I had written this review for fabmart a couple of years ago. My views on this album still haven’t changed, so I thought I’d share it with you.
I rubbed my eyes in amazement when I heard that Mark Knopfler has released a new album. I just simply
had to have it, and buy it I did. I guess class musicians like him don’t need any reviews, they are much
above any review. But I will try and give my honest opinion as always.
All you fans of Dire Straits, who still sway to the wonderful notes that come out of Knopfler’s guitar
and awesome vocals, will be pleased to know that this guitarist, composer, and singer has come very
close to recapturing the hallmark sound that made him a celebrity in the seventies and eighties. Since
the silent death of Dire Straits, Mark Knopfler has made a name for himself as a creator of film scores,
most famously for political satire ’’Wag the Dog’’. The songs on his new album ’’Sailing to Philadelphia’’
range from country music ’’Speedway at Nazareth’’ to the Irish influenced ’’What is it’’, to pure rock n’
roll ’’Who’s your Baby now?’’. ’’Sailing to Philadelphia’’ is a mixture of different styles, and also an
amalgam of what we heard in the ’’Local Hero’’ and ’’Wag the Dog’’ soundtracks.
Now for all of you who have not yet heard of Mark Knopfler or the Dire Straits? I suggest you go and get
yourself the ’’Sultan’s of Swing’’ album. This is a compilation that contains the best songs of the
Straits. Its an absolutely must have, you will definitely enjoy it, and that I guarantee.