Mark Knopfler - Sailing to Philadelphia, 2000
What can you say about Mark Knopfler? The heart of Dire Straits, the composer of some of the most distinctive movie soundtracks of the last 20 years and a genuine guitar hero - what's left? Apparently, to keep making some of the best records around.
"Sailing to Philadelphia" might as well be a Dire Straits album. After 1994's "On Every Street," it became obvious that Knopfler is Dire Straits at this point. Whether that's good or bad, I don't know, but I know more people would have heard this album if he had used the old name.
This album deserves to be heard. Perhaps a little twangier than in the days of “Brothers in Arms” and “Making Movies,” Knopfler can still write great hooks and lay down guitar solos that force multiple listening sessions. His voice is little changed with age, but he’s never been known for his vocal range. The production is the same clean, spacious style that made Dire Straits sound like nothing else on the radio.
"Sailing to Philadelphia" continues to explore the same themes visited in "On Every Street;" namely, Knopfler’s obsession with American life and music. “Speedway at Nazareth,” “Sands of Nevada,” “Do America,” and the title track don’t need much explanation, while “Junkie Doll” and “Prairie Wedding” lay it a little deeper between the lines.
Knopfler doesn’t hesitate to call on his friends for this one. James Taylor, Van Morrison, Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, fiddler Aubrey Haynie and a list of lesser-known guests appear all over the album. Knopfler and co-producer Chuck Ainlay keep the focus where it should be though – it’s the songs, not the cast that shine brightest.
-BT
