Sailing to Philadelphia

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Finally, music for grownups

In sharp contrast to his last solo effort, 1996's wildly eclectic "Golden Heart," Mark Knopfler returns with a vengeance to the roots rock/folk/blues that defined his songwriting with Dire Straits. The result is "Sailing to Philadelphia," a stirring collection of tunes that can only be described as cinematic.

The driving first cut, "What It Is," oozes with imagery of Scottish nightlife and a slightly sinister undercurrent. Yet the song is thrilling; Knopfler's clean Stratocaster sound, which was…

In sharp contrast to his last solo effort, 1996's wildly eclectic "Golden Heart," Mark Knopfler returns with a vengeance to the roots rock/folk/blues that defined his songwriting with Dire Straits. The result is "Sailing to Philadelphia," a stirring collection of tunes that can only be described as cinematic.

The driving first cut, "What It Is," oozes with imagery of Scottish nightlife and a slightly sinister undercurrent. Yet the song is thrilling; Knopfler's clean Stratocaster sound, which was his early trademark, is a joy to hear again, as his fiddle-like solos literally gallop to the fore.

The many ballads on the album are also quite atmospheric. In each lovingly crafted song, Knopfler layers varying textures and tones, and combined with his remarkable lyrics, they become little "movies" for the listener. "Prairie Wedding" evokes haunting scenes of the Old West, while "Sands of Nevada" is almost oppressive with the weary desperation of washed-up Las Vegas gamblers. The beautiful title track, a duet with James Taylor, works surprisingly well, as their vocals blend so perfectly. The best way to appreciate these gems is through headphones; every nuance adds to the experience.

The faster songs are also noteworthy. The tongue-in-cheek "Do America" sounds like a cross between "Money for Nothing," "Heavy Fuel," and "The Bug." And "Who's Your Baby Now" would certainly be the result if you tossed the Everly Brothers and the Beatles in a blender. "Junky Doll" is delightfully edgy, but "Speedway at Nazareth" is a marvel. The lyrics are sung at a snappy, bluegrass pace, but the instrumental climax roars with Knopfler's epic guitar work. His soloing here is reminiscent of the thunderous finale to "Telegraph Road," and helps to intensify images of heroic racecar drivers battling for position.

Imaginative, intelligent, and thoughtful, "Sailing to Philadelphia" will probably not appeal to the teen-pop crowd, who weren't even born when Dire Straits were in their heyday. This one's for us adults, and Mark Knopfler triumphantly proves, once again, he's still "Making Movies" with the best of 'em.

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Written by Michael M.

Inspiration, up to a point

Being a big Dire Straits fan, I couldn't wait for the release of this album. The two opening tracks are just magnificent. However, songs like "Who's Your Baby Now" and "Do America" sound as though they were written in a hurry to fill some comercial demand from the (Sorry for the cliche) suits. Mark Knopfler feel for his music, and his guitar playing are evident. He is fantastic, but his choice of material may be welcomed as somewhat boring. It may sound as though I long for a return of Dire Stra…

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Written by Jose L. Quinones

Track listing Edit

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What It Is