most successful living artist, Jack Vettriano.
“Ship of Dreams is easily my best work to date and I dug deeper than I ever have before to create it,” he said. “I hope the critics and public will agree with me.”