Mark Knopfler

Sailing To Philadelphia

Really Good But Not Great

Review Score:

(8/10)
I don't know who said it, I'm sure it wasn't me, but there is something indefinable between goodness and greatness. Such is the case with "Sailing to Philadelphia".

I approached this album without any "Dire Straits" baggage and I heard it long before "The Ragpicker's Dream", nonetheless, it comes up short. Despite pairing Mark Knopfler with James Taylor on the title track and Van Morrison on " The Last Laugh", the album never hits greatness. This is not to say I am disappointed, I feel the album is worth its price, I just don't feel it is worth more than the sum of its parts.

The opening track sets expectations high, but the rest of the album fails to deliver. Yes, I love the title track and I'll listen to anything featuring Van Morrison, but the remainder of the album never lives up to the promise of the opening set. The lyrics just don't seem up to par and Knopfler's understated vocals sometimes work against the song. "Junkie Doll" would be fine if done in a raspy Dylan or Joplin type voice, but done in the smooth tones of Knopfler's voice it is just another ballad. "Sailing to Philadelphia" is a stand out track, no doubt about it, but what can you expect with a pairing like JT and MK? Their vocals blend together very well.

The album grows on you the more you listen to it. There is some very fine guitar work presented, no argument about Mark Knopfler's playing ability, but it just does not seem inspired. Many tracks remind you of his Dire Straits roots, but the music never nails you to the wall like "Alchemy" or "Brothers In Arms" does.

The album is worth the retail price, so don't worry about the cost. If your are a Knopfler fan, it's a worthy addition to your collection. If you are a follower of Dire Straits you may be disappointed. If you can, listen to it before you buy it. This will help you decide if it belongs in your permanent music collection.

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