Mark Knopfler - Cal (Soundtrack) (1984)

"Cal" is a 1984 soundtrack album by Mark Knopfler for the film Cal, produced by David Puttnam.
With the core of Dire Straits augumented by Paul Brady and Liam O'Flynn, Knopfler set out to give this score a somewhat Irish spin, though keeping that light.
A quiet, reflective set of cues that eschew false dramatics in favor of supporting the story.
Knopfler completists will want the entire album, of course; others might as well settle for the several excerpts on Screenplaying.  In 1983, Mark Knopfler, singer/songwriter of Dire Straits, released the superb soundtrack to "Local Hero", which remains a favorite of mine still, and one of the best soundtracks ever.
The next year, he followed with another movie soundtrack, "Cal", which brings the story of an Northern-Irish family tormented by the struggles with the British "occupancy". "Cal" (12 tracks, 35 min.) evokes the atmosphere of Irish life, with superb result. Check out the opener "Irish Boy", with gentle guitar and flute. The conflict in the movie is born out in "Fear and Hatred", which is the only "harsh" track on the album, all the other tunes are mood pieces.
There are 2 center pieces on the album that are beautiful beyond belief: the 6 minutes. "Father and Son" which evoke all the ache that is in the movie, and the closer "The Long Road", which is uplifting in sound (and sight onto the screen).
Knopler's excellent guitar work is never overbearing, but enhances the mood throughout.

 

01.  "Irish Boy"  - 3:55

02.  "The Road" - 2:08

03.  "Waiting for Her"  - 0:38

04.  "Irish Love"  - 2:24

05.  "A Secret Place/ Where Will You Go"  - 1:45

06.  "Father and Son"  - 7:41

07.  "Meeting Under the Trees"  - 0:48

08.  "Potato Picking"  - 2:06

09.  "In a Secret Place"  - 1:08

10.  "Fear and Hatred"  - 2:18

11.  "Love and Guilt"  - 3:04

12.  "The Long Road"  - 7:13

Released:  1984

Recorded at:  Air Studios

Genre:  Celtic, Pop

Label:  Vertigo

Producer:  Mark Knopfler, David Puttnam

Personnel

Mark Knopfler - guitars and vocals

Guy Fletcher - keyboards

Paul Brady - tin whistle and mandolin

Liam O'Flynn - uillean pipes

John Illsley - bass

Terry Williams - drums