Mark Knopfler
Sailing to Philadelphia (2000)

review by: Michael Walls
Date: 8/2/01

This CD has gotten good reception from the critics, and in my opinion, for all the wrong reasons. A lot of talk and airplay has gone into a few songs that feature guest vocalists. Most notably, the title track, "Sailing to Philadelphia" featuring James Taylor and "The Last Laugh" with Van Morrison. Personally, I'm not a JT fan. So this song does nothing for me. In fact, I tend to skip it altogether. I am a Van Morrison fan, but if I want Van Morrison, I'll listen to Van Morrison.

It seems appropriate that radio has adopted these two songs (plus "What it is", the first single off the album) as the only songs to warrant airplay. And as is usually the case with radio, they have completely ignored the genius behind the rest of this album.

Once you get past these first few tracks, created for the enjoyment of the "two-minute" critics, you get into the meat of what is truly Knopfler. A blues-bred guitarist, with a flare for melodic style and a truly unique vocal presence.

If I were to loan this CD to you, to allow you to test drive it before you buy, I would recommend that you put it on track 6 and let it roll through the remaining eight tracks, uninterrupted.

Starting with "Do America", a soundtrack-like song with a Dire Straits signature sound and catchy lyrics, that should become a single. Into songs like "El Macho" and "Prairie Wedding" where Knopfler's voice and guitar just lead you into a bluesy groove.

"Speedway At Nazareth" is my favorite song on the album. Knopfler starts off with a country twang, with help from some female vocals, into some heavy bass and drums that nearly blew out my truck's subwoofers, then into an endless guitar and bass blues riff, that doesn't really end but gets faded out. (As if the studio said, "look, either we fade out this song or make it the last song on the album.")

"Junkie Doll", "Silvertown Blues" and "Sands of Nevada" are reminiscent of Dire Straits days. A mumbling Knopfler, letting his guitar do all the talking, while the rest of his band fills in the gaps and bridges the music.

I really enjoy this entire album. But I think I like Knopfler best when he just says "Ya know what? Screw it. Let's jam!" And when Knopfler jams, you can't do anything but sit back and enjoy it.