Mark Knopfler ~ Sailing to Philadelphia (2000)

[TheFeldster]

ALBUM REVIEW



Sailing to Philadelphia is the 3rd solo release by former Dire Straits front man Mark Knopfler. The album was released to minimal fanfare in 2000, and is an underrated release by Knopfler.

There’s plenty to like about this album. The opening song, What It Is, has a celtic feel about it due to the addition of a strings section, and Do America and Junkie Doll have a Dire Straits feel about them. But it’s the duets on the album that really make it special – the title track, Sailing to Philadelphia, is done as a duet with James Taylor while the song The Last Laugh features Van Morrison. Both of these singers add something extra to their respective songs and make this album a more than decent listen.

Other highlights of the album include Who’s Your Baby Now (a very country like song, with great rhythm), El Macho (which shows traces of reggae influence) and Sands of Nevada.

While the music is very good, the album lacks any real groundbreaking song, however, and is not one you can listen to very often, as it can get old if overplayed.

Rating: 4.5/5

 

[Magic]

Re: Mark Knopfler ~ Sailing to Philadelphia

Nice review, Feldy. Knowing that you and I have similar musical tastes, I will have to give this album a spin. I do like Dire Straits and some of the duet match ups sound like they should be awesome, so this album should be right up my alley.

 

[TheFeldster]

Re: Mark Knopfler ~ Sailing to Philadelphia

Nice review, Feldy. Knowing that you and I have similar musical tastes, I will have to give this album a spin. I do like Dire Straits and some of the duet match ups sound like they should be awesome, so this album should be right up my alley.

Yes, it's definitely a decent listen, particularly the duets. The one with Taylor remains my favorite on the album after first hearing it back in 2000 when it was released and my dad bought a copy.

 

[LG]

Re: Mark Knopfler ~ Sailing to Philadelphia

Very nicely done Feldy...I don't have any of Mark's solo albums in the collection, but I do like early Dire Straits, so I might check this one out.

 

[Craig in Indy]

Re: Mark Knopfler ~ Sailing to Philadelphia

I'm not familiar with the album, but I know the title track from a bonus disc I got in a deluxe edition of Taylor's October Road album. Love the song. No doubt the first time Mason and Dixon have been featured in any song, rock or otherwise.

 

[Oblivion]

Re: Mark Knopfler ~ Sailing to Philadelphia

I like almost everything that Mark has done (solo and in the dire straits) and completely agree with your rating
He's a great artist!

 

[Sweaty]

Re: Mark Knopfler ~ Sailing to Philadelphia

I to like his solo stuff, did catch Dire Straits once and saw Mark In Manchester a few years ago, I do like his solo stuff, need his new album. Sailing to Philadelphia is a classic, I love James Taylor too. Heard the track on radio 2, recognised the voice and had to have it, he has done some classics. " If I were a Gibson, a 58 or nine"

 

[CP/M User]

My Dad brought this album and we have got it somewhere, sadly I don't know if I've listened to it properly. Dire Straits & Mark Knopfler is sadly neglected for me even though Dire Straits was one of my favourite bands when I was a kid in the 80s.

 

[Sweaty]

Mark Knopfler always delights me, I would go see him more if he played near, he plays a mean guitar