4.5 Stars

Review Score: (8/10)
This album has appeared an several "Best of 2000" lists and deservedly so. I even like the compass rose that has been inlain on the CD itself--such a clever touch! (I wonder whose idea that one was....)

The other reviews pretty much lay out the strengths of this record, which include 1.) terrific storytelling 2.) thoroughly professional musicianship from people that have been making good music for decades 3.) wonderful lyricism, witty lyrics, and skillfull interpretation by Mark (I just love the line from "What it Is" where he pointedly sings "people curse their government and shovel hard food down")

This is, in my view, by far the best Mark has sounded on record. His voice is strong, honest, direct. And he holds his notes cleanly with no gliss or hiss. Stripping it bare was the best thing he ever did; his voice VERY nicely complements his guitar playing now. It'll only get better with age, which is what every bluesman's voice does.

A fine effort! Pour yourself a pint or a nice Whisky and sit by the fireplace listening to these wonderful songs!

More Reviews:

• A Special Set of Songs
• This is a great album, but don't buy the US version
• The Disc
• Best Knopfler Solo album out there!
• Amazing!
• Enduring appeal
• Don't Do America.....
• Average at best
• superb songs, arrangements, and vocals
• On Every Street II?
• A truly great solo album...
• Music that actually tells a story!
• Best of all
• A Genius, In Both Songwriting and Guitar Playing
• Mark Knopfler is Great..!!
• Worth picking up.
• Mark creates a great CD
• A great guitar cd
• Strong On Atmospherics
• Really Good But Not Great
• Does Not Fulfill Its Promise
• Arriving in Philly
• A new gem in the esoteric portfolio of racer music
• Guitar Giant Strikes Again!
• A Laid-Back Album
• Chef-d'oeuvre!!!
• Sailing
• I've been converted.
• You can never get tired or jaded with this album
• Like Coming Home.
• Soaring
• THE MASTER IS BACK
• Looking forward to more from Mark Knopfler
• Knopfler Crosses the Straits
• Knopfler Does Ok but he's not Rocky
• A fabulous CD.
• BORING
• Subtile music for music lovers
• Sorry, but it all sounds the same
• Quieter Knopfler
• surprisingly underwhelming.
• Get this album
• Mark Knopfler, new super album
• Storytelling isn't dead
• Better than his last solo effort.
• All right I admit it...
• I am now sailing with Mr. Knopfler
• Well-meaning, great guitar, sometimes silly lyrics
• Worth a re-listen
• Takes you to guitar nirvana
• Fine Listening
• Future Classic
• Like Dire Straits - only better
• Beautiful!!
• Return of Van
• Mark Knopfler... Simply the best
• Never Boring
• Wonderful CD!!!
• Sheer beauty.
• Sailing to Philadelphia
• Luxurious addition to one's soal
• Like A Lighthouse In A Storm..A Welcome Return For Me
• I Love This CD!
• Perhaps a little premature
• Surprise
• How horibble! This CD makes you listen more than once.
• Sailing to Philadelphia, Mark Knopfler
• Dreaming in the forest of the Iroquois
• A great recording, a great story
• Very strong
• What Is It ?
• For Fans of All Ages
• A Very Good Work
• Terrific
• While on the Road to ...
• ROCK STAR WANTS TO BE LIKE US
• Evolution AND Nostalgia
• A wonderful album
• Mark Knopfler at his best
• Uninspired
• Knopfler at his very best
• Awesome, awesome, awesome
• A solid release from an incredible musician
• This album is music in the truest sense of the word.
• Etherial guitarist!
• Still better than a Fuolornis Fire Dragon
• Terrific
• New Music, Same touch
• Good enough
• Classic Knopfler at his best!
• great stuff!
• Soundtracks may be his thing now, but he can still rock on
• The one I've been waiting for
• Knopfler's best album
• Return of Mr. Knopfler
• Mediocre
• Straits Fans Will Be Disappointed
• Welcome Back, Mr.Knopfler
• Excellent!
• Sailing onward..